I have a Polybrute, prophet 10, pro 3 se and more. A big studio. And I’ve just bought this, precisely because I don’t need another big polysynth. I need something immediate for inspirations and for, well, playing. Something I can take anywhere as Tim says. In bed. In the garden. Away on vacation. It’s a fabulous instrument.
Tim, I appreciate your honest opinions on synths. You are spot on with this one, as always. It's an amazing synth, for sure. I don't regret buying it, but the menu system is indeed cumbersome. This has to be your main synth, learning it inside and out, or using it just as a preset synth. To master it, it would take months of dedicated use, knowing where to go to edit a parameter, etc. I think that turned a lot of people off. The price is debatable. Personally, I think for the features, it's spot on. Is the full size X worth it? I don't know. I only have experience with the Xm.
Great stuff! Learned a ton! I just can't imagine how you figured out some of the things you did... particularly in the 'confusions' section. I would have gone crazy and given up before I'd have ever figured out the root-causes you ultimately sorted out. Your concerns about the mini-keys sure didn't keep you from playing some great runs on it by the way! Thanks for the very helpful video!!
Just a belated Thank You! I bought a Jupiter Xm about 2 years ago and your video was very important when I made that purchasing decision. In short, I love my Xm and never regreted buying it. Your video set the proper expectation and thus there was no anticipated disapointment. So thank you very much many of your videos have been a great help and insparation for me. 😊
Thank you Tim. Very insightful, enlightening, entertaining and as with all your efforts of great value and relevance. The vast collection Zen Core "offerings", the MC-707, MC-404 and the Jupiter XM are very attractive. To get started, I opted in the short term for the "lowest cost" solution; Roland Cloud, get my feet wet. It is quite nice of Roland Cloud to offer and expose the entire Cloud portfolio free for the first month irrespective of the plan chosen. Thank you for revealing the quirks of the Xm interface and taking the many hours of time to chrronicle your findings to benefit your viewers. Gratefully.
Excellent video, thank you. Your detailed explanation / graphical representation of the synth architecture is something that Roland need to incorporate into their official documentation!
Brilliant in depth review. Have had an XM for a few weeks now and this really cleared up a lot of things for me around the architecture especially the concepts of parts, tones, oscillators and partials. The slides you showed should be in a Roland manual. Your “confusions” section is a tutorial in itself. Maybe because I grew up with the limitations and constraints of 8-bit computers, I don't mind the menu-ing and enjoy learning curves! For advanced interactive sound design you use Zenology Pro on a PC and download your user tones to the XM…or use the free Jupiter X editor if the menu on the XM is too much.
Your explanation of your 'confusion' was very useful, thank you! It was so concise and practical that it allowed me to draw my own conclusions. The differences in control you listed make perfect sense to me: Its a hierarchical structure and you have to 'simply' indicate, which level you are currently working on. Regarding the last part: when you're in scene edit mode you affect the scene, if you want to affect the parts, you need to be in part edit mode -- maybe not very intuitive but I think it would work for me. Now what I'm much more worried about is that it seems their menu (and screen) for sound selection is very bothersome and once you want to start from scratch, it will probably take an unreasonable amount of time to create something you like.
Tim, thanks for the video. I've owned a Jup-X for a few months and it's quite a process to understand the internal sound structure(s), even while owning a JD-800 which has the same Part 1-4 controls. I agree that it's worth the effort and I'm having more fun the deeper I get. I also agree that the I-arpeggiator is definitely not going to get worn out on my keyboard! I've also loaded the JD-800 expansion pack, and am just getting my feet wet with the PC editor. Lots to learn for an old guy...
Same here... I acquired the little Wi-Fi adapter this past week, loaded the JD-800 and Vocal Designer expansions, and have been going deep into this synth... so much so, it's been on my bed for a couple days now! ... opted for the Xm due to size/portability.
Haha That confusions part was brilliant - Ive had the Xm for quite a while now and have never been able to get my head around it. Great explanation! I had learnt some of it from tutorials but its still sooo confusing and whenever i have a go on it i just end up giving up 😂
I'd like to compliment you on the wonderful and lovely pieces you play in demonstrating the Jupiter-Xm. I am not ever going to be some sort of 'electro' or 'beats' player and so many YT reviews seem to focus on just that but your review shows the instrument in a setting more akin to my intended use. For example the section with guitar sounds is wonderful! The first half of the review has given me a great idea of the unit's capabilities even just using the presets.. though I admit I haven't yet watched the second part on editing, etc.! :-) Being relatively new to synths, the diagrams of the synth's architecture and parts vs partials make things so much clearer.. Thank you Tim!
I never even considered looking at a Juniper Xm. I somehow dismissed it, for whatever reason. But you made me look different to this little synth. Thanks for your thorough (as usual) overview of the pros and cons. Really appreciated! BTW, I don't mind a somewhat long 'review', especially not when it's spiced with excellent pieces of music. Thanks for that too!
Thanks for this personal yet highly informative video. I found it gave a really good overview of the Xm while at the same time highlighting a number of important details, both good and bad, all with a personal touch. I feel with this instrument, Roland is trying to initially capture its intended market niche using the vintage Jupiter connotations with the name and front panel graphics, synth models and all, then lure them inside with an amazing array of patches and waveforms, while allowing those who can ride the steep learning curve to get to know every nook and cranny of the machine. The greatest challenge on this type of machine is how to create something that is initially accessible yet still gives a good overview once you've dived in, and it seems that Roland have not really succeeded in either accounts; the knobs don't do what they say in many cases, while at the same time the minuscule display doesn't allow more than a tiny peek at any time of what's going on inside. Anyway, great video, thanks.
Superb overview. So nice to watch someone simply work with it, not worry about comparing to old synths or just going through pre-made patches. Great stuff and nice track.
I really appreciate the work you do Tim. Thanks for the insights into your workflow & keeping it relevant to your particular tastes and processes, I feel you cover a lot more ground by doing this instead of getting stuck in the weeds at every turn. Its much more inspirational & informative for me as a viewer. Kudos.
You convinced me long time ago to buy the xm (which I love). But from time to time I come to this video to listen to you playing that nice medieval melody with the guitar and the strings ha ha. Thanks!!!
Always appreciate your videos Tim. As a guy who tries out a lot of different synths, what would you say are your top three most inspiring instruments of the past few years? Would love to see a video on that.
Tim’s reviews are alway respectful to the manufacturers who have worked hard to create their synths. I also think Roland Synths get a bad rap because musicians don’t understand or appreciate Roland’s approach to sound creation. I’ve been using Roland synths for decades. The JX-3P was my first. When I need a lush pillowy pad, guess what synth I grab first.
This is the Schrödinger's cat of synthesizers. It is both the best and worst at the same time. I bought this for my wife at Christmas as a first synth. It is perfect when you haven’t used anything else.
Thank you Tim, your video was very helpful to me. I like the machine for the sounds, the size, the many possibilities and the retro look I find also very appealing. It would fit great to my small home studio set up. I am not a keyboard player so the mini keys don't put me off. I am a synth enthusiast interested in creating sounds and the likes . For this I need knobs, sliders buttons and all directly accessible and not going through menu items. It is why I still regret selling my jupiter-4 and juno-6 at the time and the reason I never liked the Yamaha DX7. I also sold my Alesis Micron for the same reason, great sounds but terrible to program. I am afraid the XM falls in the same category and will not be a good buy for me, that is what I get from your video. It is a pity as I am looking for a companion synth next to my Moog subsequent 37 and the Jupiter seemed to be a candidate. Anyway the search goes on. Thanks again.
Excellent review but the highlights just how much menu diving there is and how confusing it is. I use a MC101 alongside the Zenology cloud plugin as an expander which I find is the easiest and quickest way to audition these sounds including being able to access all the EXZ addons as part of the basic subscription and can quickly determine which packs work best and then can transfer them to the MC101 at $1 each, great little setup.
Your « Confusions » section is probably the best tutorial on the Jupiter Xm I’ve seen so far 😅 The most frustrating is that with all those sources of confusion, Roland just tells us to RTFM and leaves us without any tutorial video addressing these sources of confusion.
