Just curious... Does anyone else feel that the Roland EXR series is overpriced???? Take the EXR-7 for example. Sure it has 76 keys, but the board has no style recording/editing, not even basic voice editing, and really what you'd call a 16 track sketch pad rather than a 16 track sequencer. I just can't see this board holding up to a $1,000 price tag. For $1,000 you could get a PSR-1500, Korg PA-50, or even a Korg Triton LE, all in my opinion better than the EXR in terms of features and performance.

Squeak

Hey Squeak,

I feel like Roland is overpriced on many of their products and the EXR series is a joke.


I'm an authorized dealer, but they just do not compete price wise and their wholesale inventory cost is 25% higher.

Distribution of the G70 is a joke and if you compare Boss/Roland hard disk recorders and price points, Roland is way off the map.


Sorry....just some Roland slamming.

Dan O'

------------------
Ketron, Yamaha, Casio,Roland arranger keyboards.
http://www.keyboardcity.net

1-866-348-8876

DanO,
You make some good points there. Especially with the H-disk recorders. The Boss equipment is pricey too. After buying my Boss DR-3 (which is a good drum machine) However it sells for just under $200 (got mine for $195.99, and that was the price without the adapter). Within weeks after buying that unit, Zoom releass one that blows the Boss clean out of the water and sells it for $179.00

I think in the keyboard area it's their arrangers that are way overpriced. I think the prices for the Fantom series is fair. The stripped down Fantom XA is only $1,300.

Squeak

Squeak......What a piece of gear is worth to the individual depends on what that individual does with that piece of gear.....& how they measure its value & their price comfort zone, either it be monetary, professional, persoanal, because of its features or something else...its different with each person.....BTW, what would you expect to pay for the EXR series units?

Well lets see, if the EXR-7 had a (real) sequencer that allowed you to record in not just realtime, but allowed you to step record, and at the very least (basic) editing features such as panning, volume, ect, If the EXR-7 allowed you to do at the very minimal (basic) voice editing, and finally at least allowed you to edit and record user styles....., Then I'd consider the $1,000 price tag worth it. Considering the EXR-7 does none of this, the fair price I feel it should have is around $750-$800.

The GW-7 sells for less than $700, and it's basically an EXR with no speakers, ability to edit voices, however it too shares the same poor sequencer and complete inability to edit or record user styles.

I just think Rolands prices on their arrangers are way too high. Seriously who does Roland think they are here????? For $1,000 you could buy a PSR-1500 from Yamaha, The PA-50 and Triton LE from Korg, or even a used PSR-2000/2100. All of these boards have the ability to edit and store user voices, create and edit styles, and a sequencer that makes the EXR series look like a welfare case. Anyway just my opinion.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-08-2005).]

Isn't it great we all have so many choices in this world?.........what are you actually looking to do with a KB may I ask?

Well here are some support comments for Roland.. Squeak the EXR series has a 16 track sequencer, and it works better than the poor sequencer on the PSR2000/2100..The EXR series also has user programs[100] that will save edits of patches as well as all the changes on the front panel..It also has 126 music assistant locations..
Overall the EXR sounds better than the PSR2000/2100 and maybe the PSR3000....and it has real full size keys.
The EXR offers a 76 key board...PSR???

As for Roland as a company..they feature the largest across the board product line..and the flagship models compete and beat the competition.
When it comes to solid construction, inovated ideas,powerful design, and value...I'll take Roland every time...
They are not overpriced compared to the competition...and you get what you pay for..

Almost forgot to mention the EXR has 4 meg flash memory....the PSR2000 less than 1 meg..the PSR2100 has 1.5 meg..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 09-08-2005).]

Fran,
I'm talking about the original EXR-7, not the EXR-7s. I think it's the EXR-7s that has upgraded the memory. However not sure if they changed the sequencer or added style recording (from what I've seen it doesn't appear that they have).

The EXR may have 16 tracks, but what use is a sequencer if you can't do basic things such as panning, and volume adjustments of tracks (after) the tracks have been recorded? My $399 Casio has only 6 tracks, but allows me to edit them (after recording) and save those changes.

What use is it to have styles (on a $1,000) keyboard if you can't edit them or record your own? That's what the beauty of an upper end arranger should be is the ability to record your own styles. Sorry to say, but so what if they allow you to load new styles.

When you say 100 user programs does that mean you can save edits such as "Reso. Cuttoff, Attack Time, Release Time, ect" to an individual voice and recall that for later use? I don't recall seeing anywhere where the EXR's save those specific voice related settings. They did however add this to the GW-7.

I do agree about a few things. Yes the keys are bigger, action is probably better, there are 76 of them, but it takes more than that to justify a price of $1,000. Sure I agree there are some really nice sounds in there too, but Roland really dropped the ball in the recording department in regards to songs and styles with the EXR series.

DNJ,
What am I looking to do with a keyboard??? Well if I spend $1,000 on an arranger that has a 16 track recorder, and styles... For that price what I expect to do is be able to edit my songs after recording and record my own user styles. Maybe some people are happy with the limitatins of the recording features on the EXR's. However, for my needs I can't and won't spend that kind of money on a keyboard without those basic features. Giving a 16 track sequencer with no editing features after recording is like a jelly filled donut without the jelly. It's just leaves a dry taste in your mouth

Squeak

Hi!



I bought the new EXR-7s version in May for 800 Euro here in Germany which seems to be a reasonable price for me. I have tried some other keyboards in that price range but for my usage the EXR-7s provided the best cost-value ratio.

Regards, Tanja

Squeak the EXR[s] are not high end arrangers..just the opposite..they are entry level boards..
As for styles ,they are plentiful and available...Style edit on an entry level is overkill..99.9% will never use it..If you need the features you mentioned...you have to go to the "PRO" models[Flagships]..and I'm not talking PSR's..

