A-800 PRO vs: PCR 800

Great question.  I would suppose that you aren't going to get many responses since the A-800 isn't out yet.....but I could be wrong.

I don't know about the A-800, but I can tell you that I bought the PCR-500 and a PCR-300 on Monday at Guitar center who buy the way are blowing the PCR's out. I paid 149.99 for the 500 and 99.99 for the 300. The only difference between the 800, 00, and 300 are the number of keys.
Anyway to answer part of your question, the PCR was plug and play. Don't get easier than that. To use the ACT feature it is very simple also.
Hope this helps...

+1 on the PCR-00 series, very easy to use and has more buttons and knobs to twiddle with then us guitarists could ever need.

I can confirm it works great with Windows 7 x64 so Vista shouldn't be an issue.

I'd like to think the new series would be better still, but it wouldn't be the first time a company has released an 'upgrade' that was really a downgrade.

samson is right. You have to physically go to a store. I drove 104 miles round trip for mine...

I'm wondering if the control of Sonar is any better in the new model and how is it better?

I've got the PCR-800 here as well and I really like it.  It looks like the new ACT support will be specifically for the A series - not sure how much of that support will apply to the pcr series.  I have a feeling it may be "some, but not supported".  Either way, the integration is pretty good on the thing anyway, so I'm looking at the A series as what I'd get if my pcr died.

I'll just chime in since I own a PCR-300 (just bragging, not complaining)...

Anyhow, I understand your desire for an easy to use interface.  After getting acquainted with the PCR, after reading and posting here and watching just a couple of YouTube videos (yes, there is a guy out there showing some nifty short cuts in programming) that really helped me.  Now I am very comfortable using it.  It isn't that complicated as it seems (like most things, I guess).

So now consider if you like the layout.  For instance, I prefer the transport buttons on the left side like the PCR instead of the top just above the keys on the A-PRO.  The more appealing feature the PCR has over the A-Pro is that is has 18 pads (yes, I said EIGHTEEN) for drums, samples and/or triggers (for sample or loops) or whatever you want them to do.  So more buttons on the PCR, not the A-Pro, it has only EIGHT!  Both have nine encoders (or nobs) and nine faders (of slide controls)  They both seem to share the programming controls, the same combo modulation/pitch bend stick (a Roland trademark) and both have inputs/outputs/plugs on the left side (very convenient.  The only other distinctive differences between the two may be the display which is no concern for me; the PCR has a metal like plate around the knobs, pads and sliders AND the PCR has what my be completely useless or a convenient pan control or DJ style crossfader.   And if you are a control freak like the most of us, you will note that the PCR has a total 50 fully assignable controls whereas the A-Pro falls short of that by 5 less.  The bundle software is different, but if you are already using SONAR, who cares?  This could be a lot to consider.  But then....

Now ACT is ACT and it may not make a difference which SONAR friendly controller you chose.  At least that is what I am going with.  The PCR is easy, very easy to program.  In fact, you can always save as many assignment configuration files you want on your PC and transfer them to the PCR with out a hitch (just hit the right button is the correct sequence, but it is really simple, trust the Rocker!).  But I suppose the A-Pro will have the exact same functionality.

So, to sum it up...  The PCR is actually very easy to program and use as an interface for SONAR.  It's little brother, the A-Pro, is just as easy I'm sure.  It may be a simple matter of more controls or appealing layout.  Either one won't do you wrong, but I'm sold on the PCR.

Kind regards,


Living Room (The) Rocker

It's early days as the A-Pros are not out yet but I am waiting.
 
Apparently one of the the big differences between the A-Pro and the PCR is the quality of the keyboard bed. This should make the A-Pro have much better playability. The A-Pro is Roland as opposed to Eridol. Someone posted on one of the NAMM threads that the A-Pro keyboard bed was better.
 
And just to keep on saying it, Why only 61 keys??? If announces a decent semi weighted longer board i will take the A-Pro off the shopping list.
I thought the A-Pro was the big brother of the PCR, not the other way around?????
 

Thank everyone so much for helping me.  Liv4ree, I am glad you posted when you did.  I called guitar center yesterday and had them put there last PCR-500 model on the side for me.  Hopefully they did, I guess I will see in a few more hours, it is about an hour drive to the nearest guitar center.  For 150.00 I think the PCR-500 should be a steal and hopefully just what I am looking for. 

I am really excited about this day, I have wanted to get a midi controller for a while but didn't have the extra cash.  Now I hopefully get one that should work well with sonar for half price, YESSS!!!

rocker41


Thank everyone so much for helping me.  Liv4ree, I am glad you posted when you did.  I called guitar center yesterday and had them put there last PCR-500 model on the side for me.  Hopefully they did, I guess I will see in a few more hours, it is about an hour drive to the nearest guitar center.  For 150.00 I think the PCR-500 should be a steal and hopefully just what I am looking for. 

I am really excited about this day, I have wanted to get a midi controller for a while but didn't have the extra cash.  Now I hopefully get one that should work well with sonar for half price, YESSS!!!

You will not be disappointed, rocker41.  And for the price....good deal, indeed!  Hopefully the difference in key bed (as mentioned above) is not an issue for you (it isn't for me).

Take care and Rock On!


Living Room Rocker
Your brother from another mother

Well I got home with my new unit.  It is a little intimidating, sort of like the first time I loaded up sonar 8.   I have gotten it to barely communicate with sonar.  I am watching some youtube video's.  For some reason I thought it would be easier.  I think I am going to work on getting something hopefully easy like studio instruments to work for me.  I tried it with addictive drums and didn't have any luck.  I guess it is time to start watching video's then start reading.  I can say I think I will be 100% pleased with this unit.  I was really looking for something to help make drums a little easier for me.  I am 95% guitar player and 5% into the other things like sonar and now this new device.  So I just need just enough to get me by.  If this unit can help me connect with addictive drums and a few other plug ins then the rest is just gravy.  Thanks for all your support and help.  Now time to scower post and try to figure out how to get the "basics" of this thing down.  Thanks again

I am making some headway now, I got several programs to communicate.  The first thing I did was go to roland and install the current drivers from there site.  I can't remember which switch I didn't have set correctly, I took the time a few minutes ago and took notes on all the postitions I currently have "roughly" working.  When I first hooked up I was only able to get the knobs to work and not the keys.  Once I pushed some button I started to have a little more control.  Lots to learn, but to have a little control over at something gives hope for a new day.  All in all a very good day for my studio.  Thanks again for all your comments. 

By the way, it will remember everything (knobs and sliders that you program for each instrument.)

Install the drivers, plug it in, load the Sonar bank into the active memory and then press the "Dynamic" button to the left of the jog wheel to get control of plugins etc. That's it - doesn't get much simpler.

I don't understand. Why is it that the A-Pro has less features than the PCR and yet it's more expensive?