is hardware killing software?
Roland Verselab MV-1
Sure, the Roland Verselab MV-1 does everything – beats, instruments, sampling, sequencing, effects, automation – but the emphasis is squarely on performing with, and recording, vocals
Who else has the groove box market covered in the way that Roland do? Nobody. They have the Aira series, the Boutique takes on their classic drum machines, newer devices based on the ZEN- Core synthesis platform, including the MC-707, and this, the Verse Lab MV-1. Like the other products in our round up – the Akai Force, Native Instruments Maschine+, and Polyend Tracker – the MV-1 wraps up sequencing, sampling, and effects, into a single package that might just make you think differently about your favourite DAW. There’s an undeniable buzz that comes with hardware groove boxes, that software developers can only dream of.
Out of the box, the MV-1 comes across as more of a budget product, purely based on the plastic vibe of the housing; that’s one area where we guess the price is reflected. The MV-1 measures 354mm x 208mm x 60mm, and weighs 1.165 kg. The top panel is busy but well organised, including editing controls, the step sequencer buttons along the bottom, the main central pads, a small display, and the workflow and track sections. The front panel includes two headphone jacks, in 1/4 and 1/8 sizes (impressive) and intriguingly, “There’s an undeniable buzz that comes with hardware groove boxes” there’s a built-in microphone. Round the back are connections for power, USB, MIDI in/out, SD card, stereo line in, microphone, and stereo line out. Like the Polyend Tracker, the MV-1 can be powered from a USB power bank, for total mobility – this is a trend that we want to see being continued.
“There’s an undeniable buzz that comes with hardware groove boxes"
The MV-1 contains 16 demo songs, some with full vocal tracks included, which tells us something about what the MV-1 is focused on – the voice. It’s revealing to compare the demos across the different devices – the Force demos tend to be more what we’d call dance-y influenced and at high tempos, while the Tracker is more blatantly electronic, and the MV-1 is more broadly in hip-hop territory. These demos are useful, but they’re only guidelines; especially as all these machines include sampling, you’re free to make any sound you want.