JUPITER-Xpert - Roland Jupiter-X & Jupiter-Xm Tutorials

"Video Tutorials by Robert Saint John for the JUPITER-Xpert blog related to the Roland #JupiterX and #JupiterXm synthesizers"

Playlist at the time of this post (you can find an expanded playlist further below):

- Simple Arpeggios on JUPITER-X and Xm - New JUPITER-Xpert Back to Basics Series Synthesizer Tutorial
- JUPITER-X/Xm Single Tone Preset, Dual, and Arp Demonstration
- JUPITER-X / Xm Tutorial - Performance Tips & Tricks for Live + I-Arp Synthwave
- UPDATE: JUPITER-Xm Step Edit Sequencer Tutorial: Chords
- Roland Cloud ZEN Expansions and Sound Packs for JUPITER-X/Xm : Installation
- JUPITER-Xm Tutorial : Working with ZEN-Core Partials (Stupid ZEN Tricks 1)
- JUPITER-Xm ZEN-Core Demo - SH-5 and SH-7 Patch Tone
- JUPITER-X | Xm : Split with Bass Arpeggio Tutorial (Updated)
- JUPITER 1.30 Update - 5 Big Things | Special Preview for JUPITER-X and Xm from JUPITER-Xpert
- JUPITER-X/Xm Tutorial: Step Edit Using Hold Pedal
- Night Stalkers - #RolandScarySounds​ with JUPITER-Xm
- Roland JUPITER-Xm Custom Drums experiment
- JUPITER-Xm Hidden Parameters - Roland Boutique A-01 SysEx Control

Additional details on each:

- Simple Arpeggios on JUPITER-X and Xm - New JUPITER-Xpert Back to Basics Series Synthesizer Tutorial

First in a new series of JUPITER-Xpert "Back to Basics" how-to video tutorials where I go beyond the User Guide and focus on practical tasks for musicians. First up: simple arpeggios (not I-Arp!) for One Part or Many.

Tutorial example Scene file available at
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lQiz...​

00:29​ - Introduction to the New Series
01:30​ - The Arpeggio Problem
02:25​ - The Basic One-Part Arp Demonstrated
03:48​ - I-Arp is not Arpeggio
04:39​ - Arpeggio Settings Explained
07:40​ - Arpeggios on Multiple Parts
09:08​ - Conclusion

- JUPITER-X/Xm Single Tone Preset, Dual, and Arp Demonstration

4K demo with close-ups of the Xm Preset "01-01 Single Tone / SL1", the default Scene, with only Parts 1 & 2 active. Dual Mode allows the two Parts to be layered and controlled with SL1. A simple arpeggio (disabling I-Arp) is also demonstrated, as is the Writing process (new Scene & Tone Write function).

- JUPITER-Xm Hidden Parameters - Roland Boutique A-01 SysEx Control

Here are some examples from my combination of the Roland Boutique A-01 controller with my JUPITER-Xm. In this example (ZEN-Core Tone PC025 SL-Jupiter6 2), I've configured the A-01 knob controllers to address hidden SysEx parameters in the ZEN-Core engine (that is, params that are not even in the menu system):

* Tone Pitch Drift (demonstrated)
* Tone Pitch Drift Cycle Number
* Tone Partial LFO Phase Lock
* Partial VCF Gain Correction (demonstrated)
The results can be subtle, they can be dramatic. They can add additional character or make it sound like the synth is beyond servicing. I like a little bit of Pitch Drift and VCF Gain, they can add a little more of an analog ambiance to the Tone, without having to spend an LFO on it.

I'm not sure if these "under the hood" settings are somehow related to the Aging feature of the JUPITER-X/Xm, the Analog Feel param, or some special sauce used to perfect the Model Expansions (J8, 106,101, etc.). But they're interesting tools in the design box.

Special thanks to James K Hiser (@Musinigon) , Alex van den Berg, and Paul Cotton, all of who have shared so much knowledge and work around the MIDI Implementation Tome and made doing this little bit much easier.

- Roland JUPITER-Xm Custom Drums experiment

The X/Xm certainly isn’t known for a flexible rhythm track, but there’s no law that says you can’t use other tracks for drums! Here, a custom Kick on Part 2 (tunable, and with delay), custom Snare (clean) on Part 3, crazy Juno Synth Drum in Part 4, regular 808 drum track on 5 with hi-hats and claps. Part 1 is a J8 Bass. Muting/unmuting for variety. Just an experiment. There are obviously better solutions for drums, but it’s interesting to think outside the box and still use it.

- JUPITER-X / Xm Tutorial - Performance Tips & Tricks for Live + I-Arp Synthwave

This is a short JUPITER-Xm synthwave performance showing some tips and tricks to help you combine live performance with I-Arp step edit sequencing. Demonstrated:
- Using variable Grid Length in ARP PART EDIT to emulate an intro and outro
- Using pre-sequenced Step Edit patterns in Step Mode combined with your own live performance
- Applying that to multiple Parts at once
- A modified Part Button Assign for single tap muting/unmuting of Parts

For more details and the downloadable SVD Scene file, visit the JUPITER-Xpert blogpost at https://https://jupiterxpert.com/synthwave-performance-tutorial

- UPDATE: JUPITER-Xm Step Edit Sequencer Tutorial: Chords

In the previous JUPITER-X/Xm tutorial on Step Edit I showed how to add a polyphonic sequence to a Scene Part. That video demonstrated a combination of the “knob” method (slow) and the TR-REC method (faster) to set multiple Notes per step, and Ties to extend them across many steps.

