Bad Gear - Roland JD-Xi - Toy Keyboard or Synthwave Monster???
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- Опубліковано 29 кві 2021
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Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Roland JD-Xi. Is this jack of all trades a toy keyboard or a synthwave monster?
Simon the Magpie is, of course a great vocoder aficionado:
• The Soviet Vocoder Is ...
• VOCODER EVERYTHING
Matthias Jakisic website is currently down, I will make an update as soon as it's up again. He recently worked on Paul Haslingers Soundtrack for "The Irregulars" you might know from Netflix.
Life is beautiful and it's full of Bad Gear
Wiser words have never been spoken
@@AudioPilz 😂
This was my first synth and it's still my favorite because it makes great sounds and has a lot all in one little package that I can take around. The fact that it can record directly into my DAW is so nice since I can just take it and my laptop and have a full set up.
My friend who is a synth snob laughed when he saw that I got one and told me about all the better things I could have gotten, until I turned it on and started making noise. He then shut up and bought one a few weeks later.
Better things comes in small packages. Good choice.
@@dgpsartscrafts. I hope so because I am very small 😂
1:11 Adrian’s inner monologue: “I bet I can get away with calling this a ‘Jack-off, all trades’ and everyone will think it’s just my accent.”
*Florian
@@mycosys So disappointed to learn that "Audio Pilz" isn't his actual name
I have no idea what you're talking about ;)
At least half of "AudioPilz" is half of my real name;)
@@AudioPilz random question: where are you from?
Big thanks to Roland for making the bad gear series possible ❤️
It would not be possible without the Big R
@@AudioPilz D Beam
Burns so true. We live them though.
You know, as affordable as a light dependent resistor is, coupled with the fact that any old “electronics experiments lab” kit would not be complete without one, hence 13 year-olds understanding them well enough to innovate their own designs with them and get electrical engineer’s titles at Roland. Those little light detectors are really tough, and I’ve never broken one nor had one go bad on me. Sadly, The same cannot be said of the 2x16 character backlit LCD screen right next to it in my MC-505. I’m gonna have to re-read the data sheets for those little displays, because something is telling me that there’s something altogether wrong with Roland’s implementation of them. Seriously, they seem to be predictably prone to failure in Roland gear.
Seriously lolled!!
"Prices are around 500 planetary credits, which translates to 5 billion dollars on reverb, for a model in ok condition" 😂😂
Love it
It's the truth ;)
@@AudioPilz
No doubt.
Not gonna lie, after buying a JD-Xi a couple years back, a lot of my gear got put away, and the JD became the workhorse of the studio. Whole albums performed and recorded in their entirety using this beast! Lol
True, that's absolutely possible!!!
I've owned probably 10 high end analogue and VA synths, Virus, Nord, Novation, Waldorf etc. the JD-XI has been more fun and sparked more creativity than all of them. Sure the Virus sounds better on some sounds but I write songs first, synth sounds are secondary, and the JD-XI is an idea machine. I want the XM next!
It has some exasperating limitations, but after several years I still can’t help loving this synth. Comes in useful in all sorts of situations, most recently as ‘do all’ controller keyboard/synth/audio interface/syncable sequencer with my laptop. Perfect as a compact keyboard for gigs as a guitarist with auxiliary keyboard duties.
For editing, Patch Base do a great iPad editor which allows import/export of whole banks.
I had one and sold it to get its upper brother (JD-Xa). I'm thinking in buying a JD-Xi again since it's impressively fun to use (more than most synths)
Yes! I’m happy to see these comments! Totally agree. One question: has anyone had sync issues with syncing it to a DAW such as Ableton? I cannot seem to fix the MIDI latency I’m getting.
”Five billion dollars on reverb” ROFLMAO!
Maybe I should just do it ;)
@@AudioPilz Reverb is a weird place. People trying to sell current stock items higher than retail all the damn time.
When he said that, I laughed so hard I shot food up my nose.
LOL
@@Gainn That's just gear hounds with too much gear appearing to try to "sell" their gear and appease their significant other lol.
That Nick Batt clip made me laugh with the mention of PWM
Nick knows ;)
Me too!
mention on bad gear, bucket list #1 - check!
Well done woody 🙏💯
I like how Roland always incorporates the 808 into everything they make but people are always like "I'm still not satisfied".
It's Roland's heritage!
This is one of the most underrated channels on youtube, period.
37k subs in a little over a year with a focus as niche as that is not underrated.
Thank you so much. Working on it!
