From harjoy@elknet.net Wed Oct 27 08:44:35 2004
Subject:Re: Roland A70 & VE-RD1 vs JV-1 expansion


From: jake92028

>I just bought an A70 based on the keyboard groups' opinions. I picked
this A70 because it was advertised as having the VE-RD1 expansion
board. I get it out of the box and it's okay from what I can tell, in
fine overall shape, so I power it up and it says, "Roland A-70 with
JV-1." I think I got ripped off vs a minor error, but would like some
feedback from an A70/A90 owner before I get steamed up about the
difference in boards. TIA ~ Walter

Hi Walter,
I just checked the manual and there are indeed three possible boards that can go into only 1 at a timean: A 70: the VE-RD1, VE-JV1 which is JV series sounds, and the VE-GS1 which is "Sound Canvas" sounds. The first one which is what I have has about 30 Acoustic pianos of about Roland quality similar to one of their I think RD 500, and probably only bettered by them with the extra piano add ons to the XV types.

The strong point of the A 70 is its controller features as in having 4 midi outs with dedicated on- off buttons and double click to switch from current to new out.

The key action is not hammer action but I like it. If you depress a key verrry slowly to the bottom you will get no sound similar to doing so on a piano. However I'm not sure why or if this is a benefit. They have 7 different chooseable velocity curves and 128 offsets. Sound like a lot but its not as good as the user programable vel curves of a Kurzweil. My esperience is that you can expect to get somewhat less volume from the A70 than from an EX5 keybed playing modules- unless you use a curve like their 4 or 7 curves which provided more volume at low vel than the linear. I do most of my piano from the Promega 3 with the A70 because its easier on m y fimgers and of course its fine for horns, syth leads, etc.

Plenty of programming for zones, etc.

If you have a source of better pianos you won't miss the RD1 acoustic pianos. As far as Eps I didn't care much for them until I added a Speakeasy, but EX 5 or MKS2o is better there. There are Basses, synth leads, Klav, vibe, strings all useable and I actually like 1 or more of the organs. The JV type acoustic pianos are represented 3 or so programs on the RD board. Theres Brass ensemble, not too great

I had the experience of buying a Korg Triton and a Krz 2500 module used and later buying this A70 used by the same fellow. I believe he ditched it because he didn't get far enough into it to really like it, I suppose he bought a Triton though. But the gag between me and the salesman was about what would John S be trading in for me to buy next!

But yes your unit was misrepresented.
If the price was right and you can manage to use the JV sounds you for sure have an excellent controller. Be sure to try it out anyway. Or you could replace the JV board. The VE-RD1 boards probably show up on ebay- I don't know if Roland still sells them- but Roland sure is big on having lots of available boards to coax our bucks away!

Harold

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