PCR 500 not bad for the money

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:05 pm

aaah ok, well that's all I'd need. That and the fact that there shouldn't be a center dip for the knobs, which is a buzzkill for smooth sweeps. In fact, they should all be endless rotaries.

Sales Dude McBoob · Post by **Sales Dude McBoob** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:33 pm

nebulae wrote:aaah ok, well that's all I'd need. That and the fact that there shouldn't be a center dip for the knobs, which is a buzzkill for smooth sweeps. In fact, they should all be endless rotaries.

I like having the "center dip" for riding the Transpose knob. It's nice to find the middle quickly when DJing.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:44 pm

Looks like Edirol knows the customers, I saw there is central click option in the editor so it means some kind of virtual thing that might satisfy both of you.
I like the visibility (light) and the size of the pads so want to use them for record command for live looping. I like to see on the controller that the track is active ( not possible in SL ) but as I said they are not only velocity senstitive, and dont feel any worse then SL, but with aftertouch too.

Sales Dude McBoob · Post by **Sales Dude McBoob** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:50 pm

Thanks for the quality review information, Rik.

At this point I'm pretty much married to my Ozonic. Yeah, the Ozonic is not perfect, that's for sure. If the PCR 500 was also a firewire interface with 4 balanced outs with an A/B monitoring blend knob, I'd order one immeditely.

For all its shortcomings, the Ozonic still has the most stuff that I need in one portable box. I really wish it had pads! I really wish it had infinte rotory knobs. I have a really hard time getting back to the middle with the knobs when I ride the Transpose in clip view. Perhaps the Enigma software has something to remedy this?

I dunno. I seem to be one of the few around here that actually likes the Ozonic. Yeah, it's a little plasticy, but that's why it didn't cost $900. It's still the only product of its kind. The buttons on the transport never seem to work properly, but still, it's a cool unit. I wish someone would build something to compete with it. Or if M-Audio came out with a new & improved version of it... with a crossfader, and pads, and PCR-500-ness.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:26 pm

I like the Ozonic idea a lot. talked to other companies but nobody seems interested except Novation .
I wanted to make my own version but never found anyone to do the chassis, so I have these fantastic Doepfer keys bought also 2 pocket dial to slaughter them and build in. Now keep it all wrapped in plastic hoping to finally finding someone to make nice box for it.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:29 pm

I checked it and didnt notice any jumps. Also found out about the virtual center, it disables around the mid position. The pads are velocitity sensitive and have aftertouch ( even poly) .
Other intersting aspects: it is easy and clearly visible doing program changes, maps switching on/off AF functions that I missed in other controllers (where you had to get inside menues etc)
There is no much info on Edirol website neither any usable templates- it is new product so probably they will update all that- but I am almost set for my uses and it didn't take too much time. There seems to be much possibilities for more advanced use of it and easier to apply, (the manual is not bad) then in case of Korg and Novation.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 pm

rikhyray wrote:There seems to be much possibilities for more advanced use of it and easier to apply, (the manual is not bad) then in case of Korg and Novation.

Ooh. I like that bit!

Tell me, the aftertouch, is that "true" aftertouch information, or are they continuous controller values, like on the TriggerFinger?

Cheers!

koneko · Post by **koneko** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:00 am

Machinate wrote:I didn't either until I got mine... apparently the user demographic for the low-priced pcrs haven't had much interest in the resolution of the knobs, but man... 6-bit midi for a cutoff is step city...

my pcr-1 (probably the cheapest edirol sells) has a fine resolution.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:19 am

I dont know triggerfinger and didn't really check the pads for velocity and AF. You should go a check it in some shop. It is very easy controller to access things,. Using it I like the feel of the keys, pots and faders they are all nicely tight except the crossfader which is loose but that is the idea too be like that.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:27 am

yeah, I'll be going to MusikMesse this year, I'll definitely look it over and try it out. Perhaps I'll see you there.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:54 am

Machinate wrote:yeah, I'll be going to MusikMesse this year, I'll definitely look it over and try it out. Perhaps I'll see you there.

I must have earned invitation to Roland´s party already. including free mojitos.
Since Messe is so near I don`t bother too much now about advanced functionalities when I can get initiated into PCR mysteries by Edirol fellas directly.
I will have some work at the Messe too so will see you for sure.

flogistox · Post by **flogistox** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:15 am

thanks for the review of this controller. I'm thinking of replacing my pcr m30 with one of this, but i still have many doubts due to the fact that some keys of my pcr m30 stopped working after less than one year of use. Checking many forums I found out that it was not just my unit but a problem largely shared by others users. Probably too soon to know if this unit works better on this regard, but does anyone know if the keys are the same of the older model?

flog

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:19 pm

No, the keys are very different (aftertouch !) about quality time will tell. BTW. inconsistent keys were the reason to get rid of M1 , I can use laptop keys as well

Soma · Post by **Soma** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:51 pm

So how does that auto assign feature of the PCR 500 work exactly/ The web page from Roland doesn't explain much.

I have to agree that the layout of the Novation SL does seem to be a little annoying for the looks of it. The sliders look very short, the pads, if they are meant to be drum pads, are in a bad spot, and I prefer the Roland pitch/mod stick, but hey MAN does the Novation have sweet sweet styling. Like a classy remote to a ultra-top-of-the-line 80's hi-fi. I have to say I'm a sucker for that. To me the PCR 500 looks very practical, but not too sexxy.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:26 pm

Soma wrote:So how does that auto assign feature of the PCR 500 work exactly/ The web page from Roland doesn't explain much.
.

Because IT IS NOT THERE! Looks like they released the product before the rest,these new boards are not even listed on their support list, cant download even manual. .
Yes, it might be a bit boring but it is not ugly or cheesy. SL might look like cute 80s remote but no class at all, very cheap details, here Roland is much better.