The best legends are toys. Their disarming nature helps musicians lose their ego, lower their guard and embrace their creativity.
I've used worse
There's some truth to it!
Totally agree
If Kraftwerk can make a popular song using a Mattel Bee Gees Rhythm Machine, then that's proof that the talent is in the hands
Casio VL-1 is a case in point and i would like to see it featured as it does have quite a few features
One of the most impressive things about Pilz is that he already had his entire format nailed & refined since his FIRST posted video. Came out swinging on day one.
You’re the greatest, Audiopilz... You tick off all the boxes. 🤘
Thank you so much!!!
Rolands commitment to the dying art of busy overlay printing is admirable.
So true!
Weird little quirk is that the delay time can go up higher than any other delay I've seen. A band I played with wanted a single note backing an entire song and I just hit the hold key and cranked the delay and played with the filter. It's outrageous.
if you were on tv when i was a kid, i would be synth by now.
Ain't we all a little synth by now ;) Thanks!
It always makes me happy when I find out someone I respect is a Bojack Horseman fan 😁
Such a great show!!!
If Roland would have just made a 3rd version of the JD-XA - a module with no keys but additional per-function knobs and less menu diving, priced right in between the XI and XA, that would have been great. The JD-XA is a beast.... that most can't justify.
Sign me up for that!
"law enforcement x-wave straight from the land of ro" feels like the same universe as "the justified ancients of mu mu"
LOVE the KLF!!!
@@AudioPilz True. Even a metalhead like me could get behind some of their stuff. Also, weird cyber-vikings? HECK YES! Too bad they destroyed the master tapes for "The White Room", I'd love to get hold of that album without having to pay through the nose (or pirating it)
This synth is genuinely such a handy piece of kit to have around ! And that song at the seven minute mark really shows how massive it can sound ! Well done my dude
Agreed! Thinking about getting one myself!
@@AudioPilz I wouldn't blame you ! Thanks for the great content
@@AudioPilz I own one and use it professionaly.
@@AudioPilz ive had one for 5 yrs. wont get rid of it. great piece of kit
This little machine was my first step into playing with beats, synths and sequencers. I still love it!
Nice starting point for a synth setup!
@@AudioPilz It is, indeed! Now I hook up a decent keyboard and use it to sequence or arpeggiate other synths. It's a great 'sketchbook'.
Somebody on UA-cam asked what to buy his young child to get started. I said, “Get that kid a JD-Xi. Kids love JD-Xi’s.” Someday, I’ll take my own advice …
Your memey style of edit is honestly so refreshing. It's not over the top or cringe like with some channels, you've really mastered the art of applying it tastefully and effectively. Hilarious.
Thank you!!!
we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.
@@dennisscott4268 the viewership has spoken. Be ratio'd, young fellow.
Underrated synth :)
Agreed!
It is a piece of a dog’s arse!
No respect for you synth anatomy!
I usually find your opinion’s enlightening!
It’s way too dark to use for live but seems good for the studio.
I like mine despite it's issues with effects and it's ability to pull fingerprints from other sources. Let's just say, don't commit a crime in the same room as the JDXi without grabbing it, because it has your fingerprints!
Is the JD-Xa really worth the extra $1200?
bro your videos are always a joy to watch
Thanks, happy to hear that!!!
YAY FRIDAY!!!! I can’t WAIT to be impressed by DEAR GAWD WHAT’S THAT?!?!?!
Lawdy lawd!!!
Dude I just bought one of these about a month ago. I have tons of gear and i have to admit I love it. Its perfect for putting down quick ideas and you can take it anywhere. Great video as usual bro.
This is not bad gear! My favorite synth! So good for different genres, trance, house, drum & bass etc. I haven’t watched the episode yet though, just saw the thubmnail. 😄 Will watch it later when I have the time. Can’t wait. 😊 Just love my JD-Xi. 😊
Agreed, super versatile and really helps you focus on making music. I was pleasantly surprised!
@@AudioPilz I just watched the episode. So happy you liked it! It is the synth I have used the most. It is so versatile. Love the drum sets too. Love your channel and I always look forward to the weekly videos on Friday. 😊
I literally decided to start saving for this thing yesterday. Then this video popped up lol
Nice-sounding synth!
You can get a second hand one pretty cheap. They're really fun!
Thanks to your review I decided to buy the JD-Xi early this year (late January), and this being my first synth, I'm absolutely loving it even still.
Much love, keep up with the great content!
Thank you so much!!!
For me anyway, the JD-Xi really brought back the fun into making music. For just switching on a creating ideas its hard to beat. The sequencer whilst it has its limitations does cover all the bases and is incredibly easy to use. There are definitely enough decent sounds to get started with a song idea and actually some pretty usable ones too. I made a lot of music just using this synth and nothing else, it really can sound amazing.
The sound engine definitely punches above its weight
I've learned a lot from your channel: benefits of chaining gear together for real time simultaneous use, what external FX play well with synths, more about DAW-less setups, and how the instruments and sounds we like are largely tied to personal music tastes and the music we grew up with. Recently bought a small mixer, routed my keyboards, synths and a Boss BR600 (for backing drums) to it, and having a lot of fun with it. Thanks for everything, keep up the great work!
Thanks! So happy to hear that!
THANK YOU. Happy to see my favorite instrument on your channel. I can tell you really know your audience. Really loved the jam at the end too. I'll be watching your videos till the end. The best to you!
Thank you so much!!!
Fridays never start without some Bad Gear!
Thanks!
Agree
They end my Friday.
I already know he’s gonna make every piece sound good at this point. I watch for the 3rd jam mash up genres strictly. Love this channel. Keep going brotha
Thanks man!!!
Gracias a Dios es viernes y tenemos nuestro video!!!
Cheers from Argentina 😊
Muchisimas gracias!
Man, thx for all your videos, I always save them to watch them when I'm having dinner at the Hospital where I work. Big hug from Lisbon!
Obrigado!!!
@@AudioPilz Boa noite! Eheh
This is by far the best gear I ever had. Pure fun. I am no pro and never going to be, just playing music for my soul. If you have kids that like electronic music. Buy it!
👍👍👍
Praying for: *“Moog Subharmonicon: Overpriced Existential Nightmare or Experimental Dream Synth???”*
I'll get a bulletproof vest for that;)
@@AudioPilz Expected one on the Digitakt video 😂 - yet, no shots fired. We all learned something that day.
@@torino1138 Yeah, DT vid was a deathwish. Like poking blind tiger with a stick.
Good video man! your editing skills are getting really cool
With the accent, the way you said 'this jack of all trades' made it sound like,
' this jack off.. '
Wow, i thought... Going in hard with the abuse today! 😂
❤️
I have no idea what you're talking about ;)
Same thoughts exactly 🤣
I LOVE the JDxi. It's such a great concept, the digital engine is fantastic, monosynth cool enough. Nice drums. Many limitations, sure, but a lot of fun. I wouldn't mind owning one tbh
That sums it up nicely!
I have a JD-XI, I love the string sounds I get from it. I hate the tiny keyboard size though, but they do have a nice press to them. Made an album with that, a MC303, TR8, and Korg em 1, I’m glad another one of my favorite instruments is now in an audiopilz vid 😁
Thanks! Great setup, btw!
where's your album?
Love this channel. It’s like you take a synth, shake it, an good stuff or bad stuff falls out, and you tell us all about it.
Thanks!
originally came for the info- keep coming back for the JAMS! oh and yer pretty funny too... love this show!
Happy to hear that, thanks for watching!
Life is really beautiful with this machines.
Wonderful vintage sounds.
You can only see it for a brief moment, but the selling point for me was the 4 part multitimbrality of the JD-Xi with midi controllable change messages in Ableton. Also the combination of those 4 sound generators give a rich and in the face sound in the mix. A good little piece of gear for people with a daw already and little spacy in their studio.
Great job being entertaining whilst providing gear oversight. I loved all the quick interjection of pop culture, loved the Max Headroom and thought I spotted a glimpse of "Stallone in Over the Top". So good, keep up the good work.
Thank you so much!
I don't think it was Stallone, it looked like the intro arm wrestle the Schwarzenegger/Weathers meeting scene from Predator.
amazing video as always !
Thank you!!!
*SO GOOD* !! I just wish my coworkers cared about synthesizers... they've pretty much stopped asking why I'm 11 minutes late on Fridays 🥳
Hey Rocco! Tell them it's Austria's fault ;)
This video actually made me want one. The song you did had a Laserdance influence to it.
The synthwave is strong in this one!
love this channel, your formula is genius
Love this channel, thanks!
I like this channel 😍
It always makes me feel great to be reminded of the $1000's that I've wasted on B-Grade Audio & Music Gear 😂
Thank you so much!!!
You did not just reference Type O Negative and the Aira series in the same sentence hahaha
I'm not the first to do that, or am I? ;)
Loved the sonicstate shoutout!!
The OG!!!
