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Sound:
I have always been an avid fan of Roland keyboard products. I have owned various Roland keyboards over the years and the Juno Gi fits right into the mix. It has a lot of reproduction sounds from various past synths including the Jupiter-8, the classic Juno analogs, and the XP and JV series. The sound quality is broad as the instrument has over 1300 customizable sounds and along with the built-in effects processor it rocks. I like the fact that many of the sounds in the Gi were derived and updated from the XP via Rolands new sound engine and live sets. I own both the Roland XP-80 and the JV-1000 so I do not have to lug both of these around with me since many of the sounds from these instruments are available in the Gi which is a light and compact synth.
Feature:
The most useful features in the Gi include the digital recorder, large display, customizable arpeggiator, and eq. The least useful features are in inability to record directly to the USB thumb drive. Although, coupled with the included Cakewalk Sonar X1 LE DAW, I have found a way around this. I first lay down tracks in the digital recorder, then record them into Sonar where I can put the song parts together into a finished sequence on the PC and then transfer it back to the digital song player on the Gi. Through the Gi's midi/USB interface, the connection to the PC has been seamless.
Ease of Use:
For the first time in Roland's history, I have to say that the owner and instructor manuals were easy to read, follow, and understand. Having owned Roland products in the past this was the least favorite part of the process in getting to know how the instrument really functions. Like all new, unfamiliar products, there is always a learning curve, but somehow, Roland put the buttons and knobs in all the right places on this one. It is extremely easy to use. I have to admit I was shocked by how small the keyboard looks compared to the one's I currently own and owned in the past. I first thought it looked like a toy until I fired it up the first time and heard the sounds. The sound is what convinced me.
Quality:
While the housing of the Gi is plastic I feel that it will hold up for quite a while just so long as it is gently used and not abused. The buttons and knobs feel like the real deal back from the days of owning a Jupiter 8. I know, I know, I am kicking my own butt for having ever gotten rid of it, so let's not go there. I still shed crocodile tears over that one but when times are hard, you have got to do what you have got to do.
Value:
I do not feel that the digital recorder in the Gi is worth approximately $400 more than the Di which is basically the same instrument just lacking the recorder. However, because I have always stood behind and believed in Roland products and as mentioned above, the quality of the product is well worth the extra $400.00.
Manufacturer Support:
I have never had to deal with Roland Support because they have always made top quality instruments. I have never had any problems with any of their products and I do not forsee having one with the Gi.
The Wow Factor:
Having owned a Juno-106 previously, I wanted to introduce the classic, rich sounds of the Gi back into my mix. This is doable through the Gi because you can layer up to 4 sounds to get that fat, "almost" analog sound back that was so popular throughout the 1980s. Because many of the number one hits of the 1980s used the Jupiter 8, you, or at least I can nearly always pick out the Roland sound from any song. That fat analog sound is what Roland is all about and the Gi sound is really close.
Overall:
I expect to be satisfied with the Gi indefinitely. I do plan to update my current rig with the Fantom G-8 and Jupiter-80 in the very near future but I will keep the Gi in the current line up as well. If the Gi were lost or stolen, I would replace it.
11 of 11 people
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"As a recording tool it's a good keyboard and with practiced moves (engineering wise and running the functions) it could be okay" submitted September 28, 2011
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Sound:
It's hard for me to give a "10" to anything less than perfection but all in all the sounds are abundant and cool in this keyboard, after touch would have been nice on this one and I am surprised they did not throw that one in. On the subject of the "piano", even though there are at least a hundred or more different types of piano's, the basic grand piano lacks luster and the richness of a "grand piano" acoustic or electronic. When buried in a multi-track recording it's fine but as a stand alone, it has issues. Compared to my Yamaha ypg series the grand piano sound comes up way short.
Feature:
You will love the guitar effects, plugging your axe into the keyboard gives you a small but power packed array of guitar voices your sure to love. As well as the guitar voices available in the keyboard itself, they are pretty good most of them. One other issue that seems to be a pain is the slider's in the record section, even though they are billed as "great", this is not true. They are very sensitive and the travel they offer (up/down) makes making small adjustments in the mix challenging.
