Not sure the exact reason, but listening to your music always puts me in a good mood, Woody. I mostly just watch your gear reviews and tips n tricks videos, and it’s different from the styles I’d usually listen to, but your specific sense of melody and rhythm is just real comforting somehow. Please never stop making music. 😊
Re-listening to this over and over, please make an extended version of that first track on here, its sublime!, headphones on, running it through a graphic equaliser, it sounds incredible, and I am lost in those layered synths and melodies, when it stops, I so much want it to kick back in and build up so beautifully over, and over again, thanks again, really great, very surprised not more view for this....
I love my JD-Xi, but my younger son is very active as a musician/composer so I had no problem letting him take it over - it is used so much more than me fiddling around a few times a month! Such great sounds, glad the video is revisited!
@@WoodyPianoShack Well to be fair my younger son is 23 ... but he has traveled across multiple states and played on stage with it a bunch, so not sure (still think the keys feel flimsy myself as well)
Wow! The ambient track was one of the most beautiful synth songs I’ve heard. My body just relaxed. I actually just ordered a new JDXi (in late 2022), I’ll hope I’ll be satisfied. I’m new to synths and I hope this gives me a lot of fun and sparks creativity as my first synth ever. It seems like it will do. Also if the keys feels to bad quality you can always hook up a midi keyboard with better keys to the JDXi.
It's great for inspiration! If you go to my page and listen to the Bliss Kiss album it's 90% JD-XI for synths and most of the songs were written on the JD-XI. I think you'll love it and there's an editor for the computer so you can tweak and make patches.
Thinking about it, I think it was your JD-Xi videos that first "alerted" me to your channel, and were why I subscribed. I'm glad you are doing this retrospective! Thanks.
Can’t imagine selling my JD-Xi, even contemplate a second for more tracks. Finding Roland’s Zenbeats Max FUN, especially on iPad slipped into a Focusrite iTrack Dock. Now if Roland would just release a purpose built Hardware MIDI unit for Zenbeats thats sub $200 I’d be thrilled. Definitely prefer using on iPad over Computer. Now a Combo iPad Dock complete with Audio Interface AND knobs, Faders, TR-REC buttons for sequencer etc for Zenbeats would be WONDERFUL…..till Apple change connector AGAIN! :) One these days I’ll print out the Overlays for the JD-Xi in Black. $50 on Ebay for the “real” ones seems a bit much since the JD-Xi’s sell for sub $300 usually on eBay
You can create longer sequences by adding programs to favourites and then switching between them in real time.. you can save 256 favourites (16 banks 16 programs each) 🙂
I just ordered a Verselab MV1. I figure with an external controller it should be able to do most of what the JDXi does and also record complete songs with vocals. Doesn't have an the knobs unfortunately, but i don't want to get too caught up on tweaking anyhow
I have one of these sitting in my storage closet, probably used 10 minutes - this gives me some inspiration to dig it out and play with it. I'll have to run through your videos on this and see where it leads.....nice video on this little synth, nice compositions - and of course - HAPPY NEW YEAR :)
Wish I'd got one of these instead of the JD-XA... as much as I love the JD-XA, it needed the additional purchase of the System 8 to complement it. Love the video, thanks for sharing this with us.
Roland will still send you the black and white overlay that is easier to read for free if you ask. I figured I'd grab one while I could even though the red text is ok for me at the moment. I plan on keeping my JDXI for a long time. Thanks for the inspiration!
this is beast; I even built in the xiaomi powerbank with DCDC module to provide power; not had much time to play, but will probably return to more fun, in this damaged world;
Hi Woody, gott nytt år. Great to see you back making tracks after resettling in Southern Sweden! Great tracks very 80's lush sounding. Ever thought of doing more ambient versions of these tracks? I could loop this video for hours.
How about pairing the JD-Xi with an FA-06? You could use the FA's larger keys, MIDI'd into the Xi, assign the Xi tracks to play the FA sounds, play with the Xi pattern sequencer, and capture the MIDI in the FA's linear song sequencer, augmented by the FA's sample buttons. And they'd both have the unreadable panels. 😂
Happy newyear! It’s a great sounding synth, I figured there was something wrong with the readability of the labels on the control panel. I noticed it has the full DIN midi trio of ports, not many contemporary synths seem to have that anymore. Bought myself a Volca FM for Christmas, but it requires modding to get midi out.
