Very reasonable, considering the fact that it's not just a case, it's also a creativity challenge to construct them yourself from the provided Lego-bricks.
The effect of showing the note and pattern of whatever cord or arpeggio you were playing in real time with the yellow lines coming out of the back of the J6 was so friggin cool! Your videos just keep getting better and better and better!
As someone who always ends up with the same chord progressions because I am a simple man, the J-6 completely resonates with me. Absolutely getting my hands on one. Thanks for the outstanding review, as always!
Impressed to note that Roland have written out all the chords in the manual for the J-6, so you can copy them into eg. Scaler! Big love always for the vids, man 🙏
I had a mess on one in January when I bought a 404 and I've just ordered one to use with the 404. I don't have any other hardware or enough knowledge of chords so I'm looking forward to the J6 giving me that nudge to be more creative and progress without needing to learn another device without the spare time to commit to anything more complex.
Great to see these mini-synths coming out. When combined with the upcoming Behringer range it will be a fun way for folks to enter and fall down the synth rabbit hole
@@Plastic_IvoryI think some people are following some kind of heard mentally hating on behringer. behringer was literally set up so that behringers friend who were poor could afford synths there seems to alot of people who don't appreciate how lucky we are to have one of the biggest company's with this ethos
@@Jason75913 Hirotribe will be the best seller from Behringer's microsynth range I reckon. Looking forward to it, although no idea when it will actually drop
Props to Loopop for finding a line-level input on the E4. That's major as it can now be used as a great little portable FX box. Imagine adding harmony, looper, reverb/delay, and scatter to a small monosynth, drum machine, or in a mixer send/return. I use TRRS adapters all the time to use old ipads and iphone as cheap multi-effects units.
That's been my plan from the announcement. I was wondering about the input, and this answers that. I want scatter as an effect😂. I'm fine if it glitches a little trying to understand weird sounds. I just didn't want it to fart clip because it couldn't handle a normal signal.
So this is what I’ve been thinking of. Do you think it’d stand up as a decent looper/efx box for a dj? I’d love to be able to set a loop on a cdj, record it and send it to a third channel, then cue up the next track on the cdj. D love to be able to do it without adding a computer into the setup.
@@andrewknox9360 From what I've heard it need a special splitter cable that I can't find to do this,it seems to be another Roland product that doesn't work as advertised.Loopop please correct me if I'm wrong.
I don't get it... According to the signal path diagram in the manual the input isn't routed through anything on the device. It's a simple audio thru for use with the other two devices in the series.
Everything you need, nothing you don't, with the real kicker of them having pretty much every feature that the majority of the competition's gear lacks or could use to enhance and make both better, not just trying to do the exact thing in a Roland box. These are hopefully only the first step in Roland's re-emergence to the front of the pack, cause it's been a while since they have been the kings that were with the Juno, etc. Awesome times for sure. Welcome to the future of now, keep that groove rollin' into the infinite horizon of time, and space... Now, Let's Jam.. ✌️💕
Korg, Teenage Engineering, Sonicware, Bastl, Erica, Moog (werkstatt?), Plinky, Donner, apparently, 1010music, Polyend, Gotharman's TIny LD, and so on too
Dude I love your channel. Thank you for being so thorough in your reviews. There are many synths out there that can be pretty complex to grasp so I really appreciate your reviews.
Never been a better time to get into music so much gear when I got my first electribe around 2000 It seemed like the best buy at close to 400 if I remember correctly
Always great to have good sounding low cost entry level devices like this for folks getting into the hobby, but with maybe 60% of the features, of a proper unit, nearly everyone will outgrow these quickly if they want to do something more advanced. Nice to see USB-C though!
Sold on all 3. Man this is cool. I feel like I have plenty of gear that will do similar but the idea of them saving so much space has me sold. Functionality too of course. Good video. Thanks man. Awesome, totally Awesome!
I'll gladly stick with the Volca line, so luckily no G.A.S. here. 😏 But wake me when Roland releases something worth picking up. I won't hold my breath.
Idk if I’m the only one. They all seem like very good placement for entry based synths, but that vocoder seems like an awesome live performance tool in the box. Maybe I’m overhyped but it seems like the bomb. Sheesh, the looper besides the effects makes it a good unit, and it has usb-c connectivity. I’d probably like this more than the new Juno 😁
The E4 seems like an amazing synth pedal for 200€. Octaver, pitch shifter, scale quantizer, harmonizer and so much more. The looper / scatter function seems dope as well : this might've sold it to me.
Great stuff i love all the new acid bits that have been coming out of late.... people will never stop making acid music... Whatever u think about Roland, behringer etc this is all good for the music
Thanks for the review. Just bought the J-6. “A chord midi pack” in your pocket. That was the missing piece in my setup. With less than stellar music theory knowledge but long time guitar playing, this is ideal to generate ideas. Hook up the JU-6a and get the full parameters and knobs for a fuller sound design experience. Add a beatstep pro and sequence drums on laptop/ableton/vst or MPC. Really cool add-on to a static studio setup or on the fly just by itself or a laptop. We’ll done Roland and good price.
I also just picked up a J-6 for basically the same reason. Well that and I think it might be useful to get my less musically inclined friends interested in a synced up jam with some Pocket Operators/Volcas/etc.
So true! I am desperately trying to get my guitar friends to peek into groove boxes and synths. Such a world and they have no clue. Guitar alone was boring.
No need for the E-4, T-8 or even the new P-8 mini sampler, but what a great little box the J-6 is 👌🏻 When it comes to playing the lead it’s sounds are a bit too harsh to my ears, but they are still useful when filtered into the background. But it really shines as a MIDI chord machine tool, there it indeed has a lot to offer 👍🏻
I recently got the E4 and your video was a much more and understandable way to learn its nuances. All three sections did great job of pointing out the features of the compact series.
I have the J6 along with the E4 and you did great job explaining both. I have found the E4 a great way to add chords using the harmony control on mono devices like my NTS-1. I really can’t use it for live playing on vocals or effects processor as no footswitch
T-8 looks like fun but the big issue I have compared to the entry level elektron grooveboxes is that saving patterns doesn't save sound design or tempo info. Makes it a challenge to really build songs/sets...
