I love my JDXi. Have to say it doesn't "fuse" analog and digital, it does one or the other. The analog synth is also routed thru a digital delay and reverb section (even if those effects are on or off) which means it is NOT actually analog in the proper sense. It is a pity the 3rd party editor was never completed but having said that the editor is awesome as it stands and really shows how much is under the bonnet of this device, in particular the fact the drums can be a stack of 4 sounds per note! Huge power.
Well done, I have been looking to add this to my synth collection and by far you have got it's key points across better than some of the other mainstream videos out there.Well done Oliver, Thank you.
I started my trip to electronic music with this versatile synth. Here the draw backs: - Keypad with non responding keys after >2 years of use - no song mode - no software updates or new features added by the manufacturer - midi channels are fixed and not customizable ... but it is still part of my setup. Enjoy!
bro... love this thing to death... almost 10 years going strong, analog synth, supernatural digital synth, classic drum sounds and a groovebox... for that price... absolute killer synth even taking in consideration weak keyboard... i mean it's perfectly capable as a module.
Yes! We need a better keybed, a modulation matrix, and an FX matrix. I would pay handsomely for that! I love this synth for creating songs but these are gripes that could definitely be solved pretty easily I would think.
Great demo. Thanks. I have been after one of those for months now, but keep putting it off. This video has definitely inspired me to be the next Jean Michel Jarre 😎
If price is the issue, look for a used one in good condition. There are a fair number of them out there depending on where you live, and you can typically save a couple of hundred dollars/euro.
Both have midi ports, so it should work. You can also link to an audio interface with midi for more routing options when using a DAW. I don't own the Roland, but I found there is also an editor and you might be able to use the Arturia to control the buttons and sliders with midi learn.
Yes can be played by any external midi keyboard. Using cc programmable sliders too you should be able to edit sounds/fx too and also programmable drum pads. The internal midi channels are unfortunately fixed so: Ch1 digital synth 1 Ch2 digital synth 2 Ch3 analog synth Ch10 drum kit Bizarrely it also has a global midi channel if say you were sending bank changes or sysex dumps. The manuals and midi chart are free online from Roland’s main site to work out how much you can control it over midi. Ps you can also use it over USB audio and Midi i think. Again parts are hard linked to respective channel. When first saw one and had a go it was a no brainer. Started saving up for it immediately!
Excellent video. Is that a Wearside accent i hear there? I was looking at one of these, but i heard that they are very plastic and flimsy feeling, also apparently the keys are easy to break (especially the black ones) got to admit that they sound really nice.
Owning it since a few years It sounds really good, but it has in my opinion a few issues: the sequencer which is not even capable of giving the notes it holds, and the interface... the microkorg has 4* less knobs but it's hard as hell to tweak sounds on it :/ *And i even forgot the micro keys that makes my korg monologue looks like a steinway (not the size, the quality) Great video, else ;)
Well true the sequencer and keys are where it lacks. I did manage some cool break beats on it in a way effect wise im unable to do on the tr8-s so idd say its far from easy to use but it has its qualities. I do admire how much is crammed into the small device and affordable device . When you load a lot off the free extra samples on it ( which I did ) you notice it becomes a bit slower which is from what ive heard because its the absolute max it can do with that processing power. Which just makes me thankful to Roland pushing it to the absolute limit apparently.
Indeed or literally repackage the same damn thing BUT in a full size key form. BUT they coulda sorted out that sequencer lacking song mode and pattern chaining. That was a MASSSIVE error on Roland’s part. And a few more external outputs. If that hadn’t been excluded the jdxi would already be a desirable classic that it deserves to be.
The analog synth is just a gimmick. The digital engine can do everything the analog one. It would be better with 3 digital tracks, and better sequencer, by which I mean more steps.
@@Acrimonious_Snake it's limited indeed. But how is that fun ? It just increases the price, and those handy analog controls could have been used on all voices, which then would work exactly the same.
I've seen a couple of people complaining about the keys stop working properly. It won't happen if you use the keyboard as a keyboard. If you want to drum tap, buy some PADs and hook it up. Not rocket science...
I am never giving mine up. Perfect for coming up with quick ideas
I love my JDXi. Have to say it doesn't "fuse" analog and digital, it does one or the other. The analog synth is also routed thru a digital delay and reverb section (even if those effects are on or off) which means it is NOT actually analog in the proper sense. It is a pity the 3rd party editor was never completed but having said that the editor is awesome as it stands and really shows how much is under the bonnet of this device, in particular the fact the drums can be a stack of 4 sounds per note! Huge power.
Well done, I have been looking to add this to my synth collection and by far you have got it's key points across better than some of the other mainstream videos out there.Well done Oliver, Thank you.
I bought mine purely for the drums in particular the cr-78 kit. Ive got to say that based on drums alone, its simply fantastic.
Exactly
I started my trip to electronic music with this versatile synth.
Here the draw backs:
- Keypad with non responding keys after >2 years of use
- no song mode
- no software updates or new features added by the manufacturer
- midi channels are fixed and not customizable
... but it is still part of my setup. Enjoy!
I’ve had one for a while now, and still need to deep dive into it. Lots of great patches available online. Very big sound for a lil’ guy.
