Is the Integra living up to your expectations?

[knolan]

Hi -

I'm thinking earnestly of getting an Integra 7 and would be interested in thoughts on the following:

1. For those who got it for the XV5080 engine, does Integra deliver in that department
2. For those who got it for the SRV expansion cards included, again, do these live up to expectations and offer a viable alternative to buying an older JV or XV module with expansion cards?
3. How are the Supernatural sounds on it?
4. Is polyphony an issue
5. Does anyone actually use the surround sound and if so, for what scenarios?
6. How is iPad management of the unit?



Thanks!
Kevin.

[James]

It's not perfect by all means, but is getting better. I use mine to accent in the box and it adds a nice flavor. The sound is smooth, full, and warm. The Integra replaced ancient and outdated pairs of JD990's and S760's in my setup.

Polyphony is not a issue for me as I have other things I am using in and out of the box and using the Intgra to accent. Most of the expansion boards all sound good. To make the Integra your own you will need to program it like any synth and hopefully programmers will be coming out with sound sets soon.

The Mac Editor project has been a bit discombobulated to me initially, they need better instructions and tutorials video's for setup (ie in Logic) and the mac librarian is nearly useless in my opinion as it stands now.

We still have not heard about synth legends or how it will be implemented for the Integra.

And there is a new issue regarding the processor (being talked about on the Integra facebook page (I am not on FB) has come up that using more than one Supernatural sound seems to add lag to the Integra when playing it.

[specialplant]

1. For those who got it for the XV5080 engine, does Integra deliver in that department
2. For those who got it for the SRV expansion cards included, again, do these live up to expectations and offer a viable alternative to buying an older JV or XV module with expansion cards?
3. How are the Supernatural sounds on it?
4. Is polyphony an issue
5. Does anyone actually use the surround sound and if so, for what scenarios?
6. How is iPad management of the unit?

Regarding 2.: Don't mix up SRX boards and the old SR-JV80 boards, the SRX boards contain 4 times as much WaveROM as the very old SR-JV80 boards which fit into the JV modules. - Regarding the question, I am a big fan of the SRX boards, which I used in the SonicCell before. I'm very happy with the virtual SRX boards in the Integra, they undoubtedly have 100% of their original quality, and it's nice to be able to use 4 of them simultaneously, although it would be very desirable to be able to use at least 6 (like in the Fantom XR). But even in a financial respect, the Integra is not really expensive: if you bought an old used Fantom XR together with 4 SRX boards you would have to spend about 1200 Euros, and with the Integra you get a new instrument for 1500 Euros with more options: selecting from 12 SRX boards and more than 250 supernatural sounds.

Regarding 3: I am excited about some of the SN sounds, a lot of them are good, some I don't like too much (e.g. the trombones, and the vibrato of some brass/wind instruments). But I also own a Korg M3 Xpanded, and some sounds of the EX1/2 brass&woodwind expansions sound better to me even though they don't have behavior modeling (e.g. some trumpets). Basically, I think that regarding acoustic samples particularly in the symphonic domain, Roland had an edge over its competitors (except Kurzweil) for a very long time (maybe from 1992 to 2005), and they still benefit from it in the SRX boards, but regarding the SN sounds I don't feel their edge over the competitors is as clear any more, but that's my personal view of course. The SN sounds also seem to cause problems when playing MIDI files as mentioned before.

But in total, to me there is simply no other instrument which can deliver such a comprehensive package of high-quality sounds, especially in a box of 3.9kg.

[markoffski]

But in total, to me there is simply no other instrument which can deliver such a comprehensive package of high-quality sounds, especially in a box of 3.9kg.

I think thats the bottom line with this machine specialplant..

Even if your surprised by the way Rolands messed things up with the software support "which i am personally?". Theres no getting over the fact that its the way forward for people who want the most bang for their buck, in these lean times. A portable sound module is just so damn usefull but untill now theres not been anything to compete with quality software sounds. And i for one dont really want to build a studio quality pc or mac setup when a decent laptop will do if your not taxing the processor with huge samples.
Looking around the forum though they do seem to be in rather short supply with delivery dates not being met, and people waiting around for stock to arrive.. But i bet theres 1 in a lot of large studio's by now.

[knolan]

Thanks for all the input - very helpful and appreciated.

While I'll probably go for it, I'm not convinced by its 128 note polyphony, by the prospect of managing it though an iPad or on needing 8 analogue connections to a computer to access its surround sound in a DAW environment.

