Roland Boutique

[meatballfulton]

To me it's clear that if this sells well they'll produce more expensive and fledged out gear.

I totally disagree. Usually synth technology goes in the opposite direction, start with a flagship and then if it's successful trickle down to the low end.

Roland introduced their Supernatural tech in the Jupiter 80 first, then the lower priced Jupiter 50 and Integra 7, now it's in the $500 JD-Xi.

Korg developed VA technology in the Oasis which filtered down to the Radias, then the R3 and Microkorg XL.

Yamaha introduced MegaVoices in the Tyros first, then the Motif, then the MO, then the MX.

Since R&D is expensive, the first products using a new technology need to be relatively expensive. The follow-on products don't require the big R&D investment and can be priced lower.

[masstronaut]

If they didn't sound like the originals (which is why they have the high quality modeling), what would be the point?

You say that like it's a given that using legacy branding means accurate recreation is necessarily "the point".

[zaphod betamax]

I have 2 3Ps and one 8P. The 8P has way more bass than the 3Ps, and no the 3Ps are not like those crippled one oscilator Rolands. I run two 3Ps together for a 4 oscillator monster!

What does puzzle me is why they went with JX3P. I'd prefer JX8P any day. Imho 3P is not that much different from Junos. Sure it is 2 DCO's and all, but soundwise it still has that soft, darker Junoesque timbre. 8P is a very different sounding synth, but it's true that it excels in strings, pads and leads, but fails at anything requiring substantial low-end. It sounds as if there was a HPF engaged all the time. But those strings and pads are really something!
Maybe they'll do it in the future if the rumor that they will expand the line is true.

[Percivale]

Waiting for news update and a video showing how 2 x JP-08 stacks up

[Kidney05]

If they didn't sound like the originals (which is why they have the high quality modeling), what would be the point?

You say that like it's a given that using legacy branding means accurate recreation is necessarily "the point".

" Using Roland's acclaimed Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology the JP-08 faithfully reproduces the original Jupiter-8 sounds and adds a few new twists in the form of extra LFOs and expanded VCO range."

http://www.matrixsynth.com/2015/09/the- ... 08-ju.html

[Kidney05]

To me it's clear that if this sells well they'll produce more expensive and fledged out gear.

I totally disagree. Usually synth technology goes in the opposite direction, start with a flagship and then if it's successful trickle down to the low end.

Roland introduced their Supernatural tech in the Jupiter 80 first, then the lower priced Jupiter 50 and Integra 7, now it's in the $500 JD-Xi.

Korg developed VA technology in the Oasis which filtered down to the Radias, then the R3 and Microkorg XL.

Yamaha introduced MegaVoices in the Tyros first, then the Motif, then the MO, then the MX.

Since R&D is expensive, the first products using a new technology need to be relatively expensive. The follow-on products don't require the big R&D investment and can be priced lower.

This is a unique case though-- the ACB modeling they use is already in use in the AIRA, it's not a completely new product line. I think Roland is suspicious of how well this 'revival' gear would really sell, or if we're just a small vocal group - hence why it's a limited run and all that.

[meatballfulton]

I think Roland is suspicious of how well this 'revival' gear would really sell, or if we're just a small vocal group - hence why it's a limited run and all that.

Limited edition inexpensive revival gear has sold well for Korg and Arturia, why not get on the gravy train?

I really don't buy this "testing the waters" argument but I'd be glad to be wrong. DSI has been doing affordable analog polysynths for a decade, there's been plenty of time for other mfrs to get into the market...and they haven't.

OK, I'll shut up now

[Kidney05]

I think Roland is suspicious of how well this 'revival' gear would really sell, or if we're just a small vocal group - hence why it's a limited run and all that.

Limited edition inexpensive revival gear has sold well for Korg and Arturia, why not get on the gravy train?

I really don't buy this "testing the waters" argument but I'd be glad to be wrong. DSI has been doing affordable analog polysynths for a decade, there's been plenty of time for other mfrs to get into the market...and they haven't.

OK, I'll shut up now

I know what you mean, but I think Roland might be the most cautious company of the bunch (aside from Yamaha maybe?) Korg had to do the monotron and monotribe before they went to the Volcas and MS-20 Mini... maybe Roland just doesn't have an analog department at all anymore (wasn't the whole revival thing launched by a young guy for Korg? I can't remember his name right now) so maybe they're thinking they're playing to their strengths. After all... the SH-101 emulation does SOUND really good.

[baz99]

maybe Roland just doesn't have an analog department at all anymore

Roland just released two analog synths earlier this year (the JD-Xi and the JD-XA) so they definitely have people skilled in analog synth circuit design.

[genshi]

Here you go -

http://www.rolandus.com/promos/roland_boutique/

[salwa]

[salwa]

And one more demo. This one also contains comparitions with original 106 and JX3P.

I think especially J-06 sounds very close to original.

[Percivale]

More A-B comparisons would be helpful. It does look awkward to play on that small keyboard.

[knolan]

Really quick reaction - I know the Juno 106 well, and from even that bit of lead playing on the Ju 06 - it really does sound like a Juno 106. It was instantaneously recognizable as a Juno sound. I've been skeptical, and accept this is a quick comparison - but - initial signs are very positive and hopeful.

[Zamise]

Admit I've not read the whole thread, but these look like they are supposed to be comparable or compete with Yamaha's Reface line, and if that is so then I'd say +20 to Roland.