The Keyboard Chronicles

Gigging, Gear and Great Music

Review

Roland Announces Juno-X Synth

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I think it’s fair to say that Roland’s on a bit of a roll during 2022. Somewhat out of nowhere (and earlier than Roland would have liked – at time of publication the announcement was all over Facebook, a couple of gear sites and a bunch of large music retailers), they’ve announced the Juno-X.

Retailing at $US 1999, this unit contains engines for the Juno models (June 106, Juno 60) plus the Roland XV-5080 and RD-Piano engines. You can also add more via Roland Cloud. Availability is estimated as during May at this stage.

Let’s take a look at it – it’s obviously got some Juno 106 classic styling (click on any of the pics for the full-sized versions):

 

On first look and a read through the specs (see below), there’s a couple of interesting things that stand out:

  • There are built in speakers which appear to be at the back of the unit – it’ll be interesting to hear how they sound
  • It has aftertouch (who’d have thought that would end up being of note)

Roland have provided a 19-minute run through of the Juno-X as well:


My other initial thought after watching the video is: I like this synth but what gap is this filling in the Roland line-up?

The full specs for you:

Keyboard
61 Keys (channel aftertouch)

Sound Generator
ZEN-Core
Various MODEL sound generators

Parts
5 parts (Play part: 4, Rhythm part: 1)

Tones
Preset tone: 4,000 or greater
User tone: 256
Drum Kit: 90 or greater

Scenes
256

Effects
Multi-Effects: 4 systems, 93 types
Part EQ: 5 systems
Overdrive
Reverb: 8 types
Chorus: 5 types
Delay: 5 types
Mic NS / Compressor
Master EQ / Compressor

Arpeggiator
I-ARPEGGIO (Multi parts arpeggiator with playing detection)

Arpeggio Parts
5 parts

Controllers
Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
Assignable Slider x 2
Assignable Switch x 3

Bluetooth
Ver 4.2
Profile Support: A2DP (Audio), GATT (MIDI over Bluetooth Low Energy)
Codec: SBC (Support to the content protection of the SCMS-T method)

Display
Graphic LCD 128 x 64 dots

Speaker Amplifier Power Output
4 W x 2

Speakers
Full range (3.5 x 8 cm) x 2
Tweeter 2 cm x 2

Connectors
HEADPHONES jacks: Stereo miniature phone type (front), Stereo 1/4-inch phone type (rear)
MAIN OUT jacks (L/MONO, R): 1/4-inch phone type
MAIN OUT jacks (L, R): XLR type
MIC INPUT jack: 1/4 inch phone type/XLR type
AUX INPUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
HOLD PEDAL jack
CONTROL PEDAL jack
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT)
USB COMPUTER port (AUDIO/MIDI)
USB MEMORY port

External Memory
USB Flash drive (sold separately)

Power Consumption
20 W

Dimensions
1,072 (W) x 333 (D) x 118 (H) mm
42-1/4 (W) x 13-1/8 (D) x 4-11/16 (H) inches

Weight
11.6 kg / 25 lbs 10 oz

Accessories
Startup Guide
Power cord

Options (sold separately)
Keyboard Stand: KS-10Z, KS-12
Pedal Switch: DP series
Expression Pedal: EV-5

How long does it take to set up a Gibraltar keyboard stand?

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Over at the musicplayer.com forums there’s been a discussion around the Gibraltar keyboard stand offerings. Thanks to forumite Tim having a relaxing day, he’s kindly created a video to show the set up time for a Gibraltar stand.

So it seems that once you’ve spent time setting up the memory locks when you first get the components, means setup is only 3-4 minutes and damn that thing looks solid!

Kurzweil PC4 Demo Videos

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Our roundup of some great PC4 demonstration videos

Kurzweil’s PC4 has been out a couple of months now, so we thought it was a great time to round up the best demonstration videos out there. After a few hours of viewing, these are the top 5 we’ve come up with but please do link your favourites in the comments below.

Australia’s Better Music do a great review:
As do Kraft Music…
… and Sweetwater.

I also always enjoy Piano Man Chuck’s reviews:

And finally, this short video comparing the PC4 to the recently released Roland Fantom is useful:

The Crumar Seven: Six Months On

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I’ve owned this beast for six months now: and I’m still in love

Ain’t it pretty?

Back in April when I wrote my review of the Crumar Seven I made it clear I was impressed. Six months on, I’ve spent quite a few hours with it, including a handful of gigs where I’ve had it as my bottom board, with a Yamaha MODX7 sitting on top of it (and yes it sits there pretty nicely).

What are my tips after putting it through its paces?

  1. Definitely carry the seperate pouch for the metal legs separately to the Seven – it makes the Seven an achievable carry and lessens the likelihood of accidental damage to your board.
  2. The legs DO get easier to screw in and out. I had a frustrating 20 minutes the first time I did it, but as you get to know the angle it becomes pretty simple to do.
  3. The road case is not the toughest so take care, although the lid has now been strengthened by Crumar and is sturdier than it used to be.
  4. If you use MainStage, Gig Performer or Camelot, the Crumar Seven happily accepts MIDI messages and I have specific sounds for a dozen or so songs in my setlist.
  5. Be prepared for regular comments from audience members and fellow musicians on how damn good the Seven looks.
  6. Most gigs I get at least a couple of people comment.

Again, read my full review for all the details, but this is a board I plan on playing and gigging with for a long time to come.