Don

Having had the G70 for a while now, Can you give me your honest opinion, praises or complaints, on the G70......I am most anxious to hear your Professional opinion on this keyboard because I am close to purchasing one.

As always thanks
Ron

Fair enough. I'd be happy to give my opinions.
I like almost everything about the Roland.
I love the live sound of the styles, and I've easily found styles to fit just about every song I care to do.
I've found all the lead sounds I need, and I like them a lot, especially saxs, fiddle and guitars.
I like the key feel.
I like the vocal harmonizer.
I like the Scat voices.
I like the operating system and easy editing.
The midi file playback works great, and even displays the chords.
It's easy to make and save changes on the fly.

I hate the weight.
I miss the multipads.
I don't care much for the way you must select intros and endings. I would prefer dedicated buttons for each intro and ending.
There is no real Break/Fill.
The computer interface is O.K. I like the way Ketron did with the Midjay better.

I'm certain there other things I really like and a few more I'm not crazy about, but overall, The G70, at least with the new OS, is a truly great-sounding keyboard that is easy to learn and work.
If it weighed about half what it does, I would keep it for a while.

Having said that, my new Korg PA800 arrives tomorrow. I hope it sounds as good as the G70.
We'll see.
DonM

Many Thanks Don !!!

regards
Ron

Don, looking forward to your PA800 review.

Glenn

I you are looking for something from Roland, with a similar sound and liveness, but less weight, you might check out the E60.... still got 76 keys (you'll miss that on the PA800), and a LOT in common with the G70's OS and sound....

But I agree, the PA800, if you like the styles and sounds, has a lot going for it. It will be informative to hear a review from someone so used to the G70 sound.

ditto

I just checked the tracking number. It's in Jackson, MS. It will arrive here in the morning and be delivered tomorrow. No way I can use it tomorrow night.
... OR IS THERE???
DonM

Same here. I had considered one but just didn't want to wait and went for the T2.

I never had the G70, but I have a feeling the E-60 doesn't hold a candle in comparison to it.

zuki

Wow!! It amazes me that you could even perform with a totally new instrument so fast It takes me forever to learn the OS on new stuff.

zuki

I ALWAYS takw a new board out the same night I get it. It forces me to "buddy up" to it. It's scarey, but the learning curve is cut in half, by the immediacy of the moment.
I set up 8 core drum styles and 3 or 4 chord sounds. Make sure I know where teh manual bass button is, and I'm ready to go!

The "EZ 8" ( a Roland term from long ago ) includes:
1) 4/4 simple rock beat
2) 3/4 waltz
3) 12/8 ballad
4) 4/4 swing
5) 4/4 shuffle
6) 4/4 disco
7) 4/4 latin
8) 2/4 polka/country beat

With these 8 beats I can cover almost any tune I have to play all night long. Naturally, I prefer a little more variety, but this is the core repertoire.

Good to keep tucked away for an emergency !

So how is it going, and when do we hear it ????
t.

The G00 is on the truck for delivery to the store. I'm going out there right after lunch, to see if it has arrived.
DonM

Dave nailed it.....only every time I go "Virgin" on stage with a new keyboard I just add a few more easy 20 due to my in depth dance venues that require a few more styles to cover the gigs....but going out to play right out the box is the way to go.., just a KB, LT, PA, Mic & some talent & your on your way....

Soon I'll be at Java Madness from 11 AM to 2 PM Sunday. Are you having knee surgery next week? If so, all the best to you with Dr. B, you're in very capable hands for sure.

Common Steve cant wait to hearyou sing & play that T2 baby!

If we can, we'll be down for a cup'o joe ...

yes..... Monday ....
t.

Hi Donny

It would be interesting to see what your 20 categories are for styles and which ones you picked on the 3K.

Uncle Dave

Ditto on which styles you picked for your easy 8 on the 3K.

I do agree with this concept. Among other things I was also a drummer, and really there were only a few beats that we would use all night long.

Great, if you can would love to see you and the Mrs.

I picked up the G800 and brought it home. By the time I unpacked it, it was 4:00. I had to leave for my job by 5:30.
I plugged it in, turned it on and started playing with it. It has some really good styles and is easy to get around.
I will have to dig to find and set up lead sounds that I like, but so far I like the Saxs, organs and especially the piano.
I did take it to the job and played it. I read some of the owner's manual on the way, and learned how to access the mic menu.
I still haven't figured out how to set the vocal harmonizer.
I made it through the night just fine, but I was strapped for traditional CW styles, like a simple CW shuffle. It has some modern CW styles that are good though. I'm sure there are others floating around cyerspace.
Basically, just plugged in two cables from the G800 to the Bose L1, plugged the mic into the back of the keyboard and kicked it off. I used the 4 one-touch presets for my lead sounds. Most were appropriate to the style and sounded good.
I really like the sound of the vocals through it. I didn't e.q. or adjust anything. People seemed to like it.
I didn't have time to load any midi files, but I took a USB flash stick with me, and played on off it just to test it. It sounded great. Lucky I knew the words, because I couldn't find the lyrics display button on the spur of the moment.
I'm too tired to deal with it any more tonight, but I will spend several hours with it tomorrow for sure.
It sure is a lot easier to LIFT!
DonM

you must have been real tired when you wrote thi Don. Your brand new keyboard changed from a PA800 to a G800 over night!

Multi-tasking while driving that new Scion XB ?!? ... or did it come with auto-pilot ???
t.

Hey, I have the XB too! The perfect gig wagon......

zuki

I should hope it's perfect for something, because it certainly isn't the most STYLISH auto I've ever seen ...
t.



[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 02-03-2007).]

I should hope it's perfect for something, because it certainly isn't the most STYLISH auto I've ever seen ...
t.

[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 02-03-2007).][/B][/QUOTE]

Someone told me it looks like a bunch of clowns will jump out once the car is parked. I explained that only one clown jumps out when I park it

It's a bit noisy on the highway, but great around town. Also very roomy inside and fun to drive. Besides, a Toyota engine could last a long time.

Hey, the chicks like it too

zuki

O.K now you're getting personal! Criticize my keyboard all you want, but my Scion XB is off limits!
By the way, mine has pinstripes, so it is far prettier than the ugly plain ones.
Hey, it even has built-in plugs for Ipod or other Aux players. No more cassette adapter input thingies.
DonM

Enough about the Scion already, who cares. Tell me more about the 800.

Glenn

Common...Demos....songs & pics!!!
we already know it DONT have AUX In's Arggggg!!!

No pin stripes, either!

But it has 2 mic ins... hmmmmm, can the 2nd mic in be used as a mono aux in?

No, you can use the inputs either as a mic input only (In1) or as a stereo aux in (In1+In2). No problem for me since I don't sing

Kind regards,
Tommy

[This message has been edited by TommyF (edited 02-04-2007).]