#Roland pcr 800 61 key software
I used 8 software instruments and I had to use pads to switch between them quickly. maybe it's specific to me or it's common to all MIDI-keyboards, but I didn't find a good way to set up quickly-switchable programs on this keyboard, i.e.
mod/pitch joystick: I'm used to separate wheels, which seem to be much more appropriate for these purposes good keys (although of course I'd prefer weighted ones, but I understand it's totally impossible within this price and weight) That's why I sold it and I'm buying a synthesizer (Roland Juno-Di). Introducing the next generation of EDIROLs popular MIDI keyboard controllers In addition to providing more physical controls than previous models, the PCR-800. Used it in gigs, though I figured out that MIDI-keyboard is not the best option for gigs, as it's not as reliable as a synthesizer: too many connections, software should be stable, etc. Overall I am rather satisfied with this keyboard. Some passages leave doubts as to what they are supposed to mean. It's not "badly written", but many times I have had the feeling of it being unnecessarily overcomplicated.
#Roland pcr 800 61 key manual
The above holds true for the manual as well. The handling of MIDI ports is rather unintuitive and sometimes needs to be reset, and the presets organisation could be a bit smoother in my opinion. Not that it doesn't work, but the interface isn't the most intuitive and visually convenient. Everything in it feels a bit old-fashioned, as if it was a piece of software coming from the early 2000s.
Onboard programmability is a bit limited, but that's OK, the problem is rather the supplied software. The only slight downside to it is the programming side of things. The construction is nice, as to be expected by Roland, and it doesn't bend down when put over an X-stand and keys are pressed with force (yes, some keyboards in this price range definitely do this.). Aftertouch and mod/pitch stick are assignable too, and the keyboard sports a sustain pedal jack in and an expression pedal jack in, again both freely assignable. Total number of freely assignable controls is: 9 knobs, 9 sliders, 8 touch responsive buttons (even thoug they seem to have been omitted in the product description), and other 13 buttons (9 + 4). There are virtually no other MIDI controllers in this price range suitable to organ playing that I am aware of. Its 9 sliders can be configured as drawbars, and you have a lot of buttons left to change percussion, chorus/vibrato and other typical organ parameters. Palm smears and glissando are feasible on these kind of keys with little resistance or without getting stuck.
#Roland pcr 800 61 key pro
It's a pleasure, and inspirational to play.Įven though it isn't technically a "waterfall"-type, the keybed is fairly suitable to organ playing, thus making the A800 Pro a good choice for using it as lower/upper manual of digital organs. So, if you're looking for a controller keyboard with a great synth-like keybed that's made really well then you can't really go wrong with the A-800.
Personally I'm not a fan of the Roland "joystick" control when it comes to modulation, but as you can assign modulation to one of the other knobs it's not a problem, and actually you get the best of both worlds because I do actually prefer Roland's joystick control when it comes to pitch bend. The velocity curves are great and the keys are really responsive. However, that's not a big problem for me as I'm more old-skool in my approach to recording - preferring to record live instruments in the main rather than endlessly tweaking synth parameters etc. The fact that the locator buttons and sliders integrate seamlessly into Logic is another plus, although I did like the fact that the P6 had infinite encoders instead of physical potentiometers like the A-800 has - made tweaking parameters easier. It feels like a controller keyboard should feel to me - not like a piano, and not trying to be like a piano, just well made. This on the other hand has that reliable Roland keybed which just feels great. This controller is solidly built, and optimized for both music production and live performance.Before buying this I bought a Panorama P6 (see my review on here) as I thought it was exactly what I needed to integrate with my DAW (Logic), but more importantly I was looking for a controller keyboard with a great feel as I'd been using an old M-Audio Keystation 61es for years and it just didn't feel great to my fingers.Īnyway, long story short, the P6 had fantastic action - for part of the keyboard - and varying qualities through the other parts of the key bed. In addition to providing more physical controls than previous models, the PCR-800 also offers new innovative and intuitive controls. Introducing the next generation of EDIROL's popular MIDI keyboard controllers.