Like the size, and hidden functionality. I'm surprised by how much they've packed into the juno synth and T8. Although Roland have come late to the mini-market, as it were, they've made some nice pieces for useable workflows; you can never have enough boxes of fun to get your groove on. Thank you for such a thorough review🌅
Roland T-8 reminds me a lot of the monotribe. It looks more oriented towards drums, whereas the monotribe is more of an acid bass synth that happens to have drum samples. But it's definitely on my wish list
@@ciaranmulhall6123 never heard about it ! I'm gonna google it. Sounds really exciting. I have two monotribes already but I'd like to buy some modded ones.
Is there any reason the J-6 wouldn't make an absolutely epic sequencer for a Microfreak? The J-6 has limited sounds but a monster sequencer, the Microfreak has a limited sequencer but a vast set of sound design tools, seems like a match made in heaven.
Oh crumbs, I was thinking the T-8 with the Microfreak. I'm pretty new to all of this, especially the newer stuff, but this makes sense, the T-8 doesn't really have the sequencing power. Now I need all four, this set and the Microfreak.
Oh dang, now I’ve got to get both because of you. LOL. Great idea. But all kidding aside, since I already have a Novation Circuit Tracks, I already have a great sequencer. I’m thinking of getting the Microfreak to use with it.
Thanks (as always) for the excellent review. It never ceases to amaze me how you are able to make a deep dive and provide a review of the different menu options, including "hidden" options. The T-8 is quite a bargain for what it provides. I hope Roland or a 3rd party will provide a software editor. The E-4 also looks to be an excellent processor for the money. I have never understood the appeal of the Juno 106 and so don't understand the need for the J-6. But it is cheap.
Fantastic video. These are really interesting devices. So glad they didn't just re-hash what they've already done a million times. The J6 in particular is really cool, and I appreciate that they've embraced long sequences. I cannot for the life of me understand the appeal or usefulness of 16 step sequences in 2022. Even 32 (on the T8) really isn't enough. I already have the TR-6S and MC-101 (thanks largely in part to your videos on them) and I'm fresh out of I/O with all my other synths but if I was just building a collection, these would be very attractive. Also interested to see how Korg respond, if they do at all. The Volcas sound really cool IMO but their on-board sequencers are *so* limited. The Pajen mod for the Sample showed what would've been possible if Korg had thought more about this. Even pattern chaining would bring them into the current year, and I don't see how it's not possible through firmware. For now, they're most useful using external sequencers (like Reason's Player devices).
Best review of these units on the interwebs... thanks! Definitely interested in the T8 and E4, thinking with Microfreak, but not sure I could afford it so might be stuck with the J6.
The vocal effects might be just what I need for my live setup. My singer already has a TC Electronic Voicelive, but I just need something simple for my vocals, and my EHX vocoder died a couple years back. Cool beans.
Honestly, if the T-8 had a couple dozen different kits, I'd be completely sold on it, as the MC-101 is just too expensive for what it is. All of these seem cool but are too limited in my eyes. I feel like the sub-$200 market is going to pick up very soon, and these will become outdated in no time.
@@Huehn3rmann Exactly. These seem neat for experimentation, particularly the J6, but its lack of chord names also positions it as more of a toy, just like the T8. The Volca Sample, for example, isn't the perfect sampler by any means, but it can genuinely be used in a studio setting. To say nothing of the Volca FM.
I'd argue there are a lot of folks out there that will LOVE the T-8 for its simplicity while also featuring some of the most used and loved Roland drum machine sounds. No extraneous BS, just make beats and record to a DAW. Workflow is king. (But I'm very glad the TR-8S also exists for more extensive workflows)
the mc-101 is basically a workstation with the main limitations being only 4 tracks and not being able to create a patch from scratch. Especially with all the added functionality I would say the 101 is the bargain of the decade.
@@brianbryo5892 mostly fx/filter with lots of cv modulation or granular modules like Beads but processing through some external outs on the Strega would probably sound pretty gnarly too.
Can't wait for the... Multi-Colored Mega-Modular Tiny Knob-Twisting Techno-Acid Throwdown! Haha! Seriously though, at this price point, for someone curious about DAW-less creation, this seems like a good introduction for newcomers. It's certainly a lower cost of entry than a TR-6S/MC-101, and probably a little friendlier, despite Roland's continued penchant for deep-menu diving. At least they seem a bit simpler. It would behoove a company like Analog Cases (or even Roland themselves) to consider designing a case that can hold all three. These seem small enough that such a case might fit into a back pack rather easily.
The amout of things people expect these little synths to do just amazes me. The comments are what I mean does it do this does it do that. People's expectations these day are ridiculous.
ngl, the J6 caught my attention. Seems like a fun little inspiration machine, especially with that battery. Waiting for a used unit closer to 150 though probably
Until they hit the used market, with inflation at 8-15% you’re not going to see these priced sub-$200. That’s the same price point as the Uno, Volca, Skulpt, etc.
If you're not interested in going the software route or the MPC beat maker route; these three as a combo would be a lot of fun for someone wanting to get into synths without breaking the bank. What a fun little concept. Roland Volca's indeed.
@@robinr22 functionality isn’t always the most important. If it does what you need more features aren’t really relevant. As for the iPad. I’ll agree there are tons of apps that from a cost standpoint are super affordable but you can’t assume everyone has an iPad and say the cost is 6. Plus even if you own an iPad like I do, using a touchscreen for all your music making isn’t for everyone. That and you’d need a dongle or two get external gear working. Everything has its trade offs but for folks that don’t care about sampling at all. Or don’t want a “DAW / Beat making in box” like an MPC, these may be interesting. I think these will sell better then you think. Even if they’re not for you :)
@@Daphoid you're probably right 🙂 I guess the point I'm really getting at is less that these don't do everything I want but rather that if you want simple, basic boxes like this, there's much better options out there, for much less.
@@robinr22 If you cant make music with these devices you have bigger problems! I've heard peoples music using a MPC and tbh sucked and i've heard jams using these three Roland's that sound fantastic and vise versa.
Wow what a trio! 3 affordable and very usable boxes. It's like electronic punk to the recent greed and shame of some companies! (TE, Elektron, etc), I bet we hear more out of what these can give in opportunity to creative music makers than what we hear out of things like Syntakt and OP anyway. Well done Roland 👏
On the T-8. Don't forget "tuning" of the hats, aswell as decay and colour of clap or tom in the menu. Whatever parts lights up per menu-item can be impacted by it. If you crank the regular gain on selected parts in the menu it makes for a stonehard overdrive if want to vary the type of distortion. It even has nudge also aswell too. 😋
@@swantons1119 My pleasure. Press and hold (the button for) the instrument which you want to nudge, then turn the stepped "alpha-knob" left or right to move the sequence accordingly.
