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Help me choose: Newer iPad + synth apps OR Roland JD-Xi?
I like rich, fat, effects-laden synth sounds.
I have a hardware synth, a MicroKorg, that I still gravitate towards when my itch is to play with and discover synth sounds; however, it is not multitimbral.
I have an iPad 3 that works well for me; however, it has performance limitations with newer iOS instruments, especially when you add effects to the mix.
The Roland JD-Xi looks poised to become the MicroKorg of the next decade. I absolutely lust for what I'm seeing and hearing in the demos. It is multitimbral and has a built-in sequencer. It's like a mini workstation with a sound profile that is right in my wheelhouse.
A newer iPad would allow me to play the more advanced iOS soft synths and probably create any kind of sound I like. With some effort, I could assign midi controllers with knobs, sliders, and pads to the parameters that I want to play with. I like physical controls much better than touch.
Good Lord, what should I invest in?
- Given my preferences, how would you spend ~$500USD?32 votes
- Newer iPad + synth apps71.88%
- Roland JD-Xi28.13%
Comments
Both options seem fun, but more of the same. What are you using for drums?
since you have admitted to hanging onto that iPad 3 ;-) I think you will be amazed by the possibilities that open up with having a newer iPad.
Also, an iPad Mini 2 + a Novation Launchkey 49 would be about the same cost as the Roland. and comes with countles iOS synth possibilities
Looks fun. I was facing a similar dilemma when I bought my original iPad - it was that or a Roland Gaia. I went for the pad because I thought I'd eventually get bored with the limitations of the hardware synth.
I had the same choice again a few months back - new iPad or hardware synth - easy choice for me as I've had so much fun on the iPad, and as well as synths I've got rhythm/drum apps, recording apps, samplers, manglers, fx etc.etc. so new iPad it was.
Yes there's still bugs and glitches, yes routing a couple of synths through FX and into Auria via Audiobus is a PITA....but I'm recording sounds I couldn't achieve with hardware, and when a new synth comes out I can buy it for a few quid.
Plus you never know what's around the corner....new killer apps such as Samplr could be in development at this very moment and yours for a few quid in a few months time...
If you're a traditional keyboard player, and play live in bands, then I'd go for the Roland. Otherwise...
Get a nice hardware Midi controller / keyboard, run it into the iPad, and you're all set.
The Air 2 is blazing, forget about your experience with the Pad 3...
While I'd love to get a topnotch weighted hammer action keyboard, I just can't see me ever buying a hardware synth, despite the fact that I still lust over them, I never pull the trigger to buy. Its not my primary instrument, that's guitar, and I've got 70+ synths to mess with on my iPad plus who knows how many other MIDI instruments as well.
Basically when it comes down to sounds per dollar, iPad wins hands down and it doesn't break your back to carry it around and doesn't require a $500 hard case, etc.
The Roland JD-Xi certainly looks sweat though.
The newer iPad is going to give you access to hundreds of synths, effects: now and in the future. The Roland Synth is just one synth.
Synths like the microkorg double as a MIDI controller, so I'm always plugging mine into my Maschine.
New prophet-6 :-)
Definately IOS Air or Air2 and like others said before add a nice midi controller/keyboard. I find the Triton tactile to be something I may even upgrade to from my carbon 49. I still love my hardware ! But damn, there is just so much more to touch interaction and having so much more versatility in apps at ones fingertips and all of it within a very small footprint.
Get a korg m50 for enhanced definition synthesis or a Roland FA O8 for them supernatural integra synth tones, both workstations are awesome!!
Not giving up on iOS or anything but I love my JD-XI. It ha such a nice sound. And you can do non dance with it too, see below-:)
Very nice, @KlaatuNinja! You do not make my decision any easier. :-) Beautiful sounds and playing. Your use of pitch bend was fantastic!
Thanks all, for your input. Considering this hobby we share, I have to prioritize getting past the limitations of my iPad 3 and upgrade to at least a mini 2. The Roland JD-Xi, if it is in my future, will have to wait.
I confess that I don't give a great deal of thought to my drum sounds. With drums, I'm more concerned about the rhythm itself. The Roland keyboard has a drum sound module built-in. I already on a Zoom StreetBoxx that I love.
Yes, I bought the iPad Lemon! It's not all that bad, though. :-) Can't disagree with your recommendation.
It was so good hearing from someone who has experienced the same tension. The nice thing about a good hardware synth is that it "just works." With the iPad, it's easy to chain together things that overload the system and make you want to cry. But I know it's largely my iPad 3 that is to blame.
Thanks for the good advice.
Yeah, the "sounds per dollar" argument really resonates with me. Thanks for looking at the Roland and relating to my plight.
Cool. Are you using a DAW?
Yeah, that's really the heart of it, isn't it. Plus, I like supporting indie developers creating unique instruments and musical tools.
OMG, if only! That is beyond my dreams and budget. :-)
You should try playing my MS 20 sometime when it decides to turn on full portamento in the middle of a solo
Yeah, I just bought a QuNexus keyboard controller that I'm still figuring out. I think that with a faster iPad and the right soft-synth, I'll "see the light" and stop going back to my hardware synth comfort zone. It's hard to teach old dogs new tricks, I guess. :-)
Yes, I'm using MultitrackStudio on the iPad and I really like it so far. I've got midi driving my MicroKorg. I'm also using Yamaha Mobile Music Sequencer to drive it. I got the SynthMaster and felt really sad when a bunch of the patches broke down into annoying clicks. Never had that with my MicroKorg. :-(
@monzo, it sounds like you know the pain I'm talking about. ;-)
Ok, I voted for a new ipad.
The poll is looking pretty one-sided - but then tou are asking the question on an iPad forum! I wonder if you woukd get the same answers on a Roland forum. I have always owned hardware, but the flexibility you get with modern apps is mind-blowing!
It's big brother the Xa looks amazing. Though pricey. I say go with the synth- like you said it will just work. Keep the ipad3 as a one at a time synth that you can transform into any of dozens of different synths.
That's the hardware MS20 - the iMS20 works perfectly
I was quite tempted to buy the MS-20 mini after getting the app, but now I've calmed down a bit
Don't know the mini - I've got an old one, but they're lovely things.
@thus You mentioned getting a mini. I have one and while it is powerful there are some Apps with small knobs that are a pain to adjust. I prefer my Air for most tasks.
Brand new 64 bit Air 1 is only $399 16 GB or $450 32 GB. You said you have $500 so this would be in your budget.
https://www.apple.com/ipad-air/specs/
Thanks for the good advice, @mkell424!