I just got this synth and have been playing it almost constantly for the last 24 hours. 😂 So much fun! Many great presets and opportunities for sound design. Actually I don't like mini keys, but I can just connect it to my full size midi keyboard if I need more octaves and bigger keys. Excellent review, Loopop. //Johan
Easily one of the finest deep dives you’ve ever done. I’ve had the Xm for 4 weeks and still don’t move around it as comfortably as you’ve demonstrated. But it’s also the last synth I plan on buying for the foreseeable future, so I’ve got all winter at least to dig deep! Two additional votes here for a *good* software based editor, and transposable step sequences. Despite the Xm’s challenging UI, I think the Xm is a winner, definitely a keeper for me. Well done, L!
@@Bigjuggs64 Just over 1 year later and it remains my “go to” synth for nearly everything. It sounds massive and it keeps getting better with updates and new models like the JD-800
As always a brilliant job on this monster keyboard. I bought this little guy thinking I would just use it when I needed something portable but the power of this thing is so massive I can’t stop creating songs with it. The ability to layer 5 parts and pull in and out various tones makes this guy great for studio as well as live. You rolled through the basics which is super helpful to me since Roland writes the worst manuals on the planet...thanks
it's more than double the price of the Jd-XI, which I've discovered has a lot of hidden depths. Does this offer much more? Also wondering if it's worth selling my V-Synth XT to get this
My God Man, very thorough review!!! Good things come to those who wait!!! Thank You!! Roland pulled me back in with this one!! I love this synth and its flexibility! Maybe I’ll grab one by next Christmas!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thanks for the video really helpful. I have this synth and it is a marvel: compact, well made, full of features. The 3-octave keyboard, built-in display and sequencer are what made it for me. As well as all the complicated stuff you can use it as a portable piano running on batteries with the built-in speakers. I would happily have paid two or three times as much for it now I know what it can do. I have never owned something so complete I can’t see a rival that comes anywhere close. I mean, I *really* like it!
Great video Loopop! I love this synth but it’s really pricey. I hope they let you keep yours because you deserve it. You probably understand it better than the engineers. Thanks again for another spectacular video 😊🙏
Thanks! Excellent tutorial! I have recently purchased the Jupiter Xm and I am delighted with it! I had been hesitating about the full size Jupiter X or the System 8 for several weeks. But I know I made the right choice. The Jupiter Xm has the fabulous advantage of being compact and portable, without any compromise on features or power (it has all the features and power of the Jupiter X). The System 8 is also great, but I found its polyphony to be too limited - I would have expected nothing less than 16 voices for a flagship model. Also a shame the boutique models are not already 8-voice capable instead of 4 (it would probably just have taken an extra ESC2 DSP and ESMT memory chip in the boutique to achieve this). Perhaps the ESC2 is very expensive (The ESMT clearly isn't as the D-05 has already two.) I have had no issues with the menus. They are quite easy to use. The I-Arpeggio is fabulous, I found it better than what is available in software (on the iPad). The vintage synth emulation is excellent - I do not notice much difference vs. the Boutique versions. The drum machines are good but I found that they do not match the sound I get from the TR-09 or TR-8S.
Good review/demonstration. I bought the Xm and returned it. It is the first synth I ever returned with a particular retailer that I have been buying synths from for years.. Felt bad about it but this new Jupiter was a disappointment. The ABM models have decent sounding filters but ACB is better at emulating the classic Roland analog synths overall. There is a distinction in the two technologies (I have a System-8 and JU-06 and JP-06) that deal with the behavior of the classics and I prefer the more realistic ACB emulations. Also the UI on this is horrendous, where a lot of menu diving is required. Do not forget also that The XV-5080 engine the Xm emulates isan almost 20 years old PCM based sound module. It would have been nice to see the Supernatural synth engine improved rather than literally rehashing a previous module. I was Okay with the RD mode on it. Overall I was expecting more from Roland's top of the line Jupiter. Would have been nice to have a mash up of the Integra module (with an improved SN synth engine) and the System-8. Alas, at least Roland added more real time control than the previous Jupiter-80/50 had. I may visit the Jupiter-X when it comes out but I wish it had an ACB model and an updated synthesis engine., you know, something new!
agreed. that PCM sound library goes back more than 20 years. Roland JV-80 from 1992 had some of those patches then later expanded in the XP keyboards and XV modules. Maybe Roland is preparing us for the resurgence of retro 90's music.
It does have an updated engine. The XV-5080 is a vintage model engine not the main engine. The Zen Core engine is an update of the supernatural engine and certainly expands on what is in my JD-XA. This video covered that engine at the end. Your comment makes it seem like this synth is a repackaged. XV, it is not. I have the system 8 also and the models on it do sound a bit better but these are pretty good and way more polyphony. The effects in it seem to be identical to the ones in my 500 series Boss pedals. Same menus. I think same screen too. I had the opposite reaction to you when I got mine. I initially thought it would be mediocre, probably an updated JD-XI, but I was wrong. This mini synth blows all of the others away. Keyboard reminds me of the Reface keys, which are great, and it is super portable and well built. It sounds incredible and plays incredible and the menu is actually fairly easy to get around. Much easier than JD-XI. Most powerful portable synth I have ever owned. I wish the drums were more programmable though. The jd-Xi could layer drum parts and it had probability velocity triggers, like Elektron gear. This seems to miss that. But this is not really a groove box and JD-XI really was.
I wasn't born in the 90s so I actually like cheaper samples as that was common in the 2000s especially in Europe with things like eurodance and UK House
Great comprehensive video! While it certainly cannot replace the occasional look into the manuals, it more than once nudged me in the right direction. After playing this little darling for around three weeks, it has proved to me as an invaluable mobile sketchbook and sound library. Most of the models I have owned and worked with for years, and it was fun to reunite with my old synth buddies. Handling (after a short learning period) is such straightforward, that I often prefer to quickly draft an idea with the XM than to fire up my whole synth rack. The information displayed on the small screen (in combination with the front panel knobs) is absolutely sufficient here for working on sounds and structures. Of course, soundwise it's mostly a festival of Roland classics, and if you seek for absolutely unheard synthesizer sounds (and a fullsized keyboard), you will probably look elsewhere. (Personally, regarding this topic, I will never give away my Jupiter-80 from 2011.) Nevertheless, this is a classy package, has lots of memory space for selfmade scenes and tones and can be played and taken anywhere. In less than five seconds booting time, you will start to create music!
This synth looks amazing. Roland did very well, again! BUT - I wish they take advantage of the Bluetooth technology and make it contollable with an iPad app, like op-z does. It’s kinda painful using that much functionality with a tiny screen and bunch of knob-button combos.
11:34 thank you sir I 100% completely agree - I bought one for Black Friday and it can pretty much replace my entire rig if it had a sampler model that could sample from the inputs, like an S-700 model. I also wish the RD model had some of the RD electric pianos
Tried that baby at a music store in my hometown until my seven year old daughter showed up&it was hard to get her away from that awesome machine...already a legend!
I have a studio with a Polybrute, prophet 10 and Pro 3 SE but I’ve just ordered one of these for it’s immediacy. Being able to sit by the fire with this on my lap or take it away with me without the need to boot up the studio and computer is the reason. I suspect I’m going to use this as much as the full studio.
I have read quite a lot of negative comments about this piece of hardware but I suspect that many people are missing the point. Many compare the Jupiter Xm to the korg Minilogue xd, but they are very different machines with different purposes: the korg is a partially analogue 4 voces synth with a basic sequencer, this Roland is actually a mini workstation/arranger made to be portable and autonomous from any other device. You can use it to sketch your musical ideas everywhere: can't you see the potential? Yes, the OS is kind of crude and looks like it is still "in development", but, if Roland want, this device can become fenomenal with the proper software updates since the hardware is powerful and well built.
