http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hulf0U5Lyw

can this guy smile?

He has nothing to smile about...the keyboard sounds like a Casio(sorry, Casio owners).

He needs an S900...big grins assured.

Ian

ianmcnll, I remember your reaction when I made a little joke with the announcements of a few styles for the G70 and not for the Tyros3. Now you showed us your real face by your comment on the GW8 and the Casio keyboards.
You are very unfair with your comment.
With this kind of reactions you are bashing this Forum !

Sorry pal, no bashing...just an accurate observation.

Last time I checked, we were all entitled to our opinions on this forum.

Ian

GW series sounds pretty good to me if you know how to record a KB demo & most of all know how to play an arranger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndPwCTxKUgI

Also....Roland have done nice ones in the past with the Gw7.......... as these....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5H8_6WgwgY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxBwUWB0YTA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG5FIfkxSGk&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqaYzpDnuIE&feature=related

Exactly.., there's nothing wrong with the sound engine on the GW-8..., and I'm surprised to see someone who "claims to be all great" due to past and current postions in doing keyboard demos who then uses a YouTube video (done with a very cheap camera) to make such a bold statement regarding the GW-8's sound quality..., then comparing that to a inexpensive Casio.

I would hardly compare the the SonicCell/Fantom X series sound engine to a Casio.....

It's not the keyboard that sounds bad in this demo.., it's the Family-Dollar cheapo camera the guy is using along with not so great playing.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 10-07-2008).]

Certainly it does Donny, but that first clip was pretty bad...it wouldn't make me want to buy one.

I wonder if they'll come out with a version for the American/Canadian market...style wise, I mean.

Ian

I just wanted to make a point that all the hoopla about Tyros 3 or what ever is the latest & greatest means nothing unless you can make it sound the way it should be played.....many run out and buy these arrangers & dont have the ability to make themselves or the keyboards sound the way it should. But they are lead to believe that they can....why? because of the Demos which in some cases dilussionalize their mindset into believing what the manufacturer wants them to so they can sell the units....because after all that is their goal and bottom line to make money. Tyros 2 came out just a short while ago.....OS upgrades would have been enough to achieve better results but NO......these poor people who had to shell out thousands of their hard earned money only to find out that now Yamaha slaps them with Tyros 3 just a short while later...see my point?

All good points Donny..., and there's no harder hit keyboard player IMO in this area who really get's hit harder in the pocket than the arranger player.

I still don't see the value in a T2-T3 upgrade. Maybe if you still have a T1 or someone going from a 3000 or 900 to the T3 I think would make more sense (in terms of cost weighed against features).

Sadly arranger players have been taking a hard pocket hit for years. A brand spanking new Yamaha Motif XS6 only cost $2199.., hell the 88 key Motif XS still costs less than the Tyros 3.

Maybe it's just customer base, but I'm fairly certain that Yamaha would get quite a verbal whippin from Motif customers if a Motif XS6 costs $3800


[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 10-07-2008).]

Yep, I do, Donny.

Of course, we are learning that a lot of this hoopla is based on fact, according to preliminary reviews of the T3.

I'm more anxious than ever to get mine.

Ian

Yes Ian as an instrumentlist as yourself, & including everyone's different needs as a player I can see your views.....
but, one opinion does not make it overwhelmingly correct for all.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 10-07-2008).]

I agree, Donny, but I'm basing this on several opinions...and opinions of people I trust and who know their stuff.

Sure, Tyros3 is primarily a "home" instrument, but depending on your needs, it will serve a professional very well.

Lots of T2s out there doing the job, as well as S900s...I know, I'm contact with lots of pros who use these instruments and are quite happy with them...no need to think the T3 isn't capable of doing the same.

Your needs might be different, so perhaps you might lean towards a Korg or Roland, or you might want to use a more efficient harmonizer than the on-board unit on the Tyros3.

I do know the T3 sure is tempting.

Ian

Ian.....good points Im just saying that for example for me as a Singer Player...the Yamaha VH is useless, so I now use an outboard TC VH unit.....I use a Tyros for the tilt display screen and good sounds without the SA technology...and I make it all sound wonderful night after night. I'll admit I've thought long and hard about the T3 money not in the equation, but when I add up the plus & minuses.....my needs are just not there to substantiate buying one.....especially when I know in a year or so there will be more units on their way to market that seem to be more on track with my Gigging needs...Although Yamaha TOTL units sound very good....Korg & Roland & Ketron seem to address the pro player's feature & navigational needs on stage a bit more.

