I mean, the problem is not the instrument, its the artist behind it . Even with limited features, a good artist will always be able to create a good tune. Think about it. Thx for the video, im convinced ❤
Multitimbral polysynths are Korg's and Roland's bread and butter (usually with a lot more menu-diving than shown here). Few others will also do it, understandably. Most folks only want one timbre at a time, or mix different mono-timbral synths for whatever they are doing. This looks like a JD-Xi successor, if with reduced polyphony in exchange for radically way more capability.
Multitimbrality at this price point is pretty unique. I can think of the Blofeld, but not much else. You have to play a lot more for a Korg with that feature as far as I know. Someone certainly knows more than me.
I really appreciate how you dive right in showing all the complicated menus and settings so I instantly stop thinking I will buy tthis and enjoy your video of mastering the thing like I never will or even atempt to. I knew within 4 minutes this thing isn't for me.
Agreed 👍🏼 Loopops honest and straightforward breakdown/reviews can make or break new units.. Like politics, TH-cam can become a dirty business. here’s hoping Mr. Loopop :) continues to keep it real ☕️🎹🔉🎵🎶
@@entropybentwhistle I would check out cuckoo but they did demo songs for it, not sure if that's going to impart bias or not, same for Alex ball and red means recording who also have songs in it
I just had my MC-505 upgraded, blue LED screen, new faders and knobs, cleaned up, and brand new again, few things, this box could totally be your 3 piece band, drums, bass, keys, build songs from the foundation of that for sonic cohesion, much like older arranger workstation keyboards/systems, but with more electronic type styles, the Zencore emulation is pretty close the real Roland synths of the 80s, or feels/sounds good enough to be mistaken for that (I have a few retro Roland things now, (Juno, SC-880, MC505, stage pianos etc along with Roland Cloud, Zenbeats on the tablet) ironically, instead of Zencore, it's more like Zenbox, that's what it would end up being, headphones on, sitting on the couch or somewhere nice in the sun creating chill electronic synth-based music to build songs from. Its nice to see Roland return to form with this machine, I didn't connect to the new groove boxes, felt like something was missing, but this makes up for it. Great review as always, and 10 points for the overlay holographic style frequency display floating above most of your videos. A nice touch I thought. Cheers, J (edit, fixed typos, almost did a TLDR)
My Digitakt/Digitone combo has been a nearly never-ending antidote for G.A.S. New gear is always tempting, but space, money, and *time* are limited resources, and Elektron checks almost all of my boxes. I can make any sound imaginable. Although this Roland box looks more like something that I'd be interested in than anything else I've seen from them...my DT/DN can do it all with better build quality, the greatest sequencer ever, a smaller footprint, and a workflow that I'm extremely familiar with. I'm not sure how anyone has time to become fluent with multiple workflows on a dozen devices in the first place (like the tabletops filled with gear that seem so common)-let alone time to actually make music. But, cheers to Roland for not making yet another baby-fingered boutique again...and again...and again.
love my Digitone and Analog Heat combo. Great portable solution. Rytm is my favorite groove box though since can finger drum and still have bass and drum going. Virus does a lot as well with 16 multi timbral parts and best arpeggiator.
Thought for a minute about swapping the Digitone for this, but that box is hard to beat. Now my Jx08 will for sure go. This and the digitakt are surely to get along well.
My only reservation considering the Elektron synths was the low polyphony. I want to be able to play with both hands and a sustain pedal. That's one thing I really appreciate about Roland. Most of their recent gear is highly polyphonic. But other than that the Elektron kit looks amazing and I'm kinda jealous.
@@GuitarsAndSynths Nice I got the same combo except a SP404MK2 for fingerdrumming, and it is good to keep the buying impulses down...... and I still want a Syntakt damit. The Rytm MK2 is also very cool but also big and expensive, deciding on a good drum machine has been difficult and now this SH-4d, too many interesting options
this seems really exciting! right before these were announced i was planning on buying a circuit tracks. my brother works at a music shop that is a roland dealer so he suggested i wait to check this out. im a relative newbie to synths and making music on my own without using a daw and currently only have a reface dx and an old drum machine. the sh-4d definitely is a little more daunting when it comes to learning how to use it but i think this will serve me much longer.
It's like a modern SH-32. A lot of people never got along with it but I loved that little desktop synth. I could see myself picking this up, it looks so much fun.
@@Patriotic_Eagle1995 1/3 of the price but less than 1/2 the voice count, that would mean you're still in front yes? So if you buy 2, you have the same amount, maybe 8 voices less, 2 drum parts, 8 synth parts and still 33% cheaper than the Xm?
Thanks for the few cuts in the video. This allows me to really (personally) focus on your explanations and the desktop, which also gives me a great learning experience. It's such a nice contrast to other people's videos and I really enjoy it. Furthermore, your explanation leaves me satisfied and without further questions in a completeness that I cannot find anywhere else. So, thank you for all the effort that obviously goes into your videos.
Another down to earth review.. It’s interesting, having followed Loopop for many years now, you can tell when he is genuinely impressed by a new unit (whatever it might be) Not so much here 😏 Please continue to keep it real and honest ☕️🎹🔉🎵🎶
Yeah it really needs a song mode. It blow my mind that my Yamaha RM1x from '93 is a billion times better hardware sequencer than anything released nowadays, at least from what I've seen.
It’s Verselab dressed in synth! I sold MV-1 because it did not have ^^^these^^^ intuitive controls to scroll/manage engines and hands-on synth playing. I like batteries option for travel and audio/midi inputs to connect OP-Z or X-Keys for small portable dawless. It’s a less-boring groovebox overall, nice. Thanks Loopop to deep dive thru the device ideas in an hour along with good music and entertainment!
I love this synth engine machine. I have two things I find happening, one is not bad at all. Even advantageous that it works the way it does. When you have a synth channel part you're working on, the midi implementation stays to the one selected in the menu at the time from settings. It doesn't switch the active lane in use on a midi keyboard. So, to that affect, if you have auditioned a part for the one selected in settings, you can play it. Even while on other synth track lanes in tandem without interupting what part you're working on independently. There is no face button way to swap active synth midi channel, only in menu settings. The other take away, while live improvising parts for performance. If I want to record synth parts, I don't want to hit record, and automatically start playing back what I have already recorded. I'm having to clear sections I created for patterns to record a new pattern, which should be able to record 5 sections, the synth lanes, and the rhythm section independently. If I have my mixer going, and multiple synths playing chords, and arps. I don't wish to have a new synth layer recording get jarred by triggering the drum pattern I was saving for later suddenly. This might be a usb over midi messages error tbh, this occured only since running it via AIRA usb from the MX-1. I use the master clock dial from the MX-1 to control the GAIA 2, and SH-4d. While leaving the Tr-8S to it's own clock.