@@ex-zen ahh is it the little line that sort of zig-zags and goes along the screen. If so I think I’ve discovered that before but never knew what it done. Thanks man i’ll give it a go 👍🏻👍🏻
Interesting set of tools, you've illuminated them really well, but left me kinda ambivalent. At first I was sceptical of the T-8, due to the fixed drum sounds. But considering everything in the box, all the little features and so on, it would be a knock out, if not for one massive oversight. The fact that you can't save the sound settings with the patterns! And it's a big deal, because so many of the features are hidden in menu/button combos. It's not a quick and easy job to redo your settings, and that's no good for a device such as this. The J-6 is a different deal. I'm normally not for preset-boxes. But I totally get, how they placed the emphasis on the sequencer, with all it's depth and various features. It's pretty clever, and as you say; not something commonly seen in hardware. But with such a locked preset engine, I'd just wish they'd given it more than 64 presets - those will grow old SO fast. I so hope the interesting sequencer transmit fully via MIDI, in which case I think, we'll see it sequencing more fully featured synths all over the place. But for me it'd be a much easier sell with just 128 presets instead. The E-4 is in some regard both the best and the worst. I can't really put my finger on any deal breaking oversights. But it's far too close to their VT-4 in every regard. And that seems quite a bit more well appointed, in both connectivity and controls. So I'm not sure I see the point of it. Still an interesting move on Rolands part, and not bad options for people looking to build a small and portable setup. And as always a big thumbs up for your work.
The E-4 could be very useful for an fx loop out of your mixing desk if they had the detents and scatter on/off like you say. Maybe they could release an E-4mkII with those 🙏
As ironic as it is for such small and somewhat "limited" tools/instruments, this is def prime example and proof of Roland stepping up to a much more relevant and competitive stance in our current market, as well as pretty much hitting the nail absolutely bullseye on the head of both: giving the most useful features in such a portable space and accessible affordability for the biggest number of people, while also giving a spread versatility in it's integration with other gear and the ways it can be used in multiple ways (I.e., tone-wise, live performance usability vs. studio use and value, etc.) Sorry for the run-on, but just ironic I guess cause it's cheap, small, and affordable, but it gonna make them the most money overall because these are gonna kill I think. As late to the game they are (and you know it hasn't taken them THIS long to think of or work on these as a concept), I feel like for once, in what seems like quite a long time, they are not only at least finally on the same playing field as the rest of the market doing and having similar gear, they absolutely have a great place in the standing, and I bet these are gonna be a rather huge hit for them, cause they finally got that elusive formula right, and in the right era and age, finally!! Foreal though, these are surprisingly not only some cool pieces of gear that rival others, but the possibility of their use with those other competitors that have already been out for a good long while, I think, is gonna make these hard to say no to for a lot of people who already own similar stuff, so they bypass most of the downsides that they could/would face selling to potential customers "but they already have and use this or that (volca or p.o. etc) so I don't need that". They actually have some pretty awesome features that are absolutely yin and yang with those similar pieces of kit, working very synergisticly bot just combining with the other's, but helping their integration overall, like having that extra pass through input, because and being able to use these thinga with pocket operators and being vastly helpful not only with their own connectivity between themselves, but also with the p.o.'s volca, etc, since they dont have a pass through, and it can be much more of a hastle to be able to get levels correct and do so in the configuration of combination you find most desirable for whatever reason at the time. Very cool indeed, I wonder if Roland has anything else in the works that's gonna be a true game changer, not meaning the same type of thing, but whether for instance to release a poly synth as revolutionary for musicians and producers as say, the whole Juno line bringing analog poly synth with digital control and recallability that's the most useful and affordable by the most diverse and highest number of people's. Just saying, it could happen, and that could be cool. Cause big bad Roland hasn't been as killing it and making a monopolistically market as it used to dominate and be such a larger player in, frequently in #1 standing. Got my fingers and toes crossed for Roland, welcome to Now, it's been a while my friend and I'm glad to see you and that you are doing ok. Another reason Behringer and clone haters can stop hating, cause if anything they caused some truly vicious competition, and Roland has now stepped up the plate ready for the true fight, for all the chips. Good luck friends, the Funny Cat's are stoicly stepping up to the plate to bat, bottom of the night or bust baby ✌️💕✌️❤️
Wow great review as usual. I am thinking the J-6 is worth the money *just* for the arp and chord function to get the MIDI out to another system. (Since I cant play keys at all!)
More excellent content as usual. Nice 1, fella. Looks/sounds like Roland have again done what they do best - create devices with friendly user interfaces and massive sweet spots. You think they can have a role in serious music production, or are they more for jamming on trains?
Thanks! I think they're equally useful for both, though I'd be careful about using the E-4 on a train where only you can hear its output in your headphones...
@@kutuzov79 ChordPolyPad. It doesn't have the sequencer but it similarly has preset 'styles' and other tools for getting in the neighborhood, then a keyboard interface to mess with individual notes and find the right inversions. Great options for MIDI IO, and it even gives you a pretty responsive setup over wifi, at least to a Mac.
I easily see the value of the T-8 and the J-6 is something I'd definitely want, but I am not sure about the E-4. It seems like they're stretching things a little to have them all be the same price. Example: I have the Roland VT-4 and it does a lot more than the e-4 for only $50 more. It's also very small and has XLR and phantom power. Having the battery-powered option is nice, but I think it should be more like $150. Admittedly, I'm not done watching the video so we'll see if I come back and edit my comments. 😜 They probably could have priced the T-8 a little higher or, as was mentioned, split it into two products. I'd be curious to see how separate products would have been improved but I do like the value of the T-8 as-is. All that said, I know myself, I'll probably get all three eventually. I can't help myself. I love little synths and related gear. LOL. Great video. Thanks.