I have both of them and the Jupiter Xm is much better.Can’t even compare.Specially in the bass, the korg is weak,in my opinion.Jupiter Xm is amazing overall.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just got one and really love the sound but the weird way the buttons work was completely confusing me and the manual didn't help at all. Your video was a lot of help!
Nobody really mentions this but I love the music you make as well as the review! I first realized how good it was when I watched your video on the Analog Four MK I after the release of the MK II. Excellent job, as usual! Roland should have released the bigger X first so that we could appreciate the compactness of the Xm, IMO.
I think the menu-diving is over emphasised, in practice most of the parameters can be tweaked straight from the front panel, what he showed is the massive parameter list that you get if you go through all parameters in order. All of this is actually fairly classic Roland, my old Fantom did the same thing, and even showed you the parameters for all 4 partials at the same time in a huge grid.
WOW! I thought I knew my stuff, you should host online seminars, thanks for such an in depth tutorial. I appreciate how you present, as most are not as articulate without running on and on...
This is just a great synth. But as with a number of Roland pieces, most people will hate it until they learn to appreciate it. The reactions of disappointment against the JD-XA are still fresh in my mind. Now, suddenly, comments praising it are spreading through the Internet. In any case, how many multitimbral synths with a complex arpeggiator/sequencer under the price of this one are in the market? Perhaps Roland’s insistence on keeping “legacy” sounds and names alive are preventing people to hear what their new gear is capable of doing. I recommend checking the Anderton’s video about this keyboard. The very smart Roland representative does away with all the “classic” shell of this synth and focuses on the complex timbres and rhythmic structures it can produce. It’s great.
Thanks! No, just this, though you could watch my Juno-X review, which is sort of the same platform - perhaps there are a few. things there you might find useful
Regarding the menu-diving: Menu-diving is a catch 22 for designers. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Most medium to large synths tend to have the same amount of front panel controls (often using switches on medium synths to match their larger siblings). As such, if you leave it at that with no menu diving, then you get criticised for not enough granular control. Whereas if you give total control over every parameter conceivable, your an asshole for menu-diving. The other option is an enormous interface like the CS-80 with its switch box. I’d like to see how many of you could fit one of those in your studio, let alone one for each synth you own. Also manufacturers have tried to address this in the past with optional controllers (like the JX-3P) to expand front panel controls. I don’t remember that taking off either. Alternatively you get purely menu based synths like we had in the 80s. Good luck programming a DX7. So friends, menu-diving is the best we’ve got. It’s not often pretty, it’s often painful, but it hits the mark right in the centre. Hopefully as time goes on we will get better interfaces and UX (looking at you any synth designer ever). After all, no one complains about the usability of VSTs. mned if you do, damned if you don’t for designers.
the real problem is that it's a rehash of rehashes. they didn't decide what this synth is for, so instead we have this: "guts-wise it is a groovebox evolution with keyboard interface stuck on, oh AND it's a Joopiter that fits in a smaller space - but not TOO small because the Botiques were definitely too small"...all without delivering a Jupiter sound
Thank you for this very extensive review of the Jupiter Xm. The Xm reminds me of a 90's digital synth/workstation in both a good and a bad way. The good is that it offers a variety of sound engines and enough presets to keep most users happy. The bad is that the UI requires lots of menu diving and button push combinations (including some functions requiring the dreaded "SHIFT" key) to get to the "good stuff". The UI Arp is weird and fiddly. The step sequencer is stuck in the 90's,. Also, I wonder about the quality of the mini keys, the cheap plastic pitch/mod wheels and (short-lived) function push buttons that seem to be borrowed from the bargain JD-Xi.
Why do so many keyboard manufacturers skip using the keyboard itself for control? Especially on a synth with this much complexity, that's 37 additional input controls! Could label them like Novation does on the BS2. Or skip labeling and use them for more generic/intuitive things. For instance, hold shift and hit a key to jump through those massive menus-low key is toward the top, high key is toward the end.... Or on any text screen-including the not-yet-added search screen-use the keyboard for text entry (this becomes very fast/intuitive after you've used it a few times).
Open up TH-cam and what do I see! A new loopop video, just for me 😊 Tonight I’ve been reading reviews of the X-m and getting really interested in it. Desperate to know and hear more. Lamenting the fact that I knew loopop didn’t have a video of it. How happy I am to be proven wrong!
Thanks for the video, very well done as usual. The main features I believe the XM lacks are : - no physical buttons for the filter envelope editing (I know it's not a Moog or a mono-synth but still, I think many of us got used to tweak the filter env) - the sound card doesn't have a "generic driver" / class compliant option (this is really something I can't understand with Roland products ! they're the only synth makers with proprietary vendor drivers) - the ability to store more than one sequence pattern in a scene The two last can be fixed through firmware so let's hope. That unexplainable lack of class compliant mode is definitely a show-stopper for now. Otherwise, this is an excellent sounding synth. Sound quality and taste has always been a strength in Roland products.
Just noticed there's actually a button underneath to choose if I want to control the envelope of either the filter, or pitch or amp ! Nice ! This means anything I'm missing (multi-pattern/part and class compliant mode), can be fixed in firmware !
Roland you did it again; a mechanical 19 century sequencer without life/randomization? The AI arp doesn't move much while playing either , So back to the karma type arpeggiators on korg devices:), LP thanks for this great overview.
Never been a fan of the aira green lights but the whole "this control doesn't work with this model" thing you stumbled into is handled fairly well on the plug-out synths by turning off the control's light.
Would love to see you make an “addendum” to this video to briefly show how the software editor that Roland released has impacted the workflow. I have a Roland JD-Xi that also suffers from menu diving, but someone programmed a software editor for it and it completely unlocks that synth and makes it one of the most powerful $500 synths you can buy. For example, just finding the waveform for a partial is WAY easier in a drop down list on a PC screen then going through them 1by1 in the menu. Anyway, a video on the Jupiter X editor would be appreciated. And might also reinforce to Roland and other synth manufacturers that a patch/librarian editor should be standard fare with any synth over $1000.
Thank's for a very good tutorial! Since this synth came out I have been wondering - Is most of the content in Jupiter X also available in the new Fantom?
It's complexity reminds me of the D70: 5 part multitimbral plus rhythm per performance ("scene"), reverb/delay/chorus/flanger options for each performance, up to 4 tones per part (patch), tones edited from sampled sounds through menu diving and a lot of synth parameters to edit, up to 4 zones on keyboard that can split or overlap/layer. But no arpeggiator or sequencer, for which the D70 fell short of being a workstation. (This kept it as a play station). With only 4 assignable sliders to edit tones or parts, menu diving is unavoidable on the D70. JP-X and JP-XM thankfully have a more extensive control surface. The arpeggiator and sequencer certainly add to the complexity, but also to its playability/musicality. I wish the D70 had at least the sequencer. If the JP-X could duplicate my favorite pads on the D70 (Ghosties, Space Dream, Prologue, etc.) I'd replace the D70 with it, even though the JP-X has fewer keys. Don't like the mini-keys on the XM, nor all rotary knobs instead of sliders as on the full keyboard version. Apart from my preferences, great review!
A beautiful instrument with utterly endless possibilities... to me, (regarding the I-arpeggio) the instrument begs the question of its user “what is composition?” Not necessarily declaring anything one way or another. Maybe some follow up questions.. is this technology improving our creative process AND our results? Or is it technology improving our results but actually reducing the creative process and growth. The I-Arpeggio rather does away with the “blank canvas” phenomenon. Would does this mean, and is the definition of a musical composition changing because of that? Either way, the XM looks fun as hell!
