V Synth GT

[speedtribe]

Im living near Roland's headquarters and been playing V Synth GT every time I go to the Roland Planet store. This is my basic impression of GT. Btw I am not a sound engineering technician so I cant really speak for those aspects, so I will talk from an ordinary musician point of view.

[speedtribe]

Im sorry! wrong pic, thats fantom

Here is V Synth GT's screen of Vocal Designer section, i was playing that alot at the Roland Planet store.

Anyway, all I can say in a nutshell, using it feels like a Super XT with a keyboard!

It is much better and workflow is streamlined than original V Synth or even XT. While original V Synth had retro design, GT's looks (outside shell and inside all the screen menus) is totally futuristic and best UI of any keyboard. Since XT has great user interface Roland used some of XT's UI ideas into GT and improved them. So GT has the best interface I ever tried in my life. Shiny silver edged nobs below the screen are really convenient and reminds me of Nords nobs and red light level effect. Theres shiny silver edges on Time Trip pad too. Looks more funky! I love shiny silver!

GT screen is just like using a computer built into the keyboard. Resolusion on the screen is even better and more vivid color than XT. Even though Korg started the touch screen trend, but I think with GT now Roland has the best touch screens, best UI, best graphic designs of any company. Looks even better than the new M3.

Oh yes, it sounds pretty good too! since GT is basically two V Synths in one box you can make really great and unique sounds. It has upgraded Vocal Designer program that can be incorporated into the Variphrase and COSM affected sounds, plus new AP synthesis for wind or brass types of instruments. You really can hear a difference in a wind instrument that has applied AP synthesis.

Btw when you scroll though all the patches in the menu, the blue indication lights above the AP synthesis, Variphrase, COSM will automatically light up blue if the patch uses any of those functions. This is really convienient in a dark place like a club or event, plus blue light looks cool!

Unfortunately no more D 50, but this is definitely the best synthesizer Roland have ever built IMO. Surely the patch tweaker people and sound engineering technician people will die for this thing

But since its more simplified to operate and has Sound Shaper II, so even non-engineering people, like regular musicians and DJs who dont care about engine designs and scientific details will really love this thing too I think. Im one of those people and I love GT its more playable than any previous V Synths.

Btw GT is quite expensive, more expensive than a new Fantom X8, and selling a limited amount in stores. This is Roland's top special sexy keyboard ever! But since GT is basically two V Synths in one box then i guess its not so expensive, maybe?

Unfortunately, I still cant afford the price, but I really wish i could!!

[speedtribe]

Btw the price of V Synth GT is 336,000 yen.
So if you want to get it start saving

[mch]

its good to hear about the gt but sound design wise i really cant grasp that this can be that much different from V 1 v synth.I know you can stack 2 of . . . but wheres the user requested features

Sample modulation of start point ? of loop point ?

Look every every decent software synthesis system like reaktor and ensembles like travellizer etc , look at ensoniq
asr10 , eps , asrx .Roland never managed to achieve these kinds of modulations.

I would buy the gt tommrrow if it did these 2 simple things - modulatable sample start and loop points . . as it is i tried the gt can really , aprt from the ability to stack and create 2 layers and the other stuff this offers no way to explore new sonic territory for me .

What will gt 2 be ? 4 layers of vsynth v1 engine i wonder ? I know the gt is a wonderfull synth but i wish roland had explored the synthesis parameters more and offered modulation of the most powerfull thing in it - the user sample waveforms !

can anyone imagine the sound with modulatable sample start and modulation of loop points ? granular scanning ? My guess is roland cant do the math or be bothered as someone from their must have read this . . .and used reaktor ! ]

Come on roland , its 2007 - your being left behind by software from freeware developers.

[Shimky]

Hi All,

I feel incredibly lucky to be in the economic situation which allows me to buy one of these puppies.

I haven't seen one and I haven't heard one but the moment I heard about these babies, I knew I had to have one. Why? I've bought two Roland flagships before: the D-50 in 1988 and the XV-5080 circa. 1999. I've never stopped using them. Fantastic machines and I love the Roland sound. When I read about the GT, I knew this was a toy I will still be learning and getting new sounds from in 20+ years time. If you think of it that way, these things are pretty cheap! ;O)

Anyway, I didn't post to brag. I want to introduce myself. I write mostly downtempo music at the moment. I am not one of the "programmer patch tweaker people" or the "sound engineering technician people". I'm the type who in the past has relied on user-presets. So this beast is going to be a new experience for me entirely (especially seeing as the user-presets are said to be awful). Still, I didn't order one for the presets. I want to push myself towards programming my own unique sounds.

I can foresee many sleepless nights at home and sleepy days at work! I can foresee masses of fun. I can also foresee some frustration as I bang my head against the wall, trying to understand how to work the thing.

So this is a quick "hello" and "I'll be back soon with loads of questions" and "I hope you'll have the patience and kindness to help me along my voyage of discovery".

Warm wishes to you all,
Shimky.