How fun is the Aira Compact series?

Roland is at it with new cuties. How fun are they?
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[@hexfxtriks]

Of course a bunch of youtube vids for these new items showed up at the same time. Have to say yours is the most inspiring! Thanks Cuckoo!

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks!

[@dmaifred]

Should just have Cuckoo playing on every radio in Europe and no one would be fighting. They would just chill.

[@davidzubek5035]

@@dmaifred No hate for cuckoo but i doubt it

[@francescocucchi5686]

It really is ❤️‍🔥🙏🏻

[@michaelhleck5314]

I like how even with dead simple boxes like this the music still sounds distinctly cuckoo

[@vgaportauthority9932]

Very cute. I can't get enough of these small synths. I don't buy many of them, but I do really like the concept. The more people who get into synthesis, the better the world will be as far as I see it. Roland out there making synths for the everyman. Teenage Engineering found their hardware to not be expensive enough to exclude the poor, so they went the other route :D Everyone gets something.

[@jupiterrising5918]

Incredible. Your talent shines through whatever you touch.

[@stefan1024]

Nice, feels like you understood the performance value of these machines.

[@LomaGnome]

These appear to be one hell of a good kit for someone like me looking to learn the ropes and get started. Perhaps a good step after messing with some PO's I've got.

[@maxpowers2908]

Yea but if I were you, I'd get a grove box. It's so much easier to manage if you're just starting out. I made the mistake of getting independent units only to use my groove box stuff more than anything

[@LomaGnome]

@@maxpowers2908 I took your advice, I ended up with a Digitakt and Digitone both of which have some serious creative juices flowing. Thanks!

[@saardean4481]

Cuckoo is like warranty on content value

[@SeanRaine]

came for the synths stayed for the sick tunes yo...you didn't have to go so hard, but you did. and we thank you

[@jthorpe4droid]

Yours hands down is the best creative review of these so far, awesome.

[@Dt3kno]

If roland makes now a new sampler compact like that will be killer.

[@SeanRaine]

the sp 404 mk2

[@Dt3kno]

@@SeanRainenot bad but it too big should stay same size as the Aira compact.

[@rorz999]

@@Dt3kno The 404 MK2 is not that big lol it's actually pretty small

[@va941]

Dont think they want to cannibalize on their sp sells.

[@billypilgrim1]

They've been making small samplers for decades

[@jean-pierrejoubert6140]

They seem like pretty capable units. I’m interested in their adding two channels of class-compliant USB i/o; A few of these, plus a couple Volcas or similar, and you’d have a super capable battery-powered setup, including a USB interface …

[@chefred7204]

Begun the mini desktop synth wars have.

[@Mgm_Designs]

Way better demonstration than Roland's video! These things blow most of the competition out of the water.

[@TechGently]

The S-1 came out a few months later and it's essentially a Roland SH-101 with some quirky features, fun to play.

[@Markfromthe80s]

100% Cuckoo :) I love how you just mess around for a bit and instantly get such a nice groove going. Amazing vid. Didn't see these guys coming. They sound great!

[@AtticusBleep]

Superb demo.

[@88Fitzy88]

Sold on the E4!! Hope it comes in stock soon 🥹🥹

[@jezbon]

I use this gear and I get trance or drum and bass sounds, Cuckoo uses them and he gets his usual Elektron Cuckoo sounds. 🤣 Go Cuckoo. Those saying the gear is mediocre... sure it's not a Digitakt but it's not trying to be. Every evening I'll grab these for decompressing from a day of work. They're no thinking sounds and rhythms. Great way to unwind. I tend to reach for these just for inspiration and ideas before jumping on a Deluge or MPC. They're great fun. They make music just fun - our digital gear head version of a play guitar for muso types.

[@EmilioNorrmann]

the new roland volcas !

[@l.a.beltranmusic4554]

Buddy can make anything sound good.

[@rockhills]

These look rather interesting. I've a feeling the Vocoder is going to become a favorite among the DJ community!

[@phillipmarnik]

Exactly what I was thinking of doing!

