Roland GW8 Workstation

ROLAND GW8 Details ^top

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. 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.
*Style selection may vary from country to country. For details, please inquire your local Roland distributor.

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.

ROLAND GW8 Specs ^top

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.

ROLAND GW8 Demos ^top