This is my first official review of my month old G70..

After playing [demo] earlier G70's, I was content to use what I already owned..G1000 and DisCover5...They had served me well and had kept me very content..

I continued to monitor opinions, and watched closely the developments of version2 and eventually , version3 updates..

I continually played other manufacturer keyboards, in turn supporting my final decision..to get the G70..

The first action, was to make room , physically, and justified...

I sold my DisCover5, because the G70 was able to replace it...The DisCover5 had a couple better solutions editing sequences "live", compared to my initial findings on the G70..

I found initially, that the G1000 still had a home here, since there are a few things it does..that the G70 can not do[like the chord sequencer,]..

When I first played my G70 thru my quality headphones..I absolutely loved it...It was the only current keyboard on the market that actually made me smile[sound wise]..

It doesn't mean, I don't like other boards..I do..Ketron drums and bass, always impressed me..Some Korg sounds too, even a couple of Tyros2 sounds too...but overall, they did not hit me as the G70 did...

After a few days with headphones, I played thru my Traynor K4 amp....I was shocked, I didn't like it at all..the sounds were harsh and too bright...Since this was my first experience with an amp..I tried my G1000 with the K4...It was fine..

Then I tried my favorite sound system[My old Roland Cubes]...Still did not like the G70...What in the world is wrong??? Again, headphones, unsurpassed sound..

This was still operating version2..The styles sounded great, but my real-time piano, sax etc..did not...It appeared to be an EQ problem..

After a period of struggling... not that it was hard to load version3, but I could not retain the one touch settings with version3..After receiving help from Roland arranger guys, I was able to set things up in a way that I wanted the G70 to act..

I found after version3, a better balance in the styles , although version2 was ok ..

The individual EQ of all parts..is one of the greatest features...the sounds that I found were to harsh and bright were set that way from the factory, and were easily changed individually for any instrument, and recalls at any time..

But why the bad sound thru the amps and not the headphones..The Master-Effects is the reason...Properly adjusting the Mastering Effects[global]..corrected the problem..The sound going out of the output jacks is effected by the Mastering tools, but not the headphones..

After I finally got this issue settled, I started to write my own set ups[user programs]..making it a breeze to not only set up my Vocals and Harmonist, but the bread and butter styles/sounds I use..

The USB connection is SUPER, allowing transfer of styles and songs, and any other data you would like to transfer..

As I mentioned earlier, I had trouble retaining some info, but after I learned the proper way to do things, and some data sent to me by other G70 owners...I completed my set up in a way that works perfect for me..

Let me explain, I have a 256 Compact flash memory card, besides the 50 meg internal memory,,in place..

The version3 styles reside in my internal ram with my user programs, and Music assistant files..The version3 styles have the "one touch settings"..previously I was not able to retain them, until I put them in the internal memory..
On my Compact flash card, I have all my styles, SMF's etc..

My choices now, I can select any user program, with my own set ups, and selecting any style from my 256 ram card, or select any version3 style with OTS from the internal ram..I have total control of what I want..

The get around on this G70 is a breeze, and many ways to get where you want to be..The touch screen works flawlessly..I like to keep the click feature on[this tells me if I made a connection to the touch screen]..

The styles are great..Even though I converted the G70 styles to my G1000[and they were my go to styles]..the styles on the G70 are far better[like G70 diehards have been telling me]..


Sound wise, I would say that the drums are the A plus....better than any other keyboard I have heard...The pianos are also very good, as are most sounds..My favorite is the Scat voice[still the best]..

Another unbeatable feature..the VK organ engine[with real draw-bars]..

Roland also includes an SRX expansion, for future or current sounds..So far I don't need one..The sounds are already that good..

The Make up tools and Covers are so easy and practical to use..it is like having 120 variations within a style..

Song play is still at it's best[A Roland thing}..Sequences start at first note[selectable], for quick , no down time...The song markers are easy to set[same as the DisCover5].

The Harmonist ..remains the best[same as DisCover5]..It works flawlessly, and is a no brainer to use..It needs to be set up to your standard, but is easy to do..


I will save my next chapter[book]..to go into detail of many features that are top drawer...like guitar mode, singer settings, sequencing, insert effects, EQ possibilities, and much, much more,,...

Do I like the G70..that would be an understatement...In fact the only other keyboard that was worth using to me...has found a new home...

Excellent read

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www.createsongstyles.com

Fran:

Nice review, I'm curious to hear some demos when you get around to it.

Great review, Fran. When can we expect the next installment? Hopefully you'll include a review on the VK-organ engine as that's what I'm very interested in.

Taike

I think you confirm something I've been saying for a long while.... Turn the Mastering Tools OFF..!

The G70 sounds great without them. Use them for room correction, or a bit of compression if you are playing a VERY quiet room and want that 'smooth' sound, but otherwise, it is SO easy to mess up a great sound (and hard to improve it much) that they are barely worth the time.

Unless you are VERY familiar with multi band compressors, skip it... Unless things sound terrible WITHOUT the EQ.... skip it.

The 3 band EQ on all the Parts and drum sounds is FAR better for 'fixing' a style that sounds bad, and it won't mess up any other style you like, unlike the Master EQ...

Last thing.... I've noticed a slightly different 'sound' and balance amongst parts when you are in mono and stereo. For me, stereo is best, and we rarely play in mono, but if you play primarily in mono, you might need to tweak a little to compensate for reverb level changes, and the stereo voices (like the wonderful GrandX) that collapse shall we say, less than perfectly (mind you, this is a problem with just about all stereo piano sets)...

But if your setup IS mono, start saving... you AND your audience will notice the improvement!

Anyway, best of luck with your new Roland, Fran (we're always ready and willing at roland-arranger.com to help you with any problems). Enjoy being one of the few, the proud...

(Me, I'm starting to feel like a grizzled veteran!)

I always run stereo..The Traynor K4 is stereo..and My Roland cubes are always in stereo..

As an old and long time user of the G70 I am happy with your review.

Nice review Fran.
When you've settled in, post some songs with the G70

Fran,
A really great read! You've done a great job of explaining why so many who have posted negatives regarding the sound quality of the G70 might have not understood how to correct the sounds to their likings.
Most will agree that Roland could have used some "help" in developing the sounds, but with each operating system upgrade, they have imporoved the sounds and style tracks, mostly by EQ and changes in effects types and amounts.
Thanks again for your insight.


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George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Here is one of my favorite 4 Jays tune..Please do not share outside our SZ family..and of course, Roland arranger group..It is recorded, my arrangement and back up vocals[live]..I used V-pop drums and other favorite sounds..

I know there are a couple mic pops from Jo Ann's mic[a girl thing]..
http://download.yousendit.com/4279DC364BC8C905



[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 06-09-2007).]