They each have their advantages, Donny...as well as their liabilities.

Since I'm primarily an instrumentalist, the need for the very best in solo voices and great styles keeps me in the Yamaha camp...I especially love Yamaha's "finished" CD quality sound, so nice for recording as well as doing a fine job with "live" work.

I'm sure Roland has something in the works...let's hope so...the T3 will not be for everyone, and it would be nice to have a choice, other than Korg.

I remember many years ago, in my "car" days, there were Ford and Chevy camps...and occasionally we'd see a guy driving a Rambler or a Dodge...it's all about perceived quality, hype and belly bumping...that's what I love about this forum...it's got heart and enthusiasm and variety.

First place I visit, and last place I check up on before shutting down for the night.

You go through many more keyboards than I, but ultimately, we want the same thing...something that let's us express ourselves as fully, and as intuitively as possible.

Yamaha does that for me.

Ian

[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 10-07-2008).]

Which particular Casio did you think was as good as the GW-8, Ian...? I got to check it out!

I know you've seen and heard everything posted (well, most of it!) about the GW-8, so far. But thank God there's at least ONE sucky demo, so you can lay into it and promote YOUR personal keyboard instead.

Perhaps we should return the favor, find the WORST S900 demo out there, and use that to 'prove' the S900 is no better than a Casio, too...

Sometimes you score a point, but this one is a swing and a miss, old boy!

Diki..., as far as I'm concerned I would seriously question the credibility of someone who likens a SonicCell/Fantom X sound engine to that of a cheap Casio.., and then comes to that conclucion based on a shotty video demo posted on YouTube of all places.

I've seen very poor quality S-900 demos (that due to the shotty camera) could easily be compared to a Casio as well.

One of the older models Diki...I think it was the M10...I do admit it was slightly better than the VL-1. although I took off a few points for it not having a built in calculator.

I notice an echo on the forum is it a squeak?

Actually I like the idea of the GW8 and the sound of the other GW-8 demos, but of course, an opportunity to flagrantly promote Yamaha will never be passed up.

Sucky demos abound on YouTube on just about everything, Yammies included...Donny landed a good one though, for sure.

Still no word on a G70 replacement?

Ian

The CIA have been sending representatives to Roland to consult with them on how effective their security is At least SOMEONE can stop leaks from happening...

Or maybe they just learned a lesson from the Audya, and don't promote a product until they have actually MADE it!

No word yet on the S900 replacement?

I think Donny knows...but he's following Roland's ethic.

Do you if the GW8 will have styles suited to North America?

Ian

Ian Ive read the GW8 manual & although there is a nice latin bank...there are plenty of styles for all genres for sure....plus you can convert & load G70 styles into it also....read the manual & take a look...its just not for Latin players.

61 keys with velocity

Maximum polyphony - 128 voices

Parts - 16 parts, plus keyboard part

Wave memory - 256MB (16-bit linear equivalent)

Preset memory - Performances: 128, Tones: 896 + 256(GM2) + World, Rhythm Sets: 32 + 9 (GM2) + World

User memory - Performances: 128, favorite performances: 100, favorite tones: 100

Effects - MFX: upper and lower / 78 types, Chorus: 3 types, Reverb: 5 types

Back type - Style, song, USB memory player

Tempo (MIDI) - 20 to 250

Style variations - 4 intro, 4 main, 4 ending, 4 fill in, synch, start, stop, one-touch setting

Song recorder - 16-track, record mode (mix, replace), count in, punch in-out, input quantize

USB memory player - 999 songs, SMF: format-0/1, Audio File: WAV/AIFF/MP3

Preset memory - Styles: 130 + World

User memory - Styles: 100, Songs: 200

Controllers: D BEAM, Pitch/bend modulation lever, two control knobs

Display - 240 x 64 dots white graphic LCD

Output jacks - L/Mono, R

External input jack, hold pedal jack, control pedal jack

MIDI I/O

USB - supports USB MIDI and USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Flash Memory

Power supply - DC 9V (AC Adapter)

Current draw - 1,000 mA

Accessories - Owner's manual, CD-ROM (Style Converter 3.0, Playlist Editor), AC Adapter (PSB-1U), Music Player Pad, USB Memory Protector

Operating System Requirements - Windows XP Home SP2 or later / Windows XP Professional SP2 or later / Windows Vista (does not work with 64-bit Vista)

Dimensions - 41-3/16" W x 12-9/16" D x 4-1/16" H

Weight - 13 pounds, 4 ounces




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 10-07-2008).]

