Hold on everyone, I can't make it short...there are so many things to point out that this will be a condensed opinion..

I will make some comparisons to the Yamaha PSR2100[since I owned one], even though the Yamaha list was $1500 and the Roland $800, it will be a good comparison..

First the EXR keyboard construction is solid and compact[no bulky wasted space]..
the key feel is a pleasure after playing the 2100..the buttons feel solid and are located in good areas for performance....

Getting around on the EXR is a mixed bag, some functions you have to hold down a button and change values with another button[need two hands for the most part]...other buttons work great immediately..

Everything is labeled nicely with 25% of the buttons lighted...the rest, good luck in a dark room....the viewing screen is about 2x6 inches and shows what needs to show, including tempo and beat marks..

Sounds are very good[I prefer them over the Yamaha with a few acceptions[not many]..As Bart has mentioned, you have easy access to the primary sounds quickly , the other sounds you need to punch in the three digit numbers to access..

I disagree that the best Roland sounds are on this keyboard..not even close...the Stereo piano is nice but not stellar{ I would have liked the G1000 default piano or the E600 default piano on board]...the disapointment to me is not having the great sounds from the VA series, namely the "scat" patches, the velocity switching acc guitars, and the velocity switching trumpets to name a few..

Midi has limitations.You can not assign different channels to transmit the realtime parts to others[ for example, playing the sounds of an accompanient patch along with your right hand sound] if we could reassign we could have turned the local off and played many other sounds in combinations.Oh well there is one trick I can't talk about...

Speaking of limitations,the USB can only transfer data from your computer to the EXR and vise versa..It treats the EXR as an external hard drive.. you can not play a SMF directly from the USB connection as we can from the PSR2100..this is not terrible, we can load a group of SMF @ drag and drop into the flash memory[actually larger than 1.9 megs]..this can be done quickly[you can load two or three sets quickly and you still have 1.44 meg floppy for additional data[similar to the PSR2100]..

Styles read quickly from the disk or flash, ready to play on the first downbeat of the next measure[Roland still has bragging rights to this]..

You can use USB and midi connections at the same time[although seperate functions, USB to manage data and midi to play from your computer or external sequencer]..

TheMFX effects[insert effects] are great, they are automatically assigned to the main keyboard part , you can over ride or change this MFX to another selection[ if you like your new sound it can be saved in a user program, that you can recall with all the panel settings]..

You can not edit sounds[adsr], styles or SMF's...other than volume levels for styles and sounds...but the Cover function opens the door for many realtime changes..for example in STYLE you only have two variations, but they are grouped[drums and bass,combo, full band]..that yields six variation..but we are not done, times the same six by the 5 Covers...we now have thirty variations of a single style,,all at a touch of a button in "live" play...

The same 5 Covers are available in sequence playback[ should keep boredom to a mininum]...

Now to Standard Midi playback..Roland[GS] is still the best playback and the EXR continues the domination,right patches playing the right effects, including DRUMS..

The EXR has the song marker[simular to the Discover 5] but with an edge..the Discover you have to set your marks and save in the SMF to be at it's best..the EXR[this is a trick] allows us to plave an A and B mark within a sequence in realtime..I found a work around trick that works great...While playing a sequence, you can push the marker button to place a mark for "A"[it will set on the first beat of the next measure after you push the button],,after selecting the "A: mark, select the "B" mark anywhere , it doesn't matter for this trick..{as an example let's say I marked the first beat of the Bridge with "A"]..{and "B" anywhere after,not important], WE are about to end our performance and Six beautiful girls get up to dance[I don't want to stop the song]..at the end of a verse or phrase push the repeat button, on the first beat of the next measure we are back to the bridge[this is important] after we go back to the bridge ,push the repeat button once and this will cancel the "B" marker[the trick], you can actually prepare another "A" mark during this procedure, I doubt you would need to extend the song anymore, but it is available...

Bart, this is for you..If you want to record a song[with accompanient]..turn the volume down for the drums[you can mute the drums later with the Cover button,or turn the volume all the way down and use the metronome]..This recording is done in the "all" record mode..after you record your arrangement, go to "Single record" mode, select track 16, now you can select 2nd drum , select your kit, start record and do your thing....

Here are a few more of my opinions..This Roland sequencer is real and not like the PSR2100 fake sequencer.No comparison..

The EXR speakers are decent, they handle the volume levels the the keyboard puts out,,

Although the SMF's do not show the lyrics in the EXR display..it does read them, you can turn the lyric data to "ON", if you connect to an external device that can show lyrics[Roland Lyric Converter]..it works...