Sir this is one of my favorite channels good shit 💯🔥
Bad gear for life!! Called that one a few weeks ago. Love my jd-xi....also it is perfect for your jams. I can listen to a whole album of your jams with that synth!
Thank you!!!
this was my first synth ever I still love that thing
Great starting point!
same , was my only hardware synth for a long time.
Was just wondering if and when you'd make a video on the JDXi while at work today !! The legend delivers
Always on time! Thanks!
ur the consistency i need in inconsistent times :-)
Thanks!
I’ve been putting off watching this since it came out because, confession time, I own this synth and LUV it, so I’m admittedly a little afraid to watch. Let me say first what I love about mine: 1) its four-track sequencer is really fun and makes it conducive to creativity and to capturing ideas easily, 2) related to 1): I don’t have to use a DAW or open up my laptop to make music, which feels liberating sometimes and easier to focus on writing, 3) i thought Roland made good design decisions on what parameters to combine on some of the knobs, reducing menu-diving a lot (also, these parameters are actually fully tweakable if you’re willing to menu dive, like once and then save it in yr program), 4) the classic Juno/Jupiter sounds are fucking amazing, really lush and beautiful, 5) the analog synth isn’t going to make me get rid of my Novation Mono Station, but nonetheless sounds very good, 6) really fun to run a guitar thru and use the Auto Note feature to use it as a guitar-synth (no weird MIDI pickup required), 7) it has a fucking vocoder also, which is a lot of fun, 8) I wish it could program in time signatures other than 4/4, but nonetheless I find some of the sequencing and other limitations built into it to be both reasonable for the price-point, and also creatively useful for sandboxing (I find it hard to actually make anything sometimes or to make creative decisions and commit to them when presented with endless virtual instruments and sequencing power like I have in, say, Ableton or Pro Tools). Granted, there are fancier synthesizers out there, but many of us aren’t rich and can’t afford like a vintage Prophet V or something. (Oh and 9): I think the drum sounds are great. This thing is like an 80s or 90s “workstation” synth in a tiny, inexpensive package. I love this device.
No worries, lotsa love for the JD-Xi here
That vocoder chain is the ultimate goal for my vocal practices. Void voice for life, and the life for bad gear
Void Voice is The Choice! Noice!!
That was no vocoder, I just sound that way in the morning;)
Always a great video!
Your videos always manage to make me smile
Happy to hear that! Thanks!
0:53 Infinity War is the biggest crossover ever.
Roland JD-Xi: "Hold My Beer"
I thought it was Star Wars and the Muppets
@@AudioPilz How bout lego star wars?
I love the "arranger"-function ❣️
True that!
Thanks a lot for this review. Desperately want this synth :)
Thanks for watching!!!
this channel makes me so happy
Your comment makes me happy, thanks!
That feeling when you bought your first synth last week and this week it's featured on Bad Gear 😂
A good feeling, isn't it? ;)
I get it. I got my JDXI just last year, just before getting into this channel haha
I love my JD-Xi. Wish I could make it sound this good! I think you hit the nail on the head with your evaluation... except you forgot to call it out for not being able to save individual voice patches! (The editor goes a long way to mitigating that though, and you can of course save voices as part of the four voice plus sequence patches the JD-Xi does let you save.)
I badly wish we could get the same keyboard with the same synth engine but a proper full featured sequencer... and maybe even FOUR envelope knobs for direct ADSR settings. (I will say though that this seems to be a pretty decent implementation of a single envelope knob, and you can of course get at proper ADSR settings through menu diving or the editor.)
Thanks! To my surprise I really liked the synth but the limitations can be quite annoying!
@@AudioPilz The editor does help a lot. But yeah, I really like the combination of two digital voices, a drum set, and a monophonic analog synth. The basics of everything you need in one box. It's just too bad they didn't spend a little more time and effort on the firmware to make something truly great.
Another week, another banger. The work you put into this is very appreciated.
Also, is it me or does the last jam make allusions to Röyksopp?
Thank you! Gotta listen to Röyksopp again;)
Brilliant as always
Thank you!!!
The white version is easier to read. Roland did the overlays which also make it possible to use without Woody'ing the thing with masking tape.
Good little kb to take out and about if you're going to be stuck somewhere for a few hours, but so much overlap with any other recent Rolands.
Damn, I need the white version then!!!
the jdxi, plus a looper and guitar is a sick combo. the drums on it are awesome
👍
Your channel absolutely rules!
another crave video, Wunderbar sir, i'm in!
