Edirol PCR-M30

Does what it says on the tin.

Does what it says on the tin.

Does what it says on the tin.

Never posted a review before but thought I'd better warn people who were thinking of buying this keyboard. Just after a year (and therefore just after warranty expired, surprise!) one key stopped working. OK, I can live with that - then 3 months later two more. Looking at reviews of previous Edirol keyboards this seems common (yep, should have read them before buying..).
I have managed to get them working again - don't know how long they will last though. It's fairly straightforward and not too fiddly.
You will need to open up the case (lots of screws), open the top up.
Now remove the springs on the keys (fine nose pliers make this easy).
Remove the necessary keys - if the duff key is in the centre you will need to take quite a few out. You can now pull up whichever grey plastic strip is under the problem key(it's quite easy to put back on). Now clean both the metal bits on the PCB and the black bits on the plastic strip. I used some contact cleaning spray on tissue paper. It's best to have the keyboard connected to the PC so you can check if the job's done.
I think I will probably have to clean it every few months which I can just about live with.

Don't know.

I wouldn't buy this again because of the key problem, it's pretty unacceptable. This is a shame because otherwise it's just about perfect for what I use it for.

Easy enough

it lacks transport buttons but you can edit some of the available ones for it

Before some keys stopped to work it was ok. much better than other controllers I used

Still don't understand how such a big company can sell a unit which has EXACTLY THE SAME problems of the previous models. Keys stop working randomly only after one year of use!!!!!

Absolutely no response. I could not believe it!!!

Although the USB driver installation was a little different than any driver I'd installed for anything before, it went on eventually and functions very well (it took a while to install due to my own error). The included PCR editor software installs very quickly and easily, and is easy to understand and use from the word go. An in depth help file is included with the installation, however. The manual is fantastic, the booklet is very in-depth and detailed, and a backup PDF version is included on the software disc. A bit of time spent reading the manual pays off in learning the operation of the various buttons and features. Getting to the various system functions is quick and never usually more than a couple of button or key presses away.

The USB driver coupled with Roland's FPT (fast processing technology for MIDI transmission) makes for a fast, low-latency alternative to standard MIDI transmission. What's more, it is totally software independent, so regardless of which music software/softsynth etc you are using, transmission remains fast and reliable (you can switch between the FPT and classic midi driver too). Also, using the USB connection frees the standard MIDI ports for use with MIDI hardware (external MIDI synths etc) which can be controlled at the same time as your computer software. The unit can be powered by your USB bus or via a standard AC adapter if your USB bus can't handle the strain on the power supply. Roland's V-Link technology for controlling video via MIDI is supported but I don't have the hardware to test this. There are plenty of assignable controls (8 rotary knobs, 8 sliders, 9 buttons, an expression and a hold pedal, combined pitch/modulation wheels, plus the 32 keys) which you can't argue with for something in this price range. There are also 12 velocity presets - 4 different curves each with 3 weights (light, medium and heavy) to suit your playing style. The LCD display is very clear low light conditions, telling you when the USB is connected, and flashing when signals are transmitted. It also gives you a numerical readout between 0 and 127 whenever you adjust a knob or slider for added accuracy (no need to rely on visual output in your software.) The knobs also have a slight snap into the 64 (middle) position which is useful.

As it's a MIDI controller this doesn't really apply, but like mentioned before, the adjustable velocity curves are great for all kinds of playing styles. Coupled with the FPT USB driver you get very fast response to your keystrokes, varying velocity (which can also be adjusted to send a fixed value for drum programming etc.) and no need for ASIO soundcard drivers for crisp, responsive recording.

