Roland GW8 Workstation - 2008

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Roland GW8 Workstation - 2008

Postby Mike Bracchi » 20 Nov 2012 19:19

Please note: This post is intended as a 'quick reference' guide to the features and specifications of the Roland GW-8 Arranger that was introduced in 2008.

    The Roland GW8 Intelligent Workstation is a versatile musical tool that would be perfect for a one-man show. It can bring the musical world to the tips of your fingers with its expressive musical styles and contemporary set of sounds that range from pop to rock to authentic ethnic music.

    The USB Memory Player playback option is a wonderful way to share your personal brand of tasteful music. Enjoy the rich sound, diverse functionality and advanced music technology from this wonderfully unique workstation.

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Details
    The GW-8 is the next generation of Roland's unique GW-series workstations with intelligent backing-track functionality. With its fresh, contemporary sound-set and expressive musical styles from pop to rock, plus authentic ethnic styles and a multi-format USB Memory Player feature, the GW-8 will bring a world of music to your fingertips. It's especially well suited for "one-man-band" performance.

    Contemporary music workstation with high-quality 128-voice sound engine derived from Roland's renowned sound-module lineup

    Wide variety of contemporary sounds and intelligent backing styles, plus additional banks of ethnic sounds and styles from around the world

    USB Memory Player feature allows direct playback of MP3, WAV, AIFF, and SMF files from USB key; Center Cancel feature for audio files enables karaoke-style sing-along

    Newly designed graphical display, plus Style Select button, Analog Modify knob, and D BEAM
    Style Converter and Playlist Editor software included
    Onboard 16-track sequencer for saving your interactive performances
Flagship Sound Engine with Easy User Interface
    With Roland's world-leading sound technology at its core, the GW-8 rivals any workstation on the planet with its rich, expressive sound. The GW-8 comes loaded with hundreds of the freshest and most essential sounds culled from Roland's top sound modules. In addition to its authentic sound set, the GW-8 is equipped with many user-friendly control devices, such as the expressive D BEAM and the Analog Modify knob, which instantly adjusts sounds to suit your taste.

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    The GW-8 is perfect for live entertainers who play multiple roles in their performances.

Intelligent Backing Styles
    The GW-8 is packed with a huge collection of styles, representing a broad range of music genres, from contemporary rock, pop, dance, jazz and beyond. In addition to the excellent library of contemporary sounds and styles, the GW-8 is equipped with ethnic instrument sounds and authentic regional musical styles. Each backing style has four intros, four main patterns, and four ending progressions for you to craft your own arrangements live.

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USB Memory Player Feature
    One of Roland's most popular new features is built into the GW-8: the Multi-format Song Player that allows song data to be played directly from USB Flash memory (accepts MP3, WAV, AIFF, and SMF format). In addition, the GW-8's Center Cancel function can minimize main vocals from pre-recorded songs, great for karaoke-style performances or music practice.
Style Converter & Playlist Editor
    Bundled with each GW-8 is Roland's Style Converter software for PC, which lets you convert your own MIDI data into GW-8 backing styles via commercially available USB Flash memory devices.
    Also included is the Playlist Editor for customizing the order of songs. Users can easily create a dedicated Playlist for each gig.


    Demonstration Videos

    Roland GW8 Part 2.


    Roland GW8 Part 3.
Mike Bracchi
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Re: Roland GW8: Specification

Postby Mike Bracchi » 20 Nov 2012 19:23

    Specification

    Keyboard
    61 keys (with velocity)
    Sound Generator

    Maximum Polyphony
    128 voices

    Parts
    16 parts + Keyboard part

    Wave Memory
    256MB (16-bit linear equivalent)

    Preset Memory
    Performances: 128, Tones: 896 + 256 (GM2) + World, Rhythm Sets: 32 + 9 (GM2) + World

    User Memory
    Performances: 128, Favorite Performances: 100, Favorite Tones: 100

    Effects
    MFX: Upper and Lower / 78 types, Chorus: 3 types, Reverb: 5 types
    Backing Track

    Backing type
    Style, Song, USB Memory Player

    Tempo (MIDI)
    20 to 250

    Style Variations
    4 Intro, 4 Main, 4 Ending, 4 Fill In, Sync Start, Stop, One Touch Setting

    Song (16-track Recorder)
    16-track, Rec mode (Mix, Replace), Count in, Punch In-Out, Input Quantize

    USB Memory Player
    999 songs, SMF: format-0/1, Audio File: WAV/AIFF/MP3

    Preset Memory
    Styles: 130 + World

    User Memory
    Styles: 100, Songs: 200
    Other

    Controllers
    D BEAM Controller x 1, Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever x 1, Control Knobs x 2

    Display
    240 x 64 dots white graphic LCD

    Connectors
    Output Jacks (L/MONO, R), Ext Input Jack, Headphones Jack, MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT), Hold Pedal Jack, Control Pedal Jack, USB Connectors: COMPUTER (supports USB MIDI) / MEMORY (supports USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Flash Memory)

    Power Supply
    DC 9 V (AC Adaptor)

    Current Draw
    1,000 mA

    Accessories
    Owner's Manual, CD-ROM, (Style Converter 3.0, Playlist Editor), AC Adaptor (PSB-1U), Music Player Pad, USB Memory Protector
    USB (MIDI)

    Operating System
    Windows: XP Home SP2 or later/Windows XP Professional SP2 or later/Windows Vista*
    This does not work with the 64-bit Edition of Windows Vista.

    Size and Weight
    Width
    1,045 mm
    41-3/16 inches

    Depth
    318 mm
    12-9/16 inches

    Height
    102 mm
    4-1/16 inches

    Weight
    6.0 kg
    13 lbs. 4 oz.
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Re: Roland GW8 Workstation - 2008

Postby Jon D » 11 Apr 2014 20:01

Hi there Mike another great post nice to listen to thank you for putting it on cheers my friend. 8) 8) 8)
Jon D. :D :D :D
Hi there I have played from the age of 13 and all my music is played in a sort of dance tempo style. Have worked in nearly all the North East clubs over the years. That gave me a good grounding. Cheers.
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