Edirol PCR-30 32-key Midi Keyboard Controller

Edirol PCR-30 32-key Midi Keyboard Controller

by Edirol
3.5
Price:  $239.99 Buy from Amazon.com
 

Product Description

The PCR-30 is equipped with: 32 full-sized, velocity sensitive keys 8 assignable rotary knobs (cut off, resonance, pan, tempo, etc.) 8 assignable faders (volume, EFX send, etc.) 9 assignable buttons (program change, track mute, start, stop, etc.) 1 sustain pedal connection 1 expression pedal connection MIDI in & MIDI out Pitch & Modulation controls (Newly redesigned to be linearly controlled for more accurate performance) 1 Preset Memory & 15 User Memory locations USB Bus powered or AC adaptor Template sheets for controls The PCR-30 can control a number of parameters not accessible from other controller keyboards at this price point; such as RPN, NRPN, SysEx. The PCR-30 is fully compatible with all the latest operating systems including WinXP and Mac OSX. It is the ideal keyboard for use with Arturia Storm, SONAR, Cubase, Reason, FruityLoops, and most other popular sequencers and software synthesizers. As such it comes equipped with templates for these and other programs. System Requirements Macintosh Operating System: MacOS 8.5, 8.6, 9.x, and OS X , Computer: USB ready Apple Macintosh , CPU/clock: PowerPC G3/233 MHz or higher , Memory (RAM): 64 MB or more , OMS 2.3.3 or later. FreeMIDI 1.35 or later* , * For MacOS 8.5, 8.6, 9.x. Plug and play on MacOS X. Windows . Operating System: Microsoft Windows Me/98/98SE/2000/XP Computer: Windows compatible equipped with a USB* port , CPU/clock: Pentium Processor 200 MHz or higher , Memory (RAM):

Reviews

4.0 Great feel and function - better than M-Audio versions
I've actually got the PCR-30A ($100 more) with 24/96kHz digital USB audio. I've always been particularly fond of the touch/feel of old Yamaha synths (remember the original DX-7 ?). Unfortunately, Yamaha (and Roland) hasn't done as well on most newer keyboards.

I was pleasantly surprised, then, how well this particular Edirol/Roland product plays. It is a so much a better unweighted feel than competing M-Audio Radium/Oxygen midi controller keyboards (and I am a big fan of other M-Audio products.)

This keyboard has lots of nice features suited to controlling multiple synth modules. Although it does not apply to this model since it DOES NOT contain the USB AUDIO INTERFACE, I did have trouble with a conflict between my Creative Audigy 2 NX USB external sound card: both the Creative and Edirol try to take control of my PC MIDI making it hard to use the MIDI with my PC even though the Audigy2 NX does not even have MIDI. Weird, huh?

Although this would not be a problem with a typical PC setup, I decided that since it is more convenient for me to use the Audigy2 NX for sound instead of the Edirol, I intend to actually swap my PCR-30A for the much cheaper PCR-30 to avoid any software conflict. I've determined that all functions of the PCR-30A work fine as long as you use it as your ONLY "USB" sound card (internal sound cards don't cause this conflict.)

My bottom line: for a very compact, full function midi-controller, the Edirols are definitely the best in class.
5.0 See Apple Review
I don't have this yet but from the reviews on Apples sight The price is definately right.
1.0 what a piece of junk
after only one year of moderate use some keys started to fade and then stoped responding altogether. wasted money.