I'm considering getting one of these, but have a few questions.

SEQUENCER
1. Is it possible to program it via midi? Can I for instance send arpeggio data from an external synth and expect it slides and other data to be recorded on the jd-xi?
2. Can quantization be turned off?
3. Does it do "parameter locks"?

ARPEGGIATOR
4. Is the arpeggiator programmable?
5. Does the arpeggiator output midi?

EFFECTS
6. Are all the effects shared by all 4 parts, or do the parts have their own effects?

7. What is your overall impression of the synth?

Thanks. I realise I should probably study the manual for some of these questions, but I'm very pressed for time and some of the updates might have altered the original specs.

I believe it can, but I haven't tried it.No. You can set it to 32nd notes to minimize the effect though.I don't know what you mean by "parameter locks," but if you mean can it record parameter changes (i.e. filter sweeps or LFO rate), yes it can.It's editable, and it has quite a few patterns, but if you mean can you program your own pattern into it, the answer is no to that. But you can use the sequencer and the interactive chord feature to do your own arpeggios.I believe it does. I know the sequencer does.Effects are shared by all 4 parts, but you can set the sends differently for each part, so you could send one part to effect 1, another to effect 2, another part directly to delay and another direct to reverb if you like. Or you can connect the effects in series.I like it. The digital synths are very deep and powerful. The drum part is excellent, and the mono analog part is a nice bonus too, albeit limited. I recommend the JD-Xi Manager free editor (created by tux99, a member here) if you want to program patches though, since doing it from the front panel is a bear.You can download the manuals, parameter guide, and additional information on the updated firmware features from the Roland support web site.

No, but since the 1.5 update it has swing!

yes.


For the price it's unbeatable, but don't expect a $2000 workstation. That said the JD-Xi is far more immediate and intuitive than a typical workstation keyboard and therefore IMHO a lot more fun.

Great, guys, thanks for the info!
It definitely looks like a cool little synth. One thing I really dislike, though, is when a synths parts don't have dedicated effects. Is there a way to tell the synth which part should have its effects activated as you programmed them in the editor?

Speaking of which, I will definitely try your editor, tux99, if I do buy it!

Regarding the interactive cord function, I think it might come in handy. Is this found on many other synths? Don't think I've come across it before.

Can anyone else confirm if the sequencer is programmable via midi?

For external sequencing, shift+section on the front panel mutes the sequencer, it still responds to MIDI notes. It is able to record an external sequence of polyphonic notes or monophonic slides. There are parameter locks or motion recording. The arpeggiator can be triggered externally by notes and it can act as a MIDI thru or it can output the arpeggiator sequence and the output notes do reflect the keyboard transpose feature as well.

The best way would be to hit live record on the Xi while it is stopped, then have the external sequencer send the play command with the notes quantitized and then use the internal shuffle/swing on the Xi afterward.

Great, Discopotato, thanks for confirming. What are your thoughts in general on this synth?

Another question: are there any acoustic sounds available for it, and what is the quality like? I'm especially interested in piano and acoustic guitar.

There is a selection of acoustic waveforms including a few guitars and pianos but don't expect a wide choice, the JD-XI is primarily focused at electronic music. If you need lots of good quality acoustic waveforms then maybe a FA-06 or a Yamaha MOXF would be better for you.

It's limited, but in a good way. Very quick and easy to built up riffs and progressions. Fun keyboard.

I see I do already have a MOXF, so it's not very important to have these in the jd-xi. I will use it in a separate setup, though, so it would have been a nice bonus.

I did have a look at the Axial website, and can't say I was that impressed by the selection of additional voices.
The jd-xa had a much larger collection, but I guess that's understandable.

Good to hear That's my impression as well.

BTW: is it possible to copy one measure to another? Let's say copy measure 3 to measure 1?

I just played one in a Guitar Center yesterday. I won't go into the sound quality, which I already know to be good... (great for the price) but I'd factor in enough money to buy a decent MIDI controller to play it, because that keyboard felt like the cheapest piece of crap ever. I think my daughters toy cat keyboard feels better.

