April of 2024, Fantom EX launch, which adds ACB support to the Fantom. So they’ve went in the opposite direction to what you’re suggesting. The response, to the Zenology JX8P, might’ve been a factor. IE Enough users appear to want detailed ACB models over “improved polyphony”fmr wrote: Sat Dec 28, 2024 5:56 pmForget it. When was the last time Roland launched something outside of Zenology?
But you’re certainly right to be wary, especially when they’re still refusing to issue anything but temporary 30 day activations even for “Lifetime” licenses. That is not acceptable and, at this point, is surely a factor hindering sales numbers. The question is if they’re making enough, on rentals, not to care. (They might want to look at how many aren’t on Play4Life subs before they convince themselves too much about the popularity of renting.)
Regarding plugin support - Anything also supported, by current Roland hardware, will likely be fine for at least a few years. It’s the plugins, for which that doesn’t apply, where the question marks appear. Things which didn’t get the “v2” file browser update.
If users see some plugins getting attention, whilst others go ignored, it’s natural they’ll draw conclusions if that situation persists. And it has, for nearly 18 months now. Meaning it may be wise to exercise some caution buying anything, which hasn’t been given a V2 browser update, until Roland shows it intends to support those plugins to the same level..
They could really learn a thing or two (or 3 or 4) from Korg.