Customer Reviews

Edirol PCR30 32-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

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4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Junk. After a short time, many keys stopped working. I sent it back to the factory and had the whole key-assembly replaced under a recall. Now, after a year of very light usage half the keys don't work again. JUNK!

I've actually got the PCR-30A ($100 more) with 24/96kHz digital USB audio. I've always been particularly fond of the touch/feel of old Yamaha synths (remember the original DX-7 ?). Unfortunately, Yamaha (and Roland) hasn't done as well on most newer keyboards.

I was pleasantly surprised, then, how well this particular Edirol/Roland product plays. It is a so much a better unweighted feel than competing M-Audio Radium/Oxygen midi controller keyboards (and I am a big fan of other M-Audio products.)

This keyboard has lots of nice features suited to controlling multiple synth modules. Although it does not apply to this model since it DOES NOT contain the USB AUDIO INTERFACE, I did have trouble with a conflict between my Creative Audigy 2 NX USB external sound card: both the Creative and Edirol try to take control of my PC MIDI making it hard to use the MIDI with my PC even though the Audigy2 NX does not even have MIDI. Weird, huh?

Although this would not be a problem with a typical PC setup, I decided that since it is more convenient for me to use the Audigy2 NX for sound instead of the Edirol, I intend to actually swap my PCR-30A for the much cheaper PCR-30 to avoid any software conflict. I've determined that all functions of the PCR-30A work fine as long as you use it as your ONLY "USB" sound card (internal sound cards don't cause this conflict.)

My bottom line: for a very compact, full function midi-controller, the Edirols are definitely the best in class.

Just as everyone else I had the same problem. On my PCR-30 the keys stopped working after about a year. Nothing else to add really.

I like the size and transposing functions, very useful. But I've had 3 and keys eventually stop working, within a year or so. If you have one, you can get the keys working again by taking it apart and applying graphite powder to the metal contacts under the rubber strip. But the rubber strip is hard to get back on correctly without damaging it a little each time you do it. Since I have 3 of these, I've got some spare rubber strips. Edirol is owned by Roland but is very far from being Roland quality.

after only one year of moderate use some keys started to fade and then stoped responding altogether. wasted money.

I have used the controller only a few times since I bought it. After a year, only half of the keyboard is working. Knobs and faders are still ok.