Roland MMP-2

I love it... the control software is intuitive, and quite nice to look at... editing patches is straight forward... and the included manual is typicall roland text... so get ready for a slow read....

I have read that some users had difficulty with M-audio delta cards... at first I wasn't able to get the two devices to sync... but it is possible... and after i changed a few card preferences I was up and running....

This pre is versatile.. although it takes a bit of programing... the compressor is useful, and the eq is as well... i wouldn't call the preamp modeling modeling, but it does ad different flavors to the mix... I've used this pre on vocals, cabs, and di'd synths, sounds great.. very quiet.. i think that its best described as a colored converter that has its own sound....

once the drivers are installed and the device is functioning properly it is rock solid...

never dealt with roland directly..

I make electronic music... but record a variety of sources... this pre has replaced most of my other pre's, DMP-3 & Vtb-1, because of its versatility.. I run these into multiface II or M-1000 depending on where I am. I love the way that this device has integrated itself into my workflow... and the sound.. the only thing that I wish it did is run the eq and the modeling at the same time...

You need to have the manual, and for whatever reason Roland doesn't have it on line. This is one of those devices somewhere between straight hardware and a computer (like a cell phone) that have these push button menus that drive me nuts, but it has a patch save feature, so you only need to work out your favorite settings and save them as patches.

I have no complaints with the sound. We are using good mics (Sennheiser MD-431 and Sting). The house system is poor but the sound is very clean.

Seems very sturdy and reliable, but we haven't had anyone drop it yet. It certainly seems more rugged than our other preamp, which has been broken twice.

No manual on line -- this is a problem. Someone needs to scan the manual and make a pdf file.

We are using it for vocals only in a karaoke show. That is rough use. I really like it a lot. We would consider getting another one since we have three mics. A professional musician with a regular gig came by the show last week and was appropriately envious.

Easy to use--should read the manual for sure. Using the software is recommended, especially since you'll be adjusting the contrast constantly to adjust for different viewing angles. This becomes a pain in the ass actually.

Big warning--M-Audio's Delta series cards will not accept the spdif signal!!!! I spent an hour troubleshooting with a moronic m-audio technician, who I eventually asked him to go consult with one of his smarter colleagues. It turns out that this spdif output will not work with the delta series spdif ins.

I am really pleased with the sound though--and the spdif out does work with digidesign's digi001 just fine.

If you're going to buy this preamp, consider it a good price on a dual channel preamp for a nice clean signal and not much more. Its mic-modelling doesn't change the sound much. The parametric EQ is nice especially if that's not built into your board. The compression doesn't compare to an RNC--it IS pretty transparent though.

Remember also that there is no way to use it as a direct box. Just XLR or balanced 1/4" ins and just XLR or digital out. There is an ON-the-PHONE setting that I like a lot. The vintage-section of "plug-in" effects are neat...I haven't used them a whole lot. I've never used a Neve 1073, but it's emulation of one is my favorite setting for a dynamic mic so far.

Used with a LD Condenser Oktava, sm-58, re-20, sm-57, and a CAD bullet mic. All to good effect. I would go over to http://www.thelisteningsessions.com and listen to the akg mic it's supposed to be used with--sounds like sh** in my opinion. Listen before you buy if you can.

Very nice preamp for under 200 bucks. Clean and friendly.

If you're going to buy this preamp, consider it a good price on a dual channel preamp for a nice clean signal and not much more. Its mic-modelling doesn't change the sound much. The parametric EQ is nice especially if that's not built into your board. The compression doesn't compare to an RNC--it IS pretty transparent though.

Remember also that there is no way to use it as a direct box. Just XLR or balanced 1/4" ins and just XLR or digital out. There is an ON-the-PHONE setting that I like a lot. The vintage-section of "plug-in" effects are neat...I haven't used them a whole lot. I've never used a Neve 1073, but it's emulation of one is my favorite setting for a dynamic mic so far.

Used with a LD Condenser Oktava, sm-58, re-20, sm-57, and a CAD bullet mic. All to good effect. I would go over to http://www.thelisteningsessions.com and listen to the akg mic it's supposed to be used with--sounds like sh** in my opinion. Listen before you buy if you can.

Like most roland gear...doesn't hang--designed well.

bad--virtually non-existent. to roland's favor--the mmp-2 is discontinued, so you should know that going in.