I agree. I had a pair of JD-Xi, so I could switch between more tracks and song sections, used a KMI SoftStep2 to control them. When one was playing I'd queue the second, then transition; rinse and repeat. Great for the price, small, portable, light. Worked great, 2 digital parts, 1 analog or vocoder, 1 drum. Sold one, and kept one. Currently enjoying my 4-manual Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ rig. :) Just downloaded a free pipe organ sample set from a cathedral in Rotterdam, and a free Wurlitzer theatre organ sample set. Whole other world, beyond my Vox Continental and Hammonds. "To my eyes and ears the organ will ever be the king of instruments." - W. A. Mozart. I concur.
Some very nice tunes there Woody, awesome stuff! I honestly think you should do more synth reviews like all the usual suspect youtubers, but what I think you would bring to the table over the others' is that you could play nicer/better sounding tunes on the synths. Yeah they can tell us all the tech stuff with oscilators etc. but you make them sound nicer! e.g. I'd love to hear what you do with the Nymphes as I'm on the fence on that at the moment... actually please demo the Cobalt 8M too! If it sounds good in the reviews I'll want to buy them! I mean it's obviously very subjective but I do like your sounds. Also I have a JD-Xi and interestingly I hate the sequencer (too limited to bother with imho), I'm fine with the built quality (hasn't broken yet and I'm usually very easy going on my gear) but I agree with you on the analogue part. I wish you could easily adjust the volume separately on each channel though. So I'd love a jupiter xm instead but massive price difference means probably won't happen.
Really, really great! What a brilliant clean, positive, 80s throwback sound, thanks a lot. (Going to get this synth, as my first every synth, I am sure I am, at some point.)
I've had mine by my side and use weekly since I got it in 2018. One of the keys doesn't work 100% of the time but I've bonded with it and don't plan on selling it ever.
hi, i don't recall, I just grabbed the most popular vizualizer from the window app store, check there, you'll find it (I'm on another PC for a few days).
yeah, it's a very cool box, i loaned the 101 and 707, there are some vids on the channel, but I made better tracks with the Xi, at the end of the day....
Woody, would you still recommend the JXDI as a starter synth to play with sequencing, drums, analog, digital sounds, or what would be your choice these days (also more expensive)?
Woody Happy New Year really like the way back video as I may have missed this synth. I want to go off topic but being this is your most recent video I wanted to start here. I have been engrossed in the Roland Jupiter-X and -Xm synths lately and wanted to get your opinion. I can see an X locally nut not the -Xm and wanted to ask you this. Would you go for the -X or the -Xm with a controller keyboard to save $500 or more $$$. I have seen some videos of the -Xm with the Arturia KeyStep Pro which looks like it could be much fun, But on the other hand the X may be the better option. Darn they make it so hard when you have more wants than money. Any advice you can share would be greatly appreciated.
hi tony, both are complete monster synths, i think it comes down to budget and your space. the x has better control panel too, not just better keyboard, it's an incredible thing to behold, harks back to their legendary synths. me, i'd probably get the fantom, they both make the same sounds, but fantom more versatile features, perhaps? :)
@@WoodyPianoShack You give me good feedback but now add yo the list of synths to buy. Will have to look at fanthom now as well. let's get those $$$$ ready. Thank you for your observations.😁
@@WoodyPianoShack One more question now that you add the phantom, do they share the same sounds? Same keyboard hardware. Now I need to sell my car to buy more keyboards lol.
These tracks feel like they would fit in on a channel like the “night ride FM” livestreams. Also, maybe for a follow up you could pick up a Digitone Keys some time for a comparison (ignoring that the DN Keys is about twice as expensive)
Woody, how do you get past the menu diving? Tjats the tjing tjats really turning me off on mine. I want to get a midi xontroller for it but I cant find good info and I cant program worth shit. Any tips?
i thought this synth was quite efficient to make music - without menu diving, all the controls there on the front panel for the basic stuff that I need.
