Roland is introducing something on April 6th.

Anyone care to speculate ???

Link > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE309uauyHg

Later ,

Gary

Well, they say that a "legend" re-emerges.

Pick any legendary Roland instrument and speculate.

Fran?

Maybe a new modeling synth? Violin and sax featured in pictures... they are both sounds that lend themselves to modeling.

The only real "legend" that Roland seem to be noted for, as far as synths/keyboards go, is the Jupiter 8, so maybe they are re-creating it.

Or...

They are taking a page from Korg, and introducing a "Kronos" type instrument.

Whatever it is, I doubt very much if it will be an arranger.

Ian

Yes I tend to agree Ian. There would not be this level of "anticipatory hype" for just an arranger. And I also agree the J8 is definitely in the legend class....

Maybe it is a similar product to the Kronos, (as in recreating all of Rolands' famous synth engines) but perhaps with the addition of a capability to load and run VST's?? As well as massive sampling capability and memory. The G series was the most tech savvy of all the Roland synths....it would logically follow, that maybe something as a development of that OS is appearing?

Dennis

The only other "legend" I could think of was the Roland D-50 synth, which was quite a hit back in the day...you literally had to have one (along with a Yamaha DX-7) if you were in a "top 40" cover band...the D-70 that followed didn't have quite the same impact (or sound, in my opinion).

If I'm not mistaken, the D-50 set off that whole Sample + Synth type sound...the Korg M1 followed, as did Yamaha with the SY-77, but really Korg and Roland had the market almost to themselves back then.

I think your suggestion of loading and running VST's is valid, for sure...or, maybe a system similar to the Kronos?

I love seeing this new technology.

Ian

Its the return of the G1000 only this
Time its the G1000 version 2. It will
Eat the tyros 4.

I cannot see this being an arranger either. It just doesn't fit Roland's personality lately. I see them bringing back one of the classic synths or possibly workstation that competes with the Kronos.

Roland is playing mind games. Now on Roland U.S. there's a different image saying "prepare for a new musical beginning." What is interesting is that each flash pictorial (three so far) features a guy playing Sax. As you can see the new image also has a picture of a keyboard with a guy carrying it under one arm. The guy has a tie on which suggests "gigging" potential suitable for Live performance??

So most likely it is some kind of keyboard but the Sax is a bit mystifying to me. One of the previous images also included a set of Drums and a guy playing a Guitar and also a guy playing a Sax. They're putting a real emphasis on the Sax instrument for whatever reason since it's been in every flash pictorial so far.

Since all the images have included different instruments there is a possibility it could be an arranger. The G-70/E80 are ready for the Smithsonian so Roland may indeed surprise us all with a brand spanking new top of the line arranger beast that will take arranger playing to the next level. Yamaha is arguably number one when it comes to Sax emulation on an arranger but perhaps Roland has something up its sleeve that will blow the T4 SA2 Sax to smithereens? Something so astounding they are picturing a guy playing a "real" Saxophone! Then the Guitar portrayal is another example. Yammie arguably has the best acoustic guitar sounds on an arranger but again maybe Roland has a "new" level of Guitar emulation that will blow Yammie's acoustic emulation out of the water?? And of course the Drum Kit added to the mix makes me wonder if indeed this "new musical beginning" could actually be Roland's latest attempt at countering the new Korg PA3X/PRO and/or Yammie's Tyros4. As we know, it's been literally (well...figuratively anyway an 'eternity' since Roland released a new totl arranger. Could this be the hour (4.06.2011) that Roland decides to get back into the totl arranger game perhaps? Stranger things have happened, even as we (Roland's fan base anyway wait with eager anticipation to find out what this "new musical instrument/re-emerging Legend/new musical beginning" thingamajig will really be. We'll find out soon enough I reckon.

All the best,
Mike

Like I always have said .....Don't Count Roland out of the Arranger Kb game ....patience is a virtue..

WOW! You hear that, Diki? I know you aren't going to take that lying down. Next, he'll be saying that G70 PLAYERS are ready for the old folks home. Hey, I would've called him on it but I know you like to take care of these things personally. Take no prisoners, bro'.

chas

PS: Before anyone gets up in arms, I hope Mike et al realizes that I'm only kidding around.

Boy..! There's a lot of moist panties 'round here!

