Quality of recording not the best but it gives an idea.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMgqqPXG2Nc

Considering it is taken with microphones instead of line cable, I really like most of what I hear.

I wonder how it compares with the Roland BK-7m as far as sound quality goes, or even the BK-9?

Also, how it compares with the similarly-priced Yamaha PSR-S770?

I'm quite sure the main piano sound, named "Pno-SX" in the waveform list, is a cut-down version of the SRX 11 piano expansion. The "SX" could be a hint to the former digital piano RD-700SX, whose main piano sound was identical to the SRX 11. The BK-7m also has a piano nearly identical to the SRX 11 and named "Superior Piano" (identical name to one of the SRX 11 patches and the RD700SX main piano sound.

The saxophone sound seem identical to the BK-7m.

Of course, there are obviously lots of new world sounds. I also find lots of waveforms with the same name as in the SonicCell, mostly identical to Fantom X. No surprise there...

All in all, the E-A7 could be regarded as a new version of the GW-8 (which also mainly had SonicCell sounds) combined with BK sounds and completely new world sounds. The GW-7/8 line used to be the "Roland Japan" arranger line competing with Roland Europe. Now, there's obviously an integration of both lines.

It seems to be BK-7m quality plus additional sounds (and obviously great world styles). But no SN-A sounds (the BK-9 has 22).

Thanks for the info, Rosetree!

Thanks for sharing. It`s sounds a good package for under 1K but whats really noticeable is the layout; there are dedicated buttons everywhere.
Looking forward to hear from owners of this board about their experience from this new detailed layout.

Good part is even though its a world keyboard, it has a decent selection of pop/rock, ballads and other contemporary styles

Jazz and latin styles, much better recording.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOipQD_o5LQ

I used that demo for my second comparison recording in the other thread (just uploaded). The brass sounds still sound compressed compared to the BK-9.

Here, at the end of this funk style demo, the E-A7 brass section sounds better:
https://soundcloud.com/roland-srbija/roland-e-a7-funky-tryout-balkan-sound-set

I wonder if all this is, .....is Rolands attempt to sell off surplus parts from all the BK models just to get rid of parts?

Besides the two displays, I don't think this is about getting rid of physical hardware parts. The buttons look different. No, I think Roland analyzed that some geographical markets such as Eastern Europe, Turkey and Asia have been more prone to arranger demand according to their past experience, and so they are focussing on these regions now. It's still about compensating for their past operating in the red.

those reused parts could be inside the kb

Then why not just continue to manufacture the BK models in China instead of investing in thousands of new ethnic samples?

I guess Roland knows they have no chance in the USA arranger Kb market anymore selling against Yamaha & Korg...
too bad they were a big player years ago.

Still better than abandoning the arranger market entirely, which would have been possible after the end of Roland Europe. Maybe they will come up with a more sophisticated arranger some time again when they have really recovered financially (the Aira range could help).

I doubt it they blew their chance .....good luck to them.

As long as you and others perceive it that way, it will be so, as the consumer is boss, even though they may not realize it. They certainly have the expertise to make a world class arranger, but their marketing and production mistakes, as well as their internal financial upheaval has severely damaged their reputation.

A case in point is the BK-9, which I own. It has wonderful sounds and unique functions, but they didn't finish balancing etc, and their method of compiling registrations,has made unnecessary work for the end user.

It is,indeed, too bad.