I spoke to RoandUS. I asked them again about setting up "patches" for live playing on the GW8. They explained that THEY are not even sure about it because....it's a prototype! Anything could change when a "prototype" is introduced. It could even NOT go into production if the "supreme Allied commanders" at Roland decide that.

Also, it's an "entry level" keyboard and, even though it was introduced at NAMM, it still has not arrived at Roland in California for examination. They said with a bit of luck, if it does go into production it will probably not be in the stores until around Xmas.

With this in mind, I'm thinking about the Audya. Roland explained to me that with a "prototype," the manufacturer slaps together a new board from what they have "laying around" (even Roland does this). If buyers show interest at NAMM, then they go ahead with full production.

I don't think I'm going to wait for the Audya. Not only does it have to hit the market yet, but it's got to be around long enough to have a "track record." That will be another year or two and by then the exchange rate will be so bad it would probably be cheaper to buy Italy!

This being a "groupie" for new equipment is wearing me out. Better to be a 1st class musician with a 2nd class keyboard than the other way around.

P.S. Roland said the G-70 is STILL in production...or read that as: they are still on the shelves at RolandUS. I'm not sure that translates to "they are still in production!"

The bright spot in all this is with one phone call and not more than 3 minutes wait time, I'm speaking immediately to a Roland "product specialist." Great customer support (especially when you line them up alongside Ketron). So one must decide...do you want solid customer servicing (Roland) or do you want probably the greatest arranger keyboard on the planet (Ketron)?

Lucky

The GW-8 is definitely NOT a prototype, no matter what the "guys" at Roland said! It is a keyboard developed and manufactured by Roland in China and will be sold throughout the world, in 3 different versions (Latin, Eastern Europe & Asian). To be honest, I wouldn't put much stock in what Roland US says about their own company's arranger keyboards because they are just not that knowledgeable or even that interested (the European market is a whole different story). For an entry level keyboard, the GW-8 is one hell of a deal and I'm really looking forward to playing it!

Michael

I know the GW-8 is in stock at stores here in the Netherlands. So the prototype-story is bull.

------------------
- THE DUTCH KEYBOARD FORUM
http://www.keyboardforum.nl

In Germany we've already git the Price in Euro - it's 699 and will be expected and delivered next week.
http://www.musik-produktiv.de/roland-gw-8.aspx



[This message has been edited by grenzhm (edited 08-26-2008).]

Typical American response (from RolandUS, that is). I'm sorry, guys, I really am, but sometimes it's so obvious that over here has absolutely no idea of what's going on 'over there'...

It's all about US, isn't it?!

I just find it pathetic that an international corporation like Roland would allow this blinkered mindset from a daughter company. Wake them up, Japan! All they are doing is f*cking up YOUR business...

Welcome to the United States of Amnesia. Forget the rest of the world. After all, we don't even LIVE on this planet, do we?

I agree with Diki..., sometimes RolandUS really leaves you scratching your head wondering what the hell were they thinking. I will say that in the customer service department and getting reliable info..., RolandUS could use a little help there.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 08-26-2008).]

Just to mention in latin america the GW-8 has become a great success, it's actually consider the holy grail for arrangers over there, mainly because includes the best latin voices/styles ever release on a keyboard since GEM released their WK6 latino edition. Piano patches comes from fantom G series, and you have to listen that to be amazed, it comes short in some areas, but for the price who cares, there is no style editor built in, we use sonar for it, we use Style Factory Roland from SMC musicsoftware (99 euros AUCH) to convert all mayor styles easily to GW-8. that's a perfect complement for my PSR-S900 when I go live.

Good points! Thing is I've noticed that many seem to forget one important letter in the GW-8 title..., and that's the L that comes after the number 8. The GW-8L IS a huge hit for the latin community. Roland was smart in creating multiple versions of this one arranger to cater to a wider range of musicians. Very smart business decision there. Especially considering the economic times.

I was up in Erie not too long ago at a local store playing some of their keyboards. The hour I was there I witnessed several people of hispanic decent ask the sales reps about the Roland GW-8L. It's a big hit for sure.., and has gotten a lot of attention for it's Latin styles.



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 02-26-2009).]

Lucky,
I would call that Roland US number again...ask for a manager and tell him/her what you have learmned/heard here.

Yep, you got right through to a Idiot!

