Roland JUPITER v1.50 - BIG Update Worth the Wait! New Firmware for JUPITER-X & JUPITER-Xm

video upload by Robert Saint John - JUPITER-Xpert

Robert Saint John - JUPITER-Xpert posts

"Introducing System Program 1.50 for the Roland JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm synthesizers! This latest firmware update includes fantastic new features created directly in response to feedback from the X/Xm user community. This will be the first of a few JUPITER-Xpert videos that I'll be posting about what's new in 1.50, so be sure to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to stay notified. This video is an overview of the latest features, and I'll soon go into more depth in future tutorials.

I'm also introducing The JUPITER-Xpert Guide, my free downloadable PDF that tells you everything you need to get started, whether you’re an experienced user or brand new to the synths - https://bit.ly/jxguide (direct link to PDF)

Get the 1.50 update and new docs at:
* JUPITER-X *
Updates and Drivers - https://www.roland.com/global/support...
Documentation - https://www.roland.com/global/support..."

[ Ver.1.50 ] AUG 2021:
Additional Functions
"SINGLE SETUP" has been provided, making it possible to change to the settings for only a single part and play tones. This is useful when selecting and playing individual tones from respective models.
"Step recording" has been added for using the keyboard to input notes for individual steps in STEP EDIT.
"Real time recording" has been added for recording notes played during playback in STEP EDIT.
Functionality Improvement
The display view in the scene select mode has been improved.
When selecting parts for a scene, it is now possible to check the settings for the respective parts and to change tones.
The interface for operating STEP EDIT has been improved to make it more intuitive.
Bug Fixes
The following bugs were fixed.
Minor bugs have been fixed.

Roland Announces Vocal Designer Model Expansion and Roland Cloud Connect

video upload by RolandChannel

And a user video by Robert Saint John - JUPITER-Xpert:

Roland JUPITER v2.0 - Vocal Designer & Roland Cloud Connect -New JUPITER-X / Xm Synthesizer Firmware

video upload by Robert Saint John - JUPITER-Xpert

The press release:

Powerful New Creative Tools for Owners of the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm Synthesizers

Los Angeles, CA, November 16, 2021 — Roland announces two powerful creative tools for all JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm synthesizer owners. The Vocal Designer Model Expansion brings the company’s acclaimed vocal synthesis technology to the JUPITER-X range, opening up a new world of expressive possibilities with the dynamic character of the human voice. Roland Cloud Connect unlocks instant access to an ever-expanding universe filled with thousands of iconic sounds and expansions using just a mobile device and the included wireless adapter.

Vocal Designer Model Expansion
The most expressive instrument in the world is the one inside us all—the human voice. With the Vocal Designer Model Expansion, players can add the warmth and expression of their voices to synthesized sounds, complete with deep customization options to craft unique and memorable tones. Roland has a long history in vocal synthesis, including the famous VP and V-Synth keyboards. Now, the Vocal Designer Model Expansion brings the pinnacle of this powerful technology to the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm.

After connecting a microphone to the rear panel of the JUPITER-X/-Xm, the Vocal Designer Model Expansion allows all types of synthesizer sounds to be controlled and modulated with vocal input. This enables the performer to create otherworldly textures that blend the organic expression of the voice (the modulator) with a synthesized tone or instrument sound (the carrier). The Vocal Designer Model Expansion includes 26 different vocal synthesis algorithms with a wide range of customizable options. And any ZEN-Core tone can be used as a carrier, offering a staggering number of sonic possibilities.

In addition to all-new sounds, the Vocal Designer Model Expansion offers classic vocoder sounds derived from the legendary VP series, including choir and ensemble tones, robot voices, and more. And despite its name, the Vocal Designer Model Expansion isn’t just for voice. It’s possible to use nearly any analog audio or USB input source as a modulator, including drum machines, guitars, circuit-bent toys, DAW audio tracks, or anything the user can imagine.

Roland Cloud Connect
Roland Cloud Connect is a powerful new system that revolutionizes sound expansion for the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm, providing wireless access to new sounds on demand. After plugging the included WC-1 wireless adapter into their instrument, owners can use the iOS/Android mobile app to browse, audition, and install Sound Packs, Wave Expansions, Model Expansions, and more from Roland Cloud. There's a comprehensive search engine for compatible content, and selections automatically synchronize with the user's Roland Account and Roland Cloud Manager software on a desktop computer.

The purchase of Roland Cloud Connect provides an entire year of the Pro membership tier of Roland Cloud. Included is unlimited use of over 30,000 sounds, plus the Vocal Designer Model Expansion and other Model Expansions for hardware or software instruments. There’s also a full library of authentic Roland virtual instruments for DAW production, including ZENOLOGY Pro and Legendary series titles like the JD-800, JX-8P, JUNO-60, TR-808, TR-909, and many more. And for creating on the go, the Zenbeats and Zentracker music production apps are available as well. After the first year, users can renew or scale their membership up or down to meet their needs.