If price is a factor[$1000]..one would be better served to purchase a used top of the line keyboard..
To mention a few not necessarily in order:
Roland G1000
Ketron X1
Korg i30 or PA80
Roland VA7/76

$500 to spend:
Roland E600
Roland G800
Korg i3
Solton MS100
Roland G600

Get the picture?
All of the boards above are built solid..and will do most of the things you are looking to do..

Maybe saying the EXR-7 is a higher end arranger is a bit of an overkill, but hey the thing still costs $1,000 regardless of how you look at it, talk it up or whatever.

I don't think style editing on an entry level is an overkill. One of the great selling points on the PSR-550 which is (entry level) is that it allowed the user to create custom styles, and the sequencer (although direct disk) had 16 tracks with editing. So even the PSR-550's recording capabilities exceed the EXR-7's in some areas.

Also $1,000 isn't an entry level arranger. The EXR-3/5 are entry level. The PSR line bellow the 1500 is entry level, the DGX series is entry level. When you're paying $1,000 and up you're in what most call the "semi-professional" category. Think about that for a minute. $1,000 buys you a Korg Triton LE. That's a pro synth. May not have all the bells and whistles as the big Triton, but it's still a pro keyboard.

I'm not by any means considering the EXR line for my use. None of the models will suit my needs. I posted this topic after doing some surfing and came to the conclusion that I (myself) felt Rolands arrangers (Especially the EXR's) are priced to high for what they do compared to other models in the same price range.

That's why I'm going to buy a Tyros. I agree with you that for $1,000 one would be better off buying a used pro arranger as those you listed. The ones you listed are all good arrangers.

I'm note really hating on Roland either. Personally I love Roland Keyboard (especially their synths) Fantom series is awsome. I think their arrangers are great too both entry level, semi-professional, and pro. I just think their prices in the arranger department don't fair well when you compare the price against the spec list.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-08-2005).]

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-08-2005).]

Squeak_D,
I agree with you. I own a Roland and Yamaha arranger, so when the EXR line came out, I was anxious to demo it. The Yamaha PSR's have functionality that Roland doesn't come close to matching. Roland finaly came out with some voices to match the Yamaha "Sweet voices", but there aren't enough. Roland does have some good quality voices,but better then the PSr2000??? I don't know, but very few voices will match Yamaha "Sweet voices", IMO. If I had to choose between a PSR1500 or an EXR7, the PSR1500 would have my $. Where is the PSR 76 key model? Roland does have better, full sized keys. (Are you listening Yamaha?). The Roland accoustic piano voice is LOUD. Yamaha accoustic piano is very low, you have to crank it up to 1/2 way to get it to room volume.
Starkeeper

[This message has been edited by Starkeeper (edited 09-08-2005).]

I'm with you Starkeeper, I'd take a PSR-1500 over an EXR-7 any day As far as 76 keys, I already have a 76 key arranger that would make a great controller You're right in that Roland is making some good voices now to compete with Yammies signature voices. When I listened to the EXR-7 demos I was impressed with the sound quality. Especially the sax, it sounded very nice. All around I think the EXR's are a nice line up. If roland wants to have a 16 track sequencer with not editing, and 100+ styles with no option for recording your own, that's fine, their choice. However don't do this and still ask $1,000 for the thing. If the EXR-7 had sequencer editing, and style recording it would be sititng in my home getting it's ass kicked out in tunes every day by me Now if the price for the EXR-7 was say $750 or just under $800 then I'd say hey great deal on that because you can alway record with the computer. However for $1,000 those features should already be there

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-08-2005).]

Guys, I am not defending the prices of Roland's "Entry level" boards[and they are their entry level units].

The PSR 550, isn't that board 32 voice polyphony?
It never worked for me...It is even a struggle with my Casio WK3000...Impossible to use on my jobs...Maybe one hour nursing home jobs.

Why the big deal with the limited on board sequencers...You are not going to sequence on the job...and $30 Powertracks will do a better job than any Yamaha keyboard sequencer[I mean any]..

Would I want to work with a EXR[s] keyboard...Nope, it lacks other things that I need, especially search while play features, and quick selection of tones and styles..although the performances can aid this in initial set ups..
BTW.I would trade my Casio for any EXR, and throw in a few bucks....My grandkids would love it..

Had to chime in here, for I own an EXR7s.
Pros:
Unparalleld 76 note keybed - the very best. Not cheesy
Speakers - awesome, despite what the specs show
Pianos - great - typical Roland
Sax - best on the market
Organs - good enough - nice leslie with the joystick
Guitars - if I knew how to play a guitar on a keyboard, I could comment more.
Drums - awesome
FX - rich and powerful, like the VA
Styles - onboard, excellent - accepts (3) different formats that load in quick and to flash
Sequencer - used to be a bid deal, but no more for me
SMF - good
Cover - haven't used
D-beam - is very useful, especially to stop/start style
Stle variations - (3) levels kind of neat, the different genres are strange though
Build - a tank, but lightweight for a 76
Cons:
Navigation - multiple pages, no easy way to access sounds/styles as mentioned by Fran
Style variations - only 2, bummer
Price - I got mine for a steal
Conclusion: If I were playing live, I'd pass on this one. For anything else and to play with styles, it's very good.
zuki

The "regular" Roland voices are superior to many of the "regular" Yamaha voices. examples:
Strings, Brass, nylon guitar, excellent vibes, trombone, viola, B3 organs. Yamaha has the edge on electric pianos. Acoustic piano are very subjective, both are good.
Starkeeper