Roland E-60

Software version is 1.00, havent updated it yet because i am scared of messing up my keyboard. Important to know though is that included in the 1.09 patch is a new function, namely the use of the V-link button as a controller button, so you can assign the D-beam functions to the V-link button.

Editing patches:

The sounds can be modified, this isn't a synth, but you get envelope control, vibrato conrol and cutoff and resonance to be edited. So there is some scope for editing a sound that isn't entirely your taste. Because of the touchscreen editing is made easy, you see the envelope, and the changes you make to it. This helps to understand what your doing (i am no synthesis expert so this is very helpfull).


The manual:

I got a French manual with my keyboard, which is absoluty utter nonsence, they could at least give me the English manual (I live in the Netherlands). This manual is however also downloadable from the US roland website. The English manual is very good, every function is explained. I didn't look in the manual much because this keyboard is very straightforward.


Operating system:

I think the roland E-60 has a great operating system, it's the same as used in the G-70 or E-80. Very intuitive and easy to use, this is mainly because of the touchscreen and logical layout. Everything stylewise is on the left from the touchscreen, everything soundwise is on the right. For most functions, you get a dedicated button.

This is where Roland definitivly gets a thumbs up. This keyboard is very easy to use.

The style control section takes some getting used to, instead of a seperate button for every intro, fill and ending. you get 6 keys.
The system is very easy to use once you get the hang of it, and is explained in detail in the manual.

The polyphony is 64, this is adequate for most users including me. If you like to make big arrangments, or use lots of sustain or like to layer sounds, then you will get in trouble with the polyphony.

It has got build in speakers, which work perfectly fine for home use. But if you hook this keyboard up to a keyboard amplifier you will get a better sound quality of course.

The velocity sensitive keyboard action is better then that of the E-50, just slightly, but better. It feels a bit firmer and sturdier than that of the E-50, also the keys are slightly longer. You get 76 keys, which neither the E-50 or the E-80 have. One note here: the E-50 is the same keyboard as the E-60, exept for the D-beam and 76 keys. The E-60 and E-50 haven't got aftertouch. They both got a joystick for pitchbend and modulation.

The guitar mode is also included in this keyboard, and it's a very nice thing to have, if you know how to use it that is.

Built in effects are nice, and again easy to select and manipulate thanks to the touchscreen. The preset MFX (multi-effects) and 2 DSP's are good in my opionion, they complement the preset sounds, liven them up a bit.

This keyboard also features a "make-up" and mixer function, so you can adjust everything from the volume of certain parts, to the instrument that should play the part. Overall balance is controled by a dedicated knob.

No expansion capabilities soundwise, like SRX cards for example.

There are a 136 styles, in 8 different categories, a few styles are intended for particular songs, but the rest of the styles are suited for any song. The styles aren't dominating your playing, and you get plenty of intro's, fills and endings (4 intro's, 6 fills, 4 endings)

Some of you might think 136 styles is a bit on the small side, but no problem you can use the PMCIA slot and suitable storage device to load in styles (and songs and userprograms). This is a great boon, because the G-70 and E-80 styles are fully compatible with the E-60, ofcourse there will be need for some tweaking trough the make-up function.

Midi fully featured. Fully GM, GM2 and XG compatable.
On board 16 track sequencer is available, haven't used it but it's there.

The preset sounds:

There are 1100 sounds in 8 categories. The waverom is 64 megabytes compared to the E-80's 128 mb of waverom, so naturally some compromise must be made. But is still think the sounds are very good for the price you pay.

I really like the preset sounds, in my opionion there are great sounds in all categories. Great piano sounds, but they are typical Roland piano's, but no problem for me, because i really like the typical Roland piano sound. Some very nice electrical piano's, i am no expert on electrical piano's but i think they are very nice, very expressive, especially for ballads.

Then to the organ section, a very nice B3 sermon sound, it's my favorite organ sound on this keyboard. Very full sound. I generaly don't like the organs with the rotary effect, but you can turn the effect of, and then you get some very nice organs, try the organ 3 preset for example.

Also included in this category are some nice accordeons, like a french musette or italian folk. Also you get a great mellow harmonica sound, really romantic sound.

The guitars, here are some real gems in my opionion, i really like the clean electric guitar, the jazz guitar 1, and the warm drive guitar. These guitars all have a bending, overdrive effect on maximum velocity. This makes for nice and expressive playing. There are also some nice accoustic guitars.

Then on to the Saxophone and flute section, some very nice sounds here too, for example the exp. soprano sax, or the alt saxophone.

Then to the synth category, not really much too say about this section, because i don't use it all that often, got some nice sounds though. Large selection of sounds here, so take your pick.

The strings section next, well i like some sounds. But there is one GLARING omission. This is one of the very few problems i have soundwise with this keyboard. There isn't ONE good violin sound included. No good classical violin here. So if playing waltzes is your thing, check out the violons on offer, and decided for yourself.
On the other hand, some great sounds are in here, like nice stereo strings, harp sounds, vocal sounds, with the acclaimed Jazz scat voice included.

Conclusion: soundwise this is a very nice keyboard, shame off the violins. Overall a very balanced keyboard soundwise, some absoluty terrific voices, for the better part good voices, and a few bland voices.

Reliabilty:
I have got one other roland keyboard (the EM-25) which was very reliable, never had problems with it. And the same goes for the E-60.
I have no fear of something breaking off or damage to the keyboard while playing it. It feels well build. You do need to be carefull with the touchscreen, and treat it with respect, then you'll have many years of enjoyment from this keyboard.


I don't gig at all. But if i did gig, i would use this keyboard without backup.

I have never needed to deal with the Roland service deparment.
Roland provides updates for the E-60, this is good because it fixes minor bugs, and adds new features.

If it was stolen, i would buy the same keyboard again, unless i got the dough for a G-70 which is a bit better, has more styles, more waverom, more polyphony, better sounds and a really great keybed with aftertouch.

I have the E-60 for about 8 months now, and i really like it. Keep finding out new stuff and trying new things, so it will keep me busy for a long time to come.