My understanding is that the GW-8 is going to be loaded (and based on what I've seen in the manual) with western styles, but each region specific unit will include all the western styles along with styles specific to their country or region. If you look at the manual you'll see it's choc-full-of western styles.

Donny, could you make that photo a little smaller...it's got me scrolling like mad.

Do you know if it has a rotary speaker effect, and, if so, does anyone know how good it is?

Also are the organ sounds of good quality?

Looks like a nice little board.

Ian

http://lib.roland.co.jp/manual/en/dl_08-24781/GW-8_e1.pdf


heres the manual

A friend just got one. I will play it soon.

He says it loads G70 styles (he's got one too) but the sounds aren't necessarily the right ones (naturally)
but usually are..

As long as header editing is easy, I see no problem. Plenty of sounds, for sure!

I might look at one for backup, and just play the G70's recorded SMF sounds and styles.

Nice and light...

(And Donny, haven't you learned how to compress a graphic so it fits on the SZ page yet? )

I like the idea of the "analog modify" controls.

Yamaha had them on one of their low end PSRs...the PSR-E403 I believe, and they were very effective, so they should be even more so with the GW8's sound engine.

T'would be nice to see that idea implemented on Yamaha's next generation S-series.

Oops! Was I promoting again?

Diki, it would be very interesting to hear your review, can you post it here when you've tried it out?

Ian




[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 10-07-2008).]

Diki didn't want lose Detail......
I know Ian is checking it out closely

13lbs you gotta love it..
Great backup for sure.....cant wait to try one.

Here are the Roland GW8 style listings if your interested.

http://www.roland.com/synth/GW/download/stylelist/GW-8L_stylelist_e1.pdf

My Sweetwater rep just called tonight to answer my question concerning Roland US selling any of the other GW-8 variants here in the States. Apparently, Sweetwater has an actual Roland employee on site who was able to directly obtain an answer from Roland US headquarters...and the answer is an unqualified "no". I am extremely disappointed and think they are making a huge mistake, considering the number of musicians that perform various ethnic music styles here in this country. I wonder if George Kaye or any of the other dealers will be able to circumvent Roland's policy on this?

Michael

From what my friend tells me, the GW-8 imports and plays G70 styles without too much drama.
A bit of re-voicing, you are done. This should negate the need for a US specific model, IMO.

Admittedly, it would benefit Roland's sales in the US if they did the work for us,
even sold us a $50 USB stick with 100 G70/E80 US-specific styles optimized for GW-8 (I think that's fair enough).

I honestly think the days of ROM style sets is LONG past. One should be able to load whatever you want
into the style categories section, and decide for yourself if country is more important than meringue,
if R&B is more useful than enka, if zydeco is more important than Schlager...

Give me a voucher for however many styles it is supposed to come with, and let ME chose which and what I need.
Then let me load them into the style category section (and let ME label them!). I think most of us could remember a number as being 'Cajun'
if it came to style category selection, especially if we had made the decision where
to put that type in the first place, so that gets rid of the need to silkscreen the category names...
(or a sticky back blank, to write the categories down on)

My G70's internal ROM styles aren't ROM at all! Every one of them can be replaced
But due to a stupid decision, they can't be renamed... but if I WANTED to, I could take every style I hate
out of the ROM section, and put one in where I want it. That one niggling detail needs changing,
and presto! A completely customizable ROM style section!

This is how ALL arrangers should be. Each of us needs something different in the style department.
There are European players who do nothing but country. There are Wisconsin players who play mostly polkas. Geography has nothing to do with it...

LET US DECIDE FOR OURSELVES WHAT ROM STYLES WE GET

And this would get rid of the need for Roland to manufacture different versions of what is,
underneath it all, exactly the same arranger (lower costs, hint, hint )

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 10-09-2008).]

PA2x can already do this..You can re-locate and rename every factory style, overwriting with your own names.
The only thing that cannot be changed (hardware) is the screen printing on the panel indicating the genre names.

The Styles are really no problem (they are basically interchangeable), it's the World tone presets that are the major difference between the various GW-8 models. With my GW-7 and the Styleworks software I can already use Styles from all the major arrangers and the World sample set is pretty damn good, with instruments from all over the world (not as narrowly focused as the GW-8). I was just hoping that they would have given US consumers a choice between a couple of models at least, as they are doing in Europe. Even though it's not an arranger keyboard, the new Korg M50 is looking mighty interesting!

Michael