If they're still looking for software programmers to help develop the Linn Drum 2 at this stage there is NO WAY the box will be coming out this year- unless the box is done and they are just making sure it has the best 'computer to box' USB transfer technology/software.
The second qualification makes me think this is not so.

That's not good.

It depends, they might have gotten most of the way through development and for some reason fired their previous programmers, or had them walk out, or something along those lines.

I'm starting to think they were way early announcing the product.

Of course, so far they have only been showing prototypes that didn't actually work, but I doubt this Linn II will be done before the end of this year.

well at least we have time to save our nickels... =)

If Roland was gangsta, they'd release a new machine by years end that rivaled the Linn2 aimed squarely at the folks who would get a Linn2.

I know the beat box industry is not like the cell phone industry, but imagine if Apple announced the iPhone (complete with pics & an empty mockup) more than a full year before it hit streets. Other manufacturers would be all over trying to beat it to the market with their own version.

Now I'd rather have a Linn2 than an iPhone, but if Roland dropped a MV-4400 or a SP-707 that was exciting they could capture market share from Rog & Dave at their own game.

Mv-4400? So what would you suggest to dump from the MV-8800 then? The baseline synth?

I don't know, I much rather have a MV-8800 I think, even if this means saving a lot of money or buying it second hand for still quite some dough.

you know some peeps swear by them (hi vivi!) but i hear the workflow is rough getting used to - kind of the opposite of the 404 in that respect, though nothing is without it's challenges. that said, i'm sure it's nothing you couldn't best with perserverence.

I would ditch the CD burner/player that the MV8800 houses, and make the whole thing smaller overall and add a pitch bend & mod wheel.

I'm thinking from a commercial standpoint, rather than personal.
Modern producers like to bring their beat machines around to different locations, other rooms, friend's house, clubs, etc...
the MV has a bigger footprint than the MPC60, 3000, 4000, King Kong, Godzilla, & Clifford the big red dog.

I know it's an all-in-one powerhouse.
If they stripped off the things that producers would use other things to accomplish & add some more finger food it would compete with the Linn2 very nicely.

I understand and yeah I agree, however there's a small problem. CD-burners don't cost much at all to produce and it's a no-brainer from a point of design when it comes to integrating it into the 'MV-4400'. It would simply use the same connections and so on, so you'd probably have a pretty expensive piece of gear still.

I don't think this will kill interest for such a device per say.



Yeah, definitely. Based on my experience with messing around on it in a shop a few times and watching a big bunch of youtube videos I think there's a world a difference between the 404 and MV-8800 indeed. Definitely agree on that with you.

Still being able to do a lot more feature-wise always comes at the price of needing to learn making things all over again.

I've had the same thing when I switched from making "beats" (I didn't ever made good beats) on the SP-555 to the SP-606. The machines are pretty similar, but not the same. There's plenty of things you need to re-learn because it works slightly different.

I think the difference between the SP-606 and MV-8800 is even bigger, but you are right. It's probably a matter of getting used to the machine, getting to know it inside-out.

I've seen Mike Acosta do a beat in under 5 minutes. True, he already set-up most of the things on before-hand (which isn't shown in the video) and he did a beat that he knew exactly how to perform because he already did that beat some time before.... still it does show how the work-flow can be. Basically he didn't cheat while doing the actual performance, he just knew exactly what to do.

In general I have a feeling a lot of people choose for example an MPC over the MV because they are 'scared of the work-flow'. Anyways, like I said, yup you are right.

if any company would make a portable 555 style machine that was built like a tank, with a four track sequencer that had faders and the whole thing sent midi messages plus it had a decent pitch shift,; ithink it could destroy all competition. no fx, synth, or deep menu would really be needed. maybe a usb 2.0, midi in/out, hi-z(though i wouldn't use it) and rcas on the back. ok balanced jacks would be nice. the kicker would be a very simple program that let's you organize samples and send them to the box. if this were sturdy i would pay a lot.

i feel like the LD2 looks nice but as time goes by i am losing faith, will the programming be solid, will it be built to last and how will the pads/knobs hold up?

[quote="PHeMoX"]I understand and yeah I agree, however there's a small problem. CD-burners don't cost much at all to produce and it's a no-brainer from a point of design when it comes to integrating it into the 'MV-4400'. It would simply use the same connections and so on, so you'd probably have a pretty expensive piece of gear still.

Not because of manufacturing costs- just having a CD player/burner adds unnecessary girth. The average beat-machine purchaser has a CD player already.

The features of the MV are incredible- no doubt. I was messing with one of the pigs at GC last night.

If Roland wanted to steal some buzz from Rog & Dave they would drop something that competed that wasn't as big as a tipped over PC tower.

Stay away from RCA connectors, allow pitching of individual samples, and for God's sake make editor software where you can simply drag & drop samples from your computer directly into the pads.

If anyone out there uses power tools, like a Dewalt drill- you know how they have their own batteries & chargers- without knowing all the science & economics behind the production... if Roland could make a powerhouse with removable/rechargeable batteries they would put Akai out of business in a matter of weeks.

I don't mean to argue with you on this, as I think companies should make such editors for all their devices, but MV-8800 owners can buy MV Editor software now which does exactly that.

It's something really new that's only been out for a few weeks, perhaps a few months, I don't know? It costs 80$ though if I recall correctly, but it might be worth spending money on for sure.

@jbl: Yeah, I can imagine such a machine would be awesome.

I just assumed the MV came with everything you needed to transfer samples easily. They make you buy more software? Bummer.

My overall original point was that the delay in the release of the Linn2, combined with consumer aggravation with Akai opens an opportunity for another Manufacturer (such as Roland) to deliver a hot box aimed at the folks ready to bounce on a Linn2 OR an MPC, and run away with the market, and earn the props from folks like us (the ultimate prize- ha ha)

btw - have you played with the interactive MV8800 on Roland's site?
Radness