WOODY, how come you never reviewed and owned the System-8? I would think you'd have loved that synth for all its ACB recreations and flexibility. Has a great sequencer on it too.
hi dan, for me I was more attracted to the fa & xi, due to the poly, multi-tracks, drums, sequencer, making it a one-board groovebox. the S8 always seemed more limited, but no denying the fantastic sounds, and UI, it's a synthesists dream for sure! thx for the question.
Hi Woody, Have you tried if the interactive chord can be controlled from another keyboard with standard size keys? I've been trying to make this work but haven't been successful so far. Jodi
@@WoodyPianoShack Thank you for the reply. I need to get used with the small keys then when playing some commercial songs live. But I will keep searching for hacks (whether hardware or software hacks) to make this work.
Sounds great but i couldn't get used to those mini keys, would need to use this via midi but I think it is good value for money. So probably would be worth it even if i had to do that but bought enough recently so maybe later on :)
@@WoodyPianoShack the chord span is not the same it would be too much adjusting for me anyway. OK for single melody notes. Never had a 25 key I wouldn't particularly like those either. I am fussy it seems doesn't it 😂
yeah, maybe mc101 and midi keyboard connected is the closest thing, I did not bond with the OS & workflow though, but as a zencore sound module it it fabulous.
I hate mini keys! I have never come across an instrument that has them that is really playable for me, they are great for younger kids that are learning to play but as I did with my son I got him playing something that had larger keys so the transition from medium sized keys to full size piano keys would not be so steep
hi andrew, for simple melodies and chords like I'm playing here, I don't have an issue. It's the longevity of the key machanism and hinges that was of main concern to me, I advise you not to visit the facebook group if any of you own one, it will make you nervous... :)
Yeah. If there hadn’t been so much competition in the synth world at the time I could have gone for the JD-Xa, which seem a bit more capable and sized properly. But space and money make decisions for people sometimes and a toyish-seeming synth is better than no synth.
Love my Jd-xi. Will never get rid of it. Yes the analogue section is a gimic. I have a Behringer Wasp Deluxe and Donner B1 for bass so no problem.
Not sure the exact reason, but listening to your music always puts me in a good mood, Woody. I mostly just watch your gear reviews and tips n tricks videos, and it’s different from the styles I’d usually listen to, but your specific sense of melody and rhythm is just real comforting somehow.
Please never stop making music. 😊
hi erik, that made my day, thanks and have a good one!
The JDXi is truly superb! You’ve made some fantastic music with it! Great stuff Woody 😊
much appreciated, keep up the amazing work yourself! ;D
Re-listening to this over and over, please make an extended version of that first track on here, its sublime!, headphones on, running it through a graphic equaliser, it sounds incredible, and I am lost in those layered synths and melodies, when it stops, I so much want it to kick back in and build up so beautifully over, and over again, thanks again, really great, very surprised not more view for this....
What a great sounding little box that one!
Cool hearing these tracks again, can't believe it's been 6 years, jeez!
scary in't it!
I love my JD-Xi, but my younger son is very active as a musician/composer so I had no problem letting him take it over - it is used so much more than me fiddling around a few times a month! Such great sounds, glad the video is revisited!
if it stands up to the treatment of a younger son, then maybe i need to cut roland a bit of slack on the keys!
@@WoodyPianoShack Well to be fair my younger son is 23 ... but he has traveled across multiple states and played on stage with it a bunch, so not sure (still think the keys feel flimsy myself as well)
Lovely patches on these tunes, nice job!
Happy new year! Nice to hear these tracks again. The JD-XI sounds great.
glad you appreciated it, hny!
Wow! The ambient track was one of the most beautiful synth songs I’ve heard. My body just relaxed.
I actually just ordered a new JDXi (in late 2022), I’ll hope I’ll be satisfied. I’m new to synths and I hope this gives me a lot of fun and sparks creativity as my first synth ever. It seems like it will do.
Also if the keys feels to bad quality you can always hook up a midi keyboard with better keys to the JDXi.
It's great for inspiration! If you go to my page and listen to the Bliss Kiss album it's 90% JD-XI for synths and most of the songs were written on the JD-XI. I think you'll love it and there's an editor for the computer so you can tweak and make patches.
