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Roland MC909 64-Voice Sampling Groovebox
Studio-quality effects. Built-in USB port.
"More than just a drum machine, the Roland MC-909 sampling groovebox is more like a condensed studio."
Feature:
This box is jam packes with features. It's got an awesome sampler, a pretty good sequencer, plenty of cool sounds, and a plethora of different knobs that can help you modify your sounds. There are some really cool FX on board as well. I like how you can plug in a guitar to the input and apply the effects. I also enjoy the "mix in" feature, which allows you do play live over your beats. I find this to be a very handy feature when songwriting. I think that it's awesome that you can record automation settings to your beat. That really impressed me. The one thing that I wish you could do would be to sequence a live guitar and then loop it. I mean, you can do it, but it would require tons of sample memory space. I wish there were another way, cuz that would be a great feature. Other than that, this box has wowed me with how versatile it is.
Quality:
I trust Roland products. As long as I save my work, it's there when I get back. I box is heavy, strong, and durable. In my opinion, the worst thing that can happen is have it freeze up you. But this has only happened to me once or twice in two years. All you have to do is reset it and everything should be back to normal. Just make sure you save continuously so that you don't lose important data.
Value:
This product is worth it for the money I think that you get what you pay for on this one. It's a bunch of different things all in one, and buying those components separately would cost roughly about the same
Desirability:
It's an intriguing device, so I think that most people would at least consider purchasing one. It isn't sought after as much as a triton or motif, but I think that it still has it's charm. I think that it is an overlooked, misunderstood piece of equipment that can that can shine with the best of them if given a fair chance.
Sound:
I guess I would refer to the sound as "good Roland." It sounds like most other Roland products I've heard. It sounds better than it's predecessors such as the D2. But it is still not up to par with the Fantom series. If you like Roland sounds, it's a must. Cool Basses, good EP's, decent piano, good Drums, good synth's, cool SFX, and mediocre strings. If you're looking for quality horns, organs, or brass, I'm afraid you're outta luck. The sounds in the MC-909 are cool, but what's really cool is that you can sample your own sounds in with them. This makes my music sound at least twice as good. I always try to sample in some live drums or guitar with the rest of the instruments. To get the best sound out of this box, record digitally via S/PDIF. The signal is much cleaner. I also use a MIDI keyboard to access the sounds. I find it to be a much easier way to program beats.
Support:
I received good support from a knowledgeable and caring staff.
Overall:
I am a very satisfied customer. It does what it is supposed to do and does it well. The sounds alone were enough of a motive for me to get one. If you are a Roland fan, this is a must. If mine ever breaks, I'm gonna try to get it repaired. If I can't get it repaired I'm buying another one. And when that one breaks, I'm buying another. I never want to be without an MC-909, even if its completed outdated!
This box is jam packes with features. It's got an awesome sampler, a pretty good sequencer, plenty of cool sounds, and a plethora of different knobs that can help you modify your sounds. There are some really cool FX on board as well. I like how you can plug in a guitar to the input and apply the effects. I also enjoy the "mix in" feature, which allows you do play live over your beats. I find this to be a very handy feature when songwriting. I think that it's awesome that you can record automation settings to your beat. That really impressed me. The one thing that I wish you could do would be to sequence a live guitar and then loop it. I mean, you can do it, but it would require tons of sample memory space. I wish there were another way, cuz that would be a great feature. Other than that, this box has wowed me with how versatile it is.
Quality:
I trust Roland products. As long as I save my work, it's there when I get back. I box is heavy, strong, and durable. In my opinion, the worst thing that can happen is have it freeze up you. But this has only happened to me once or twice in two years. All you have to do is reset it and everything should be back to normal. Just make sure you save continuously so that you don't lose important data.
Value:
This product is worth it for the money I think that you get what you pay for on this one. It's a bunch of different things all in one, and buying those components separately would cost roughly about the same
Desirability:
It's an intriguing device, so I think that most people would at least consider purchasing one. It isn't sought after as much as a triton or motif, but I think that it still has it's charm. I think that it is an overlooked, misunderstood piece of equipment that can that can shine with the best of them if given a fair chance.
