I use it as a digital mixer for my computer music setup. I like the fact that it has optical and spdif digital ins and outs. Basically you have 8 analog ins and 2 stereo digital ins plus the R bus (an 8 track cable you can use that only with other Roland devices). The overall tone quality is great and the features (once you figure out how they work) are amazing. For instance there is a great speaker emulation feature (ns-10's, tv speakers...)but even after doing it for 10 times I still have to look at the manual. The routing of inputs to outputs is also very impressive, although again be prepared to spend some time trying to figure it out. There is also an extra input for guitars, which comes in very handy since you don't need a D.I. For a small home computer studio setup I highly recommend it.

Very few limitations for a digital mixer in this price range...my only gripe would be the proprietary RDMBII digital bus, as opposed to ADAT lightpipe. It really shines as a keyboard mixer, but does well for other uses too. Onboard effects are pretty good, more versatile and better sounding than other inexpensive outboard units like an Alesis Midiverb4 for example. COSM mic emulation is okay, but the COSM guitar amp/cabinet modeling effects are very good, if not very accurate. If you want to record guitar and don't already own a POD, you could get by with one of these. Overall, this thing isn't perfect, and it a good choice for someone who doesn't have the budget for a larger digital mixer.

when i bought it i could already quickly use it to record and use it for live... but now i can use my MIDI keyboard, master my recordings, record things into my computer and even use the Roland to control my Q-Base program, i dont need to use the mouse anymore to playback record and move the faders. It's an amazing deal with what this package offers. Its a sure buy i haven't regretted it at all.

I really like the features, but I have windows
XP and the Dealer that I bought did not tell
me that it is not upgradable with a new
software fix. I have tried to reach Emagic
but I live on the east coast and calling
the west coast and staying on hold for 45 min's is very expencive.

Feature:
lots of features, but are too complicated m6 buttons for this feature scroll menu 6 buttons for that the worst user interface in the history of mankind. i ddare anyone to say they record easy if at all on the mac with this

Quality:
very well built, too bad its too complicated, you would do better getting a contol surface and a sound card sepertly

Value:
too complicated to use. and i am not a duffless.

Desirability:
only in a nightmare

Sound:
impossible to learn to use with mac, distortion when using cpu makesuseless, okay as a standalone mixer but way too complicated!!!!! support, they tried but did not have any awnsers win i finally got thru no updates in years no osx drivers

Support:
promised osx drivers 2 years ago. where are they no updates, no fix for the static issue when using mac. they try but have a badly concieved product. if you want endless headaches this is it hands down how not to make a product.

Overall:
waaaayyyy to complicated. buy a soundcard for input and output and a conbtrol surface for your software daw. you have been warned. dont even consider this for mac recording. maybe mixing but with extreme learning curve even for those who know somnething