Great demo of what is clearly a super complex synth. I think the menu-diving is partially reduced by the many knobs & buttons on the front panel. Polyphony & sonic arsenal are amazing, as is the sound quality. But I now have to wait 6+ months for the 5-octave version??!
i love your reviews for revealing the usability of the complex interface. this looks like it could replace my FA-8 which i only keep for the orchestral sounds like xylophone vibraphone strings and organs....
Soooo. I blame you. I bought my XM 7 days before you posted this. I returned it 1 day before you posted this... OY. If I only had this 1 day earlier. Now time to repurchase. Such an amazing Synth and you helped my learning curve instantly on things that frustrated me. Thanks, @loopop I need to learn if you have not made the video yet I should hold up on the purchase. hahaha
Yeah I'm with you on that. Kinda feeling like I should just bite the bullet and get the DM12 but I still nothing anywhere that says it has a live recording sequencer or how many parts/tracks.
@@mpmi7588 I really wish Behringer would do a Juno 60 clone, the DP12 is based on a Juno 106 and it can sound as a Juno 106 but IMHO a Juno 106 doesn't sound as a Juno 60. It would be also great if they updated the DP12, adding an extra octave, extra OSC, adding multitimbrality, a sequencer and individual audio outputs. But the great news is they've started to work on a JP8 clone. Recently they teased us but not many people are aware of this one, it's about the VCO chip they've cloned. It's the VCA chip of the JP8. Same chip was used in a Juno 60, JX-3P and vene the JP-4. Lets hope they'll clone these synths!
great video as usual! when you mention it has some d50 patches, how many from the original? In other words, if someone owned the d-05 boutique, would the xm contain all the same sounds?
To be honest, my big interest in this was getting my hands on a modern device with JX8P/JX10 capabilities and the other engines were pure bonus for me. But I would want to use this as a module. Would love to see sound editor software, especially if I can port in SYSEX patches for the JX. Maybe I should just invest in a dated JX10 instead.
After some serious thinking I at last understood your symbolic label, a loop and popcorn. For a long time, I thought that was a trashcan, as if you made all your videos, which I do think are extremely high class, for nought.
Thanks for the video :) I'm wondering, how do you think it compares to the JU06a soundwise? Acb and all. I have the Jupiter Xm currently, but am thinking about returning it ( although I do want to love it and it checks all the boxes) to get the Ju instead. Not because of menus, but because it just doesn't strike a nerve with me when I play the filter. My primary synth is a Prophet 6, so I'm looking for something complementary that doesn't leave me cold. Thanks again
I am in two minds regarding the iArpeggio. On the one hand, it seems like you are surrendering control of your music to the machine (as opposed to a conventional arpeggiator that does exactly what you ask it to do). On the other hand, Kebu composed Hope on a Jupiter Xm which is a beautiful piece of music and I wonder of the iArpeggiator was used for inspiration there.
Question: It is now 10 months after you have made this amazingly detailed video review of the Jupiter Xm and Roland has now released the ZenCorePro VST over its online subscription services. I wrote to them as to the price of just buying the VST software outright without a monthly subscription and was given a price that was in the ballpark slightlynorth of what one would pay for UHe Diva, so somewhere in the low 200 dollar mark. It was touted as an editor which can design sounds that can also be downloaded into Roland Zen Core Peripherals in addition to being a VST. So my question is this: In light of the Zen Core Pro VST, does this make theJupiter Xm simply an expensive box to house said VST sounds, or is there value added. Or could one simply get a better full sized feature rich 61 key Midi Keyboard like a Nektar Panorama P6 and pair it to the Zen Core VST and get most of what this product has on offer for vastly less with easier edting and a superior full sized velocity sensitive and aftertouch capable keybed?
In general if you're comfortable with a computer and MIDI keyboard, you'll get way more timbral diversity than the Xm standalone (or any other standalone synth, except may certain analog ones). I didn't see the arpeggiator in Zenology, but of course computers have other alternatives.
I feel like I'm in the twilight zone where everyone forgot about their FA series of workstations? Which also have 256 note polyphony, the same partial-based synthesis as well as a ton of sampled instruments, SuperNatural piano etc. and a proper keybed. Even the FA-08 is half the price of the Jupiter X. The main advantage the Jupiter brings to the table is the extra knobs for sound design, but based on reviews it seems to still be quite menu divey so I'm having trouble seeing the purpose of these synths compared to their FA series. Maybe Roland's best trick is taking their workstation tech and repackaging it to appeal to traditional synth lovers.
Well done sir. I’ve had one in my cart for two weeks... I plan on buying the Jupiter X once it ships but I’m impatient. I’d be selling my System 8 if I buy the Xm to help absorb some of the price (and studio space) for the X. I need to find a comparison of the System 8’s engine vs the new Jupiter stuff. I like the System 8 well enough and still use my XV88 for all the classic PCM stuff. To have both in one unit would be super useful. Thank you again!
Darren Weight well the System-8 obviously has the most accurate emulations of the two. Ask yourself are you just buying stuff because you’re bored? Or because you think every new product is better than the one before it? The ACB in the System-8 is the best available emulation technology from Roland ATM.
@@TrinityAngels I dont think that question is answered. The J x and the System 8 do have different modeling methods true. And we've been told by Roland themselves the newer tech is somehow less intensive. But the issue of whether one or the other is somehow better is, I think, still up in the air.
This is a fantastic video but i can't help but wonder how many people are going to create real music as opposed to fiddling for hours through a tiny low resolution screen and ending up with nothing to show for it.
Great video! Thanks! It’s crazy they just put every voice editing parameter in one big ugly list. So if you want to change the waveform you have to scroll down a ways.. if you want the mod matrix, it’s like, way far down. Why would anyone structure editing this way? It was bad enough on the mc707, and that synth has it split over multiple pages. It’s probably Roland assuming nobody is interested in making their own sounds. Argh.
I must say, I really didn't like the idea of this synth at first. I wasn't impressed with how nothing appeared to be new. But since I don't have anything from roland made in the last 30 years, this unit does an awesome job of nailing all the synths in the model bank (jupiter, juno, jx-8p, sh, etc) and also offers some pretty sweet stuff in the zen core engine. I find myself continuously being inspired with the sounds coming out of this XM. Overall, I'm thrilled with it and do not expect to be hawking it like I half expected to after grabbing it for a sweet deal. Whoever says it doesn't create a jupiter sound is delusional. The engine is killer and for the most part indistinguishable from the real thing in virtually all mix scenarios. If you have a system 8 or something new like that, this probably won't be anything new. For my use, I'm loving it much more than I expected to. Add some expansion packs in there and it's staying in the studio.
Great, deep dive review, and I know you've only scratched it's crazy deep menu. Seeing as how it has several engines that cover the Jupiter, Juno and SH line, how does it compare to the boutiques? I know the interface on the boutiques are specialized to reflect their origins while the new Jupiter Xm (and X) can only go so far with 1:1 parameter adjustment. Short of physical front panel interaction, does the Zen Core sound engine stack up well to the original boutique's ACB or even the original hardware? I haven't purchased any of the boutiques as 4 voices (especially on the boutique Jupiter 8) are a bit of a limit. If the sound is close/good enough compared to original hardware, then this could be the perfect alternative to pairs of boutiques. 3 pairs of the original three boutique units JX, JU and JP would be pretty close to the cost of this Xm, plus or minus.
i was about to buy the minilogue XD but now I don't know.... I though choosing a good starter synth was hard and I went with the Sirin and boy do I love that lil piece of gear. But now choosing a second synth... is even harder. considering I want it to be a good/great overall/do it all poly synth. sure it's not the same price range as the minilogue XD or the Argon, hydra or wavestate. any advice folks?