Sound:
I guess I would refer to the sound as "good Roland." It sounds like most other Roland products I've heard. It sounds better than it's predecessors such as the D2. But it is still not up to par with the Fantom series. If you like Roland sounds, it's a must. Cool Basses, good EP's, decent piano, good Drums, good synth's, cool SFX, and mediocre strings. If you're looking for quality horns, organs, or brass, I'm afraid you're outta luck. The sounds in the MC-909 are cool, but what's really cool is that you can sample your own sounds in with them. This makes my music sound at least twice as good. I always try to sample in some live drums or guitar with the rest of the instruments. To get the best sound out of this box, record digitally via S/PDIF. The signal is much cleaner. I also use a MIDI keyboard to access the sounds. I find it to be a much easier way to program beats.
Support:
I received good support from a knowledgeable and caring staff.
Overall:
I am a very satisfied customer. It does what it is supposed to do and does it well. The sounds alone were enough of a motive for me to get one. If you are a Roland fan, this is a must. If mine ever breaks, I'm gonna try to get it repaired. If I can't get it repaired I'm buying another one. And when that one breaks, I'm buying another. I never want to be without an MC-909, even if its completed outdated!
"Well worth it."
Feature:
no complaints. It does everything I want and more. I've had it for almost 2 years now and I'm still finding new stuff as I need it. I often wish that the 909 would do something only to find out a week later that it actually does it anyway just the way I wanted. I do wish you could run the dual efx on each sound. The fact that you can only assign sounds with one efx without resampling is a slight frustration, but resampling solves this issue.
Quality:
The finish on the face plate scrached easily when it was put beside a metal edged mixer but other than that one small blemish there have been no other problems. I travel frequently with my 909 on the road and after two years of giging and road use it is still in great shape on all accounts. I have a hard case for it that is heavily padded but it keeps it looking brand new.
Value:
for and 'all in one' unit this is a great peice of gear for the price.
Desirability:
I would like a colour screen display on it but I know that roland only started putting them on the fantoms and other units after the MC909 came out so its kind of a void request.
Sound:
sound quality is lacking on the horns and strings but most of the other elements are great for the time that the sound bank was created.
Ease of Use:
I had a MC303, then a MC505 before I got my MC909 so making the transition was very easy if you are used to the roland interface. Everything is right there for you with most features being assigned directly to knobs and peices on the face plate. menu system is easy to navigate and makes use of common sense
Support:
roland support has always sorted me out right. I have had direct numbers to specific guys on my speed dial, not because I am having frustrations with roland equipment but because I enjoy learning more about the gear I own from people that are happy and enthusiastic to talk about.
Overall:
This will likely stay with me for years. I have added many other peices of gear around it to supplement it but it remains a staple in my electronic live pa set up.
no complaints. It does everything I want and more. I've had it for almost 2 years now and I'm still finding new stuff as I need it. I often wish that the 909 would do something only to find out a week later that it actually does it anyway just the way I wanted. I do wish you could run the dual efx on each sound. The fact that you can only assign sounds with one efx without resampling is a slight frustration, but resampling solves this issue.
Quality:
The finish on the face plate scrached easily when it was put beside a metal edged mixer but other than that one small blemish there have been no other problems. I travel frequently with my 909 on the road and after two years of giging and road use it is still in great shape on all accounts. I have a hard case for it that is heavily padded but it keeps it looking brand new.
Value:
for and 'all in one' unit this is a great peice of gear for the price.
Desirability:
I would like a colour screen display on it but I know that roland only started putting them on the fantoms and other units after the MC909 came out so its kind of a void request.
Sound:
sound quality is lacking on the horns and strings but most of the other elements are great for the time that the sound bank was created.
Ease of Use:
I had a MC303, then a MC505 before I got my MC909 so making the transition was very easy if you are used to the roland interface. Everything is right there for you with most features being assigned directly to knobs and peices on the face plate. menu system is easy to navigate and makes use of common sense
Support:
roland support has always sorted me out right. I have had direct numbers to specific guys on my speed dial, not because I am having frustrations with roland equipment but because I enjoy learning more about the gear I own from people that are happy and enthusiastic to talk about.
Overall:
This will likely stay with me for years. I have added many other peices of gear around it to supplement it but it remains a staple in my electronic live pa set up.