Awesome Woody! The JD-Xi is just an amazing little synth. It delivers so big sounds 🙂
Thinking about it, I think it was your JD-Xi videos that first "alerted" me to your channel, and were why I subscribed. I'm glad you are doing this retrospective! Thanks.
u're welcome jon, yeah those xi vids got a ton of views, still popular today, which makes me cringe.
Can’t imagine selling my JD-Xi, even contemplate a second for more tracks. Finding Roland’s Zenbeats Max FUN, especially on iPad slipped into a Focusrite iTrack Dock. Now if Roland would just release a purpose built Hardware MIDI unit for Zenbeats thats sub $200 I’d be thrilled. Definitely prefer using on iPad over Computer. Now a Combo iPad Dock complete with Audio Interface AND knobs, Faders, TR-REC buttons for sequencer etc for Zenbeats would be WONDERFUL…..till Apple change connector AGAIN! :)
One these days I’ll print out the Overlays for the JD-Xi in Black. $50 on Ebay for the “real” ones seems a bit much since the JD-Xi’s sell for sub $300 usually on eBay
You can create longer sequences by adding programs to favourites and then switching between them in real time.. you can save 256 favourites (16 banks 16 programs each) 🙂
I just ordered a Verselab MV1. I figure with an external controller it should be able to do most of what the JDXi does and also record complete songs with vocals. Doesn't have an the knobs unfortunately, but i don't want to get too caught up on tweaking anyhow
I have a white boxed one. I love playing it
that must look cool!
I have one of these sitting in my storage closet, probably used 10 minutes - this gives me some inspiration to dig it out and play with it. I'll have to run through your videos on this and see where it leads.....nice video on this little synth, nice compositions - and of course - HAPPY NEW YEAR :)
hny jocko, yeah. it deserves more than 10 minutes of play time!
The analog part sounds terrible.
@@doordedeur Did you get the editor that someone made? You can deep dive on all the synths and drums from your computer.
Thanks for the re-uploads. Much appreciated, enjoyed it very much.
Amazing stuff. Just getting to know this synth. This is inspiring.
FYI, these are out there now in excellent used condition for around US $350-$450. That's a great price point for this excellent little synth!
Enjoyed that Woody - miss your keyboard videos!
aah, those were the days eh! :D
I too miss the keyboard video's but watch them including the Banjo and guitar ones too. Oh and not to forget the travel vlogs as well.
Wish I'd got one of these instead of the JD-XA... as much as I love the JD-XA, it needed the additional purchase of the System 8 to complement it. Love the video, thanks for sharing this with us.
Roland will still send you the black and white overlay that is easier to read for free if you ask. I figured I'd grab one while I could even though the red text is ok for me at the moment. I plan on keeping my JDXI for a long time. Thanks for the inspiration!
hi doug, yeah, for a while that was a free upgrade, very nice of them, not sure if that offer still applies, but always worth asking.
Seems like they dont anymore. I cant get anoyone to reply or send one to Sweden
this is beast; I even built in the xiaomi powerbank with DCDC module to provide power; not had much time to play, but will probably return to more fun, in this damaged world;
Happy new year,woody! Great video to start off 2022!
same to you friend!
Hi Woody, gott nytt år. Great to see you back making tracks after resettling in Southern Sweden! Great tracks very 80's lush sounding. Ever thought of doing more ambient versions of these tracks? I could loop this video for hours.
detsamma, really glad you liked the tracks, I never really thought of doing any more with them tbh but I'll keep in mind.
Always a pleasure to 👂 and 👁 your videos my friend. Happy new year 🍷 from Quebec city !
hny to you rick!
Happy New Gear! 🎸🎹
right back...!
Cool new graphics.
How about pairing the JD-Xi with an FA-06? You could use the FA's larger keys, MIDI'd into the Xi, assign the Xi tracks to play the FA sounds, play with the Xi pattern sequencer, and capture the MIDI in the FA's linear song sequencer, augmented by the FA's sample buttons. And they'd both have the unreadable panels. 😂
Happy newyear! It’s a great sounding synth, I figured there was something wrong with the readability of the labels on the control panel. I noticed it has the full DIN midi trio of ports, not many contemporary synths seem to have that anymore. Bought myself a Volca FM for Christmas, but it requires modding to get midi out.
hny dyko, congrats on the voica!
