Roland Jupiter-XM: Classic Analog & Digital Sounds in a Compact Format | Reverb

A couple of months back, synthesizer stalwart Roland unveiled a massive new synth collection, featuring some of the coolest units we've seen in a minute. Part of the collection is the small but mighty, 37-key Jupiter-Xm. Natalie Chami (of TALsounds and Good Willsmith) explores the new synth above, which packs TR-808 and 909 drums, digital module synth sounds, and so much more. Oh, and it also emulates vintage classics like the Jupiter-8, Juno-106, and SH-101. See it in action above, and click the link below to get your own Reverb.
Read More on Reverb: bit.ly/2rYa0C9

[@DaleNorth]

Been using Jupiter XM since launch day in Tokyo and I still love it. Daily use in my work. Not many of the demos show the tons of original new blended sounds beyond the preloaded models -- they're very good patches. No one talked about this and it was a really nice surprise. And another standout thing that not a lot of the YT demos talk about -- the effects are freaking amazing sounding: super lush reverbs especially. Anyway, I love it -- hope this helps those considering the Jupiter XM.

[@jamalmiguel]

Dale North awesome details mate. Thanks !

[@tali813]

how do the keys feel? Are they at least as good as the korg minilogue? Also, can you save projects to return to or play in a live setting?

[@keatonlusk8204]

Same same same same

[@studilocker4439]

The jupiter sounds so calm and warm

[@chrissteffers6931]

The sounds in this machine are beautiful.

[@klarnamemeta6556]

Tried that baby at a music store in my hometown until my seven year old daughter showed up&it was hard to get her away from that awesome machine...already a legend!

[@TheMadisonHang]

i reallly like what roland is doing now days love it so mmmuch

[@user-wg1wl1ps2u]

Great little Instrument.. ❤❤❤❤❤ 🤗

[@thelostandfoundworkshop]

This synth is great, also want to mention what an amazing job this girl did on reviewing it. Thank you!

[@gasolineandwine]

A completely unrelated comment to the video: a few years back, some internet artist made a video of people reacting to the author calling them beautiful. I swear this woman was amongst those people.

[@gasolineandwine]

That aside, 4:52 this section sounded so incredibly beautiful and peaceful. Love that they added the CR-78 into the drum machine rotation.

[@fchamiva]

Yup, that’s her lol

[@gasolineandwine]

@@fchamiva Lol, I never forget a face. Dope to know she's into synths!

[@KevinHowardMusic]

Damn... You’re right

[@Dill621]

Dude I thought this the moment I saw the thumbnail that’s crazy thanks for mentioning it

[@KingzofSwing]

Love your style Natalie

[@waleedbanjar3050]

youtube algorthem why are you showing me more and more cool synthesizers, im almost broke now

[@steelcitysi]

I bought one and love it. Hope they add a sampling engine and more sounds for the RD engine I.e. Rhodes, wurli, B3

[@SynthsandSounds]

Guys take care people think it's an analog synth because of you. You need to make that more clear. It does imitate analog sounds but it is fully digital!

[@TheProdigyAccordion]

I already preorded the Jupiter X, kind of a jump since there really isnt reviews on it yet, but i believe its going to be amazing, it looks very identical to the jupiter 8 and also has 61 keys

[@PMAWoodner]

Great demo! Appreciate the range of sounds you found from beautiful to weird.

[@setphaser]

this is so much like my beloved casio with the speaker, batteries and rhythm section. but all the midi and synth power added. i worry that there’s menu diving which isn’t shown in the video and that scrolling through hundreds of presets via one tiny knob would be super tedious, but this review covers all the aspects that really excite me about the synth.

[@beesting6135]

Happy with mine

[@LinkMcStink]

Am I crazy or was she in that video "People Being Told They're Beautiful" from a few years back?

[@celticprogeny1569]

Both :)

[@imsorry4350]

It's her

[@rachelm3171]

omg i thought i recognized her!!!!

[@MedQ]

true then, true now :)

[@j.andrew358]

I WAS JUST ABOUT TO ASK

[@aoisdgnh]

Aquatic Ambience vibes on that intro tune

[@exiletomars]

For something that's about $1,500 i'm a bit disappointed that it has minikeys and not full sized keys.

