http://www.vidiac.com/hottestvideos/10/345d0f3f-e508-45b5-80ef-996e00462430.htm


This was a very MIS-undderstood Roland Keyboard (2003) with so many kool features for live performance....

I think this is the best video demo for the Roland Discover 5 ever. I just wonder how this keyboard compare to the Roland VP-550?

Once again, nice demo video. I want to buy one right away.

coca

It is a kool video of the D5 & the D5-M module was also a nice piece too....but I would say the Vp550 is a different animal....
http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=771

Having owned a DC5, I can say that it was one terrific keyboard. It was not an arranger, but a great SMF tool. For those of us who use SMFs this keyboard was the best on the market, BUT as usual Roland let it go un marketed. I would buy another if the price were right, in fact I'm still kicking myself for not picking up that DC5m module last winter in Clearwater. Fran was smart enough to pick it up, but it's out there somewhere in the music universe now.

My suggestion is, if you come across a DisCover5 or DC5m, definitely take for a drive AND seriously consider buying it.

I'll never understand why Roland didn't continued with this line. This IMO was one of their best keyboards. It was and still is a very under-rated instrument.

**on a side note..., I wouldn't mind having that woman in the vid test out the vocal input on my gear..., almost forgot there was a keyboard in that video a few times

I am a little confused, but what was there on the Discover series that ISN'T in the E and G series? All that Cover stuff is still there, the Makeup Tools seems similar, the Harmonizer (on G70/E80), the Database functions seem similar...

I didn't see one thing in that Discover video that I haven't already got... (plus a great arranger too!)

What did I miss..?

Your G-70 doesn't have that hottie with the mic Diki. Pop the cover on that SRX expanion bay and check if there are any fingers and toes in there

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 11-21-2008).]

Squeak,

not underrated....but mis-understood KB would be a better word it had a great quality build and great features, although no styles per say like an arranger it was a fantastic LIVE gig KB for someone who sings lead & plays on top of SMF tracks. I enjoyed playing it.

You mean that bit where he tried to sound like a soprano?

Not my type, squeak

Anyway, everyone knows that the 'hottie' on the mic is the most unreliable, temperamental part of your equipment! Breaks down at least once a month...

(Just kidding, ladies... )

Hi Dnj,

I was thinking to purchase the Roland VP-550 because of the vocoder and harmonizer. Now I am a bit confuse

What should I buy? What are the different between the two units? They are both not arranger. For the price of a use Discover5, it is cheaper than a brand new VP-550. In addtion, should I get the Roland E-50 or E-60? Does it have the same feature like the Discover 5 + the great arranger part. I am looking for your Roland expert's opinion. Thank you.

coca

Coca...

I am far from a Roland expert but believe me there are few so called ones on here who are more adapt to answer your questions...also I think Chas has the
VP550 you might talk with him also about it workings..

good luck

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-21-2008).]

E50 and 60 don't have any harmonizer... G70 and E80 only.

E50 and 60 seem to have all the Cover, Makeup Tools and Database functions that I saw on the Discover5.

To be honest, if you want GREAT SMF playback and editing tools AND an arranger, you can't go wrong with the E and G series. Roland has always pretty much led the pack in SMF playback....

I'd still like to hear what the D5 did that can't be done on an E50/60/80/G70... (other than the lack of harmonizer on the lower end models)

I looked at one of these when they came out. They were expensive; it was over $2k. This is a great keyboard if (1. If you don't play at all and your singing over SMF or 2. you play over SMF.) This not arranger. Getting back to not playing use, you are able to set markers for SMF's, like intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and ending. The board has features that will allow you choose each marker with dedicated buttons. For example, you’re in the 3/4 through the SMF and you decide to go back to the verse. You would press the verse button and it would bring back to the verse and so forth with each button, intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and ending. But you would have to set up the markers on each SMF, the keyboard does not know unless you tell it. I'm not sure of then quality of the harmonizer, but I know it had one. It was a nice keyboard and Roland never really pushed it. It was release after the VA keyboards and it never went anywhere after that.