Ease of Use:
One of the major problems with this keyboard using it in the "midi" mode is especially using the drum section can be challenging. Since the "drum machine" portion of this keyboard is based in the recorder section, using midi to control it, create's channel and communication problems. I have repeatedly tried to get it sync'd up to my Roland VS 1824 and using the Gi as a slave simply won't work. At least for the drums. When using the keyboard plugged "usb" into my computer, the midi does work fine (except for the drums section).
Quality:
This is a solid feeling keyboard and gives you the sense that it's made well. The key's respond well but they are not weighted and so it play's like a keyboard/controller and not a piano. I would gig with this but not without my Yamaha along for the grand piano sound.
The usb player/memory section works okay, it's a bit tricky matching up the volumes with the usb section verses the keyboard section, so playing live along with the usb section because of differing levels in midi and recorded tracks is going to be a bit tricky (sort of a sound check for each tune played live) and that will be annoying to the crowd.
Overall:
When taken as a whole, the Gi is a good keyboard and the amount of voices and the fact that there are so many is partially what attracted me to it. I have used a bunch of them working on my new album. That being said the size of the keyboard 61 keys (all I could afford) the midi issues with the drum section (embedded in the recording section) and the volume issues between the usb player and the live keyboard make it not a viable performance keyboard that I was hoping for. So no I would not sell it but if given the opportunity to do it again, I would probably save up and buy the fantom instead. I have tried to keep my review to the Gi on the things that bug me about this keyboard but overall I like it...
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Sound:
The number of live sets on this instrument will take forever to get familiar with. But the preview button will give you a good, brief feel of each tone offered. Needless to say, it'll be awhile before you run out of things to discover.
Feature:
The split/layer feature offers near endless tone customization. The D Beam makes for a much more unique experience. I was afraid my 2 tier keyboard stand would constantly set it off, however the D Beam sensitivity can be adjusted.
Ease of Use:
The keyboard is as complex as you are. If you are a beginner, it offers a very straightforward experience. But if you like to dig deeper for a more custom sound, it has plenty of advanced settings to modify. The 8 track recorder is solid, however editing recorded music isn't as smooth as it could be.
Quality:
I have no doubt that this keyboard will last me for quite a long time. As long as it is treated properly, it will hold up well. The keyboard arrived with no noticeable flaws or blemishes, and was packaged solidly.
Value:
For all the features this keyboard offers, it is an amazing value. But I would only recommend it if you can picture yourself using those features. If you don't think you'll ever use the 8-track recorder, for example, you might find a better value elsewhere. For my needs, it was everything I wanted at an amazing deal.
Manufacturer Support:
No service has been needed so far.
The Wow Factor:
The second I became familiar with the Roland JUNO series, I immediately knew I would have one someday. And when the new Gi model was announced, I had sleepless nights just thinking about owning it. It is literally a dream come true for me.
Overall:
This keyboard, treated responsibly, could last the rest of my life. It offers everything I need now, and for the foreseeable future. Rarely do I spend 4 figures on a single item. This is the only time I have absolutely no regrets.
8 of 9 people
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Overall:
I bought this unit for composing music in the studio, and I've been very impressed with the versatility and potential of this key-synth. It interfaces seamlessly with my Alesis drumkit and my PC, with over a thousand onboard sounds, and ways of combining and altering them. This is an instrument that really gets the creative juices flowing!
If there's a weakness at all it's in the percussion sounds area, but since I've got a kit and a PC to interface with, it's not a problem. It's strength is in the solid consistency of the sound patches, and the creative ways to alter them--it's pretty much endless. For the price, this unit exceeds my expectations.
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Sound:
First I will preface this with saying I don't rate anything at a 10. That being said the sound (sound engine) and the sounds (voices) in this keyboard are incredible and so many to choose from. The first time I plugged this in I reviewed the piano voices and holy cow there are are like 123 piano voices alone, from strait grand piano to Elec piano and the way they set this up is with so many variations, once you find your favorites you can program them into your favorites bank and in a couple of buttons get right to them, so they are very usable. That also being said Roland makes a great sounding grand piano but if you are a purest there are fuller and better sounding grand piano's out there. In my opinion my Yamaha ypg625 has one of the best sounding electronic grands out there. That being said everything else about the Roland simply rocks. Bottom line, the capabilities in this keyboard make it a perfect keyboard for studio or live playing, recording to your PC/lap, building custom sounds and the 8 track recorder far outstretches anything I have had the pleasure of recording on in a keyboard in a digital format.