Great for narration, rock vocals, instrument micing. But it won't turn your measly mic collection into that of Sear Sound.

I love the way it looks on the desktop--

if it were lost or stolen, I might try something else that would spit spdif into my m-audio card, but I should also note that I would have to spend at least twice as much. I might buy it again too.

I was comparing it to m-audio's dmp3, studio projects vtb-1, and a few other preamps. I chose this one because it's built to the spec of a $600 piece of gear and can be bought new for a third of that.

I wish it had 1/4" outs (unbalanced).

I think it's fairly easy to use. I've almost never looked at the manual. It's easy to dial up the sound you want, it's just more about matching the mic you have to the "input model" (unless you choose not to use mic modeling).

This thing sounds great. I've only used the mic modeling once in a while, only because I like my mic, and it sounds better without it. The preamp models are cool. There isn't that much difference among the solid state models and among the tube models, but you do hear a difference between the two types. It's not the up and coming Focusrite Liquid Channel, but then again it doesn't cost $3K. The compressor is okay, and is pretty transparent. Overall, it sounds darn good.

It has not failed me once, and I agree that it's build rock solid.

Never dealt with them regarding this or anything else, but I do think the lack of plug-in updates really sucks. Granted, maybe they didn't sell that well, but then again it wasn't marketed that well. A few extras can't hurt.

I record everything, and the preamp models let me record balladeers with the 737 model and rappers with the 1073, for example. If it were stolen, I'd buy it again, unless I could afford that Focusrite piece. I also have a JoeMeek pre, as well as a little Behringer and the pres on the 002R. I used to ALWAYS use the JoeMeek, but I find myself drifting towards the Roland. I really like this piece, and recommend it to anyone in the market for a great sounding, affordable pre.

My initial setup proved odd; I had to connect something extra than just the ins and outs to get this hardware to work (maybe it was usb? ... I don't remember). But I did get it working.

I have the VS-880 with COSM effects ... this unit supposedly has COSM effects like the VS-1880, if I remember correctly. Since I haven't had the privilege of using/hearing how $1,500 mics sound, I can only comment that I appreciate the various sounds I was getting using my Roland mic (one of four the modeling was designed around). Even my other mics are offering new possibilities now.

It metal housing does seem to be tank-like quality, but the software build appears less than stellar ... I haven't got it working yet (though I haven't spent much time on this aspect.)

I have to be harsh here ... I believe there to be no support for this item. The few short how-to documents on the Roland site were probably written before the MMP-2 was released, but much more irritating is the issue surrounding the expected software updates that would add other effects through the usb connection. These new effects updates are non-existent (as of 11-12-03) long ... long after the product's release. There have been no new software downloads for this product since its release. Shame on Roland ... even a couple of new effects would have satisfied this promise.

Don't read too much into the high overall number I give this product. The MMP-2 was overpriced at $695 retail when introduced. I've seen it new for around $330 online (as of 11-12-03). But I bought it in September, 2003, for $135 at Sam Ash. The price was still that way three weeks later! They were clearing them out when I was there ... and I just felt compelled to buy a $695 thingie for $135! Since I got it for that price I give it an '8' overall. I'm not sure what someone would rate the overall value if they payed $330 or more for this product ... we'll see ... maybe someone who paid this amount recently can review it here?!?!

You'll need to read the manual, but overall not too bad to get working pretty quick out of the box. I bought this thing about 9 months ago. If I haven't used it for a while I sometimes have to look something up in the manual....but hey, I do that with a lot of my gear.

I use the digital out so the thing's dead silent. The various pre and mic simulators are fine....all sound good....but you'll still need a decent mic for input. This isn't going to make your sm-57 sound like a $3000 neuman, but it is a very clean and nice sounding pre (slightly on the warm side).

I've owned numerous Roland pieces and they all seem to stand up to severe use with no sweat. This thing's no exception...seems built like a tank.

I've not needed them for this unit, but have called Roland 2-3 times with questions on my VS units. I'm usually talking with a helpful person within 5 minutes and they generally have my question(s) answered or problem solved within a few more minutes.....

I do mostly alternative and folk. A lot of acoustic based stuff. I don't have the best voice, but the unit helps me make the most of it. For the money I think it's a very solid piece of gear that I would replace if lost or stolen. In fact, I think it's a real bargain when you consider you can also store many of your favorite settings. If you'd like info on where to listen to music files where I used this unit, feel free to contact me. Peace!