But as it turns out, there is still a much faster and easier way to accomplish this. Thanks to James K. Hiser for pointing out this shortcut. Be sure to check out his extraordinary JUPITER-X/Xm and ZEN Core layouts for MIDI Designer Pro at https://mididesigner.com/qa/user/jkhiser/questions

- Roland Cloud ZEN Expansions and Sound Packs for JUPITER-X/Xm : Installation

By request, a rough video going through the process of purchasing ZEN-Core Wave Expansions and Sound Packs on Roland Cloud; and then transferring them to and finding them on your JUPITER-X or JUPITER-Xm system via USB stick. Sorry, no sound demonstrations, just a walkthrough of the process with poor narration.

For complete details on installation, please refer to the official Roland documentation "SOUND PACK/WAVE EXPANSION Install Manual" at https://static.roland.com/assets/medi...

- JUPITER-Xm Tutorial : Working with ZEN-Core Partials (Stupid ZEN Tricks 1)

"Stupid ZEN Tricks" Part One: Editing and Copying Partials
A JUPITER-XPERT Tutorial for Roland JUPITER-Xm and JUPITER-X Synthesizers

The ZEN-Core synthesizer engine is immensely powerful but has a reputation for menu-diving. However, it's quite accessible once you know the structure and control surface shortcuts. This is the first in a series of "Stupid ZEN Tricks" tutorials, starting with some basic navigation. These functions are documented, but I hope by highlighting them it will make diving into ZEN-Core less intimidating and more rewarding.

- JUPITER-Xm ZEN-Core Demo - SH-5 and SH-7 Patch Tone

"GREEN MACHINES" - Quick demo of how to "build your own classic synth" using Roland ZEN-Core and the Wave Expansions for the JUPITER-X(m).

The classic SH-5 mono synth had a Multimode Band Pass filter and two LFOs, and the SH-7 was duophonic. In ZEN-Core, I've combined features of both to create an "SH75" Tone using EXZ015's SH-5 Saw waveform for one Partial and a VA Saw for the other Partial. I've detuned them and assigned the MM Filter to Tone MFX.

Then I created a keyboard split and assigned the same Tone to Lower and Upper to simulate the SH-7's duophonic play. I selected both Parts and saved the Scene like that in order to keep the two synchronized when adjusting a parameter like Cutoff, Resonance, envelopes, etc.

- JUPITER-X | Xm : Split with Bass Arpeggio Tutorial (Updated)

Tutorial: How to use the JUPITER-X(m) I-Arp to create a split keyboard that allows an arpeggiated bass part on the lower section, with independent play on the upper section.

This is an update to my Dec 2019 Roland JUPITER-Xm Synthesizer Tutorial, "Steady Bassline with I-Arp". Since then, the JUPITER-X has been released and the firmware updated a number of times, and I-Arp is more capable and allows fully independent Parts and Arps. This video demonstrates the updated steps required to achieve an independent, transposable bass line arp in split mode.

- JUPITER 1.30 Update - 5 Big Things | Special Preview for JUPITER-X and Xm from JUPITER-Xpert

JUPITER 1.30 System Program update now available! This video details the five most notable improvements to the Roland JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm, and how they connect the gear to their new ZENOLOGY Pro software.

- JUPITER-X/Xm Tutorial: Step Edit Using Hold Pedal

From the JUPITER 1.30 release notes: “The HOLD pedal can now be used when inputting notes in STEP EDIT. This is useful when inputting chords using both hands.” These are not very comprehensive instructions, so I have created a brief Step Edit with Hold Pedal video, with an accompanying tutorial on my JUPITER-Xpert blog at https://jupiterxpert.com/tutorial-jup...​

- Night Stalkers - #RolandScarySounds​ with JUPITER-Xm

A short #JupiterXm​ tune in the SPIRIT of the Halloween season, and for Roland's SYNTH TALK: #RolandScarySounds​ 2 show this week. Performed with the JUPITER-Xm, sequenced by Zenbeats, with some backing by ZENOLOGY Pro. Music and video by Robert Saint John.

- Roland JUPITER-Xm Custom Drums experiment

The X/Xm certainly isn’t known for a flexible rhythm track, but there’s no law that says you can’t use other tracks for drums! Here, a custom Kick on Part 2 (tunable, and with delay), custom Snare (clean) on Part 3, crazy Juno Synth Drum in Part 4, regular 808 drum track on 5 with hi-hats and claps. Part 1 is a J8 Bass. Muting/unmuting for variety. Just an experiment. There are obviously better solutions for drums, but it’s interesting to think outside the box and still use it.

- JUPITER-Xm Hidden Parameters - Roland Boutique A-01 SysEx Control

Here are some examples from my combination of the Roland Boutique A-01 controller with my JUPITER-Xm. In this example (ZEN-Core Tone PC025 SL-Jupiter6 2), I've configured the A-01 knob controllers to address hidden SysEx parameters in the ZEN-Core engine (that is, params that are not even in the menu system):

* Tone Pitch Drift (demonstrated)
* Tone Pitch Drift Cycle Number
* Tone Partial LFO Phase Lock
* Partial VCF Gain Correction (demonstrated)
The results can be subtle, they can be dramatic. They can add additional character or make it sound like the synth is beyond servicing. I like a little bit of Pitch Drift and VCF Gain, they can add a little more of an analog ambiance to the Tone, without having to spend an LFO on it.

I'm not sure if these "under the hood" settings are somehow related to the Aging feature of the JUPITER-X/Xm, the Analog Feel param, or some special sauce used to perfect the Model Expansions (J8, 106,101, etc.). But they're interesting tools in the design box.

Special thanks to James K Hiser (@Musinigon) , Alex van den Berg, and Paul Cotton, all of who have shared so much knowledge and work around the MIDI Implementation Tome and made doing this little bit much easier.

Update: expanded playlist: