33 thoughts on “Roland JD-Xi Preset Sequences Demo”

1. This analog synth craze has caused synth technology to stagnate for a good 10 years! This sounds like the same stuff over and over again…

2. AKA “The Video That Cancelled A Hundred Preorders”

   People always claim that factory presets are not a fair representation of gear. “The Factory Presets Suck, But…” is practically the Synth National Anthem.

   But I defy you to make it all the way through this video and not come away with a samey vibe and a deep sense of boredom. Maybe it’s the 4-track 4-bar limit, maybe it’s the mono synth sounding less lively than the Supernatural engine. Who knows.

   Korg electribe 2 and the Aira System 1/1-m are looking like the better purchases.

   1. I’ve been pretty excited about this little synth but damn. What a bunch of fruity sounding garbage. Not sure I even want to drop 500 $ on a box that’s wasting a bunch of its memory real estate on what is to me such utter crap and useless sounds.

      1. The engines seem capable. It’s up to grassroots YouTube kids to change this thing’s reputation. The first genuinely original, slamming performance to go viral will sell more units than all the reviews combined.

         Roland has a long history of groove products with cheesetastic preset patterns that are lagging behind the taste curve, and they don’t age well when they start out expired. Roland does itself no favors with fake-sounding versions of those passé genres.

         Somewhere out there on a dusty shelf, an MC-series New Jack Swing preset is saying “Welcome to the club, JD-Xi.”

         1. it does not sound like the filter and sound elements have the guts to ever make a good riff. maybe it would have a place as small/convenient piece for pads and atmospheric arpeggiator in someone’s rig, I could see that possibly since the size annd versatility is there tho doesnt have the sound strength.

            Roland should try the TT filter from Meeblip’s Anode and they’d get a completely different sound on the product. Their digital filter is really where this product loses the race.

   2. The presets on roland stuff always make me want to smash things, but there’s a YouTube demo I think from a German shop which shows you really can make this synth sound unique and great, I think it’d be some effort though with the xi as so much is hidden in the menu.

      Later this week we will see the details of the XA finally at musikmesse

3. I was really looking forward to this. Roland has made a passable very first synth/drum machine combo, but certainly not what I was hoping to add to my setup.

4. id rather buy a Rhythm Wolf than this

5. It sounds better than I was expecting after all the bad product demonstrations at NAMM. It appears to be reasonably sincere in its ambition to sound fresh and contemporary, I guess it depends whether you’re looking to emulate familiar sounds or be original.

   I also play the violin and that only has one preset.

   1. I agree it has a decently high sound quality, clean and headroomy.

      But I don’t think it sounds particularly distinctive. And stacking 4 vanilla voices into a 4-bar looping sequence isn’t exactly the most exciting path to music creation.

      I think we’ll know better when user demos start appearing on YouTube. If people make this thing sound edgy and fresh we’ll know how valuable it is. These preset sequences are not very inspirational.

6. Why roland don’t build a groovebox with analogue plus digital sound ?
   Something like the mc 909 with 16 track; multi efx; sampler; analogue part etc etc?
   Why not?

   1. After listening to these preset patterns I had a blast from the past.
      They are as dull and repetitive as the ones of the mc303 groovebox, diminishing the sonic capabilities and cool programming tools (considering the price tag) of this little synth.

   2. well the JD-XA is coming, and it has a sequencer and presumably more voices.. so we’ll see

