Edirol PCR-M80 61 key - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

by Edirol

Product Features

• High quality mechanism
• Twelve selectable velocity curve combinations
• Rubber-coated pitch bnder/modulation lever
• PCR editor software
• Switchable MIDI interface mode

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0009F7I7O
• Item model number: PCR-M80
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,440 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

Amazon.com

The PCR-M80 is a revised version of the popular PCR-80 MIDI Keyboard controller. Like the PCR-80, the PCR-M80 offers direct connection to the computer through USB, plus 61 keys, 27 assignable MIDI controllers, a software editor, MIDI input and output, and sustain and expression pedal connections. Advancement the PCR-M80 has over the PCR-80: the addition of velocity curves, a switchable MIDI interface, and a new key-action that offers less mechanical noise and a consistent, playable feel.

High-Quality Mechanism for the Serious Player
With a newly designed key mechanism — derived from Roland’s 30 years of synthesizer development — players can control a wide dynamic range with incredible subtlety. The redesigned keyboard is more comfortable to play and provides a better reaction to the player’s touch. In addition, changes have been made to reduce the mechanical noise and eliminate vertical shake on the key strokes. The newly developed pitch-bend/modulation controller is friendlier to use and more expressive.

Comprehensive Connectivity
Connect everything with one USB cable. Since the power is supplied from the computer, no AC adaptor is needed. The same USB connection provides MIDI in and out ports that allow the keyboard to function as a MIDI interface to external devices. It addition, the information from keys and controllers can be sent through the MIDI out port so you can control software and external devices at the same time. The MIDI processing is compatible with FPT (Fast Processing Technology). This technology provides stable, high speed, low latency, and low jitter MIDI transmission regardless of the music app you're using.

PCR Editor Software & Downloadable Memory Sets
The PCR-series keyboards work with all major music applications, and are equipped with user-memory locations to store up to 15 control maps. PCR Editor software for use with the EDIROL PCR Keyboard Series is included. The PCR Editor allows for extensive and convenient control of the PCR keyboards from a PC or Mac. The PCR Editor is designed to assist in creating control maps for the PCR, and allow users to quickly and easily make assignments to any of the 27 assignable controls. This powerful software also allows the user to copy system exclusive messages for the PCR into a sequence so the controls can be mapped or changed during a sequence. In addition to offering easy implementation of different MIDI messages, the PCR Editor also allows the user to specify minimum and maximum values for each control. Supports Win98/Me/2000/XP, Mac OS X, and Mac OS 9.x.

Feature List

• Twelve Selectable Velocity Curve Combinations
  Pick from 12 velocity curves to precisely match your playing style. As the PCR-M80 has 4 different velocity curves and 3 kinds of sensitivity (Light, Medium, and Heavy), the player can find the combination that perfectly suits them and can produce the precise MIDI performance and programming of a true professional. In addition, a Fixed Velocity Mode can output a constant fixed velocity (from 1 to 127) providing practical input for drum and percussion programming in step recording.
• 27 Individual Fully-assignable Controllers
  The PCR-M80 provides you with 8 knobs, 8 sliders, 9 buttons, and 2 pedal ports. These controllers can be assigned to any MIDI message, Control Change(CC), RPN, NRPN, System Exclusive and more. You get to choose what parameters to control in your MIDI hardware and software to create the perfect playing environment.
• PCR Editor software and Downloadable Memory Sets (Control Maps) on the web
  The PCR series keyboards work with all major music applications, and is equipped with user memory locations to store up to 15 different controller arrangements. PCR Editor software for use with the EdiroL PCR Keyboard Series is included. The PCR Editor allows for extensive and convenient control of the PCR keyboards from a PC or Mac. The PCR Editor is designed to assist in creating control maps for the PCR and allow users to quickly and easily make assignments to any of the 27 assignable controls. This powerful software also allows the user to copy system exclusive messages for the PCR into a sequence so the controls can be mapped or changed during a sequence. In addition to accessing easy implementation of different MIDI messages, you can specify minimum and maximum values for each control. Supports Win98/Me/2000/XP, Mac OS X & Mac OS 9.x.

Product Description

61 key - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good feature set, very light, not sure about long-term reliability, December 17, 2007

By 

Robert Aries - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Edirol PCR-M80 61 key - USB MIDI Keyboard Controller (Electronics)

I've had this keyboard a little over a year, using it as my main axe on gigs. I use it with my laptop (playing plug-in instruments), and a Roland JV1010 module. AFAIK the Edirols are the only controllers in this price range that let you program your own sysex, a must for my needs: the keyboard's notes can only transmit on one midi channel (no zoning), so in order to play my JV1010 multitimbrally I use sysex to turn parts on & off and vary volume. The other controllers can be separately programmed to transmit on any of the 16 midi channels. The keyboard feel is fine as long as you're used to an unweighted synth action; the keys have good "spring" (much improved from the previous PCR-80 model). My previous keyboard was a Roland XP50 and the PCR-M80 action is actually much stiffer but I'm used to it now (the XP50's action was particularly light). There are 12 velocity curves that tailor the response of the PCR-M80 to your playing dynamics, a necessary feature in any controller IMO.

Programming from the front panel is a little tedious and convoluted as you need to press multiple buttons and keys on the keyboard to set each controller. The editing software (Mac & PC) works well and makes things much easier, although it's hard to see things on my hi-rez laptop screen; I wish they had made the on-screen display and text labels bigger.

I'm a little concerned about long-term reliability. I banged the &^%$ out of my old Roland XP50 for over ten years, and only towards the end did I have to replace the keyboard contacts (a big $13 for the whole set!), and a few of the plastic switch buttons. After about 15 months with my Edirol, two of the switches stopped working; I opened it up, and used some contact cleaner on them and now they're fine. Recently the pitch bender started acting up -- not returning to "0" after bending down. This turned out to be a loose potentiometer. I called Roland to ask a repair person some questions but they were no help -- only offering to sell me a replacement pitch bend assembly. I am a DIY-type and was comfortable fixing these issues myself, especially since the keyboard was out of warranty.

Aside from the build issues, I like the PCR-M80 a lot. It's extremely compact and light (about 8 lbs). With this and a powerful laptop playing top-shelf VIs, one could easily have a killer mobile setup (I'm old enough to remember carting a Fender Rhodes AND a Yamaha CP-70 to gigs!). There's a downside though: I've found that some people might take you less seriously when you show up with this tiny plastic-y keyboard (some of my fellow musicians refer to it as my "ironing board!"). I could care less. My back is much happier!