Roland MC-909 Groovebox Customer Review
Feature:
Everything I need (literally) at my fingertips.
Quality:
Sturdy and reliable. I'm sure the pads will wear out a little eventually. When they do, I'll replace them and keep on bumpin.
Value:
The price was right. Way under MSRP.
Desirability:
In the dark, this is a very Sexy Beast. In my home studio with the lights on, she's is not to be taken lightly.
Sound:
Great sound! Knobs, sliders and pads will almost always achieve the sound or mood I'm looking for, after some adjustments and tweaks. Rarely, do I ever come away feeling like "something's missing."
Ease of Use:
Still learning what this tool is capable of. So far, it's capable of a whole lot.
Support:
No problems with the instrument so I haven't had to use them.
Overall:
She's an integral part of my home studio. I spend hours on this instrument, sometimes without having a specific sound or shape in mind. After a while something usually begins to take shape. I save it and come back to it later to refine, edit, tweak, master and burn it. I Like-It-Alot!
Everything I need (literally) at my fingertips.
Quality:
Sturdy and reliable. I'm sure the pads will wear out a little eventually. When they do, I'll replace them and keep on bumpin.
Value:
The price was right. Way under MSRP.
Desirability:
In the dark, this is a very Sexy Beast. In my home studio with the lights on, she's is not to be taken lightly.
Sound:
Great sound! Knobs, sliders and pads will almost always achieve the sound or mood I'm looking for, after some adjustments and tweaks. Rarely, do I ever come away feeling like "something's missing."
Ease of Use:
Still learning what this tool is capable of. So far, it's capable of a whole lot.
Support:
No problems with the instrument so I haven't had to use them.
Overall:
She's an integral part of my home studio. I spend hours on this instrument, sometimes without having a specific sound or shape in mind. After a while something usually begins to take shape. I save it and come back to it later to refine, edit, tweak, master and burn it. I Like-It-Alot!
"Want to be a pro?"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:Has everything you need to produce any type of music all in one easy workstation
Quality:
Some buttons are startin to ware down but they still work fine so its perfect
Value:
Not to pricely, im down with the price, brought me all the way with makin a song wit PVD!!!
Desirability:
This thing will catch anyones eye
Sound:
Clear as you will ever need to show up others at the top gig of the week
Support:
The homepage is a lot of help to this product, does well
Overall:
The best Roland product out right now
"Perfect for serious people! If you can't use it you're an IDIOT!"
Feature:
It only came with the cable to plug in but you need to buy cables for sampling and conecting to a mixer. I feel it should come with at least the cable for sampling since that is a main part of the 909. The least useful features are the beams. the turn table effect is ok but everything else doesn't fit MY style.
Quality:
Overall the 909 is made very well to my standards. A few dislikes are the size of keys, layout of the keys and sticking of the keys. The keys are about half the size of my thumb which is a good size but compared to the Akai MPC they are a lot smaller. The layout is like a piano so if you wanna play the drums without recording them causes a problem. The Roland MV-8000 style is way better. My 909 is only a month old and the keys stick once in a while.
Value:
I would have paid more for it if I need to. If you can't afford it get a second job. This is a must!
Desirability:
It's cool looking. Color sceme and what not...I don't but something coz of looks, I buy it for sound!
Sound:
The sound is just incredible. Crystal clear! I have 2 basses, a guitar and Roland V-drums expanded set in my studio but I don't even use them anymore b/c I can do everything with the 909. Of course it would be easier to play the guitar as a guitar instead of playing the keys to put out a guitar sound but the music I make doesn't need difficult chords. Some sounds are better than others but that is personal preference.
Support:
Roland helped me out many times with my V-drums but I haven't had any serious trouble with this. Some people say Roland sucks for service but I think it's the area you live in.
Overall:
I don't think I'll need to buy something else for a long time. I was gonna get the Akai MPC but I leaned toward Roland since I had the V-drums.
It only came with the cable to plug in but you need to buy cables for sampling and conecting to a mixer. I feel it should come with at least the cable for sampling since that is a main part of the 909. The least useful features are the beams. the turn table effect is ok but everything else doesn't fit MY style.
