This video, via PortalKlawiszowy, takes a look at beatmaking with the Roland JD-Xi synthesizer, introduced at the 2015 NAMM Show.
The Roland JD-Xi marks the company’s return to analog. Instead of doing a reissue of one of the company’s many analog classics, though, Roland’s latest synth is a completely new design.
Equipped with 37 mini keys, the Roland JD-Xi lets you play and sequence four sections:
- The JD-Xi features a true analog synth engine. The newly developed analog synth section in the JD-Xi features saw, triangle, and square waveforms with pulse-width modulation and an analog filter, plus an independent sub oscillator for low-end power.
- Two digital synth sections offer 128-voice polyphony and a wide range of SuperNATURAL-based PCM tones, for playing any style of music.
- The JD-Xi also offers a PCM-based drum section. Included are many types of electronic and acoustic kits, and the drum instrument assignments are conveniently labeled above the keys for quick identification. Users can modify the sound of the kits with filter, envelope, pitch, and pan parameters.
he Roland JD-Xi is expected to have a street price of about US $500. See the Roland site for details.
middle of the video onward sounds are 90s magic 🙂
thanks for this video
Still seems like anyone in the target market for this would do better just using FL Studio.
Yeah man, hardware is so overrated *rolls eyes*
(shrug) It depends on how much you prefer to play the actual synthesizer as opposed to the keyboard itself. There’s no fixed law about it except “Try Not To Suck.” 😀 People seem to dismiss or even deride PCM banks in synths like this while praising wavetable synths proper, but if you’re savvy enough, those hand you a much larger synth for your programming goals. I also think this one sounds more present than some of their recent models. Its sometimes subtle via only YouTube, but the basic tone sounds more inviting than usual. If the JD-Xa is the big boy version of this one, it could become the new Fun Time King for a while.
For the digital side it’s the full fa engine seen in the fa-06 and 08. So there’s plenty of flexibility there. For the analogue side a guy I know has said he was impressed with it and he’s a real analogue synth connoisseur. Here’s hoping.
@2:45 : 90’s skinemax represent
Sheer Grand Theft Auto magic. Nice. What’s the big grey thing behind the Roland?
whats the big grey thing in FRONT of the roland ?
This looks like a killer little box.
It’s an analog synth and sequencer, for $500, that also is an audio interface, drum machine, two polysynths and a decent vocoder.
The MicroKorg has been a best seller for a decade, but this just completely blows away the MicroKorg.
Interesting times for synthesists!
Still waiting for an actual demo that shows off the sound design and editing capabilities
You’ll have to wait for the jd-xa which looks to have more knob per function making sound editing easier. It’s all menu diving on this little guy, or perhaps there’s software.
Might have to grab this handy little synth!
I took a look at the panel and mentioned that there is no controls for complex sound modification. Yes, there are LFOs, Filters, but nothing that could modify initial sounds. So, I think, regarding sound design it is very limited.
It’s all hidden in menus unfortunately. But it is there.
This is such great value for money and kicks the microkorgs ass. I can’t believe sequencers loop recording and analogue are all in one package for that price. I’m told by a reliable source it sounds amazing. So the jd-xa which is the more scaled version suited to me could be perfect.
I’m particularly happy that I can use the Axial collection of voices for free to add organs, mellotrons, clavs etc, making this a real all round performer.
i love cheap gear. doubt this kicks microKorg ass, but im happy to see that we will have more affordable gear to play with. also happy to see rising competion in this price range. Korgs turn now.