There's a new Patch Demo of the GW-8 up on Roland's site. You can only see the players hands, but based on the hands alone I'm going to say it's Ed Diaz doing the demo. It's not too bad....
http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=968&ParentId=72

Just too add.... Personally I think these patch demos could have been a bit better. I'm surprised too.., as Ed Diaz has done some nice demos and he's all over YouTube as well.

It's crazy too because this is Roland's newest budget arranger, yet not ONE stellar video demo has been placed on the RolandUS site.

Squeak can't believe no lyrics display on GW8.....not good

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 09-18-2008).]

Talking of Rolands, has anyone seen/played the new Juno 76 note keyboard?

Dennis

Oh, damn! Now I'm going to have to remember... have to remember.... I'm going........ to....... 'er, what was I saying?

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 09-18-2008).]

Donny.., do you use the lyric feature for personal use or to display via video out for audience participation?

For personal use I've never really gotten any benefit from a lyric display. Everyone's different I guess. Myself.., I've always learned the words. IMO it really can take from a performance if you gotta focus on playing..., singing.., and reading the lyrics too. For me it would feel like I'm always "still learning" the song..., but again everyone's different.

What I find bothersome about the GW-8 is (no style recording) and the MFX are real-time only. Yammie just brought out the S550 (and from what I can see the recording features on it are stronger than the GW-8).

Squeak

Squeak I very seldom use lyrics at all & if I do I have a laptop......I was just making a statement on a features that isn't on the GW8. I guess at that price point you can't have everything on an entry level WS.

Totally unimpressive demo, although I am not surprised, I've never seen really good demo made by Ed Diaz.

I've just seen Juno Stage demo, also from Ed, and got the same impression as before. By listening to him, I reckon he must be a jazz or blues player, playing unattractive (at least for a wider part of the public) music pieces, and sometimes it seems like he plays the instrument voices (like guitar, accordeon etc.) entirely different than the real player would do.

But Roland never had as good demonstrators as Yamaha has, except for the guy who demoed new sounds and features on Roland G-70 (Chris Halon), he's the best of all of them.


[This message has been edited by kalimero (edited 09-19-2008).]

Roland has just released an Editor\Librarian app for the Juno Stage & GW-8 keyboards (Mac & PC):
http://www.roland.com/PRODUCTS/en/_suppo...000025967&dsp=1

I have to say that I too was rather underwhelmed by this most recent Demo. In all honesty, I've never been a huge fan of Latin music anyway and would prefer the GW-8E (Eastern European) version, which may not even be available here in the States. The way things are looking, I'd much prefer spending an extra 250.00 for the new Korg M50 (definitely NOT an arranger keyboard!). Great M3 sounds, generous fx (quantity & routing), dual appregiators, touchscreen, real sequencer, use as VST\AU plugin, optional Karma software, extremely portable (just over 15 pounds), etc... I'm also impressed by Korg's continued presence on public forums and their product updates. It may just be the end of the road for me and ol' Roland (tho' I still have several pieces of their gear). Time to try something different methinks!

Michael

not great demo.
the general idea about GW8 so far is unfortunatelly not improved with every new demo.
the roland demoer that i like best so far is massimiliano coclite.

but i must say chris halon is great on roland atelier organ!

[This message has been edited by adimatis (edited 09-19-2008).]