Quality:
Overall the 909 is made very well to my standards. A few dislikes are the size of keys, layout of the keys and sticking of the keys. The keys are about half the size of my thumb which is a good size but compared to the Akai MPC they are a lot smaller. The layout is like a piano so if you wanna play the drums without recording them causes a problem. The Roland MV-8000 style is way better. My 909 is only a month old and the keys stick once in a while.
Value:
I would have paid more for it if I need to. If you can't afford it get a second job. This is a must!
Desirability:
It's cool looking. Color sceme and what not...I don't but something coz of looks, I buy it for sound!
Sound:
The sound is just incredible. Crystal clear! I have 2 basses, a guitar and Roland V-drums expanded set in my studio but I don't even use them anymore b/c I can do everything with the 909. Of course it would be easier to play the guitar as a guitar instead of playing the keys to put out a guitar sound but the music I make doesn't need difficult chords. Some sounds are better than others but that is personal preference.
Support:
Roland helped me out many times with my V-drums but I haven't had any serious trouble with this. Some people say Roland sucks for service but I think it's the area you live in.
Overall:
I don't think I'll need to buy something else for a long time. I was gonna get the Akai MPC but I leaned toward Roland since I had the V-drums.
Roland MC-909 Groovebox Customer Review
Feature:
You want to make some serious sounding music,this is it.It has an insane amount of patches,all of wich can be manipulated in almost every way possible to create your own patches.Now I need to see if theres a way to play them using a MIDI controller...Hmm
Quality:
Seems to be pretty well built.Only problem I've had so far is that it freezes up on occasion.So just make sure you frequently save what your working on.
Value:
So far I think its was worth every cent
Desirability:
Gotta have it.Knobs,sliders,little lights every where.Its just a gorgeous machine.As far as creating music.Your imagination is the limit.
Sound:
Crystal clear,the possibilties are ENDLESS!
Support:
Dealt with them once or twice just ask some questions about the box.They got me the answers I was looking for.
Overall:
Sure I'll be crankin out some sick ass tunes for years to come with it.
You want to make some serious sounding music,this is it.It has an insane amount of patches,all of wich can be manipulated in almost every way possible to create your own patches.Now I need to see if theres a way to play them using a MIDI controller...Hmm
Quality:
Seems to be pretty well built.Only problem I've had so far is that it freezes up on occasion.So just make sure you frequently save what your working on.
Value:
So far I think its was worth every cent
Desirability:
Gotta have it.Knobs,sliders,little lights every where.Its just a gorgeous machine.As far as creating music.Your imagination is the limit.
Sound:
Crystal clear,the possibilties are ENDLESS!
Support:
Dealt with them once or twice just ask some questions about the box.They got me the answers I was looking for.
Overall:
Sure I'll be crankin out some sick ass tunes for years to come with it.
"This is nice but it should be better, but it is damn reasonably priced!"
Feature:
Its got features, but even though you can get to everything, I would be hard pressed to call the comp a mastering processor and the keys or touch pad should come with a hammer, a bit toodigitized of a touch and then again no improvement of the basic rotation ratios of the pots. Maybe I am asking too much but the little keyboard was better in a weird way on the 505 if you close one hand and use the index finger sort of way. Oh, you mean number of additional features, I am wondering about the USB limitations...OK I am getting too granular
Quality:
The MC909 is not mil spec but it is groovable and will hold up uner assorted punishment. Dont slam it though or the board will crack and the etching will be wasted.The features for the 909 won outover the design aspect, so its the add ons a plenty for weaker appearance and synth engineering.
Value:
Good pricing, so you can see that the features really was more important than the design, to Roland. and the many
Desirability:
I dont want 2 and If you have a little more money go and buy an Access Virus. This is a groove box, the virus is a weapon.