Finally something that is unique from Roland and not a rehash of rehash. I hope they can do a firmware on the visual arp so the modulations dont stop after changing pages tho.
This is the first synth/groovebox that I'm actually considering for purchase. It's pricey as a first purchase but seems like a bargain for its capabilities.
I picked this up recently and love it. Some downsides: You can't do multitrack audio nor midi over USB unless you have a Mac or PC on the other side.. Additionally it seems (at least with Logic Pro/ iPad and Mac) if you try to send midi to it the firmware has a meltdown.
I like how they gave you more hands on functionality but overall I'm not impressed. I still have MC-707 if I want Zencore sounds. Roland basically gutted the 707 and put the leftovers in this cheaper synth. They should focus more on updating existing gear.
You are of course entitled to your opinion, but IMO a lot of people are tired of Roland relaunching already existing product lines. This is an original, modern synth at a highly competitive price point, with a nod to the past with retro styling. Where else can you get polyphonic sequencing, quad-timbral functionality, multiple synth engines, in a compact design and at this particular price ($650) - from a company whose products almost always either meet or (usually) exceed its original selling price in the second-hand market.
@@trueneutral3092 People liked my comment for a reason. There are plenty of better options out there but I'm not going to list them all for you. It baffles me why you would respond to an opinion that's not yours to begin with. I don't care what you think. 😅
massive own goal in not supporting zencore. Great form factor, nice sound...but wow... how could they miss that perfect opportunity to implement in effect an MC101 with full synth control
It does look great (and omits the garish greens from the System-1 etc)..almost Moog like in fact, but ...I have gone ahead and ordered the MC-101 this morning (310 quid, brand new from Amazon Warehouse (full warranty etc), as the lack of Zencore, and lower poly count, compared to the 101, and the staggering amount of sounds/models from Zencore in built (and packs as add ons) makes the MC still IMHO a no brainer
I love the JD-Xi and this seems like an improvement (if you have a midi controller lying around) - more parts, direct control over the sound shaping, and a better sequencer. Very interesting. The JD-Xi has far more pcm presets though, and no user samples is a bit of a dealbreaker for now.
JD Xi is a horrible live performing tool, you have to go through pages and pages of menus to do anything to the sound, if this is your idea of immediate and fun, knock yourself out. Presets on JD Xi are a joke and embarrassment.
@@CedricSatterfield JD Xi is a horrible experience, not a horrible sounding synth. If workflow is more important than, well JD Xi is just a lul of an experience. I think I had a total of 4 knobs on the JD Xi, resonance, cutoff, FX1 & 2. It is such a limiting experience, again it doesn't sound bad but you need to tether it to a PC to get access to all those other controls, even ADSR.
@@dankeplace I agree. People shouldn't have to hack together editors for stuff like that. I can't imagine what it was like programming the larger Jdxa for a Duran Duran show!
@@CedricSatterfield I sold my JDXA, not because it wasn't nice sounding, but due to it being overwhelming in my mixes and left very little space for my other gear. I guess that's due to the nature of the design and that is was a big, bold sounding hybrid synth. Programming it required patience imo.
Nice to see companies trying new stuff but the Roland workflow is a pain in the .......I hope this is different,got to see more videos of course to make up my mind .It packs a bunch for the price point.
Nice synth in typical Roland fashion where they repackage previous tech in a different form factor and with a few additional/different bells and whistles. Between the System 8 and the JD-XAa i think I've got most oft his covered though.
I was totally thinking diverse repackaging too a la (mc505-mc307-D2), I'll deal in on this one as I missed the sys8, didn't think they discon it so soon, haha
I just ordered one of these after watching your video. Honestly think it will be a great conpanion for my mpc live 2. Both got batteries and arent too big. I can hook a keystep into it
I always come back to your vids..... the more i get it, the more i see in your vids....i took a punt on the 4d and really glad that I did. its a perfect on the go companion. took it to synth night at the pub and hooked it up to the huge PA system and..... went for the mysterioso (4d) preset. Boom ! this is lot more accessible than the mc707, got a bit more than the trs8 and although zencore light.... its more than enough.....silky smooth, with subtle harmonics even when turned up to 11 on a PA system. its definitely a bit deeper than it seems. thanks again.
Oh man, saw this last night and the first thing I thought was that finally they were launching a desktop synth that included their iArpeggiator. But no dice I would have preordered instantly!
Interesting. It looks like they've taken the core (pardon the pun) of the Jupiter xm / jupiter x (including the 5 parts, but minus the i arpeggiator mode)& added a few things (visual sequencer, motion sensor) and simplified the sound engine parameters. If the price is right (500 pounds or thereabouts) and the visual sequencer outputs midi and can keep.running without being on screen (currently it can't), then it'll hopefully sell well.
Definite buy for me. Certainly some crossover to how I use the JD-Xi and Jupiter XM, but I can see dozens of ways that this will play very nicely with the X and Xm. Happy to see the many lessons of Jupiter firmware 1.0 - 3.0 applied to this out of the box.
@@avace917 yeah, those roland reps;) not same but close enough imho. Don’t see the point of this synth existing really. But it is just me. So many synth out there, what’s the point of another zencorish mini syth? Idk
This tutorial is awesome. Got this machine a couple of months ago, but I was only able to turn it on yesterday the first time. Very informative but the only thing is...in the one hour video, not one mention, where you can change the tempo...
This is it! Amazing! Stunning! Fabulous! Gorgeous! Will replace a MoogOne any day. But i cant buy this one since it has no ChatGPT based self composing.
All I have to say is if y’all think you know this synth you don’t! I didn’t realize how hardcore it is until I got it in my own hands. All these videos I watched lead me to purchase it because I thought it had decent sounding synth engines, but it actually has surpassed my expectations. It gives my Virus Ti a run for its money, and in my book that says a lot. I’m blow away and I only had it one day. Keep in mind I’m not making cute little jams with its sequencer, I’m making that floor rattling shit you would hear in them early-late 90s dirty abandoned warehouses at 3am.
@@vznquest the virus Ti-1 (which I have) is by far the better synth. It has a lot more going on in general. I recommend you deep dive into the hard stats for the answers you need. You will get a better rundown then what I could explain in this comments tread. The drums, sequencer, and sliders on the 4D are the advantage it has over the Virus. It’s more portable and has updated tech like battery/usb C power options as well, but over all they can both accomplish similar synth tasks with the exception of drums on the 4D. I use them both with the Keystep pro so my workflow of them both are not the same as some one that doesn’t use them with a KSP. So take that into account as well. If you want more of a groove box experience, the 4D might be better, but if you don’t plan to use the drums as much, the Virus might be a better choice.
@@thedeepblueskys thx for the input. the drums would be cool to have but I wouldn't get as a groovebox (as I have many already) I'm more in it for the synth capabilities and interface. I'm all about the pads, supersaws, reece bass (DNB) and live performance capabilities. With that in mind, which one would you go for?