      Price – 2 075,00 € (TVA 20% incluse) (not sure what that TVA part means, if anyone can interpret)
      Full Description
      Analog Engine
      Each of the JD-XA’s four analog parts has two oscillators, along with filter and amp sections and four envelopes all with incredibly fast attack and response times. You also get two LFOs, with super-smooth coverage from ultra-slow to ultra-fast. Start by creating your sound from scratch, or configure the JD-XA as an eight-oscillator, pure analog version of the legendary Supersaw waveform. Additionally you can invoke the power of Poly Stack mode for warm, organic four-note chords that will sweep you away. Once you’ve got that killer analog sound, you can route it directly to the analog dry output or send it to the on board digital effects for further experiments in the art of sound design.
      Digital Engine
      The JD-XA doesn’t just do classic analog it’s also equipped with a completely separate four-part, 64-voice digital sound engine powered by Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL synthesizer technology. This lets you play some of the most expressive and natural sounds available anywhere, as the JD-XA is compatible with the synth engine from the INTEGRA-7 sound module, a firm favourite of top producers, composers, and sound designers. And if you need some extra inspiration, visit Roland’s online Axial community and download the latest creations from high-end programmers to tap into great sounds for a wide variety of genres.
      Analog and Digital Crossover
      With its distinctive crossover design, the JD-XA is very unique in its approach to synthesis. Not only can blend the engines together, but you can also use them completely independently, truly giving you two synths in one. Additionally, the analog and digital engines are able to interact in many creative ways. For example, digital sounds can be routed through the analog filters, or used as modulation sources for the Cross Mod and Ring Mod functions in the analog section. If you’ve got big ideas when it comes to sound design, you need a powerful and flexible synth, and the JD-XA really delivers.
      Powerful & Versatile Effects
      When it comes to effects, the JD-XA is well equipped to handle any sound shaping you want to apply. Each analog and digital section is equipped with a powerful and versatile MFX processor that offers 67 different effect types, including high-impact processing options like Bit Crusher. The essentials are also covered via the five system effects processors, which provide reverb, delay, and master EQ plus two TFX processors with 29 effect types each.
      16-Track Pattern Sequencer & Real-Time / Step Recording
      To get your creativity flowing, the JD-XA has a comprehensive 16-track pattern sequencer with 8 tracks for internal parts and 8 tracks for external sources, allowing you to build sequences and loops quickly and intuitively. Use real-time recording mode to lay down parts in a familiar linear fashion, or step recording mode to create in the old-school pattern style. However you like to work, this sequencer is designed to keep you connected to your music.
      Flexible Routing and Connectivity
      Providing unprecedented routing options thanks to a flexible system the JD-XA lets you route a single mod source to four destinations. In addition, you’re able to control external modules or DAW plug-ins via MIDI, USB, and CV/GATE, making this a synth that can sit at the heart of any live or studio setup. If you can imagine it, you can probably do it on the JD-XA.
      Mic-Controlled Modulation
      The JD-XA’s mic input brings an extra dimension to your music. For starters, you can use the mic as a modulation source, controlling filter cut-off, Cross Mod, or other parameters with your voice. Alternatively, you can dial up Vocoder tones, or simply add some pro-grade vocal reverb via the mic’s dedicated reverb processor.
      Features
      Advanced synthesizer with independent analog and digital sound engines Discrete analog synth engine (four parts) with 2 x OSC, Filter, Amp, 4 x Env (2 x Pitch, Filter, Amp), and 2 x LFO per voice plus Analog Dry Out for raw signal output Analog filter section features 4-Pole, transistor-ladder, and multi-mode (LPF/HPF/BPF) filters with supremely smooth, natural response OSC section includes Cross Mod, Ring Mod, and OSC Sync, all of which can be used simultaneously LFO rate covers a wide range from ultra-slow to ultra-fast Incredibly fast attack envelope time Separate digital section built around SuperNATURAL synth engine (four parts, 64 voices) that’s compatible with INTEGRA-7 sound libraries Digital parts can be routed through the analog filter section for warm, organic results Comprehensive effects with MFX for all parts plus five system effects (Reverb, TFX1, TFX2, Delay, and Master EQ) Flexible routing options for highly creative sound design Intuitive 16-track pattern sequencer (8 tracks for internal parts, 8 tracks for external parts) for fast creation of songs and loops Onboard USB, MIDI, and CV/GATE interfaces plus flexible MIDI control functionality Mic input allows you to modulate synth sounds with your voice and explore classic Vocoder functionality Plenty of backlit knobs, sliders, and controllers for hands-on sound shaping
      Specifications
      Sound Engines: Analog, Digital Number Of Keys: 49 Key Action: Velocity Sensitive (Aftertouch) Inputs: 1 x XLR (Microphone), 1 x MIDI In Outputs: 2 x Master Out, 1 x Headphones, 1 x Analog Dry, 1 x Click, 2 x Gate Out, 2 x CV Out, 1 x MIDI Out Additional Connections: 3 x Foot Pedal, 1 x USB (Computer), 1 x USB (Memory) Analog Oscillators: 2 Analog Filters: 2 Analog Amps: 2 Analog Envelopes: 4 Analog LFO (Per Voice): 2 System Effects: Reverb, TFX1, TFX2, Delay, Master EQ Sequencer: 16-Track

      1. Dude, no ones going to read a post that long. Especially not about something as lame as this synth.

      2. Thank you your necronomic highness, some details at last
         bubble from the Cthonic egregore 🙂

      3. Okay – this sounds great – but what’s your source for all this information? Roland have yet to release anything on the JD-XA other than some pictures and video of a non-working instrument. If this information is accurate, it sounds like a fantastic synth, and why anyone would buy a JD-Xi (especially after the above video) is beyond me. The JD-XA sounds like a proper synth, as opposed to the JD-Xi which sounds like an EDM beat-box for teenage would-be dance music producers in their bedrooms. I watched 3 minutes of the video and realised it was all the same – boring, monotonous and repetitive – and it summed up the purpose of the JD-XI. I want a synth that can do more than just dull and boring 120BM dance loops!!!