[@joebuczek312]

Somehow, Cuckoo, everything you play, from small boxes to the high end Elektron stuff "sounds like Cuckoo"!! Nice demo. Thanks for doing it. Peace 🙂

[@aqueous5099]

Honestly, that vocoder doesn’t seem to shabby. Seems like it could be mixed in a lot of different ways. I was put off by the new Casio vocal keyboard synth-but this feels fulfilling. For performances and jams, I could probably get a lot more real estate combined with sampler and synths on the fly.

[@Tiger.Arcade]

The one that gave you a smile was the J-6. The least straight forward seemed to be the E-4. The the most straight forward was the T-8. Thanks for sharing!

[@ryanmoran2403]

I understand why many people will use these to produce Acid and other EDM stuff, but I LOVE it when they're used for other unique styles like this. They are definitely not limited to acid house that's for sure!!

[@0smundSaddler]

It's about time Roland entered the affordable/beginner market. It'll be interesting to see how these compare/compliment the Volca and Liven instruments.

[@littlehelix]

Love the track you made!!

[@m.g.kroger]

Sure the best demo of these tiny devices. Out of the standard KickX4.

[@Unifono2012]

very nice jam. They sound great

[@politesociety]

I hope to see a bunch of these out these in the wild playing with volcas.

[@TheOnlyCathyCat]

I'm looking forward to some electronic punk coming from people using these small boxes.... They seem perfect for a couple of people to get a set-up going and producing something pleasing for all.

[@magicknight8412]

These look great. Some awesome sounds and possibilities

[@EnochDark]

OMG what? How did I not know about these? It's like Boutique crossbreed w/Volca? Passing on the 8 since I already got a TR-8 AND 08... Also already have a VT-3. So yeah looks like I can finally afford to enter Juno territory! Cool it seems similar in concept to my Omnichord!!!

[@Nonsense913]

Ordered the et4. Needed a vocal transformer for awhile.

[@DavidDeLuge]

Great video and you've made them sound, well, Cuckoo 😁. Excellent demonstration.

[@ahzootube]

Tr6s costs double but it’s definitely a better portable aira machine for this setup instead of the t8

[@truecuckoo]

It’s much more advanced for sure. But sometimes easy and friendly is a nice way to start out.

[@jcchaconjr]

Of course the TR-6S is a more well rounded machine in comparison, but the fact that the T-8 is half the price lowers that level of entry for a beginner. You can't overlook that the menu dives of the 6S make it a little daunting for someone new. I personally think that the simplified approach of these devices makes them a little more welcoming. This is not a device intended for you and me, but I think that it's right up the alley of a newcomer just discovering Music Production. I can only imagine what these would have cost, were it not for the current global situation.

[@tstr02nl]

I have had my tr 6s for a month now and im getting used to it, but I think it would be a killer.combo with the j6. Is fhere anything available like the j6 that could work as well as the j6 for around the same price?

[@rorz999]

@@jcchaconjr Yeah but since the TR-6S has been out for a couple of years now, you can get near mint second-hand units for not much more than the T-8, which nobody is selling second-hand yet. However, I have a TR-6S and I'm still getting the T-8. The T-8 will be that machine that I take with me wherever I go so that I can have a jam during my lunch break and so on. The TR-6S is more of a serious studio machine for me (I'll probably swap it out for a TR-8S once I have more space)

[@kon_001]

That was fantastic, thank you!!

[@tomlavelle8340]

Can’t wait to get them!

[@nobbystyles4807]

amazement ... im gonna ditch my mpc one because i dont get along with the workflow and get these instead. back to basics for less money!

[@mathisgraening1931]

Thanks for trying these

[@thebmxband1t]

WOW! Straight out the box they Sorta sounds a bit like Erlend Øye - Ghost Trains😜😮🥰 One of my fav trax of his early output. Good show old chap😘😘

[@joseph-the-seventh]

I may be selling my Volcas and use the money for these. The sound is very pleasing.