USER PROGRAMS, this is great for Uncle Dave's easy eight or in the EXR's case easy ten..You can set all panel settings including effect changes, styles from disk or flash[Don M, you will have to use this when you get an EXR,to load and keep more country styles...there is no lock outs for anything . not just tempo..The User program gets around this to a certain extent, as long as you don't push onetouch button it will remain in the selected user program,and you can change to any style with the remaining patches in place....

From the factory , you have 103 styles in rom, including 19 loaded in flash, you can load up to 99 in flash memory.. As for bang for the buck, this EXR is a winner..Does it compare with other boards in the price range..YES, it is better than boards that cost more..

BTW,, the G1000 is lightyears better than the EXR,but $800 list,,$800...$800...you get my point...Buy one ...

As for the PSR2100[$1500 list] and the EXR5[$800 list], the feature laden 2100 is better, but for the price point, it is a no brainer for me {EXR} is a keeper...besides you have to play the keyboard and listen to SMF playback[that is why my PSR has a new owner]....

If something important comes up, I will post it....

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 02-08-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 02-08-2004).]

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 02-14-2004).]

Fran,

As usual another fantastic review of a new model Kb from Roland. Straight forward and to the point and more. This will help many future buyers make a purchase decision for sure. I'll have a few other questions I havn't thought of yet, but Im sure they'll come to mind [eg:EXR-7?] by the time we have breakfast with Uncle Dave Tuesday morning ok? ....

Thanx for Sharing

------------------
www.donnypesce.com

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-08-2004).]

Well Fran, it seems we quite agree on the quality of the EXR-5 here Nothing to add to that, I said what I had to say in my review. Just one remark about the comparison between the PSR2100 and the EXR-5 - As you pointed out, these are two boards in different priceranges.

In fact the difference is even greater here in The Netherlands (and other Euro-countries). The PSR2100 is listed here for € 1500,- versus the EXR-5 for € 600,-

So... that makes it a very easy choice

Fran,
Great review! I noticed you mentioned the Roland had a "real sequencer". Is it like Roland's basic sequencers in their synths? Is it capable of doing any type of loop recording?

Thanks,
Squeak

Good review Fran--need to work on your paragraphs though!; Thought I was gonna' go blind reading it on the screen.

Thanks again,

Gary

Burkels, was my direction of recording your own drums helpfull?

Gary, I don't type [two fingers], I put down as I think,,no time for Paragraphs...besides I didn't expect you die hard Yammy owners to read it anyway..

John, I emailed you the answers to your questions..

Squeak, no , this is a basic 16 track sequencer that works ..No frills or editing capabilities...

Gary is that a little easier to read?

I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds good, although you mention recording with the accompanien, which I prefer not to do. I just want the metronome to click away while I play the drums, starting from scratch. But I guess I could leave the arranger off, start recording using start/stop, mute the drumtrack and play my drums on channel 16... It's worth the try :-)

Thanks for the pointers, though!

Thanks Fran for this in-depth review and for your email answer.
The suspense is certainly growing whether Roland will now come out with a new top arranger keyboard at Frankfurt Fair , early April......................
Meanwhile I still have the PA1x (61keys) on order.................

Fran,

You're getting better at this writing stuff--another couple tries and you'll have it down pat!

Have pitty on an old man's eyes,

Gary

Fran,
Nice Job! When I saw this keyboard at NAMM I gave it a "George Kaye" "Best Buy" review. I did find at least one velocity switch guitar when playing the keyboard. It's the one Roland made famous many years ago. I don't recall if there are any others.


------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Best buy in this price range?
What this keyboard has that PSR-550 has not?

Bluebird,
That is a good question. I will not be selling my PSR550 to get an EXR-5.
1) 550 can create styles, EXR-5 not.
2) 550 can mix and change voices, EXR-5 not.
3) Wave ROM 8 megs, EXR-5 8 megs.
4) 550 has sweet voices, EXR-5 no.
5) 550 has excellent flute voice, EXR-5 hey, that's not a flute.
I'm waiting for the replacement for the 550.
Starkeeper


[This message has been edited by Starkeeper (edited 02-09-2004).]

Fran: Great in depth review of the EXR-5. Thanks. - Scott

Fran,

If I understand correctly you would rather have a used G-1000, PSR2000 or PSR2100? Couldn't any of these used be purchased for around $800?

btw I heard a guy playing a Roland E-30 I think. He was in a band and didn't use any of the arranger stuff. Was the E-30 any good?
I don't find any of them for sale.

Tom

PSR550 (EXR-5)
219AWM voices 480 XG voices
(510 tones, 542 XG Sounds, 256 GM2 Sounds)

14 drums
(20 drums)

112 preset accompaniments,with 2 variations
(103 in 6 variations using COVERS), so over 600)

(USB connection, 1,5 MB Flash usermemory)

That's what I notice by just comparing the specs of the two.

Let's not make this a "my board is better than yours" thread, shall we? Every board has its + and -.