The unit is light (2.4kg) and very sturdy and durable. Although it's a platic case and I wouldn't risk throwing it around to test it, it's both visually pleasing and well made. All the knobs, buttons, sliders and the pitch lever and coated in rubber which makes it very easy to adjust settings with accuracy and response, and they don't feel like they are going to break without a fight. The keys have a low level of mechanical noise and feel sturdy (there's a nice cutaway diagram on the box of the key mechanism too). The whole unit oozes quality, and for extra security, theres a port on the back in which you can attach a combination lock provided by a company listed in the manual, which locks the operation of the unit until it's removed. Great for on stage peace of mind :)

I didn't actually use it because I figured out my own error, but I did send an email to Edirol Europe and I was very impressed with their response. It arrived in less than 24 hours, and wasn't a run-of-the-mill "Check your usb cable is plugged in properly" etc etc standard response. The support had clearly read my specific problem and suggested a step-by-step possible remedy that was obviously thought through and tailored to my problem. Very impressive.

I considered many of the lower end (25-32 key) MIDI controllers for a few days (From a variety of companies including M-Audio, E-MU, CME, Evolution and Alesis). I came to the conclusion that the PCR-M30 was worth the little extra for the amount of assignable controls, the pedal ports, the MIDI In and out ports, plus the 32 keys over standard 25. I don't have a big budget and this was the first MIDi controller I've bought so I was very cautious about purchasing a good one, and i'm very happy with the choice I made. The USB connection, and the exclusive FPT transmission technolgy is an added bonus and is much easier to use than standard MIDI. It looks great, has a very aesthetically pleasing case, and the power button glows with that fancy neon blue colour, while the buttons glow red and the LCD display is green. The only thing I'd have liked is if the combined pitch/mod lever was split into the standard 2 wheels but it's still functions perfectly as it is. It integrates brilliantly with virtually all music software and really speeds up the creative process, having access to all the controls at your fingertips beats using a mouse anyday :) Great value overall.

I found this keyboard very easy to use from when I first got it. It is handy to have for any kind of performing, recording or editing. The 8 sliders, in addition with the 8 rotary knobs come in very helpful when perfoming with this keyboard. Aswell as being used as such a simple keyboard, it can also get into a lot of technicalities for a professional player. The manual is very helpful in guiding the user on what the different features do and how to activate them.

The PCR-M30 is feature packed for its price and size. With 27 assignable MIDI controls, 32 keys, an assignable modulation lever, Pedal ports, V-Link, 12 Velocity curve combinations and MIDI in/out ports, it is an exceptional piece of eqpuipment in its range. The PCR-M30 has to be one of, if not the best 3 octaved keyboard out. The MIDI controls allow it to suit a recorder while the pedal ports make it ideal for performances.

I would rely on this keyboard almost anytime. So far it has never died-out on me or unexpectedly work irregularly. The keyboard is well built, built to last. The keys are firm, the rotary knobs professionally constructed and the sliders can be relied on to perform at maximum capacity.

Definetly value for money; especially when purchased brand new. I would definetly consider re-purchasing this product if it were to become stolen or otherwise. The only scenario in which I may purchase differently is if i decided to buy something more advanced in features, which would also mean a more advanced price. This product is ideal to purchase for an experienced player or as a first piece of hardware. I chose this particular piece of equipment over others in the range after extensive research on a list of products from a range of manufacturers. Without this Edirol PCR-M30, my music creations and performances would not stand at such a level as they do today.

It can be a little involving sometimes...but that's mainly because it can do so many things, sysex, control change, nrpn, rpn, velocity curves, etc. The drivers are good enough, there is a SLIGHT latency, but barely nocticeable and can probably be remedied by tweaking my settings. The manual is pretty thorough, and cheers to Edirol/Roland for releasing a proper paper manual, not some crappy pamphlet and a .pdf manual like so many other mfrs do nowadays. There is a editor for it, but I haven't started in with it yet. Software installation was a snap, 15-20 minutes in XP and it was up and running, controlling my Native Instruments VSTs. Very satisfying.