These airas compact cost 200 bucks each one, still they arent really cheap, well in My country these Bad boys Will cost like 250 or 300, so id rather save a little and Buy an elektron samples or cycles, the t 8 only worth if you really want a tr 808 or 909 sound, but not a fan, so not going to Buy it, maybe i'll wait for second hand lol
Dude you gotta be kidding, the VT-4 not having scatter or looper means you basically have to have some other units (i've been using the RC-505) to give your voice some life and FX.... They put everything into one box with this one! What features, exactly, are you missing from the VT-4 on this E-4? 🤔🤷♂️🙄
@@darkuniversesound his workflow is just different than yours, don't be an ass. Must people already have a sampler or an fx box, if it is your first gear sure the looper is nice but otherwise there is no megaphone fx and the VT-4 can act as an audio interface so... it is basically what effect do you prefer more the megaphone or the scatter and what are yours need, either choice is not wrong
@@darkuniversesound you make some valid points. It is still pretty cool, just the least interesting one for me. My thinking has changed some though. Thanks for sharing your insights. If the T-8 could save presets and tempo I’d have already ordered one. I’m still tempted by the J-6 just as a pocketable idea generator that isn’t on my phone. 😜
A T-8 gives you 90% of what most people want from a Volca Beats AND a Volca Bass, sounds better, and includes an onboard suite of FX you'll have to buy separately for the Volcas. If what's you want is a Volca Drum or an FM2, none of these will do that specific thing. They're good products. But for what each of these specific boxes does, there's no comparable Volca.
Interestingly, Tennage Engineering will be offering a special silicone case which fits any of these devices for a reasonable $1799.00
😂
🙈😂
And a Sharper Image looking bulky mono speaker.
Very reasonable, considering the fact that it's not just a case, it's also a creativity challenge to construct them yourself from the provided Lego-bricks.
Lmao TE are funny pepolz
The effect of showing the note and pattern of whatever cord or arpeggio you were playing in real time with the yellow lines coming out of the back of the J6 was so friggin cool!
Your videos just keep getting better and better and better!
It’s like a layer of Pianogram editing in
Did you get crayons for Christmas....He's a salesman and all these are marketing for affiliate links....
As someone who always ends up with the same chord progressions because I am a simple man, the J-6 completely resonates with me. Absolutely getting my hands on one. Thanks for the outstanding review, as always!
In your defense, most music always ends up using the same progressions. We are all simple man.
Check out Scaler, Captain Chords, Chordjam, or Tonality
Klaus Nomi agrees with you.
@@williambrasky3891 100%
@@Taeodoestechare those gears or plug ins?
Impressed to note that Roland have written out all the chords in the manual for the J-6, so you can copy them into eg. Scaler! Big love always for the vids, man 🙏
Yeah… it’s unbelievable the PC with the right software package is a solution for everything 🔨🔩
man that j-6 is starting to look more and more like an absolute arpeggio monster
It's like Roland finally caught up with the QY series we did in the 90s :-)
We need modern QYs
Still using my QY70. Great little piece of kit.
Roland still can't, or I guess won't, put everything in a single box, though. They might need another 28 years of R&D to figure that out.
QYs never, ever sounded this good. Stop the cap.
Roland PMA-5, though
The J-6 is just what I've been looking for - so easy to get ideas down. What an inspiration machine! Shout out to Roland, loving these little beasts.
I had a mess on one in January when I bought a 404 and I've just ordered one to use with the 404. I don't have any other hardware or enough knowledge of chords so I'm looking forward to the J6 giving me that nudge to be more creative and progress without needing to learn another device without the spare time to commit to anything more complex.
Great to see these mini-synths coming out. When combined with the upcoming Behringer range it will be a fun way for folks to enter and fall down the synth rabbit hole
Behringer is cursed though
@@LostStylus why?
@@Plastic_IvoryI think some people are following some kind of heard mentally hating on behringer. behringer was literally set up so that behringers friend who were poor could afford synths there seems to alot of people who don't appreciate how lucky we are to have one of the biggest company's with this ethos
"Behringer"
I'd recommend the Volca range instead. The Hirotribe should be pretty cool, though.
@@Jason75913 Hirotribe will be the best seller from Behringer's microsynth range I reckon. Looking forward to it, although no idea when it will actually drop
The T-8 is basically a hardware version of ReBirth. Nice!
Omg i just had a flash back to 1996 or whatever it was when ReBirth first came out
@@GeorgeLocke rebirth had more drum tracks (and some other extras). But otherwise you are right. It's the hands-on control which seperates it.
@@pawelgrund4540 Yeah, but the very first 1.0 version just had the 808.
@@GeorgeLocke 1998. I'm still having the CD and the box and even the bill from the store. Geez, my country had its own currency back then.
@@strelokknoize haha 🤣 nostalgia is mother fucker huh?
T8 totally reminds me of Propellerheads Rebirth
What a perfect observation!
Props to Loopop for finding a line-level input on the E4. That's major as it can now be used as a great little portable FX box. Imagine adding harmony, looper, reverb/delay, and scatter to a small monosynth, drum machine, or in a mixer send/return. I use TRRS adapters all the time to use old ipads and iphone as cheap multi-effects units.
That's been my plan from the announcement. I was wondering about the input, and this answers that. I want scatter as an effect😂. I'm fine if it glitches a little trying to understand weird sounds. I just didn't want it to fart clip because it couldn't handle a normal signal.
So this is what I’ve been thinking of.
Do you think it’d stand up as a decent looper/efx box for a dj?
I’d love to be able to set a loop on a cdj, record it and send it to a third channel, then cue up the next track on the cdj.
D love to be able to do it without adding a computer into the setup.
It's a real shame the input isn't stereo, I've been dying for a scatter box as an end of drum chain for ages.
@@andrewknox9360 From what I've heard it need a special splitter cable that I can't find to do this,it seems to be another Roland product that doesn't work as advertised.Loopop please correct me if I'm wrong.
I don't get it... According to the signal path diagram in the manual the input isn't routed through anything on the device. It's a simple audio thru for use with the other two devices in the series.
Everything you need, nothing you don't, with the real kicker of them having pretty much every feature that the majority of the competition's gear lacks or could use to enhance and make both better, not just trying to do the exact thing in a Roland box.
These are hopefully only the first step in Roland's re-emergence to the front of the pack, cause it's been a while since they have been the kings that were with the Juno, etc.
Awesome times for sure. Welcome to the future of now, keep that groove rollin' into the infinite horizon of time, and space...
Now, Let's Jam.. ✌️💕
This is a nice move by Roland .... great to see a third contender on the mini-market!
