Roland reveals three production tools

Music hardware creator Roland today revealed three new production tools at the NAMM music expo. The company highlighted its MV-8000, an all-in-one production unit that handles virtually every stage of song creation. The MV-8000 supports beat and other loop creation by drawing in samples either through the three MIDI ports or digital tracks copied directly to an internal hard drive. The device can also apply effects in real-time for DJs, and handles multi-track recording with the ability to author final creations to CD. Users can attach a mouse and VG display for additional control, and the device is due to ship in the near future for an unspecified price.

The instrument maker also launched a pair of companion pieces. The V-Synth GT synth keyboard is a sequel to the original that adds an Articulate Phrase Synthesis engine to the well-known Elastic Audio Synthesis engine to help replicate real-world instruments. A vocal designer and an improved sound shaper are also part of the upgrades, according to Electronista. Roland's VG-99 complements the V-Synth GT by modeling both classic and modern guitar hardware, as well as offering fine-tuning for distinctive sounds. The device also features a heavily-requested MIDI output feature to send the resulting music to keyboards or computers. Both the V-Synth GT and VG-99 are expected to ship in the near future (pricing was unavailable).

Filed under: audio