Roland Cloud

[PAK]

It's really sad what I'm reading about the Roland Cloud. I really thought about trying it out because I really like the Roland sound, but if the software is so buggy and the support leaves a lot to be desired, then I'll probably give it a miss for now.

I wouldn't let that put you off trying them on your system. Outside of a nasty CPU spike problem, on some Apple Silicon processors with JV/SRX plugins, most of the other bugs usually aren't show stoppers. The worst is probably the initial first load times on Zenology.

Provided you're aware of why they price lifetime keys as they do (to justify subscriptions), and how you have to wait for Play4Life offers to get (most) products for ~$99, then your only real annoyance will likely be the Roland Cloud Manager. Not just because it requires logging in every 30 days, even with lifetime keys, but because it can be problematic for some people. Though I’ve also had problems with RCM, in the past, it’s been working fine for me lately..

[Jon at Roland]

I'm still waiting for Roland to fix Galaxias in Studio One even though they were able to duplicate the problem. Since I already paid for a year (at least I got my 2 synths out of it) I won't renew if they don't fix it by time the sub expires.

Hey dblock! What issues are you experiencing with Studio One? I'd be happy to look into this for you.

[MartyK]

It's really sad what I'm reading about the Roland Cloud. I really thought about trying it out because I really like the Roland sound, but if the software is so buggy and the support leaves a lot to be desired, then I'll probably give it a miss for now.

I wouldn't let that put you off trying them on your system. Outside of a nasty CPU spike problem, on some Apple Silicon processors with JV/SRX plugins, most of the other bugs usually aren't show stoppers. The worst is probably the initial first load times on Zenology.

Provided you're aware of why they price lifetime keys as they do (to justify subscriptions), and how you have to wait for Play4Life offers to get (most) products for ~$99, then your only real annoyance will likely be the Roland Cloud Manager. Not just because it requires logging in every 30 days, even with lifetime keys, but because it can be problematic for some people. Though I’ve also had problems with RCM, in the past, it’s been working fine for me lately..

Well, hardware-wise that wouldn't be a problem then, because I don't have an Apple computer. Also, initial load times on Zenology would be bearable.

Since I'm constantly online anyway, this wouldn't be a big problem - and if you only have to log in every 30 days, even less.

It's good that you can try out the Roland Cloud for 30 days, which I'll probably do - and then maybe decide to subscribe (but I'll wait for a Play4Life offer).

[MartyK]

It's really sad what I'm reading about the Roland Cloud. I really thought about trying it out because I really like the Roland sound, but if the software is so buggy and the support leaves a lot to be desired, then I'll probably give it a miss for now.

In regards to bugs everything seems stable.

A couple of things suck though.

1. GUI. MAINLY on the older ACB synths, the GUI is horrible if you want to change presets and what not. The GUI for changing presets go back to a 90s or early 00s GUI and feels clunky. It feels a bit better on Mac and their Zenology VST is better in this category. I'd be more inclined to look elsewhere for emulations like the Juno or Jupiter as almost any other emulation has a better VST.

2. Authorization. Not a huge problem if you stay on the Internet but program checks online for authorization about once a month. If you are using these programs for live use or is a travelling producer this could be a dealbreaker.


With exception to Korg, hardware manufacturer VSTs appear to be an afterthought.

Korg gets it right though.

OK, so there shouldn't be any bugs or only with certain configurations, as far as I've read here.

I also have other emulations, e.g. from TAL (TAL-U-No-LX Juno and TAL-J-8), but I also like other synths from Roland and the number of presets in the Roland Cloud.

As I mentioned in my last answer, I'll probably try out the RC for 30 days soon and see if I'll use a (smaller) subscription.

I don't think the point about authorization is that serious. And even less so once a month.

I've read (here) several times that Korg does it better than Roland. I really hope that the RC doesn't go under, because in principle it's not a bad idea.

[IvyBirds]

They’d likely “rebrand” then, but I doubt they’ll throw the previous ~12+ years of ACB work away, especially given Roland’s love of repackaging code.

Roland threw away the V synth technology, and the Supernatural engine inside of Jupiter 80, Jupiter 60, and Integra7.

The biggest hurdle with ACB is the bespoke chips Roland calls BMC, they are a liability as they are now way underpowered

So Roland will either make new faster BMC chips or abandon them for ARM. The challenge is every single current synth title in the Roland Cloud sits on top of a BMC emulator based on the current generation of Roland BMC chips

New chips mean a new emulator unless they migrate to straight ARM like Korg does. Arm would make sense as they could use power powered Raspberry Pi type CPU as Korg does for the some things, and higher powered ARM chips for flagship devices like Korg does on the Nautilis and Kronos

Ultimately that leaves the current Instruments people have lifetime keys for in limbo as we know Roland won't hesitate to stop development and/or just kill them off entirely

[IvyBirds]

With exception to Korg, hardware manufacturer VSTs appear to be an afterthought.

Korg gets it right though.

So does Yamaha who has an entire software division called Steinberg, HALion is one of my favorite plugins, the new Montage Plugin is also pretty spectacular

[Jon at Roland]

In regards to bugs everything seems stable.

A couple of things suck though.

1. GUI. MAINLY on the older ACB synths, the GUI is horrible if you want to change presets and what not. The GUI for changing presets go back to a 90s or early 00s GUI and feels clunky. It feels a bit better on Mac and their Zenology VST is better in this category. I'd be more inclined to look elsewhere for emulations like the Juno or Jupiter as almost any other emulation has a better VST.