Thanks for this video, Tim. I've been about to pull the trigger on this synth as a complement/replacement for my microKORG for a while. My fear was that it would be complex to learn. A fear that you have confirmed. But I think I will buy it nonetheless and invest the time in learning it.
Thank you for this review - vocalizing your thoughts as you moved through the settings was more helpful to understanding the workings of this unit then simply glossing over its independent capabilities... and confusions as the case may be.
Tim Shoebridge is the best out there. Chapeau. As a very happy XM user,what I would do for a detailed book/video from Tim on how to get the full potential user experience of this fabulous synth. How to get crafting Gattobus type patches. I would without a shadow of doubt pay £50 for a detailed book on this synth.
Superb content, loved this and especially refreshing to watch a synth review from someone with a nice British accent for a change. I was wondering about a Jupiter X as a compliment to my Korg Kronos. The problem is, the Kronos is so hugely powerful that any additional synth needs to do something that the Kronos can't. Still not sure about the JP X, but this video really brought out the issues and benefits with admirable clarity. It also demonstrates what real UI complexity looks like. People moan about the UI on the Kronos, but at least everything is laid out on a large touchscreen for you, so once you know each synth engine, muscle memory can kick in. The interface on this looks like the worst of all worlds really, back to the days of painting the Sistine Chapel through a letterbox to some degree! A problem that certainly afflicts the D50 I have. What are your views on a JP X as a complementary synth to a workstation like the Kronos?
Thank God you agree with me that we do not care about how it emulates the past, but want to hear how it helps us in the future. Liked in the first few seconds.
You are very thorough sir. I have an RD88 and have had the FA series for a while. It did indeed take me months to master the FA's, but now I am very pleased with the power and can program pretty fast. The RD88 plays very well, but the menu is something to provide to a suspected of kidnaping and threaten him to use it if he doesn't give up the location of the kidnapped. After using the RD88 menu he would no doubt agree to anything to not use it. I am getting used to it however, but..... I really bought the RD88 for the playing feel and as a controller, and for playing out for portability.
Very nicely put video and very informative. I have just one suggestion, maybe put a hi pass on your microphone channel as to reduce the rumble from taping the buttons. Cheers
Since V3 of the firmware we now have 512 scenes and tones. At least they addressed that. They also tried to simplify the menus but I don’t know if they addressed the confusion with the partials inside an XV model that you mention. I’ve got to check that.
At 31:59 the potentiometer for the oscillator level is only ON or OFF because the synth model is the Juno-106 which only has a switch to turn on or off the oscillator. I believe so.
What a detailed, articulate and well thought out explanatory review. This was the first video of yours that I have seen and it was so well done that I had to subscribed. Thank you.
Tim Shoebridge: this will be only my thoughts; this will not be a tutorial at all Proceeds to explain the mechanics of the device better in 15 minutes than the 40 min tutorial I just watched. Hilarious! (P.s. I thought this reminded me of a wavestate too but no one else drew that comparison. Glad I wasn't imagining it, and glad it has has so many sound design opportunities...though the navigation for creating those designs has me a little worried. How was the workflow for the multi part example you created?) Edit: nevermind, I observed the workflow in the bit with the guitar and pad...dang, that menu interaction is really not my bag. I also hated the sequencer interaction. Really too bad as I like the sounds a lot. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Damn it Tim, I wish I had watched this before I ordered a Kyra yesterday - I actually had both of these on my shortlist, but more because I thought they were radically different from each other, rather than due to their similarities to each other. Great review - the Waldorf arrives tomorrow so let’s see how we go!
@@davidknight754 Hi David, in fact I didn’t - twiddled with it for a week, but it felt more like a physical version of a VST plugin rather than a synth with its own particular sound. I ended up getting a Hydrasynth, which is monotimbral but sounds absolutely fantastic. I also bought a Korg Minilogue XD on the back of Tim’s videos and I love it. I’ve coupled these up to my AKAI Force and it works really well as a DAWless / live performance setup.
I have a wavestate which frankly I find quite confusing alot if the time I got 5 minutes into Loopops video on this and went yuck hate that menu. Then I watched your video which I found explained things well and the crazy set of buttons you confirmed is a killer for me. So thanks. I don't like mini keys either but the Jupiter X is way more expensive I wondered if you'd compared it or dies it have the same setup on the panel which would drive me nuts. Love your videos and style a big thank you ☺️
Tim, you can set the part button behavior in the menu so when u choose a part it automatically turn only the audio for it, makes it easy to know which part you are editing.
NOR flash chips used for patch storage have 1024 sectors at maximum (NOR flash used for firmware has often only 32 sectors), so it often defines the number of storage positions. 1000 on Prophet 6/OB-6, 256 on Moogs etc. Erasing of the NOR flash is VERY slow (up to one MINUTE for the entire chip), so using one sector for multiple patches would mean some POTENTIAL risk of data corruption. On the other hand NOR flash has more than 20 year guaranteed data retention and very fast read operations so that's why it's used for firmware and config storage.
Let me address an elephant in the room so to speak. Roland didn't innovate a brand new synthesizer with the X series. They digitized their classic synths that everyone loves. They surrounded it with bells and whistles to make it programmable/customizable. So many synth lovers (regardless of their cork sniffing - including me) dream of owning a classic synth be it Roland or otherwise. This is the closest Roland can get you right now. I appreciate that. If you bought all the synths this beast reproduces you'd spend significantly more not to mention all the maintenance headaches. The Xm and X sound like the legends they emulate. Once you start layering the parts into scenes you can create very unique sounds. An RD piano with a Juno 106 and JX pads... incredible! There is certainly a learning curve though (I'm still on it). I love the X for what it is (I've never touched an Xm). Honestly. I have all these legendary sounds sitting in my studio available to me with a few clicks. I agree with you on the storage situation. It could've been much better, but I can live with it. I don't like the screen on the X. It could've been LARGER and better located. The menu diving of course is in need of improvement. The keys on the X aren't the best, but they aren't bad. They feel much like a Juno 106 or similar actually. When the X series isn't manufactured anymore, everyone who didn't dive in will wish they had. It sounds beautiful as you demonstrated. Thank you for the breakdown Mr. Shoebridge. I preordered an X in September '19 and it arrived in April '20. I learn all the time, and did today here.
@Chipmunk Synthpunk Yes, there isn't much data out there (even in Roland's documentation) about the USB flash drive specifications. I have a 128Gb stick that functions fine in mine. So it seems that the sky is the limit if you have lots of USB flash drives. I think Shoebridge is talking about the internal memory storage for patches (256). Several type of files can be saved to the USB stick in addition to patches. eg: backups, scenes, patches, etc.
Mine arrives tomorrow so I'm eager to see how I like it. I have a Juno 106 and Ob6. I bought the Xm because I play in a band and hauling out a synth and a piano is tiresome. This feels like a souped up Microkorg with a solid grand piano and solid Roland emulations in it. The fact that it has a bunch of samples and can do wavestate and other stuff, plus a vocoder, etc. - it's a pretty great value proposition if the sound engine is top shelf. That's what I'm most curious to hear. It all starts and ends with the sound. If it holds up against my Juno 106 and lets me sell that or keep it safely at home, I think given everything else it does it's probably worth it already. People complain about the mini keys, but I don't mind at all having a module at module price that includes keys. it makes it portable and a viable 'top level' synth to use live. I may connect a midi keyboard to it so I can do splits, etc. Maybe I'll hate it. And I agree re: the X. Why pay $1000 more for a still-problematic UI, the same tiny screen (which is on the left instead of centered as it is on the Xm) and the same sound engine/functionality? just buy an Xm and a $70 midi keyboard, etc. I wish they would do a special edition 'Jupiter XL' that includes a bigger/better screen and more 1-to-1 controls. That might actually make the larger X enticing. Thanks to Tim. Well done. This video was the most helpful breakdown of the Scenes/Parts/Tones I've seen, and it finally explained the Cutoff filter issue I've seen other youtubers having issues with. I think it makes sense to have the ability for the cutoff filter to be only applicable to certain tones/parts, but I think for most patches you'd want the default to be it applying globally to the entire patch ('scene'). I also wish they'd included a synth octave button like the JP8 had. Menu diving for that sort of stuff will likely be tiresome. That said it seems setup to be a stage machine. So once you do get your patches set up, you just save, and bring em up and play.
