Conference napalm::commusic_v1

	Here is a way that you might be able to quickly and easily
	test the "basic" compatability.

Step 1	Find somone with a MT32 and a sequencer, that has some sequences
	that use as much of the MT32 functionality as possible.

Step 2	Play some sequences on the MT32 and listen.

Step 3	Unplug the MT32, and Plug in your E-20.

Step 4 	Repeat the sequences, and compare with what you heard in step 2.

	The more features of the MT32 that are used, the higher
	level of compatability that you can prove with this experiment.

	This method can only prove compatability for a given set of
	sequences, and not all possible sequences. But It should
	be a rather painless way to check out "basic compatability".

	I have a MT32 and a MC300 sequencer, and some simple (midi-wise)
	song sequences. They don't do a lot of fancy stuff, but	use
	program changes, control changes, use almost all drums sounds,
	and a hand full of other tymbres.

	I live in southern NH, but if you wanted to make the drive
	I'd be happy to let you plug your E-20 into my set-up and
	try the previous experiment some evening.

    Well, Rick VOLKS::RYEN and I got together this week to try the Roland
    E-20 against the MT-32.
    
    First, we hooked an MC-300 sequencer up to an MT-32 and listened
    to a song.  Next, we connected the E-20 and played the same sequence.
    Most of the notes were there, but the voice selections were all
    different.
    
    We were able to use the MC-300 to select all 128 voices (64 were
    accessible from the keyboard, the other 64 were not).  We listened
    to some that I had never heard before.
    
    Next, we tried recording a song on the MC-300 from the E-20, then
    playing it back.  They play-back did not sound exactly like the
    original.  Also, there were some notes that were stuck on.  The
    sequencer did correctly set the tempo and voice selections on the
    E-20, and the changes that I made while playing the song were
    transmitted during playback.
    
    We didn't really have enough time to find out why we had some of
    the problems we did.  I am a bit more confident about buying sequencer
    software knowing that it can be adapted to the E-20 fairly easily.
    
    There is no information yet on "system exclusive" message formats
    or, for that matter, any E-20-specific messages.  I guess I'll have
    to go direct to Roland for that.

    I too have been trying to fathom the depths of the E-20 with help from
    other noters. I finally bought a box from KEE and an early baselevel of
    their sequencer and midi monitor software for 130.00 and use it with a
    Tosh T1000 laptop. Using this setup I was able to press keys on the
    E-20 and see what Midi it was generating. I found I could select the
    full 128 sound set and fiddle with volumes, arranger variations etc but
    so far have not been able to track down any sysex messages for it. I
    tried out some standard MT-32 sysex but the E-20 did not respond. I
    made several calls to Roland who told me to send $15.00 for the
    engineering manual. I did, but this book doesnt mention anything about
    system excl messages.. It does have the circuit diagrams though and a
    section on the internal diagnostics that you can enable on power up and
    use the LCD with some panel buttons to step through various menus and
    check out LED's, LCD display, keyboard and set up the speakers etc.

    Having had the E-20 about one year now and used it for sequencing
    from an ATARI ST with PRO 24 I could answer to .2 that the stuck
    notes heard on playback most certainly comes from MIDI channel 3
    which is the default channel for the lower part of the keyboard.
    Using memory on all keys played to the left of the split-point are
    transmitted as note(s) on and releasing the keys will not send a
    note off until some other key(s) are pressed. On your sequencer
    switch off channel 3 if possible or use E-20 volume buttons to switch
    of the sound orginating from channel 3. By pressing both the increase
    and decrease volume together you set the lower part ( which is normally
    not heard when the E-20 plays alone) to off.
    
    There is for sure a MT32 board in. I suspect they have other sound
    proms and software to match the rest of the E-20. Interesting enough
    is that apart from power supply, audio and some reset signal there
    is no other signals than MIDI RX an TX going between the E-20 main
    CPU board and the MT32 board.
    
    I would be interested to know your revision level of the E-20 software.
    I have recently bought the rythm cards and I always have to turn
    the unit off and on when replacing or inserting a card. Otherwise
    it says "ILLEGAL CARD". I suspect this is fixed in a later SW revision.
    
    I dont remeber exactly from my head the power up features in
    maintenance mode but try (while switching on power) to hold one
    of the buttons in the reverb area and watch display. I think the
    "TO" button is the "return to previous menu" button.
    
    Torbjorn
    

    Anyone having more information on the newly released ROLAND PRO-E keyboard??
    
    Just recently saw one in the ROLAND rep office, they didn't have any
    information yet. Seems to be a physically stripped (3 octaves keyboard)
    E-20 with enhanced S/W in the controller section. Lot more MIDI
    functionality, 48 User progams, same rythm and voices.

                       
    Re: E-20, Has anyone upgraded the S/W for later rev's. I was sent
    some EPROMS (IC18 and IC29) but the rest was too low rev for these.
    My current EPROM are 1.03/1.04. I know the latest are 1.05/1.07.
    
    Torbjorn
                                                    

    Is the Pro-E yet another MT-32 with fancy arranger s/w on top? 
    Is it arranger section above and beyond that on the E-20?  Or is
    the Pro E designed to be used solely as a stand-along mini-keyboard?
     
    I ask because I'm contemplating getting an E20 (or the R-50, which
    is an E-20 w/o a keyboard) to use as a "glorified drum machine",
    i.e. a drum machine w/on-board "arranger" for when I play w/o my
    band ...
    
    	-Jim
    
    P.S. Is the sound quality of the E-20, R-50 and PRo-E the *same*
    as the MT-32 (with all the complaints about its noise and lousy
    reverb) or is the E-20 sound more like that of the D-20?

    re: -1
    
    From what I know the electronics are the same in E-20 and PRO-E,
    even the MT 32 board, maybe some more RAM/ROM in the controller section.
    Added are som more buttons ie. fade in/fade, User Programs and a
    data/parameter entry WHEEL.
    
    I dont quite understand your intention to buy an E-20 OR R50, is
    this the KAWAI R50 drum machine or is it an unknown (to me) Roland product.
    With the E-20 and PRO-E, you can NOT make your own drum patterns,
    you can only play the patterns in ROM. What you can do is to play
    the drum sounds via MIDI from a sequencer. In my opinion these are
    pretty good, although not comparable with REAL drum machines (HR16..).
    
    When visiting the ROLAND sales office they showed me a not yet released
    product. I dont know the type but basically the beast was a electronic
    piano-like E-20, 88 wighted keys, the same control part (rythm)
    BUT the MT32 module was replaced with VERY GOOD sampled voices.
    I suspect it was a U110 board instead. Very nice.....
    
    
    Torbjorn
     

    Re .7
    
    Yes, Roland makes something called an R-50.  I believe it to be
    the electonics of an E-20 but with no keyboard.  Accpets 3 programmable
    footswitches rather than the 1 that the E-20 accepts; otherwise
    it seems to be IDENTICAL to the E-20...
    
    	-Jim

    Hello to all E-20 owners,
    
    Have all of you ever thinking of modifying our E-20 to gain access to
    the other 64 programs on bank "B" ? to give the old keyboard a new
    life.
    
    I was looking at both RA-50 and the PRO-E. They appeared to have the
    same structure as the E-20 and both of them "do have bank B" selected
    to gain access to the E-20's hidden sounds.
    
    I know, those sounds can be accesed via a sequencer but, would it be
    nice if we just press a "button" somewhere on the keyboard and enjoy
    it.
    
    I think that can be done but too bad, I don't know how to do it or
    where to get it done ? Any advice from you will be appreciated.
    
    
    ..Thien