The Jupiter-X has a ridiculously small screen for the price, too. Now we have Zenology and Zenology Pro plus the different analog models for the Zen Core engine. Zenology Pro is $249 for a lifetime key 😮 and the Zenology GUIs for the different synth models that run on the Zen Core engine like Jupiter-8 (not the same as the skeuomorphic model plugin on Roland Cloud) cost extra. I have a MC 707. I think if all you want is the sounds and to do sound design, it is best to just buy a lifetime Zenology Pro key, though perhaps wait a bit since the program is supposed to be undergoing a GUI update that makes it more readable.
But lifetime Zenology Pro doesn’t include the vintage models like Jupiter. Roland is on purpose making you buy that separately, either as a plugin, or in the Jupiter X/m hardware. I bought a mc707 and it’s super upsetting Roland doesn’t allow the vintage models on the 707. They are clearly just trying to sell more stuff. The 707 would no doubt be capable of running the jupiter model. That’s corporate greed, right there.
2 years later, I would be interested to hear your thoughts about whether those interested in the sound design aspects would benefit from using Zenology Pro to design patches and then upload them to the Xm. It seems like Roland had that in mind all along when they released this synth. Anyway, I appreciate how you always breakdown your reviews with chapters for quick reference.
@@loopop And just as I open Roland Cloud today, I happen to see that they have a dedicated Jupiter-X/Xm Editor app now. So much for my silly, outdated idea. 😂
Great review as usual. BTW how many bars is a pattern, and does the Xm have a song mode and export capabilities to DAW? I would like to get one of those but if it is not able to save a song (as set of chained patterns) and it won't be able to export midi to a daw, then it loose quite a lot of appeal Also for sound design, lots of menu diving here...love the small form factor but boy this thing has not only a small screen, but also not ideal settings for the controls, that require menu diving. I think Roland audience at this point is musicians that are on stage performing. Hope they will release a companion app to use in a DAW or even as stand alone, for patch creations, because I did get headache just watching you working with the sequencer and changing parameters for creating a patch.
Thanks! A pattern is up to 64 steps and you can set its relative playback speed in multiples of the tempo. It doesn't have a song mode. You can "export" audio and patterns by playing them into a DAW - they each get their own audio and MIDI channel. Yep an app would be nice.
@@loopop Thanks a lot. so it is 4 bars of 16 steps I assume, like a Digitone or other sequencers. My issue is often that if I am playing, I have to stop on one pattern and continue on another, and I was hoping this synth had a way to make larger patterns, but it seems that for that workflow I need a DAW or a workstation like the fanthom I guess. So no song mode; which means I need to switch by hand the patterns, kinda like the JD-XI basically :( If I understand correctly, I can hook this up to my DAW, and I can play on the XM and in the daw I get both audio and midi recorded, like if I am using a VST? That would be really amazing (and I assume I get all 5 parts on separate channels). That is like to have a sound module basically!
oh damn....the models section sold me already ..specially when I heard the Enya patch...lol. The only thing I dont like is the pitch and modulation wheel. I find the modulation / pitch joystick found on the XP series is way controllable and confortable to use.
TOTALLY AGREE...those "Yamaha" type WHEELS are absolutely Horrid....its impossible to do quick accurate pitch Bends Live...They just face the wrong way. To be honest, having wheels is a deal breaker...although with this Synth you could use a controller. The other thing with Rolands Pitch Stick is you have Modulation and Bend in one control. I suppose it would be best to use the XM purely as a Sound Module.
Thanks for the review and taking the time to learn how to manage this synth. The synth sounds great but the interface panel is too complex for my taste, I would spend more time getting a sound configured than actually playing the synth. This is not uncommon among some other synths as well, but with so many features it is inevitable there will be menu diving or multiple button pushing.
Does it have a dedicated tap tempo button? It doesn't seem to. Manual suggests that tap tempo can be assigned to a midi controller....but why wouldn't you build that into the core synth controls?
Hi @loopop! I love your videos so much! I was wondering if you could make a video on the Roland Fantom. I loved your video on the Yamaha MODX and would love to see what you have to say about the Fantom. Thanks for making these videos for us! You are awesome!!
This is the 4th video I am watching about this synth and I am getting closer to buy it. The sound seems to be thick. I am only wondering about the learning curve as it would be my first hardware synth.
The I-Arp is the star of the show. This synth desperately needs an editor that works on I-pad or as a vst with a direct real time link to the synth any edits on the editor is immediately updated to the synth with the option to save on the synth, vst or the I-pad editor or all three. The I-pad would be the cool option to perform edits with touch faders, rotary encoders and buttons. I could see a lot of us trimming down our hardware collection, it would be a powerful combination and give us all the options we need.
![[Part 1] ทารกน้อยถูกทิ้ง👶 หญิงชราเก็บขวดขายเลี้ยงดูเขาจนโต #โลกการละคร](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nPTDvFCExks/mqdefault.jpg)
The Jupiter X/XM just got an update that makes it significantly easier to use. Yay Roland!
Oh man. I never thought I’d hear “sail away” in a loopop video.
Thanks for the compelling and informative video
I can't imagine how long this took to edit. Great content as always. Excellent review again.
I just got this synth and have been playing it almost constantly for the last 24 hours. 😂 So much fun! Many great presets and opportunities for sound design. Actually I don't like mini keys, but I can just connect it to my full size midi keyboard if I need more octaves and bigger keys. Excellent review, Loopop. //Johan
It’s gone 2.30am and I was going to bed, but decided to quickly check TH-cam for anything interesting. Sleep can wait... Love these reviews.
Easily one of the finest deep dives you’ve ever done. I’ve had the Xm for 4 weeks and still don’t move around it as comfortably as you’ve demonstrated. But it’s also the last synth I plan on buying for the foreseeable future, so I’ve got all winter at least to dig deep! Two additional votes here for a *good* software based editor, and transposable step sequences. Despite the Xm’s challenging UI, I think the Xm is a winner, definitely a keeper for me. Well done, L!
How does it sound ?
@@Bigjuggs64 Just over 1 year later and it remains my “go to” synth for nearly everything. It sounds massive and it keeps getting better with updates and new models like the JD-800
As always a brilliant job on this monster keyboard.
I bought this little guy thinking I would just use it when I needed something
portable but the power of this thing is so massive I can’t stop
creating songs with it.
The ability to layer 5 parts and pull in and out various tones makes
this guy great for studio as well as live.
You rolled through the basics which is super helpful to me since Roland
writes the worst manuals on the planet...thanks
it's more than double the price of the Jd-XI, which I've discovered has a lot of hidden depths. Does this offer much more?
Also wondering if it's worth selling my V-Synth XT to get this
My God Man, very thorough review!!! Good things come to those who wait!!! Thank You!! Roland pulled me back in with this one!! I love this synth and its flexibility! Maybe I’ll grab one by next Christmas!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
thank you for the production of this video, with the index and the zoom-in on the display. It's incredibly well made.
Thanks for the video really helpful. I have this synth and it is a marvel: compact, well made, full of features. The 3-octave keyboard, built-in display and sequencer are what made it for me. As well as all the complicated stuff you can use it as a portable piano running on batteries with the built-in speakers. I would happily have paid two or three times as much for it now I know what it can do. I have never owned something so complete I can’t see a rival that comes anywhere close. I mean, I *really* like it!
Another effortlessly elegant review! The 1st 30 secs had me doing a google search on my second screen for the price.