At Sweetwater Sound Right Now.. GW8 is in stock $895
E-80, E-60, G70 Out of stock and a longer than normal lead time! If Roland had G70's Sweetwater would not say long lead time.

Lee

After reading through all of these posts, only makes my decision easier never to buy a roland again. I found out first hand Roland USA was one of the worst companies to deal with. Now that they don't really give two Sh@ts about their own arrangers, why would I want to invest any money in their products, if you can ever find one. I will look elsewhere, like Ketron and/or Yamaha.

[This message has been edited by mc (edited 02-26-2009).]

mc,

what if Roland came out with a Fantom like arranger with its top notch sounds, and with audio guitar, drum and bass accomp. as has AUDYA, beautiful touchsceeen and let's say 1GB RAM,

would you still not buy Roland? :-)

OMG! Guys seriously..., go back and re-read the FIRST post. Then look at the DATE it was posted!

Yes.., Roland US is clueless in the arranger area, but this post was done last year.

Yeah, I just saw that but, they haven't gotten any better in 7 or 8 months later.

Lee,

I haven't tried the the Fantom, so I don't really know their sounds. I did have a EM2000 and then G1000 then VA7 (just a week). The Em2000 screen went out twice, the G1000 zip drive only worked when it wanted to, which Roland never wanted to repair and their turn around time was at least 1 month. The VA7 was horrible in every way possible for me (just my opinion).

So all in all I don't think I would buy a Roland, because I honestly never cared for their styles, even in the G70. The EM/G keyboards were only used for midi play back, which they are very good in.

I did try the G70 and for the type of music we play Ketron was much more adaptable. If their styles were more like Ketron's styles I would then give them a serious try and try to make it work.

Thanks, Mario

Although RolandUS's general tech support and marketing of arrangers leave a lot to be desired, I will say one thing for them. I had a hardware problem during warranty (right at the very end of it, also!) and they bent over backwards to help me get it fixed with NO downtime at all (well, one day to take it to the local dealer and have the parts put in - pretty good!).

They basically had no positive idea of what was wrong, so they replaced out nearly every main board (three of them) just to be sure they got it. At considerable cost to them. I was back on the gig the next day, problem solved!

Now THAT'S service!

I would say in all fairness to Roland, when I had the problems with mine is was 1999-2000, nine years later I can't say that there better or worst, since I never used a roland again.

I want to really try the GW8-L but I can't find one. If happen to come across I want to go in with an open mine and give it a real shot.

The E80 was really tempting for 1600 +/- but from what I understand its weighs about 50 lbs and I don't know if the styles are the same as the G70 and I can't find one.

[This message has been edited by mc (edited 02-26-2009).]

Hmmmm, maybe I should give my 2 cents on the E80.... after playing with it for about 4 days.

Well, the keybed itself is the same as in the PA800 (not so good), still has a stinking Floppy Drive(in 2009 , can you believe that)...and the unit is veryyy heavy might I add.
The overall sound is quite decent, but drums haven't really improved from the VA series. The drum edit function in the make-up tools is lacking the ability to substitute different sounds from different kits(big -). I found the Brass sounds quite weak and lacking richness that I am used to from the VA-series. All the other sounds are pretty much average!
The effects haven't seen any major improvement over the previous series. I also found out that styles from the older Roland series have to be converted in order to work properly ( I guess because of the new style structure). One thing that I love on the E80 is the guitar mode, which is 10 times better than on the PA800. As far as the harmonizer is concerned, PA800's TC helicon is far superior.

If anybody has any specific questions about it, please ask !

[This message has been edited by hitman (edited 02-26-2009).]

[This message has been edited by hitman (edited 02-26-2009).]

Hitman,

Do you know if the styles are the same from the G70?

The internal styles in the E80 do they come from the older models like the G1000, G800, e86, etc?

Is it very similar to the VA7?

Thanks

Hi MC,

The styles are basically the same as G70, with a few additions! Some of them are very similar to the VA series, but they have been reworked. In my opinion, the E80 is basically a VA7 with minor additions and SRX expansions. I honestly think that they could have done much, much better. The only way to make this E80 sound great is by adding a coupple of the SRX boards which cost about $ 250/piece.

The PA800 offers much more for the money!

[This message has been edited by hitman (edited 02-26-2009).]

Squeak - good anaylsis on your part - LOL