Roland E-14

The E 14 by Roland is an intelligent synth workstation that has been around for a while and is considered “vintage” but to me its really not. You can still find this around online and in some garage sales because it was pretty popular way back when. The good thing is if you are looking for one they arent that expensive and it’s a great board to add to your collection.

UTILIZATION

Using it is really easy if you have used other boards and understand workstations, this workstation is no where near as complicated as some of the workstations that Roland has come out with over the last 5 years or maybe a little longer. If you do need a manual you will probably have to look around online and buy one from someone. I had to purchase one on eBay and it was 45 dollars just for the manual. My E 14 didn’t come with the manual because I picked it up at a music exchange market (just a place where a bunch of musicians come together and sell and trade gear).


OVERALL OPINION

As far as the sound goes, its decent. Don’t expect to get a ton of really good warm sounds though. There are some gems though, I love a few of the presets, I still use them today and just run them through some of my effects modules to give it a different feel and make them sound different.

go out and get this board. Its really cheap now and you will love how easy It is to use and it will be good to open up your mind to new possibilities with the E 14 by Roland. Start looking around online, or on Craig list. There are people who are selling this at a really cheap price because they feel there is no value in it anymore. But they are wrong.

1) Features:
- 5-octave synth
- Stereo out and midi out
- If my memory doesn't fail me, it has about 77 styles and 144 instrument sounds
- All complementary effects are pretty basic, you can split the keyboard into two to play two different instruments
- You can record your creations, but you can't sequence several recordings to make a sound.

UTILIZATION

- Very easy setup
- Super clear manual
- This synth is basic, but it's a real pleasure to play with it. I got this synth after starting my piano lessons. Even if basic, it's nevertheless prefect to play (almost) whatever you want..

OVERALL OPINION

- I 'd say 3 years
- What I like best about this piano is probably its simplicity :p

- Did you try any other models before buying it?
I tested quite a few models at the local store, yes.

- How would you rate its value for money?
It's good gear with very good sounds for a decent price.

- How would you rate its value for money?
Pretty good. For a bit more money that other synths, you get one that is in the higher, not-for-beginners range, so you can start doing some serious stuff without going broke.

- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?
Now that I'm more experienced I want more, but if I was starting out I'd buy it again.

Small, 5-octave synth. Audio and midi connections. Several basic sound and style reproductions.
I chose it due to its technical characteristics and price. (its "dynamism" among other things, which is very rare for new instruments at this price point)
The sounds are limited, no too diversified. You have to bear in mind that it's a model from the 1990s, so it doesn't have the same features as modern synths... (I bought it because I didn't want features I consider useless, like illuminating keys to learn songs)

As a pianist I don't like that it's far from a piano or an electric piano. It has only 5 octaves (which is very limited) with normal-sized keys, but not exactly like a piano.
But I won't complain any longer about that, if I had wanted an electric piano, I should have gotten one, but I do criticize the lack of diverse and quality sounds.

UTILIZATION

Very user-friendly. It's somewhat of a toy, but for the price, it is perfect for beginners. I have never used the MIDI connections because that's not my field of competence.
I use it to tune my guitars and to find certain melodies and arrangements. It's perfect for that, but I don't recommend it to pianists with a minimum of experience who want to perform musical works.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for four years now. I wanted a small synth to help me find melodies and this one does the job fine. I don't think it's possible to find a synth with the same functions at this price point. I like its dynamism (even if quite limited), its different basic sounds, the different drum kits (which aren't that bad) and its simplicity.

With hindsight, I think I would opt for a better quality synth (better sounds, nicer keyboard), but at a higher price.
For $100 CAN (secondhand), it's an excellent price!

Recommended for beginners who aren't sure of their investment... Or musicians who want to have a reference piano.

Otherwise (keyboard players, home studio owners and, especially, pianists!) look another way.
It's a synth for beginners, it's not a keyboard nor an electric piano and even less a true piano!