@@vznquest I would get the 4D for the live applications over the Virus because of the ease of use, size, and four timbre sliders. It’s FX section is a lot easier to use then most things I own. Plus the filter is awesome. The drive on it has great boost and pushes the oscillators into very punchy territory. I’m really impressed with the filter and FX at how easy there are to find them sweat spots. With that said the simple layout of the Amp & LFO compliments them very well. The virus to me is more complex and needs more attention. I prefer it in the studio. In fact my virus will never leave my home. The 4D however I’m planning to take it to practice for my live duo sets I do with someone. We use two TR-08s for drums and loaded samples. So basically I think it would be great for what you mentioned. I only bought the 4D for the synth abilities my self and don’t plan to use the drums all that much other then non traditional rhythmic additions. It’s got a few downsides that I’m optimistic they will improve with firmware in the future. One of the main ones is how annoying it it’s to save your work on it. It’s kinda stupid in that aspect. I don’t plan on chaining patterns either, and from what I seen, there’s a few issues going on with that too. I’m more primitive and minimal when it comes to live performances anyways. With that in mind, jamming with the arp is super inspiring with that filter and awesomeness I mentioned above. You might just like this for what your talking about using it for. It’s kinda similar to why I got it.
Don’t really know how I feel about it as an mc-101 user it looks like it takes a lot away. Like the normal zencore pcm list is ~1900 samples and the VA style synths are all just less than the zencore stuff. Draw and wave table look nice though and it seems like it will be pretty reasonably priced. So that’s cool. Good straightforward video as always, thanks!
Hey Ben, my take on this is that it seems geared towards someone who is leaning more into the synth *performance* side of things and currently using the MC-101 as a synth sound module today wishing it has more hands-on control. As a pure groovebox, the MC-101 seems like the more flexible option since it can technically do more, with more romples and Zencore depth, sample playback, more capable sequencing beyond 64 steps, etc. Plus, it's way smaller and less expensive (I think?). I do like that Roland is pushing more usb-c and battery-powered multitimbral options, but I don't think this is worthy of an MC-101 replacement unless you love to tweak synth timres live. Or, if you really want one more track - actually that was something I didn't realize first but you get 5 tracks on this thing. That's nice!
Scrolling through a list of 1900 samples sounds like a complete nightmare, even with some filtering options. At that point I'd rather use DAW based synths/samplers - this device looks like it provides hands on control as the first consideration, and considering the product alone without comparing to others or thinking about cloud features, it looks like a nice balance of features/power with a way better interface than on many recent Roland products. Having a 'curated' selection of PCM sample sounds looks like a bonus additional sound generation option. This is just another option from Roland - as an owner of some of the Roland Boutiques this looks like a fun option in a much nicer physical format that could be a replacement for having a few of those (with the simple synth interfaces) in a single box (although the synth models of SH/106 here are probably not as good as the ACB models).
@@sinewaymusic yeah I see where you’re coming from. After reading the manual and digesting a bit more I can definitely see where it could fit in as a multitimbral synth in a larger setup. I also appreciate the usb-c/batter power and I really like that Roland is putting the mix in jacks on things. It seems like it really encourages expansion and that’s cool. Obviously I’m biased to the mc-101/groovebox stuff and so looking at it from the lens of “all in one production/sound design/performance” maybe the 101 makes more sense but from the angle of “I want to add any Roland sound from the last 50 years into my synth track as quickly and easily as possible” the sh-4d is probably unrivaled. More options are always better! And yes like you said the rhythm track looks surprisingly powerful. With what appear to be single cycle wave forms in the pcm list, pitch/amp/filter envelopes, you could have a whole 24 part (!) drum synth on the 5th track. Definitely plenty to really dig into.
@@wavesequencer yeah I should have clarified I meant more “don’t know if it’s something I’d buy as an mc-101 owner” not “don’t know if it should exist in the same world as the 101”. Like I replied to Sineway above I can see how it would fit in a larger setup and there’s definitely some opportunity for deep diving into it. For the way I work I think for now I’ve decided not to spend my money on it but I think it could be really great for people that vibe with it.
I haven't used the mc101 but I have used older roland synths and they are a horror show for making patches. Working with a computer to do your sound design and then tweaking with the hardware works, but its a very different user experience.
Hmmm... if I didn't have an MC101 already, I may have been tempted. It's a question of what is more important to the user. I think it's a fair trade-off, less control and more sounds on the 101.
Yep, I picked up a 101 a few months back and was pretty worried when I saw this drop. Though after watching, I'd rather stick with the 101/707 style. The lack of synth engine depth, presets and compatibility with the ZenCore soundpacks are all dealbreakers for me. Thankfully still very happy with my little 101!
@@vjfxtheory Nope, it doesn't. But those are different engines. This does a little bit of everything, the 101/707 both offer pretty much the full ZenologyPro functionality. Sure it'd be nice to have everything in one box, but for me personally I'd rather take the 101-style over the inclusion of additive/wavetable. Especially if there's no options for custom wavetables.
@@vjfxtheory those are model expansions for ZenologyPro though. I'd have been more interested in this if it had more model expansions (specifically the JX-8P and Jupiter-8), which I don't believe are included here.
For now, this is the be-all and end-all desktop synth in its reasonable price range. Kudos, Roland. And thank you for this incredible 'video user manual'. If this becomes popular, they should think about making an upscale version (sh6 or sh8) that has the corresponding individual outs and maybe velocity-sensitive pitch keys with aftertouch.
They should make one with the same sounds as the 101 BUT with 8/16 tracks, battery-powered. And with piano synth keys and a sequencer song mode like the FA-06
I actually like it. Don’t need it. But if the price is right and they iron the quirks it’s quite nice. I see it as an Electribe 2 contender. That was fun and hands on too. But yeah I’ll stick to my M8 for groove box needs. I know it’s a different beast but for me that one ticks all the boxes. Especially with the new firmware coming soon.
I had a SH-101£250 poly 800 £499 roland tr505 £250 a crappy boss delay box £200 yamaha fm cm computer £250 Yamaha QX21 sequencer £200 round about £1600 .... And this box does it all pretty amazing
When you have an MC-707 powerhorse and its little portable brother MC-101, but decide to invest in a new product (pointless, because in that price tag there are a lot of good digital synths) instead of improving what you already have .... (more sample time, live looper, granular effect, export midi function, fix midi recording over chained clips, ...), ...
@@mikenofacetrue if you need deep sound design (and hate menu diving). This device exposes more parameters on the panel, but I doubt it can create sounds that cannot be created on a 707/101. And it misses all mixing/sequencing/sampling capabilities of the two grooveboxes. And I think that a 64 step sequencer with no micro timing, pattern lengths, song mode etc etc in 2023 is a joke ...: -)
Ok i'll stop commenting on facebook :D The chords functionality is easy and brilliant! The inversions, balance... that's pretty damn cool. Kind of sold me on the whole thing tbh.