      4. Yes, sounds nice but what is that costing? This is similar spec to a FA-06 with a good 4 part analog synth built in – and some aftertouch on the keys better per-knob functions. So £700 for the FA synth part, add another £100 for a keybed upgrade and a bunch of controls and say another £400 for the analog part – I reckon it will be around £1200+ around the cost of Integra-7. And that is being very conservative.

      5. drgt

7. Just got my JD Xi – I’m not sure who would be buying this this for the patterns…plus I’m not sure why music store in business of selling these would show off the patterns. The biggest value of the synth might be as a sound module. The fact that the drums are editable by note is very valuable…I like the fact that I can apply a filter to one drum sound and completely different effects to another drum sound (etc.) in a very easy manner. It Removes the need for separate outs. The analog synth sounds pretty good for what it is as well – especially when used with the arpeggiated patterns and the effects. If I were looking to sell these that’s what I would be showing off!

   1. Internal filters and effects are NOT a substitution for individual drum outs.

8. As someone who likes to explore sounds of every genre in electronic music kingdom I actually really loved this type of demo. Just by hearing the sounds I can tell this is going to be a versatile synth. Makes me want the synth more. The team that put those sound sets together has a deep grasp of electronic music from the last 30 years in my opinion.

9. I still think this could be a versatile machine, you would run it as a midi box for the sounds. But if they still aren’t doing an editor then it isn’t going to be much good for that, is it? Hope they can make that happen. But I still think, you would need to consider the Korg ESX2 and a Volca of choice – giving you a 16 part sequencer across 16 VA parts and samples, and route that volca on the input for the analogue part, and just add a midi controller/keys when you can – that would kill this. And I think all synth companies need to address adding cost to a nice budget synth by adding a poor keyboard nobody really wants. Everyone buying it has midi keys to use with a desktop synth box without keys, and if they don’t then £40 solves that. The Roland System 1 is a prime example, as that keyboard adds no valve but to add space and weight, to what otherwise would have been a nice box. The System 1M, and just from a sneak peek, seems like a great bit of kit – and should have been the original and only format – to me, it makes the System 1 look fudged compromise – and explains the lack of real pitch and mod wheels. It was always going to be a table rack but they cobbled that other mess together instead. I hope these are just a few remaining hiccups as they transform themselves.

10. Moan moan moan. Come on guys. I hear a bunch of really cool and usable sounds. If not for you, move along.

    1. “If not for you, move along.” To suppress critical opinion is to suppress progress. How far would the human have advanced in 100,000 years without the ability of make and lodge critical opinion? The answer is that without critical reflection we don’t get to progress – without it sees us all sitting in a cave bashing one out as you thrive on basic animal instincts. Animals accept the world without question, but humans define it with critical intent. Imagine if a company like Roland lost the ability to be critical? Then they would just be a stale company responding to market dynamics, with a collection of poor and uninspiring products… wait a minute….

    2. Very true I own one love it…I run my voica keys through it for the effects and go nice with my computer set up through USB audio and midi

11. “With Roland’s new JD-Xi you can have all the greatest EDM sounds of 2012 at your fingertips!”

    1. All those 2012 sounds, but none of the production elements that made them sound hard-hitting. Perfect for sugar-free Dubstep loops for your family vacation slideshow.

12. This is not your father’s Buick… er, Roland.

13. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Roland proves they suck once again!!!!

14. Same ol’ soundset, same ol’ uproar. The popular styles are leading manufacturers too often, but if dance is your thing, so be it. The form factor here isn’t for me, but I’m curious about the SuperNatural sounds. Its not going to have Jupiter-80 guts across the board, but if they’re fairly tough, it makes this a much more broad synth. Someone is going to labor over a software editor for it and call it Killer because it adds dimension to the more obvious dance sounds.
    Besides, most of us have one or two major go-to synths, a couple of middling items and then a few quirky things, like a cheap-ass synth that’s mostly crap, but has 5 great sounds nothing else makes. This one could sit loosely in The Middle and be a creditable sound source, if nothing else. Let’s give it a gold star for its actual pluses. It does have a few. Watch the JD-Xa be a monster and JD-Xis start popping up above them as expanders. We’ve seen worse.

15. Their just preset sequences. I think it shows the versatility of this thing. And you can load more sounds that you want from the Axial page. Can’t really agree with the haters on this one.

16. All you saying it sounds cheesy and dated please link your soundcloud so I can hear what incredible music you write that gives you the guts to say that!

    The presets are showing off how versatile it is in so many genres. Let’s hear it, send your link to this amazing new genre you created with your seemingly endless supply of vintage analogs! Oh what’s that? You just use ableton and never actually completed a track? I thought so!

    1. Still waiting for your soundclouds.