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I am carting it around in a 61 key case with no issues right now. It's a good fit.

It was just a smidgen too large for the CB-49VP case we used to make, which I own.

The combination of stick and two wheels on the JD-Xa is very well implemented, you can perform many functions inclusive of Cross modulation and filtering using these controls. So they're not superfluous or misplaced. Ergonomically, on this board, they are right where you want them. You make it seem as if they're far away on an RD piano, when they're within easy reach.

DCO's were an innovation that managed to eliminate drift on the Oscillators. VCO's have even improved to (for most Modern VCO's I've heard) eliminate it as well unless the synthesist dials some in.

And, if hipsters want to buy thousands of analog synths, I'm ok with that. if they want VST synths, or straight digital VA synths, I'm ok with that too. Just be aware that the market is MUCH larger than just hipsters. Proof below.

Just today I spoke to a man in a music store whose analog synth collection was started when he was 26 and has continued to grow until today...where he treated himself to a JD-Xa on his 60th birthday. He spent about 5 minutes with my prototype. Came up to me with a MASSIVE grin on his face, shook my hand and asked me to congratulate the engineers on, as he dubbed it, "My 21st century JD Synth"

I AM the target market for the JD-Xa. I like making HUGE sounds that start with one OSC and build from there. Ending up with tones containing piles of motion and expression. I'm not a hipster. I'm a musician. Keyboardist first, Pianist second. There's lots more like me. There's no pandering going on here. There's some companies trying to innovate, and make products that the general public wishes to buy.

I am sure we could have built a 4 part, 2 OSC per part straight analog machine with no crossover capabilities and no SuperNatural VA engine, sequencer, or effects. But instead we built a crazy cool instrument that I will invest my own money into, instead of just enjoying a sample and handing it back.

Jay

Agreed, and with that. It would still be a cool second tier board for the "players" as long as we have an 88k weighted down stairs for the bread and butter. Depends on the gig and how synthy you want to get. Some would prefer a Nord Electro 5 HP or a Roland VR-09. Others a Waldorf Blofeld or a Virus Ti2. The JD-XA is for the latter. And the EDM or DJ crowd. Composers, sound designers, and various lovers of tweakage.

Freely admit that I am a die hard tweaker. After working all day, I'm gonna pop the cork on this Amarone I've been waiting to drink, and do some of that very tweaky thing!

Jay

This is my Sunday morning after a VERY tweaky Saturday night.

https://instagram.com/p/3Eno6oLYq-/

Haha, that explains a lot, Jay. Tweak on!

What a lovely city of tiny lights that is in Jay's studio! Also nice to see the Jupiter 4 in that rolling snowball of Roland synths - that takes me back. Actually the first programmable synth I programmed, I think. It wasn't mine, though, because they were very, very expensive. It belonged to the studio I was at.

You should see it when it gets DARK out. My place is LIT UP with glowing synthy fun! I'll grab a shot tonight and post it.

Jay

In the DARK! (Sounds just as good)

https://instagram.com/p/3F5LzxrYp9/

Jay

Nice Jay!

Bonus: come christmas you won't need to put out a tree!

From the JD-XA web page:


Truly nothing new under the sun. Which goes double for the keyboard market, where mining decades old stuff + LEDs - 1 octave = innovation.

I know some think that having this instead of controllers with a bunch of VSTs must be some kind of statement, but seeing this myself, my fingers starts to twitch.
You don't get that in front of a computer screen, no matter how many graphically represented knobs there are
Feeling the buttons, keys and knobs is part of the whole and makes the experience complete. It can even give you inspiration.

I don't know how much coming from an analogue generation influences this, but for me, the tactile part simply cannot be simulated on a computer screen.

I am also so looking forward to Roland coming up with a LIGHTWEIGHT digital piano, even 73 keys is fine. Even 64.

One artist's conception of the JD-XA done better (can't have it!):

I haven't found a playing situation that required more than 49 keys on this board so far. Synths get too squeaky up high, and too growly in the sub bass region for my taste. So the range is just right.

But have had a TON of fun with the sequencer so far. Combining it with the AIRA gear and using the AIRA MX-1 as a Clock MASTER and running everything synced to that. The Combination of the AIRA gear and the JD-Xa is amazing! Using the TB-3 to trigger a couple of Analog OSC's on the JD-Xa makes a huge sound.

It's a powerhouse. Fully and completely.

Start with a 4 voice Polyphonic stack of a couple of PW modulated Analog Square waves an octave apart with fast attack, and just have fun.

Then for fun, if you want,

Add 4 SuperNatural Synth parts with 3 partials per part (Kind of like the GAIA style of tone building, but with the JP-80 and INTEGRA SuperNatural Synth engine. Note that the SuperNatural VA Engine is not decades old, and always improving.

This combination can make some HUGE moving Pads, Synth Strings/Brass and Stabs then you sequence those. Or arpeggiate. or both.

Innovation is where you find it. It's not features, it's not specs. It's taking what's there and using it in a way that inspires you to make music.

The JD-Xa has managed to inspire me to play a lot since I received it. And I cannot wait to show it to my retailers who are all awaiting it with baited breath.

Jay

Amen to that!

Howsabout an RD-760 Roland? Artist's conception of it done right, with the joystick NOT in the keybed area and A on the bottom (top octave chop):



I'd dump our RD-700NX in a heartbeat for that.

Have you looked at the RD-64?

http://www.roland.ca/products/rd-64/

Jay

AMEN.

My fingers are no longer twitchy.

Jay

the more i look at this picture, the more i realise that if you buy a JD-XA, you really want a system 1 modular.

For me, I want the pitch controller as far to the side as possible so it's easily controlled with one finger only (thumb).
When you have it too far in, you can't rest your hand on the side and you risk pressing keys with your palm (or even stage clothes depending on the performance obviously :P)

That's my experience at least, I find it more comfortable and secure if you can rest part of your palm on the side while controlling the pitch. It's more stable and you can use the pitch extensively without needing to hold the whole weight of the arm in a somewhat uncomfortable position.