Chord functionality is similar to a couple of recent Elektron boxes, and that’s a good thing. Roland seems to be learning a bit, finally. They haven’t made a usable groovebox since the MC505, this looks like fun.
@@sub-jec-tiv are the elektrons that simple to achieve that with, though? I had a Digitakt and couldn't handle the menu diving. Actually the overall Elektron experience ended up feeling so non-musical to me, regardless of how powerful the sequencers/machines truly are. obviously subjective experience.
Looks a lot more professional than some other Roland desktop synths I’ve seen in recent years. Some of them look like toys. This seems like a solid instrument. I notice that both Yamaha and Roland need to step up their synth game. They are the OG’s and the sound is always there, but they need to take notes from some of the other producers. Simple is better. If you’re going to produce an affordable product, make every dollar count. Instead of a digital screen and a hundred choices of effects and synth engines, why not just a really killer poly synth with an inspiring workflow?
This new product raises more questions than answers. 1) Why didn't they just update the JD-Xi? There is a fairly large community of happy JD-Xi users out there that would happily upgrade their unit. Best portable/party synth ever. 2) Roland has spent so much time/money building out the ecosystem of Zen-core, to make this not compatible to load new Zen-core sounds seems inconsistent with their direction. 3) What the hell does Roland have against a "song" mode in their sequencers? This is highly requested functionality across all their existing synths with a sequencer and yet they continue to launch products without it. Just not sure where this fits in their product lineup given there is so much overlap with other Roland products...
They'll probably add the song mode in an update later, rather than wait longer and get that option working before announcement and release. Wouldn't be the first time. JD-Xi runs on dated hardware that they don't support anymore.
Seems like an update of the Malekko Manther concept, which was based on Roland SH-101 synth. Fantastic video. Your intro is smart by letting us hear the synth and a concise overview of what makes it special. I plan on getting this for sure. Thanks for another wonderful demo/review video Loopop!
Thanks, mate. Great introduction again 👍 Switched my screen off for watching the rest of the video, however. The Modal Craft Gen 1's design was arguably awful, but this box's (lack of) aesthetics come quite close😵 Aurally it's an entirely different story, though 😍
It would have been worth the money to put something more playable than just those buttons on it. A few performance pads, maybe. But everything above the buttons is actually sort of an appealing package. After years of frustrating people with digital Boutique synths, Roland have finally figured out how to make instruments that are improved by having digital synth engines.
I have both the SH-4d and the MC-707. I actually think the screen is much better on the SH-4d (it's viewing angles are so much better) which to me is bizarre
![[TH] 2024 PMGC League | Survival Stage วันที่ 1 | PUBG MOBILE Global Championship](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FVFT-PFwU80/mqdefault.jpg)
I mean, the problem is not the instrument, its the artist behind it . Even with limited features, a good artist will always be able to create a good tune. Think about it. Thx for the video, im convinced ❤
the best feature is: NO GREEN ANYMORE on the panel/case! 🥳
I have actively avoided Roland gear over the last few years because of the green.
lol I loved the toxic green color scheme
@@bartosz_xenon me too
I love their green to death
I actually liked the green
Finally more multitimbral polysynths. I don't get why they don't release more machines like this.
Multitimbral polysynths are Korg's and Roland's bread and butter (usually with a lot more menu-diving than shown here). Few others will also do it, understandably. Most folks only want one timbre at a time, or mix different mono-timbral synths for whatever they are doing.
This looks like a JD-Xi successor, if with reduced polyphony in exchange for radically way more capability.
They gotta make money
@@Jason75913 look up the Sh32 then you know which one it was modeled after XD
@@femto859 this is waaayyyyy better than the sh32
Multitimbrality at this price point is pretty unique. I can think of the Blofeld, but not much else. You have to play a lot more for a Korg with that feature as far as I know. Someone certainly knows more than me.
I really appreciate how you dive right in showing all the complicated menus and settings so I instantly stop thinking I will buy tthis and enjoy your video of mastering the thing like I never will or even atempt to. I knew within 4 minutes this thing isn't for me.
Six Roland SH-4d Reviews dropping at the same time and this channel is the obvious starting point.
I check out True Cuckoo too to find out if it can make more esoteric noises.
Agreed 👍🏼 Loopops honest and straightforward breakdown/reviews can make or break new units.. Like politics, TH-cam can become a dirty business. here’s hoping Mr. Loopop :) continues to keep it real ☕️🎹🔉🎵🎶
This channel for all the specs and details. Sonicstate for musical demos.
@@entropybentwhistle I would check out cuckoo but they did demo songs for it, not sure if that's going to impart bias or not, same for Alex ball and red means recording who also have songs in it
@@entropybentwhistle he made it sound so different then anybody he is such a unique music master
I just had my MC-505 upgraded, blue LED screen, new faders and knobs, cleaned up, and brand new again, few things, this box could totally be your 3 piece band, drums, bass, keys, build songs from the foundation of that for sonic cohesion, much like older arranger workstation keyboards/systems, but with more electronic type styles, the Zencore emulation is pretty close the real Roland synths of the 80s, or feels/sounds good enough to be mistaken for that (I have a few retro Roland things now, (Juno, SC-880, MC505, stage pianos etc along with Roland Cloud, Zenbeats on the tablet) ironically, instead of Zencore, it's more like Zenbox, that's what it would end up being, headphones on, sitting on the couch or somewhere nice in the sun creating chill electronic synth-based music to build songs from. Its nice to see Roland return to form with this machine, I didn't connect to the new groove boxes, felt like something was missing, but this makes up for it. Great review as always, and 10 points for the overlay holographic style frequency display floating above most of your videos. A nice touch I thought. Cheers, J (edit, fixed typos, almost did a TLDR)
Can’t wait to see this thing on a future bad gear episode
YEap lol
🤣 See you next time!
👊🤣👍
It’s ticking all the boxes.
@@geofff6671 lol... now that is on point!! 👊🤣👍
My Digitakt/Digitone combo has been a nearly never-ending antidote for G.A.S. New gear is always tempting, but space, money, and *time* are limited resources, and Elektron checks almost all of my boxes. I can make any sound imaginable. Although this Roland box looks more like something that I'd be interested in than anything else I've seen from them...my DT/DN can do it all with better build quality, the greatest sequencer ever, a smaller footprint, and a workflow that I'm extremely familiar with. I'm not sure how anyone has time to become fluent with multiple workflows on a dozen devices in the first place (like the tabletops filled with gear that seem so common)-let alone time to actually make music. But, cheers to Roland for not making yet another baby-fingered boutique again...and again...and again.
