[peterkelly]

Finally, an internet connected piano.

I can't wait until I get prompted to install updates while playing, have to pay a subscription fee to use the sustain pedal, and have the instrument become non-functional 15 years after purchase once the manufacturer finds the service is no longer profitable and decommissions its server.

[aae42]

i know this is tongue-in-cheek, but roland is not that kind of company

[sneak]

The IAP cloud subscriptions and in-app surveillance spyware in the Roland iOS app seem to suggest otherwise:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roland-piano-app/id1610462043

[peterkelly]

Damn, I was joking in my original comment, but yep there it is.

    In-App Purchases
    Roland Cloud Core Year $29.99
    Roland Cloud Core Month $2.99

https://www.roland.com/global/categories/roland_cloud/

"Roland Cloud is an evolving cloud-based suite of software synthesizers, drum machines, and sampled instruments for modern creators."

It's not hard to predict how that's likely to pan out in the coming years.

I recently saw a second hand Roland AT-900 organ for sale near me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfm_AYqI1No). I'm tempted. The fact that comes with all it's sound and functionality built-in and doesn't have any internet connectivity which can be used to disable said features after my subscription expires makes it more compelling.

[thewebcount]

Yeah, I don’t get most of these plug-in companies. They require an internet connection to work. I love using software synths, but knowing that any time from next week to next decade I won’t be able to reproduce the sounds I’m using to record my songs scares the hell out of me. With a hardware synth, I can at least have the ability to back up the sounds and buy another instrument if the current one dies. I can literally use the same sounds I made in the 80s on many different synths (Rolands, Yamahas, etc.). That’s worth a lot to me.

[pbronez]

Yeahhh Roland kinda sucks lately. This concept has some cool stuff, but in synth land they kinda missed the boat. Everyone else is doing this awesome pure analog renaissance and Roland is just doing emulation. They’re not even leading digital - that’s Hydrasynth.

[jvm___]

Moonlight sonata interrupted by the windows crash sound or a message notification beep.

[etrautmann]

or a drone literally crashing

[tshaddox]

I’d be more worried about a copyright claim.