I think so, but I may be gettting mixed up with the Roland video that shows someone adding extra measures and having the option to add blanks or copy with notes/etc.

And +1 on the acoustic sounds - not really this synth's forte. They might work OK in the same way the M1 piano in a dancey mix, but no-one's going to mistake any of them for a multisampled grand from a big ROMpler.

If you add measures (change from 1 to 2, 1 to 4 or 2 to 4) you have the option of copying the existing notes into the new measures, or leaving them empty. I don't think it has an option to copy measure 3 to measure 1 though. Editing or step recording is a snap though so it's not much of a problem.

There aren't much in terms of acoustic sounds on there. The only pianos are a JD piano (think 90s rompler quality, fine for dance music but not for a classical concerto) and a few EPs. You're better off using your MoXF or a soft synth for those. The JDXi's forte is subtractive analog type synths, and some PCM samples which are also used subtractively. Imagine if a D-50, a JD-990 and a SH-101 had a threesome (ok, throw in a TR-808 and a 909 for a five-some) and the JDXi is the resulting offspring.

In fact, I think the JD-Xi would complement your MoXF nicely. The XF is a great keyboard for bread & butter acoustic sounds but a bit weak for the synthy stuff since it's all sample based, while the Xi has a great VA engine, a drum machine plus a real analog voice.

Thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated
It's still a bit hard to decide, as I really shouldn't get any more gear, at least for a while (apart from the Akai MPC Live).

Gotta watch some more demos, I guess

I really like it. The keyboard is seriously awful but that's not really the point of the synth. I think of it like all the Trendy/classic/overused Roland sounds are there in clean digital stereo with some serious editing options. For drums any combination of 606, 707, 727, 808, 909, CR-78, and some others. Synth sounds like 101, 303, Alpha Juno (Hoover), JP-8000 (supersaw), and more.

I'll also say I haven't been tempted by any Roland Aira or Boutiques since.

Cool, thanks. Yeah, I really like the ability to layer the drum sounds. Regarding the keyboard, it's not a big deal. I plan on using this as a kind of groove box, so it's ok.

Since I got the JD-Xi two years ago I have hardly touched any of my other gear, it's that good.

Here are some great demos from woodypianoshack:
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...no+shack+jd-xi

Funktree did some great ones too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH90vnN_qLI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7NfRYyMnGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eco0qlywDak

And to see how deep the synth engines are under the hood watch Ranzee's demo of my editor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE8MPaLVV3c

Some great demos there, tux99, thanks for sharing
It's getting harder and harder to resist this baby, I must say

Resistance is futile.

Despite the minor menu diving, I find it a very inspiring synth to play and create sounds with. I've had it since it came out but it sat for a bit while I was busy with my other synths but I've been coming back to it lately and it can be a serious powerhouse in the right hands I think. The more I use it, the more I learn and fall in love with it. It's probably the deepest synth I own, definitely takes time to wrap your head around compared to most synths. I would recommend it

put it this way, i use it more than my roland boutiques, system 1, minibrute, volca bass, synth and beats and korg electribe.

it's now part of my drum kit setup which consists of my TD-30 kit, the jd-xi and the rc-505 looper (with a korg blue electribe for some older work)

it's really good, even with it's little keyboard.

Interesting... With all the praise, I think I'll have to get one to see for myself
I have a lot of stuff, but not everything is equally inspiring. And that is very important. For example I bought the new Electribes, but have hardly used them at all.

for me it's another great writing tool so i now have 3 setup's 2 hardware based and one on computer

1.jd-xi - with td30 and rc 505 looper
2.roland fa-06 with a selection of outboard synths
3.logic pro x - all software arturia SEMV and jupiter 8v, dexed and roland AU synths - sh101 and sh2

Cool I have several setups myself, which can be both frustrating and inspiring.

How is the JD-Xi for a first synth?

My roommate got one and its great! has everything a new synth addict needs to get started. just read through the manual a few times to get a hold of how it operates. it sounds great too.

Its a very good choice.