[@BunnyBunniee]

I think cause it's portable? But I agree.

[@natvela9499]

discorobotification huioc.mmoinlopdo.ddjmkk tkon lho hmo mkoochiovom.m

[@DylanThreshold]

I love my Rolands, but 1500 bucks is way too much for this little gem. Hail Hydrasynth!!!

[@lennardvillasenor5151]

I have loved Roland since 1984 when I first bought my Juno 106 and played in a band when I was in high school. That being said there has been a great disappointment on my part with Roland after 1987 with their amazing D50 in that it has become a company that has less to do with innovation in the last quarter century and has continually been outputting reimagined albeit lesser versions of its Golden Era Cash Cows, namely the Jupiter 8 (and 6), the Juno 6, 60, 106, Sh101, the D50 etc. So I was initially charmed and wanted this Jupiter X (and XM) solely for nostalgia, but the reality is, they want 1500 for what is essentially a metal box with three octaves of minikeys loaded with a couple VSTs. I thought I could create 90 percent of this for 20 percent of the cost: Found a used 5 octave velocity and aftertouch sensitive keyboard a CME UF6 in Stockholm for what is essentially 60 US Dollars and paired it with uHe Diva, a VST that is capable of recreating Jupiter 8, Juno 60 and 106, Alpha Juno, Plus three oscillator Moog and Korg Ms models under 200 USD. So for less than 300 dollars, I had the functional equivalent of what is on offer for 1500. With 61 full sized keys. I added a Panorama P1 from Nektar and now all the parameters are available in real time. There is nothing wrong with this Roland model, except for the fact that Roland has forgotten how to innovate in the last 30 years and that there are several companies that can mimic Roland as sgood, if not better than Roland itself, such as IK Multimedia with Syntronik, TAL with TAL UNO series of Juno inspired vsts, even freeware ML VST with their Pg8X (a JX8p inspired VST that plays the original presets), Arturia's Roland Jupiter 8 inspired offering, and my aforementioned uHE Diva. I posted this information not to poopoo on Roland's latest efforts, but simply to inform any starving artists with big synth dreams that this can be readily recreated if you are inspired and informed about what currently exists in the marketplace.

[@Pulse2AM]

Software synths don't sound like hardware synths, but if you're happy that's all that matters.

[@jmula1963]

Pulse2AM the jupiter xm is a digital hardware synth i believe tho, not analog, so they should sound the same or very close to it

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@jmula1963 yeah Roland sells the exact models as VSTs. The only difference is 256 levels from midi whereas these have 1024 levels of sensitivity I believe

[@user-zj2he7on8m]

Great demo ,fantastic sounds

[@lokologico]

Its really cool, but the price!... I think I'm sticking to Roland Cloud for now...

[@obody-sl9np]

For me, best 21st century synth

[@dvamateur]

This instrument would be excellent if it had the three-octave mini-key Yamaha KX5 keybed with aftertouch. It would be such an amazing and playable little synthesizer. But I guess, you can't have everything.

[@ZoeSummers1701A]

I just tried one out, and a system 8 at the same time. The ui/ux on the Jupiter is horrifically overly complex.i hadn’t watched and training on it and neither had the FOUR sales people and nobody could get it to do what we wanted. However the System 8 was a joy to play and listen to. I literally giggled just at how amazingly easy it was to get amazing sounds. It’s just I need at least 61 keys and 49 on the system 8 was a stupid idea. Dammit Roland I just want to give you money but you keep screwing up!

[@danielclifton3319]

I have the system-8 and i sorely miss that one last octave! But otherwise it's such a versatile yet intuitive, and well sounding synth!

[@TommyVarekai]

They're coming out with the 61 key version next year

[@KevinHowardMusic]

Could an octave pedal remedy that?

[@HotRodTypewriter]

Kevin Howard it’s not that it can’t play the octave it’s that you don’t have the key space right in front the whole time. You have to use the octave up/down button to switch to a different register. I’m pretty sure every keyboard/synth under the sun can play all 88 notes even if there is only 25 keys in front of you. You just have to remove a hand from playing to change key ranges so an octave pedal is not the answer here.