By the way, I searched the Yamaha websites, let Google look around, but I found not any explanation about this "Sweet" voices that are in Yamahas. What's the "Sweet" in the sounds?


[This message has been edited by Burkels (edited 02-09-2004).]

The Yamaha Sweet voices are the patches that compare to Roland's basic patches.Sweet, Cool and Live are pretty much the only great sounds on the PSR2100..the XG patches[yuk]..

Tom You are correct, I think a G1000, EM2000 in good condition is a better buy..you may find one for $800,but I doubt you would find one like mine for under $1200..
Also, $800 is list ..street price around $700..
The PSR definately has the advantages[features only] over the EXR, but playing the board and hearing it can make the EXR favorable...

For the difference of $500 cost between the two, excluding the Yamaha harmonizer,...the better value is the EXR..

Bluebird,
There are several things the 550 has over the Roland. One is editing styles.. You can edit the preset styles or create your own from scratch with the 550... Plus the 550 has 16 dedicated track buttons on the face panel.. Makes it so much easier to mute tracks on the fly. I also think the 550 has a better display too. One thing I wish the 550 did have is the joystick rather than the wheel. Also the Roland has an internal sequencer. The 550's is direct disk, but it does however offer quite a bit of editing for a disk based sequencer. As far as sounds go, that's really subjective.

Squeak

My friend played a Roland E30 for 5 years as a one man band.... sounded bloody awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the E30 sounded better than all the other E series that follows because it used the LA sound source.

Rolandfan, you say E30 sounded better than all the other E series that follows because it used the LA sound source.
Which Roland kbs use LA sound source?
Does new EXR-5 use it?

The keyboards that used the LA sound source were the first E series Roland came out with back in 1989-1993 if I remember. They were the E10, E20 and E30. The sounds of these 3 keyboards came from the D10, D50 keyboards.

I owned a Roland E16,E28,E38,E66 but I always felt my friends old E30 sounded better. Only the E10,E20,E30 used LA....after that Roland used GS sound source if I'm not mistaken. The only E series that I felt sounded terrific was the Roland E86. The Roland E30 had only 128 sounds but they were stunning. Hard to find a used one.

Rolandfan says the Roland E-30 had 128 stunning sounds. This bring up a good point, one that Uncle Dave has made in the past. Do we really need 768 xg voices and 256 gm voices etc etc etc? Do we really need 500 styles? Or do we really need 20 truly good styles and 30 really good voices? Give me 20 good styles and the following stunning voices:
Tenor sax
Clarinet
Flute
Trumpet
Muted Trumpet
Growl Sax
Trombone
Soprano Sax
Alto Sax
Accordian
Musett
Harmonica
Some good organs
A few good guitars
Fender Rhodes
Acoustic Piano
DX7 Piano
Some lush strings
Vibes and Marimba
2 or 3 good Pads

I really don't need much of anything else nor do I have the time to search through 768 XG sounds to find one I like.

Maybe I should find a used E-30!

Tom

Great point! I don't even need that many sounds. A few good guitars, electric and acoustic - a great Piano - electric piano - strings - fiddle - a couple of saxes - some brass - good organs and a harmonica. I need two or three of each, not 200.
The problem is, the two or three of each that I need, is probably not the same two or three that you need. So they try to include choices for everybody, even if I am the only one who is really right.
DonM
woops forgot the Smiley
I mean smilie. No that's just wrong.

Tom,
I agree with you. All that wasted wave ROM on sounds I will never use, but not everyone would agree with you. It all depends on what MY favorites are. Some people. like Pilot, use the XG voices extensibly, because they can be tweaked, to his liking. Bluezplayer would use the synth sounds. I would probably never use the harmonica, accordian and musette, but would like more organ voices. UD would use the electric pianos, etc. Ultimately it would be great if we could customize the keyboard to include the voices WE want.
Starkeeper

Just for the record, my old Roland RA90 has the Panel voices + LA sounds. The panel voices can be accessed directly, while the LA sounds can only be accessed thru a midi program change. I always thought that was a poor design decision.

-Michael

This is my opinion of course but I think the more the merrier. But if the Big 3 gives us tons of voices it won't mean a thing if they aren't decent ones needless to say. Although voices are only going to improve is how I look at it. Pretty soon (I'm a visionary ) - the WAV ROM in Keyboards WILL hit the Gigabyte mark along with new technology available to produce and record the Samples, ie., the "Voices".

So instead of having 128 voices we will be looking at possibly 12,000 different Voices that will be head and shoulders above and beyond the best quality Voices we have now in our Boards.

