http://roland-arranger.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=38&?topic=1008.msg6214;topicseen#new

Fran Wrote: ...
"here is a thought...why should any keyboard that can be upgraded via software updates....receive a final upgrade..

I think Roland should retain a small staff to continue with upgrades and improvements with keyboards like the G70 and E80...They should continue the support..Just think how well that could speak for the company..

When customers purchase the top of the line products...continue the support..These instruments can be upgraded with new features without a lot of hassle or cost...It seems a shame not to allow these instruments to evolve into what they can be...the best...

They are built for durability..and we purchase them for this reason...why not continue the benefits that can be ours in the future..

And I don't believe Roland would lose sales..I think they would gain sales from the other camps with support like this..."

I agree Fran.., but in the end it's all about profits. Look at the dough Yamaha rakes in with the Tyros line. Your upgrade is the new model.

We give Dom hell about the MS, but at the core his concept IS the future of keyboard sales. Dom's having issues getting that point out probably because his concept is about 20 years ahead of its time.

**Once upon a time "seatbelts" were ahead of their time..., and those who we considered "educated and intelligent" decision makers said that a car that requires the occupants to be restrained is "unsafe". How many lives were lost before we realized how very wrong they were?

The day is coming for keeping your current board and paying less to upgrade, but we're not anywhere near that yet. Too much money still to be made on buying the next and greatest arranger or workstation. In 20 years Dom's going to be smoking a fat ass stogey and laughing at us all


[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 12-11-2008).]

With all manufacturers, it's often about planned obsolescense...color changes...new graphics...anything to be able to sell new units. Think of the vehicle manufacturers.
Yamaha is the champion of planned upgrades designed to move product more than pure improvements to the product. Roland sometimes does the same thing.

I bought my ugly grey GW-7, and before I used it, the black GW-8 was on the shelves. Now, before you say it, I admit that the time period could have been years, and that there are significant improvements to the GW-8 over the GW-7, but you get the point.

Over the years Peavy and Fender have made cosmetic changes to amplifier cabinets with basically the same "guts" in them.

Great idea, Fran, but, sadly, none of the majors will ever go for it.


Russ

In realistic terms, an arranger keyboard, synth and loads of other electronic musical instruments are nothing more than small computers with piano keys or strings. They were all programmed initially, and if we knew or were smart enough to know exactly how they were programmed we could do our own upgrades using the PC. Unfortunately, this information is locked securely in vaults of the various manufacturers. Best advice is to learn everything there is to know about the keyboard you own. You would be amazed at what's inside.

Gary

Gary, that is very true..In fact a well known engineer friend (not to be named)..was going to re design a eprom for my G1000...but needed the Roland data format to reverse engineer ....and yes they do not want to release this info..even to a certified engineer..

A new concept would be to buy a base unit with Key-bed grade you desire in 61/76/88 key choices.....then be able to ADD at your discretion 1,2,3,4, etc, modules of your choice to just snap into the KB ....eg: Vocal harmony, Style libraries, Sound libraries, SMF/Mp3 players, Sampler, etc, .......in other words
"Make the KB your Own"

Ahhhhhh whats the use?....

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 12-11-2008).]

That instrument is called a MediaStation...

Yes..., it's called the Mediastation. However, the Mediastation and it's concept is 20 years ahead of its time Far too much profit still to be made with our current system of "buying the new impoved lemon fresh model".

Korg's getting there.., and has shown what can be done via an OS upgrade with this most recent release of theirs.

And the price is also way ahead of its time.. At current exchange rates a Media Station Pro would cost well over $10,000 in Australia.

And I also advise people downunder to not get TOO excited about the Audya either.It's price tag out here will be near the $8000 mark.

Dennis

PS: The initial thread post wasn't a bad idea either

[This message has been edited by miden (edited 12-11-2008).]