The keys are pretty darned good for a lower-end controller keyboard. Certainly better than the Maudio Radium49 which it replaced. Aftertouch is available, but only as a slider I believe, there isn't true keyboardaftertouch on this, but that's not a huge deal to me, as cheap aftertouch is almost as bad as no aftertouch. I have a Korg DSS1 anyways which has an awesome keybed, the PCR was mainly to use with the PC and my hardware sequencer MC909. There are some limitations, such as I can't seem to use the midi out while the usb is plugged in, when the usb isn't plugged in, it transmits to my hardware sequencer fine. It's possible this is operator error, though, not a design flaw. Another drawback is the Roland "Paddle" pitchbend/modulation combo. This was kinda cool on the 80's Alpha Juno, but on a controller that configuration doesn't really cut it. I much prefer seperate pitch/mod wheels.

It's a controller, it kinda depends on what you're using it with. I saved a patch set up for NI Pro53 software synthesizer...the PCRm30's knobs and sliders really open up a new expressive level to that instrument. The velocity won't blow you away, but it works good, hit it light, it triggers light, hit it heavy, it's heavy, and various grades between. The velocity curves are also very useful and can be used in creative ways. For the $170 or whatever I paid for it new, I'm very pleased with it. I haven't tried very many of its competitors (other than M-Shoddy-O), but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a new controller that can compete for the price. Just a correction on the previous review, the PCR-M30 is actually 32 key, not 36 key. 3 octaves would've been nice, but it hasn't bothered me that much, and the octave switches are chunky and quick.

So far so good. As I've only had it a few months though, I'm going to leave this one blank. I'll say this though. It's built a hundred times better than the Radium 49 it replaced. It's everything the Radium wasn't. Chunky, solid knobs/buttons/sliders that respond well, unlike the select knobs on the Radium which almost had to be pushed through the circuit board to activate. Easy software/driver install, whereas I couldn't get the Radium drivers to install no matter how many times I tried. The keys are certainly better. Much better documentation. No random stuck notes. I guess 3 octaves of quality are better than 4 octaves of crap. So far the PCR-M30 seems pretty solid and hasn't given me any grief.

Haven't needed em as of yet. They have a very useful site. And I've emailed them before inquiring about technical questions regarding another product, and they've responded quickly and courteously. They strike me as better than your average bear.

It's worth the price paid, I'm very pleased with it so far, and I can be demanding. You know, I don't like sliders scraping against the plastic chassis, or having hit reset while sequencing because my controller has a stuck note. The PCR doesn't do any of this crap, and it responds quickly. This is the way small controllers should be. I would buy another one if I had to, or I would jump up to the next tier, a Novation Remote, Studiologic, Korg Kontrol, etc. The PCR-M30 does what it's supposed to do, does it fairly well, and doesn't get in my way. What more can you ask nowadays?

I?m a owner of the PCR-M30 from germany, so please excuse my english..lol...installation is easy and fast, no problems
with drivers under WinXP...editing, loading and saving controller settings with the Software "PCR Editor" is also easy, but on a big Monitor (21") the editing screen is too small...manual is okay, but short

37 keys, 8 programmable knobs, 8 sliders, lots of buttons in a nice black plastic case...great keyaction (keys come from Roland Fantom X synths), best keys in it?s pricerange, many velocity presets...USB and built in Midi In and Out works fine...

No sounds, only midi data.

There were some problems with the older PCR-models (keys and software)..this is the main reason for the product upgrade..keys are much better now (hopefully it will last so long as my old Goldstar GMK-49 keyboard, works since 1990 and no abrasion), no problems with the software anymore, too ...

No need to contact Edirol so far. Software and Drivers are downloadable on their website...

The PCR-M30 is the best small desktop midi-controller for under 200$ i used so far (and i tried all...lol)..much better then m-audio and evolution stuff, E-mu xboard has also fine keys and is cheap but its controller section is more limited, ESI Neon is also very fine but i don?t like to pay for a useless audio interface...Alesis Photon has bad keys and seems to break easily...Korg microkontrol has the best controller section with displays and Pads but the mini keys are crap...only Novation Remote is better but it costs the double...