The reason I like the "more is better" is because even though let's say you have an already fantastic B3 Organ Voice you may want a little different shade or 'color' of that Organ sound, so to have a generous variety of Organs can only help and only be a good thing IMO. Same with Drum Kits. Who wants only one good Drum Kit in your Keyboard? All those who raised their hands please see the teacher after class. (Massive amounts of homework are in order)

Different Music genres require
different "sounding" Drum Kits. Even within a specific genre you still need many and varied Drum Kits IMO. I think "128" mind blowing Drum Kits would fit nicely in that Gigabyte of WAV ROM, wouldn't you? Also when you think about it there are thousands and thousands of different and unique sounding Musical Instruments in the world. Not to mention all the varied electronic Synth sounds that are out there. And you never know when one of those unique sounds may be needed in a composition or even during a Gig. If your Keyboard doesn't have that particular voice or sound your up a creek without a paddle unless you could possbily Sample it in somehow.

As it has been said: "Variety is the Spice of Life". Those 30 sounds may keep you happy for a while but I think sooner or later (most likely sooner IMO)- those 30 voices will wear thin and you will become 'bored' IMO especially if your wanting a particular sound and you don't have it!

All those in favor of "muy muchos" Voices raise your hands.

All those who raised their hands will receive an A+ for the semester. And Summer Vacation will start a month earlier than usual.

Same goes for Styles too!

Best regards,
Mike



[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 02-13-2004).]

Mike,

I too used to beleive in "the more the merrier" mantra, until I got my Roland G1000. I do like its sounds and styles a lot; however, it illustrates the downside of having too many sounds. I have a collection of over 1000 styles on my working Zip disk (and more archived on a CD). The instrument has over 1600 sounds, including the VA sounds from the E- series.

The problem is that they are organized extremely counter-intuitively, and are quite difficult to navigate to, especially in realtime performance setting. The sound set is broken up into 16 banks, each containing 8 individual selection. Then you can use variation up/down buttons to select the tone different from the one to which the selection defaults. Some selections have 5-6 variations, while others have several pages (more than 16). The problem I have with it is that although you would expect to select different variations to get different sounds, some tones which are lumped amongs variations have nothing to do with primary selections. For example, the Clarinet selection includes a Fretless (bass) tone among its variation. What do the two have in common? I believe Roland wanted to spread out the tones more evenly among the variation, but the results are extremely poor - press the variation button once too many times (not a difficult thing to do with the small screen and stage/day lighting), and you end up soloing on the bass instead of clarinet. The example I gave is not an exception.
Similar problem with styles (and midi files on disk) - you can select the ones you want, and there are sort facilities, but being able to see only three lines in the scroll window makes it hard to select live.

The moral: plenty of sounds/styles are OK, as long as you can select the one you want with one (or at most two) button pushes, and you don't have to search for things on screen.

Considering the limited number of buttons on the keyboard, there has to be a practical limit to how many sounds/styles the user can select from in a live setting.

In fact, the G1000 is quite good for playing live - it has performance memories which I use to select tones and other settings. It also has a set of Disk Link buttons, which allow you to create a "short list" of 111 styles, which are instantly playable from the disk, with two-three pushes of the button. You do have to watch on screen what is going on as you are pressing buttons, but if you have done the setup ahead of time (tedious, considering the above shortcomings), this is not too bad.

Regards,
Alex

Alex the reason Roland includes the odd patch selections you mentioned, is to have the correct program changes , matching the earlier modules MT 32 and the RA50...

Agreed Alex! When writing my orginal post I was considering adding that the Sound Scheme Configuration (Voice Banks) should be set up in the most simplistic easy to access way. Yamaha has done a great job IMO with the Tyros. My only beef with accessing the Tyros Voices is there is no dedicated button now for the XG Voices. That would have been especially useful when doing real-time Song Re-Voicing of a Midi file or Perfomance and you wanted quick access to an XG voice.

With the Big Three's smarts I think they would be able to basically overcome that obstacle at least in a reasonable acceptable fashion. I don't mind a little searching for a particular Voice as long as the voice I want is actually IN the Keyboard. If the voice you want is there your home free but if it's nowhere to be found on the Keyboard then - You in a heap of trouble boy. At least give us the Voices!! It is a great comfort to know when your Band leader wants you to play a good quality instrument or other sound and you can quickly access it and play it and then see the smile on his face when he says it sounds "extraordinarily good" and will be perfect for the part. If the voice doesn't exist on your Board you will have to hem and haw and explain to him that your Keyboard is not equipped with a good (if at all) rendition of the particular sound he wants. And then instead of a smile you will most likely see a 'frown'. Not a good sight IYKWIM.

But again those 12,000 Voices must be easily accessible or they will become more of a hindrance than a benefit. So I say to Yamaha, Korg, and Roland (and GEM and KETRON) - GIVE US BOTH! Give us the Voices AND the easy accessibility to them.

Best regards,
Mike



[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 02-14-2004).]