Got it. Sorry, It's in a totally different place to the GW-8's. Tough to see on the Roland page.

But, basically, two identical arrangers. One with speakers, one with two live controllers, one with lyrics capabilities, one without the dreaded word 'Arranger' on it to scare off the under 30 crowd!

Same price, though...

Me, I put more emphasis on those live controllers. Just as I would HATE to give up my G70's plethora of sliders, that can control almost anything in the arranger for an E60 with none, I am not sure I would be happy with the Prelude's need to menu down to get to the same parameters. But then again, I'm a fairly 'seat of pants' type player, that likes to adjust things on the fly rather than preset everything.

If you are happy making registrations in advance, need speakers, want full compatibility with G/E series styles and lyrics on screen, the Prelude is the logical choice. If you are into more modern musics, want to play the filters as you play, mess with the sound in realtime (the Prelude/GW's electronica sounds are outstanding!) then the GW might be the ticket. Plus, you'll still look cool at a rave! (tongue in cheek warning! )

I still fail to see why Roland thinks it needs to divide the feature set, though. Sure, give one speakers and knock off the word 'Arranger' on the ersatz 'Workstation' version, but for Pete's sake! Why make anything else different?

Lyrics capability would be handy on the GW, and those controllers would be handy on the Prelude, too.

I want to thank Fran and Diki for their "same but different" remarks. I think this time the two perspectives have really given us a good picture of Roland's two "arranger" style keyboards. I think Fran has convinced me to focus on the Prelude and Diki has convinced me that Roland needs some better design direction in their keyboard dept. By all means, these two keyboards should be identical with the exception of speakers (and maybe color), which could raise the price of the Prelude somewhat over the GW-8. Thanks guys.

I don't want to stop the conversation, so if anyone has more to say, keep it coming.

Not strictly on topic, but.....these machines are clearly advertised, in their own words, as "Home Keyboards". Does this mean that the line between 'Home' and 'Pro' keyboards is becoming even more blurred? Remember, Yamaha still considers the T3 a 'Home' keyboard while Roland marketed the G1000 as a Pro Workstation. Korg definitely considers it's
TOTL arranger a professional board. I guess the real question is, does it really mean anything or is it just a way to target markets? Any significant differences in build quality (I would think one intended for the 'Pro' market would be built more ruggedly)? Just curious.

chas

If you look on the Roland UK site then the GW 8 is called a Workstation, and so comes under the Synths/Workstation products, whereas the Prelude is called an Arranger, and so comes under the Arranger section.
Basically in the UK (As far as Roland is concerned) if it doesn’t have speakers it’s a Workstation.
Most other manufactures now also seem to be following this practice.
IMO if it does what you want, who cares what it’s called

Bill

I can call a cow a duck. Doesn't make it one! If you wrote 'Organ' on an arranger, would that make it one?

Putting the word 'Workstation' on an arranger doesn't make it one, only in the eyes of potential customers too stupid to research what a REAL WS can do. Were they to take this obvious step, they would see that, while an arranger might have a basic Sequencer, it lacks pretty much ALL the modern WS features like arpeggiation capabilities (many layers deep), audio groove slicing and multitrack audio recording capabilities, deep, deep voice programming and deep flexibility in part assignment and keyboard layout (not to mention MIDI comprehensiveness and all the realtime controllers that grace WS's, nowadays).

Sure, there are a tiny few TOTL arrangers that have a FEW of those features. But not the whole package. And putting the word Workstation on something that is even barebones as an arranger, let alone a WS is marketingspeak, pure and simple. If you think that your arranger IS a WS because it has the word on the panel logo, I've got some land in Florida you might be interested in....

Seems Roland have actually listened for a change,

There is a "Version 2" of the GW-8 with style composer added.

http://www.rolandconnect.com/product.php?p=gw-8
Way to go Roland! I'm going to have another look at this cute little rig.

They also came out with a new stage organ/piano that looks very interesting.




Roland press release below

The Best in Organ, Piano, and Synth Sounds for the Gigging Musician

Los Angeles, CA, January 14, 2010 – Roland is proud to announce the V-Combo VR-700. Featuring the best of Roland’s acclaimed Virtual Tonewheel organ, full key multi-sampled piano, and pro synthesizer sounds, the V-Combo is perfect for players who need an all-in-one keyboard for a variety of musical settings, including houses of worship, stage performances, and rehearsal studios. The V-Combo offers powerful real-time performance capabilities in a simple-to-use-interface.

The V-Combo provides an authentic sound and feel to satisfy any organ player. Using Roland’s Virtual Tonewheel engine, the V-Combo simulates the unique structure and distinctive sound of vintage organs. The new amplifier and rotary simulator faithfully reproduces the sound needed for jazz, rock, funk or gospel, while the 76-key waterfall action captures the feel of a vintage organ. Add an optional PK-25 or PK-7A pedalboard for a more console-organ type feel.

The V-Combo takes its lead from Roland’s popular instruments, including everything from expressive full key multi-sampled acoustic grand pianos, classic electric pianos, to realistic strings, brass, bass and guitar sounds. With tone remain capability onboard, the 76 keys can easily layer two ensemble tones together, or layer and split with the organ tones.

In addition to the ten harmonic bars on the front panel, the V-Combo also incorporates a variety of expressive controllers for even more exhilarating performances. The red harmonic bard allows players to control the volume of the Ensemble tones. With the D Beam, players can create authentic organ-specific effects, such as wheel braking, or perform filter and level tone shaping on ensemble tones using an infrared light beam.

XLR and ¼“ outputs make the V-Combo ready for any stage, while the USB port and Song Player function enables direct playback and control of backing tracks from USB memory. Keyboardists can also back up and recall Favorites and system settings from USB memory, making the V-Combo easy to share at rehearsal studios.

The V-Combo VR-700 is scheduled to ship in March with a suggested retail price of $2,329.00. For more information, please visit www.RolandConnect.com.


Ian



[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 01-14-2010).]

Ian..., that version 2 upgrade for the GW-8 has been out for a while now.

Thanks Squeak...I didn't know about it...glad to see you can now make styles on it.

Ian, we have talked in quite some detail about OS2 here on SZ since it came out. For someone who has said on several occasions that he was interested in the unit, I'm surprised you missed it...

However, OS2 doesn't add the ONE feature you say you HAVE to have before you get one. The style composer section, AFAIK, still doesn't allow wholesale copying of sections from different styles and assembling them. I think you still need to use a computer for that (mind you, here you are, using a computer! Doesn't seem THAT onerous, does it?! ).

But OS2 added most of the fabulous Makeup Tools abilities from the E/G series, except the detail drum kit editing. But it DOES allow you to edit the style insert MFX, and easily correct some of the questionable style volume and sound decisions of the ROM styles...

If you are prepared to move just a LITTLE away from your Yamaha workflow (use ANYTHING other than Yamaha, you are going to have to deal with it, sooner or later), I believe you are correct in thinking the S910 and GW-8/Prelude would make a killer combo arranger...

And sorry, BBBB. That comment was a general one. Don't put that hat on if you don't think it fits. We both know better than to take what those snake oil salesmen in charge of arranger marketing say (on the panel graphics) seriously, I'm sure...

Looks like EVERYONE wants a piece of Nord's pie, these days, doesn't it?