Roland Aerophone Pro AE 30 Full Review and Sounds

Here's a full review and sound samples of the Roland Aerophone Pro AE-30 wind synthesizer. Complete run through of the design, functions, connections, mobile app, and sound samples.
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#RolandChannel
Note; this video does not contain paid promotion.

[@tjontheroad]

Correction: While there is no documentation in the manual, the AE-30 does have a "generic" USB driver mode that is considered class compliant.

[@RafaelMartinez327]

I've been watching any YT video I could find about the AE-30. Yours was the most fun and thorough.

[@tjontheroad]

Thanks for your comments and for watching. TJ

[@unclemick-synths]

Good video. Waiting for mine to arrive!

[@tjontheroad]

Thanks for watching. Enjoy yours. TJ

[@ericdano]

4. The BEST part is the mouthpiece/reed combo and the responsiveness of it. Roland did an excellent job with that.

[@tjontheroad]

Agreed

[@alphabeets]

Well done!

[@tjontheroad]

Thank you for watching. TJ

[@0017mia]

Your analysis of the aerophone 3 is so easy to understand. My question now is what amp will work with wireless U2 guitar receiver and transmitter? And, do I need anything else to make the audio work? Also would appreciate your recommendation for head phones, Thank you!

[@tjontheroad]

Thanks for watching the video. I would suggest for live gigging some type of full range PA powered monitor (QSC, Mackie, JBL, etc) that fits in your budget. Just make sure it can accept both XLR and 1/4' sized inputs so that you can use your wireless. I use in my studio Shure SRH1540 headphones. Just about any good quality headphone will do. Good luck, TJ

[@nightowlsjazzband7927]

Hi tj can you advise if you are having trouble with the B key not operating when you press it off centre. For example when you use the alternate Bb bis key, your left index finger is half off the b key. My unit needs the button to be pressed pretty well dead square to be reliable. Thanks , Col

[@tjontheroad]

Best guess would be it needs to be cleaned. I can't say I've done that myself. Good luck, TJ

[@nightowlsjazzband7927]

Thanks TJ, its 3 months old and fresh back from Roland service in Sydney , they said they cleaned it and reattached it to the circuit board, and it tested at spec, but it is still very touchy and even after the button pops down you can still operate the key on and off by slightly rolling where the pressure point is applied on the key surface . For example, applying pressure near the edge of the button breaks the contact and with pressure dead on centre the contact makes. . I 3d printed a ring guide to stop the button from rocking, and this sorted the problem but I cant use the bis key . None of the other keys exhibit this touchiness. Thankyou very much for your expert opinion. regards Col

[@rjones1357]

Not sure how I missed this review. I hope you have been able to install and work with the recent firmware upgrades and Roland Cloud integration.

[@tjontheroad]

Thanks for watching. I just tried to update. Unfortunately I got bricked :( Probably lost power mid way. EDIT: Issue solved now after 4 update attempts.

[@rjones1357]

@@tjontheroad Sorry for the issues caused by updating. Hopefully you will find it worth it. See about getting Roland Cloud. AE-30 users get a 6 month free Pro level membership. With that you get access Zenology Pro and access to creating Zen based sound partials. If you have never used Roland Cloud you may want to see if you get the 1 month free Ultimate level membership before registering the AE-30 for the 6 months Pro membership. Let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy!!! Do proceed with caution as it is easy to run into issues with the Roland Cloud Manager. It is not hard to catch up with support though.

[@rjones1357]

@@tjontheroad kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWKpfnxvf55lgq8

[@rjones1357]

@@tjontheroad Not the best educational video but hopefully it will point you in the right direction. There are a couple of AE-30 related News articles in the Roland Cloud Manager (RCM).

[@tjontheroad]

@@rjones1357 It's fixed. It just took a few tries. I have Roland Cloud. Will dive in soon. Thanks, TJ

[@brendanchin2423]

May I ask what program you used on your computer to record your aerophone? I've tried to record the onboard sounds through the usb connector into Ableton, but I can only get it recognized as a midi controller and not as a sound source.

[@tjontheroad]

Hi, For this video, the Aerophone was recorded into Logic Pro X. You'll need the Roland driver to be installed for it to recognized. www.roland.com/us/support/by_product/aerophone_pro/updates_drivers/ Cheers, TJ

[@Beamthere]

Thanks you for your honest review. It reinforces my own decision to return my new AE-30 to the dealer as the key clatter is unacceptably loud. Much louder than my AE-10. I don't see how any musician with decent hearing will find this instrument playable at anything less than very loud amplification, and even then the key clatter can still be heard. It's probably fine for studio recording where you can run it direct in -- as long as you're isolated from any live mics. I'm sure Roland is going to fix this problem on future versions, I expect the next gen AE-50 will have quieter keys. I can wait.

