Back in 2003, this groovebox arrived as a game-changer, blending MIDI sequencing and sampling into one box with wild performance tricks like infrared Twin D-Beams for filter sweeps and sample triggers, plus a massive DJ-style fader for real-time pitch and time-stretching on audio or MIDI.
At its heart sits a 64-voice polyphonic, 16-part multitimbral synth engine powered by Roland's XV technology, packing 800 preset patches, 72 rhythm sets, and 693 waveforms, with each of four tones per patch offering independent stereo samples, filters, a single envelope, two LFOs, and deep editing via knobs for filter cutoff, resonance, and more. It starts with 16MB sample RAM expandable to 272MB via DIMMs, stereo inputs for .WAV/AIFF import over USB or S/PDIF, and four stereo outputs for flexible routing. The 16-track sequencer holds 1,056 patterns up to 998 bars long at 480ppqn resolution, with velocity-sensitive pads, a part mixer using eight sliders for levels, pans, key shifts, and sends, plus effects like two MFX (38/47 types including step filter and COSM modeling), four reverbs, a compressor, and 3-band mastering comp/EQ. Hands-on control shines through the large backlit VGA LCD, dedicated buttons, and unique features like V-LINK for video mixing and turntable emulation.
Over two decades on, players still praise its intuitive workflow for live sets and beatmaking, the punchy sampling, and those tactile controllers that feel alive under your fingers, though some note the sequencer could be more fluid for complex linear work.