Sounds like you're talking to yourself to tame the GAS. 😂 (If so, I can relate.)
love my Digitone and Analog Heat combo. Great portable solution. Rytm is my favorite groove box though since can finger drum and still have bass and drum going. Virus does a lot as well with 16 multi timbral parts and best arpeggiator.
Thought for a minute about swapping the Digitone for this, but that box is hard to beat. Now my Jx08 will for sure go. This and the digitakt are surely to get along well.
My only reservation considering the Elektron synths was the low polyphony. I want to be able to play with both hands and a sustain pedal.
That's one thing I really appreciate about Roland. Most of their recent gear is highly polyphonic.
But other than that the Elektron kit looks amazing and I'm kinda jealous.
@@GuitarsAndSynths Nice I got the same combo except a SP404MK2 for fingerdrumming, and it is good to keep the buying impulses down...... and I still want a Syntakt damit. The Rytm MK2 is also very cool but also big and expensive, deciding on a good drum machine has been difficult and now this SH-4d, too many interesting options
This just came in the mail today. Best digital synth / sequencer under $1000 I've ever owned. Wow.
Awesome, I just ordered one, very excited.
Glad to hear ordering this
Seems like a pretty good value in an age of everything going bananas with pricing. Thanks for the video!
At last a synth released on the 21st century with a decent poliphony (60 voices)
this seems really exciting! right before these were announced i was planning on buying a circuit tracks. my brother works at a music shop that is a roland dealer so he suggested i wait to check this out. im a relative newbie to synths and making music on my own without using a daw and currently only have a reface dx and an old drum machine. the sh-4d definitely is a little more daunting when it comes to learning how to use it but i think this will serve me much longer.
This is a great synth, but the sequencer and "groovebox" aspects aren't as deep, fast, or fun to use as the Circuit Tracks. I love them both.
It's like a modern SH-32. A lot of people never got along with it but I loved that little desktop synth. I could see myself picking this up, it looks so much fun.
Finally someone seeing the same thing I saw. I loved that thing. The only bad thing was the inability to save presets.
@@vjfxtheory and less than half the voice count
@@vjfxtheory it did have a sequencer
i loved my sh-32
@@Patriotic_Eagle1995 1/3 of the price but less than 1/2 the voice count, that would mean you're still in front yes?
So if you buy 2, you have the same amount, maybe 8 voices less, 2 drum parts, 8 synth parts and still 33% cheaper than the Xm?
Thanks for the few cuts in the video. This allows me to really (personally) focus on your explanations and the desktop, which also gives me a great learning experience. It's such a nice contrast to other people's videos and I really enjoy it. Furthermore, your explanation leaves me satisfied and without further questions in a completeness that I cannot find anywhere else. So, thank you for all the effort that obviously goes into your videos.
Another down to earth review.. It’s interesting, having followed Loopop for many years now, you can tell when he is genuinely impressed by a new unit (whatever it might be) Not so much here 😏 Please continue to keep it real and honest ☕️🎹🔉🎵🎶
weird because this a really impressive piece of great and a great step in the right direction from roland.
Yeah it really needs a song mode. It blow my mind that my Yamaha RM1x from '93 is a billion times better hardware sequencer than anything released nowadays, at least from what I've seen.
Elektron
Wow! They discovered actual lcd screens larger than an inch! 😱
😆 🤣
Duh-duh-da-da-da-duh, Duh-duh-da-da-da-duh
Ahahahahaaha
Not the first time. Many Rolands synthesizers have larger LCD screens than 2,54cm.
Still they forgot to add individual outputs to a multitimbral synth :(
I’d love that screen on my VerseLab MV-1 and MC-101 for sure
You are the authority on everything synth. Hands down bro.
It’s Verselab dressed in synth! I sold MV-1 because it did not have ^^^these^^^ intuitive controls to scroll/manage engines and hands-on synth playing. I like batteries option for travel and audio/midi inputs to connect OP-Z or X-Keys for small portable dawless. It’s a less-boring groovebox overall, nice.
Thanks Loopop to deep dive thru the device ideas in an hour along with good music and entertainment!
Fat is interesting! Gosh I love one stop scroll or knob twist to change preset W/O a need to scroll AND press again!
I love this synth engine machine. I have two things I find happening, one is not bad at all. Even advantageous that it works the way it does. When you have a synth channel part you're working on, the midi implementation stays to the one selected in the menu at the time from settings. It doesn't switch the active lane in use on a midi keyboard. So, to that affect, if you have auditioned a part for the one selected in settings, you can play it. Even while on other synth track lanes in tandem without interupting what part you're working on independently. There is no face button way to swap active synth midi channel, only in menu settings.
The other take away, while live improvising parts for performance. If I want to record synth parts, I don't want to hit record, and automatically start playing back what I have already recorded. I'm having to clear sections I created for patterns to record a new pattern, which should be able to record 5 sections, the synth lanes, and the rhythm section independently. If I have my mixer going, and multiple synths playing chords, and arps. I don't wish to have a new synth layer recording get jarred by triggering the drum pattern I was saving for later suddenly.
This might be a usb over midi messages error tbh, this occured only since running it via AIRA usb from the MX-1. I use the master clock dial from the MX-1 to control the GAIA 2, and SH-4d. While leaving the Tr-8S to it's own clock.
I have another inquiry too.
Having some sort of favorites bank in the firmware to call back on would be super helpful.
Man oh man. The designers that put these things together. Megakudos for providing such an in-depth review.
seriously! and yet people still bitch without understanding whats going on
Finally something that is unique from Roland and not a rehash of rehash. I hope they can do a firmware on the visual arp so the modulations dont stop after changing pages tho.
The midi information coming out of the box towards the end... very nice touch mister loopop!
This is the first synth/groovebox that I'm actually considering for purchase. It's pricey as a first purchase but seems like a bargain for its capabilities.
Fantastic demo. I’ve been eyeing this Beaty for a while now
This is the best thing I have seen from Roland in a while.
Not as good as MC-707, among others.
I picked this up recently and love it. Some downsides: You can't do multitrack audio nor midi over USB unless you have a Mac or PC on the other side.. Additionally it seems (at least with Logic Pro/ iPad and Mac) if you try to send midi to it the firmware has a meltdown.
That's a shame since the smaller, and far cheaper Roland S1 has class compliant audio. I would hope they add it in a firmware update.
It does midi over USB fine with my mpc.
I like how they gave you more hands on functionality but overall I'm not impressed. I still have MC-707 if I want Zencore sounds. Roland basically gutted the 707 and put the leftovers in this cheaper synth. They should focus more on updating existing gear.
You are of course entitled to your opinion, but IMO a lot of people are tired of Roland relaunching already existing product lines. This is an original, modern synth at a highly competitive price point, with a nod to the past with retro styling. Where else can you get polyphonic sequencing, quad-timbral functionality, multiple synth engines, in a compact design and at this particular price ($650) - from a company whose products almost always either meet or (usually) exceed its original selling price in the second-hand market.