[@chrissteffers6931]

It is not horrifically overly complex. But you shouldn't try this without some entry knowledge. The shortcuts are great!

[@RC_Cola2020]

Damn. More gear to add to my wish list.

[@gabbyallong]

Awesome review. Thank you!

[@sergioferrerK]

Classic digital & digital sounds 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@brooklynboy1000]

Very nice demo ... Concise and we'll thought out... I hear some Phil Collins in there with that 808 and drones... Does it come with an editor also?

[@BromeliadBro]

Some of Natalie’s music: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6W3qmejZbCNb8k

[@chriswalton720]

Dear Roland, take a hint from Korg: if you make a mini keyboard with only 2-3 octaves, a spring loaded octave transpose switch next to the pitch bend beats the heck out of pushbuttons in the middle of the front panel. The switch is soooo much faster and more intuitive.

[@debralynnpaxton5238]

Fantastic ! :D Thank you for this video :D

[@michaelmoore1434]

After I get about 3 more boutique synths I will sell them all to get this

[@DK-qe6uo]

You need to focus on your documentaries

[@smalltown4855]

this synth makes me want to make a film about the kings of the gong people and then write the score for it in an abandoned cathedral on top of a mountain.

[@Guerilla_G]

This is basically the entirety of house music in a single synth

[@hlg_theshepherd2873]

For 1500 I can get Dave Smith prophet rev 8 voice with 61 keys.

[@beesting6135]

But not everything Roland has😂

[@DS-nw4eq]

Okay, but that isn’t a Jupiter xm. Two different products. Mind your business.

[@fcf8269]

the i-arpeggio is probably the worst feature for anyone trying to actually achieve a certain pattern :) Works wonder if you have no clue what you want to get, by simply holding a note or chord; but if you want to change the execution, sadly it won't cut. Just look at the 5m mark how she is playing notes and the arpeggiator just does whatever it wants, instead of learning what she is doing. Great device, I would get one if they were 800 dollars; but at that price range, unless you find a good used deal, it is hard to consider this synth; especially because it is entirely digital, so if you can use VST you get basically a sound for those old synth engines that is almost indistinguishable.

[@edmundgrimes6566]

You can use it as a good old fashioned up/down arp, pretty easy to change it in the menu too 🤘

[@monsterjazzlicks]

What are the mini keys like to play? Are they much smaller than normal keys?

[@apostolosmaras4878]

Natalie is honestly the best fucking synthesizer reviewer

[@jakenewcomb8897]

I am so close to buying this. So close.

[@mylogify]

Did you buy?

[@joshdoughty1789]

TAL sounds!!

[@yourmom09]

Straight up

[@Blueberrystop]

❤

[@doctorharrington]

Woww that is À cool one

[@nord384]

Enigma Patch 😃

[@TommyVarekai]

I wonder if the additional packs/synths will cost money to add onto this one.

[@HotRodTypewriter]

Tommy Varekai funny joke. This is Roland, not only will it cost money, it will probably cost a lot of money, a subscription, and a few extra updates to get it to all work. The words “add” and “Roland” in the same sentence should automatically make a cash register “ka-ching” sound as soon as it leaves your mouth. Lol.

[@arifaygenov4358]

Does anyone know Natalie's full name? Is she involved in any bands?

[@shaft9000]

At least it has the two lo-Z outs and the throwback fonts, yo...that way nobody will ever confuse it with a D/JD or V-synth ritey-rite

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Black and Gold Chalice of Temptation ...

[@zynthio]

I need this with another octave so badly...

[@MelchourJosephJr]

Midi Controller?

[@christdolphin69]

illuminati finger tattoo from the female (no knobs) synth guide. very cool very cool

[@Lazer_puppy]

Definitely getting this.... After I hit the lotto 😂😂😂😂

[@MrSimonfry]

Thought it would be fair to be the 1k like person

[@chedleicester535]

I don't get why roland don't just make decent fully analogue synth cos it would sell like nobodies buisness

[@AardvarkAdventure]

Roland has never been about "retro" stuff. This is about as close as they're going to get to that, at least for now.

