Roland Cloud

[SAGG]

these Noland cook sockers still haven't released ACB JX-8P plug after an eternity has passed? lol. it's a true saga at this point. James Joyce's "Ulysses" Part Two.

Not a compliment, btw. Not at all..

Looks like we'll see GTA 6 before we see ACB JX-8P..

[Examigan]

Would they ever release V-Synth?

[JamminFool]

"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here"

[J Veronica]

Mac silicon users, do the ACB plugs generally perform the same in most DAWs? Any advantage to using AU over Vst3?

[beely]

If you're using Logic or something that only uses the Apple platform standard plugin format, use AU. If you're using something that only uses VST3, use that. If you use something that can use either, then it doesn't matter which you pick. The DSP is the real work the CPU needs to do, and the plugin format wrapper doesn't change that.

[amoryblane]

so you can't buy this outright??

[AcidJunkie1974]

The subscription model is a pain but their ACB engine is legit. The Cloud TB-303 is one of the very best software emulations, it properly nails the squelchy filter interaction with the accent and slide which is where many others fall flat. I ended up just buying the lifetime keys for the 303 and 808 during a sale to get away from the monthly fee. CPU can still be a bit thirsty but it's much better than it was a few years ago.

[234north]

these Noland cook sockers still haven't released ACB JX-8P plug after an eternity has passed? lol. it's a true saga at this point. James Joyce's "Ulysses" Part Two.

Not a compliment, btw. Not at all..

Looks like we'll see GTA 6 before we see ACB JX-8P..

They haven't released a JP-6 emulation either. Maybe there is a reason. Aside from having a box ticked off the list what space is the JX-8P going to cover that isn't already covered?

[EvilDragon]

I think we won't see any new ACB emulations ever again.

[beely]

Aside from having a box ticked off the list what space is the JX-8P going to cover that isn't already covered?

JX-8P/JX-10 and MKS-70 sounds. That engine has it's own thing going on, so other synths don't really sound like them (other than the usual DCO-analog-subtractive-synthesis overlap, and some Roland "family" sound).

I think we won't see any new ACB emulations ever again.

For what reason? You think Roland are moving away from investing in the Roland Cloud service?

[zvenx]

There is at least one great developer we know who is working on a jx-8p..
https://bsky.app/profile/tal-software.com
and I know I prefer his jupiter 8 to roland cloud's
I know I prefer his juno 60 than roland cloud's.
so I am hopeful.
rsp

[EvilDragon]

For what reason? You think Roland are moving away from investing in the Roland Cloud service?

No, I don't think that. It's simple practicality. It's way cheaper to build sample packs and ZenCore expansions (ultimately also sample-based products), than to spend months or even over a year of R&D to do a proper ACB product.

[beely]

It's way cheaper to build sample packs and ZenCore expansions (ultimately also sample-based products), than to spend months or even over a year of R&D to do a proper ACB product.

Sure. Which makes it strange that given they already did a ZenCore model expansion for the JX-8P (for some time now), why haven't they done what they did for the JD-800, which is to bundle that engine with a new UI into a standalone plugin?

(Not that that's a product I want...)

It would still take development resources of course, but a lot less than an ACB model from scratch, and would give them another vintage classic (or three) for the Clewd.

And the last plugin they released was ACB (Boss Pedals) so it's not like they're opposed to using that approach for the products they want to make...

Maybe it's simply they do have ACB synths in the works, but they are taking time and development resources are stretched and shifted around in priorities.

The other shoe is that it's possible they are working on the next iteration of ZenCore (or whatever they call it) and that's having an impact on the development of related products.

Only time will tell really...

[beely]

Or maybe we're going to end up with another JP-8000 situation - nothing for years, then three or four come along all at once (Roland, Tal, Cherry, Arturia, etc...)

[PAK]

Since Roland already did the JX-8P as a Zencore hardware product (The Boutique JX-08) and as a model add-on for Zenology, they were never going to rush into an ACB version. Along with the internal political difficulties that would create (having one teams work “replace” another) Roland’s software releases still tend to be dictated by their hardware cycles. Even the V2 plugin preset browser revamp appears to have been related to their hardware Fantom EX update, and any plugins they knew wouldn’t be used (by Fantom EX) got ignored.

So new ACB plugins would likely depend on what plans (if any) Roland have for what comes after the System 8, and a direct replacement for that is less certain now they’ve added ACB capabilities to the Fantom EX. Manufacturing costs will dictate some decisions too, since ACB requires more processing power. Whilst there’s still a bunch of product history they can draw from it’s also arguable the most popular classics (Jupiter 8, TB-303, 808 and 909 etc) have already been done, and products like the Jupiter 6 or JX8P may not hold the same mass appeal. So, although I don’t think it’s the end for ACB, the present hardware and economic situation is not making things easier.

The emulation of their ESP2 chip will also not have gone unnoticed. Whatever reasons they had, for not doing a virtual JP-8000, now becoming irrelevant and leaving them with the prospect of losing control of the digital side of their legacy if they’re not going to be more proactive.