The Keyboard Chronicles

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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

Roland Unveil The FANTOM 06 / 07 / 08

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Although not the most surprising announcement, Roland have enveiled their ‘FANTOM Lite’ range: the FANTOM-0 series. Consisting of the FANTOM-06, FANTOM-07, and FANTOM-08,  these are the younger siblings of 2019’s FANTOM 6/7/8.

Here’s the lowdown on the new additions to the stable.

Appearance

Click on any of the pics to check out the full sized version.

 

If you do a comparison against the more expensive models, you can see there are unsurprisingly less input and output options, but like any of these iterative releases, it depends on what you’re wanting to achieve. Here’s what you DO get:

Sound Generator
ZEN-Core
SuperNATURAL Acoustic
SuperNATURAL Acoustic Piano (EXSN01/03 Preload)
SuperNATURAL Electric Piano (EXSN02 Preload)
VTW Organ (Only ZONE2)
Various MODEL sound generators (Require adding EXM Series)* ZEN-Core Tones and Model Tones can import and export.
* Backup file has compatibility with FANTOM-6/7/8, but it can read the enabled features only.Expansion
EXZ Series
EXSN Series
EXM Series* The expansion are rewritable internal sound generator memory. You can download data from the Roland Cloud and write it via a USB flash drive into the FANTOM’s internal memory.Parts
16 zones (Internal + External)Scenes
128 scenes x 4 bank

* The Scenes can import and export.

Tones
3,500 tones or greater
90 Drum kits or greater

Tone Remain
8 zones
* When “Scene Remain Switch” enabled.
Tone Remain does not apply to VTW Organ sounds.

Tone Search/Scene Search
Rating, Character

Effects
Multi-Effects: 16 systems, 90 types
Part EQ: 16 systems
Drum Part COMP: 6 systems
Insertion Effect: 2 systems, 90 types (Serial/Parallel connection selectable)
TFX: 1 system, 90 types
Input MFX: 1 system, 90 types

Chorus: 9 types
Reverb: 7 types
Master Compressor
Input Reverb: 7 types
Input EQ: 1 system

Vocoder
Band: 13, 20, 32
Type: Mono, Stereo
Preset Setting: 10
User Setting: 20

Scene Chain
Chain: 16 Scenes x 32 Pages (Total 512 Scenes) per 1 Chain set
Set: 100
Marker: 36 (0-9, A-Z, a-z) per 1 Chain Set

Sequencer
MIDI Tracks: 16
Group:16
Pattern: 8 (per each track)
Pattern Length: 32 measures
Recording Method: Realtime recording, Step recording, TR-REC
Editing Method: Piano roll edit (Touch Edit/Automation support), Microscope
Song: 1 (per Scene)
File format: Original, SMF export/import supported
* PAD Sampler trigger data can be recorded.

Sampler
-Keyboard Multisample
Format: 16/24-bit linear, 44.1/48 kHz, WAV/AIFF
Number of Samples: 2,048
Number of Multisamples: 128
Sampling Time: The maximum is 2 minutes 44 second (1 Sample).

* A total of approximately 256 MB (Share with Expansion titles)
* Keyboard Multisample can import and export as ZEN-Core Tone.

PAD Sampler
Format: 16/24-bit linear, 44.1/48 kHz, WAV/AIFF import supported
Maximum Polyphony: 8
Number of Samples: 16 pads x 4 banks
Sampling Time: The maximum is 60 minutes (the equivalent of approximately 660 MB).
* A total of approximately 2 GB (including imported WAV files)
* When you use the PAD samples as KBD Wave, then you have to manipulation it.

Internal Storage space for files
Size: 2 GB

Others

-Rhythm Pattern
-Arpeggiator
-Chord Memory
-Motional PadPAD Mode
Sample Pad,Note Pad,Partial Sw/Sel,DAW Control,Zone Mute,Zone Solo,Kbd Sw Group,Rhythm Pattern,Pattern,Variation Play,Group PlayAIRA LINK
* When connect to MX-1Controllers
Pitch Bend/Modulation lever *1
Assignable Switch x 2 (S1/S2)
Control knob x 8
Slider x 8
Wheel x 2 *1
Function knob x 6
Sound Modified knob x 2 *1
4 x 4 Pad

*1: 1,024 step editing support
Can be used with Cutoff, Resonance.

