Roland Introduces EG-101 Groove Keyboard
January 28, 1999Roland Corporation, now famous for its cutting-edge
Groove products, is at it again with the dance-music oriented EG-101 Groove
Keyboard-an easy-to-use workstation with onboard sampling and radical live performance
capabilities including the infrared light-sensing D-Beam controller.
This 49-note velocity sensitive keyboard's cool retro synth styling belies
the digital capabilities within, which includes 448 dance-oriented sounds and
12 drum kits-the same sound set as the popular MC-303 Groovebox-as well as built-in
chord recognition, and a full complement of 64 ready-to-use dance music styles,
from techno to hip-hop, Latin, pop, and more. Existing styles can be modified
in a number of ways, and up to 64 User styles can be created and stored.
An onboard phrase sampler with mic input and SP-202-style effects enables recording
and looping of as many as 16 different samples, which can be triggered from
the keyboard and tweaked using pitch shift, time stretch, ring modulation and
filter effects. The auto sync capability allows the substitution of these samples
for existing drum sounds, which can then be locked together with onboard styles
and realtime phrase sequences.
Live performance is where the EG-101 truly shines. Three knobs give the user
realtime control of filter sweeps and resonance effects, slick panning changes
that sync to BPM, and reverb level and depth. Hundreds of phrases can be triggered
and combined via the Realtime Phrase Sequencer, while the onboard Arpeggiator
produces cool rhythmic patterns with a single key or chord. A Tap Tempo button
allows the user to sync all these functions simply by "tapping" in
the desired tempo.
Particularly impressive to an audience is the futuristic infrared light-sensing
D-Beam controller, which allows control of cutoff and resonance, tempo adjustment
and more-all via a performer's hand and body movements!
Designed with an eye toward stand-alone use, the EG-101's 30-watt stereo amplification
system features a two-way bass reflex design, providing superb bass-heavy sound.
For more information, visit Roland on the web at www.rolandus.com
and www.rolandgroove.com. | 