GenX I am with you my friend. I did not have the room for the Jup X but I got this little guy and the sound is amazing 😍....I have a Roland synth Museum all in one box, so many options and like Tim stated I don't feel the need to program, just tweak and make music🤪🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Yeah I got the X the screen on the X is a big problem so I replaced the LED so it can’t have no glare and I repaired the Keybed to my liking with a synth geek that does Keybeds so now it became perfect to my liking it feels like a sponge now once you touch the keys.
Great review: you have covered some important aspects of the sound engine that nobody have touched before. What really bothers me is that the jupiter xm has the full potential and power of a new generation workstation in a extremely smart portable "all in one" package, but Roland doesn't seem interested in developing the operating system in this direction: I suspect they don't want to invade the field of their Fantom line (from a marketing point of view).
Fantastic run through. This synth design capabilities are a lot easier to deal with if you are familiar with making sounds on the original engines (sh, Jupiter, Juno). I love mine but am not yet 100% why, if this makes sense. You really get back what you give though.
I love this synth, it sounds unbelievable warm. It might not be analog, but it has many analog sounding presets. Closing my eyes and just jamming on it, it doesnt matter if it is "really" analog. I want to pair it with a iridium, which has more of a cristal clear sound to my ears. Best of all, i got it in mint condition for $800. Thats hard to beat.
As ever, great review, made from a different angle to other YT reviews. If you own a JD-XA, (has X4 real analogue voices aditional to PCMs), be aware if buying a JupiterX/Xm you will be buying the same PCM samples, programmed in a different order, to make this less obvious. Zencore is maybe a hi-rez version of their previous tech, having standard synth waveforms (either single cycle or digitally generated) at the beginning of their PCM banks. In my opinion, their models are like skins, which put Zencore into a preset, containing only settings related to the modeled synth.
Thanks for this Tim, I've been keen on this synth, and it's hard to explain why but I think you have shown it with how the partials work, especially when you see the step LFO, ability to round robin and delay oscillators and so many other things)I am familiar with the supernatural and pcm-s engine, they are extremely painful but powerful (supernatural less so). the zencore engine has combined these two engines and added a lot of quality of life (as painful as you find this zencore engine pcm-s is a lot worse) . When you complained about how the cutoff requires the partial page to be open, I am thinking Wow you can use the cut off knob to change the cut off now!? have to use the data wheel in the pcm-s engine. infact the envelope knobs dont effect the envelope, none of the knobs are connected to the pcm-s engine. So as painful as this is, it was much worse on their previous synths. The screen really is tiny though. On my FA you can see all 4 partials one the screen at once, so that makes it a bit easier.
Tim, Thanks for the comprehensive video. I'm stuck and wondered if I could have your thoughts on my dilemma. I own a JDXi which I love. 4 part multitimbral. Great drums, portable but limited sequencing capabilities. I was looking at the Roland Xm because of its pianos and XV soundset as an addition but wanted a proper sized keyboard. I went towards the Yamaha MODX7 to give me a good sized keybed but great sounds. In Australia both retail for roughly $2200 (aud). I cant afford both as being a nurse, we aren't exactly high earners. I have an old Powerbook running Ableton and Nexus 3, NI and F9 Audio. (I deleted and got rid of so many soft synths as it distracted from my workflow. I have owned a Juno 6, 106. Jupiter 8 and Prophet T8 owned by the Dooleys back in the day. I also want a synth I can "noodle" on and experiment like I used to do with my old synths. I want to make the right choice but stuck. My heart says Roland Xm (because I am a Roland gear head) but my mind says Modx because its more what I need not want.
That's a difficult choice. I have not had a chance to play with a MODX but you have a real workstation experience in terms of multiple synth engines, sequencing etc. Also, the full size keyboard is going to be a major factor unless you look at the Jupiter X which I appreciate is much more expensive...
Found this very useful and informative. Just scratched the surface so far. Need to find the tones and samples. Just got it working today with full size midi keyboard feels so much better.
A powerful thing for sure Tim. Awesome video, as always. Sadly for me, the XM is too flawed. This video just reinforced my own thoughts. The interface, is not something I'd live with. Most of the internet i-ARP demo's for the Jup-X, sound like it's being played by Les Dawson. A desktop unit with double the buttons/knobs, would have made sense. I feel that the Jup-X is also crippled too. If I owned several synths, and didn't use the XM on every project, it would be painful. For a new outfit, ASM (comparing interface alone) did a much better job. The XM just needed a couple of extra screens, and more buttons/knobs. But was always going to be limited by size/design.
W41N This Xm and the Jupiter X could be great with an editor or app making menu diving, saving sounds and such easier. I want the Jupiter X but it’s way to complicated for a preset guy like me
@@csharp57 You are spot on. Ironically, if they'd used more space right and left on the top panel, it would have meant they could have used a screen twice the size and that way the abbreviations would also have made actual sense too. Instead of the messy solution Tim explained. It's deffo not for me, I see why it's so expensive - but the patch memory for the price is laughable too. I could even tell Tim was struggling with the keyboard, as the audio level of the black notes wasn't as it should be. In my mind, if you take a mobile unit, and are forced to hook it up to a laptop and controller - then it's just too broken to consider. I hope when Roland make their next synth, it focuses more on std traditional synth voices/features. This will mean the buttons and knobs behave more like every other synth on the market.
Tim, your great I love your minilogue XD stuff. Brother you need to tell people why your only playing the black keys. The mini keybed on this is like 1/2 inch shorter than the minilogue XD mini keys, and it's hell to play. Why would you want this on your lap when you constantly hit two keys at once.
Well thought out review with great graphical explanation of the arch. To me it’s a sample playback unit of Rolands greatest hits. Even though sample playback is not HOW it's creating the sounds, that's not what Im looking for. I own vintage Roland synths and the pleasure comes from the self oscillating filters and the howling harmonics of the interaction between the raw VCO's. Watching reviews it feel like Whitney Houston hits fall out of the X/Xm series. Not what Im looking for, but I'm sure that 80's pop cover bands would find this synth very useful. No shade, it has it's place.
There's not too many Roland synths with self resonance actually. The JX-s Filters couldn't do it. Also Roland was more than only analog, they have a legend in the digital/sample based synths as well. What they are missing is something new.
@@torbenanschau6641 All my vintage Rolands filters self oscillate (if that is what you meant). MKS-80, SH2, and sh-09. Here you go: th-cam.com/video/5ApZpeovVeA/w-d-xo.html jump to 50 seconds.
@@station2station544 I've seen videos where they show the self-oscillation and brag about the ability to apply a Moog and SEM style filter to JP8 and Juno sounds. Mine arrives tomorrow. Curious to see how it results. I'm sure it won't beat analog. But if it gets 95% of the way there, it does have its place as a very viable 'stage synth' for playing live imo. Feels like the the Jupiter X/Xm or the system 8 are the closest most people can come to ever playing a JP8. I hope I like it. If not, I bought from GC and will return.
How nany arpeggios preset patterns does the XM has ???? As far as i know the Kyra has 128. Please let me know. Thanks fir the vid. Very useful. 👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿 When i look for the info i can not get it because all they specified is the INTELLIGENT ARPEGGIO.
I want the cleaner, lower-profile layout of the Juno-X but with the models from the Jupiter X/Xm. I guess one can't have everything. Mini-keys... well if I ever buy this thing it will be to use essentially as a module with an 88-key controller.
yeah i’m thinking it’s a good live alternative to my jupiter 8 and FA-06 with its xylophones organs etc... and you don’t need to menu dive, most of the controls you’d want when performing are knob per function on the dash. unlike the FA-06 which has almost no direct sound editing control without menu diving.
Fast forward just over 1 year... do you still like the Jupiter XM? How do you feel it stacks up vs the System 8 or the JD-XA or other recent synths in similar price range? What are its best strengths and the biggest weaknesses? If you own it would you buy it again? I'm considering purchasing the XM but the System 8 seems decent too. Lots of cool things with the XM makes me want it.
