Version 2 MP3 Kit upgrade for the Roland E 80

I asked everyone I knew on every forum about this upgrade and nobody had any solid info. Most thought it was only in Europe/UK and not US. Some thought it would be about 200 USD.
I sent an email to George Kaye Music in the Los Angeles Area and he spent his time and money to get the info for me, where to buy it and that it cost 29.95.
I now have it on order and it is 5 day delivery surface from Roland.
This is what it does:

E-80-MP3KIT: E-80 Version 2 Upgrade Kit
Features
The E-80 Version 2 Upgrade Kit adds MP3 playback functionality and 15 “Gold Standard” styles to your E-80. Load MP3 files from your computer into the E-80, or onto a PCMCIA external memory card. Playback your favorite songs through the E-80’s powerful internal speaker system and enjoy 15 great new styles featuring full instrumentation. The E-80 Version 2 Upgrade Kit includes upgrade CD-ROM and installation instructions, owner’s manual addendum, and stickers to affix to the panel and box of your E-80.

Store five or six MP3 files in internal memory, or many more on an external PCMCIA memory card
No need to run audio cables from an external source into the E-80 to play back audio files
Full volume control of MP3 playback through the E-80’s internal speaker system
Play along with MP3 files using the E-80’s full range of tones and features
Interact with 15 new “Gold Standard” styles created to fit comfortably within any style of music.
Thank you so much George Kaye.
You are appreciated so much by all of us in this forum.
Best to all,
Bebop

Beebop that's great news....Congrats....let us know how you make out & how those new Gold Standard style work out for ya ok?

enjoy

Definitely a worthwhile upgrade. Too bad the e50/60 units are not affected. Oh well...

3 cheers for George Kaye !!!

A nice addition to the E80's capabilities, and fairly inexpensive an upgrade, but it misses the boat compared to it's competition in several key areas. First, no MP3 recording. Playback ONLY.

Secondly, no transpose or tempo adjustments, which makes it far less useful if you work with a variety of singers (or occasionally like to drop a half tone or so if the old voice is having a bad day ).

So, for me, a push... cheap enough that it's shortcomings don't enrage it's purchasers. , Personally, I think that hooking up a Zoom H2 to the jacks is a better option (although still no transpose), albeit more expensive. At least you can record as well...

I think I would look at it as if you were paying for the styles (audio is posted at Roland-arranger of the new ones), and they were throwing the MP3 player in for free. That's about what it's worth!

HI ALL,
I received the version 2 upgrade for the E 80 from Roland 4 days after ordering.

Installed and works as advertised.

I can now play MP3 files in my E 80.

I can now rip the files off of CD's, convert them to mp3, transfer them via the usb into the E 80 and play them there. I can play my own MP3 files and any of the hundreds that list members have sent to me.
I can transfer them via usb into the internal memory or into the memory card.

Isn’t that grand?

I also got the 15 new GOLD STYLES and they are really terrific.

This was 29.95 well spent.

I am super pleased,
Bebop