Roland JD-XA Synthesizer Demo by Sweetwater 

Scott, I rarely watch a full 20min. video on youtube, but must say your demo kept me glued. Just purchased the Kronos 2 mainly for the ARPS, now I'm thinking of returning it for the JD. Wish Roland would come out with an arpeggiator keyboard similar to the JD. Awesome presentation.

This was the best demo yet of this synth and I'm seriously considering purchasing one next week due to Scott's excellent presentation. Scott's great but in previous Demos I felt like he was following a script written by Fox News repeating the same tired phrases over and over. He did manage to slip in the "cross pollinate" thing once. But I gotta say this demo really hit a home run! It's been a while since Roland really excited me but after purchasing the aura system one and now this synth I am a fan again.

Probably the most interesting synth to come out (for sound designers) synth the V-Synth, esp as it has real analog in. The closest we've come usually is straight forward hybrid (Prophet 12 etc) just digital oscs through analog filters, but this is really outside the box thinking. It's a quirky synth misunderstood by some, but if you ever spend a week or so with one and open it up (not literally) you'll probably discover how good, and unique, it can sound. Also it can do lots of historic and beautiful Roland classic sounds. ProTip - use the LED EDIT menu to turn off at LEAST the SLIDER LEDS and the synth looks 10 x more classy straight away. You just don't need them on in any normal studio, they are for when playing live in a super dark venue and make the synth look a bit tacky with them on, esp in videos/photos. I run with all leds off on sliders, and sometimes with them off on all (except filter cut off knob) - the pitch bends stay lit as does the volume and portamento knob, that looks way better.

My God! This is the best Synth i've ever Heard!

Thanks for the idea about connecting a system 1 module to the JD XA.. Amazing !!

This video demo is very compelling as I approach the buyng time.Very good presentation, Scott.

Mmm, fab demo. Temptation is growing!

If I had it my way, I think it would be time now for a JD-X8 with eight two-oscillator analog voices and a five octave keyboard. But, Roland would have a conflict there with their Jupiter-X, which again, if I had it my way, deserves an update to a Jupiter-XL with a six octave keybed of the Jupiter-80. Nonetheless, dreams and personal desires aside, we live in the real world where market dictates the rules, and still, I must say that although initially I wasn't too keen on the JD-XA, now the instrument has grown on me to the point that I want to buy it. I think the JD-XA is absolutely amazing!!!

I went back and forth about the JD. I kept looking at the moog37 and a few others but finally got the JD and it is MUCH BETTER than I expected. Don't let the lame presets ruin it for you. This synth is just amazing. Even the empty initialized presets sound good just bare bones analog. These oscillators are so rich and thick you can hear little fizzles and burbles all by themselves. I just can't love it enough. A data wheel would be nice! And the red lettering BLAH. But there's a company called synth graphic that makes a great overlay that solves most of those issues cheaply. Don't pass this beauty up.

12:08 sounds familiar: "living on video" by trans-x. i always loved that song. it has laser gun sounds.

hella demo. Nicely done.

The JD-XA seems to be based on a concept similar to that of Dave Smith's Prophet X. Can you apply the various filters and envelops to the digital samples in the JD-XA so that you can sculpt them into novel sounds, like you can with the Prophet X?

Tell Roland to reproduce the original jupiter 8. I will be one of the first in line for it!

Scott Tibbs is a great player and sound designer. I always enjoy his demos and presentations. It's hard enough to compare synths in a live setting given all the variables; how do it on RU-vid?

At 8:58, did Scott say that when the JD-XA is in poly stacked mode all 8 oscillators, 2 per part, can be playing at the same time. I thought that only one part with 2 oscillators can be played in poly stacked mode. Could someone please confirm whether this is true or not. Thanks

I bet you can travel to the moon with that one...

I would use this more or less for sequencing. I actually like the idea of the digital side and samples but with an analog interface. Sort of like an old Emulator. I'd have this play sequences in the background while my Prophet and Moog do most of the analog work. Or you can always midi out from this and blend them with another analog poly synth should you need a better analog engine.

*Very nice synth* ♪ ♩ ♫ ♪

Thank you!

Thanks for the demo Sweetwater. Will Roland make a 61 key version? Many of us still play with two hands.

Whoever is curious, I posted a video with some experiences on my jd-xa! love this synthesizer!!!!

Is this just an updated JD-800? I have a JD-800, but am looking for a board with a decent sequencer.

Whats that stand you have the System 1m on ? Could you point me to where I could get one ?

The lead at 8:13 sounds great

love the sound and concept. but I need at least 8 voices for the chords i use.

hello, can I find out more about whether it is possible to play on roland ha without computer laptop modulators without any programs ,He can play on his own without any gadgets devices additional synthesizers analog

It's not until he stops saying 'i've got something cool to show you' that you miss it :)

great demo scott i need to replace my integra and deciding between this or the jupiter 80, does this have the same supernatural synth JP8 pads found in the integra ? anyone?

what about that "subsonic thing"?

No aftertouch....Seriously?

that's a lot of buttons and nobs. i wish i had one when i was 15.

Nothing wrong with paying $4,500, they would sell loads. A friend of mine from an 80's funk band sold his that was owned by Rod Temperton for nearly £8000/$11,000. I brought my original for around £2500 in the 80's and a little more to have the midi retro fit. So no way is an original worth the silly money they are asking for now. I would pay $4,500 now for a new one. I brought a JP8000 in 1996 and was hugely disappointed, I know the trance boys love that thing, but it had no bottom end and I wished Id brought a Nord lead instead at the time. Roland just keep missing the point with their never go backwards policy. The Jupiter 80 is not even a real Jup with that super natural nonsense, but just by name and a few colourful buttons It can sound nice but, like everyone else has said too much money for plastic. Modal are a more forward thinking company with great products. As is Dave Smith, not sure about Moog now though and Studio Electronics have always made good synths. IMO.

Techno sounds just doesn't do it for me with a plain dry rock kit... What is this thing

Only 49 keys!! blah

4:47 sounds like terraria music

When your uncle says I can make dupstep

all that talk... and you really have not demonstrated the instrument at all... just talked about it. Instruments should play, singers sing, orators talk. And don't ever mix it. Would be impressive to hear songs that it can play... music that we recognize. Too bad you made an interesting throwback instrument BORING!