Yes I still have and do love the JXM, I tend to use it for big pads and atmospheric patches, ones where I can blend multiple layers and utilise its huge library of PCM samples. For me personally that is it's biggest strength. And because of its multitimbrality I've been experimenting with MPE controllers and it has a lot of potential in that regard. The biggest downsides remain the user interface (the menus in particular) and the lack of user preset storage space. I had a JD-XA but sold it, I just didn't get the very limited voicing of the analogue side combined with the very generous voicing of the digital side. I'm not a live player, I don't play with kbd splits, so that voicing limitation was something I found frustrating. That said I regretted selling the JD-XA so bought another about 3 months ago. I haven't had much time to get back into it, but I am loving the control interface, but unfortunately menu diving is a necessity and it's a hideous experience, even compared to the JXM! So that brings me on to the System-8, a synth I have long been interested in but never ended up trying. I think I would love the user interface and the simplicity of using it. But sound-wise I can't see what it will bring me that the JXM can't cover. I guess at some stage I will get one just to see what I've been missing all these years. Maybe for me as a JXM owner, combining it with a System-8 would make a lot more sense as opposed to what I have right now which is a JXM + JD-XA. If I do get a System-8 I will definitely do a video covering the pros and cons of all three, it's a topic that has got me lost in thought for a long time now!
It’s quite similar in sound and architecture to my Jupiter 50 (10 years old), which I miss slightly as I have lent it to my brother. It’s a useful rompler. This one’s an improvement on on the Jupiter 50 ‘cos it’s much smaller and wouldn’t dominate one’s desk space.
I like the ZEN Core engine, but none of the packages it comes in is really usable or creates GAS. The UI is just not adequate to what it's supposed to do. You really need an iPad App that presents a dedicated UI that shows all controls of the selected engine. Neither the X nor the Xm has enough knobs and tye printed text on the front mostly never describes the real function. The microscopic screen doesn't really help either.
Excelent work Tim! This synth sounds lovely, and is a powerful unit for sure. They stuffed tons of synth architecture into this, not a bad thing I dig that, what I do not like about this is the form factor, even the big brother the X really feels like a bad implementation. Too much layered menus, not enough front panel controls and the XM having mini keys ^rolls eyes^ and even worse fake warm up mode lol What is that all about? So one of the worst features of real analog baked into something almost as terrible to programs as a D50 all in one mini key package lol.
Hey Marshal :) I read the d50 manual after watching one of your videos, have also read the zencore manuals, and I have a FA with PCM-S, if you know one you know the other. Zencores just a bit a friendlier with more features but basically is the D50 from a sound design perspective.
I have never encountered a synth so discouraging me making tones myself. It feels more like a sound lego. Also the AI-arp and some other features feel very not synth, but a montage/kronos workstation which emphasize auto comping, not sound crafting. But on neither side it ended not enough, which makes it a weird positioned product.
I've been on the fence for so long on this, your video certainly helped and your sounds are way better than the stock walkthroughs. So I bought it! Totally agree with your conclusions, it's a total beast and possibly the best synth I own... But damn it's confusing, to the point it doesn't even know itself what it is. I'm enjoying the journey though, but as you say I think the confusion may be it's downfall sadly.
Many say the same thing about the JD-XA and they would be correct. They pack a lot into it and what a unique and powerful synthesizer it is. Hopefully that’s helped prepare me for some of the challenges on the XM.
@@kingtrance307 I've now got a Juno-X. They are relatively simple, once you know. As you say, the complexity of the synth is excellent, so it's understandable. I do find the Juno easier though, but I was probably primed on the Xm.
@@MusicZeroOne _ I got a XM coming to pair with my JD-XA so looks like I’m jumping in the deep end once again. Should be fun but I really wanted the X - but the XM is easier on both studio space and my budget. Enjoy your Juno X! That looks like a really nice synth as well. So many great synths out there but you can only have so many right? I guess that’s where software will have to fill any holes.
@@kingtrance307 I loved the Xm, price and size is perfect. Keys are nice too. You’ll love it! I also use a WM dongle for cloud, actually cheaper than normal Pro. Have fun mate, I’m sure you will 👍
@@MusicZeroOne - Appreciate it man! Just starting to dig in and it’s deep. Gotta get used to scenes and partials. It’s a learning process (the Roland workflow) but then again I’m still learning things with my JD-XA. Will AI take over all our jobs? Tax the Machines!
I have one and yes, you can tell that the thought they put into the UI is incredible. I also really like the latest Dave Smith synths, I think they have got the whole menu+soft controls way of working down to an art form now. I wish all synth manufacturers would understand that there are two parts to a synth: what sounds it can make and how you interact with it. Not enough effort by so many manufacturers on the second part :(
@sbmphr Yes definitely. But I need to get it right. I have a few mood swings with it to be totally honest. Once I get consistency in my mind I'll do a video for sure 👍
I found myself getting frustrated when you were explaining the points of confusion with the Xm. If I had to jump through these hoops while designing Scenes for a gig it would drive me nuts. I'm a hundred times better off with my Kronos and M3 and the ease of use with Combi mode. Plus I can add samples when necessary all in one device.
I wrote that before the cons part of the video. Man... an M3 is from 2006 or thereabouts and ALL the sounds and Combis are rewritable. I think it's about 14 banks x 128 for both single Programs and Combis.
That iarpeggio part makes me laugh so hard every single time I see this. In theory a good idea; in reality not so much. Your expression says it all lol.
a good musician told me my affection for C minor/E Flat and D Flat/C Sharp is the black keys, black keys just sound better than white keys .... my thought was I could see chord patterns easier with a good amount of sharps and flats.... after 30 years, still working on key modulation.... great hobby though.
The I-ARP is actually pretty good once you start diving into it and controlling it in the menu...This keyboard is very simple once you spend a hour or two with it.
Really small token of appreciation of the work you are doing. Your reviews inspired me to learn to play keyboard and buy my first synths.
Probably the best summary of this synth out there. I love my XM.
I have a Polybrute, prophet 10, pro 3 se and more. A big studio. And I’ve just bought this, precisely because I don’t need another big polysynth. I need something immediate for inspirations and for, well, playing. Something I can take anywhere as Tim says. In bed. In the garden. Away on vacation. It’s a fabulous instrument.
This is the best video I have seen on this synth. Love the Synth Architecture portion. No one does that !
Fantastic video. People seem to want ‘playing only’ videos, but for me there’s no alternative to a clear, articulate explanation. Thank you.
Tim, I appreciate your honest opinions on synths. You are spot on with this one, as always. It's an amazing synth, for sure. I don't regret buying it, but the menu system is indeed cumbersome. This has to be your main synth, learning it inside and out, or using it just as a preset synth. To master it, it would take months of dedicated use, knowing where to go to edit a parameter, etc. I think that turned a lot of people off. The price is debatable. Personally, I think for the features, it's spot on. Is the full size X worth it? I don't know. I only have experience with the Xm.
Great stuff! Learned a ton! I just can't imagine how you figured out some of the things you did... particularly in the 'confusions' section. I would have gone crazy and given up before I'd have ever figured out the root-causes you ultimately sorted out. Your concerns about the mini-keys sure didn't keep you from playing some great runs on it by the way! Thanks for the very helpful video!!
Just a belated Thank You! I bought a Jupiter Xm about 2 years ago and your video was very important when I made that purchasing decision. In short, I love my Xm and never regreted buying it. Your video set the proper expectation and thus there was no anticipated disapointment. So thank you very much many of your videos have been a great help and insparation for me. 😊
You sold me Tim, I just bought one while watching your video. Great presentation as usual!
Thank you Tim. Very insightful, enlightening, entertaining and as with all your efforts of great value and relevance. The vast collection Zen Core "offerings", the MC-707, MC-404 and the Jupiter XM are very attractive. To get started, I opted in the short term for the "lowest cost" solution; Roland Cloud, get my feet wet. It is quite nice of Roland Cloud to offer and expose the entire Cloud portfolio free for the first month irrespective of the plan chosen. Thank you for revealing the quirks of the Xm interface and taking the many hours of time to chrronicle your findings to benefit your viewers. Gratefully.