Thanks a lot for this great demo🎀
Korg, Teenage Engineering, Sonicware, Bastl, Erica, Moog (werkstatt?), Plinky, Donner, apparently, 1010music, Polyend, Gotharman's TIny LD, and so on too
@@GizzyDillespee
So true ...
.. i just had the lower price range in mind when stating my comment ...
Dude I love your channel. Thank you for being so thorough in your reviews. There are many synths out there that can be pretty complex to grasp so I really appreciate your reviews.
Two videos in one day, what a treat! All products I'm very interested in too!
My thought exactly 😄
The J6 looks so interesting even for music theory learning purposes!
Never been a better time to get into music so much gear when I got my first electribe around 2000 It seemed like the best buy at close to 400 if I remember correctly
Always great to have good sounding low cost entry level devices like this for folks getting into the hobby, but with maybe 60% of the features, of a proper unit, nearly everyone will outgrow these quickly if they want to do something more advanced.
Nice to see USB-C though!
can you recommend any "advanced" vocoders comparable to the E-4?
@@long_guy well, the E4 is itself a scaled down version of the Roland Aira VT-3, so maybe start there
@@rorz999 Thanks! looks like the VT-3 and VT-4 are at a similar price to the E4.
Roland is definitely the one blazing the trail for USB-C.
@@seanwieland9763 Blazing the trail? The USB-C spec was released in 2014. If you're not using it in 2022, you're woefully behind.
I either have something similar or I’m waiting on a comparable product. That e-4 thought has caught my eye.
Sold on all 3. Man this is cool. I feel like I have plenty of gear that will do similar but the idea of them saving so much space has me sold. Functionality too of course. Good video. Thanks man. Awesome, totally Awesome!
Sleep a night over your thoughts….and watch again. GAS is a hell of a feeling.
@@cravecave505 yes if you already have the same functionality save your money and credit cards.
@@cravecave505 Right on. You’re probably right. I’m just thinking of the instant fun factor. Imma sleep on it for a few. Thanks.
Roland Volca's are here! Thanks for showing these to put some fire under our G.A.S. ;-)
I'll gladly stick with the Volca line, so luckily no G.A.S. here. 😏 But wake me when Roland releases something worth picking up. I won't hold my breath.
Idk if I’m the only one. They all seem like very good placement for entry based synths, but that vocoder seems like an awesome live performance tool in the box. Maybe I’m overhyped but it seems like the bomb. Sheesh, the looper besides the effects makes it a good unit, and it has usb-c connectivity. I’d probably like this more than the new Juno 😁
Not the only one, very excited for this vocal one at that price.
The vocoder looks intriguing for sure!
Yeah I’m most interested in the vocoder. I could have tons of fun with that.
The E4 seems like an amazing synth pedal for 200€. Octaver, pitch shifter, scale quantizer, harmonizer and so much more. The looper / scatter function seems dope as well : this might've sold it to me.
Yes, we are very happy Roland marketing department is here and pushing their desperate product development, thanky you thanky yes yes.
Great stuff i love all the new acid bits that have been coming out of late.... people will never stop making acid music... Whatever u think about Roland, behringer etc this is all good for the music
Thanks for the review. Just bought the J-6. “A chord midi pack” in your pocket. That was the missing piece in my setup. With less than stellar music theory knowledge but long time guitar playing, this is ideal to generate ideas. Hook up the JU-6a and get the full parameters and knobs for a fuller sound design experience. Add a beatstep pro and sequence drums on laptop/ableton/vst or MPC. Really cool add-on to a static studio setup or on the fly just by itself or a laptop. We’ll done Roland and good price.
I also just picked up a J-6 for basically the same reason. Well that and I think it might be useful to get my less musically inclined friends interested in a synced up jam with some Pocket Operators/Volcas/etc.
So true! I am desperately trying to get my guitar friends to peek into groove boxes and synths. Such a world and they have no clue. Guitar alone was boring.
@Mahendra T. just sell me all your gear. music requires devotion and practice to master. is it a bug or a feature? feel me bruh
So the J6 does MIDI out with all that Chord/arp functionality? Thats a whole new product category
The amazing sub menus of Roland and there calculator displays.
Still love em forever though.
No need for the E-4, T-8 or even the new P-8 mini sampler, but what a great little box the J-6 is 👌🏻 When it comes to playing the lead it’s sounds are a bit too harsh to my ears, but they are still useful when filtered into the background. But it really shines as a MIDI chord machine tool, there it indeed has a lot to offer 👍🏻
I recently got the E4 and your video was a much more and understandable way to learn its nuances. All three sections did great job of pointing out the features of the compact series.
Did you compare it against the vt-4? Wondering if you did and what you might have discovered
I am not familiar with the VT-4
I am finding
I have the J6 along with the E4 and you did great job explaining both. I have found the E4 a great way to add chords using the harmony control on mono devices like my NTS-1. I really can’t use it for live playing on vocals or effects processor as no footswitch
I’ve even used the E4 on my Stylophone which is a blast to jam on.
Bro u r born to make tutorials, u never disappoint, never miss a feature, never leave questions unanswered, thanx for being.. u!
The E-4 seems like something new, I like it!
definitely one of the better things roland has done in the last year
I really like the T-8! Nice little drum machine to play with on the go
i'd have loved more sound design features in the j-6, i love when gear comes in a small form factor like the volcas.
Agreed. I hate that kind of preset approach.
Except these sound good!
T-8 looks like fun but the big issue I have compared to the entry level elektron grooveboxes is that saving patterns doesn't save sound design or tempo info. Makes it a challenge to really build songs/sets...
thank goodness they don't load you down with many sound design options, then😂
Like the size, and hidden functionality. I'm surprised by how much they've packed into the juno synth and T8. Although Roland have come late to the mini-market, as it were, they've made some nice pieces for useable workflows; you can never have enough boxes of fun to get your groove on.
Thank you for such a thorough review🌅
I don't think late to the market is a thing. Thousands of synths are sold every year.
46:28 ! I love the singing! 😃 Amazing review as always! Thank you so much for all you do! 💙
Roland T-8 reminds me a lot of the monotribe. It looks more oriented towards drums, whereas the monotribe is more of an acid bass synth that happens to have drum samples.