You can't honestly have forgotten the run-up to the VIMA launch, have you? Or several other of Roland's rather underwhelming products of late...

This could be a 30W keyboard amp, for all the hype is telling us!

Legendary Roland synths? Let me think...

System 100
Jupiter 8
JX-3P (first Roland with MIDI)
SH-101
JX-8P
Juno 106 (the sound of Madonna!)
D-50
MT-32 (first 'one box does it all' module)
E-20 (first Roland arranger)
SC-55 (first General MIDI module)

Got a decent selection of 'Legends' to choose from! From Roland's current line-up, I'd say they are lacking in maybe a good General MIDI module (Sonic Cell not quite the hit the SC's were) or maybe a Juno-106 clone (for all the pop-synth stuff going on). We MIGHT get a J8 clone, but that boat already sailed with the Arturia model. I'd be pretty happy wagering it AIN'T a TOTL arranger, mind you!

And, if patience is a virtue, we must be the least virtuous forum on the planet!

Correction... only two of the three flash intro's showed a Saxophone. Sorry. I see though that the youtube video put up by Roland Media lists a violin. With all of those instruments and then showing a keyboard it kind of negates the idea of a Jupiter 8 scenario in my opinion. The Jupiter 8 was an analog 'synth' and from what I understand it didn't have the capability to reproduce "acoustic" instruments. Another scenario is Roland perhaps compiled a huge assortment of sampled instruments e.g. Sax, Guitar, Violin, Drums, etc., etc., and will sell a bundled assortment on either a USB drive or through download from the Roland website that can be used with various Roland keyboards that have USB and Sample memory capability. Third party vendors are already doing that for the Roland Fantom G so maybe Roland decided to get in the game themselves and could possibly turn out to be a lucrative proposition for them if indeed it's true. Multisampled instruments (if done correctly) can be of much better sound quality than what's contained in the keyboard itself. Just a theory... but since Roland is being tight lipped until 4.6.2011 we'll have to keep guessing.

Obviously Roland is trying to generate interest in this "new" whatever by adding additional information every so often. Hopefully when 4.6.2011 rolls around the bubble won't suddenly burst with disappointment. Time will tell..

It must be the new V-station

V-synth, upgraded Fantom engine, upgraded arranger/arpegiator engine, Vst support....

A Kronos competitor...

I would be ecstatic if the entire industry adopts the SSHD streaming sample technology that the Kronos has. It is the next obvious evolution in hardware keyboards, avoiding the complexity and stability issues of pure 'open' keyboards run on computer OS's, but radically (exponentially!) increasing the amount of available ROM and RAM (now essentially the same thing) for hardware synthesis from that point on.

Kudos to Korg for making the leap. Now we need to get everyone to follow. Can you imagine an arranger like the T4, bulletproof operation, but with 12GB of samples instead of 512MB

Wow!

We need to make our needs known. This is a game changer for synthesis in general. Probably the most radical step forward in keyboard hardware in twenty years, IMO...

Hi Diki

Korgs previous workstation (OASYS) was based on Linux OS for its operation, so it’s possible that that the Kronos is the same, (Particularly as all the instruments and operations mentioned are available in software) rather than a propriety hardware system as used in current hardware keyboards. (Should be interesting to see once it gets dissected)

Bill

This page has a patent application for the model JUPITER-80

http://directories.csa-international.org/xml_transform.asp?xml=certxml\087117_C_000-2211-81.xml&xsl=xsl/certrec.xsl

Good find. Yep, that must be it. Not sure why that picture of a sax player, though... I don't recall the Jupiter-8 having much of a sax sound..!

But while the underpinnings of the system might have been Linux, the Oasys didn't allow you to piggyback regular Linux apps or instruments, did it?

I think what we are seeing here is a sort of hybrid between hardware synthesis generation, and perhaps a Linux-like OS to run it. Rather than the OS do everything, including the synthesis (like the MS does), the hardware does most of the work (guaranteeing polyphony count and drop-out free operation) while the OS takes care of operation and data handling.

But, however it is achieved, it is the new benchmark. For working pros in studio and stage alike, bomb-proof operation is the FIRST thing needed. Unfortunately, so far, the 'pure' software instruments have struggled with this, as any combination of VSTi's can pull even a modern multi-core CPU to its knees. Using a more modern OS to handle data streaming, while hardware still takes care of much of the sound generation and manipulation seems, until maybe we have a few more CPU generations with a LOT more power, to be the more reliable route.