Excellent video, thank you. Your detailed explanation / graphical representation of the synth architecture is something that Roland need to incorporate into their official documentation!
Thanks for taking the time to create this excellent video. As a new XM owner I found it very useful.
Brilliant in depth review. Have had an XM for a few weeks now and this really cleared up a lot of things for me around the architecture especially the concepts of parts, tones, oscillators and partials. The slides you showed should be in a Roland manual. Your “confusions” section is a tutorial in itself. Maybe because I grew up with the limitations and constraints of 8-bit computers, I don't mind the menu-ing and enjoy learning curves! For advanced interactive sound design you use Zenology Pro on a PC and download your user tones to the XM…or use the free Jupiter X editor if the menu on the XM is too much.
Easily one of the most complete and informative reviews around on the jupiter x!
All in all it sounds like as hardware companion the xm is not the best option for the zencore engine
This is one of the best reviews I’ve seen on TH-cam. Can you do more Roland products?
Your explanation of your 'confusion' was very useful, thank you! It was so concise and practical that it allowed me to draw my own conclusions. The differences in control you listed make perfect sense to me: Its a hierarchical structure and you have to 'simply' indicate, which level you are currently working on. Regarding the last part: when you're in scene edit mode you affect the scene, if you want to affect the parts, you need to be in part edit mode -- maybe not very intuitive but I think it would work for me. Now what I'm much more worried about is that it seems their menu (and screen) for sound selection is very bothersome and once you want to start from scratch, it will probably take an unreasonable amount of time to create something you like.
Tim, thanks for the video. I've owned a Jup-X for a few months and it's quite a process to understand the internal sound structure(s), even while owning a JD-800 which has the same Part 1-4 controls. I agree that it's worth the effort and I'm having more fun the deeper I get. I also agree that the I-arpeggiator is definitely not going to get worn out on my keyboard! I've also loaded the JD-800 expansion pack, and am just getting my feet wet with the PC editor. Lots to learn for an old guy...
Same here... I acquired the little Wi-Fi adapter this past week, loaded the JD-800 and Vocal Designer expansions, and have been going deep into this synth... so much so, it's been on my bed for a couple days now! ... opted for the Xm due to size/portability.
Haha That confusions part was brilliant - Ive had the Xm for quite a while now and have never been able to get my head around it. Great explanation! I had learnt some of it from tutorials but its still sooo confusing and whenever i have a go on it i just end up giving up 😂
Great stuff, Tim! Your understanding is INCREDIBLE mate! Just having re-watch...
I'd like to compliment you on the wonderful and lovely pieces you play in demonstrating the Jupiter-Xm. I am not ever going to be some sort of 'electro' or 'beats' player and so many YT reviews seem to focus on just that but your review shows the instrument in a setting more akin to my intended use. For example the section with guitar sounds is wonderful!
The first half of the review has given me a great idea of the unit's capabilities even just using the presets.. though I admit I haven't yet watched the second part on editing, etc.! :-)
Being relatively new to synths, the diagrams of the synth's architecture and parts vs partials make things so much clearer..
Thank you Tim!
I never even considered looking at a Juniper Xm. I somehow dismissed it, for whatever reason. But you made me look different to this little synth.
Thanks for your thorough (as usual) overview of the pros and cons. Really appreciated!
BTW, I don't mind a somewhat long 'review', especially not when it's spiced with excellent pieces of music. Thanks for that too!
Thanks for an intelligent review and honest opinion. The first TH-camr I’ve sent money.
Thanks for this personal yet highly informative video. I found it gave a really good overview of the Xm while at the same time highlighting a number of important details, both good and bad, all with a personal touch. I feel with this instrument, Roland is trying to initially capture its intended market niche using the vintage Jupiter connotations with the name and front panel graphics, synth models and all, then lure them inside with an amazing array of patches and waveforms, while allowing those who can ride the steep learning curve to get to know every nook and cranny of the machine. The greatest challenge on this type of machine is how to create something that is initially accessible yet still gives a good overview once you've dived in, and it seems that Roland have not really succeeded in either accounts; the knobs don't do what they say in many cases, while at the same time the minuscule display doesn't allow more than a tiny peek at any time of what's going on inside. Anyway, great video, thanks.
This video is amazing. The graphics help a lot to understand what is going on. Thank you friend!
Superb overview. So nice to watch someone simply work with it, not worry about comparing to old synths or just going through pre-made patches. Great stuff and nice track.
I really appreciate the work you do Tim.
Thanks for the insights into your workflow & keeping it relevant to your particular tastes and processes, I feel you cover a lot more ground by doing this instead of getting stuck in the weeds at every turn.
Its much more inspirational & informative for me as a viewer.
Kudos.
You convinced me long time ago to buy the xm (which I love). But from time to time I come to this video to listen to you playing that nice medieval melody with the guitar and the strings ha ha. Thanks!!!
The i-Arpeggio section @49:30 had me absolutely rolling on the floor. Top content!
Classic!
Great stuff Tim. I love you style and pace of tuition here. 👍
Always appreciate your videos Tim. As a guy who tries out a lot of different synths, what would you say are your top three most inspiring instruments of the past few years? Would love to see a video on that.
Tim’s reviews are alway respectful to the manufacturers who have worked hard to create their synths. I also think Roland Synths get a bad rap because musicians don’t understand or appreciate Roland’s approach to sound creation. I’ve been using Roland synths for decades. The JX-3P was my first. When I need a lush pillowy pad, guess what synth I grab first.
This was a great and informative video to watch. And I love the music at the end. Very nice synthwave! Thank you :)
This is the Schrödinger's cat of synthesizers. It is both the best and worst at the same time. I bought this for my wife at Christmas as a first synth. It is perfect when you haven’t used anything else.
Love my XM...Hope to get the X Very soon!
Killer playing,Man...I'll never reach that level, but,will try!
Thank you Tim, your video was very helpful to me. I like the machine for the sounds, the size, the many possibilities and the retro look I find also very appealing. It would fit great to my small home studio set up. I am not a keyboard player so the mini keys don't put me off. I am a synth enthusiast interested in creating sounds and the likes . For this I need knobs, sliders buttons and all directly accessible and not going through menu items. It is why I still regret selling my jupiter-4 and juno-6 at the time and the reason I never liked the Yamaha DX7. I also sold my Alesis Micron for the same reason, great sounds but terrible to program. I am afraid the XM falls in the same category and will not be a good buy for me, that is what I get from your video. It is a pity as I am looking for a companion synth next to my Moog subsequent 37 and the Jupiter seemed to be a candidate. Anyway the search goes on.
Thanks again.
Which one you bought ? You wrote a few years ago. You made us curious 😅😊
You did very well Tim to understand the Xm synth as much as you have done!
Excellent review but the highlights just how much menu diving there is and how confusing it is. I use a MC101 alongside the Zenology cloud plugin as an expander which I find is the easiest and quickest way to audition these sounds including being able to access all the EXZ addons as part of the basic subscription and can quickly determine which packs work best and then can transfer them to the MC101 at $1 each, great little setup.
Your « Confusions » section is probably the best tutorial on the Jupiter Xm I’ve seen so far 😅
The most frustrating is that with all those sources of confusion, Roland just tells us to RTFM and leaves us without any tutorial video addressing these sources of confusion.
Agree. The “confusions” segment in the video is actually a great tutorial on how to edit parts and partials!
I would like to have explained, how to connect each part to a different midi channels.
Thanks for this video, Tim. I've been about to pull the trigger on this synth as a complement/replacement for my microKORG for a while. My fear was that it would be complex to learn. A fear that you have confirmed. But I think I will buy it nonetheless and invest the time in learning it.
Thank you for this review - vocalizing your thoughts as you moved through the settings was more helpful to understanding the workings of this unit then simply glossing over its independent capabilities... and confusions as the case may be.
Tim Shoebridge is the best out there. Chapeau. As a very happy XM user,what I would do for a detailed book/video from Tim on how to get the full potential user experience of this fabulous synth. How to get crafting Gattobus type patches. I would without a shadow of doubt pay £50 for a detailed book on this synth.
