Conference napalm::commusic_v1

2221.0. "New Roland Products (CM64,CM32L/P, CA30, etc)" by AQUA::ROST (Everyone loves those dead presidents) Fri Dec 29 1989 11:17

    In the latest Roland Users Group issue (with Donny Osmond on the cover)
    there are a few pages on a new series of Roland products for PC use. 
    At least one of these, the CM-64 has been mentioned in another note.
    
    What the SGUs have in common is they have practically no
    controls....they make an MT-32 front panel look complex!  Just a power
    switch, memory card slot, volume knob on them.  Nothing is
    rack-mountable but everything is in PC beige and stackable.  In
    addition to SGUs there are a few goodies of interest, perhaps more out
    of "gee whiz, it's about time someone thought of that".
    
    The obvious market is PC users who need sound but are not overly
    musically inclined.  Roland suggests applications like adding music to
    business presentations, audio support of video games, etc.
    
    The SGUs:
    
    CM-32L: This is basically an MT-32 clone, with the addition of 33 sound
    effects (for video games).
    
    CM-32P: Basically a U-110.  Only one slot for PCM cards.
    
    CM-64: Stuff both of the above into one box.
    
    Obviously, outside of volume control *everything* must be handled by
    sys-ex, there aren't even indications of what patches are selected.
    
    Of more interest (and importance) than the SGUs, I think:
    
    CA-30: This is the guts of the "intelligent arranger" units Roland has
    come out with in a tablet from factor for hookup to your PC, so
    Joe-Tone-Deaf can make music on his PC.  
    
    CN-20: This is a "Music Entry Pad", again in a tablet form-factor, uses
    membrane switches and is used for folks who are mostly interested in
    step-entry or to "facilitate editing" (Roland's words). Basically for
    keyboard-phobiacs.
    
    CF-10: Ths is a digital fader, can control MIDI volume and pan on up to
    10 channels simultaneously.  Also a tablet.  No sliders, though, just
    membrane switches for increment/decrement.  LED ladders to show
    relative levels.
    
    LAPC-1: Roland's answer to the IBM Music Feature, this is an IBM-PC
    card with the guts of an MT/CM-32.  Optional MCB-1 MIDI Connection Box
    lets you add MIDI IN/OUT, sync, tape, metronome connections to your PC.
    
    MPU-IMC: An update of the MPU-IPC board that uses the PS/2 MicroChannel
    Architecture.
    
    Of less interest:
    
    PC-100: A four-octave keyboard with MIDI out.  No switches or wheels.
    Can be run on a 9V battery (claimed life is 250 hours!!!).  No mention
    made of velocity or aftertouch, though.
    
    I asked Jeff at Union Music in Worcester about these, and he said that
    Roland plans to market these *not* through their existing dealers, but
    via computer stores.  Should be interesting to see some of these
    things, and their prices!!!
    
    							Brian

>>      CM-32P: Basically a U-110.  Only one slot for PCM cards.

	Rice Music (Colorado Springs) is planning on stocking them. They
	are also a Roland distributer for Roland Pro-line stuff. I thought
	that this was just a re-packaged U-110 also. The suggested list
	is $795.00, so, I don't expect these things to be all that cheap.
	Tho not rack mounted, these are 1 rack high (1 7/8 inches).

	I was told that no-one has these in the U.S.A. yet, even tho 
	Roland is advertising them in thier publications.

    Roland is moving on with these products.  Latest is two new packages.
    
    The Roland Computer Music System is a package of the CM32L (LAPC-1 for
    IBM) plus the PC200 keyboard, bundled with a sequencer package.  There
    are four versions, IBM (uses Dynaware Ballade), Mac (Opcode EZ-Vision),
    Atari (Dr. T Tiger Cub) and Amiga (also with Tiger Cub).
    
    For Atari only is the Tentrax package.  This is a CM-32L plus a ten
    track sequencer bundled together.
    
    This is from the latest RUG.  No prices given.
    
    						Brian