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!