JD-XA with System-1M

[Synth Guru]

I did some research regarding System-1M. It's a Roland plug-out synthesizer that Scott Tibbs connected to the JD-XA and is clearly seen on the demo he did for Sweetwater. I'm beginning to think he may have used it on all his demos which to me seems very unfair because IMO gear should be showcased without any peripherals so that the potential buyer gets exactly what he pays for. To me it seems a little deceptive as the 1M seems to really make the beast come alive in the demos and it's not what we get out of the box. In the Sweetwater video, Scott has the JD-XA connected to the Gate and CV section of the System-1M. I'm beginning to think that perhaps this peripheral is what's really needed to make JD-XA shine.

I believe I read somewhere in the forum that one of the clan members was using a System-1M with the beast. If any of you are using the combination of these two gears I'd be very interested to hear just how you have it connected and what your impressions have been.

https://youtu.be/cJJOvgTpIa4

Although I no longer own the beast :( I'll definitely be considering the System-1M for the future.

[h4ndcrafted]

I like the 1m , it has some odd things though that are starting to annoy.

Lfo doesn't open the filter fully about 70% to my ears.

Unison mode phases like a madman , unlike any synth I've used, the sub isn't mono in poly or unison so this cause massive volume changes.

Aftertouch is locked to vibrato with no depth, so you better be able to switch or filter it off.

Other than that, I like it, oh the delay is mono which is sad and it is crying out for a chorus.
But hey it's a cheap-ish synth!

[Synth Guru]

H4ndcrafted wrote:
I like the 1m , it has some odd things though that are starting to annoy.

Lfo doesn't open the filter fully about 70% to my ears.

Unison mode phases like a madman , unlike any synth I've used, the sub isn't mono in poly or unison so this cause massive volume changes.

Aftertouch is locked to vibrato with no depth, so you better be able to switch or filter it off.

Other than that, I like it, oh the delay is mono which is sad and it is crying out for a chorus.
But hey it's a cheap-ish synth!

Hello H4ndcrafted. Thanks for the feedback. Have you tried the System-1M update? If not, here's the link:

http://www.roland.com/support/by_produc ... s_drivers/

[h4ndcrafted]

I updated my Aira gear straight away, got a tr-8 also. It is a decent update, love the new Osc and more patch saves was very much needed.

However the update didn't address any of the things I mentioned sadly. I don't want to put anybody off though, it's a cool little synth which can be many synths ! Just giving you a heads up on something's ;)

The only thing that I would def like to see in a future update is the ability to switch that aftertouch off from the actual synth itself, or have a depth knob, a full ranging Lfo on the filter would add sound possibilities too.

I love that you can max out the Rez and it doesn't get too painful, that is a character I like on certain analogues.

[mangepange]

Unison mode phases like a madman , unlike any synth I've used.

The unison mode on system-1 is quit ok to my ears. It's far better then on Roland FA-06. Works well with full filter power bass type of sounds. Like Duran Durans "All she wants is".