Heard some info tonight....Rumor for now...but will check with source again in the middle of the week...

First..there is NO new Jupiter in the works..

Second..there is a new arranger built in the Juno Stage case..the BK-8s...making it a small footprint 76 semi weighted keys....no speakers..Let's see if it is a rumor or some good news..

Fran, take a look at this link (halfway down) http://directories.csa-international.org...sl/certrec.xsl
That's a certification for Roland to the UL for most of their keyboards. The new gear appears in a slightly smaller font. There is DEFINITELY an entry for the Jupiter-80 in there.

I'm not sure what little birdie is whispering in your ear, but even YOU don't seem to place much faith in him...



If you don't KNOW, then it's rumor...

Mind you, a rumor I'd be very happy to have come true! Especially if they add a chord sequencer and the Mark/Jump buttons from the G70!

V-Synth GTX Bi-Turbo

;-)

Question ?

Is the Prelude discontinued ? All indications say yes , not many places have them.

So , if it is indeed discontinued , and they really want to stay in the arranger biz the maybe something
like the E80 with up-to-date technology.

Just a thought , but we only have less than a week to hold our breath !!!!

Gary

I'll bet many should have waited a bit before buying a new Arranger...with KORG & Roland looming in the background for big releases.....I'm glad I waited !!

Yup , I waited too

Of course we have no idea what will be released next Wednesday , but we can hope !!

If all else fails there is always the FP-7f , atleast it has built in speakers...LOL !

Or another guitar would work too , but only a Taylor 812ce , still rather play keys.

Don't do it, Donny... This time, just TRY them all then buy another Yamaha..!

I remember the last time you bought them ALL and ended up back where you started, basically.

Come on Donny, you are only fooling yourself if you think you will ever be happy with anything but Yamaha. Yamaha works for you, don't mess with what works. Likewise Fran will never be happy with anything but a Farfisa G7.

Tom

Tom honestly I have no problem with Yamaha sounds & styles.......

But for me I would like a few design, navigational & feature changes in the future that would make me a bit more happy playing.

So why all the lipsmacking at every new geegaw that comes out...? In your heart, you KNOW they aren't going to be what you want.

Concentrate your posts on detailing what you want, get everyone with a Yamaha to agree, and it might just happen for you. But look like a gear butterfly, and no-one takes it seriously

Conjecturing about new gear is more fun than watching most of the doo-doo on TV.
DonM

Looks like you need a new "man with trench coat in the alley" for your inside information. He's getting sloppy :-)

I think Roland will never make a high end arranger keyboard anymore,they failed with the 2 last ones G70/E80.

Impuls

Looks like you need a new "man with trench coat in the alley" for your inside information. He's getting sloppy :-) [/quote


Nope, the initial leak was not my man in the trench coat...but a young lady mentioning what she thought she heard....My Roland spy has been 100 percent accurate over the years..

Well, it is now April 6th - where is the announcement?
Hammer

They seem to be building more and more Atheliers and Accordians.

No Fantom G replacement, no G70/E80 replacements.

Ugh! They are just getting their butt handed to them by Korg and Yamaha.

Fran, you need to make a better distinction between rumors with no foundation and your 'man in a trench-coat' (me, I prefer 'Deep Throat'!) when you post rumors. Because you certainly TRY to make each one look like you have some kind of special insight... How many times are you going to get it completely wrong before you stop making such wild predictions (but passing them off as 'insider information')?

Well Diki, in Fran's defense... I did put the quote a little out of context. In the original message he said "for now, it's just rumors, but..."

But Fran has always dressed up his 'rumors' as inside information. He certainly never posts much in the way of a caveat, saying 'this is just something that 'some woman' might have heard, but I've no idea if she is credible or not'.

TBH, I think Fran is batting about .005 in the prediction league, so far! How many times have I heard about that imminent TOTL Roland arranger from Fran or Donny (I've still never seen a picture of both of them together... maybe it's just the one guy?! )? About three or four times a year for the last five years or so, probably!

Some people never give up!

I have... that's why I bought a spare G70!