Display
Graphic Type, 5.5″ (1,280 x 720 dots), backlite LCD (Color/Touch screen, Screensaver, Wallpaper support)

Connectors
Headphones jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
MAIN OUT jacks (L/MONO, R) (1/4-inch TRS type)
SUB OUT jacks (L/MONO, R) (1/4-inch phone type)
SUB OUT STEREO (PHONES) jacks: Stereo miniature phone type PHONES Support
Mic Input jacks: 1/4 inch TRS type
Line Input jacks: (L/MONO,R) (1/4 inch phone type)
FOOT PEDAL jacks(HOLD, CTRL1, CTRL2)
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT)
USB MEMORY port
USB COMPUTER port (AUDIO/MIDI)
External Device Port: A Roland A-49 or an A-PRO series MIDI Controller can be connected.

* Operation is not guaranteed if a generic MIDI device is connected.

Audio Interface
Max 24 bit/96 KHz
Record 16 Stereo Channel
Playback 2 Stereo Channel

External Memory
USB Flash drive (sold separately)

Power Supply
AC Adaptor

Weight

If the feature sit discussed above meets your needs, then the weight of these babies is going to appeal as well. Check out the comparisons with the fuller featured original models:

FANTOM-06: 6.0 kg / 13 lbs 4 oz (versus 15.3 kg / 33 lbs 12 oz for the Fantom 6)

FANTOM-07: 7.0 kg / 15 lbs 7 oz (versus 17.7 kg / 39 lbs 1 oz for the Fantom 7)

FANTOM-08: 14.8 kg / 32 lbs 11 oz (versus 27.7 kg / 61 lbs 2 oz for the Fantom 8)

This means that the Fantom 06 and 07 are less than half the weight of their bigger siblings, with the 08 not much more than half the weight either. There are obviously other trade-offs / differences including ‘newly developed synth-action keyboards, while the FANTOM-08 comes with 88 weighted-action keys’, which would account for some of the weight loss. Another comparison: the Fantom 07 is 0.4 kg lighter than the Yamaha MODX7 and to throw the Korg Nautilus 73 in there for comparison, it weighs in at 14.6kg.

These things are light – it will just come down to how they feel when you have a try.

Pricing

At time of writing retail pricing was (in US dollars):

FANTOM-06: $1,499

FANTOM-07: $1,799

FANTOM-08: $1,999

Initial verdict

Roland have very much entered the field that is arguably dominated at present by boards like the Yamaha MODX. The Fantom-0 series appear to provide a very substantive option to consider, at a cheaper price than a number of competitors.

We’re hoping to get our hands on one to try – keep an eye on our YouTube channel. In the meantime here’s the official Roland vid:

Hammond Releases Skx Pro

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Now that I’ve wiped the drool off my chin, I’ll take some time to post about this new release from Hammond.  For those looking for the full, double manual Hammond experience, it’s going to be hard to go past this.

The official vid:

And then a great run through the Skx Pro from Bonners Pianos:

What’s your take? Like the look of what you see? Some stores are offering pre-orders etc, but I imagine this baby will be hard to get hold of even when it’s fully out the factory door. Pricing at time of writing not clear.

Nord Demo Nord Wave 2

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Nord have released a video with producer and player J3PO running through the analog sounds the Wave 2 can produce. It’s not clear whether we’re hearing standard presents of whether they’ve had some serious tweaking, but on initial listen I have to say I’m impressed. Have a listen for yourself:

We’ll update this post with each episode as it’s released.

Native Instruments Unveil Pharlight

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Native Instruments keep pumping out new Kontakt instruments, with Pharlight the latest release:

KONTAKT instrument for musicians, sound designers, and composers, capable of unconventional melodic leads, pads, textures, and more sourced entirely from the human voice. 

At the heart of PHARLIGHT is a specially-recorded sample library designed to bring the best out of the instrument’s engine. A result of extensive research into different sounds and how they interact with the granular and sample modules, PHARLIGHT’s sample content was created by 15 artists and sound designers to produce unconventional melodic timbres that are distinctly human. 

From beatboxers to vocal artists, multisampled choral sounds, and made-up-words, the result is a curated collection of 319 sound sources and 375 expertly-designed presets that cover an extensive sonic territory including pads, leads, textures, soundscapes, bass, and subs. As well as cinematic textures, PHARLIGHT makes significant additional use of melodic, fast-attack sounds that are ideal for writing hooks and melodies. 

Like Straylight, Pharlight takes two layers of either granular synthesis or sample playback and combines them into a master ‘snapshot’.