Great video Loopop! I love this synth but it’s really pricey. I hope they let you keep yours because you deserve it. You probably understand it better than the engineers. Thanks again for another spectacular video 😊🙏
Would love a desktop/module variant of this little beast.
Thanks! Excellent tutorial! I have recently purchased the Jupiter Xm and I am delighted with it! I had been hesitating about the full size Jupiter X or the System 8 for several weeks. But I know I made the right choice. The Jupiter Xm has the fabulous advantage of being compact and portable, without any compromise on features or power (it has all the features and power of the Jupiter X).
The System 8 is also great, but I found its polyphony to be too limited - I would have expected nothing less than 16 voices for a flagship model. Also a shame the boutique models are not already 8-voice capable instead of 4 (it would probably just have taken an extra ESC2 DSP and ESMT memory chip in the boutique to achieve this). Perhaps the ESC2 is very expensive (The ESMT clearly isn't as the D-05 has already two.) I have had no issues with the menus. They are quite easy to use. The I-Arpeggio is fabulous, I found it better than what is available in software (on the iPad).
The vintage synth emulation is excellent - I do not notice much difference vs. the Boutique versions. The drum machines are good but I found that they do not match the sound I get from the TR-09 or TR-8S.
This is the big OP-1 I’ve been waiting for!
Good review/demonstration. I bought the Xm and returned it. It is the first synth I ever returned with a particular retailer that I have been buying synths from for years.. Felt bad about it but this new Jupiter was a disappointment. The ABM models have decent sounding filters but ACB is better at emulating the classic Roland analog synths overall. There is a distinction in the two technologies (I have a System-8 and JU-06 and JP-06) that deal with the behavior of the classics and I prefer the more realistic ACB emulations. Also the UI on this is horrendous, where a lot of menu diving is required. Do not forget also that The XV-5080 engine the Xm emulates isan almost 20 years old PCM based sound module. It would have been nice to see the Supernatural synth engine improved rather than literally rehashing a previous module. I was Okay with the RD mode on it. Overall I was expecting more from Roland's top of the line Jupiter. Would have been nice to have a mash up of the Integra module (with an improved SN synth engine) and the System-8. Alas, at least Roland added more real time control than the previous Jupiter-80/50 had. I may visit the Jupiter-X when it comes out but I wish it had an ACB model and an updated synthesis engine., you know, something new!
I look at it as a inspiration song writing synth, it has plenty of sounds for the music I make and you can tweak for days.
agreed. that PCM sound library goes back more than 20 years. Roland JV-80 from 1992 had some of those patches then later expanded in the XP keyboards and XV modules. Maybe Roland is preparing us for the resurgence of retro 90's music.
It does have an updated engine. The XV-5080 is a vintage model engine not the main engine. The Zen Core engine is an update of the supernatural engine and certainly expands on what is in my JD-XA. This video covered that engine at the end. Your comment makes it seem like this synth is a repackaged. XV, it is not. I have the system 8 also and the models on it do sound a bit better but these are pretty good and way more polyphony. The effects in it seem to be identical to the ones in my 500 series Boss pedals. Same menus. I think same screen too. I had the opposite reaction to you when I got mine. I initially thought it would be mediocre, probably an updated JD-XI, but I was wrong. This mini synth blows all of the others away. Keyboard reminds me of the Reface keys, which are great, and it is super portable and well built. It sounds incredible and plays incredible and the menu is actually fairly easy to get around. Much easier than JD-XI. Most powerful portable synth I have ever owned. I wish the drums were more programmable though. The jd-Xi could layer drum parts and it had probability velocity triggers, like Elektron gear. This seems to miss that. But this is not really a groove box and JD-XI really was.
What is better about ACB?
I wasn't born in the 90s so I actually like cheaper samples as that was common in the 2000s especially in Europe with things like eurodance and UK House
Great review as always. I’ve ordered my Jupiter xm and will be referring back to this video when it arrives. Thank you.
Great comprehensive video! While it certainly cannot replace the occasional look into the manuals, it more than once nudged me in the right direction. After playing this little darling for around three weeks, it has proved to me as an invaluable mobile sketchbook and sound library. Most of the models I have owned and worked with for years, and it was fun to reunite with my old synth buddies. Handling (after a short learning period) is such straightforward, that I often prefer to quickly draft an idea with the XM than to fire up my whole synth rack. The information displayed on the small screen (in combination with the front panel knobs) is absolutely sufficient here for working on sounds and structures. Of course, soundwise it's mostly a festival of Roland classics, and if you seek for absolutely unheard synthesizer sounds (and a fullsized keyboard), you will probably look elsewhere. (Personally, regarding this topic, I will never give away my Jupiter-80 from 2011.) Nevertheless, this is a classy package, has lots of memory space for selfmade scenes and tones and can be played and taken anywhere. In less than five seconds booting time, you will start to create music!
exactly the info i was looking for. thanks bro!
This synth looks amazing. Roland did very well, again! BUT - I wish they take advantage of the Bluetooth technology and make it contollable with an iPad app, like op-z does. It’s kinda painful using that much functionality with a tiny screen and bunch of knob-button combos.
11:34 thank you sir I 100% completely agree - I bought one for Black Friday and it can pretty much replace my entire rig if it had a sampler model that could sample from the inputs, like an S-700 model. I also wish the RD model had some of the RD electric pianos
yes please, some RD electric pianos!
This synth is just beautiful ❤️
Tried that baby at a music store in my hometown until my seven year old daughter showed up&it was hard to get her away from that awesome machine...already a legend!
Roland always made iconic synths, some of them unappreciated at the moment of their release. Great demo!
I predict this will NOT be one of them.
@@SPAZZOID100 I second that!
I love how ironic these comments are 😅
Jupiter Xm appears to be the basis for Boss GM-800 Guitar Synth
I have a studio with a Polybrute, prophet 10 and Pro 3 SE but I’ve just ordered one of these for it’s immediacy. Being able to sit by the fire with this on my lap or take it away with me without the need to boot up the studio and computer is the reason. I suspect I’m going to use this as much as the full studio.
I have read quite a lot of negative comments about this piece of hardware but I suspect that many people are missing the point.
Many compare the Jupiter Xm to the korg Minilogue xd, but they are very different machines with different purposes: the korg is a partially analogue 4 voces synth with a basic sequencer, this Roland is actually a mini workstation/arranger made to be portable and autonomous from any other device.
You can use it to sketch your musical ideas everywhere: can't you see the potential? Yes, the OS is kind of crude and looks like it is still "in development", but, if Roland want, this device can become fenomenal with the proper software updates since the hardware is powerful and well built.
I have both of them and the Jupiter Xm is much better.Can’t even compare.Specially in the bass, the korg is weak,in my opinion.Jupiter Xm is amazing overall.
Roland was obviously short on key and screen stuff, but had an excess of shift buttons and menu pages in stock.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just got one and really love the sound but the weird way the buttons work was completely confusing me and the manual didn't help at all. Your video was a lot of help!
Nobody really mentions this but I love the music you make as well as the review! I first realized how good it was when I watched your video on the Analog Four MK I after the release of the MK II. Excellent job, as usual! Roland should have released the bigger X first so that we could appreciate the compactness of the Xm, IMO.
Could have easily been named Roland Neptune Xm for all that diving you're going to do.
Underrated comment
Thankfully it's not the "Uranus Xm", right? ;)
I think the menu-diving is over emphasised, in practice most of the parameters can be tweaked straight from the front panel, what he showed is the massive parameter list that you get if you go through all parameters in order. All of this is actually fairly classic Roland, my old Fantom did the same thing, and even showed you the parameters for all 4 partials at the same time in a huge grid.
