April 4, 2018

RD-2000 Version 1.50 Update Now Available

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News, Tips & Tricks acoustic grand, Apple MainStage, B3, clavinet, D-50, EP, grand piano, Hammond, JUNO, jupiter, keyboard controller, keyboards, Leslie, Mainstage, MIDI Controller, Organ, Piano, recording, Rhodes, Stage Piano, Synth, Synthesizer, upright piano, Wurlitzer

New Sounds and Features Added to Roland’s Flagship Stage Piano

Roland RD-2000 Stage Piano with optional KS-G8B stand.

Roland RD-2000 Stage Piano with included damper pedal and optional KS-G8B stand.

Equipped with dual sound engines, Roland’s finest hammer-action keyboard, and a vast array of master controller features, the RD-2000 is the instrument of choice for top touring pros around the world. The recent Version 1.50 firmware update makes our flagship stage piano even more powerful, adding seven new grand piano sounds, a new rotary effect, and various performance enhancements requested by RD users. It also adds compatibility for two all-new sound expansion collections, which are available for free at Roland’s Axial website.

January 25, 2018

Roland Announces Version 2.0 Update for the JUNO-DS Synthesizer Series

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News, Tips & Tricks 88-key, 88-note, DAW, editor, Ivory Feel, JUNO, JUNO-DS, JUNO-DS61, JUNO-DS88, keyboards, multisample, pads, Piano, piano action, recording, sample, Synthesizer, USB, weight-action

Multisample Support, JUNO-DS Tone Manager, and Other New Enhancements for the JUNO-DS61 and JUNO-DS88

Roland JUNO-DS synthesizers.

Lightweight, mobile, and filled with high-quality sounds and hands-on controls, Roland’s JUNO-DS61 and JUNO-DS88 synthesizers are ideal for both pro players and up-and-coming keyboardists. The just-announced Version 2.0 update brings many enhancements to the popular instrument series, including multisample support, expanded performance features, and the powerful JUNO-DS Tone Manager software for Mac and Windows. The software provides an all-in-one environment for editing patches, performances, and samples, and also includes a librarian for backing up sounds and organizing setups for different playing situations.

February 6, 2017

System Update for the JD-XA Synth

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News, Tips & Tricks analog, crossover, digital, EDM, JD-XA, JUNO, jupiter, librarian, SuperNATURAL, Synth, system update, Update

Version 1.50 Update Adds 256 New Factory Programs

Roland JD-XA Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer.

If you own the JD-XA Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer, you’ll want to check out the recent Version 1.50 update. This user-installable system software refreshes the 256 onboard programs with all-new sounds created by our top programmers. The update also adds a Copy Program function that gives you quick access to any of these new sounds, even if you choose not to install them after updating your system.

Read on to listen to sound examples and learn more about the Version 1.50 update for the JD-XA synth.

April 11, 2016

JD-XA Librarian Software Now Available

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News analog, crossover, digital, editor, EDM, electronic music, JD-XA, JUNO, jupiter, librarian, SuperNATURAL, Synth, Synthesizer

Free Download for the JD-XA Analog/Digital Crossover Synth

JD-XA Librarian

With its exceptional analog/digital sound and innovative crossover design, the JD-XA has been lauded as one of Roland’s most powerful synths ever. Now, JD-XA owners have access to new librarian software that makes it easy to back up, organize, and archive patches on a Mac or Windows computer. Available as a free download, the librarian also provides an integrated portal to the growing collection of JD-XA patch collections at Roland’s Axial website.

September 15, 2015

New Products: JUNO-DS88 and JUNO-DS61 Synthesizers

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News 88-note, battery powered, EP, hammer action, JUNO, juno-di, Organ, Piano, portable keyboard, Synth, weighted keys

Portable, Powerful, and Expandable

JUNO-DS88 (top) and JUNO-DS61 Synthesizers.

Roland has just launched the JUNO-DS series, the latest evolution of the popular JUNO line. Offered in two different models—the JUNO-DS88 and JUNO-DS61—these impressive new instruments are filled with updated sounds and many enhanced features. Like all JUNO synths, they’re easy to use and deliver incredible value, putting top-level performance within the reach of everyone from working pros to casual hobbyists. The JUNO-DS61 comes with the familiar 61-note synth-action keyboard, while the JUNO-DS88 is equipped with 88 weighted-action keys, a first in the long history of the JUNO series. Aside from their keyboards, the two synths have identical feature sets.

May 27, 2015

Synth Bass for Bass Players, Part 2

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Tips & Tricks analog, Bass, crossover, fa-06, GAIA, Hybrid, JUNO, key bass, keyboards, PLUG-OUT, SH-101, synth bass, SYSTEM-1, Wobble

Choosing the Best Synth for the Gig

system-1_angle_660

In Synth Bass for Bass Players, Part 1, we talked about how doubling on synth bass can increase your opportunities to land more work in today’s music scene. We also outlined some of the important features to look for when choosing a keyboard for playing synth bass. This time, we’ll take a closer look at some Roland synths that are ideal for the job.

November 21, 2014

Synth Bass for Bass Players, Part 1

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Tips & Tricks Bass, GAIA, JUNO, key bass, keyboards, Robert Lewis, SH-01, synth bass, Wobble

Increase Your Versatility and Get More Gigs

Bassist Robert “Bubby” Lewis with the Roland GAIA SH-01 synth.

In today’s music world, the vast influence of EDM and other electronic styles has crept into the fabric of nearly every popular genre. The core of EDM is a driving rhythm groove, with the low end held down by synthesizer bass. To cover this essential sound, traditional bass players are now called upon more and more to double on keyboard both live and in the studio. If you’re a bassist who’s looking to increase your musical versatility and gigging opportunities, read on to find out the things you should know when getting into synth bass.

December 17, 2013

5 JUNO-Gi Features for Multi-Instrumentalists

Roland U.S. Tips & Tricks guitar, JUNO, JUNO-Gi, keyboards 0 Comments

The Working Musician’s Auxiliary Keyboard

JUNO-Gi is for the multi-instrumentalist

Why the JUNO-Gi is Great for Multi-Instrumentalists

Being a multi-instrumentalist in a band is like being the quarterback and the kicker of a football team. If one doesn’t show up, there’s an available backup; however, in a perfect world your team members are always healthy, always prepared, and always ready to put on a great performance. But, this isn’t a perfect world and stuff happens, and when “stuff” happens, someone has to pickup the slack. This is when the kicker becomes the quarterback, and in a band, this is when the keyboardist becomes the guitarist. Yes, both require a level of skill and competence in order to carry out their part. In a band, however, you’re also required to have the right gear to make it possible. More