@@trueneutral3092 People liked my comment for a reason. There are plenty of better options out there but I'm not going to list them all for you. It baffles me why you would respond to an opinion that's not yours to begin with. I don't care what you think. 😅
massive own goal in not supporting zencore. Great form factor, nice sound...but wow... how could they miss that perfect opportunity to implement in effect an MC101 with full synth control
It does look great (and omits the garish greens from the System-1 etc)..almost Moog like in fact, but ...I have gone ahead and ordered the MC-101 this morning (310 quid, brand new from Amazon Warehouse (full warranty etc), as the lack of Zencore, and lower poly count, compared to the 101, and the staggering amount of sounds/models from Zencore in built (and packs as add ons) makes the MC still IMHO a no brainer
Thank you for your very clear and down to earth reviews. If somebody wants in depth info about any synth, yours is the recommended one. Subscribed.
I love the JD-Xi and this seems like an improvement (if you have a midi controller lying around) - more parts, direct control over the sound shaping, and a better sequencer. Very interesting. The JD-Xi has far more pcm presets though, and no user samples is a bit of a dealbreaker for now.
JD Xi is a horrible live performing tool, you have to go through pages and pages of menus to do anything to the sound, if this is your idea of immediate and fun, knock yourself out.
Presets on JD Xi are a joke and embarrassment.
Was wondering the same- can get an old Jdxi with mic for 400 locally.....or Thursday. Need to read some more on this one.
@@CedricSatterfield JD Xi is a horrible experience, not a horrible sounding synth.
If workflow is more important than, well JD Xi is just a lul of an experience.
I think I had a total of 4 knobs on the JD Xi, resonance, cutoff, FX1 & 2.
It is such a limiting experience, again it doesn't sound bad but you need to tether it to a PC to get access to all those other controls, even ADSR.
@@dankeplace I agree. People shouldn't have to hack together editors for stuff like that. I can't imagine what it was like programming the larger Jdxa for a Duran Duran show!
@@CedricSatterfield I sold my JDXA, not because it wasn't nice sounding, but due to it being overwhelming in my mixes and left very little space for my other gear.
I guess that's due to the nature of the design and that is was a big, bold sounding hybrid synth.
Programming it required patience imo.
Roland and loopop just when I was about to sleep. I'll just be late tomorrow.
So surprised the display isn’t their usual single-line 8-character segment display from 1986.
You'd be surprised how many multi-line screens they've made since the '80s. But too many single line screens as well.
Welcome to Bad Gear...🙌..
sorry it's a Loopop video..
Nice to see companies trying new stuff but the Roland workflow is a pain in the .......I hope this is different,got to see more videos of course to make up my mind .It packs a bunch for the price point.
Nice synth in typical Roland fashion where they repackage previous tech in a different form factor and with a few additional/different bells and whistles. Between the System 8 and the JD-XAa i think I've got most oft his covered though.
I was totally thinking diverse repackaging too a la (mc505-mc307-D2), I'll deal in on this one as I missed the sys8, didn't think they discon it so soon, haha
JD-Xa? The basically watered down FA-06 with a crummy analogue synth shoe-horned in with a price hike?
I just ordered one of these after watching your video. Honestly think it will be a great conpanion for my mpc live 2. Both got batteries and arent too big. I can hook a keystep into it
I always come back to your vids..... the more i get it, the more i see in your vids....i took a punt on the 4d and really glad that I did. its a perfect on the go companion. took it to synth night at the pub and hooked it up to the huge PA system and..... went for the mysterioso (4d) preset. Boom ! this is lot more accessible than the mc707, got a bit more than the trs8 and although zencore light.... its more than enough.....silky smooth, with subtle harmonics even when turned up to 11 on a PA system. its definitely a bit deeper than it seems. thanks again.
Oh man, saw this last night and the first thing I thought was that finally they were launching a desktop synth that included their iArpeggiator. But no dice I would have preordered instantly!
Interesting. It looks like they've taken the core (pardon the pun) of the Jupiter xm / jupiter x (including the 5 parts, but minus the i arpeggiator mode)& added a few things (visual sequencer, motion sensor) and simplified the sound engine parameters.
If the price is right (500 pounds or thereabouts) and the visual sequencer outputs midi and can keep.running without being on screen (currently it can't), then it'll hopefully sell well.
It's really a shame it doesn't have a song or chain function. I like the synth, but I think I'll wait for the next firmware. Thanks for the review.
58:30 it's sounds like a Fruity loops 3.5 but hardware and 20 years late...
It would be great if Roland would implement 4 op FM to possibly give Electron some competition
Roland and FM? I don't think they do FM! 😅
Definite buy for me. Certainly some crossover to how I use the JD-Xi and Jupiter XM, but I can see dozens of ways that this will play very nicely with the X and Xm. Happy to see the many lessons of Jupiter firmware 1.0 - 3.0 applied to this out of the box.
So you plan to add this onto the XM. I've had my eye on that for a while. I'm planning on grabbing that, this and the MPC Live 2
So you are planning to buy third same synth?
@@artephank I saw a Sonic State demo where the Roland rep said this is not Zencore or ACB. This is something different
@@artephank yes, but only to piss you off 😄
@@avace917 yeah, those roland reps;) not same but close enough imho. Don’t see the point of this synth existing really. But it is just me. So many synth out there, what’s the point of another zencorish mini syth? Idk
This tutorial is awesome. Got this machine a couple of months ago, but I was only able to turn it on yesterday the first time. Very informative but the only thing is...in the one hour video, not one mention, where you can change the tempo...
This is where I come to learn the shizzle. The one of only 2 youtubers I actually listen to when it comes to all things synths. XLNT chennel bro!
Wow so many new cool lines of synthesizers. I want to ingest all the information on this one that I can. Very Impressed!
Thank you so much. Where was the Roland company before? This is exactly what I need to start my hardware setup
This is it! Amazing! Stunning! Fabulous! Gorgeous! Will replace a MoogOne any day. But i cant buy this one since it has no ChatGPT based self composing.
Yay - just picked one up today - first customer in Australia I reckon :)
They almost got it right but no pattern chaining or song mode a deal breaker
All I have to say is if y’all think you know this synth you don’t! I didn’t realize how hardcore it is until I got it in my own hands. All these videos I watched lead me to purchase it because I thought it had decent sounding synth engines, but it actually has surpassed my expectations. It gives my Virus Ti a run for its money, and in my book that says a lot. I’m blow away and I only had it one day. Keep in mind I’m not making cute little jams with its sequencer, I’m making that floor rattling shit you would hear in them early-late 90s dirty abandoned warehouses at 3am.
What are its pros and cons vs the Virus so far? These are my two main synths in contention right now..