[@tjontheroad]

Roland probably thinks "Pro" players only jam in sold out stadiums lol. No worries about clicking keys there. Still, I think the strengths of the AE-30 outweigh the weaknesses. Thanks for watching. TJ

[@Beamthere]

@@tjontheroad Yes I do hear other reviewers claim you'll get used to the loud rattly keys and don't even notice the noise, but even if you don't notice the loud clatter, your audience is going to. I felt sad and disappointed at having to take it back to the store. But all the great features it undoubtedly offers are useless if you can't play the instrument in public. For a supposedly "Pro" model it's embarrassingly unprofessional. I will personally wait until Roland fixes this problem before I buy another one.

[@45zapatero]

Real saxes have loud keys too. Some synth saxes have an option to add key noise...

[@Beamthere]

@@45zapatero The sound on real saxes is coming from the sax, not an amp located somewhere else, and acoustic saxes are loud to start with. The AR-30 isn't a real sax and doesn't need to have clattery clacking keys that are even much louder than the AE-10 which i thought was rather noisy as well.

[@mrlazli]

@@Beamthere and yet ,you bought the AE-30 without checking it out in a shop whether the key noise improved on it😜

[@rogerj.7723]

Hi - I want to re-learn saxophone after many years. Would this be a good practice instrument for this (I'd like to play quietly sometimes over headphones, etc.)? I'm concerned about hurting my embouchure if I later switch to a real sax. Thanks!

[@tjontheroad]

Hi, It's great for practicing fingerings, scales, licks, and so for forth. The amount of embouchure strength isn't as difficult as with a real sax mouthpiece. You may find moving to the real thing somewhat more challenging physically. OTOH, I don't think you can "hurt" your technique by playing a wind synth. It can only help you along the way. Thanks for watching, TJ

[@rogerj.7723]

@@tjontheroad Thanks!

[@DaynJo]

Hey TJ. Quick question. Do you get used to the octave change buttons? Thanks for any feedback.

[@tjontheroad]

Yes, pretty much so. It takes a little practice when going down the register through the break at speed. Using the alternate keys below C also helps to limit the need to use the octave keys. Thanks for watching. TJ

[@DaynJo]

@@tjontheroad Hey TJ. Thank you so much for the brilliant reply. Definite new sub.💎 But, and forgive this last question. I will admit to being a noob to both the Saxophone, And the Aerophone. I have only just bought my Aerophone 30. And although the learning is coming along. I am having problems with the octave switching. (Hence the question to yourself, who can obviously play it.) Could I ask you to give a little depth to what you meant, about using the "the alternate keys below C." As a workaround using the octaves all of the time. I really appreciate an help, information, or link to doing / using this.

[@tjontheroad]

@@DaynJo Thanks for the Sub. I mean the pinky keys with sax fingering. You can play from Bb up two octave range to C# without using the lower octave buttons. Just adjust the center octave to taste in the settings. That's usually plenty of notes to keep you very busy. Cheers, TJ

[@DaynJo]

@@tjontheroad Thank you so much TJ. I will work on this tomorrow. I (again) really appreciate the reply. This was really helpful. 💎

[@tjontheroad]

@@DaynJo You're welcome Enjoy. TJ

[@marccarpenter2680]

Hay I have Questions on the Tasty chips Gr-1 Can I use a Sample as a Quantizer as Distortion as a waveform or waveshaper. Say I put cv1 Aux as to Scan, now can I Bypass the main Oscillator pitch Controlled also , and let it Sweep by a Sawtooth ramp up by and Eurorack Oscillator and use the pitch and Distortion that way and replace internal Oscillator?

[@tjontheroad]

GR-1 samples can only be used as source audio. They cannot be used as mod sources. See my GR-1 review here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmbWkmmaZ7-lkJY Cheers, TJ

[@unclemick-synths]

9:32 I believe there is an option to set for class compliance for iPads.

[@tjontheroad]

There's no documentation for class compliance in the manual. Only for the Roland driver. There is a setting to change to a class compliance to some of their gear. Thanks for your comments and for watching. TJ

[@tjontheroad]

Note, I posted a correction this is pinned.

