A special day under the banner of the Roland brand which, for some years, has been busy with the placing on the market of interesting innovations on the threshold of the autumn period, while respecting further presentations of new instruments in the main international music fairs (NAMM, first of all, held at the end of January).
Today the Japanese brand presents news for 4 categories of sector:
- Synth: JupiterX and Jupiter Xm;
- Workstation: new Fantom series;
- Boutique line: JU-06A.
- GrooveBox: MC707 and MC101;
Let's see the main features, referring you to the videos that have been crowding for a few hours YouTube.
Jupiter Jupiter Xm (Link)
A classic of the past, brought to a new light, which includes several new technologies, such as to be able to consider it not really a Synth in the classical sense. The Xm model shares the same audio engine, but on a different layout and 3 octave keyboard with velocity, but without Aftertouch as in the larger model.
- New audio engine, ZEN-Core, with different synthesis models;
- 5 Parts Multitimbral + a dedicated part for rhythmic timbres;
- Over 4.000 sounds, plus 256 at the user's discretion, and 90 rhythm sets;
- 256 Scenes: settings that provide multiple Layer / Split configurations;
- Multi-Effect (4 systems, with 90 types); EQ per Part (5); Overdrive; Reverb (7 types); Chorus (4 types); Delay (5); Mic NS / Compressor; Master EQ / Compressor;
- I-ARPEGGIO (Multiple Arpeggiator for each single Part);
- Controls: PitchBend / MW; Double, additional, programmable Wheel; 2 Sliders and 3 Assignable Switches;
- Bluetooth v4.2;
- Connections: Standard line / headphone out ports; stereo minijack input; USB from / to Computer; USB for use of specific drivers;
Introductory video of the Italian demonstrator Gattobus with the Xm model.
Phantom 6/7/8 (Linc)
Workstation completely revisited, and particularly creative, proposed with synthesizer keyboards a 61 e 73 keys, or with proprietary 88-key piano action (PHA-50).
- New audio engine, ZEN-Core, with different synthesis models + V-Piano technology dedicated to the homonymous category;
- 16-part multi-timbral, to be managed between internal and external sources;
- Over 3.500 sounds and 90 Drum Kits;
- Scenes: 128 for 4 Banks. These are settings that provide for multiple Layer / Split configurations;
- Multi-Effect (16 systems, with 90 types); EQ per Part (16); Drum-Part Compressor (6 systems); FX Insert (2 Systems with 90 Types); Chorus (8 types); Delay (5); Mic In Reverb (6 types); Master EQ / Compressor;
- Analog Multifilter Stereo with separate outputs, Drive and Amp;
- 16-track sequencer, also with Pattern (8 per single track with length up to 32 beats); Realtime, Step and TR-REC recording;
- Internal sampler, with memory up to 2GB, at 44.1 / 48Khz and 16bit; 8-note polyphony and distribution of samples on 16 Pads x 4 Banks;
- I-ARPEGGIO (Multiple Arpeggiator for each single Part);
- Rhythmic Patterns and Chord Memory system;
- Controls: PitchBend / MW; Double, additional, programmable Wheel; 8 Slider; 8 Knob; USB Audio Slider; 6 Function Knob; 11 Knob for parameter modification; 16 Pads;
- 7 ”Touch screen display;
- Connections: XLR Balanced Outs + 2 on Jack; Sub Out ½ in Jack; Stereo Out dedicated to the Anaogic Filter; Combo Mic / Line Input; 4 inputs for foot controls; Standard MIDI connectors; 2 Out CV / Gate for Eurorack systems; USB from / to Computer; USB for use of specific memories; 3 USB for external devices;
- Ability to use it as a Controller for Apple Logic Pro X or Main Stage (specific drivers are already available);
- PDF manual also in Italian (already available 😉).
JU-06A (Link)
New model of the family Shop which brings together the reworking, in a modern key, of the Juno 60 and the Juno 106. a switch allows you to switch between the two synthesis engines. The other main features concern:
- Maximum 4-voice polyphony;
- 64 + 64 Sounds for each of the two synthesis engines: 8 banks x 8 sounds;
- 16 Pattern Sequencers;
- 16 Chord Memories;
- Complete replica of the synthesis panel with all parameters directly accessible and modifiable, including the two buttons for the Chorus typical of the two Juno, which can also be combined together.
- Delay, Arpeggiator / Monophonic Step Sequencer up to 16 Steps.
MC707/MC101 (Link MC707; Link MC101)
"Upgrade" also for the Groovebox line that borrow, in part, some things from the TR-8 series with the addition of the ZEN audio engine, used in the aforementioned Jupiter / Fantom. Few, but important, the things that differentiate the two models.
- New audio engine, ZEN-Core for sounds and Drum Kit;
- Types of tracks: Tones, DrumKit, Looper (the latter with Time Stretching and Pitch Shifting algorithms);
- Tracks: max 8 (4 for MC101)
- Polyphony: up to 128 voices (64 for MC101) for sounds; for the LOOPER engine, up to 8 voices (4 for MC101);
- Clips: 128 (16 for single track); in MC101 there are at most 64 (16 for 4 tracks);
- Over 3.000 sounds, 80 DrumKits, User and Looper Samples (manageable via SDHC Card or, in the case of MC707, also with External Input);
- Multi-Effect (90 types); EQ per track; Reverb (7 types); Chorus / Delay (9 types); Master EQ / Compressor;
- Step Sequencer: maximum 64 steps;
- Common connections: Headphone output and Mix out on ¼ Jack; MIDI I / O and USB for computer to manage audio and MIDI. The MC707 has in addition: 2 more assignable outputs, Send / return, External In, second MIDI Out,
Link for Roland Channel YouTube on which you will find already several short tutorials in English as well as introductory demos.