Crave? You mean the Behringer one? ;)
I'm dying here from your screenshots.
"Roland classics" - ReBirth.
"Die Hard Roland Fans" - Rambo.
LOL
Thanks!
Your videos really tick all of the boxes for me
Thanks!
Always a pleasure to watch bad gear.
Cant wait for the next one :D
Thank you!!!
Nice Magpie cameo! Another great one!
Thanks! The Magpie really knows his vocoders
I love my JD-Xi, super versatile especially if you dive deep with the editor software. It basically replaced a Gaia, R-8 and D-10 I'd been using for years, the only complaint is the FX chain being awkward to use (and the gloss surface, get the overlays!). Great episode as usual! :)
I own a Juno DS (as you can see in my profile picture) and was thinking about buying a synth. Thought about Gaia as it seems easy to operate and stuff. JD-Xi is almost in the same price range. What do you think the JD beats the Gaia in?
@@SamStormsKBD I think for versatility, the JD wins, but the Gaia is much more accessible. When you get into the guts of the JD with the editor, it can be really powerful (and does most of what the Gaia does, plus a LOT more if you're willing to spend the time), Gaia is limited but you can twiddle knobs and get cool sounds. FX unit seems to sound better in the JD, quite 'thin' in the Gaia.
They JD also feels less cheap and takes up less space!
EDIT: Bear in mind the JD has tons of Roland samples, including ROMpler-esque stuff and drums too. That's worth a lot on its own!
nick batt cameo got a genuine cackle out of me
Nick=Best
Reverb saw your review. Probably a cool ten billion now. So much work in this episode. Awesome.
Amazing episode like always.
I used to own one and I really liked it.
Sold it for roland integra. I still miss it some times because it was such a great sketchpad.
Thanks!
I don't own one but as Roland user in general I think that the JD-Xi has a lot of great sounds and features but Roland indeed has the tendency of hiding a lot things behind a menu labyrinth.
...and not finishing their products ;)
The "Theseus and the ball of string minotaur maze of parameters" is a rite of passage; you have to prove you're worthy of it and you REALLY REALLY want it to get at the good stuff. I think I'm just too lazy for it, which is why that GR50 in my rack stays powered off all the time :P
My first synth!!
Nice starting point!
I have one of these and love it! Awesome to see it make it to bad gear!
Great review great synth!!
Thank you!
The JD-Xi is a great composition sketch pad when combined with a decent keyboard, it is really easy to quickly get some ideas that can form the backbone of advanced compositions and the sounds are good enough for it to stay in the mix of the final product.
Agreed, sounds are totally production ready!
It’s fantastic and Roland will send you high contrast overlays to remedy the impossible to read red on black. If you only need (or could have) one synth, this a a great candidate. Thanks for sharing! Rock on!
Agreed, this one covers a lot of ground!
I still have one JD-Xi, I had two. I used it to create near "live" psytrance music, playing multiple tracks, having different patches set for different parts of songs, and transition between them, using one part for playing live or for the vocoder. I used my KMI SoftStep2 to help control what was playing, turning parts on/off and switching between patches. Running both into a small mixer
Great small, lightweight set-up.
Cheers!
I keep coming back to this video just because I love that last little jam so much
Loved the Bojack Horseman reference!
Fantastic work as always.
Thanks! Love Bojack!
I got to jam on one of these at the music store. I was impressed with it honestly.
I really liked the synth engine too
Brilliant review that was very funny, thanks a lot!
Thanks!
10/10 again mate. Once again I have thoroughly enjoyed the video!
Oh and those mini keys.. 😖
Thank you!
I bought one of these about a year ago. The sequencer is sadly underwhelming, but the sounds are absolutely fantastic, especially at the price. The vocoder unit also has pitch correction and harmony modes, plus a voice to MIDI input (yes you can sing to trigger notes!). New units also come with a control panel overlay which is much nicer than the glossy red-on-black stock panel.
Right, I completely forgot about the pitch correction and voice-to-midi functionality. Thanks for the clarification!
I am not sure what sort of stimulants promotes the genius idea of combining the predator arm shake meme and an 80’s advertisement of milk but that was something
I'll have a double espresso, please ;)
Great stuff and excellent video! The Roland JD-Xi was my first synth and i love it, lots of sounds, 1 analog synth and very good drum kits. The sound is really good too. Hey i saw when you mention youtube comunity channels i saw 2 of my videos, thank you for that!
Nice! Subbed!
Different conclusion as i thought. Thanks again for the great video.
Expect the unexpected;) thanks!