Thanks! The best demo/review🎉
bro... love this thing to death... almost 10 years going strong, analog synth, supernatural digital synth, classic drum sounds and a groovebox... for that price... absolute killer synth even taking in consideration weak keyboard... i mean it's perfectly capable as a module.
It's a nice little but powerful machine, love it to sketch music and drums.
Such a wonderful, weird ass synth. Genuinely one of the top 5 instruments of all time in terms of just banging out a bar of...well...anything.
What a Bass. Wow.
We need JD-Xi 2 !!!1111
Yes! We need a better keybed, a modulation matrix, and an FX matrix. I would pay handsomely for that! I love this synth for creating songs but these are gripes that could definitely be solved pretty easily I would think.
There is already one. Get a Roland FA. Same engine, more sounds, proper keyboard, 16 tracks, powerfull song sequencer.
@@Acrimonious_Snake he prolly meant something in the same "under 500" price range i believe
@@djkanyon All right, then I vote for a sturdier keyboard and battery power option. Other than that I am happy with my JD-Xi 🥰
@@Acrimonious_Snake battery power too! Yes! Why not, JD-Xi 2 in 2025!
The Jupiter strings are amazingly lush
I love my small JDXi
A brilliant review of a insane baby synth selling at a criminally low price! 😀
Roland give us the choice of what preset style of music we want
Great demo. Thanks. I have been after one of those for months now, but keep putting it off. This video has definitely inspired me to be the next Jean Michel Jarre 😎
If price is the issue, look for a used one in good condition. There are a fair number of them out there depending on where you live, and you can typically save a couple of hundred dollars/euro.
@@patrickfitzgerald2861 Good idea. Thank you for the advice. Appreciate it 👍😎
@@judgeberry6071 If you're in the US there are currently eleven of them on the Guitar Center Web site starting at $329.99.
Does it respond to external aftertouch message from a MIDI controller?
great video.... can it be connected to my Arturia keylab 88 mk2 so that i can play the synthesizer sounds from my Arturia 88 key keyboard?
Both have midi ports, so it should work. You can also link to an audio interface with midi for more routing options when using a DAW. I don't own the Roland, but I found there is also an editor and you might be able to use the Arturia to control the buttons and sliders with midi learn.
@@crnova7 thank you for the info...much appreciated
Yes can be played by any external midi keyboard. Using cc programmable sliders too you should be able to edit sounds/fx too and also programmable drum pads.
The internal midi channels are unfortunately fixed so:
Ch1 digital synth 1
Ch2 digital synth 2
Ch3 analog synth
Ch10 drum kit
Bizarrely it also has a global midi channel if say you were sending bank changes or sysex dumps.
The manuals and midi chart are free online from Roland’s main site to work out how much you can control it over midi.
Ps you can also use it over USB audio and Midi i think. Again parts are hard linked to respective channel.
When first saw one and had a go it was a no brainer. Started saving up for it immediately!
@@thebmxband1t great info...thank you!
P.S this is a great gear demo of for most, their favourite little plasticky beast.
Excellent video. Is that a Wearside accent i hear there? I was looking at one of these, but i heard that they are very plastic and flimsy feeling, also apparently the keys are easy to break (especially the black ones) got to admit that they sound really nice.
Owning it since a few years
It sounds really good, but it has in my opinion a few issues: the sequencer which is not even capable of giving the notes it holds, and the interface... the microkorg has 4* less knobs but it's hard as hell to tweak sounds on it :/
*And i even forgot the micro keys that makes my korg monologue looks like a steinway (not the size, the quality)
Great video, else ;)
Well true the sequencer and keys are where it lacks. I did manage some cool break beats on it in a way effect wise im unable to do on the tr8-s so idd say its far from easy to use but it has its qualities. I do admire how much is crammed into the small device and affordable device . When you load a lot off the free extra samples on it ( which I did ) you notice it becomes a bit slower which is from what ive heard because its the absolute max it can do with that processing power. Which just makes me thankful to Roland pushing it to the absolute limit apparently.
This thing is future classic like SH-101 or TB-303.
Sorry to say, unfortunately, the keys break very easily..😢
Indeed or literally repackage the same damn thing BUT in a full size key form.
BUT
they coulda sorted out that sequencer lacking song mode and pattern chaining. That was a MASSSIVE error on Roland’s part. And a few more external outputs. If that hadn’t been excluded the jdxi would already be a desirable classic that it deserves to be.
sounds great , , but the build quality is very poor , sent it back.
The analog synth is just a gimmick. The digital engine can do everything the analog one. It would be better with 3 digital tracks, and better sequencer, by which I mean more steps.
True. But the limitations of the analog part make it very simple and fun to use.
@@Acrimonious_Snake it's limited indeed. But how is that fun ? It just increases the price, and those handy analog controls could have been used on all voices, which then would work exactly the same.
The keys are ridiculously small !!!
I cant stand it 😡
I can't get rid of it , I love the arpegiator too much 🤷🏻♂️
I've seen a couple of people complaining about the keys stop working properly. It won't happen if you use the keyboard as a keyboard.
If you want to drum tap, buy some PADs and hook it up. Not rocket science...
Well, this babe is part of Alan Walker's rig, soooo...