[@tommychappell6359]

So I'm right in saying this is a synthesizer instrument that plays key wise same as saxaphone.. I feel like it's on right track but not quiteee there for me yet..

[@tjontheroad]

Yes, that is pretty much correct. Thanks for watching. TJ

[@Chris-be9tv]

Most advanced sounds of the 1980's in a pipe.. kill me.

[@tjontheroad]

That's Roland for you. Rehashing the same sounds for 40+ years lol. Thanks for watching, TJ

[@danielbeaumier5313]

is the same sound to EA-10

[@tjontheroad]

The AE-10 only contains the SuperNatural sound engine. The AE-30 contains both the SuperNatural and ZenCore sound engines. Thanks for watching, TJ

[@ericdano]

2. You have to use a certain batteries. Regular alkaline ones are not recommended it seems.

[@tjontheroad]

Yes, rechargeable Ni-MH batteries are recommended.

[@ericdano]

​@@tjontheroad Pretty sure in the manual says "please use Ni-MH batteries" (looks in manual, yep, page 2). And on page 3 it says "Carbon-zinc or alkaline cannot be used".

[@nuttysquirrel8574]

At last - a review from a non-Roland ambassador - they all say how wonderful the Pro is. It isn't! It is possibly a case of the 'Emperor's New Clothes' - so much pre-launch hype no one dare question it. Of course there are many things 'right' with it but so many things 'wrong' - starting with the clacky keys; far worse than the AE10 and could be so easily rectified in this modern age of micro-engineering - why no softening dampeners under each key? Like other comments, I have no interest in the Zen synth, which is aimed directly at the pro players, I only wanted the increased Sup.Nat tones of orchestral-ethnic sounds but, sadly, very disappointing. My favourite tones on AE10 were violin, and cello, now not as good on the Pro. However, my biggest moan by far is the complexity - you need a degree to find your way around it, plus, access to the app. For every 'pro' like Alistair Parnell, and An Yi Papa, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of 'mere mortals' (like me) who will spend a lot of hard earned money on the '30' and be bitterly disappointed. I have sent mine back for a refund and returned to my AE10; I would like to say I will miss the extra 'non-synth' tones but I can't as they were not up to much. A great machine for the Pro purely concentrating on Zen Core synth sounds - a disaster for 'ordinary' musicians looking for more non synth tones.

[@tjontheroad]

Thanks for watching and your comments. Different strokes for different folks I'd say. The Zen synth is what I'm most interested in. Some of the SuperNatural tones are of interest to me too. The yet inability to create and load in new sounds is the most lacking "Pro" feature. Cheers, TJ

[@ericdano]

5. Every patch has reverb on it. It's annoying. I haven't found a way to globally turn it off. A lot of the patches sound better without reverb.

[@tjontheroad]

Reverb is heavy on some patches. Better ability to deep dive into the sounds would be welcome as I mentioned in the video. Thanks for watching, TJ

[@ericdano]

@@tjontheroad Also the LACK of computer editing software seems kinda dumb. What if you want to send patches to a friend. Trade patches. Or whatever. Or even have a backup of them......

[@ericdano]

@@goldgazebo9196 Now you can. When the Aerophone first came out, you could not do this.

[@DJ-bz4vi]

I have found it to be a disappointment. Aerophone review. - [ ] Does not come with a neck strap - [ ] Spit tray very flexible easy to pop off or catch on the clothing and pop off(would rather have something plastic that slides into place - [ ] Great selection of instruments but not quite enough. Missing banjo, mando but there should be an easier way to access all of the instruments possibly a number system without having to use an app - [ ] Reed moves easy even after screw tightened. - [ ] Keys feel comfortable - [ ] Menu hard to find stuff quick unless you use app - [ ] Keys cheap plastic will discolor after time - [ ] Case great. Plenty of room but I feel for the price that you pay it should be more form fitting to the instrument. - [ ] Let’s talk power. Seems to be missing the mark on this one. Batteries or plugged in. Why isn’t there a rechargeable power pack in unit ? Then sell the batteries individually when they no longer charge. - [ ] Being able to control the volume quickly you can’t you actually have to go in the menu to do it or unless you have a volume pedal - [ ] Why couldn’t you put a volume control knob just like the scene or the transpose knobs - [ ] It’s missing a very distinctive organ sound - [ ] While I think there are not enough voices and sounds and instruments I feel that they concentrated within the synth family to cover every base and they overdid the synth area I wish they would’ve concentrated more on your basic band instruments instead of 80s synth sounds - [ ] I feel there should be more organ sounds - [ ] Has a good horn section - [ ] Off the mark on the violin sound it’s a no go - [ ] In the string section I would like to have the ability to do my own vibrato a string player does not play vibrato on every single note.

