Roland announces GW-8 workstation

At the 2008 Summer NAMM show and at the London International Music Show (LIMS), Roland Corporation announced its new GW-8 workstation. The GW-8 carves a unique path in the arranger-workstation market with its high quality sound set, clean and easy user interface, and affordable price. No extensive knowledge of synthesis or sequencing is required to use this friendly instrument. It’s designed for first-time workstation players who are interested in pop, jazz, and world-music genres, but the GW-8’s sound quality and styles are rich and expressive enough to attract professionals as well. The GW-8 features a wide variety of pre-programmed styles. In addition to onboard styles, the GW-8 allows for seamless playback of MP3, .WAV, AIFF, or SMF files directly from USB flash memory for accompanying backing tracks. The GW-8 can also be constantly refreshed with new songs and styles via USB flash memory. The GW-8 offers an infrared D Beam, a pitch-bend/modulation lever, and a pair of control knobs for real-time expression. Performers will appreciate the large backlit LCD, especially on dark stages and in dimly lit studio environments.