Roland cloud


Dang you Roland..
A couple years ago I looked at this Roland cloud, and decided I rather buy the hardware version
of Roland's sound library. The Integra7..
It was a great decision ..the Integra7 is still the best sound module on earth.

So Roland revamps the cloud and makes it possible to have the total package, for a $3 month
membership.. You have access to the ultimate library for 30 days.. More than enough time
to hook you..
Every instrument is there.. JV1080,XV5080, D-50 , new Zenology, and most important 10 SRX exp
boards.

The Integra 7 allowed you to use any 4 SRX titles at a time. And a scene could include 16 parts.

With the new Roland cloud.. the limit is the power of your processor.

Using MixCraft 9, I easily set up a 16 part (scene that MC9 calls a project..)
I selected 9 SRX expansion boards, D-50,XV5080, jv1080,Zenology,Juno106, SH101 etc.

It does take a minute or so to boot up and load the VST's

I set them up in ranges that I want . splits and layers, and can turn on/off any combination
of the VST's.. No problem on my low powered laptop with a scene of 5 or 6 instruments..at a time.

My decision first time around going with the Integra7 was the cost after a 7 year run..
I knew you could keep any instrument for each year you are subscribed,
but thought the hardware way was best.

Now with added instruments and many more to come (SN and Zen core), also considering the depreciation
of the hardware version, it looks like the $20 month prescription could be a bargain.
Remember you still pick an instrument for each year subscription.. to keep. (A $69-$159 value)
So you have a return of your $200 subscription each year.

The possibilities of scenes and layered textures with a DAW are super.

Then you consider the old fogies here with time on their hands ..this Roland cloud makes sense..

I just need to give up one waffle with ice cream for one day in the month.

Software has the future...

We been waiting for a software arranger ever since lionstracs
Nobody ever tried again..

And its just a matter of building a dedicated controller for software..
With arranger controlls build in..
Till that day, the new fantom should do the job just fine..
And its got incredible keyboard action

Still i dont like renting software..

You pretty much just described the Ketron mission statement. Their instruments are computers using keys to play their software.

Our Roland choices to get similar sounds.. A new Integra7 ($1,750), a used Jupiter80 (more than $2,000), or a new Fantom starting at $3,500.

Look at Roland cloud as a rent to buy.. for every year ($200) you gert to keep an instrument of your choice..

One thing I need to upgrade is my laptop.. I never used a basic like the one I have... always used the most powerful
laptop I could afford..

All brands of arrangers are just computers with plastic piano keys. They are just a series of integrated software modules with thoughtful ergonomics (physical controls, touch screen, etc.) as secondary considerations.

I would love to see Roland make another high-end arranger. But they won't get my money with a subscription model. Sorry! I'll play my BK-9, or even the next TOTL Casio until I'm old and dead.

If the Integra-7 has MIDI jacks, at least I can envision how I would integrate that, or a Ketron SD4, or even an ancient QY-70 into my setup. I'm sure the cloud library is great. But everything Fran mentioned is unfamiliar territory for me. I'm still viewing MIDI files in XG-Works, because every time I try to open them Ableton I have a hard time getting them to play!

As Gomer Pyle use to say... Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!!!

If you sign up for the Core membership ($30 for the year)

Not only do you get the 30 day ultimate library to test run..

You get the Zenology (Zen Core).. and Roland supplies you with all the sound packages (at least 23 libraries).Thousands of sounds..

Including the SRX expansions for Zen Core) XV libraries (XV5080).
All banks of Zenology (8 banks Essential library).


A real bargain for a few bucks a month.. a no brainer..

Future expansions are already planned including SuperNatural designed to use Zen Core.

Zenology is the only VST you need.. and $30 a year to use it and any updates.

Thanks Fran for bringing this up again. I had looked at this b4 but not followed through on it. I think I'm going to have to do it this time. It looks like one heck of a package!