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#203546 - 10/07/05 01:48 PM GW-7 or Casio 3700?
jingleman Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/02/05
Posts: 1292
Loc: The Villages, FL, USA
I recently purchased a GW-7 Roland. It seems OK but with all the talk about the new Casio 3700 I would like the experts here to educate me as to the pros and cons if I were to trade the GW-7 for the Casio.

Thanks,
jingleman

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#203547 - 10/07/05 02:26 PM Re: GW-7 or Casio 3700?
Fran Carango Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 05/26/99
Posts: 9673
Loc: Levittown, Pa, USA
Different boards..apples to oranges..
Casio models have speakers, 76 keys, Smart media card, great drawbar organs and effects..these are the highlights..

Roland has 16 track sequencer, customize ability of styles, D-beam controller, other then organs[advantage to Casio],the sounds are comparable..key feel is also comparable..

The GW-7 has no speakers and has 61 keys..

I am a Roland fan,if I was looking for a lightweight backup keyboard, or a keyboard for small 1 or 2 hour jobs...I would select the Casio..with 76 keys and a great organ[matter of fact that is what I did]...besides that..the $300 I saved will buy a lot of cheesesteaks..

If you already own thr GW-7, don't sweat it , play it ..it's a useable keyboard..
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#203548 - 10/07/05 02:33 PM Re: GW-7 or Casio 3700?
Dnj Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
I agree....Fran & I auditioned both of the models mentioned a few weeks ago and he is
SPOT ON

Ciao, Im off to play a big wedding tonight.

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#203549 - 10/07/05 03:02 PM Re: GW-7 or Casio 3700?
casiobot Offline
Member

Registered: 04/04/05
Posts: 132
Jingleman,
Is the 16 track seq. on the GW-7 fully functional? That is to say,can you manipulate volume,pan and program #'s after you've recorded something?

Reason I ask is that the first gen EXR series were not able to do this,despite trumpeting a 16 trk sequencer and 64 poly.
I've been on my guard since then about "16 track sequencers" if you know what I mean?

Other than that,if you enjoy the GW-7's overall sound and whatnot,I don't think you need to trade up....

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#203550 - 10/07/05 03:05 PM Re: GW-7 or Casio 3700?
jingleman Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/02/05
Posts: 1292
Loc: The Villages, FL, USA
I realize that the Casio has less polyphony and less sequencer tracks, but for straight production work do you still see the 3700 as a better choice? (including styles, sequencer editing, quality of instruments, FX, etc.)

Thanks,
jingleman

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#203551 - 10/07/05 03:09 PM Re: GW-7 or Casio 3700?
jingleman Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/02/05
Posts: 1292
Loc: The Villages, FL, USA
casiobot- The GW-7 has limited seq. editing, some volume control but thats about it. Does the 3700 have more editing flexibility?

Thanks,
jingleman

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#203552 - 10/07/05 05:36 PM Re: GW-7 or Casio 3700?
squeak_D Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 10/08/00
Posts: 4715
Loc: West Virginia
The Casio's sequencer lets you edit volume levels, pan, reverb, chorus, dsp. Just the basic edits a sequencer should have. If I had the choice I'd take the Casio WK-3700. Both models have their strong and weak sounds, both models allow voice editing, and the Casio has drawbars. The 3700 also has smart media and floppy for storage. The GW-7 does not. You have to hook up to a computer to do this. Casio will give you 76 keys too I think overall the 3700 gives you more bang for the buck.

What is the sequencer like on the GW-7? I remember reading in the manul that all recording is just a straigh shot, and didn't see anywhere in the manual where you can edit songs after they have been recorded.

Squeak
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GEAR: Yamaha MOXF-6, Casio MZX-500, Roland Juno-Di, M-Audio Venom, Roland RS-70, Yamaha PSR S700, M-Audio Axiom Pro-61 (Midi Controller). SOFTWARE: Mixcraft-7, PowerTracks Pro Audio 2013, Beat Thang Virtual, Dimension Le.

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#203553 - 10/07/05 05:39 PM Re: GW-7 or Casio 3700?
casiobot Offline
Member

Registered: 04/04/05
Posts: 132
Yes,the WK3200 *should* be able to pan/volume/prgm# chg. I'm able to do all of this on my relatively *ancient* WK-1350 and it's at least 5 years old.

Limited seq. on the Roland? I'm shocked,but not surprised.I know it's "just an arranger" but still...16 tracks without manipulation is like a car without a steering wheel.Does Roland really think so little of their arranger market?

Best I could tell you for sounds is to wait until Sams Club or Costco gets in their shipment of WK3200's and then go in and beat the hell out of it. But the sounds have been getting nothing but stellar reviews from most everyone on this board.

Oh yeah,about the sequencer-it's purely linear and that is something that could stand a change,like to a pattern based mode.
You do have step record and edit as well as real time record.
Polophony is 32,but for a 6 track on board sequencer,that's just fine.My 1350 only has 24,but I don't write super thick either.

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#203554 - 10/07/05 06:14 PM Re: GW-7 or Casio 3700?
jingleman Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 08/02/05
Posts: 1292
Loc: The Villages, FL, USA
squeak,

The sequencer does allow overdub with some level control and pan. It is basically a linear system but, since I live in the land of :30 commercials, life could be worse. I did get a chance to dabble with a 3700 at Guitar Center in Fort Myers, FL today and I have to admit...there seems to be a lot more usable sounds in the 3700. My main use is for creating jingle tracks. Thats why good styles are great idea starters and a good mix of sounds goes a long way. The GW seems to be a little week in this area.

Thanks,
jingleman

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