This is my follow update of the Roland Prelude..

As you may recall in my "first impression" post,I
liked the Prelude a lot, especially for my band needs.

Being able to play over MP3's,wave or sequences,
and the option to use styles...all on one keyboard is
great...

I may repeat some comments from before, but that will only reinforce
how great of a keyboard the Prelude is..with a street price
under $1,000...

The version 2 updated OS,made all the difference in the world on this Prelude..

I have set up an Eagle tech thumb drive (remember that little flash drive?)..
with nearly 1,000 MP3's, and sequences....They are organized in "playlist"

The Prelude allows easy editing and re save in the playlist, this includes edits of
SMF's and relocation spots in the playlist..
They can be set to play automatically as placed in the order (as I do with break tunes)..
or select the next song, while one is playing,
quickly and ready to play at the push of the play button.

I have loaded 100 of my favorite Roland G70 and Korg styles..
They are edited to my desire..

I have also created several Performances..these are keyboard set ups,
that are designed to use as I would want...if it be full piano mode, or split,
or as I always prefer...performances set up so I can use piano in piano mode and
a color sound (organ etc), that will play with the EV-5 pedal..


I select the styles from a preview list ..
viewing the next style while playing in arranger mode.
The styles retain the tempo, but the tap tempo is always ready to adjust the tempo..

Likewise , you can bring up a list of the tones, in each category..

At first , the operation seems complicated compared to selections as we use on the G and E series,
but it becomes second nature..

I also can use the Prelude via USB to control my soft synths in the studio
or on a gig with a laptop..but the Prelude works so well, after setting it up..
that the laptop is not needed on a gig..

The Prelude has a great option, not found on the GW8...
lyric read on the 200 sequences in internal memory.
The custom/user styles also reside in internal memory..

The GM sound set is excellent, continuing the Roland tradition of unbeatable
SMF play..

The make up tools are also very use able..

Another important feature, the Prelude reads the edited styles/SMF's from the G70..

I port them over, including the transpose (common, in make up)..from the G70
to the internal ram of the Prelude..

The playlist selections are fast...much faster than the Juno Stage or the E80.

The key feel is lighter than I prefer, but still a better feel than the PSR s910 or PA800..

and to me feels more dynamically playable..

I would highly recommend you give the Prelude a try...but spend some time,
checking out the things I have mentioned...This keyboard is creative enough
to run with the "big boys"...

It is still a keeper.........