Superb content, loved this and especially refreshing to watch a synth review from someone with a nice British accent for a change.
I was wondering about a Jupiter X as a compliment to my Korg Kronos. The problem is, the Kronos is so hugely powerful that any additional synth needs to do something that the Kronos can't.
Still not sure about the JP X, but this video really brought out the issues and benefits with admirable clarity.
It also demonstrates what real UI complexity looks like. People moan about the UI on the Kronos, but at least everything is laid out on a large touchscreen for you, so once you know each synth engine, muscle memory can kick in.
The interface on this looks like the worst of all worlds really, back to the days of painting the Sistine Chapel through a letterbox to some degree! A problem that certainly afflicts the D50 I have.
What are your views on a JP X as a complementary synth to a workstation like the Kronos?
such a fantastic review, thank you Tim
Your use of sound is inspired! Thank you 😊
Thank God you agree with me that we do not care about how it emulates the past, but want to hear how it helps us in the future. Liked in the first few seconds.
Tim, I’d love to see you explore the Kurzweil PC4, it’s seems like your mind and aesthetic would totally Zen out with that machine.
You are very thorough sir.
I have an RD88 and have had the FA series for a while. It did indeed take me months to master the FA's, but now I am very pleased with the power and can program pretty fast. The RD88 plays very well, but the menu is something to provide to a suspected of kidnaping and threaten him to use it if he doesn't give up the location of the kidnapped. After using the RD88 menu he would no doubt agree to anything to not use it. I am getting used to it however, but..... I really bought the RD88 for the playing feel and as a controller, and for playing out for portability.
Very nicely put video and very informative. I have just one suggestion, maybe put a hi pass on your microphone channel as to reduce the rumble from taping the buttons. Cheers
Since V3 of the firmware we now have 512 scenes and tones. At least they addressed that.
They also tried to simplify the menus but I don’t know if they addressed the confusion with the partials inside an XV model that you mention. I’ve got to check that.
At 31:59 the potentiometer for the oscillator level is only ON or OFF because the synth model is the Juno-106 which only has a switch to turn on or off the oscillator. I believe so.
What a detailed, articulate and well thought out explanatory review. This was the first video of yours that I have seen and it was so well done that I had to subscribed. Thank you.
You are amazing Tim.. I only wish I could play that well. On top of that you're a serious guru on all things synth. Been following you awhile now.
He improvised on an e minor scale, which is actually a good idea also for amateurs, just play black keys plus f and c.
Tim Shoebridge: this will be only my thoughts; this will not be a tutorial at all
Proceeds to explain the mechanics of the device better in 15 minutes than the 40 min tutorial I just watched. Hilarious!
(P.s. I thought this reminded me of a wavestate too but no one else drew that comparison. Glad I wasn't imagining it, and glad it has has so many sound design opportunities...though the navigation for creating those designs has me a little worried. How was the workflow for the multi part example you created?)
Edit: nevermind, I observed the workflow in the bit with the guitar and pad...dang, that menu interaction is really not my bag. I also hated the sequencer interaction. Really too bad as I like the sounds a lot.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Damn it Tim, I wish I had watched this before I ordered a Kyra yesterday - I actually had both of these on my shortlist, but more because I thought they were radically different from each other, rather than due to their similarities to each other. Great review - the Waldorf arrives tomorrow so let’s see how we go!
Did you keep the Kyra?
@@davidknight754 Hi David, in fact I didn’t - twiddled with it for a week, but it felt more like a physical version of a VST plugin rather than a synth with its own particular sound. I ended up getting a Hydrasynth, which is monotimbral but sounds absolutely fantastic. I also bought a Korg Minilogue XD on the back of Tim’s videos and I love it. I’ve coupled these up to my AKAI Force and it works really well as a DAWless / live performance setup.
@@kenzgbr I returned mine after a weekend of use. I didn’t like the Kyra either. I too have the Hydrasynth (desktop) and love it.
I have a wavestate which frankly I find quite confusing alot if the time I got 5 minutes into Loopops video on this and went yuck hate that menu. Then I watched your video which I found explained things well and the crazy set of buttons you confirmed is a killer for me. So thanks. I don't like mini keys either but the Jupiter X is way more expensive I wondered if you'd compared it or dies it have the same setup on the panel which would drive me nuts.
Love your videos and style a big thank you ☺️
great review and beautiful music at the end. well done
Tim, you can set the part button behavior in the menu so when u choose a part it automatically turn only the audio for it, makes it easy to know which part you are editing.
you can hold shift and select a part to, to single it out.
NOR flash chips used for patch storage have 1024 sectors at maximum (NOR flash used for firmware has often only 32 sectors), so it often defines the number of storage positions. 1000 on Prophet 6/OB-6, 256 on Moogs etc. Erasing of the NOR flash is VERY slow (up to one MINUTE for the entire chip), so using one sector for multiple patches would mean some POTENTIAL risk of data corruption. On the other hand NOR flash has more than 20 year guaranteed data retention and very fast read operations so that's why it's used for firmware and config storage.
Beautiful orchestral layering here!
This is a great run through, but I would love to see it as a Desktop Module Option too!
Let me address an elephant in the room so to speak.
Roland didn't innovate a brand new synthesizer with the X series.
They digitized their classic synths that everyone loves. They surrounded it with bells and whistles to make it programmable/customizable. So many synth lovers (regardless of their cork sniffing - including me) dream of owning a classic synth be it Roland or otherwise. This is the closest Roland can get you right now. I appreciate that. If you bought all the synths this beast reproduces you'd spend significantly more not to mention all the maintenance headaches.
The Xm and X sound like the legends they emulate. Once you start layering the parts into scenes you can create very unique sounds. An RD piano with a Juno 106 and JX pads... incredible! There is certainly a learning curve though (I'm still on it).
I love the X for what it is (I've never touched an Xm). Honestly. I have all these legendary sounds sitting in my studio available to me with a few clicks.
I agree with you on the storage situation. It could've been much better, but I can live with it. I don't like the screen on the X. It could've been LARGER and better located. The menu diving of course is in need of improvement. The keys on the X aren't the best, but they aren't bad. They feel much like a Juno 106 or similar actually.
When the X series isn't manufactured anymore, everyone who didn't dive in will wish they had. It sounds beautiful as you demonstrated.
Thank you for the breakdown Mr. Shoebridge. I preordered an X in September '19 and it arrived in April '20. I learn all the time, and did today here.
@Chipmunk Synthpunk Yes, there isn't much data out there (even in Roland's documentation) about the USB flash drive specifications. I have a 128Gb stick that functions fine in mine. So it seems that the sky is the limit if you have lots of USB flash drives. I think Shoebridge is talking about the internal memory storage for patches (256). Several type of files can be saved to the USB stick in addition to patches. eg: backups, scenes, patches, etc.
Mine arrives tomorrow so I'm eager to see how I like it. I have a Juno 106 and Ob6. I bought the Xm because I play in a band and hauling out a synth and a piano is tiresome. This feels like a souped up Microkorg with a solid grand piano and solid Roland emulations in it. The fact that it has a bunch of samples and can do wavestate and other stuff, plus a vocoder, etc. - it's a pretty great value proposition if the sound engine is top shelf. That's what I'm most curious to hear. It all starts and ends with the sound. If it holds up against my Juno 106 and lets me sell that or keep it safely at home, I think given everything else it does it's probably worth it already.
People complain about the mini keys, but I don't mind at all having a module at module price that includes keys. it makes it portable and a viable 'top level' synth to use live. I may connect a midi keyboard to it so I can do splits, etc. Maybe I'll hate it.
And I agree re: the X. Why pay $1000 more for a still-problematic UI, the same tiny screen (which is on the left instead of centered as it is on the Xm) and the same sound engine/functionality? just buy an Xm and a $70 midi keyboard, etc. I wish they would do a special edition 'Jupiter XL' that includes a bigger/better screen and more 1-to-1 controls. That might actually make the larger X enticing.