But it's definitely on my wish list
Hirotribe, a Monotribe replica coming soon 😊
@@ciaranmulhall6123 never heard about it ! I'm gonna google it. Sounds really exciting. I have two monotribes already but I'd like to buy some modded ones.
Monotribe has analog synthesized drums not samples
@@sub-jec-tiv I was pretty sure it was PCM for the drum parts.
But anyways, my point is the same. Both machines are really cool
I have the T-8 and the drums really aren't the main focus. It's a 303 machine with some bonus Roland drum machine sounds
Couldn't figure out how to ratchet but I got the hang of it quickly once you showed me. Thank you!
Is there any reason the J-6 wouldn't make an absolutely epic sequencer for a Microfreak? The J-6 has limited sounds but a monster sequencer, the Microfreak has a limited sequencer but a vast set of sound design tools, seems like a match made in heaven.
Yes exactly ;-)
Oh crumbs, I was thinking the T-8 with the Microfreak. I'm pretty new to all of this, especially the newer stuff, but this makes sense, the T-8 doesn't really have the sequencing power. Now I need all four, this set and the Microfreak.
Oh dang, now I’ve got to get both because of you. LOL. Great idea. But all kidding aside, since I already have a Novation Circuit Tracks, I already have a great sequencer. I’m thinking of getting the Microfreak to use with it.
Thanks (as always) for the excellent review. It never ceases to amaze me how you are able to make a deep dive and provide a review of the different menu options, including "hidden" options. The T-8 is quite a bargain for what it provides. I hope Roland or a 3rd party will provide a software editor. The E-4 also looks to be an excellent processor for the money. I have never understood the appeal of the Juno 106 and so don't understand the need for the J-6. But it is cheap.
Just preordered an e-4 it’s exactly what I was looking for and it’s a great value for what you get.
prices are insanely good blew my mind just on the quality in sound alone.
Great to see a video that doesn't give me gas for a change!
Can't believe I'm hearing the weird, breathy sound of Variphrase again in a new product. Absolutely on board.
Fantastic video. These are really interesting devices. So glad they didn't just re-hash what they've already done a million times. The J6 in particular is really cool, and I appreciate that they've embraced long sequences. I cannot for the life of me understand the appeal or usefulness of 16 step sequences in 2022. Even 32 (on the T8) really isn't enough. I already have the TR-6S and MC-101 (thanks largely in part to your videos on them) and I'm fresh out of I/O with all my other synths but if I was just building a collection, these would be very attractive.
Also interested to see how Korg respond, if they do at all. The Volcas sound really cool IMO but their on-board sequencers are *so* limited. The Pajen mod for the Sample showed what would've been possible if Korg had thought more about this. Even pattern chaining would bring them into the current year, and I don't see how it's not possible through firmware. For now, they're most useful using external sequencers (like Reason's Player devices).
The three I have, Drum, FM and Nubass all have pattern chaining
Best review of these units on the interwebs... thanks! Definitely interested in the T8 and E4, thinking with Microfreak, but not sure I could afford it so might be stuck with the J6.
The e-4 really speaks to me. LOVE that it has a midi/ clock syncd looper.
The only thing that could be solved differently in T-8 in my opinion is to highlight every fourth step to make it easier. Great video btw.
Thanks for the great review and showing the potential of these little guys ! Im picking up a T-8 tomorrow .
FINALLY a unit with built-in rechargeable battery! Jesus christ, I thought we'd never see it.
*cough* novation circuit *cough*
They sound very, very nice. I imagine travelling with either of the synths would be fun.
The vocal effects might be just what I need for my live setup. My singer already has a TC Electronic Voicelive, but I just need something simple for my vocals, and my EHX vocoder died a couple years back. Cool beans.
Nice video! Finally Roland released something low cost! I might buy one!
I wasnt really feeling the T-8 bass sound untill that drive was pushed, sounds really nice.
your reviews are fantastic as always
Great video on these machines...this video covers the essentials of the products and a clear view of their functions...💯👍
Honestly, if the T-8 had a couple dozen different kits, I'd be completely sold on it, as the MC-101 is just too expensive for what it is. All of these seem cool but are too limited in my eyes. I feel like the sub-$200 market is going to pick up very soon, and these will become outdated in no time.
Imagine, for 200 bucks you can get two volcas on the used market which do much more than the T8 at the same price.
@@Huehn3rmann Exactly. These seem neat for experimentation, particularly the J6, but its lack of chord names also positions it as more of a toy, just like the T8. The Volca Sample, for example, isn't the perfect sampler by any means, but it can genuinely be used in a studio setting. To say nothing of the Volca FM.
I'd argue there are a lot of folks out there that will LOVE the T-8 for its simplicity while also featuring some of the most used and loved Roland drum machine sounds. No extraneous BS, just make beats and record to a DAW. Workflow is king. (But I'm very glad the TR-8S also exists for more extensive workflows)
built in battery is a pretty great feature though, would love to see more of that (see also the novation circuit tracks)
the mc-101 is basically a workstation with the main limitations being only 4 tracks and not being able to create a patch from scratch. Especially with all the added functionality I would say the 101 is the bargain of the decade.
I love all these little synths...they are a GREAT and inexpensive way to add new sounds to my mpc1 😄
So are free samples from the internet bro lol
@@johnbean2596 lol omg....yeah...now what...samples are not synths.
@@johnbean2596why would you even com.ent something like that? Just for the lulz/trolling?....pathetic.
@@va941 Why are you so pressed about it lol
@@twelveeighteen1392 pressed? About what? 0mg dude. Col
Hard to believe but Roland actually managed to make a step backwards in time with their displays.
Wouldn't that just add to the cost?
For the price that e4 sure is tempting. Salivating at the possibilities running it through modular
What ideas do you have for it in a modular setup?
@@brianbryo5892 mostly fx/filter with lots of cv modulation or granular modules like Beads but processing through some external outs on the Strega would probably sound pretty gnarly too.
I was checking out this video for the J-6 but I like the E-4 more. Great demonstration!
Picking up the T-8 for sure. Excellent video
Looking forward to seeing these on Bad Gear :)
It takes hard work to stay Nr1 brand on Bad gear.
Can't wait for the...
Multi-Colored
Mega-Modular
Tiny Knob-Twisting
Techno-Acid Throwdown!