Support for the Vocal Designer Model Expansion and Roland Cloud Connect is included with the free Version 2.0 update for the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm.

Availability & Pricing

The Roland Vocal Designer Model Expansion is available now as a Lifetime Key for $149 through Roland Cloud, or it is also included with Roland Cloud Connect Pro membership.

Roland Cloud Connect will be available in January 2022 through authorized U.S. dealers for $99 and includes the WC-1 wireless adapter as well as one year of Roland Cloud Connect Pro membership for hardware and software.

CHI (チ) featuring Roland SYSTEM 100 Synthesizer (HD music video demo)

video by Robert Saint John

"CHI (チ), a performance with the Roland SYSTEM 100 semi-modular analog monosynth from 1975. I'm using the Roland Boutique A-01 Controller+Generator to both trigger the gate of the Model 104 Sequencer and to maintain sync between the System 100 and an iPad running Zenbeats, for its CR-78 based drumkit. Model 103 Mixer provides spring reverb and is connected to the BOSS RE-20 SpaceEcho. Live performance captured with Roland GO:Mixer.

CHI (チ) by Robert Saint John, Music and Video © ℗ 2021"

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:
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:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Smaller on the Inside! Music Studio Rebuild: A Look at My Latest Setup - Synths, Doctor Who, & More!

video upload by Robert Saint John

"It's my Holiday Special! I have some significant changes coming in the new year, so it was a good time to completely reorganize my studio office. This video is for you if:

- You like gear videos with lots of self-indulgent talking and no music
- You love Doctor Who and sci-fi toys as much as synthesizers, if not more
- You're curious about what gear I have other than my JUPITERs
- You want to see how *not* to acoustically treat a music studio
- You like to count how many times I say 'Ummm...'


Happy Holidays from this studio to yours, and may all of us have a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2022! ~Robert"

"Stranger" with Roland JUPITER-Xm Synthesizer - cover of 1985 song by Clan of Xymox

video by Robert Saint John

"Cover of the 1985 song by the goth darkwave band Clan of Xymox (Ronny Moorings, Anka Wolbert, and Pieter Nooten) on 4AD Records. Using the Roland JUPITER-Xm synthesizer, Zenbeats DAW, and ZENOLOGY Pro software synth.

Features clips from the 1920 silent film THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI, directed by Robert Wiene."

Roland SH-4d ⦿ "There is a 4th Dimension" (4k)

video upload by Robert Saint John

"'There is a 4th Dimension,' a progwave (?) track created and performed with the Roland SH-4d Synthesizer. Pink Floyd meets John Carpenter, or something 😄 I love this little box. 🎹 ❤️ 🔥"

Giorgio Moroder’s “Paul’s Theme” Roland SH-4d #synthesizer

video upload by Robert Saint John

Roland SH-4d Synthesizer Demo

video upload by Robert Saint John

"A short demo of the new Roland SH-4d synthesizer. I created the sequenced tracks 2-5 (including drums) and left Part 1 open to play the lead. Good progress in a week, and I’m really enjoying it as much as I’d hoped. Great sounds, and very good navigation packed into a solid UI. I need to dig more into the EQ and effects, but I definitely rate it 👍 👍"

Roland JD-800 Model Expansion on JUPITER-Xm - Quick Review in Description

video by Robert Saint John

"Roland #JD800​ on #JUPITERxm​ - Quick performance, all sounds live on the Xm and from the new JD-800 Model Expansion installed on it (standard Xm drum track).

I had my doubts, but the JD-800 Model Expansion is very worthy of the JUPITER-X/Xm. It may not have analog roots, but it does have character and presence. I didn't expect it to map well to the JUPITER-X (let alone the Xm) controls, but Roland did an outstanding job here. After a few hours, it's quite smooth, especially with our friends 'Shift' and 'Function.'

Most important, I think it really brings an additional class of Tones to the X/Xm that were not there. There's a crisp-almost-crunchy feel to many of the waveforms that are undoubtedly digital but still really useful. And the new multi MFX effects? *chef's kiss* There are some gems in there that will take some time to explore, and it will be great to use them with other Models as well.

Five stars, highly recommended."

@1PWM Malevolent #synthesizer and Korg SQ-64 sequencer

video upload by Robert Saint John

"@1PWM PWM Malevolent continues to impress, and it’s even more fun when paired with a great sequencer."

