Roland Sonic Cell - true hardware VSTi?

[JCPZero]

I think the Soniccell is out now, I want to go check it out (As a replacement for Roland JV-1080).

The big question for me, can you bounce to audio like soft synths - or are you still limited to having to record in real time like the existing JV-1080 hardware synth?

JCPZero

[mid]

I've heard bad news about the new sonic cell.

you should better keep your old instrument.

[MacQ]

Why Roland or Yamaha don't make a hardware/software solution that operates like a Virus TI, I'll never know. Maybe when USB 3.0 and its fibre-optic connection (and bandwidth) shows up, we'll be able to see 16 stereo channels from a 1990's-era rompler. To this day, there's still stuff like "fake and huge" strings that are GREAT from the hardware romplers. I'm not talking about realism, sometimes fake is what I *want*!

But I digress.

The Roland SonicCell looks pretty ill-conceived from my point of view. Gimme a Fantom XR I can use with a plugin interface, with discrete channels and beefed up FX onboard. This whole "3 MFX processors, plus separate reverb, chorus, and mastering effects" ... it's a bunch of underpowered nonsense. I want an MFX/EQ/Reverb *and* Chorus/Delay, per channel! It can be done, ala the Virus TI (which used to have similar effects limitations).

I'd buy that product.

~Stu

[MaliceX]

I'm pretty sure even Yamaha's MU-series of synthesizers can do all that plus more. Too bad they're Japan-only.

[pschelfh]

I think the Soniccell is out now, I want to go check it out (As a replacement for Roland JV-1080).

The big question for me, can you bounce to audio like soft synths - or are you still limited to having to record in real time like the existing JV-1080 hardware synth?

JCPZero

Yes, if the sound generation is done outside the computer, you'll have to record it in real time (even if it's total integration as the Virus Ti).

Peter.

[MitchK1989]

I think the Soniccell is out now, I want to go check it out (As a replacement for Roland JV-1080).

The big question for me, can you bounce to audio like soft synths - or are you still limited to having to record in real time like the existing JV-1080 hardware synth?

JCPZero

Yes, if the sound generation is done outside the computer, you'll have to record it in real time (even if it's total integration as the Virus Ti).

Peter.

Umm, I'm pretty sure the virus TI can do a faster than realtime bounce.

[pschelfh]

Mine can't .

That's also the reason why I don't use it that much, VSTi's render much faster.

Peter.

[jeffb01]

Umm, I'm pretty sure the virus TI can do a faster than realtime bounce.

nope, just realtime... got one and love it, but no faster than realtime bounces....

[wildzeke]

So with this sound module (and others like it) why don't they include a USB port to plug in an external (midi) keyboard? That way you have to deal with midi cables and having to power the keyboard.

[pschelfh]

So with this sound module (and others like it) why don't they include a USB port to plug in an external (midi) keyboard? That way you have to deal with midi cables and having to power the keyboard.

A good idea, but I don't see keyboard manufacturers making special drivers for the Roland or Virus (or any other) special operating system, which is less spread than eg. Windows.

Peter.

[zerocrossing]

What kind of bad news?

I've heard bad news about the new sonic cell.

you should better keep your old instrument.

[JavaJ]

Since the previous post was from November, I doubt you will get a response.
Sonic Cell is a find rompler with the added features of a 2in/2out audio interface and USB songplayback (without being attached to a computer). It can also has a phantom power input to run condernsor mics and can route the in's through it's internal effects.
There you go- if you need something like that- it will be great. For me- I was able to get it half price on ebay and filled it up with 2 SRX cards. So for the price of half a Fantom XR- I got a decent box that gives me the Roland sound (which by the way- also includes Fantom G sounds). Beyond that, it has a capable audio interface that lets you use it to run a laptop rig with vsti's plus a hardware romplper (which is nice to have).
I played with the Virus- and it sounds so cool- but from what I heard, it doesn't cover everything and didn't appear to be a meat and potatoes box (which the Sonic Cell is).

And as for VSTi- to be clear- it is a vsti interface that controls the hardware. No synthesis is generated by the host- everything is still on the Sonic Cell.

And for those who own one, please join my Yahoo Groups Sonic Cell forum. I have posted a bunch of info on there including some SRX SRJV80 patch conversions (if you have the SRX-07 Ultimate Keys or SRX-09 World cards). Plus there are a great bunch of people on there who can help you out.

Or, check out www.rolandclan.info- the best place for Roland users IMHO and includes a Sonic Cell section (plus you can get the Planet series of patches for the Sonic Cell).

[crystalblue]

Thanks for the info about the sonic cell forum. Other than some fiddly buttons - midi thru could be far easier to access - love it to bits. Bought it when i was in Japan last year (just after it came out, so had it 11 months with absolutely no problems. Does crash from time to time but I think that's due to Sonar rather than the sonic cell. If you're just setting up a home studio then it is ideal, for the reasons described above - audio interface and the cheapest way to access up to date Roland sounds.

[kmonkey]

Mmmmmm yeah rendering VSTi vs live recording in DAW world is really hard limitation.

[keyman_sam]

With something such as the sonic cell, what roland should do is to give 16 virtual stereo outputs that will mixdown to 2 stereo outs.

That means you can patch VSTs to each channel in the sonic box and get all the effects you want within the computer, and then final mixdown to 1 stereo out.