Haha! Seriously though, at this price point, for someone curious about DAW-less creation, this seems like a good introduction for newcomers. It's certainly a lower cost of entry than a TR-6S/MC-101, and probably a little friendlier, despite Roland's continued penchant for deep-menu diving. At least they seem a bit simpler. It would behoove a company like Analog Cases (or even Roland themselves) to consider designing a case that can hold all three. These seem small enough that such a case might fit into a back pack rather easily.
This gear is ticking all the foxes
The amout of things people expect these little synths to do just amazes me. The comments are what I mean does it do this does it do that. People's expectations these day are ridiculous.
Thank you for the effort you put in to this video !!
Have a great day my friend!
ngl, the J6 caught my attention. Seems like a fun little inspiration machine, especially with that battery. Waiting for a used unit closer to 150 though probably
Until they hit the used market, with inflation at 8-15% you’re not going to see these priced sub-$200. That’s the same price point as the Uno, Volca, Skulpt, etc.
If you're not interested in going the software route or the MPC beat maker route; these three as a combo would be a lot of fun for someone wanting to get into synths without breaking the bank. What a fun little concept. Roland Volca's indeed.
All of these together cost more than an MPC and offer less functionality than an £6 ipad app. Big miss by Roland.
@@robinr22 functionality isn’t always the most important. If it does what you need more features aren’t really relevant.
As for the iPad. I’ll agree there are tons of apps that from a cost standpoint are super affordable but you can’t assume everyone has an iPad and say the cost is 6. Plus even if you own an iPad like I do, using a touchscreen for all your music making isn’t for everyone. That and you’d need a dongle or two get external gear working.
Everything has its trade offs but for folks that don’t care about sampling at all. Or don’t want a “DAW / Beat making in box” like an MPC, these may be interesting.
I think these will sell better then you think. Even if they’re not for you :)
@@Daphoid you're probably right 🙂
I guess the point I'm really getting at is less that these don't do everything I want but rather that if you want simple, basic boxes like this, there's much better options out there, for much less.
@@robinr22 If you cant make music with these devices you have bigger problems! I've heard peoples music using a MPC and tbh sucked and i've heard jams using these three Roland's that sound fantastic and vise versa.
Honestly this is probably going to be best selling instruments, thanks Roland for making affordable version of AIRA 🔥🙌
Wow what a trio! 3 affordable and very usable boxes. It's like electronic punk to the recent greed and shame of some companies! (TE, Elektron, etc), I bet we hear more out of what these can give in opportunity to creative music makers than what we hear out of things like Syntakt and OP anyway. Well done Roland 👏
Roland’s corporate interests are no different to any of their competitors. They’re making these to keep up.
24:30 Yup, SOLD! Excited to see if they add more in Firmware updates (more 909 pls!). Picking up mine today from Sweetwater.
On the T-8. Don't forget "tuning" of the hats, aswell as decay and colour of clap or tom in the menu. Whatever parts lights up per menu-item can be impacted by it.
If you crank the regular gain on selected parts in the menu it makes for a stonehard overdrive if want to vary the type of distortion.
It even has nudge also aswell too. 😋
I’ve just bought the t8. What’s nudge do?
@@swantons1119 It's for pushing or pulling chosen instrument steps forwards or backwards in the sequence...if desired/needed.
@@ex-zen that’s a great feature and thanks for the reply. I can’t seem to find nudge in the manual, could you tell me where to find it thank you.
@@swantons1119 My pleasure.
Press and hold (the button for) the instrument which you want to nudge, then turn the stepped "alpha-knob" left or right to move the sequence accordingly.
@@ex-zen ahh is it the little line that sort of zig-zags and goes along the screen. If so I think I’ve discovered that before but never knew what it done. Thanks man i’ll give it a go 👍🏻👍🏻
your channel is amazing bro, thanks for the work you do!
Personally not a huge Roland fan, but this is very cool and gives another option for newbies than the volcas I started out with.
Volcas lol, such soy energy
Interesting set of tools, you've illuminated them really well, but left me kinda ambivalent.
At first I was sceptical of the T-8, due to the fixed drum sounds. But considering everything in the box, all the little features and so on, it would be a knock out, if not for one massive oversight. The fact that you can't save the sound settings with the patterns! And it's a big deal, because so many of the features are hidden in menu/button combos. It's not a quick and easy job to redo your settings, and that's no good for a device such as this.
The J-6 is a different deal. I'm normally not for preset-boxes. But I totally get, how they placed the emphasis on the sequencer, with all it's depth and various features. It's pretty clever, and as you say; not something commonly seen in hardware. But with such a locked preset engine, I'd just wish they'd given it more than 64 presets - those will grow old SO fast. I so hope the interesting sequencer transmit fully via MIDI, in which case I think, we'll see it sequencing more fully featured synths all over the place. But for me it'd be a much easier sell with just 128 presets instead.
The E-4 is in some regard both the best and the worst. I can't really put my finger on any deal breaking oversights. But it's far too close to their VT-4 in every regard. And that seems quite a bit more well appointed, in both connectivity and controls. So I'm not sure I see the point of it.
Still an interesting move on Rolands part, and not bad options for people looking to build a small and portable setup.
And as always a big thumbs up for your work.
The E-4 could be very useful for an fx loop out of your mixing desk if they had the detents and scatter on/off like you say. Maybe they could release an E-4mkII with those 🙏
The drive sounds surprisingly good!
Love the j6 and the vocal thing but man those 4 digit leds. Roland what are you thinking in2022?
Thanks loopop, great review. Finally liked and subscribed. Love and best wishes from England, keep up the good work.
Hi Loopop,,will you be doing a video on the New Synthstrom Deluge update?😊
As ironic as it is for such small and somewhat "limited" tools/instruments, this is def prime example and proof of Roland stepping up to a much more relevant and competitive stance in our current market, as well as pretty much hitting the nail absolutely bullseye on the head of both: giving the most useful features in such a portable space and accessible affordability for the biggest number of people, while also giving a spread versatility in it's integration with other gear and the ways it can be used in multiple ways (I.e., tone-wise, live performance usability vs. studio use and value, etc.)
Sorry for the run-on, but just ironic I guess cause it's cheap, small, and affordable, but it gonna make them the most money overall because these are gonna kill I think. As late to the game they are (and you know it hasn't taken them THIS long to think of or work on these as a concept), I feel like for once, in what seems like quite a long time, they are not only at least finally on the same playing field as the rest of the market doing and having similar gear, they absolutely have a great place in the standing, and I bet these are gonna be a rather huge hit for them, cause they finally got that elusive formula right, and in the right era and age, finally!!
