Roland Prelude Version 2..., anyone here mess with this one yet. Holy crap Roland did it again. Once this guy completes the update just look at the new functions on the screen at 3:22 into the vid!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5vQBlBNSyA

Details on version 2!


Prelude Version 2!
2009-09-24

The Prelude Operating System Version 2 contains many new features and functional improvements. Among them:

� the LYRICS are now visible on Prelude display,

� the availabily of the SONG MAKEUP tools in order to modify song as quickly as possible. You can change tone, expression, panpot, reverb and chorus.

� the availability of the User STYLE COMPOSER in order to create a new style. It includes EDIT ambient and MICROSCOPE ambient. In STYLE COMPOSER there is the possibility to apply MFX to the sound of a style.

� the availability of the STYLE MAKEUP tools in order to change style as easier as possible. It changes tone, expression, panpot, reverb and chorus.

Source: www.rolandkeyboardclub.com

So, can somebody tell me what happened to updates and support for the Roland E80, which costs 4 times more than a prelude?

[This message has been edited by hitman (edited 09-24-2009).]

I don't know.., perhaps Roland is going to focus more on the mid-range market now. Gotta admit though.., these are major updates for both the Prelude and the GW-8. I haven't seen any indepth details on it.., but on that screen shot there was a TONE EDIT function too. Did Roland add basic patch editing to the Prelude as well..???

With the addition of the new features the Prelude is more of a bargain now IMO. I think Roland is working hard at driving a very big wedge between them and the others by providing low cost arrangers with the ability to update the OS in ways we haven't seen on budget arrangers in the past. Roland's diggin their feet in quite well in this area IMO.

Roland brought out OS2 for the E80 last year. It added a brand new MP3 player, as well as numerous other little OS details (and a bunch of really tasty new styles).

Jeez! How often do you EXPECT Roland to bring these things out? You aren't honestly expecting ANOTHER Prelude update sooner than this are you?

Good job you don't use Yamaha, anyway!

what is the difference between the GW and the Prelude? Besides the speakers of course.

the Prelude is about 200 Euros more expensive.

They are very close in features. With the latest upgrade it appears what Roland did with one they did with the other I'm pretty sure the Prelude doesn't have the "favorite tone" feature. Before the update for both models the Prelude was essentially a GW-8 minus patch modify and the fav tone feature.

Sqk

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 09-24-2009).]

Can you swap parts from one style into another? Apparently, you can't do this on the GW-8 with it's new OS upgrade...does Version 2 give this capablity to the Prelude?

Sure would be handy.

I don't believe the GW-8 can do lyrics, the Prelude can.

And the GW-8 has about double the Prelude's ROM, because the 'World' section adds in an additional 64MB of samples that are unique. These tip the scales for me. I'd rather have the sounds than speakers...

Even if you could swap parts around within the style's variations; ideal for smoothing out transitions between them, as well as balancing fills.

It seems the Prelude has six fills (like E/G series), the GW-8 only four.

I just think Roland are over complicating this market segment, and creating too much update work for themselves. If the best of BOTH models were incorporated (they are already close to identical) into one arranger, Roland would double the amount of resources they have to improve and develop it...

Seems they are trying to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the basic model to satisfy two markets...home and pro, or semi-pro.

It still is a quick and dirty and fairly inexpensive) way to get that Roland sound in your kit...but, I would find the lack of style part swapping quite limiting.

Strange, because they included such great features like ON BASS, which makes them quite enticing to a pro.

Maybe they have another update in the wings?

Possibly... this feature is in the E/G series OS.

The thing is, as almost identical as the two are, what is the difference between 'pro' and 'home'? Surely not just the speakers? Two analog modify buttons don't exactly scream 'PRO' to me, anyway..!

I'd be pretty tempted by a Prelude with the GW8's soundset and modify buttons. Be even better if it could run off batteries, too! (Had a gig on a yacht recently with no electricity. Had to borrow a POS Casio to do it!)

If there IS a market difference between the two, it is entirely manufactured. I can't really see a lick of difference between 'em...

@ Diki,

yes, I expect updates at least every year with new features and functions, possibly new styles and sounds!!! And NO, I don't wanna pay for those upgrades!

P.S. I have a batter $10 MP3 player than the E80 does!

Just my personal opinion!

[This message has been edited by hitman (edited 09-24-2009).]

Well, I expect you to keep sending me money every month, but somehow, you seem to have it in your head that I've done nothing to deserve it!

Perhaps that is how the arranger manufacturers see it, also?

None of us should buy an arranger on the premise that it sucks now, but POSSIBLY, down the line, they are going to fix it. The fact that a FEW manufacturers DO give us updates for free occasionally by no means gives us the right to expect it, nay, DEMAND it from them all, all the time.

Otherwise, where's my money..?

Did that come with a cake mold?

Taike

------------------
Bo pen nyang.

Even the one with the cake mold does a better job!

That is why the E80 is up for sale if anybody is interested!

Wow ,what a glowing recommendation for an instrument for sale!!

Hey, I am just an honest guy with a personal opinion about the crappy mp3 player and bad marketing tactics of Roland Corp.

I didn't say anything bad about the instrument, but rather how cheesy the $30 update was.
My frustration is mainly about the fact that a $1000 board has almost the same bells and whistles as a $3000 board.

[This message has been edited by hitman (edited 09-24-2009).]

Well, put it this way. I've got a GW-8 sitting next to my G70 right now. Is the GW-8 a hell of a good bang for the buck? You bet it is! Is it as good as my G70? Not even close!

The GW-8 cost a bit under a grand, my G70 cost me $3500 (when brand spanking new). And that feels about right.

Six Keyboard Parts as opposed to two.
Full VK Organ section as opposed to a fairly weak organ selection (worst part of the GW-8 soundset, IMO)
Full VH and mike FX section as opposed to nothing
Huge touch screen as opposed to small non-touch
Lyrics and score display as opposed to none
Full TOTL 76 action as opposed to a cheap (but still decent feeling) 61
Aftertouch as opposed to none
SMF Mar/Jump as opposed to none
Realtime sliders for all Parts as opposed to one data wheel for them all
FC-7 input as opposed to no hands-free options

And the list goes on and on.

Personally, I didn't buy my G70 under ANY influence of Roland's marketing, whether for good or bad. I am capable of deciding for myself from the SOUND whether it is what I need or not

Could I use a GW-8 or Prelude in an emergency? If I had sufficient time to prepare the Performances (they are not compatible, so it would take a LONG time). Would I think of making it my primary arranger?

No chance in hell!