Roland EA7 ........

Fran Carango, Tony Mads and Don Mason
thank you for bringing me back to reality..

Hi Donny,

Thanks for sharing these vids, not seen these before. They are certainly interesting and gives a different sound to what I've heard before. From the initial impressions of this keyboard, not quite in the same league of Yamaha and Korg especially in the drums, but still quite a nice refreshing difference as an alternative. The Piano sounds incredible though, always understood Roland to have the best Piano sound.

Good luck with it and I hope this is the one for you now!!!

Enjoy DNJ!

Yeah guys, that was QUITE an accomplishment. Let's hope it lasts more than one posting cycle. Congrats Donny, from what I hear, that board represents an excellent 'bang for the buck'. If there's any initial 'disappointments', try keeping it long enough to let it grow on you a bit. Sometimes that's necessary.

chas

Saxman and Danny thank you so much I really appreciate it.

Congrats Donny...certainly is a great arranger!
JM

Nice sounds + Nice styles + Nice ergonomics + Nice price = Great choice!

Jingleman thanx for the kudos as always !

No (single screen?) successor to the EA7 on the horizon?

Donny, Enjoy that EA7.

Steve,.....Gracie my good friend...
btw when is your road trip to Frank's store?
Hope you comin' home with some goodies!!

Actually the drum sounds are quite good, and I believe still way better than those of Yamaha. Korg's drums are different, but also good. My favorite thing about the EA7, other than the light weight, is the quality and variety of styles.
It also has the sounds I use a lot, guitars, pianos, organs, sax, harmonica, fiddle. Lacks a good pedal steel, which I could probably make for it if I wanted.
All the arrangers' drum kits can be replaced totally these days. Dynamix makes excellent drum kits for all the brands. I haven't felt the need for them on the EA7 though.
A person must pick an arranger according to what fits his own needs and wants, but there are no bad choices.

I don't get the negative opinions of the drums on the E-A7.. Even Dynamix calls the drum kits as the weak link (but they are marketing their own)

I have done side by side comparisons with Korg , Yamaha, Casio, Ketron, and older Roland drum kits (G70).

I have found the E-A7 better than the Yamaha, Korg, Casio, G70 (without SRX board), and a close second to Ketron.

The E-A7 shines in it's ability to quickly edit drum kits. Virtually change whatever parameter you want.

A simple velocity edit can bring a drumkit to life, allowing the velocity switching of samples to be enhanced.

The E-A7 drums are better than the G70 factory kits (they are still good), adding the SRX studio card, makes the drum kits great.

Fran I agree..... but the only way to really find out is to hear it not read it I'll repeat hear it talk is cheap...

Hi Guys, as with everything it's subjective and an opinion. Based on what I heard in the video's that Donny posted I didn't think the quality of the drums sounded quite as good as Yamaha's and Korg's, I am just basing on what I heard. Maybe it's because I am not used to hearing Roland's, that could be a factor. They are still good, I wouldn't say they're not, so nothing negative, just a preference. In fact, I also prefer the drums from GEM as well which I've always found excellent and close to Ketron's in some ways, again just a preference.

If I had that Roland in my room I know it would sound better in real life than any videos, so that is something to consider also.

Now THAT'S a very fair assessment. Thanks, Danny.

Yeah, but I thought it was going to be the Kn5000

Tony if there was a MINT KN5000 and Technics service was still in operation I would certainly entertain that thought, I never liked the 6,6.5,7k for certain reasons sent them all back ....
I had good times with the KN5000 I got from Don Mason
until I traded it to Uncle Dave for a Ketron X1.

Hi Donny,
congratulations on your decision. Love those Bonner videos, that guy does a brilliant job of demoing keyboards and pianos.

Thanks Rikki... And so we try again!

Hang in there Donny! I tease you (which I hope you know is good natured) but in this case you made a great choice. Arguably the best "bang for buck" arranger of all time. If Fran is right about a possible E-A9 I will take a hard look at it provided it has the 7 inch screen from the Fantom.

Never seen a more cluttered front panel on a keyboard. That's one of the reasons I didn't like the EA7 when I tried it. I hope you grow to love it, my friend. It seems in retirement, your needs might become a bit more relaxed, since most of the pressure is off in performance. At least you'll have your non touch screen back. (don't understand that one, but hey - it's your thing)

Mr. Parnell no offense taken sir....and I totally agree with you.
I will personally buy a EA9 no doubt if it comes to market also.
Also Fran is always right....just sayin'

Everything on the EA7 is arranged logically and it is very easy to operate in real time.
There are buttons for almost everything. There are lots of programmable buttons as well.

Bull, Fran doesn't know what he's talking about. He hasn't been out of the house in 20 years....not since he bought that G70. He still thinks the earth is flat. And, he uses a flip phone.



chas

What's a flip phone? I still use rotary dial. I miss the days when you picked up the phone and the operator said "Number Please"! Our number was 370J. The J indicated it was a party line. My mom worked at the bank, number 9. I'm gettin' old ya'll.

No numbers at the 'rotarywheel' here, just have to wind it a couple of times to get someone do the rest in the other end....

I gotta git me one of those new fangled thangs, Donny.

LOL ...ours in Staten Island NY was GI(for GIbraltar) 7-6111J ... and yes it was a party line ...
Perhaps SI reminded people of the rock of Gibraltar ...

I remember a local lumber yard had the phone number 848.

I have a yard stick with the logo and phone number.. laying around somewhere.

On it's way....

Let's see...the EA7 - or the rotary flip phone? Which one's comin' first?

Who knows Randy or maybe something completely new..

Donny, I could say you are making me crazy but I would not mean it. I feel you are making a good choice – If Don ok’s it, we should all have one.
I think I’ll order one just to stay with the group. (smile)
John C.

John, it is not like you to blame the group for your wanton desires ha ha.

Congrats on your new EA7 john