Here’s the walk through:

I’m going to be having a closer look at Pharlight – it’s currently being offered at AU $219.00 and has an RRP of AU $299. Maybe a Straylight / Pharlight combo deal down the track NI?

Check it out for yourself here.

Play synth sequences using your C64

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I just came across this great video released in recent days, demonstrating the Fastfingers II software. This software goes back to 1990, and shows what an amazing piece of gear the Commodore 64 was, it’s SID chip in particular.

The creator of the Fastfingers II software, Dan Laskowski, demonstrates the intricacies of the C64 and how his software can help you wrangle the best out of it.

You can check out his web page for more details, including the PDF manual.

I for one admire the hell out of people who stick with products and continue to develop them. This is one niche product but one that’s stood the test of time. Anyone out there using a C64 in a live or studio environment? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

MainStage 3.4.3 – What’s New

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MainStage has had an update and for those wondering, here’s what’s new:

Stability/Reliability

  • MainStage no longer hangs after adding a Preset Name mapping to a channel strip after several patches have been created in the Concert.

Performance

  • MainStage no longer exhibits stuck MIDI notes and then loses connection to the MIDI interface.
  • The Playback plug-in no longer unexpectedly jumps back to the beginning of the song in certain cases where playing MIDI in to MainStage causes a system overload.
  • There are no longer unexpected System Overloads immediately after loading a Concert or a patch.
  • MainStage no longer hangs when opening a Concert that contains multiple duplicated patches.
  • Performance is improved while switching between patches in Concerts that use a large number of Audio Unit plug-ins.

Plug-ins

  • The Tab key indents text by two spaces as expected when editing in the Scripter plug-in.

General

  • Edited text in inspectors is now reliably updated immediately.
  • Tempo-based Audio Unit plug-ins now maintain sync when MainStage is synced to MIDI Clock.
  • The New Track sheet now shows all available buses for multi-output instruments.
  • Concerts created in MainStage 3.1 or older now open as expected.
  • Duplicating an alias of a patch no longer causes unexpected sound output.
  • The Metronome Division setting is now retained when opening a saved Concert.

Native Instrument Komplete Discount

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NI offer half-price discounts on its Komplete software instruments

I own and use Komplete 12 in both my live and recording work, and am quite the fan. One of the reasons I’ve been able to buy the full Komplete suite of products is via sales like this. During the US Thankgiving period they are offering 50% off Komplete instruments.

Here’s the full info straight from the horse’s mouth:

Berlin, November 20, 2019 – Native Instruments today kicks off its biggest ever Thanksgiving sale. KOMPLETE users can upgrade and update to KOMPLETE 12 collections for half price, as well as get 50% off individual full instruments and effects, including new releases NOIRE, STRAYLIGHT, and MASSIVE X, alongside half-price upgrades, updates, Expansions, TRAKTOR PRO 3, and special hardware/software bundles.

For owners of KOMPLETE, it’s the best time to step up to the latest version, or upgrade to a larger collection. KOMPLETE 12 is the most comprehensive version yet of the world’s leading production suite, combining instruments, effects, and Expansions sound packs. During the promotion, users save 50% on all update/upgrade paths available to them.
 

The special also includes deals on hardware and software bundles, combining MASCHINE production systems, KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards, and KOMPLETE AUDIO interfaces with tailored software packages at discounts of up to $499.50. Bundles range from entry-level packages to professional production workflows. 

The half-price offer also extends to over 190 full instruments and effects, as well as upgrade and update paths – including industry-standard sampling platform KONTAKT 6, REAKTOR 6, and MASCHINE 2, plus recent high-profile releases including MASSIVE X, NOIRE, SUPER 8, and STRAYLIGHT, plus many more. 

Native’s flagship DJ software TRAKTOR PRO 3 is up for grabs at $49.50, and existing users can update to the latest version for just $24.50.

The THANKSGIVING XXL sale runs until December 9. Full details about all offers can be found at the Native Instruments website. 
Pricing and availability

The THANKSGIVING XXL special offer is valid until December 9, 2019, at the Native Instruments Online Shop.  

E-vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with special offers. All upgrades, updates, and crossgrades require a qualifying base product to remain registered to your account. Should the base product no longer be registered, additional costs may apply.
Further product information and press material

Additional information about Thanksgiving XXL 2019 is available at

https://www.native-instruments.com/specials/thanksgiving-xxl-2019/

There you have it. If you’re a developer or manufacturer offering a discount, drop us a line. If you’re a player that’s aware of a great deal, post it in comments!