Thanks to Tim. Well done. This video was the most helpful breakdown of the Scenes/Parts/Tones I've seen, and it finally explained the Cutoff filter issue I've seen other youtubers having issues with. I think it makes sense to have the ability for the cutoff filter to be only applicable to certain tones/parts, but I think for most patches you'd want the default to be it applying globally to the entire patch ('scene').
I also wish they'd included a synth octave button like the JP8 had. Menu diving for that sort of stuff will likely be tiresome. That said it seems setup to be a stage machine. So once you do get your patches set up, you just save, and bring em up and play.
GenX I am with you my friend. I did not have the room for the Jup X but I got this little guy and the sound is amazing 😍....I have a Roland synth Museum all in one box, so many options and like Tim stated I don't feel the need to program, just tweak and make music🤪🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Yeah I got the X the screen on the X is a big problem so I replaced the LED so it can’t have no glare and I repaired the Keybed to my liking with a synth geek that does Keybeds so now it became perfect to my liking it feels like a sponge now once you touch the keys.
Great review: you have covered some important aspects of the sound engine that nobody have touched before.
What really bothers me is that the jupiter xm has the full potential and power of a new generation workstation in a extremely smart portable "all in one" package, but Roland doesn't seem interested in developing the operating system in this direction: I suspect they don't want to invade the field of their Fantom line (from a marketing point of view).
Fantastic run through. This synth design capabilities are a lot easier to deal with if you are familiar with making sounds on the original engines (sh, Jupiter, Juno). I love mine but am not yet 100% why, if this makes sense. You really get back what you give though.
I love this synth, it sounds unbelievable warm. It might not be analog, but it has many analog sounding presets. Closing my eyes and just jamming on it, it doesnt matter if it is "really" analog. I want to pair it with a iridium, which has more of a cristal clear sound to my ears. Best of all, i got it in mint condition for $800. Thats hard to beat.
Great demo, very useful hins. Thanks so much 🤩👍👏
As ever, great review, made from a different angle to other YT reviews. If you own a JD-XA, (has X4 real analogue voices aditional to PCMs), be aware if buying a JupiterX/Xm you will be buying the same PCM samples, programmed in a different order, to make this less obvious. Zencore is maybe a hi-rez version of their previous tech, having standard synth waveforms (either single cycle or digitally generated) at the beginning of their PCM banks. In my opinion, their models are like skins, which put Zencore into a preset, containing only settings related to the modeled synth.
Thanks for this Tim, I've been keen on this synth, and it's hard to explain why but I think you have shown it with how the partials work, especially when you see the step LFO, ability to round robin and delay oscillators and so many other things)I am familiar with the supernatural and pcm-s engine, they are extremely painful but powerful (supernatural less so).
the zencore engine has combined these two engines and added a lot of quality of life (as painful as you find this zencore engine pcm-s is a lot worse) . When you complained about how the cutoff requires the partial page to be open, I am thinking Wow you can use the cut off knob to change the cut off now!? have to use the data wheel in the pcm-s engine. infact the envelope knobs dont effect the envelope, none of the knobs are connected to the pcm-s engine. So as painful as this is, it was much worse on their previous synths. The screen really is tiny though. On my FA you can see all 4 partials one the screen at once, so that makes it a bit easier.
Tim, Thanks for the comprehensive video. I'm stuck and wondered if I could have your thoughts on my dilemma. I own a JDXi which I love. 4 part multitimbral. Great drums, portable but limited sequencing capabilities. I was looking at the Roland Xm because of its pianos and XV soundset as an addition but wanted a proper sized keyboard. I went towards the Yamaha MODX7 to give me a good sized keybed but great sounds. In Australia both retail for roughly $2200 (aud). I cant afford both as being a nurse, we aren't exactly high earners.
I have an old Powerbook running Ableton and Nexus 3, NI and F9 Audio. (I deleted and got rid of so many soft synths as it distracted from my workflow. I have owned a Juno 6, 106. Jupiter 8 and Prophet T8 owned by the Dooleys back in the day. I also want a synth I can "noodle" on and experiment like I used to do with my old synths. I want to make the right choice but stuck. My heart says Roland Xm (because I am a Roland gear head) but my mind says Modx because its more what I need not want.
That's a difficult choice. I have not had a chance to play with a MODX but you have a real workstation experience in terms of multiple synth engines, sequencing etc. Also, the full size keyboard is going to be a major factor unless you look at the Jupiter X which I appreciate is much more expensive...
You said you wouldn't touch the I-arpeggiator. For me, it was the rason for me to get the synth in the first place.
I love that thing!
Great analysis for xm, very well done, thank you.
This synthesizer sounds beautiful. It's like the Jupiter X.
Found this very useful and informative. Just scratched the surface so far. Need to find the tones and samples. Just got it working today with full size midi keyboard feels so much better.
Really great review - Thank You!
Did you plan a 'Thoughts on the Korg Wavestate? Would be very interesting.
That would be a great video.
A powerful thing for sure Tim. Awesome video, as always. Sadly for me, the XM is too flawed. This video just reinforced my own thoughts. The interface, is not something I'd live with. Most of the internet i-ARP demo's for the Jup-X, sound like it's being played by Les Dawson. A desktop unit with double the buttons/knobs, would have made sense. I feel that the Jup-X is also crippled too. If I owned several synths, and didn't use the XM on every project, it would be painful. For a new outfit, ASM (comparing interface alone) did a much better job. The XM just needed a couple of extra screens, and more buttons/knobs. But was always going to be limited by size/design.
W41N This Xm and the Jupiter X could be great with an editor or app making menu diving, saving sounds and such easier. I want the Jupiter X but it’s way to complicated for a preset guy like me
@@csharp57 You are spot on. Ironically, if they'd used more space right and left on the top panel, it would have meant they could have used a screen twice the size and that way the abbreviations would also have made actual sense too. Instead of the messy solution Tim explained. It's deffo not for me, I see why it's so expensive - but the patch memory for the price is laughable too. I could even tell Tim was struggling with the keyboard, as the audio level of the black notes wasn't as it should be. In my mind, if you take a mobile unit, and are forced to hook it up to a laptop and controller - then it's just too broken to consider. I hope when Roland make their next synth, it focuses more on std traditional synth voices/features. This will mean the buttons and knobs behave more like every other synth on the market.
@@csharp57the app exist
Tim, your great I love your minilogue XD stuff. Brother you need to tell people why your only playing the black keys. The mini keybed on this is like 1/2 inch shorter than the minilogue XD mini keys, and it's hell to play. Why would you want this on your lap when you constantly hit two keys at once.
Well thought out review with great graphical explanation of the arch. To me it’s a sample playback unit of Rolands greatest hits. Even though sample playback is not HOW it's creating the sounds, that's not what Im looking for. I own vintage Roland synths and the pleasure comes from the self oscillating filters and the howling harmonics of the interaction between the raw VCO's. Watching reviews it feel like Whitney Houston hits fall out of the X/Xm series. Not what Im looking for, but I'm sure that 80's pop cover bands would find this synth very useful. No shade, it has it's place.
There's not too many Roland synths with self resonance actually. The JX-s Filters couldn't do it. Also Roland was more than only analog, they have a legend in the digital/sample based synths as well. What they are missing is something new.
@@torbenanschau6641 All my vintage Rolands filters self oscillate (if that is what you meant). MKS-80, SH2, and sh-09. Here you go: th-cam.com/video/5ApZpeovVeA/w-d-xo.html jump to 50 seconds.
@@station2station544 I've seen videos where they show the self-oscillation and brag about the ability to apply a Moog and SEM style filter to JP8 and Juno sounds. Mine arrives tomorrow. Curious to see how it results. I'm sure it won't beat analog. But if it gets 95% of the way there, it does have its place as a very viable 'stage synth' for playing live imo. Feels like the the Jupiter X/Xm or the system 8 are the closest most people can come to ever playing a JP8. I hope I like it. If not, I bought from GC and will return.
@@FakeGlasses CONGRATS! keep us posted.
Great review! For me, I think it would be worth the learning curve. Sounds great...
How nany arpeggios preset patterns does the XM has ???? As far as i know the Kyra has 128.