Mark/Jump is on all E and G series arrangers too...

E50 and 60 are under $2k (or close). They seem to have all but the harmonizer, AND an arranger too.

Donny, you got this rolling... You have an E60. What, other than the harmonizer, are you missing from this 'fondly' remembered legacy piece?

2 minutes watching that weirdo was too much

The VH was miles above any Yamaha for sure. And the body wasnt plastic either.Also since when does playing with styles which are really SMF's different then playing on top of SMF?



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-21-2008).]

Does the E-60 have a Vocal harmonizer, and is it made out of plastic?

Just curious.

Ian

Just the facts Ian.....you know with your vast knowledge the E series doesn't have a VH or mic input & yes its plastic like all yamahas, BUT....it is re-inforced with metal in the front under the keys another thing which is superior and it still decimates anything yamaha can do regarding editing styles & smf's plain & simple fact! If you call that kazzoo a VH in any Yammy unit then your a better man then me but then again you dont sing......I'll stick with TC Helicon units thank you very much.



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-21-2008).]

I figured it was plastic...not that there's anything wrong with that...all the Yamaha's are both light and strong because of it.

Styles and SMF aren't THAT much more difficult to change on the Yamahas either...I find it quite easy...and, at least they have separate EQ for the parts(and for style parts as well)....you don't seem to have that luxury on the E-60.

I hope you still not struggling with it like before, and Fran has helped you iron out your issues with it...you're lucky to have his support.

Ian

eq issue has been resolved.......but yamahas lack of editing every piece of the DRUM KIT & editing styles and smf is unsurpassed..
btw Fran is a Roland expert & affectionado also.

BTW the e60/50 have speakers does the Tyros?

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-21-2008).]

Not too many people edit indivdual drums, Donny, but, I guess if you have to because the styles don't sound good, then it is good that you have it on the E-60.

You should really have a G70 and then you'd have it all...part EQ'ing, vocal harmony, and a better action...Fran and Diki swear by them.

The Tyros has optional speakers...didn't you know that?

Ian

Coca, unless you just want to do covers of Boyz-to-men (with no accompaniment), you probably don't want the VP-550. These are two different animals. I suppose you could add a SMF player but you still wouldn't have all the functions and features built into the D5. Go for the D5 if you can find one.

chas

I never liked the tone of that harmonizer. It always has a Bee Gees sound to it....if the G70 is the same one, as I've been told it is .... that would squash any chance of it living in my studio.
The TC is the best IMO, with the Digitech running 2nd.

NOTHING! Is that what you wanted to hear? Again, that's really not the right question. For me the DC5 was a great niche keyboard. As I've confessed often I'm not that much of a styles player and the DC5 gave me the one thing the E50/60 can't - and that's the vocal harmonizer. It does have basically all the goodies of the G70 minus the keys and the arranger section. It's kind of like comparing oranges and tangerines.


[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 11-23-2008).]

Oranges and tangerines? LOL... that's good

Mind you, without an arranger section, maybe more oranges and potatoes..!

Even if you don't use the style section on the gig, I find it to be invaluable in creating SMF's quickly, that you can further fine tune in the sequencer.

And personally, as rapidly as harmonizer quality has risen recently (with none of it available built-in to arrangers, yet) if I used one of those things, I'd probably be happier with an E60 and a Digitech or TC external unit than the D5 or G70 combo. They just sound SO much better...

The Discover 5 also came with some really nice Rhythm sequences (drums only) so you could play left hand bass and right hand chords & leads as an addition to teh smf play for certain situations.

What's the difference between that and just soloing the Drums Part on the arranger?

And, if it was SMF's, how could you kick fills when you need them? Was it just 16 bar patterns? Or was there any control...? Mark/Jump?

BTW, anyone have those rhythm SMF's? They might make good starting places for a user style...