Just hooked up with a drummer and guitar player for some future trio work. I'll be doing bass/keys/vocals. I tried using my Roland G1000, doing the bass with LH and sometimes PK5 pedals. Bass is OK, not great, but the other sounds come off thin and not strong enough for a band sitiuation. My take is their probably single samples to save memory so that all kinds of stuff can happen when using the arranger functions.
Being a Roland fan and having experience with their VK7 I'm thinking of getting a Roland VR700. Of course no store has one in stock to try so has anyone tried one of these or anything similar? I'd like to keep it simple with one board that can handle pedals and hopefully portable (I know-the VR700 is 35 lbs., just 5 less than my G1000 )
Thanks in advance

Hammond SK1 // Clavia Nord stage for example

Impuls

Bill, maybe it is time to look at a used G70...it has the tools on it to give that extra punch, and a piano that cuts thru a mix....plus your mic input and all the effects you need...Add an expansion board that delivers some of the best sounds available...and less we forget..you have the drawbar organ from the VK..

46 pounds..

But Fran isn't the G70 MUCH heavier than the G1000? Just asking cos the weight seemed to be a consideration in the choice.

46 lbs plus the weight of a decent road case might be a tad on the heavy side.

I have only spent about 20 minutes on the VR-700, Bill, ( I am a former Hammond B-3 player) and I thought it was a great instrument for us guys who are into that style of keyboard.

However, at 35 lbs, it is a tad heavier than my 33 lb. Tyros4, without road case, so I suppose it's manageable for most of us.

I was very impressed at the organ sound, plus the keys felt great and the organ section has full polyphony. The drawbars felt very, very good, and the Leslie sim was pretty good as well, although not quite on par with a Ventilator or a Hammond XK3C's sim.

The other sounds were pretty good, especially the piano, but I found the brass a little weak...again, this is only after a short time with the instrument.

It was certainly better than the disappointing VK-8 that came out after the excellent VK-7.

There must be some decent on-line demos and/or reviews.

Ian

PS...Nord make some cool stuff too!

YES...5 pounds heavier....but Bill is a big guy....


BTW: Bill, did you try eq that the G1000 has built in...it makes a big difference...it might solve your punch problem..I remember I eq'd my G1000..

The G70 offers so much more..that I would check one out...

I did have a VR 760, and it was great..but none of the advantages of the G70..and less than ten pounds difference...

Hey guys

Thanks for the responses:

Impuls --- The SK1 looks great but I really want 76 keys. Maybe I could do with the 61 note keyboard but then I would probably want another piano keyboard and I'd like to go two pieces, keyboard and pedals. I think it will not support bass pedals either. They designed it for young modern players not old dinosaurs like me!

Ian ---- thanks for your input. I wish you knew more about the other sounds as well as the organ but your hands on info is appreciated, especially about the key feel. I'm sure they are adequate as roland designed this for the gigging keyboardist.

Fran--the G70 has always been on my list but even being a big guy the weight is the biggest drawback. Having one board to cover all the bases for any gig is really tempting. Even used, if you can find them, G70's still get a hefty price and you know me if I get one I'll want two! HA!
I have EQ'd my G1000 but its like my Roland 760 digital piano. Alone for a gig its OK but when I stack it with my XK3 in the band it comes off thin. I think its the samples. Just did a very large Christmas party and when I did a sound check the bartenders complemented me on the G1000's sounds. I laughed because they are probably so DJ'd out from all the parties they do that someone actually playing something shocked them.
BTW glad you've got a new partner, stay in touch and we may surprise you one night. Still using the Podiums???