Roland GAIA 2

[Aliens]

Neither look like a 3 osc synth, though, which was kind of the point.

[Uncle E]

Now if someone made a midi controller with a similar layout to that, without the synth, it would be ideal to control all my subtractive plugs

System-1

[Aliens]

[The Black Parade]

Finally something decent from Roland: https://synthanatomy.com/2023/09/roland ... -look.html

Yeah, I totally agree. For the money, this might be the coolest and best sounding hardware synth that Roland has created in a long time. Sure it's all digital and doesn't sound particularly "fat" or "warm." But neither do my Nord 2 and Nord 3 racks and MicroWave II XT and I love those synths. And unlike the silly 8-voice Modal Cobalt8 and Argon8, the Gaia 2 has 22 voices for only a $100 or so more.

I'm just relieved Roland isn't rehashing the "Juno" and "Jupiter" brands for the umpteenth time (even though you can apparently install the Jupiter 8, JX-8P, and SH-101 Zen-core models in the Gaia 2).

The Gaia 2's "Motional Pad" actually seems useful and expressive and not just some tacked on gimmick like the much derided "D-Beam" feature on the original Gaia and other Roland synths of that era.

I suppose it would be nice if there was a third ADSR envelope on the Gaiia and not just the additional Attack/Release envelope that can be assigned to only one parameter from the oscillator section. But my Nord 2 and Nord 3 have a somewhat similar design and it's never really been a problem.

There's no mod matrix on the Gaia 2 which is somewhat limiting. But the synth is mostly knob-per-function which is refreshing on a modern digital synth.

I really hope Roland releases a Roland Cloud plugin version of the Gaia 2 because I don't have room for another keyboard. But unlike Korg and their Wavestate, opsix, and modwave plugins, Roland doesn't seem to have any intention of creating plugin versions of their Juno-X and Gaia 2 engines which is a shame.

Oh well, at least Roland has finally released a hardware synth that seems intuitive to use, sounds good, and isn't an embarrassment to the company's legacy.

[chk071]

And even with some interestig onboard synthesis options, instead of same ol same ol analog modelling of "legendary" synths like the 303 for a 10th time. And even quite a few controls for below 1.000 €. I think Roland might have a winner here.

I just hope the supersaw waveform isn't sampled like on the GAIA 1.

It is Zen Core so nothing new under the sound there

Hey, if it sounds good, then it sounds good.

[D-Fusion]

And even with some interestig onboard synthesis options, instead of same ol same ol analog modelling of "legendary" synths like the 303 for a 10th time. And even quite a few controls for below 1.000 €. I think Roland might have a winner here.

I just hope the supersaw waveform isn't sampled like on the GAIA 1.

It is Zen Core so nothing new under the sound there

Hey, if it sounds good, then it sounds good.

I do agree that it sounds good which is why i have the Zen Engine in SW and HW and I said in my full post i would get one if i only had a MV-1 but i am covered when it comes to Roland Sounds atm.

[chk071]

Now if someone made a midi controller with a similar layout to that, without the synth, it would be ideal to control all my subtractive plugs

System-1

I took a look into it a couple of times. But, like all MIDI controllers, it simply has too few controls to cover the average soft synth of today.

There is no solution for that really. Or, rather, the solution is what's always been used: The computer's mouse. No controller will ever cover enough ground to control everything that's on the user interface.

[Uncle E]

I took a look into it a couple of times. But, like all MIDI controllers, it simply has too few controls to cover the average soft synth of today.

Yes, you're right. But it has more than most hardware analogs and provides an "immersive experience" (to quote the GForce thread ). Also, it's pre-mapped to Roland plugins.

[The Black Parade]

Yes, you're right. But it has more than most hardware analogs and provides an "immersive experience" (to quote the GForce thread ). Also, it's pre-mapped to Roland plugins.

Is it? I watched the Loopop review of the Gaia 2 and he covered programming the Zencore Jupiter 8, JX-8P, and SH-101 models using the Gaia's front panel controls. Although there are controls assigned to most of these Zencore parameters, they make almost no sense except for simple things like filter cutoff and resonance and the filter and amp envelopes. Most of the Gaia 2's controls are labeled incorrectly for the parameters they are assigned to in the Zencore models. And unlike the System-1 and System-8, there is no indication of which controls are actually active.

Loopop basically said that the Zencore models are useful only for their presets because trying to program them from the front panel of the Gaia 2 is an exercise in frustration.

The only real solution is a controller with scores of knobs and sliders each with its own small OLED display beneath the control to name the parameter. The new Korg controllers are a step in the right direction. But you are still limited to only 8 parameter knobs which is nowhere near enough.

I agree that if you are going to use plugins, just be prepared to use your mouse to edit patches. That's unfortunately the best we can do at this point.

[Uncle E]

I was referring to the System-1 (and System-8, for that matter). Programming Roland plugins with it is an absolute joy, usually even better than the original synths.

[The Black Parade]

I was referring to the System-1 (and System-8, for that matter). Programming Roland plugins with it is an absolute joy, usually even better than the original synths.

Although I highly doubt that programming a Roland Cloud SH-101 plugin, for instance, is easier from a System-8 as opposed to using the original hardware synth, the problem with the System-1 and System-8 is that they are horrid, garish, cheap plastic junk. I simply couldn't bear to look at one all day.

[diapermasteromega]

Some examples and demos. Enjoy.

https://soundcloud.com/rolandcom/sets/g ... al_sharing

Is it just me or is the sound quality on these not that amazing? The 3 saw pluck is suuuuuuper squashed/compressed for example. It's hard to tell the quality of it unless that's just what it actually sounds like

[Famous Last Words]

Is it just me or is the sound quality on these not that amazing? The 3 saw pluck is suuuuuuper squashed/compressed for example. It's hard to tell the quality of it unless that's just what it actually sounds like

The Gaia 2 is definitely a very modern sounding, obviously all digital, somewhat thin sounding synth. But it does have a nice UI and is reasonably affordable. It's a good starter synth for people just getting into music production and whose ears are acclimated to the sound of contemporary pop music.

For the money, I personally would pick up a 30-year-old Nord Lead 2 or Nord Rack 2. The Nord is architecturally much simpler, doesn't include a display or built in FX, and like the Gaia 2 doesn't sound authentically analog.

But I think the Nord's core tone is more pleasing and musical. And the Nord's "morphing" features are absolutely brilliant. Plus, it's 4-part multitimbral and supports patch layering.

After all these years it's amazing how much Clavia got right with the Nord Lead 1 and 2.

[chk071]

Some examples and demos. Enjoy.

https://soundcloud.com/rolandcom/sets/g ... al_sharing

Is it just me or is the sound quality on these not that amazing? The 3 saw pluck is suuuuuuper squashed/compressed for example. It's hard to tell the quality of it unless that's just what it actually sounds like

Maybe there's something for you here? Presets starting at 41:05.



It doesn't sound super spectacular to me, but, there's some warm pad sounds in this.

Like most of Roland's digital synths post 2000, it has a bit of "distanced sound", not really in your face. If you know what I mean. Dunno why that is really. Already noticed that heavily on GAIA 1. Could have to do a bit with lack of bass, saturation, and also a bit of lacking in brightness. Not sure.

[chk071]

Another demo: