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#393355 - 09/18/14 04:52 AM roland G70 vs S700 and PA600
Bachus Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
In my search for an arranger keyboard for my sisters kids i came across a G70, at half the price of the new ones...

Advantages :
- cheap
- 76 keys (high quallity)
- aftertouch

-> How does this golden oldies soundset compare to the S750 and PA600 soundwise?
-> Can it load samples ? It comes with an SSD 1GB card.
-> can i split the keyboard in 3 seperate parts?
-> is it hard to get user styles with newer content?
-> how are its master keyboard compatibilities?
-> can i use BK7m styles and or Atelier styles on this arranger?
-> what are its weak points when it comes to breaking..physically, what do i need to pay attention to when buying a used one?


Edited by Bachus (09/18/14 04:54 AM)
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Yamaha Genos, Roland Jupiter 80, Ipad pro.

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#393356 - 09/18/14 05:04 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: Bachus]
rosetree
Unregistered


You can load samples only by purchasing a SRX expansion board. You find them used, on Ebay their average price is still around 160 euros. But they have great samples. My favorites are:
SRX 04 Symphonique Strings
SRX06 Complete Orchestra (400 samples/sounds)
SRX07 Ultimate keys
SRX 09 World (400 samples/sounds)
SRX10 Big Brass

http://media.roland.com/en/IT/SRX_IT/index.html

BTW, these expansions are presently rereleased in the form of downloadable packages for the new Roland FA-06, and I assess them as the best part of the Integra soundset. Strings and brass are very realistic.


Edited by rosetree (09/18/14 05:17 AM)

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#393374 - 09/18/14 09:37 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: Bachus]
Fran Carango Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 05/26/99
Posts: 9673
Loc: Levittown, Pa, USA
First, there is no comparison of the G70 to the low mid line S750 and Pa600..The G70 is a pro model, built to be played on the road...

It does split in 3 zones and will layer 6 tones..

As a midi controller ..it is like other arrangers..you can send arranger data, and realtime parts, also midi file play, but limited with midi cc control other than after touch, modulation, pitch wheel, and cc7 (volume)..

Soundwise, it is still the best..sure every company has it's best sound that stands out...Piano, organ, choirs, synths are all better on the G70..also drums are better..
When you add SRX board ..all sounds are better..including guitars, Brass, reed, strings etc..

You cannot add samples other than the excellent SRX board, with immediate selection to play..
BK series styles will play on the G70, and it has the best editing capabilities of any make..

The external card is for styles , SMF's and system data including user programs..
Nothing breaks on a G70...
Hands down..the best buy..
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www.francarango.com



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#393376 - 09/18/14 10:23 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: Fran Carango]
Bachus Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
Originally Posted By: Fran Carango
First, there is no comparison of the G70 to the low mid line S750 and Pa600..The G70 is a pro model, built to be played on the road...

It does split in 3 zones and will layer 6 tones..

As a midi controller ..it is like other arrangers..you can send arranger data, and realtime parts, also midi file play, but limited with midi cc control other than after touch, modulation, pitch wheel, and cc7 (volume)..

Soundwise, it is still the best..sure every company has it's best sound that stands out...Piano, organ, choirs, synths are all better on the G70..also drums are better..
When you add SRX board ..all sounds are better..including guitars, Brass, reed, strings etc..

You cannot add samples other than the excellent SRX board, with immediate selection to play..
BK series styles will play on the G70, and it has the best editing capabilities of any make..

The external card is for styles , SMF's and system data including user programs..
Nothing breaks on a G70...
Hands down..the best buy..


Thank you, that information is very welcome...
The fact that the new Roland arrangers still use the same style for at is very reasuring, that the G70 still has a few years ahead of it...

If there are any styles you want to share, and i decide to buy this one, then they are very very welcome...
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Yamaha Genos, Roland Jupiter 80, Ipad pro.

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#393378 - 09/18/14 10:53 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: Bachus]
Bernie9 Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/02
Posts: 5508
Loc: Port Charlotte,FL,USA
I remember when I bought my G70 that I installed upgrade #3 ?

It made all the difference in the world. Not sure how you check it, but Fran would know.

Bernie
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pa4X 76 ,SX900, Audya 76,Yamaha S970 , vArranger, Hammond SK1, Ketron SD40, Centerpoint Space Station, Bose compact

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#393383 - 09/18/14 11:33 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: Bernie9]
Bachus Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
Originally Posted By: Bernie9
I remember when I bought my G70 that I installed upgrade #3 ?

It made all the difference in the world. Not sure how you check it, but Fran would know.

Bernie


it says version 3 is installed...the latest one, its up to date so to say...
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Yamaha Genos, Roland Jupiter 80, Ipad pro.

http://keyszone.boards.net

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#393414 - 09/19/14 05:49 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: Bachus]
vangelis Offline
Member

Registered: 12/31/03
Posts: 425
Loc: FLORIDA
Roland G70 is a killer arranger and has features that even today cannot match, GO! for it, if the price is right.
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Currently main setup on stage are:KORG PA4X,PA1000

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#393418 - 09/19/14 07:53 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: vangelis]
Bachus Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 03/02/06
Posts: 7143
Originally Posted By: vangelis
Roland G70 is a killer arranger and has features that even today cannot match, GO! for it, if the price is right.


I bought it for €600 including two stereo monitors, a sennheiser headset, 12 GB of styles and midi files, 3 pedals a pile of music books, a reasonable microphone, a bench and a quallity stand...

Only the X piano sound and the keybed are worth that money..
The options of the arranger itselves are mindboggling and even seem tosurpass the arranger options of the Pa3x by a mile...
The Drawbar sound is so sweet...

It makes me wonder why i havent touched Roland arrangers ever since my good old e70 more then 20 years ago..

Just wondering how much of those options the kids are gonna use... If they only use 10% they are gonna end up pro users..

I will be spending a lot of time at my sisters, explaining stuff to them kids..
_________________________
Yamaha Genos, Roland Jupiter 80, Ipad pro.

http://keyszone.boards.net

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#393419 - 09/19/14 08:16 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: Bachus]
DonM Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 06/25/99
Posts: 16735
Loc: Benton, LA, USA
I loved G70 and also E80, but just too heavy to carry around every night. I also liked BK7, but too many peripherals required. BK9 was nice, but same issues--no vocal processing or harmonizer, no decent display features, etc.
I probably used the E50 longer than anything else. It was a great MOL arranger in its time.
The kids will love it. If not, you will love it. smile
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DonM

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#393421 - 09/19/14 09:02 AM Re: roland G70 vs S700 and PA600 [Re: Bachus]
rosetree
Unregistered


The Ultimate Grand (X piano) was really good for 2004, quite realistic, although I think a bit indirect sounding.
If you get a SRX 06 Complete Orchestra in addition, you get 400+ more samples and a very good orchestral supplement for the soundset. Or for rock/pop purposes maybe SRX07. (I wouldn't recommend the SRG-01.)

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