NAMM 2013 Rumours - new Roland Workstation?

[Jazzyswan]

Damn am I SO FRIGGIN' DISAPPOINTED MAN........... what the hell Roland....???

I guess a lot of you are correct in your assessment that Roland is doing away with the "Workstation" keyboards, cuz I sure think they would've come with it by now. EVERY NAMM & Musikmasse, I was twisting in my seat chomping at the bit for the "BIG ANNOUNCEMENT" that never comes.

Oh well, I did buy the Korg Kronos 88 last year after the last disappointment of NO announcement from Roland. My Kronos is pretty stellar, but it doesn't matter. Roland is always tops with me, and if they ever decide to make that big splash, I will be there, pocketbook in hand.

Roland is always the best, and I won't need to check anything out, I'll buy it Day 1 the Workstation becomes available.

[specialplant]

If you read their business report and outlook, I think Roland hasn't recovered from the economic downturn yet and tries to generate 'fast' turnover while saving costs at the same time, so I think they will continue to focus on the lower price segments.However they did develop the pricy Jupiter 80, so nothing is impossible...

[JavaJ]

Talked with a keyboard rep at a local music chain and when I said I don't see any workstations he laughed. He says no one is buying them (and that is pretty big coming from this store which is the largest in Canada). At least Korg is coming out with KingKorg- looks like something interesting. Not sure what Roland is doing anymore. At least you can get yourself a good home keyboard to sit around with your overly happy family and sing (can't stand the latest promo pics from Roland- yesh!).
I do have to say that their marketing on the new audio interface was really really good. That video is great.

[Sequenzzer]

I'll be perfectly happy being father to the G for all it's years it wants to stay with me. Seems like I'm always finding out by accident new and exciting things to do with this kid. Lot to learn yet,remembering back when I was the kid with the 49 key Casio,I ran circles around a lot of the guys that had better boards,cause I knew everything there was to know about what I had. It's going to be that way with the G as well in time for me. Quite happy with this unit.

[billw]

I still have two G6s that I've been gigging with for more than 3 years. I have one that I use most of the time and the other is a backup. I have never had a single problem with either of them...solid performers and well built.

I am a Kronos owner and that thing, while a dream machine in terms of its multiple sound engines, is really poorly built. I now have a screw or something rattling around in my Kronos that is sure to short something out eventually. Fortunately, I only paid $1680 for it. It's not a $3K machine by any stretch.

As for the VR-09...I am very excited about this board. I am buying one immediately to put on top of my G6 for gigs. I use B3 on about 10 songs and we play a lot of 80s stuff where the extra synth tones in the VR will come in handy.

[Anukis]

King Korg... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ9zyYZdPF4

[cello]

Korg MS20 mini http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA-owDEGpac

[Jan_nl]

What happened to Yamaha?
No new workstation, no synth...or have I missed something?
If Roland's offering was disappointing, then what to think of Yamaha's news?

At least there's the Sub Phatty, MS-20, KingKorg, and the Prophet 12.

[Chrisk-K]

KingKorg is the WORST name for any musical instrument in history. I can't believe the Korg management approved it.

[G-Man]

KingKorg is the WORST name for any musical instrument in history.

LMAO !!! :)))))))))))

I subscribe ;)) too much Cartoon Network LOL

[cello]

+1 completely nonsensical name!

I genuinely hope that the KingKorg is not plagued with the infamous Kronos issues. Can you imagine? People will put 'fu' in front of the name!!! LOL :D

[Chrisk-K]

It could be a decent analog modeling synth if sold for, say, $799 because its synth architecture seems basic like the GAIA's. It doesn't deserve the word, "King."

Korg's next generation workstation will surely be called GodKorg.

[Jan_nl]

Well, I don't buy instruments for their literary value, and I can see the humor of a name like KingKorg.
I think you take it too seriously.
For me the proof is in the pudding, and the instrument's sound and interaction determine for me whether or not it is worth the purchase.

Considering the price I expected the instrument to have at least aftertouch, and that it would not powered by an external AC adapter, so that's a bit disappointing.
But from what I heard thusfar it sounds great.

[specialplant]

What happened to Yamaha?
No new workstation, no synth...or have I missed something?
If Roland's offering was disappointing, then what to think of Yamaha's news?

Yes, after the Yamaha disappointment you really have to appreciate Roland's new releases... Obviously, the 'big' news were already released in late summer and fall, such as Integra, Krome and MX. Actually, if a manufacturer has got one cheap, one medium and one up-market synthesizer in its product range (e.g. Motif, MOX and MX) and renews them every three years, one can only expect one new model per year on average...

[BEATmakerCOPE]

At least korg is trying. i mean wha did roland give again?? a bunch of stocking stuffers... That being said, i think roland wants their next synth to be all SN and VA with minimal samples/pcm sounds. Of course when they do this, they'll remove the screen and replace it with an Ipad dock.... SMH Yall finna let korg win. Who is Yamaha? :/ GEAR DROUGHT