@@RikMaxSpeed Exactly. And you can also easily jump to the appropriate section of the menu.
@@RikMaxSpeed I hope there is coming out a editor
A very comprehensive dive into this synth. Thank you. I’m dizzy with options!!
WOW! I thought I knew my stuff, you should host online seminars, thanks for such an in depth tutorial. I appreciate how you present, as most are not as articulate without running on and on...
This is just a great synth. But as with a number of Roland pieces, most people will hate it until they learn to appreciate it. The reactions of disappointment against the JD-XA are still fresh in my mind. Now, suddenly, comments praising it are spreading through the Internet. In any case, how many multitimbral synths with a complex arpeggiator/sequencer under the price of this one are in the market? Perhaps Roland’s insistence on keeping “legacy” sounds and names alive are preventing people to hear what their new gear is capable of doing. I recommend checking the Anderton’s video about this keyboard. The very smart Roland representative does away with all the “classic” shell of this synth and focuses on the complex timbres and rhythmic structures it can produce. It’s great.
This really is the absolute best video for a newbie of the XM. Is there are part 2, please? Thanks, Paul
Thanks! No, just this, though you could watch my Juno-X review, which is sort of the same platform - perhaps there are a few. things there you might find useful
@@loopop Many thanks!
Can’t wait to get the Jupiter X in April.
Regarding the menu-diving:
Menu-diving is a catch 22 for designers. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Most medium to large synths tend to have the same amount of front panel controls (often using switches on medium synths to match their larger siblings).
As such, if you leave it at that with no menu diving, then you get criticised for not enough granular control.
Whereas if you give total control over every parameter conceivable, your an asshole for menu-diving.
The other option is an enormous interface like the CS-80 with its switch box. I’d like to see how many of you could fit one of those in your studio, let alone one for each synth you own.
Also manufacturers have tried to address this in the past with optional controllers (like the JX-3P) to expand front panel controls. I don’t remember that taking off either.
Alternatively you get purely menu based synths like we had in the 80s. Good luck programming a DX7.
So friends, menu-diving is the best we’ve got. It’s not often pretty, it’s often painful, but it hits the mark right in the centre.
Hopefully as time goes on we will get better interfaces and UX (looking at you any synth designer ever). After all, no one complains about the usability of VSTs. mned if you do, damned if you don’t for designers.
the real problem is that it's a rehash of rehashes.
they didn't decide what this synth is for, so instead we have this: "guts-wise it is a groovebox evolution with keyboard interface stuck on, oh AND it's a Joopiter that fits in a smaller space - but not TOO small because the Botiques were definitely too small"...all without delivering a Jupiter sound
Underrated comment.
Thank you for this very extensive review of the Jupiter Xm. The Xm reminds me of a 90's digital synth/workstation in both a good and a bad way. The good is that it offers a variety of sound engines and enough presets to keep most users happy. The bad is that the UI requires lots of menu diving and button push combinations (including some functions requiring the dreaded "SHIFT" key) to get to the "good stuff". The UI Arp is weird and fiddly. The step sequencer is stuck in the 90's,. Also, I wonder about the quality of the mini keys, the cheap plastic pitch/mod wheels and (short-lived) function push buttons that seem to be borrowed from the bargain JD-Xi.
Editor?
I played one in the store and was really turned off by the feel of the keyboard
Why do so many keyboard manufacturers skip using the keyboard itself for control? Especially on a synth with this much complexity, that's 37 additional input controls! Could label them like Novation does on the BS2. Or skip labeling and use them for more generic/intuitive things. For instance, hold shift and hit a key to jump through those massive menus-low key is toward the top, high key is toward the end.... Or on any text screen-including the not-yet-added search screen-use the keyboard for text entry (this becomes very fast/intuitive after you've used it a few times).
Because not everyone can play the keyboard effectively and also why the hell would you use unlabeled keys as controllers
Open up TH-cam and what do I see!
A new loopop video, just for me 😊
Tonight I’ve been reading reviews of the X-m and getting really interested in it. Desperate to know and hear more. Lamenting the fact that I knew loopop didn’t have a video of it.
How happy I am to be proven wrong!
Thanks for the video, very well done as usual. The main features I believe the XM lacks are :
- no physical buttons for the filter envelope editing (I know it's not a Moog or a mono-synth but still, I think many of us got used to tweak the filter env)
- the sound card doesn't have a "generic driver" / class compliant option (this is really something I can't understand with Roland products ! they're the only synth makers with proprietary vendor drivers)
- the ability to store more than one sequence pattern in a scene
The two last can be fixed through firmware so let's hope. That unexplainable lack of class compliant mode is definitely a show-stopper for now.
Otherwise, this is an excellent sounding synth. Sound quality and taste has always been a strength in Roland products.
Just noticed there's actually a button underneath to choose if I want to control the envelope of either the filter, or pitch or amp ! Nice !
This means anything I'm missing (multi-pattern/part and class compliant mode), can be fixed in firmware !
This is like the C3PO jUNO-X TUTORIAL, Amazing
The best part about these new Roland synths is that they're making synths like the JD-XA more affordable.
th-cam.com/video/5bTQii6iHx0/w-d-xo.html
3 years later and the jdxa price has gone up considerably and I just recently purchased the xm. Sheesh!
Roland you did it again; a mechanical 19 century sequencer without life/randomization? The AI arp doesn't move much while playing either , So back to the karma type arpeggiators on korg devices:), LP thanks for this great overview.
19th Century?
@Depose The Wicked LOL! Highly sophisticated, and rustic!
Never been a fan of the aira green lights but the whole "this control doesn't work with this model" thing you stumbled into is handled fairly well on the plug-out synths by turning off the control's light.
Would love to see you make an “addendum” to this video to briefly show how the software editor that Roland released has impacted the workflow. I have a Roland JD-Xi that also suffers from menu diving, but someone programmed a software editor for it and it completely unlocks that synth and makes it one of the most powerful $500 synths you can buy. For example, just finding the waveform for a partial is WAY easier in a drop down list on a PC screen then going through them 1by1 in the menu. Anyway, a video on the Jupiter X editor would be appreciated. And might also reinforce to Roland and other synth manufacturers that a patch/librarian editor should be standard fare with any synth over $1000.
Thank's for a very good tutorial! Since this synth came out I have been wondering - Is most of the content in Jupiter X also available in the new Fantom?
Another no nonsense quality review. Thank you.
Excellent excellent excellent review! A seperate video about the I-arpeggio would be very much appreciated.
I'll give it to Roland, that I-Arpeggio is real cool.
Can you sequence out an entire song on here with several scenes (or whatever they're called), play it back, and export to midi.
Just got this - I need tutorials - but it’s awesome
It's complexity reminds me of the D70: 5 part multitimbral plus rhythm per performance ("scene"), reverb/delay/chorus/flanger options for each performance, up to 4 tones per part (patch), tones edited from sampled sounds through menu diving and a lot of synth parameters to edit, up to 4 zones on keyboard that can split or overlap/layer. But no arpeggiator or sequencer, for which the D70 fell short of being a workstation. (This kept it as a play station). With only 4 assignable sliders to edit tones or parts, menu diving is unavoidable on the D70. JP-X and JP-XM thankfully have a more extensive control surface. The arpeggiator and sequencer certainly add to the complexity, but also to its playability/musicality. I wish the D70 had at least the sequencer. If the JP-X could duplicate my favorite pads on the D70 (Ghosties, Space Dream, Prologue, etc.) I'd replace the D70 with it, even though the JP-X has fewer keys. Don't like the mini-keys on the XM, nor all rotary knobs instead of sliders as on the full keyboard version. Apart from my preferences, great review!
