Newbie Question

Hi
Good to be here. Can I have your input on the following:

I am a retired drummer of many years and I now wish to take up learning keyboard. I had narrowed down my choices to the Roland E-80 or the Korg PA800 but have been recently advised to look into the Ketron SD5.

Can you tell me why you believe the Roland E-80 keyboard shines above the other two, i.e. sounds etc?

Also, I am visually challenged: Is the E-80 easy to work with ect?

Many thanks for any input.

Kind regards



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Runedog

Hi Runedog,

I was reading your post and thought , " You have got to be kidding me " !!!!!!

I am frying my poor brain trying to figure out the exact same question. ( Although I`m not a drummer )

Here is what I found out over the net , as where I live , music stores don`t like arrangers , ( I`m still trying to figure that one out !! LOL )

Here are some links to ge the basics on each A-KB:
http://www.korgpa.com/pa_root/en/products/pa800_info.html?en

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=825

The Roland has , IMO , a better sound system , but the thing is huge and weighs 50 lb`s , but how often are you going to move it anyway m so once it`s set up that becomes a non issue.
The E-80 has 2 expansion slots for added sounds ( user installable )
But it is rather dated , it has no flash drive input , although there is a USB input for midi and file transfer from computer to KB , but it has a floppy drive !

Where as the Pa800 has both host and device USB and a front mounted USB for a flash drive.
It has 22W per side and is Bi Amped , like the E80.

So as you can tell there are good points and not so good.

Both are very great arrangers , I really don`t thing you could go wrong with either one.

If you are like me , good luck , because you may be without a KB for quite some time ~~!!!! LOL

Have you had a chance to play either , if so let me know which one you like or dislike.

O__ and you can`t go wrong with Ketron either !

AJ : your needed !!

Well , best of luck to you , and welcome to the forum !!

Gary

Runedog, you may want to post this at the General Arranger forum. You'll get lots or response. Good luck with your decision.

Jedi, this is incorrect:
The E-80 has 2 expansion slots for added sounds ( user installable )
But it is rather dated , it has no flash drive input , although there is a USB input for midi and file transfer from computer to KB , but it has a floppy drive !

MY E 80 has a compact flash imput for 4 GB.
bebop

Yup , your right Bebop !

I forgot about the PCMCIA Card slot in the rear.

My Bad ~~~~~~~~~

Gary