Feature:
The features go on and on in this keyboard, since they are already listed in it's sales page I won't bore you with all the details. Performance and recording wise all the advertised features work as advertised and they are very user friendly, in addition the manual (not always the case for other Roland products) is intuitive and easy to navigate through.
Ease of Use:
Plugging the Gi into your lap top and using the included cakewalk/sonar le software is seamless (really I mean this) I spent several years with (an earlier version) Sonar with other keyboards/instruments and hardware (PC sound cards etc...) and was always running into hardware vrs software config problems. As soon as you plug the Gi into your computer it's pure digital bliss, they work great together. If you are familiar with Roland products (and keyboards in general) the learning curve is not to bad, like i said it's pretty intuitive but if your not it may take you a short while but it's worth the effort... Play ability on the Gi is a mixed bag, I have been and do play and own full sized keyboards and it's nice having the keys to do the little tricks and fun runs but that being said they did add a nice active button right on the panel for octave up and down and that helps for certain tunes that don't fit in the 61 keys limitations.
Overall finding and playing the myriad of sounds on this is really pretty easy, however if they had included a # pad it would have been even easier.
Quality:
I would say this keyboard is made well and it came packaged very well, I really like how they included a bunch of active sliders/buttons/knobs to interface with the functions in this keyboard most especially the recorder. I would gig with this without worry of a backup but then I usually gig with more than one keyboard. Compared to my other keyboards I own and have owned I really like the fact that this is so lightweight.
Value:
It never ceases to amaze me how technology comes out and at first is usually too expensive for most of us to purchase. Then after a few years the competition drives the prices down (thank God for America and free enterprise). That being said this Gi is way worth it's purchase price and compared to other keyboards I have owned and own, the features far outweigh others I have purchased for more money. For quite a while I was lusting after the Yamaha MO8 but in a side by side comparison I think the Roland simply has it beat.
Manufacturer Support:
Of all the Roland products I have owned I have never had to contact them. I will say this about Zzounds though, I just love their program where you can make 4 separate payments, it gives those of us who don't have cash just lying around to purchase our gear an opportunity to play now and pay as we go. Thanks Zzounds!
The Wow Factor:
It's a good looking keyboard overall
Overall:
There are so many amazing things about this keyboard and one of the reasons I chose it is to be able to load up the thousands of midi files I have and use them in my live performances and play along for a more fuller solo show. With the sonar software it's easy to strip out a keyboard part in a midi file and play along and the addition of a mic/guitar (jack in back) makes it so much better to do small shows and also not to have to haul around so much gear. If I were looking for any other features to add to this keyboard It would be more keys...
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Sound:
The pianos, both acoustic and electric, sound fantastic to my ears. Even my wife says that the "88 Key Grand" sounds very good. Organs? Eh, not so much. Still, there are LOTS of usable sounds in this thing. I read a ton of reviews on a ton of keyboards and one of the common characteristics of the better 'boards was that it spurred creativity, and in the brief time I've been able to mess around with this thing, I've gotten about a million song ideas.
Feature:
For me, this product is ideal. I travel frequently, and the 8 track digital recorder allows me to lay down tracks wherever I am. This thing and a mic (and maybe a guitar, if you can swing it) and you've got a pretty robust recording capability. If you don't have a need for the recorder there are probably better options for you in this price range, but again, for me and my purposes, it's ideal.
Ease of Use:
There IS a bit of a learning curve, but I've figured out the basics with some fooling around, so it can't be that hard.
Quality:
Some of the knobs seem a little flimsy. I'll have to be very careful with this thing. I think a hardshell case is in my future.
Value:
Purchased a "Blem" from Zzounds! Awesome!
Manufacturer Support:
Haven't needed it.
The Wow Factor:
Looks cool. Does things other 'boards don't.
Overall:
I'll be happy with this keyboard for the forseeable future. I'm a guitarist, but I wanted to expand my sound library in my home recording studio. It can also function as a midi controller, so as long as the 'board holds up, I can add soft-synth sounds.
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