[@henryhill92]

@@AardvarkAdventure Bullshit. 90% of what they do is digital recreations of their 'retro' stuff

[@chedleicester535]

@@henryhill92 that's kinda the problem imo I would much rather have a new analogue synth that doesn't have ties with the past than a lackluster digital copy of a Juno or an 808. I think korg does this brilliantly, with modern synths like the minilogue and volca series leading the way, and with things like the reissue ms-20 as a cheaper alternative to the vintage kit. Yamaha is also a victim of this, making cheap digital synths that are fine, and sure, they don't really quite as much on the past, and the reface DX is as good as any vintage DX, but if they made something new and original, a unique sound, whatever, they might be able to capture some of the magic that the old stuff had, instead of trying to make digital replicas of an 808 or a CS-80, make something new to inspire people now the way that they used to

[@seeyouintheeighties]

behringer will - if they release a full size jupiter-8... well... roland will realise it's missed out on a trick

[@bilonggrisimmeri]

Ched Leicester They did - sort of - it's the 4X analogue parts in the JDXA. 2X oscillators/ voice with direct analogue output. You can use the digital output as an efects send. Lovely crisp Roland analogue sounds with massive bass.

[@GreenHoleSun]

the hardware is powerful and not to be underestimated (it could be potentially a portable workstation with a powerful sound engine and intelligent arpeggiator to be creative on the go) but the software part seem to be still under construction. I hope Roland will let the JXM to be what it is born to be.

[@wakyadjaeger1694]

This would be great as a present for my 9 year old nephew. He's really into learning songs on his mom's old keyboard.

[@JayTheLane]

A very expensive present 🤣

[@crnkmnky]

Get that kid a used JD-Xi. Kids love used JD-Xi's.

[@HotRodTypewriter]

Wak Yad Jaeger a microbrute would be a fun option too.

[@BunnyBunniee]

This will last him a lifetime and change his life!!! I agree to this as a gift, I wish I had something like this growing up too help me more understand and play around with music. He will thank you when he's older. No one is too young or old too play with a synth.

[@BunnyBunniee]

@@HotRodTypewriter Yesssssssssss!

[@thechronicnoizeco.6675]

I never noticed the blue buttons until this video.

[@chrissteffers6931]

The're actually not blue in real life, just in the vid.

[@mikehawk9461]

IT has built in speakers which give it an Acoustic instrument vibe. Right....

[@QuestForPerfectSound]

I'm more excited about Berhinger Poly D tbh. But don't listen to me, I'm a guitar player 🤣

[@CaalamusTube]

You don't need a degree to use it :P

[@megatron804]

nice synth, can i have it?

[@jorhay1]

‘Turn all the knobs on”

[@robertsteinberger5667]

For the same price you can get an analog prophet, end of conversation

[@bingusmode4650]

with half the features

[@BubbaSatori]

That’s not a conversation.

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

from 0:18 she says combining the analog and digital synth world..? not sure if she understands they are digital models not real analog..?

[@BrandonRyan]

@Sez B Clearly? Except that it's entirely incorrect. It uses PCM for the PCM stuff and uses modeling for the rest. It can also miss the two. Why so intent on spreading misinformation?

[@BrandonRyan]

She is obviously referring to analog style sounds versus digital style sounds... not the under the hood synthesis methods.

[@joshbanfield]

has every 80s Roland synth sound in one box "I did want to explore the internal speaker, and I thought that was the coolest thing"

[@petougao]

TAL would be lovely to listen to on some future videos.

[@vsmcax1007]

Need better lighting when showing the back panel 😬

[@Emiran_music]

that intro...

[@leesimz_]

My ideal synth, my ideal woman ❤️

[@boog7429]

i m p r e s s i v e

[@ageshero]

Its cool, sounds like they did all the work for everyone, feels kinda like cheating? not sure how about that i am? but i like getting inspired fast too.

[@kavarabbit66]

I didn’t know this synth was analog. Thanks for the info reverb.