I still have mine, probably the best budget synth ever made....But Woody i thought the JD-XA was the finished article in the JD-X series?
hi steven, no not at all, the XA lacks most of the best features that the Xi offers.
I agree. I had a pair of JD-Xi, so I could switch between more tracks and song sections, used a KMI SoftStep2 to control them. When one was playing I'd queue the second, then transition; rinse and repeat. Great for the price, small, portable, light. Worked great, 2 digital parts, 1 analog or vocoder, 1 drum. Sold one, and kept one.
Currently enjoying my 4-manual Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ rig. :) Just downloaded a free pipe organ sample set from a cathedral in Rotterdam, and a free Wurlitzer theatre organ sample set. Whole other world, beyond my Vox Continental and Hammonds.
"To my eyes and ears the organ will ever be the king of instruments." - W. A. Mozart. I concur.
wow, yeah I bet a pair of those would be killer. i should have paired mine up with the electribe.
Some very nice tunes there Woody, awesome stuff!
I honestly think you should do more synth reviews like all the usual suspect youtubers, but what I think you would bring to the table over the others' is that you could play nicer/better sounding tunes on the synths. Yeah they can tell us all the tech stuff with oscilators etc. but you make them sound nicer! e.g. I'd love to hear what you do with the Nymphes as I'm on the fence on that at the moment... actually please demo the Cobalt 8M too! If it sounds good in the reviews I'll want to buy them! I mean it's obviously very subjective but I do like your sounds.
Also I have a JD-Xi and interestingly I hate the sequencer (too limited to bother with imho), I'm fine with the built quality (hasn't broken yet and I'm usually very easy going on my gear) but I agree with you on the analogue part. I wish you could easily adjust the volume separately on each channel though. So I'd love a jupiter xm instead but massive price difference means probably won't happen.
thanks for sharing your thoughts on the xi, and also your kind words mean a lot, cheers!
Really, really great! What a brilliant clean, positive, 80s throwback sound, thanks a lot. (Going to get this synth, as my first every synth, I am sure I am, at some point.)
I've had mine by my side and use weekly since I got it in 2018. One of the keys doesn't work 100% of the time but I've bonded with it and don't plan on selling it ever.
ah those keys are the Achilles heel I guess. yeah, hang on to your soul mate!
What app created the cool visualizers? ♥️💯🎯🔥🚀
hi, i don't recall, I just grabbed the most popular vizualizer from the window app store, check there, you'll find it (I'm on another PC for a few days).
If u love that mc101 will rock you. Most immediate fun thing I’ve used in a while paired with midi keyboard
yeah, it's a very cool box, i loaned the 101 and 707, there are some vids on the channel, but I made better tracks with the Xi, at the end of the day....
Thank You good Man
Woody, would you still recommend the JXDI as a starter synth to play with sequencing, drums, analog, digital sounds, or what would be your choice these days (also more expensive)?
absolutely! the only drawback is the mini-keys and less than premium build quailty but it's probably fine!
@@WoodyPianoShackhi. when getting a first synth jdxi or microkorg? thanks
Funky biscuit! Sounds like something small and round and available at early 90s house parties!
could be yes, maybe name comes from the story a RN sailor once told me about a game they played with a biscuit, it mentally scarred me for life.
@@WoodyPianoShack yuk! that would be the 'soggy... ', and the 90s thing was the old 'disco...'!
Unboxing a "Roland JD-Xj Mark II" awatening on your chanel in a short future, Woody !
do you know something I don't? we can hope.
so nice!
I got one of these partly bc of your vids and liked it so much i got my friend one.
how awesome is that!?
Woody Happy New Year really like the way back video as I may have missed this synth. I want to go off topic but being this is your most recent video I wanted to start here. I have been engrossed in the Roland Jupiter-X and -Xm synths lately and wanted to get your opinion. I can see an X locally nut not the -Xm and wanted to ask you this. Would you go for the -X or the -Xm with a controller keyboard to save $500 or more $$$. I have seen some videos of the -Xm with the Arturia KeyStep Pro which looks like it could be much fun, But on the other hand the X may be the better option. Darn they make it so hard when you have more wants than money. Any advice you can share would be greatly appreciated.
hi tony, both are complete monster synths, i think it comes down to budget and your space. the x has better control panel too, not just better keyboard, it's an incredible thing to behold, harks back to their legendary synths. me, i'd probably get the fantom, they both make the same sounds, but fantom more versatile features, perhaps? :)
@@WoodyPianoShack You give me good feedback but now add yo the list of synths to buy. Will have to look at fanthom now as well. let's get those $$$$ ready. Thank you for your observations.😁
@@WoodyPianoShack One more question now that you add the phantom, do they share the same sounds? Same keyboard hardware. Now I need to sell my car to buy more keyboards lol.
a superb synthesizer
Great synth, for sure!
These tracks feel like they would fit in on a channel like the “night ride FM” livestreams.
Also, maybe for a follow up you could pick up a Digitone Keys some time for a comparison (ignoring that the DN Keys is about twice as expensive)
hi robo, yeah, i've always been curious about the elektrons...
Love your channel. Isn't the JD-XA the pro version of the JDXi?
Woody, how do you get past the menu diving? Tjats the tjing tjats really turning me off on mine. I want to get a midi xontroller for it but I cant find good info and I cant program worth shit. Any tips?
i thought this synth was quite efficient to make music - without menu diving, all the controls there on the front panel for the basic stuff that I need.
WOODY, how come you never reviewed and owned the System-8? I would think you'd have loved that synth for all its ACB recreations and flexibility. Has a great sequencer on it too.
hi dan, for me I was more attracted to the fa & xi, due to the poly, multi-tracks, drums, sequencer, making it a one-board groovebox. the S8 always seemed more limited, but no denying the fantastic sounds, and UI, it's a synthesists dream for sure! thx for the question.
Hi Woody, Have you tried if the interactive chord can be controlled from another keyboard with standard size keys?
I've been trying to make this work but haven't been successful so far.
Jodi
never tried it, no comment, sorry!
@@WoodyPianoShack
Thank you for the reply.
I need to get used with the small keys then when playing some commercial songs live.
But I will keep searching for hacks (whether hardware or software hacks) to make this work.
8:57 that's probably the D-50 😶
plenty of D50 patches used in these demos!
I have aJDXi - superb future cult classic synth
damn right, if it survives that long! :p ;)
@@WoodyPianoShack well plastic tr606 and tb303's are still around so it should be fine for 40 years!
Such great sound from that keyboard. Why did Roland make it look like a Nintendo toy?
Sounds great but i couldn't get used to those mini keys, would need to use this via midi but I think it is good value for money. So probably would be worth it even if i had to do that but bought enough recently so maybe later on :)
for the same form factor, i'd take 37 mini keys over 25 full size any day of the week!
@@WoodyPianoShack the chord span is not the same it would be too much adjusting for me anyway. OK for single melody notes. Never had a 25 key I wouldn't particularly like those either. I am fussy it seems doesn't it 😂
Parece de juguete, 🙄increíble que se pueda hacer esos sonidos😳
What daw are you using
probably reaper.
Looking forward to Funky Biscuit by the ocean.
strangely, this little synth doesn't run on batteries!
Jdxi pro would be amazing
Mc101 is comparable w more sounds but minikeys on board make for great fun
yeah, maybe mc101 and midi keyboard connected is the closest thing, I did not bond with the OS & workflow though, but as a zencore sound module it it fabulous.
🐐
The analog part should have been exchanged for another digital part.
yeah, but at the time analog was all the rage on cheap korgs and other synths, roland just jumping on the trend
A vaporwave journey, indeed!
I hate mini keys! I have never come across an instrument that has them that is really playable for me, they are great for younger kids that are learning to play but as I did with my son I got him playing something that had larger keys so the transition from medium sized keys to full size piano keys would not be so steep
hi andrew, for simple melodies and chords like I'm playing here, I don't have an issue. It's the longevity of the key machanism and hinges that was of main concern to me, I advise you not to visit the facebook group if any of you own one, it will make you nervous... :)
That synth looks like a toy.
Yeah. If there hadn’t been so much competition in the synth world at the time I could have gone for the JD-Xa, which seem a bit more capable and sized properly. But space and money make decisions for people sometimes and a toyish-seeming synth is better than no synth.
yeah, it's got a bit of that toy look, call it friendly and approachable instead!