[@DJ_TideWave]

Cool stuff! 🙂 Looks like Roland want a take on the Korg Volca market? Love the sounds of the J6!

[@dpalaoro]

that 1:15-1:16👍 nice tones

[@paQ75]

I come from loopop's review and the difference is huge xD. Loopop is like a boring instructions book and Cuckoo like the arcade attract mode. Having lots of fun with your work, thanks Cuckoo.

[@castelmau]

Same for me, with opposite outcome. After Loopop I knew all, after here just a headache...

[@d3tuned378]

@@castelmau A headache from listenable, soft synth music? Sounds like the music wasn't the problem. Might wanna see a doctor.

[@maxpowers2908]

I love the vocal processor tho

[@legitimatefrenzy]

This just makes me want to use my verselab. I want all 3 in a Voltron case

[@SashaDza]

finally something really good looking

[@truecuckoo]

Maybe the friendliest looking hardware ever from Roland?

[@raffitchakmakjian]

that brass sounds really silky.

[@awesomefruitslayer8812]

Something for my wish list ❤️

[@jam6000]

Wow haha basically skinny puppy in your pocket! love it

[@dmaifred]

?? My favourite band in 80s/90s growing up in Van.

[@javiervillalobos9714]

Genial e visto algo similar en el último video de R.K.C... estos equipos tienen un sonido bastante agradable LIKE sin duda.🎹👍

[@jizzmaster2000]

never gona give you up

[@complexicus]

Great video as always 🎉

[@nstruiwigh]

Oh!!! They are so cool

[@DavinTurner]

These are all so cool in my opinion, but I especially have been waiting for something like the vocal one for quite a while now! I love the idea of being able to do vocal effects over my tracks live! I wonder how long it will take Korg to R&D something up for a new Volca?~🤔

[@threethirteen313uk]

Amazing

[@AmyDaisy69]

These are fun, and the sound quality far exceeds the Korg equivalents.

[@RD-qn4gt]

That's dope!

[@EverettVinzant]

The next 3 need to include a USB class compliant mixer with stereo speakers that are amplified. What I mean is, it has 6 USB-C connections that are USB audio class compliant. It can pull the audio off that connection and mix it with other audio that came in through USB class compliant connections. It can mix all 6 channels (think 1010BlueBox but with USB audio class compliance). They need to make a sampler for this line (think SP404 but scaled down, so… SP202 mkII, and yes, configured vertically). The third could be an SH or a Jupiter.

[@yarrowcentral]

lol you make these things look too effortless, some of us don't have your talent you know!!!

[@jonnybeck6723]

I'm a nut for miniatures anyway and this/these are delightfully ridiculous 😵‍💫 Thanx

[@spacedudejr]

Roland needed something that competes with the entry level po’s and volca. I hope they’re sub 200$

[@duster8373]

$199

[@hovermotion]

OP-1 Field next?

[@MrMallum]

In short, these are nice! Spoken like a true Gee 🤘🏾

[@Jenny-rk5ts]

you demos are absolutely beautiful as always 😘

[@ginociancio1]

Hi I like your videos very much I always watch them, I was looking to buy or a roland aira t8 or korg volca drum what is your opinion 👍

[@flflflflflfl]

You're a legend!

[@isaacanthonydj4124]

are they the same size footprint as volca?

[@truecuckoo]

Very similar size. I haven’t compared them. But they feel slightly slimmer and lighter than the Volca.

[@DietSodium]

Like em more than Volcas. Somehow look sturdier and sound not bad at all. And amazing jam and review as usual 😊

[@therandomguy1315]

Very very good job

[@spiegelkind2387]

Look-wise they seem a bit fiddly and uninspiring, but it’s probably just because you’ve got us used to Elektron & TE gear on this channel 😉

[@technodrone313]

if they can find the chips to make those they will sell like crazy

[@vittoriofornari]

Very nice! Is it possible to change T8 patterns with a footswitch? If yes, can anyone recommend one and explain how to set it up?

[@AlexLaptschenko]

Question do you know how to connect E 4, J 6, T 8 and S 1 together so that you can control at least the tempo on T 8?