2. Authorization. Not a huge problem if you stay on the Internet but program checks online for authorization about once a month. If you are using these programs for live use or is a travelling producer this could be a dealbreaker.


With exception to Korg, hardware manufacturer VSTs appear to be an afterthought.

Korg gets it right though.

Hey jlgrimes! Totally hear you on the GUI, we recently stated updating older plug-ins for v2. The new additions include universal patch browsing. We hope to expand these improvements to all of our instruments, but so far you can find these improvements on the JUPITER-8, JUPITER-4, JUNO-106, JUNO-60 and JX-3P. If you have an Ultimate membership it's worth trying GALAXIAS. GALAXIAS offers an incredibly developed patch browsing system. I linked a video below for you!

It's really sad what I'm reading about the Roland Cloud. I really thought about trying it out because I really like the Roland sound, but if the software is so buggy and the support leaves a lot to be desired, then I'll probably give it a miss for now.

Hey Marty, totally hear your concerns. I work for Roland Cloud and am happy to answer any questions you may have or discuss any issues you might encounter. For what it's worth you can give our Ultimate membership a try for 30-days no charge. If you are not satisfied, just be sure to cancel before the 30 days is up. Our support team is very responsive and we are constantly working on improving these instruments. We are a small team working on over 50 instruments and are always happy to hear your feedback.

Maybe I’m overly optimistic but, I’m giving Roland Cloud benefit of the doubt until end of this year (2024) to release new instruments
Somehow though, I don’t think it will happen

Appreciate the optimism! I'm not able to discuss any specifics regarding upcoming releases but we do have some stuff planned for this year. Hope you enjoy it!

[jamcat]

It's really sad what I'm reading about the Roland Cloud. I really thought about trying it out because I really like the Roland sound, but if the software is so buggy and the support leaves a lot to be desired, then I'll probably give it a miss for now.

Hey Marty, totally hear your concerns. I work for Roland Cloud and am happy to answer any questions you may have or discuss any issues you might encounter.

Hey Jon, how about starting with the dozens of existing unanswered questions already in this thread?

Like, what's the deal with no new instruments for the past 2 years?

[IvyBirds]

I work for Roland Cloud and am happy to answer any questions you may have

No you don't you have been asked probably at least 100 times or more about what the time line is for NEW instruments and you ignore every single request.

so please stop pretending that you are happy to answer any questions because it's obvious you are not

it's now been 26 months and ZERO new instruments yet you keep on saying you are working on it.

[Septic Underground]

So Roland will either make new faster BMC chips or abandon them for ARM. The challenge is every single current synth title in the Roland Cloud sits on top of a BMC emulator based on the current generation of Roland BMC chips
Ultimately that leaves the current Instruments people have lifetime keys for in limbo as we know Roland won't hesitate to stop development and/or just kill them off entirely

I think this is the route we are heading too, they wont release new stuff coz is outdated already for the acb chips. The system8 is becoming a vintage synth fast. It has been available for quite a few years now.

But when the new ICs and framework are released, the old ones will become obsolete fast. I think this is the situation now. What will they sacrifice, the cloud/system-8 framework? They must if there is a complete new HW synth system and ICs. That is the downside of straight porting the ACB to plugins.

They cannot sell new lifetime keys for the new framework synths (JP8 ACB2.0 v3 etc) when they just killed the V1/V2 versions, meaning that lifetime means nothing.Hard to sell the new framework keys then. And the sub route is just not working anymore with no new content.

I think it is over. Well it has been for more than 2 years already. Roland just dont have the guts to pull the plug (no pun intended), coz they cannot market the new stuff after that. They know that.

It is just a clusterfnurk now.Only way out is offering lifetime keys for the new version of the old cloud versions for free when there is a new framework jp8, give old lifetime key-holders the new version for free. But there is no money to be made in that way. So that wont happen, killing their relationship with those customers is the only way out. Not looking good.

[J Veronica]

I just want the JX8P before ACB climbs into it's grave and starts pulling dirt in on itself.

[Caine123]

Jon is a PR guy, he might have good intentions to help but it seem he may not/is not able or whatever. but i would quit such a position cause i couldnt do this marketing BS and keep people in the dark just to get more subs.
in the end if customers are so naive and continue to trust instead of checking the facts companies continue like that...

[Examigan]

we recently stated updating older plug-ins for v2. The new additions include universal patch browsing. We hope to expand these improvements to all of our instruments, but so far you can find these improvements on the JUPITER-8, JUPITER-4, JUNO-106, JUNO-60 and JX-3P.

I only have two plugins that I bought: D-50 and the XV-5080. Hopefully those are next in line for the update. There’s no way I’m paying for Ultimate just so I can have improved browsing of presets by using Galaxias.

[EfreetiSultan]

Damn I wish we could discuss that subject which we cannot mention. Because that works so much better. No phone home, it just works. Why do people pay for Roland Cloud.. It doesn't make sense anymore. Especially now.

[Caine123]

we recently stated updating older plug-ins for v2. The new additions include universal patch browsing. We hope to expand these improvements to all of our instruments, but so far you can find these improvements on the JUPITER-8, JUPITER-4, JUNO-106, JUNO-60 and JX-3P.

I only have two plugins that I bought: D-50 and the XV-5080. Hopefully those are next in line for the update. There’s no way I’m paying for Ultimate just so I can have improved browsing of presets by using Galaxias.

or they get discontinued as well cause old framework or whatever