Now we want the Jupiter-X review and tutorial, please.
I don’t have one but I believe it pretty much the same thing
A beautiful instrument with utterly endless possibilities... to me, (regarding the I-arpeggio) the instrument begs the question of its user “what is composition?” Not necessarily declaring anything one way or another. Maybe some follow up questions.. is this technology improving our creative process AND our results? Or is it technology improving our results but actually reducing the creative process and growth. The I-Arpeggio rather does away with the “blank canvas” phenomenon. Would does this mean, and is the definition of a musical composition changing because of that? Either way, the XM looks fun as hell!
It sort of looks like it has an old iPod in the center of its panel.
TheNewNumberTw0 I just said that to a coworker yesterday lol.
Cannot unsee it now
Would be better with a click wheel!
Great demo of what is clearly a super complex synth. I think the menu-diving is partially reduced by the many knobs & buttons on the front panel. Polyphony & sonic arsenal are amazing, as is the sound quality. But I now have to wait 6+ months for the 5-octave version??!
i love your reviews for revealing the usability of the complex interface. this looks like it could replace my FA-8 which i only keep for the orchestral sounds like xylophone vibraphone strings and organs....
Would love to see some additional videos from you on this synth.
Soooo. I blame you. I bought my XM 7 days before you posted this. I returned it 1 day before you posted this... OY. If I only had this 1 day earlier. Now time to repurchase. Such an amazing Synth and you helped my learning curve instantly on things that frustrated me. Thanks, @loopop I need to learn if you have not made the video yet I should hold up on the purchase. hahaha
Will wait for the behringer version
Yeah I'm with you on that. Kinda feeling like I should just bite the bullet and get the DM12 but I still nothing anywhere that says it has a live recording sequencer or how many parts/tracks.
i'm with ya.
@sbmphr yeah me neither.
@@mpmi7588 I really wish Behringer would do a Juno 60 clone, the DP12 is based on a Juno 106 and it can sound as a Juno 106 but IMHO a Juno 106 doesn't sound as a Juno 60. It would be also great if they updated the DP12, adding an extra octave, extra OSC, adding multitimbrality, a sequencer and individual audio outputs. But the great news is they've started to work on a JP8 clone. Recently they teased us but not many people are aware of this one, it's about the VCO chip they've cloned. It's the VCA chip of the JP8. Same chip was used in a Juno 60, JX-3P and vene the JP-4. Lets hope they'll clone these synths!
The video I have been waiting for
ill get to Jupiter faster than learn all those menus, the sounds are good, but that black hole e too deep. good review as always.
great video as usual! when you mention it has some d50 patches, how many from the original? In other words, if someone owned the d-05 boutique, would the xm contain all the same sounds?
Tommy Champion Curious about this as well...
To be honest, my big interest in this was getting my hands on a modern device with JX8P/JX10 capabilities and the other engines were pure bonus for me. But I would want to use this as a module. Would love to see sound editor software, especially if I can port in SYSEX patches for the JX. Maybe I should just invest in a dated JX10 instead.
After some serious thinking I at last understood your symbolic label, a loop and popcorn. For a long time, I thought that was a trashcan, as if you made all your videos, which I do think are extremely high class, for nought.
I'm glad that issue was cleared up! Thanks for watching
The category function is very nice!
Thanks for the video :) I'm wondering, how do you think it compares to the JU06a soundwise? Acb and all. I have the Jupiter Xm currently, but am thinking about returning it ( although I do want to love it and it checks all the boxes) to get the Ju instead. Not because of menus, but because it just doesn't strike a nerve with me when I play the filter. My primary synth is a Prophet 6, so I'm looking for something complementary that doesn't leave me cold. Thanks again
Thanks! I didn't compare them 1 to 1 sorry
@@loopop Alright. Thank you for replying :)
I am in two minds regarding the iArpeggio. On the one hand, it seems like you are surrendering control of your music to the machine (as opposed to a conventional arpeggiator that does exactly what you ask it to do). On the other hand, Kebu composed Hope on a Jupiter Xm which is a beautiful piece of music and I wonder of the iArpeggiator was used for inspiration there.
What blows me away is not the tiny screen on the Xm. I get that. But that same tiny screen is on the full size Jupiter X. That is hilarious.
FINALLY!! Thanks 🙏🏿! You’re the man!!
Question: It is now 10 months after you have made this amazingly detailed video review of the Jupiter Xm and Roland has now released the ZenCorePro VST over its online subscription services. I wrote to them as to the price of just buying the VST software outright without a monthly subscription and was given a price that was in the ballpark slightlynorth of what one would pay for UHe Diva, so somewhere in the low 200 dollar mark. It was touted as an editor which can design sounds that can also be downloaded into Roland Zen Core Peripherals in addition to being a VST. So my question is this: In light of the Zen Core Pro VST, does this make theJupiter Xm simply an expensive box to house said VST sounds, or is there value added. Or could one simply get a better full sized feature rich 61 key Midi Keyboard like a Nektar Panorama P6 and pair it to the Zen Core VST and get most of what this product has on offer for vastly less with easier edting and a superior full sized velocity sensitive and aftertouch capable keybed?
In general if you're comfortable with a computer and MIDI keyboard, you'll get way more timbral diversity than the Xm standalone (or any other standalone synth, except may certain analog ones). I didn't see the arpeggiator in Zenology, but of course computers have other alternatives.
@@loopop Thank you.
Best Gear Channel !
I feel like I'm in the twilight zone where everyone forgot about their FA series of workstations? Which also have 256 note polyphony, the same partial-based synthesis as well as a ton of sampled instruments, SuperNatural piano etc. and a proper keybed. Even the FA-08 is half the price of the Jupiter X. The main advantage the Jupiter brings to the table is the extra knobs for sound design, but based on reviews it seems to still be quite menu divey so I'm having trouble seeing the purpose of these synths compared to their FA series. Maybe Roland's best trick is taking their workstation tech and repackaging it to appeal to traditional synth lovers.
It needs 4 octaves keyboard and a better sequencing system or a stop and play keys for looping . Thanks
Well done sir. I’ve had one in my cart for two weeks... I plan on buying the Jupiter X once it ships but I’m impatient. I’d be selling my System 8 if I buy the Xm to help absorb some of the price (and studio space) for the X. I need to find a comparison of the System 8’s engine vs the new Jupiter stuff. I like the System 8 well enough and still use my XV88 for all the classic PCM stuff. To have both in one unit would be super useful.
Thank you again!
Darren Weight well the System-8 obviously has the most accurate emulations of the two. Ask yourself are you just buying stuff because you’re bored? Or because you think every new product is better than the one before it?
The ACB in the System-8 is the best available emulation technology from Roland ATM.
@@TrinityAngels I dont think that question is answered. The J x and the System 8 do have different modeling methods true. And we've been told by Roland themselves the newer tech is somehow less intensive. But the issue of whether one or the other is somehow better is, I think, still up in the air.
This is a fantastic video but i can't help but wonder how many people are going to create real music as opposed to fiddling for hours through a tiny low resolution screen and ending up with nothing to show for it.
Great video! Thanks! It’s crazy they just put every voice editing parameter in one big ugly list. So if you want to change the waveform you have to scroll down a ways.. if you want the mod matrix, it’s like, way far down. Why would anyone structure editing this way? It was bad enough on the mc707, and that synth has it split over multiple pages. It’s probably Roland assuming nobody is interested in making their own sounds. Argh.
outro has a penny dreadful vibe :) love it!