@@vznquest the virus Ti-1 (which I have) is by far the better synth. It has a lot more going on in general. I recommend you deep dive into the hard stats for the answers you need. You will get a better rundown then what I could explain in this comments tread. The drums, sequencer, and sliders on the 4D are the advantage it has over the Virus. It’s more portable and has updated tech like battery/usb C power options as well, but over all they can both accomplish similar synth tasks with the exception of drums on the 4D. I use them both with the Keystep pro so my workflow of them both are not the same as some one that doesn’t use them with a KSP. So take that into account as well. If you want more of a groove box experience, the 4D might be better, but if you don’t plan to use the drums as much, the Virus might be a better choice.
@@thedeepblueskys thx for the input. the drums would be cool to have but I wouldn't get as a groovebox (as I have many already) I'm more in it for the synth capabilities and interface. I'm all about the pads, supersaws, reece bass (DNB) and live performance capabilities. With that in mind, which one would you go for?
but is better than the MC-303?
@@vznquest I would get the 4D for the live applications over the Virus because of the ease of use, size, and four timbre sliders. It’s FX section is a lot easier to use then most things I own. Plus the filter is awesome. The drive on it has great boost and pushes the oscillators into very punchy territory. I’m really impressed with the filter and FX at how easy there are to find them sweat spots. With that said the simple layout of the Amp & LFO compliments them very well. The virus to me is more complex and needs more attention. I prefer it in the studio. In fact my virus will never leave my home. The 4D however I’m planning to take it to practice for my live duo sets I do with someone. We use two TR-08s for drums and loaded samples. So basically I think it would be great for what you mentioned. I only bought the 4D for the synth abilities my self and don’t plan to use the drums all that much other then non traditional rhythmic additions. It’s got a few downsides that I’m optimistic they will improve with firmware in the future. One of the main ones is how annoying it it’s to save your work on it. It’s kinda stupid in that aspect. I don’t plan on chaining patterns either, and from what I seen, there’s a few issues going on with that too. I’m more primitive and minimal when it comes to live performances anyways. With that in mind, jamming with the arp is super inspiring with that filter and awesomeness I mentioned above. You might just like this for what your talking about using it for. It’s kinda similar to why I got it.
This thing looks sick as hell
Oh Roland, I want to love your gear so much.
Thank you so much for your in depth sonic look into this fun and exciting machine.
Don’t really know how I feel about it as an mc-101 user it looks like it takes a lot away. Like the normal zencore pcm list is ~1900 samples and the VA style synths are all just less than the zencore stuff. Draw and wave table look nice though and it seems like it will be pretty reasonably priced. So that’s cool. Good straightforward video as always, thanks!
Hey Ben, my take on this is that it seems geared towards someone who is leaning more into the synth *performance* side of things and currently using the MC-101 as a synth sound module today wishing it has more hands-on control.
As a pure groovebox, the MC-101 seems like the more flexible option since it can technically do more, with more romples and Zencore depth, sample playback, more capable sequencing beyond 64 steps, etc. Plus, it's way smaller and less expensive (I think?).
I do like that Roland is pushing more usb-c and battery-powered multitimbral options, but I don't think this is worthy of an MC-101 replacement unless you love to tweak synth timres live. Or, if you really want one more track - actually that was something I didn't realize first but you get 5 tracks on this thing. That's nice!
Scrolling through a list of 1900 samples sounds like a complete nightmare, even with some filtering options. At that point I'd rather use DAW based synths/samplers - this device looks like it provides hands on control as the first consideration, and considering the product alone without comparing to others or thinking about cloud features, it looks like a nice balance of features/power with a way better interface than on many recent Roland products. Having a 'curated' selection of PCM sample sounds looks like a bonus additional sound generation option. This is just another option from Roland - as an owner of some of the Roland Boutiques this looks like a fun option in a much nicer physical format that could be a replacement for having a few of those (with the simple synth interfaces) in a single box (although the synth models of SH/106 here are probably not as good as the ACB models).
@@sinewaymusic yeah I see where you’re coming from. After reading the manual and digesting a bit more I can definitely see where it could fit in as a multitimbral synth in a larger setup. I also appreciate the usb-c/batter power and I really like that Roland is putting the mix in jacks on things. It seems like it really encourages expansion and that’s cool. Obviously I’m biased to the mc-101/groovebox stuff and so looking at it from the lens of “all in one production/sound design/performance” maybe the 101 makes more sense but from the angle of “I want to add any Roland sound from the last 50 years into my synth track as quickly and easily as possible” the sh-4d is probably unrivaled. More options are always better!
And yes like you said the rhythm track looks surprisingly powerful. With what appear to be single cycle wave forms in the pcm list, pitch/amp/filter envelopes, you could have a whole 24 part (!) drum synth on the 5th track. Definitely plenty to really dig into.
@@wavesequencer yeah I should have clarified I meant more “don’t know if it’s something I’d buy as an mc-101 owner” not “don’t know if it should exist in the same world as the 101”. Like I replied to Sineway above I can see how it would fit in a larger setup and there’s definitely some opportunity for deep diving into it. For the way I work I think for now I’ve decided not to spend my money on it but I think it could be really great for people that vibe with it.
I haven't used the mc101 but I have used older roland synths and they are a horror show for making patches. Working with a computer to do your sound design and then tweaking with the hardware works, but its a very different user experience.
Hmmm... if I didn't have an MC101 already, I may have been tempted.
It's a question of what is more important to the user.
I think it's a fair trade-off, less control and more sounds on the 101.
Yep, I picked up a 101 a few months back and was pretty worried when I saw this drop. Though after watching, I'd rather stick with the 101/707 style. The lack of synth engine depth, presets and compatibility with the ZenCore soundpacks are all dealbreakers for me. Thankfully still very happy with my little 101!
@@vjfxtheory Nope, it doesn't. But those are different engines. This does a little bit of everything, the 101/707 both offer pretty much the full ZenologyPro functionality.
Sure it'd be nice to have everything in one box, but for me personally I'd rather take the 101-style over the inclusion of additive/wavetable. Especially if there's no options for custom wavetables.
@@vjfxtheory those are model expansions for ZenologyPro though. I'd have been more interested in this if it had more model expansions (specifically the JX-8P and Jupiter-8), which I don't believe are included here.
For now, this is the be-all and end-all desktop synth in its reasonable price range. Kudos, Roland. And thank you for this incredible 'video user manual'. If this becomes popular, they should think about making an upscale version (sh6 or sh8) that has the corresponding individual outs and maybe velocity-sensitive pitch keys with aftertouch.
I do love how they visualize the chord inversions!
Omg so happy, Roland finally listened to the users and came out with another digital synth 😂
best roland design iteration of this stuff in a while
They should make one with the same sounds as the 101 BUT with 8/16 tracks, battery-powered. And with piano synth keys and a sequencer song mode like the FA-06
I agree !