Sound:
SOund quality is fair but it is not in the same galaxy as the JP8000, Parts of the reasons are the the ways the filter are accessed as compared to having a bad sound, you need to work to get something that is phat. MC909 should have the sounds that come with the price tag, the software needs some better OS burning capability to be able to arm the rom up with better firmware. The ASM sound is an improvement over the 505 but not as much as you might think after the years in-between
Support:
Not sure but an 8 will keep me from being a liar I always thought the boards for the 606 and for the mc909 sould be sold openly, it is very simple within
Overall:
A very cool machine that costs about what the 505 did but has all the great things the 505 lacked, except why are the audio converteror worse than my semi-pro audio card on my puter and the design is not very innovating. You can put everything her back on the same chasis of the 505 and put smaller knobs with better ratioi of attenuatiing and sweep dynamics
Its got features, but even though you can get to everything, I would be hard pressed to call the comp a mastering processor and the keys or touch pad should come with a hammer, a bit toodigitized of a touch and then again no improvement of the basic rotation ratios of the pots. Maybe I am asking too much but the little keyboard was better in a weird way on the 505 if you close one hand and use the index finger sort of way. Oh, you mean number of additional features, I am wondering about the USB limitations...OK I am getting too granular
Quality:
The MC909 is not mil spec but it is groovable and will hold up uner assorted punishment. Dont slam it though or the board will crack and the etching will be wasted.The features for the 909 won outover the design aspect, so its the add ons a plenty for weaker appearance and synth engineering.
Value:
Good pricing, so you can see that the features really was more important than the design, to Roland. and the many
Desirability:
I dont want 2 and If you have a little more money go and buy an Access Virus. This is a groove box, the virus is a weapon.
Sound:
SOund quality is fair but it is not in the same galaxy as the JP8000, Parts of the reasons are the the ways the filter are accessed as compared to having a bad sound, you need to work to get something that is phat. MC909 should have the sounds that come with the price tag, the software needs some better OS burning capability to be able to arm the rom up with better firmware. The ASM sound is an improvement over the 505 but not as much as you might think after the years in-between
Support:
Not sure but an 8 will keep me from being a liar I always thought the boards for the 606 and for the mc909 sould be sold openly, it is very simple within
Overall:
A very cool machine that costs about what the 505 did but has all the great things the 505 lacked, except why are the audio converteror worse than my semi-pro audio card on my puter and the design is not very innovating. You can put everything her back on the same chasis of the 505 and put smaller knobs with better ratioi of attenuatiing and sweep dynamics
"rock'n ass machine"
Feature:
this things got more features than the space shuttle
Quality:
the best
Value:
your would pay 5000 or more if you bought sampler,efx,compressor, drum machine, ect all seperatly
Desirability:
its like air i got to have it
Sound:
explosive!
Support:
never called them
Overall:
this is the real heavy weight champ
this things got more features than the space shuttle
Quality:
the best
Value:
your would pay 5000 or more if you bought sampler,efx,compressor, drum machine, ect all seperatly
Desirability:
its like air i got to have it
Sound:
explosive!
Support:
never called them
Overall:
this is the real heavy weight champ
"MC 909 the new noize shaper."
Feature:
Just think of it and it can manipulate it one way or the other endless. Its like it'l never get old.
Quality:
For the price, yes better than most more expensive workstations.
Value:
Affordable compared to the mpc4000 and does far much more tweaking and sound shapping effortlessly without having to pull menus.
Desirability:
It deffinetly would land u a date at the gig I mean a date for a gig.
Sound:
The sound is incredible. Give it a 9 it sounds pro studio quality.
Support:
Not tried yet on this product but have on other Rolands.
Overall:
I'll keep this for a while and i'm ready for the initial bugs though none so far. All workstations go through this at their early stage.
Just think of it and it can manipulate it one way or the other endless. Its like it'l never get old.
Quality:
For the price, yes better than most more expensive workstations.
Value:
Affordable compared to the mpc4000 and does far much more tweaking and sound shapping effortlessly without having to pull menus.
Desirability:
It deffinetly would land u a date at the gig I mean a date for a gig.
Sound:
The sound is incredible. Give it a 9 it sounds pro studio quality.
Support:
Not tried yet on this product but have on other Rolands.
Overall:
I'll keep this for a while and i'm ready for the initial bugs though none so far. All workstations go through this at their early stage.
"Well Done ROLAND!!!!!"
It's very intuitive to use. The way the front panel and menus are arranged makes designing your own sounds a breeze and the sampling was the icing on the cake.
If your looking for a workstation and/or a groovebox, definately make the MC-909 a consideration.
If your looking for a workstation and/or a groovebox, definately make the MC-909 a consideration.
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