Foreal though, these are surprisingly not only some cool pieces of gear that rival others, but the possibility of their use with those other competitors that have already been out for a good long while, I think, is gonna make these hard to say no to for a lot of people who already own similar stuff, so they bypass most of the downsides that they could/would face selling to potential customers "but they already have and use this or that (volca or p.o. etc) so I don't need that". They actually have some pretty awesome features that are absolutely yin and yang with those similar pieces of kit, working very synergisticly bot just combining with the other's, but helping their integration overall, like having that extra pass through input, because and being able to use these thinga with pocket operators and being vastly helpful not only with their own connectivity between themselves, but also with the p.o.'s volca, etc, since they dont have a pass through, and it can be much more of a hastle to be able to get levels correct and do so in the configuration of combination you find most desirable for whatever reason at the time.
Very cool indeed, I wonder if Roland has anything else in the works that's gonna be a true game changer, not meaning the same type of thing, but whether for instance to release a poly synth as revolutionary for musicians and producers as say, the whole Juno line bringing analog poly synth with digital control and recallability that's the most useful and affordable by the most diverse and highest number of people's.
Just saying, it could happen, and that could be cool. Cause big bad Roland hasn't been as killing it and making a monopolistically market as it used to dominate and be such a larger player in, frequently in #1 standing.
Got my fingers and toes crossed for Roland, welcome to Now, it's been a while my friend and I'm glad to see you and that you are doing ok.
Another reason Behringer and clone haters can stop hating, cause if anything they caused some truly vicious competition, and Roland has now stepped up the plate ready for the true fight, for all the chips.
Good luck friends, the Funny Cat's are stoicly stepping up to the plate to bat, bottom of the night or bust baby ✌️💕✌️❤️
If anybody feels that was TLDR, I completely understand, it was too long and didn't wanna write for me, lol.
@@tylerevans1700 I thought it was cool :)
Awesome review, as usual. I find the E-4 super cool.
Highlight for me was the mention of Scaler. Didn’t know about that. A much more capable tool for a quarter of the price. Thanks
Wow great review as usual. I am thinking the J-6 is worth the money *just* for the arp and chord function to get the MIDI out to another system. (Since I cant play keys at all!)
Well... These are the right toys for my lil baby Chris... Thanks Roland.
These looks like so much fun! Ordered!
Roland est sur tous les fronts ! Et j'aime ça ! 👍🏻 👊🏻
Wow this video is just amazing! Thanks a lot for such a huge amount of work!
Finally, all acid in one package :)
Great video, as always.
More excellent content as usual. Nice 1, fella. Looks/sounds like Roland have again done what they do best - create devices with friendly user interfaces and massive sweet spots. You think they can have a role in serious music production, or are they more for jamming on trains?
Thanks! I think they're equally useful for both, though I'd be careful about using the E-4 on a train where only you can hear its output in your headphones...
um...are you going to publish 5 more videos today? LOL. New gear day😍
ha, no not for today...
@@loopop Sounds like maybe we’re gonna be up late together tomorrow 🕺
That J6 is really similar to how I work out chords on an iOS app but with a Juno. They got me.
Which iOS chord app is similar to this?
@@kutuzov79 ChordPolyPad. It doesn't have the sequencer but it similarly has preset 'styles' and other tools for getting in the neighborhood, then a keyboard interface to mess with individual notes and find the right inversions. Great options for MIDI IO, and it even gives you a pretty responsive setup over wifi, at least to a Mac.
Roland is the capcom of the music industry
Great video, very thorough and awesome! Very interested in the J-6
I easily see the value of the T-8 and the J-6 is something I'd definitely want, but I am not sure about the E-4. It seems like they're stretching things a little to have them all be the same price. Example: I have the Roland VT-4 and it does a lot more than the e-4 for only $50 more. It's also very small and has XLR and phantom power. Having the battery-powered option is nice, but I think it should be more like $150. Admittedly, I'm not done watching the video so we'll see if I come back and edit my comments. 😜 They probably could have priced the T-8 a little higher or, as was mentioned, split it into two products. I'd be curious to see how separate products would have been improved but I do like the value of the T-8 as-is. All that said, I know myself, I'll probably get all three eventually. I can't help myself. I love little synths and related gear. LOL. Great video. Thanks.
I also have the VT-4….but mannn this scatter knob fx and looper are making it tempting still…
These airas compact cost 200 bucks each one, still they arent really cheap, well in My country these Bad boys Will cost like 250 or 300, so id rather save a little and Buy an elektron samples or cycles, the t 8 only worth if you really want a tr 808 or 909 sound, but not a fan, so not going to Buy it, maybe i'll wait for second hand lol
Dude you gotta be kidding, the VT-4 not having scatter or looper means you basically have to have some other units (i've been using the RC-505) to give your voice some life and FX.... They put everything into one box with this one! What features, exactly, are you missing from the VT-4 on this E-4? 🤔🤷♂️🙄
@@darkuniversesound his workflow is just different than yours, don't be an ass. Must people already have a sampler or an fx box, if it is your first gear sure the looper is nice but otherwise there is no megaphone fx and the VT-4 can act as an audio interface so... it is basically what effect do you prefer more the megaphone or the scatter and what are yours need, either choice is not wrong
@@darkuniversesound you make some valid points. It is still pretty cool, just the least interesting one for me. My thinking has changed some though. Thanks for sharing your insights. If the T-8 could save presets and tempo I’d have already ordered one. I’m still tempted by the J-6 just as a pocketable idea generator that isn’t on my phone. 😜
Wow Amazing desk top machines...and a superb explanation and show case as usual....👍👍
Thank you for this vid. Helping me learn the T-8
44:46 I think you can have each step lasting different length, not just one global length. Thanks for nice presentation!!
Lovely review ! I totally hated the synths.
The good and the bad. I like that you can get all three as a bundle for $600. But that is somewhat more expensive than the Volca machines.
A T-8 gives you 90% of what most people want from a Volca Beats AND a Volca Bass, sounds better, and includes an onboard suite of FX you'll have to buy separately for the Volcas. If what's you want is a Volca Drum or an FM2, none of these will do that specific thing. They're good products. But for what each of these specific boxes does, there's no comparable Volca.