But is does seem to be very well specified in the sound-sources department; while its architecture seems more straight forward than the Jupiter 80 (which I own and is lying against the wall of my studio for 7 months as I find the Registration/Liveset/Tone architecture unworkable since I create my own sounds from scratch (can't decide whether to sell it)).


Cheers,
Kevin.

[Monkey Man]

While I'll probably go for it, I'm not convinced by its 128 note polyphony, by the prospect of managing it though an iPad or on needing 8 analogue connections to a computer to access its surround sound in a DAW environment.

I wouldn't worry too much about the polyphony. In the real world one can always lay parts down as audio if one must, but I reckon that if it's not your sole MIDI sound source, you should be just fine.

I too worried about the iPad thing as I don't have one. Then, I stopped worrying. The front-panel menu navigation is simple and there are always the Mac and PC (from a user here) editors, which are far and away more comprehensive than the iPad thingy - just not quite as purdy.

But is does seem to be very well specified in the sound-sources department

No doubt. My only real issue is the multiple-library-access problem - the four slot limit. If Roland doesn't update the software or provide user-installable flash RAM to deal with this... or even release a new model, I'll likely have to grab a second unit and ditch my fully-loaded XV-5080 to free up the rack space and interface inputs necessary. This is surely a measure of how I feel about the sound quality and breadth.

Cheers Kevin

[rolandvet]

Hi -

I'm thinking earnestly of getting an Integra 7 and would be interested in thoughts on the following:

1. For those who got it for the XV5080 engine, does Integra deliver in that department
2. For those who got it for the SRV expansion cards included, again, do these live up to expectations and offer a viable alternative to buying an older JV or XV module with expansion cards?
3. How are the Supernatural sounds on it?
4. Is polyphony an issue
5. Does anyone actually use the surround sound and if so, for what scenarios?
6. How is iPad management of the unit?



Thanks!
Kevin.

Let me give you my thoughts one by one.

1. For those who got it for the XV5080 engine, does Integra deliver in that department

As a former xv5080 owner, I didn't get this for the 5080 engine, since the Integra-7 is not an XV. It does have the stock XV sounds, but nearly all of these are so outdated in comparison to the newer SN sounds (and SRX sounds) that there are few occasions that I would actually consider using them.

2. For those who got it for the SRV expansion cards included, again, do these live up to expectations and offer a viable alternative to buying an older JV or XV module with expansion cards?

Having all of the SRX cards installed is a great feature, but that alone wouldn't have been enough for me to get one. It's the additional SN sounds--most of which are far better than the SRX sounds--that really sold this for me. The SRX cards are icing on the cake. However, most of the SRX sounds are extremely dated--do you really want to use the 90s era XP sounds from the Classical card? How often will you use the "Session" card? Even the Dynamic drums are pretty dated. For me, I only use the SRX sounds when I can't find an SN equivalent--for example, there are no SN banjos and pedal string guitars so when I need these I grab them from the SRX-09 world card. The main problem with the expansion setup is that you can only use up to four at a time, and can't use any of them at all if you load the expansion PCM banks. This is a huge architecture problem with the Integra that I hope they resolve in a future release.

In any case, considering that each SRX card goes for between $150-$250 on Ebay, the cost of getting all 12 would be close to $2,000, plus the cost of an XV 3080, 5080, 5050, Fantom XR rack or Sonic Cell to play them. For $1,600 (on Ebay), the Integra is a great deal.

3. How are the Supernatural sounds on it?

For the most part, excellent. Some are better than others. For me, the acoustic pianos, saxes, trumpets, drums, bass guitars, strings and especially the truly adjustable drawbar organ are worth the price alone. Less impressive to me are the EPs, electric guitars and a rather miserly collection of ethnic instruments. Since I don't use synth sounds I can't comment on those.

4. Is polyphony an issue

I've never had a problem, but others have. Voice management is a challenge with any synth, and one that can be dealt with thoughtful composition.

5. Does anyone actually use the surround sound and if so, for what scenarios?

I think it's probably most useful in a live situation if you've got enough speakers to create a 5.1 environment. What I don't like about it is that it bypasses the chorus and reverb effects bus entirely. Since I record entirely to DAW I can always add this later, but it would have been nice to have reverb added at the source.

If you want to compare what a composition sounds like with Motional on or off, visit my blog, The Integra Zone:

http://integra7zone.blogspot.com/



6. How is iPad management of the unit?

I don't have an iPad so I can offer no advice in this situation. .

Hope this sorta helps.

[Devnor]

You'll hate it Kevin. Don't even bother with I-7.

[Monkey Man]

... and the reasons he'll hate it are?...

