I just finished writing about the likeability of Roland styles. Having owned quite a few early Rolands over the years, I collected hundreds and hundreds of the older style format.

So I'm checking my Roland style storage bin on my hard drive. I have them rated by "stars." Most of them I rated 5 stars. I miss playing those.

Does anyone know up to what point the Roland's accepted the early .stl styles? I don't suppose I can use them in the latest models.

Talk to Fran Carango he is the SZ Roland Master!

All the old styles will play on the new Roland arranger models.. Even the wrong map styles..

The early arrangers used the MT32 map.. If you are not sure that "sax" is playing the "bass" part of the style.... in the MT 32 map.
Naturally the old styles will only play what they can .. 2 variations, 2 fills etc..

Thanks Fran.......you've got me thinking now about going backwards instead of forwards just to use all those wonderful Roland styles I've got 'stocked up' and 'locked up' in my safe deposit box.

It's like modern day (get 'em off the Internet) MIDI files. In the beginning, styles were carefully worked out and MIDI files were top of the line arrangements. Now, I notice that they just "knock out" both of them probably in their spare time with not much thought about realism. I'm still looking for a decent cha-cha. I might have to buy a Tyros just for that style.

I don't like the Tyros, but it definitely has great styles. Even the Ketron is starting to get on my nerves. Carefully worked out realistic styles but.......too busy. They control your playing instead of allowing you freedom of expression in playing a tune (freedom of expression........the 11th Commandment).

I still enjoy auditioning some of the thousands of old Roland Styles I have. Do some editing and they can be very useful. I just found an old Rock Style and after tweaking it I have used it to replace one of the newer Rock Styles from my BK9 on some songs.
So far I've never had a problem.

Many Roland styles have unique parts, bass lines, chord change flow, etc, that no other has,....I agree Bill some are VERY useful for certain songs...

Hi ,
I would imagine with the great editing tools on the Roland’s, you could probably copy the existing 2 variations /fills, alter them slightly and have a full set.

Been a long time since I owned one.

So Fran is correct then about being able to use my 30 year old Roland styles on any new Roland machine? They're still using the same .stl file format?

I'm still playing my trusty old Roland E-300.