Mega Killer - Carpenter Brut “Turbo Killer” cover with Sonicware Liven MEGA SYNTHESIS

video upload by Robert Saint John

"“Mega Killer” - a cover of @carpenterbrut’s #synthwave classic with the @SONICWARE Liven MEGA Synthesis #synthesizer / #groovebox."

Cherry Audio Moog Series III VST Spotted

This one was spotted and sent in via electraumatisme.

Note the Cherry labels at the bottom of each module. It looks like Cherry/MRB

You can see it for yourself at 24:04 in this video.

Update: according to Atomic Shadow this actually appears to be the currently availabile VM900 Collection.

You can find videos dating back to 2021 here, intro video here. I'm not finding any videos mentioning the VM900 after 2021.

If anyone knows otherwise, feel free to leave a comment.

Update2 via Robert Saint John in the comments: "[Atomic Shadow] is correct, this is simply the Cherry Audio/MRB bundle of VM900 modules for Cherry Audio’s Voltage Modular platform, released in October 2021. We have not announced any plans to release this as a standalone or VST instrument"

Doctor Who Theme on SYNTRX

video upload by Robert Saint John

"Sooner or later, it’s inevitable that I’ll recreate the Doctor Who theme on any synthesizer I have. Multi-tracked with Erica Synths SYNTRX, painstakingly sequenced with Korg SQ-64, and Nu:Tekt NTS-1 for reverb and delay."

Roland #SYSTEM100 vintage #synthesizer and RE-150 #SpaceEcho

video upload by Robert Saint John

Roland JUPITER-Xm Demo - “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd using Step Edit as Sequencer

video by Robert Saint John

"My iMac is in for repairs and I can’t yet do this as a full tutorial, so it’s more of a quick demo. This rough cover of The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears” is all JUPITER-Xm, contained in a single Scene, using pre-sequenced Step Edit patterns and live performance.

Part 1: live Juno strings lead
Part 2: sequenced bass
Part 3: sequenced pad
Part 4: sequenced pluck

Tricks in use:

Starting with all Parts selected, the Step Edit Grid Length is set to 16. Parts 3 & 4 start muted. I start the patterns, then I quickly unmute with SHIFT+8/9 after a measure, and change Grid Length back to full 64 steps with Knob 2, to create an intro.

Part 1 is not sequenced and is the only Part with KeySw on for live performance.

The synchronized Step Edit patterns are set to Step Mode: KeyShift so that I can briefly transpose it all and back with a tap of a key. This is a great and simple way to introduce variation into an otherwise static 64-step pattern."

Roland SYSTEM 100 Synthesizer (1975) - AV Test

video by Robert Saint John

"Gear used: #RolandSystem100​ #Synthesizer101​ #ExpanderSynthesizer102​ #Model103Mixer​ (spring reverb) #BOSSRE20SpaceEcho​ (delay back into 103) #Roland​ #GOMIXER​ for iPhone #YamahaMG06X​"

JD-800 Palette Function in JUPITER-X / Xm - video demo, tutorial for X/Xm synthesizers

video by Robert Saint John

"Quick visual demonstration of the new Palette control implemented in the JD-800 Model Expansion when installed on a Roland JUPITER-X or JUPITER-Xm synthesizer.

The Palette function lets you display the values set for partials 1–4 in a row and edit them, for the partial parameter you last edited .

Slides from the JD-800 Model Expansion Owner’s Manual, available at https://www.roland.com/global/product...​"

Synth Overlays for JUPITER-X and Xm - JUPITER-Xpert Review

video upload by Robert Saint John

"Here's a close look at a new set of accessories for the Roland JUPITER synthesizers, the JUPITER-X and Xm Overlays from Synth Overlays. Phil Roberts of Synth Overlays (synthoverlays.com) asked if I'd like to do a video, and I was happy to jump on the opportunity.

00:00 Introduction
00:32 What are overlays?
01:35 JUPITER-X/Xm and the Model Expansion challenge
02:28 Synth Overlays as a solution
03:52 Availability and pricing
04:27 Value proposition
05:15 One More Thing and Conclusion

Synth Overlays on the Web - https://www.synthoverlays.com/

#jupiterx #jupiterxm #synthesizer

This video is a review of the Synth Overlays JUPITER-X bundle, provided to me by Synth Overlays for early feedback and review purposes."

#FFS​ #FebruaryFilterSweep​ with the Roland SYSTEM 100

video by Robert Saint John

"Even older synths have something to say about the frivolous actions of YouTube and so-called publishing rights holders whose algorithms misinterpret filter sweeps on synthesizers as violating their content. Here's two filter sweeps in one for ya', from the 1975 Roland SYSTEM 100 Synthesizer"

You can find additional #FFS demos in this post.