Roland JD-Xi, Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer

The Roland JD-Xi is an interactive crossover synthesizer that has both analogue and digital sound engines. Tiny, mighty, and affordable, The Disc loves the JD-Xi. Equipped with 37 mini keys, this compact instrument’s analogue synth section provides authentic lead and fat, warm bass tones, whilst its two digital synth sections offer 128-voice total polyphony, and a wide range of superNATURAL synth tones including pads, strings, brass, electric piano, sound effects, and many others!

The JD-Xi has an included gooseneck mic. Using the built-in Vocoder, you can sing into the mic and control tone and pitch via sounds played on the keyboard. Additionally, AutoPitch allows you to achieve exaggerated, robotic vocal sounds, whilst the Auto Note function allows you to “sing” JD-Xi synth sounds without touching the keyboard.

There is a built-in four-track pattern sequencer that offers four separate tracks—two digital synth parts, analogue synth, and drums—allowing you to build rich-sounding loops for any genre. Real-time and step recording modes are provided, along with a special TR-REC mode for programming in the style of Roland’s classic TR-series beatboxes. The JD-Xi has a large selection of ready-to-play sounds and preset patterns, as well as a variety of built-in drum kits to suit any groove. (Additional sounds and patterns are available for download at Roland’s Axial sound library site). You can process sounds with four simultaneous effects sections (Effect 1/2, Delay, Reverb).