best midi controller for Roland Cloud VST ?

[encore]

Hello,

I am hesitating between the System 8 and the Jupiter X as I would like to know which one would be the most suitable to be used also as a MIDI controler for the Roland Cloud software synths. Therefore I would like to get some advises based on your own experiences please.

If I understand well the System 8 synth should automatically map its knobs /sliders for ACB/plugout type VSTs and the Jupiter X /Xm should do the same for Zenology ones ? (I need a confirmation here please as I am even not sure about this)

Could they support both VST technologies (ACB & Zencore) as MIDI controllers (I am not talking as synth/noise generator but only as MIDI controller here) as I am a bit confused which keyboard I should buy between both of them as I cannot unfortunately afford both ;o)

or do you thingk that I should buy a dedicated "generic" MIDI controler having enough knobs/sliders for this purpose if none of these Synth can be used for this purpose please ?

I do not know which one I should buy to control easily ALL the Roland cloud VSTs with one knob one function in fact.
Many thanks in advance for your help/suggestions.

Cheers, Eric

[BrianMcClelland]

Hello,

I am hesitating between the System 8 and the Jupiter X as I would like to know which one would be the most suitable to be used also as a MIDI controler for the Roland Cloud software synths. Therefore I would like to get some advises based on your own experiences please.

If I understand well the System 8 synth should automatically map its knobs /sliders for ACB/plugout type VSTs and the Jupiter X /Xm should do the same for Zenology ones ? (I need a confirmation here please as I am even not sure about this)

Could they support both VST technologies (ACB & Zencore) as MIDI controllers (I am not talking as synth/noise generator but only as MIDI controller here) as I am a bit confused which keyboard I should buy between both of them as I cannot unfortunately afford both ;o)

or do you thingk that I should buy a dedicated "generic" MIDI controler having enough knobs/sliders for this purpose if none of these Synth can be used for this purpose please ?

I do not know which one I should buy to control easily ALL the Roland cloud VSTs with one knob one function in fact.
Many thanks in advance for your help/suggestions.

Cheers, Eric

Hi, encore! Brian from Roland Cloud here. Great question. Both the JUPITER-X and the SYSTEM-8 are fantastic synths that have really fun integration with Roland Cloud. The JUPITER-X can host the Model Expansions and Sound Packs of ZENOLOGY, and the SYSTEM-8 hosts the Plug-out synths of the Legendary Series. I would say this depends on your price point.

The experience that I see from Roland Cloud members tends to be that the SYSTEM-8 works really well for syncing with the Legendary Series and mapping ZENOLOGY parameters for DAW use, and the JUPITER users like that board more for performance with the Model Expansions. The SYSTEM-8 does have a few more knobs and sliders for hands-on parameter control.

If a MIDI controller is what you're after, Roland also offers the A Pro Series, which I like a lot as well.

Here's a fun analysis of the strengths and differences of the JUPITER-X & SYSTEM-8 by our friends at Alamo Music. Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGGJMPrxZpw

[encore]

hello Brian,
thanks a lot for your fast & detailed answer. According to your answer, I guess that the System 8 is then more suitable for my needs => I have two other questions then:

From the Roland System 8 web page it is written that the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 & JX-3P plugout are provided with the synth.

1) does it mean that you got a kind of "lifetime key" corresponding to the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 & JX-3P VSt in the Roland Cloud?

2) if yes, as I already own a lifetime key for the JUPITER-8 & the JUNO-106, could it be possible to have these lifetime keys converted to two other instruments like the JD-800 & the JUNO-60 please ?

Cheers, eric

[BrianMcClelland]

hello Brian,
thanks a lot for your fast & detailed answer. According to your answer, I guess that the System 8 is then more suitable for my needs => I have two other questions then:

From the Roland System 8 web page it is written that the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 & JX-3P plugout are provided with the synth.

1) does it mean that you got a kind of "lifetime key" corresponding to the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 & JX-3P VSt in the Roland Cloud?

2) if yes, as I already own a lifetime key for the JUPITER-8 & the JUNO-106, could it be possible to have these lifetime keys converted to two other instruments like the JD-800 & the JUNO-60 please ?

Cheers, eric

Hey, Eric. You're very welcome. To answer your questions about the SYSTEM-8, the Legendary Plug-outs that come with the SYSTEM-8 do not correspond to the VSTs and cannot be traded. They are shipped in the machine, rather than being attached to a Roland Cloud account to later be loaded into the machine. Great question!

[encore]

Hello Brian,

OK but the link between the software plugout and the system 8 hardware looks a little strange to me then as I am not sure I have understood from where the plugout are sent to the System 8.

It looks like to me (while reading the documentation) that the plugouts are sent via the VST's metallic "plugout" button and therfore , in order to be able to open the VST I need a valid Roland cloud subscription first.

=> if I am replacing one plugout by e.g. the promars , could I keep it in the System 8 hardware synth if one day I stop/suspend my Roland Cloud ultimate subscription and I ahve no (software) "Lifetime key" for the Promars ? if yes there is no problem... (thanks in advance for your confirmation)

Cheers, Eric