Please let me know.
Thanks fir the vid. Very useful.
👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿
When i look for the info i can not get it because all they specified is the INTELLIGENT ARPEGGIO.
I want the cleaner, lower-profile layout of the Juno-X but with the models from the Jupiter X/Xm. I guess one can't have everything. Mini-keys... well if I ever buy this thing it will be to use essentially as a module with an 88-key controller.
This is good as ASMR
yeah i’m thinking it’s a good live alternative to my jupiter 8 and FA-06 with its xylophones organs etc... and you don’t need to menu dive, most of the controls you’d want when performing are knob per function on the dash. unlike the FA-06 which has almost no direct sound editing control without menu diving.
I love the ‘80s sounds out of this synth, magical.
The scrren looks like a big compromise...reminds me of a Korg Wavestate,...screens too small for such amount of Menu Diving...
cronenbergj Both Korg and Roland need a desktop editor or an app for the Xm and Wavestate
Excellent video thanks Tim
Thank you ....This was very Very helpful..!!!
Fast forward just over 1 year... do you still like the Jupiter XM? How do you feel it stacks up vs the System 8 or the JD-XA or other recent synths in similar price range? What are its best strengths and the biggest weaknesses? If you own it would you buy it again? I'm considering purchasing the XM but the System 8 seems decent too. Lots of cool things with the XM makes me want it.
Yes I still have and do love the JXM, I tend to use it for big pads and atmospheric patches, ones where I can blend multiple layers and utilise its huge library of PCM samples. For me personally that is it's biggest strength. And because of its multitimbrality I've been experimenting with MPE controllers and it has a lot of potential in that regard. The biggest downsides remain the user interface (the menus in particular) and the lack of user preset storage space.
I had a JD-XA but sold it, I just didn't get the very limited voicing of the analogue side combined with the very generous voicing of the digital side. I'm not a live player, I don't play with kbd splits, so that voicing limitation was something I found frustrating. That said I regretted selling the JD-XA so bought another about 3 months ago. I haven't had much time to get back into it, but I am loving the control interface, but unfortunately menu diving is a necessity and it's a hideous experience, even compared to the JXM!
So that brings me on to the System-8, a synth I have long been interested in but never ended up trying. I think I would love the user interface and the simplicity of using it. But sound-wise I can't see what it will bring me that the JXM can't cover. I guess at some stage I will get one just to see what I've been missing all these years.
Maybe for me as a JXM owner, combining it with a System-8 would make a lot more sense as opposed to what I have right now which is a JXM + JD-XA. If I do get a System-8 I will definitely do a video covering the pros and cons of all three, it's a topic that has got me lost in thought for a long time now!
@@TimShoebridge Thank you for your reply. Very informative. I look forward to watching your upcoming review of the System-8!!!
As always, great review.
Thanks Tim. Great as usual 👍
It’s quite similar in sound and architecture to my Jupiter 50 (10 years old), which I miss slightly as I have lent it to my brother. It’s a useful rompler. This one’s an improvement on on the Jupiter 50 ‘cos it’s much smaller and wouldn’t dominate one’s desk space.
I like the ZEN Core engine, but none of the packages it comes in is really usable or creates GAS. The UI is just not adequate to what it's supposed to do. You really need an iPad App that presents a dedicated UI that shows all controls of the selected engine. Neither the X nor the Xm has enough knobs and tye printed text on the front mostly never describes the real function. The microscopic screen doesn't really help either.
Excelent work Tim! This synth sounds lovely, and is a powerful unit for sure. They stuffed tons of synth architecture into this, not a bad thing I dig that, what I do not like about this is the form factor, even the big brother the X really feels like a bad implementation. Too much layered menus, not enough front panel controls and the XM having mini keys ^rolls eyes^ and even worse fake warm up mode lol What is that all about? So one of the worst features of real analog baked into something almost as terrible to programs as a D50 all in one mini key package lol.
Hey Marshal :) I read the d50 manual after watching one of your videos, have also read the zencore manuals, and I have a FA with PCM-S, if you know one you know the other. Zencores just a bit a friendlier with more features but basically is the D50 from a sound design perspective.
I have never encountered a synth so discouraging me making tones myself. It feels more like a sound lego. Also the AI-arp and some other features feel very not synth, but a montage/kronos workstation which emphasize auto comping, not sound crafting. But on neither side it ended not enough, which makes it a weird positioned product.
great vidieo wish they had put the jd800 in there, and I dread to think what the manual is like to read, so I take my hat off to you Tim.
I just installed the JD-800 expansion on it a few days ago... plus the Vocal Designer expansion.
Good Thoughts, good taste, good look / light / grading. 👍
I've been on the fence for so long on this, your video certainly helped and your sounds are way better than the stock walkthroughs. So I bought it! Totally agree with your conclusions, it's a total beast and possibly the best synth I own... But damn it's confusing, to the point it doesn't even know itself what it is. I'm enjoying the journey though, but as you say I think the confusion may be it's downfall sadly.
Many say the same thing about the JD-XA and they would be correct. They pack a lot into it and what a unique and powerful synthesizer it is. Hopefully that’s helped prepare me for some of the challenges on the XM.
@@kingtrance307 I've now got a Juno-X. They are relatively simple, once you know. As you say, the complexity of the synth is excellent, so it's understandable. I do find the Juno easier though, but I was probably primed on the Xm.
@@MusicZeroOne _ I got a XM coming to pair with my JD-XA so looks like I’m jumping in the deep end once again. Should be fun but I really wanted the X - but the XM is easier on both studio space and my budget. Enjoy your Juno X! That looks like a really nice synth as well. So many great synths out there but you can only have so many right? I guess that’s where software will have to fill any holes.
@@kingtrance307 I loved the Xm, price and size is perfect. Keys are nice too. You’ll love it!
I also use a WM dongle for cloud, actually cheaper than normal Pro. Have fun mate, I’m sure you will 👍
@@MusicZeroOne - Appreciate it man! Just starting to dig in and it’s deep. Gotta get used to scenes and partials. It’s a learning process (the Roland workflow) but then again I’m still learning things with my JD-XA. Will AI take over all our jobs? Tax the Machines!
Have you used a moog one (very off topic! But the UI is incredible)
I have one and yes, you can tell that the thought they put into the UI is incredible. I also really like the latest Dave Smith synths, I think they have got the whole menu+soft controls way of working down to an art form now. I wish all synth manufacturers would understand that there are two parts to a synth: what sounds it can make and how you interact with it. Not enough effort by so many manufacturers on the second part :(
@sbmphr Yes definitely. But I need to get it right. I have a few mood swings with it to be totally honest. Once I get consistency in my mind I'll do a video for sure 👍
You should say Moog swings 😹
lol
@@TimShoebridge amen, how you interact with a instrument is key (no pun intended). I should know: I teach this stuff 🤣
I found myself getting frustrated when you were explaining the points of confusion with the Xm. If I had to jump through these hoops while designing Scenes for a gig it would drive me nuts. I'm a hundred times better off with my Kronos and M3 and the ease of use with Combi mode. Plus I can add samples when necessary all in one device.
I wrote that before the cons part of the video. Man... an M3 is from 2006 or thereabouts and ALL the sounds and Combis are rewritable. I think it's about 14 banks x 128 for both single Programs and Combis.
That iarpeggio part makes me laugh so hard every single time I see this. In theory a good idea; in reality not so much. Your expression says it all lol.
I love all the features but with such an interface i honestly prerer a VST version where I can make selections easier instead of hours if menu diving.
Credits for not being in c minor! :) Thanks for the video, some very useful inside information that is otherwise hard to find.
karst de jong I’m always finding myself in c minor nowadays. When I first started, I couldn’t get away from Dflat (Hence my name csharp57)
a good musician told me my affection for C minor/E Flat and D Flat/C Sharp is the black keys, black keys just sound better than white keys .... my thought was I could see chord patterns easier with a good amount of sharps and flats.... after 30 years, still working on key modulation.... great hobby though.
The I-ARP is actually pretty good once you start diving into it and controlling it in the menu...This keyboard is very simple once you spend a hour or two with it.