I actually like it. Don’t need it. But if the price is right and they iron the quirks it’s quite nice. I see it as an Electribe 2 contender. That was fun and hands on too.
But yeah I’ll stick to my M8 for groove box needs. I know it’s a different beast but for me that one ticks all the boxes. Especially with the new firmware coming soon.
Ooh I didn't know about new M8 firmware. Exciting!
but too bad that electribe 2 is from 2016
@@Asdrubale01 sp 1200 is old and I’d take it over a new sp anyday
I am very suspicious to work with software simulations like this - but this looks fun - even for the drums alone. That "visual arp" is super fun.
I'm not sure which part of the synth do you mean by software simulation?
@@distorson Devices like this, software generating the sounds of analogue instruments.
@@snörre23 but would that be a hardware simulation?
I had a SH-101£250 poly 800 £499 roland tr505 £250 a crappy boss delay box £200 yamaha fm cm computer £250 Yamaha QX21 sequencer £200 round about £1600 .... And this box does it all pretty amazing
When you have an MC-707 powerhorse and its little portable brother MC-101, but decide to invest in a new product (pointless, because in that price tag there are a lot of good digital synths) instead of improving what you already have .... (more sample time, live looper, granular effect, export midi function, fix midi recording over chained clips, ...), ...
More sample time is a hard limit in most cases.
See my other comments, spot on... insane move from Roland
MC-707 needs a computer control software so badly.
@@mikenofacetrue if you need deep sound design (and hate menu diving). This device exposes more parameters on the panel, but I doubt it can create sounds that cannot be created on a 707/101. And it misses all mixing/sequencing/sampling capabilities of the two grooveboxes. And I think that a 64 step sequencer with no micro timing, pattern lengths, song mode etc etc in 2023 is a joke ...: -)
@@Algoritmarte the Zen-Core grooveboxes don't have FM, wavetables, and DIY oscillator waveforms like SH-4d, duh
Ok i'll stop commenting on facebook :D The chords functionality is easy and brilliant! The inversions, balance... that's pretty damn cool. Kind of sold me on the whole thing tbh.
Chord functionality is similar to a couple of recent Elektron boxes, and that’s a good thing. Roland seems to be learning a bit, finally. They haven’t made a usable groovebox since the MC505, this looks like fun.
@@sub-jec-tiv are the elektrons that simple to achieve that with, though? I had a Digitakt and couldn't handle the menu diving. Actually the overall Elektron experience ended up feeling so non-musical to me, regardless of how powerful the sequencers/machines truly are. obviously subjective experience.
Agreed 👍
Looks a lot more professional than some other Roland desktop synths I’ve seen in recent years. Some of them look like toys. This seems like a solid instrument. I notice that both Yamaha and Roland need to step up their synth game. They are the OG’s and the sound is always there, but they need to take notes from some of the other producers. Simple is better. If you’re going to produce an affordable product, make every dollar count. Instead of a digital screen and a hundred choices of effects and synth engines, why not just a really killer poly synth with an inspiring workflow?
This
Superb video as uasual, this looks amazing reminds me of a baby TR8-S {LOVE THE BUILT IN PONG}
Forgot to say thank you again, Loopop. No machines are real until i hear you talk about them.
Best review as always. I'm a bit underwhelmed by the features. It's hard to beat the MC-707.
My thoughts exactly
If only the 707 had more sample time for live looping. 😢
If only the MC-707 had more sound design controls, wavetables, FM, and DIY oscillator waveforms like the SH-4d. 😢
WTF this loooks cool as HELL
Strong Roland SH-32 vibes.
Nice vid!
just realized u didnt do any videos on the sequential pro 3, sad because i just got mine and ur the first channel i came to look for info xD
This thing is a beast.
Now this is Roland's answer to Arturia's microFreak
Or probably the JD-Xi successor
I start to support Roland again if they still support this device in 10 years
No chance, stick to products by small companies like Novation if you want that.
couple more outputs for individual sounds instead of a stereo out would of convinced me it was something i needed.
Agree a multi synth with no individual outs is frustrating , I wonder if it has them over usb ?
It does, apparently.
Leave it to Loopop and Starsky to truly demonstrate how incredible this thing actually is.
Thorough review! Thank you.
A few sometimes come close ,but you are the best .Another great demo.
This new product raises more questions than answers. 1) Why didn't they just update the JD-Xi? There is a fairly large community of happy JD-Xi users out there that would happily upgrade their unit. Best portable/party synth ever. 2) Roland has spent so much time/money building out the ecosystem of Zen-core, to make this not compatible to load new Zen-core sounds seems inconsistent with their direction. 3) What the hell does Roland have against a "song" mode in their sequencers? This is highly requested functionality across all their existing synths with a sequencer and yet they continue to launch products without it. Just not sure where this fits in their product lineup given there is so much overlap with other Roland products...
They'll probably add the song mode in an update later, rather than wait longer and get that option working before announcement and release. Wouldn't be the first time.
JD-Xi runs on dated hardware that they don't support anymore.
Just wish it had more analog outs since the multi track USB on other roland gear requires you to use it as an audio interface.
I think the people who write Roland's manuals and demo songs are kept in the same cell...
ahaha 😂😂😂
Thank you for another great demo/review! Love the graphics.
Two things: good morning and… cool!!!❤
Give us a review of Expressive E Osmose! That looks amazing
your wish is my command, in a few weeks
Seems like an update of the Malekko Manther concept, which was based on Roland SH-101 synth. Fantastic video. Your intro is smart by letting us hear the synth and a concise overview of what makes it special. I plan on getting this for sure. Thanks for another wonderful demo/review video Loopop!
ого. 🎉 вот это пошла жара в синтостроении. а то все как с 90-х ушли в спячку, выпуская топовые синты.
Йес Мэн!
Что именно вас удивило? Мне показалось ничего особо нового нет..
Daaamn, I love Roland. Wonder how it pairs with the Sp404mkii
Very helpful details overall, thanks!
I am fetching a coffee and enjoy your review.
Those demos at the end are killer
Thanks, mate. Great introduction again 👍 Switched my screen off for watching the rest of the video, however. The Modal Craft Gen 1's design was arguably awful, but this box's (lack of) aesthetics come quite close😵 Aurally it's an entirely different story, though 😍
It would have been worth the money to put something more playable than just those buttons on it. A few performance pads, maybe. But everything above the buttons is actually sort of an appealing package. After years of frustrating people with digital Boutique synths, Roland have finally figured out how to make instruments that are improved by having digital synth engines.
I have both the SH-4d and the MC-707. I actually think the screen is much better on the SH-4d (it's viewing angles are so much better) which to me is bizarre
I'm having MC-307 flashbacks with some of the UI choices
Missed opportunity to include the arp styles of the mc-505 (rhythm, strumming, latin, mambo etc... )
Nobody loves multicolor LED's more than Roland.