Do a jupiter x
I must say, I really didn't like the idea of this synth at first. I wasn't impressed with how nothing appeared to be new. But since I don't have anything from roland made in the last 30 years, this unit does an awesome job of nailing all the synths in the model bank (jupiter, juno, jx-8p, sh, etc) and also offers some pretty sweet stuff in the zen core engine. I find myself continuously being inspired with the sounds coming out of this XM. Overall, I'm thrilled with it and do not expect to be hawking it like I half expected to after grabbing it for a sweet deal. Whoever says it doesn't create a jupiter sound is delusional. The engine is killer and for the most part indistinguishable from the real thing in virtually all mix scenarios. If you have a system 8 or something new like that, this probably won't be anything new. For my use, I'm loving it much more than I expected to. Add some expansion packs in there and it's staying in the studio.
What an excellent review! Thank you!
Thanks loopop. Excellent as always. Is there not any live recordind mode in the sequencer ? I can’t beleive it in such a powerful machine.
Imo the screen is small. It should be 30% bigger. Soundwize is a must though.
Great, deep dive review, and I know you've only scratched it's crazy deep menu. Seeing as how it has several engines that cover the Jupiter, Juno and SH line, how does it compare to the boutiques? I know the interface on the boutiques are specialized to reflect their origins while the new Jupiter Xm (and X) can only go so far with 1:1 parameter adjustment. Short of physical front panel interaction, does the Zen Core sound engine stack up well to the original boutique's ACB or even the original hardware? I haven't purchased any of the boutiques as 4 voices (especially on the boutique Jupiter 8) are a bit of a limit. If the sound is close/good enough compared to original hardware, then this could be the perfect alternative to pairs of boutiques. 3 pairs of the original three boutique units JX, JU and JP would be pretty close to the cost of this Xm, plus or minus.
I would be interested in a midi keyboard that has the I-Arp on it. Roland would probably make it out of my price range though.
i was about to buy the minilogue XD but now I don't know.... I though choosing a good starter synth was hard and I went with the Sirin and boy do I love that lil piece of gear. But now choosing a second synth... is even harder. considering I want it to be a good/great overall/do it all poly synth. sure it's not the same price range as the minilogue XD or the Argon, hydra or wavestate. any advice folks?
Excellent review, thanks.
It would be Great if you could Output the Screen image to a Tablet, like you Simulated...
The Jupiter-X has a ridiculously small screen for the price, too. Now we have Zenology and Zenology Pro plus the different analog models for the Zen Core engine. Zenology Pro is $249 for a lifetime key 😮 and the Zenology GUIs for the different synth models that run on the Zen Core engine like Jupiter-8 (not the same as the skeuomorphic model plugin on Roland Cloud) cost extra. I have a MC 707. I think if all you want is the sounds and to do sound design, it is best to just buy a lifetime Zenology Pro key, though perhaps wait a bit since the program is supposed to be undergoing a GUI update that makes it more readable.
But lifetime Zenology Pro doesn’t include the vintage models like Jupiter. Roland is on purpose making you buy that separately, either as a plugin, or in the Jupiter X/m hardware. I bought a mc707 and it’s super upsetting Roland doesn’t allow the vintage models on the 707. They are clearly just trying to sell more stuff. The 707 would no doubt be capable of running the jupiter model. That’s corporate greed, right there.
2 years later, I would be interested to hear your thoughts about whether those interested in the sound design aspects would benefit from using Zenology Pro to design patches and then upload them to the Xm. It seems like Roland had that in mind all along when they released this synth. Anyway, I appreciate how you always breakdown your reviews with chapters for quick reference.
Thanks and yes absolutely, for those willing to use a computer for sound design, it's a substantially superior experience
@@loopop And just as I open Roland Cloud today, I happen to see that they have a dedicated Jupiter-X/Xm Editor app now. So much for my silly, outdated idea. 😂
@@jcchaconjr ha, yes, that’s what I meant…
Just like the Korg Micro/X idea.
jajajaaa buen teclado mini workstation...bien animo con todas las cosas y vayamos todos con alegrias...
This should be called “Saturn” i.e., a new idea. The name Jupiter should be saved for an updated analog poly.
... which will never come
skyreader society behringer: hold my beer.
Roland has abandoned analog. Uli, you're our only hope.
I agree.. no analog for roland though.. can't see why they still refuse to get back into that analog game while it's hot
Chasing trends is something Roland has never really done
Great review as usual. BTW how many bars is a pattern, and does the Xm have a song mode and export capabilities to DAW? I would like to get one of those but if it is not able to save a song (as set of chained patterns) and it won't be able to export midi to a daw, then it loose quite a lot of appeal
Also for sound design, lots of menu diving here...love the small form factor but boy this thing has not only a small screen, but also not ideal settings for the controls, that require menu diving. I think Roland audience at this point is musicians that are on stage performing. Hope they will release a companion app to use in a DAW or even as stand alone, for patch creations, because I did get headache just watching you working with the sequencer and changing parameters for creating a patch.
Thanks! A pattern is up to 64 steps and you can set its relative playback speed in multiples of the tempo. It doesn't have a song mode. You can "export" audio and patterns by playing them into a DAW - they each get their own audio and MIDI channel. Yep an app would be nice.
@@loopop Thanks a lot. so it is 4 bars of 16 steps I assume, like a Digitone or other sequencers. My issue is often that if I am playing, I have to stop on one pattern and continue on another, and I was hoping this synth had a way to make larger patterns, but it seems that for that workflow I need a DAW or a workstation like the fanthom I guess.
So no song mode; which means I need to switch by hand the patterns, kinda like the JD-XI basically :(
If I understand correctly, I can hook this up to my DAW, and I can play on the XM and in the daw I get both audio and midi recorded, like if I am using a VST? That would be really amazing (and I assume I get all 5 parts on separate channels). That is like to have a sound module basically!
oh damn....the models section sold me already ..specially when I heard the Enya patch...lol. The only thing I dont like is the pitch and modulation wheel. I find the modulation / pitch joystick found on the XP series is way controllable and confortable to use.
TOTALLY AGREE...those "Yamaha" type WHEELS are absolutely Horrid....its impossible to do quick accurate pitch Bends Live...They just face the wrong way. To be honest, having wheels is a deal breaker...although with this Synth you could use a controller. The other thing with Rolands Pitch Stick is you have Modulation and Bend in one control.
I suppose it would be best to use the XM purely as a Sound Module.
Thanks for the review and taking the time to learn how to manage this synth. The synth sounds great but the interface panel is too complex for my taste, I would spend more time getting a sound configured than actually playing the synth. This is not uncommon among some other synths as well, but with so many features it is inevitable there will be menu diving or multiple button pushing.
Does it have a dedicated tap tempo button? It doesn't seem to. Manual suggests that tap tempo can be assigned to a midi controller....but why wouldn't you build that into the core synth controls?
Hi @loopop! I love your videos so much! I was wondering if you could make a video on the Roland Fantom. I loved your video on the Yamaha MODX and would love to see what you have to say about the Fantom. Thanks for making these videos for us! You are awesome!!
Thanks very much! Yes, I want to ... but can't say yet when.
@@loopop I ended up finding a great sale and buying it, but I would still definitely love to hear what you have to say about it.
This is the 4th video I am watching about this synth and I am getting closer to buy it. The sound seems to be thick. I am only wondering about the learning curve as it would be my first hardware synth.
new review, instant thumbs up ;-)
The I-Arp is the star of the show. This synth desperately needs an editor that works on I-pad or as a vst with a direct real time link to the synth any edits on the editor is immediately updated to the synth with the option to save on the synth, vst or the I-pad editor or all three. The I-pad would be the cool option to perform edits with touch faders, rotary encoders and buttons. I could see a lot of us trimming down our hardware collection, it would be a powerful combination and give us all the options we need.