[PauloF]

Hi -

I'm thinking earnestly of getting an Integra 7 and would be interested in thoughts on the following:

1. For those who got it for the XV5080 engine, does Integra deliver in that department
2. For those who got it for the SRV expansion cards included, again, do these live up to expectations and offer a viable alternative to buying an older JV or XV module with expansion cards?
3. How are the Supernatural sounds on it?
4. Is polyphony an issue
5. Does anyone actually use the surround sound and if so, for what scenarios?
6. How is iPad management of the unit?



Thanks!
Kevin.

Ok let me give you mi opinion,

1. For those who got it for the XV5080 engine, does Integra deliver in that department
I never had the XV5080, so really can't comment on that, but from what I read about it, the integra seems a SUPER 5080...

2. For those who got it for the SRV expansion cards included, again, do these live up to expectations and offer a viable alternative to buying an older JV or XV module with expansion cards?
Again, never had any SRV cards so can't comment

3. How are the Supernatural sounds on it?
SuperNatural Sounds are fantastic not only sound quality wise, but also on expressiveness

4. Is polyphony an issue
Despite using several Parts at the same time, so far never had any problem with Polyphony (but got plenty with my Fantom Xa...)

5. Does anyone actually use the surround sound and if so, for what scenarios?
No, I prefer to add it when mastering, if the case

6. How is iPad management of the unit?
it is very easy to use. Only problem (for me) is no controllable MFX parameters.

Overall, very powerful board (should say Rack :-)), with lots of PCM from JV, XV, Fantom, all 12SRX and now Supernatural ! what should one want more as Roland sound library repository? very good value for the money

[skinmechanic]

My thoughts are;

On first listen I just concentrated on the supernatural acoustic and synth sounds, the acoustic stuff, apart from a few, I really find my m3 comparable with these tones, and also simply 256 tones isn't enough.

I spent the next two days looking at the third party pc editor, how it works in sonar, the iPad app and pcm sounds;

I hadn't heard the xv5080 for some time this and most of the srx boards are surprisingly good, because they are routed through a different mfx setup new life is breathed into many of them and to be honest I much prefer these to some of the supernatural tones. I find the supernatural synth tones on this unit bland you seriously don't need 60 different Jupiter 8 brass or pad sounds! I think like someone else has said here these are more building blocks and not many are usable, it shows when I loaded in the synth legends expansion how much better the supernatural synth sounds were, I think a future upgrade should include these as standard.

Some of the srx boards do sound dated now, specially srx 05 and 07 where most of the loops are, however the rest still sound fresh in most places and I would say out of all the 6000 sounds which I'm sure I haven't gone through more than half would be usable so for the price you get value for money.

As for the apps, the pc editor is better for functionality and you can edit more in the way of pcm patches but because it's not vst doesn't flow too well for the way I work.

The iPad app is even worse, it has nice ui for editing the supernatural synth tones, but that's it, just feels as if it's bolted on as an afterthought, and doesn't give smooth workflow. On ui I was very pleasantly surprised how well the front screen on the unit was to use and found myself going to that for basic functions. My korg m3 also give me control over, aftertouch, cut off
, resonance, eq on the sliders practically out of the box, so that was nice to see.

All in the more I use the module the better I am finding it.

[jggiano]

I'm constantly "losing MIDI connection", when working with the iPad and USB port on the back of the Integra. I've just about given up using the iPad with it. The Integra readout isn't really all that bad to work with--for me, it sure beats the frustration I experience when using the iPad.

[PauloF]

I'm constantly "losing MIDI connection", when working with the iPad and USB port on the back of the Integra. I've just about given up using the iPad with it. The Integra readout isn't really all that bad to work with--for me, it sure beats the frustration I experience when using the iPad.

In my particular case I'm using the USB connection to the MAC as Audio interface only and the iPad is connected via the UM-550 MIDI patcher and with that I get a very stable environment never losing the MIDI connection.
On top of that I can use the iPad based Synths at the same time with no problems at all

[skinmechanic]

I just hate anything to do with Apple, specially the iPads. I can see what they are trying to do with the editor but for me everyone works on a DAW so having a full working usefull MAC or PC editor would be much more ideal I beleive Roland had Live work in mind when releasing the editor.

[PianoManinSoCal]

Great news!

Fortunately, my escalation of this issue by filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and conversations with Roger Halvorson of Roland US has resulted in Roland Japan actually admitting for the first time that they are going to be working on and releasing an INTEGRA-7 Editor/Librarian for Windows.

More details are available in my post today in the topic, "INTEGRA-7 Sound Editor for Windows" at:
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