After looking at the manual I have to say that I'm impressed. IMO this new model is a big jump over the current GW-7. I've noticed that the seq isn't up to par with larger workstations (and neither was the GW-7's), but that's really no biggie as the GW has both standard midi and from what I can see the USB now supports full midi. The GW-7's USB is for file transfer only

A software seq will pick up on the internal seq shortcomings. HOWEVER, there is ONE area that made me sit back and say "what the h#&$ Roland". The MFX are only applied to real-time play, and the MFX cannot be recorded within the seq. That's a bummer.

I doubt I'll find one local to try out, so I'll have to wait and see what the preliminary reviews are like. In a nutshell I'd say (if the price is right), this may make a nice add on arranger for a set up. Could be a nice alternative to take on a gig.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dnj:
[B]Squeake it certainly sounds awesome judging by the "demo"....Will the G70 STYLES play without a problem, conversions etc etc ? & I'm thinking of adding the TC Helicon Harmony M unit for Vocals & VH to it and you could have a superb lightweight 61 key gigging combo rig for sure!! Not syaing its for me though

Performances: 128, Favorite Performances: 100, Favorite Tones: 100
http://www.voicetonepedals.com/harmonym.html

649.00 GBP = 1,278.71 USD retail

1.
Press [TONE] so the button is lit.
Alternatively, use the cursor buttons in the Main screen to
move the cursor to the Tone number.
2.
Turn the VALUE dial to step through the Tones one by one.
Alternatively, you can press one of the TONE SELECT
buttons ([PIANO]–[SPECIAL]) to select a Tone by
category.
When the cursor in the screen is at the Tone number, you can
also select a Tone by turning [NUMERIC] on, using the TONE
SELECT buttons to enter a Tone number, and then pressing
[ENTER].
Choosing from the Tone list
1.
In the Main screen, use the cursor buttons to move the
cursor to the Tone number.
2.
Press [ENTER].
3.
Use [ ] [ ] or the VALUE dial to select a Tone.
You can press one of the TONE SELECT buttons
([PIANO]–[SPECIAL]) to select a Tone by category.
4.
Press [ENTER] to set the Tone.
If you press [EXIT] without pressing [ENTER], the list will
close without the currently selected Tone being changed.
You can use [ ] [ ] to step through the categories one
by one.
You can edit the currently selected Tone and store it in the
Performance. For details, refer to “Editing a Tone” (p. 40).

Selecting a Style
Using the VALUE dial
1.
Press [STYLE] so the button is lit.
2.
Use the STYLE SELECT buttons to select a Style by genre.
Immediately after you press one of the STYLE SELECT
buttons, the screen will show the name of the first Style in
the selected genre.
To select a User Style, press [USER].
3.
Turn the VALUE dial to step through the Styles one by one.
When the cursor in the screen is at the Style number, you can
also select a Style by turning [NUMERIC] on, using the TONE
SELECT buttons to enter a Style number, and then pressing
[ENTER].
Choosing from the Style List
1.
In the Main screen, use the cursor buttons to move the
cursor to the Style number.
2.
Press [ENTER].
3.
Use [ ] [ ] to select a Style genre.
To select a User style, select “USER” or press [USER].
4.
Use [ ] [ ] or the VALUE dial to select a Style.
5.
Press [ENTER] to set the Style.
If you press [EXIT] without pressing [ENTER], the list will
close without the currently selected Style being changed.
Adding User Styles
(Importing from USB memory)
Style data saved on USB memory can be imported into the GW-8.
Before you continue, the Style data you created on your
computer using the included “StyleConverter” software must
be saved to USB memory.
For details, refer to “Loading User Data Saved on USB
Memory (Import)” (p. 49).

I wish Roland added lyric and chord read on the GW-8..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 06-24-2008).]

no one should be disappointed with the new keyboard:
1. the begginers have a nice start
2. for middle players, this could be a new add or a nice main keyboard for their needs
3. the advanced players have a good hope/preview for the next G series.


as for the variety of the styles, roland already released the exr-e2 keyboard a while ago, which is exclusively loaded with east-european styles (romanian, hungarian, serbian, balcans) so i believe it is possible they want to have the same aproach on the new GW.

GX90

What do you think about this,read here: http://roland-arranger.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=38&?topic=853.msg5155;topicseen#new

That makes sense, as the Roland UK site had that disclaimer saying that the styles may vary by country. At the moment my only real gripe about the unit (after reading the manual) is that the MFX are only applied in real-time and cannot be recorded into the sequencer. The workaround would simply be to record the MFX track as an audio track in the seq app.

The sequencer itself is a bit lacking but so was the seq on the GW-7 and those shortcomings can be addressed with a software seq. Hopefully the price is good, as this would make a great arranger to add to my set up. I've been wanting a speakerless (affordable) arranger for some time, but 99.99% of the speakerless models are the pro units. The only other speakerless arranger I can think of on the market that's not pro orientated is the Yamaha MM6.., and I aint wasting my money on that hunk-o-junk.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 06-25-2008).]

Sweetwater has the GW-8 listed for under 850.00, which means that I should be able to buy from my usual source (bpmmusic in Colorado) for around 800.00! Considering the vast improvements Roland offers in this product over the GW-7 (which I currently own and will keep for my daughter's visits), this is a great deal indeed! I'm so freakin' glad that I never bought the SonicCell and waited for this board instead...it's exactly what I'm looking for.

Michael

(FANTASTIC to see squeak's postings...I've missed him!!!)



[This message has been edited by ocomain (edited 06-26-2008).]