[@SynthsandSounds]

It is analog modelling. That's digital

[@BrandonRyan]

@Sez B Again.... Here we go. See only some sounds reach 256 polyphony. Other models only reach 16 notes... because...yeah, modeling.

[@jahpickney2640]

Wasuuuuuup guuuuuurl

[@seeyouintheeighties]

im not really sure what the point of this synth is? roland have released all these synths as boutiques? you can even cloud them to your system-8 What am I missing?

[@chancemeeting2849]

You're not missing anything. Roland is missing new ideas.

[@BrandonRyan]

@Sez BThat's utterly incorrect. It's not a Rompler nor are there system 8 samples in it. Sheesh ..

[@kingech_B15]

:)

[@adityadarmadi6303]

I want this!! Anyone want to buy my kidney?

[@kevinballard]

I just spit beer everywhere : ) lmao.

[@FakeGlasses]

I've never had a more negative reaction to a piece of kit. Horrible interface, menu diving required for any kind of sound editing (or even getting a unfirom filter sweep), average to poor mini keys, vst level sound quality. Save yourself $1500 and get a $50 midi controller and roland cloud for a month. If this were $500 I could see an argument for it. But as is there are so many better options than this at this price level. YMMV and to those who love it that's great. But I'd take a long look at other offerings before this.

[@connora5752]

Does this pretty much sound like all the roland vsts then on roland cloud?

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@connora5752 it’s the same models yeah!

[@verdean11]

At this point, putting out physical digital synths is simply going after the niche market that is the uninformed customer.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

You can buy a used Jupiter 50 or 80 for €850/1500. That is a way better deal.

[@nicolasarianos9731]

I looking that i buy jupiter 80 around this price.... The sounds of jupiter 50 and 80 it's fantastic....

[@BrandonRyan]

Whether or not it's a better deal totally depends on what your looking for.

[@JayTheLane]

I'd get Pigments 2 from Arturia and save yourself a ton of cash 🤣

[@michaelmoore1434]

This is very true, but this portable and fun to use

[@accessvirus1]

Behringer are slamming it right now roland are good but the price and mini keys it's a no from me

[@wxb200]

That girl is cute as hell...

[@GoodfaYou]

Louis Rubens looks like she cuts her own hair tho

[@korbendallas7181]

Isn't that the girl from the viral article about pictures before and after they hear "you're beautiful"???

[@imsorry4350]

Yes

[@speedtribejp]

I think I’ll stick with my original REAL analog Jupiter 4, Juno 60 and JX3P.

[@lucasmartin7845]

BUHHH Roland! BUHHHH

[@danrkelly]

Reminds me that so many of the synth related vids I watch are presented by men, important to notice that and question it.

[@ageshero]

non-competitively priced

[@ZiadSidawi]

Get a Casio then!

[@pizzagogo6151]

It’s a great, albeit overpriced, synth- but sorry this wasn’t a great demo. It didn’t highlight any of it capabilities or its various synth engines. Stating the obvious physical features “it’s compact, has lots of controls” or “ bajillion options etc didn’t do the machine justice.

[@Paul-pc9qr]

Ew

[@richardwalley2862]

Might as well Call this a behringer Roland need to stop making copies it’s doing nothing but hurting the Roland vintage gear and value

[@ardiris2715]

LOL. Roland does not make any money from the vintage market.

[@CaalamusTube]

@@ardiris2715 Kinda. But no. The fact that XOX is popular makes people buy all this new Roland Gear that is... wait for it... Emulating XOX! So yeah, Roland doesn't make any cash when someone buys a 101 on E-Bay. But they absolutely make 90% of their money by selling these modern digital remakes... because the vintage market fuels the popularity of the boxes Roland's current products approximate.

[@AardvarkAdventure]

I doubt anyone is cross shopping this with a vintage Jupiter.

[@CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy]

More nostalgia pandering from Roland. Where's the innovation? They should take a note from Korg.

[@Venatt1]

You are incredible beautiful and talented, hopefully I see you at 2020 NAMM

[@dittus420]

Some one got her Instagram? =)

[@JayTheLane]

I'd get Pigments 2 from Arturia and save yourself a ton of cash 🤣