Originally posted by Seamaster:
You're kidding, right? They practically invented the professional arranger segment. Do you remember how piss poor Yamaha Portasounds were at the time the E20 launched? Where Roland have led, the rest have followed.
Yes you are correct, Seamaster...the E-20 was quite a jump ahead at the time, but I think the company that brought the arranger to an even more professional level was Korg with their I-3 Interactive Workstation back in 1993...the I-2 was the 76 note version, I believe, and included a new piano sample to flatter the extra keyboard length.
It took the breath (and nearly the monthly paychecks) away from employees of rival manufacturers at its debut at the summer trade shows.
It was the first real arranger that didn't talk down to you, but still provided a very professional layout as far as sounds and styles were concerned.
Now all the big three TOTL arrangers are very close, and it's just comes down to personal preferences regarding buying an arranger.
I sincerely hope that Roland stays in the TOTL arranger segment, as each time they improve their instruments, the others have to follow suit...of course, each manufacturer usually has a turn out front until the others find their own way of leveling the field again.
I liked the E20 a lot...but it did not have ON BASS(that came out on the E70)and there was no acoustic piano...I worked for Roland quite often during that period, and they made some really cool stuff, especially the RA-series modules.
I'd like to see them bring back that concept again...probably more likely they would do it than the others, but I think at this point, everyone is still hoping just for a new G-series.
Ian