Squeak & George,
that is why I included the "Ideas Anyone" bit.
The way they phrased it, I could use a USB external device which means a hard disk or whatever and do the job...A USB key is a device, and of course it is USB equipped right?
Had it been true, it would be good news for all.


[This message has been edited by trident (edited 06-03-2005).]

It has a USB jack on the back. It is the square one, not the rectangular one. On a Yamaha PSR3000, there are two USB jacks. One of each. The rectangular shape is labeled "to device" and the square jack is labeled "to host". So, like the Yamaha, the GW7's square USB is a to host jack. You can use this for transfering data to and from a computer but not to be plugged into a "device' such as thumb drives, floppy drives, card readers, etc.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, Callifornia

I've been following this topic because I will probably buy one of this here in Portugal. Already tested it at the store and read a bit of the manual: about usb connection, the GW-7 is seen as an external device; midifiles, songs and styles can be dragged and dropped in to the keyboard's memory folders, seems as simple as that, that's what I understood by reading the manual. A really very important issue is the compatibility with Roland's styles, hope to hear good news!

The GW-7 is the device..the drivers reside in the Computer..

I played around with one today @ the Sam Ash store here in Cent. Fl.

My observations for what it's worth:

The key bed and feel is fantastic.
Very light/compact, attractive and well built-solid instrument.
When you split the keyboard with playing a style,(arranger)you can only play one voice at a time on the right hand. I thought this was a major shortcoming/dissapointment.
Could not figure out how to change voices on the fly.
Very very limited big-band/jazz styles, but numerous ethnic styles.
Styles were basic, not over done. (good)
The best voices are in the sax family.
The set-up of the instrument is not illustrated on the display. You need to hit a few buttons to know where you're at.
It has the D-BEAM where you can wave your hand and make sound effects.
The manual is very basic and straightforward, only about 20 pages or so.
It would be great to have this keybed with the PSR 3000.
I'll keep my PA-50.(and KN7000)

Mark

John,
I tried loading in the styles you emailed me today and they all loaded fine. You sent me four styles to try. One you said required velocity when playing chords to trigger different parts or sounds within the style, and unless you have purchased a more expensive arranger, this cannot be done. All the styles with many measures played properly as well.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

[This message has been edited by George Kaye (edited 06-07-2005).]

Hey George!

Can I bring in a few floppies of my favorite SMF files and hear how they sound on the new GW-7? Oh, right... no floppie drive. Thats okay, I'll put 'em on a memory card. Oh right... no card reader... Well its got USB, but oh... yeah.. Never mind.

How much was that Pa-50 again?