[@galaxophone]

I could spend all of my money on Roland and be happy

[@maxpowers2908]

If you ask me they're a couple years late. N why didn't they miniaturize the 808?

[@myrmur]

Uao. Smells like Radiohead ✨ How you change the pattern on the Juno at 06:43?

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks. When synced over MIDI the pattern change on the T carries over to the J.

[@oscillated139]

Can anyone tell me what cable I need to connect this to the usb port of the roland Mx 1? ( and if that is even possible?)

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

Wow really wonderful 💘

[@sergeypakhomov2977]

Hi! Did you tried to use T-8 as master via Midi with any other synth? I tried to send bass to Uno and Microfreak. And its not working.... May be you can explain this problem?

[@attizzoso]

definitely better than any volca, bravo cuckoo good demo

[@DirtyPlumbus]

My poor wallet. Lol

[@TC-mb2pw]

HI Very help video. What cables to you need to connect the T-8 and the J-6? Thanks!

[@brokenscart7989]

These things don’t help my gear acquisition syndrome. Built in battery is bangin.

[@88Fitzy88]

Haha i had just told myself i was done buying gear and then this video dropped

[@Tolognabullets]

🔥🔥🔥

[@va941]

Am just thinking...199€ a pop for these....that's makes it 600 for the set....wich is exactly the price of an Mpc1..................................or take a 100€ bill off and you have a polyend tracker on your desk.................

[@alexwestconsulting]

Is the J-6 transposable over midi? I have a couple TB-3's and they are not, so I suspect that the J6 is not. Which would be so, so disapointing.

[@2tallcharles99]

Do you know if you can send one midi note in from an external device and trigger a chord in chord mode?

[@jjlacey1970]

hi, I cant seem to create my own riffs. style and variation turned off but every time I play my own sequences in (live finger playing) the j-6 just plays a chord on every bar with the chords ive played but not the rhythm I create. none of what I record live plays back. any ideas of what im doing wrong

[@ЮлияКузнецова-л9е]

How much time you spend to prepare this minilive?

[@truecuckoo]

I spent a day learning the devices. And then this was recorded over the span of around 2 hours the next day.

[@JimCreatureCornelissen]

Someone, please help me out! I like to incorporate the E-4 Voice Tweaker into my live set: I will use it for occasional singing, but the problem is that I can't sing for shit. Is the autotune strong enough for it to hold pitch? Peace !

[@sinsin5906]

kind of one JDXI split into three

[@TheSakuraGumiLTD]

Hella fun

[@twiliumso7189]

No lights flashing in sync from the units during the jam? mmmm...

[@truecuckoo]

There’s a dot on the screen signalling incoming sync signal.

[@nelseninc]

What's the release date for these I literally seen all these videos come out this morning around 2: 00am but not available

[@truecuckoo]

On Thomann it says in stock in 1-2 weeks. If they’re confident enough to write it, it’s probably based on a real estimate.

[@Cracktune]

all you need now is the S-1 for some sizzling leads

[@vincentdelmas2792]

if you just can keep one of the three ?

[@truecuckoo]

Me personally would go for the chord. Mostly because it’s so different. And I always like a challenge. But it’s always up to everyone to decide for themselves.

[@gorgeluis]

I got the J6 and T8, the T8 is a great standalone unit, you just connect your headphones and nothing else and about are already jamming everywhere, however I think the J6 is the most useful and could bring a lot of value as a sequencer paired with other hardware, and on its own it's also not bad, sounds great and is too simple to use and too fun.

[@TheSunshineGroup]

I feel like I, the only one who’s not excited about this. Another Roland product that gives you blue balls is what these look like to me.

[@MichalSada]

I think that best aspect here is super mobility, You can take it anywhere which is sweet. It also works like midi controler for daw, sweet.

[@thenoiztemple]

Question about the E-4… Does it react to CC messages? I couldn’t find any info on the Roland site regarding that.

[@hansmeiser1200]

only PC (Programm Change)