I purchased a Edirol PC80 controller..It has monitor speakers, Audio interface (24 bit , 96 khz), USB powered [also comes with a DC adapter}..

Also ships with a very decent Roland wave table {GM2}, and a player too..

Easily opens with a dedicated button on the PC80..

The 61 keys feel good[Same keybed as the Juno G}..not great, unless you compare them to those Yammies..

My reason for buying the PC80..it doubles as an Audio interface..

I purchased the Edirol audio interface a couple months ago..The PC80 allows me to use with my laptop with out the additional hardware..

I have been using my EMU Xboard 61 and the Edirol audio interface..( works great, although another device to connect..}.

Controller wise..The EMU has the better key-feel, has after-touch, and better controls/features, including 4 zones..

The only advantage the Edirol PC80 has is the built in audio interface and monitor speakers..

Did I mention the price drop on the PC80..list is $499...old selling price range of $299-$399...now selling for $199..

Hi Fran

What a deal. I paid $399 for mine a year ago. While it doesn't have the amount of control my Axiom 61 has, I prefer it for fundamental controller situations. For program changes, it is super, just spin the dial. The quality is in the Roland tradition.

If anyone is interested in this PC80..Email me..I paid $214 yesterday for the PC80..

I also have the EMU Xboard61 ($250)..that has more controllers for my needs , using it with the Edirol Audio interface ($80)..

Duplication of the same set up , with the EMU being more flexible..

The manual, adapter, USB cord and software are all unopened...I just tried the controller to compare it to my EMU/Edirol set up...

I will ship it to you for $200...Yes you can buy one while they last at a few locations..$200 plus tax and shipping...but you won't get my personal attention..

EMAIL ME NOW...Thanks


Trades are always a possibility..

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

Fran thats a GREAT DEAL Wow !!!


Its a super controller for sure !
http://www.roland.com/products/en/pc-80/index.html

I'll give you 20 bucks and a personally autographed picture of a Nord C1 (in color).

chas

and you pay shipping!!!

What's the latency on that audio interface (for using with VSTi's and the like)?

zero on monitoring and under 5 ms for vst's

My PC80 is no longer available..I decided to keep it..I have found the soft synth(only can be used with the PC80 connected)is a lot of fun..it has a page of completely editable parameters[I was not aware of the hidden page}..

Besides I tried the PC80 and the EMU Xboard61..both connected to my laptop via USB...playing my Native Instruments B4 in stand a lone mode(dual manuals).....I now have a poor man's Nord C1...The EMU gives me drawbar control...oh , almost forgot ..I don't need Chas's mug shot now..

Hey Fran, how is the sound quality on that softsynth? This looks like a great way to get an inxepensive (CPU friendly) softsynth to use on a computer for some quick sketchpad work. Plus being bundled with Sonar Le is a pluss too.

The synth is warmer than the Microsoft GS wave table[Roland licensed)...it is not as brittle...It is GM2(256 tones)..

The Soft synth has to be worth $50...

The Audio interface is worth $50..

and the keyboard is worth $100..

So at $200 it is worth keeping...or buying..

Do you know the system requirements for the softsynth? Being a GM2 softsynth I can't see the specs requirement being above 512mb RAM, maybe close to 2ghz on the proc. and so on. My current computers RAM is at just over 1 gig (even way low by today's standards for music production). Wife won't let me use her laptop that's got 2 gig RAM

How are the internal speakers.., they decent or pretty much clock radio quality?

They also have the software for Vista at the Roland site,,,even 98..

Just remember to match the latency of the VST to the latency of your hardware board. Most uses forget that all digital keyboards have latency, (The sounds (Samples) have to be selected and assembled (Just like any VST) before being converted to analogue) and usually set the VST latency lower then the keyboard.
Regards

Bill