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."

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.

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 JUPITER-X vs JUPITER-Xm: FIGHT! Thoughts on the Two Synthesizers

video by Robert Saint John

"Can there be only one?
---
As you may have seen in my recent video, I just purchased the full-size Roland JUPITER-X synthesizer, despite already having the JUPITER-Xm. Now that I've had a few days with it, I wanted to do a video review talking about my first impressions, why I made the decision to go ahead and get an X now, and how I feel it compares to my JUPITER-Xm. This is just commentary, no music, and it's not a tutorial. There's no "sound comparison" to do with these virtually identical synths. But there haven't been many opportunities for reviewers to talk about both of them. I thought it might help those who are on the fence about whether to buy one, which one to choose and, if you already have one of them, should you consider switching?"

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

JUPITER-Xpert - Is This the End??! What's in the Box??!

video by Robert Saint John

"Well, it’s been fun. But the time has come for me to move on to bigger things...

Yes, I finally did it! I got the JUPITER-X.

I've been reassessing my studio and music needs, and I have sold off a lot of gear these past few weeks. The JUPITER-Xm has been my go-to synthesizer for 18 months now, but I wasn't using it with my big controller (Novation SL MkIII) any longer. This new JUPITER-X will take less space than the Xm and an unused controller in my studio. And the price on the X is great right now with a $300 rebate from Roland (until the end of June 2021). I continue to be pleased with the direction Roland has taken with X/Xm, so this will be a lifetime synth for me.

NO, the Xm is not really for sale. YES, I will be doing at least one video comparing the two; the workflow, advantages/disadvantages of each, and so on. It’s always bugged me that my Xm-based tutorials might be lost on X users, so I’d like to take some time to address that.

Longer-term I have something else in mind and, for that, it seems important to have both. Also, I've been deeply back into piano lessons and practice, and I decided that I wanted my favorite polysynth to have full-size keys after all.

I truly appreciate the support and interest, and hope to have exciting things to share soon!

Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 by Richard Strauss. Performed with ZENOLOGY Pro using ZEN-Core and Model Expansion Tones"

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

video by Robert Saint John

"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-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:

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