[@tjontheroad]

Some things I agree and not. It does come with a cheap neck strap. There should be a way to create and edit your own sounds from scratch say via Zenology Pro and load those onto it. A form fitting case would be for the price. The power design should have a rechargeable lithium battery rather than the 6 AA rechargeable dependancy. You want organ sounds? Play keyboards ;) Vibrato and/or modulation control assigned to the thumb button would be very welcome. Just having the "growl" sound isn't enough. Thanks for your comments and for watching, TJ

[@DJ-bz4vi]

@@tjontheroad yes true about the strap. But I really don’t consider that a great strap. I had to use something else. I actually play most of the instruments on it professionally and live the idea of not having to carry too many instruments around and just use something like this to cheat on the sound to get around. I have had the Ewi 5000 since they came out with it and yes there are design issues with it I feel the sounds are lacking modern tech. Sounds For the Aerophone Pro. But good review post here.

[@nuttysquirrel8574]

HOORAH!! A fellow soul who has found the AE30 Pro to be totally over-rated and over priced. Like you I play a number of instruments across woodwind, brass and strings and these were the tones I wanted increased-improved. I agree that Roland have totally focused on the Zen synth sounds to the detriment of 'others'. My biggest gripe is that it is far too complex compared to the AE10 where you could change things 'on the hoof' and, as you suggest, the string tones have gone backwards. A huge disappointment and I have sent mine back for a refund - I cannot justify paying twice the price of an AE10 for less of a product - it doesn't even get a covering sleeve like the AE10.

[@DJ-bz4vi]

@@nuttysquirrel8574 I tried sending mine back to American Musical Supply but they are not longer taking returns on Aerophones. So I am stuck with this.

[@nuttysquirrel8574]

@@DJ-bz4vi Hey - that's sad to hear, what a bummer. In UK we have a 'distance selling' law that gives the buyer 14 days to assess the product as they would have done if they had been able to go into the store. So long as it is perfect condition, with all packaging, the online seller must refund your money. I was torn between waiting for further videos to explain how the hell anyone without a computer science degree makes adjustments, or, sending it back before my deadline. I would really like to know how many buyers have sent them back, or tried to - that would be a very interesting statistic; I doubt we are the only two!! Best wishes with off-loading yours, maybe you'll be stuck with it and get to like it?! Good luck, ns.

[@Clachan2024]

The buttons are noisy. What about an apartment?

[@tjontheroad]

The buttons do make clicking sounds. If you are using headphones, you will probably not hear it. Thanks for watching, TJ

[@Clachan2024]

@@tjontheroad Thank you!

[@ericdano]

1. Real saxes don't have "key clicks" unless your sax is messed up.

[@tjontheroad]

I disagree. Key work and key cup sounds are common with saxophones. It can be mitigated with a newly regulated setup. But over playtime, it may come back. I've owned over 20 saxophones over the years. None were perfectly quiet. None are are loud as the Aerophone either.

[@ericdano]

@@tjontheroad key cup sounds are different than key clicks. The Aerophone AE30 is more like key clicks on sax. A key click being like if you lost a felt or cork and you have metal hitting metal. Key cup sounds though are fine, and everything have them. The Aerophone is not that. Its the annoying key click sound.

[@Jaujau933]

Buy a cheap Alto for 400 bucks and you'll get a pretty good case, buy an AE-30 pro and you'll get cheapo cloth soft case offering ZERO protection. Bad show Roland !!

[@tjontheroad]

A $400 sax is very unlikely to be even playable and the case makes no difference. Just saying ;) Thanks for watching, TJ

[@ericdano]

3. The speakers are worthless. They sound terrible. Stereophonic? Hardly.........

[@tjontheroad]

The Aerophone speakers won't cover you at a gig or recording. But they are ok just to mess with. At least the face player's head unlike other wind synth designs.

[@ericdano]

@@tjontheroad Yuck. No. They are useless. They should have maybe have ditched them and added more metal to the plastic instead. Or fix the keys. If I wanted to sound like I'm playing through a fisher price stereo, I'd get a fisher price stereo.