hi all, as you would possibly be aware, someone is advertising an RA-800 module and a GEM WK2(HD not oriental) module...i have no experience of these at all, and i cannot find any demos on the net, so i would like to ask those on the forum what their thoughts are, and perhaps indicate which unit sounds better, and has better rhythms...i have been trying unsuccessfully to utilise software arranger programs to complement my s90es, so need to return to hardware..(module preferably) i do like the midjay but it is still too expensive, as are the other modules in the ketron range...
thanks for any info
dennis

Dennis, The Roland RA800 is a great table top arranger, modeled after the 76 key G800..It has great features including a SMF playback...The sounds are very good..
I used one for a couple years with my XP80[76 keys]...The unit is a little large but makes it easy to use..

It also has lyrics read out with embedded sequences..

They are hard to find, and a good alternative if you are looking for something to go along with your favorite keyboard..

thanks fran

Hi Dennis,
If I had to choose I'd go for the RA. I had a G800 & a couple of RA's over the years, I wish they still made them. Bear in mind though, they do date back to the mid to late 1990's. What might have sounded fantastic to me back then, may not be on a par to current instruments.
You may want to consider the differences in the USA & Aussie Electricity supplies.
I think they're on 110volts were on 240??
Don't know how that affects things & I wouldn't have a clue as to whether that could be a problem for you.
best wishes
Rikki
[QUOTE]Originally posted by miden:
[B]

hi rikki, thanks for your thoughts, as long as they use "wall warts" and not internal power supplies, no problem...yeah i know they are pretty old(although i think the wk2 is newer) but the marriage with the s90es may get around some of the sounds issues, i don't really know at this stage, its more a "suck it and see" exercise.... but i am finding that eventhough it sounds good, OMB is way to fiddly and a bit "clumsy" to use live...
cheers
dennis

no wall wart for the RA800..internal supply.

Hi Dennis,
it's so hard to get an arranger module here. They don't crop up very often on Ebay.
Do you ever check the Trading Post?

Lucky Fran remembered they had an internal power supply, I wouldn't have remembered.

Korg used to have the i5m. It was also a good little module.

A WK I've never owned.

Pity OMB isn't working out for you live.
You are using the presets to access your styles?

Did you used to have a Midjay?? and it didn't work out or is my poor old brain totally befuddled & I've mixed you up with someone else who owned one.

best wishes
Rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by miden:
[B]

Hi Dennis and Group,

My very first arranger was a WK2. Did not have a hard drive.

I thought the sounds were very good and the styles 96 of them good as well.

The down side is that the WK2 is very proprietary. very limited availability of styles. It is not compatable with most other GEM arrangers.

There is a pedalboard w/three pedals available that allows limited control of some functuins, if you can get one.

Midi file playback was fairly simple, however, the sequencer was somewhat difficult.

One thing I really liked was that for each of the 96 styles there were eight (8) one touch presets. Wish my T2 had that.

Good Luck,
Don