How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 17:12

I'm rather interested in hearing everyone's opinion on this. I don't think it's necessarily beneficial for the music to focus strictly on technology, but after a few years of Roland watching I have to ask.

What will it take for them to regain the throne now, supersized V-Pianos and digital accordians aside?

I'll start....

- Touchscreen
- Solid State Drive
- 24bit/96khz sampling
- Crossfade ...

After seeing Yamaha and Korg step up to the plate, not to mention Teenage Engineering and BeatThangz finally coming to market with new products, it just seems like Roland is beginning to fall lightyears behind. Did they invest all their money in ARX, just to leave it hanging in the ether?

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 17:18

yah, so far im beginning to like the latest expanded version of korg's M-series... apex might be onto something.

the motif-xf is definitely cool and will most-likely win my business (xf6) for my backing tracks, but im going to need to compare with the M3 side by side when i have time.

as far as FG... im not sure what its edge is these days other than the limited supernatural offering..

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 17:20

They already have touchscreen technology on V-Synth. I personally don't have to have it. I can use the coursor.

I don't see it as helpless. Fantom G is a good board. We've been using it all the time. Expansion would really help, and not just one but several. 3-4 expansions would make everyone talk about FG again. Now if they release new board with promise of expansion in a future- would we believe in it, if we got nothing for FG?

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 17:30

In addition, a dual deck DJ CD player with USB and Turntable expansion may do the trick. It also must have built in keyboard for typing and DAW shortcuts for Sonar users, since Cakewalk (powered by Roland) replaced all function buttons with keyboard shortcuts. Did I mention iPod deck and WiFi support?

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 17:33

Astralv, $500 for an expansion synth? In the times when a synth plugin costs $50, and a synth app costs $10? Roland understands well that this market died, there are only like 10 people who are mad enough to buy them.

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 17:35

I would agree. The FG doesn't serve me worse than it did yesterday.
But I'm amazed how other companies at least do something about their flagship products and Roland releases some really weird stuff, nobody asked for.
After the XF and now Kronos, I guess the sales number for the FG will go down right to zero.

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 18:06

do you all seriously think that Roland doesn't have something up their sleeve? (no joke responses please)

kenchan my friend, what do you mean apex may be on to something?

Can You Touch The Apex

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 18:08

"do you all seriously think that Roland doesn't have something up their sleeve? (no joke responses please) "

Serious response : yes.

Joke response : They might have had something up their sleeve at some point but they obviously forgot to take it out when washing and ruined it.

Whine whine everywhere and not a drop to drink

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 18:13

.... my joke response....

yes you don't think they have something up their sleeve,

or yes you do think they do?

Can You Touch The Apex

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 18:14

My answer stands

Whine whine everywhere and not a drop to drink

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 20:04

Kronos here I come!

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 20:23

Roland doesn't have something up their sleeve?

It's pretty obvious, or should be, that they've made an investment in acoustic modeling, but this isn't really anything new.

IMO, they must have an ARX card stuck up their sleeves.

What I'm curious about is how you think they can turn the ship around and what direction would put them back on top of the list. I think upgrading the specs/components will be a first step to compete, but is that enough?

Don't get me wrong, I still hold the Fantom in high regard, but Yamaha and now Korg have some serious contenders under their belt.

It's also becoming apparent that the workstation isn't in fact dead, rather being reborn as we speak.

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 20:35

apex- youre a korg user, no? I think korg nailed it this time with the kronos. It reminded me of my M1 and O1/w and Trinity how i got excited when i first saw them. Im going back to korg for workstation. For pianos i will stick with my VPiano and CP1.

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 20:44

do you all seriously think that Roland doesn't have something up their sleeve?

of course they do..

their ARMS!!! lol!!!

[img]http://www.geocities.com/cpmul/myconfig.jpg[/img] - [img]http://forums.rolandclan.info/pub/attach/116700-UT.jpg[/img] - [img]http://www.geocities.com/cpmul/filesystem.jpg[/img]

Listen to GlassSlipper

X-Bugs.org

Results not Excuses

My Setup

Re: How far is Roland behind, really?

13 Jan 2011, 20:50

Artemiy, ARX in US coast $399. It is not that much compared to the price of the board itself. Also if Roland can make $400 of it- why not start making it? My guess is- they would not want to compete with Korg and Yamaha again and may have something released in a summer NAMM.

And by the way: Kronos looks ugly and offers same Karma 2. If you already have Triton and M3, as I do, you can skip the generation.

I see no reason to compare the manufacturers. No one should use 1 board. Boards have different sound and personalities and serve different purposes. Have’em all!