Juno Gi doesn't have 16 track MIDI sequencer

We figured they were mono from day 1 - simply because the first released specs did not say 'stereo'. By default you know what this means - pretty close to dis-information from Roland and shameful IMO.

Does it not also mean that you need 2 tracks to record 1 stereo track, which now means 2 audio samples needing to be catalogued and saved together and having different numbered names - hmmm - nightmare? What if I want to auto-pan a recording, I would need to record on 2 channels right?

I'm not sure I would classify this as "dis-information" or "shameful" because the audio recording section is configured in exactly the same way as Roland's other (Boss) digital multi-track recorders, of which I've owned several. The track configuration may be different than on the Fantom keyboards (I don't remember)...even though I once owned one, I never used the audio recording feature...just the multi-sampling.

Michael

If they were stereo you can bet your life it would have said stereo. But I am getting used to having to second guess everything Roland does, not my idea of 'co-operative' as they proudly boast.

I can't think why I would record anything in mono, even my guitar Line6 amp produces seperate L/R signal FX before it reaches a mixer. So this is a 4 track stereo recorder with twice the admin for the resulting sound files, just to acheive 8 controllors for your DAW - crazy thinking - getting used to this as well

Give me 16 controllors over a midi sequencer and we would be talking WOW.

In busy or dense song arrangements, it can make much more sense to record the guitar rhythm or lead parts in mono. Then you can apply a doubling effect for a bit of spaciousness. Works great and is especially handy when tracks are tight!

Michael

do you really need 16 midi tracks for a ordinary song ?

on the other hand when I first heard about Gi a thought it´s sequel to G. but after I saw official demo a started to doubt. 8 audio track should be enough but who knows when you´ll need additional sounds ( or for exa. drums separately) . but if tracks are really mono ( what I doubt about ) it´s poor.

but there is more interesting thing I´m unsettled about. only 2 MFX and only 3 insert effects ?

and audio tracks are always recorded mono. aren´t they ? however by strereo samples it should be loss.

maybe there is completetly different effect structure.

FYI,
The internal recorder will record in Stereo, provided you choose a pair of channels.
For ex: if you want to record the stereo line input, just choose Channels 1 and 2 (3-4, 5-6 or 7-8)

They consider them MONO because you can use them independently.

On the MFX side, yes, just 2 on the Synth, but don't forget about the Recorder section effects. they are derived from the Boss GT-10 (guitar) effects processor.

Its said it has a 8 track digital recorder and virtual tracks..(just like a real DAW)
does this mean it records directly to the card as appose to holding everything in RAM?
If so, it then it also streams music from the the card too.?
Now of course if this is the architecture, does this mean that when all 8 tracks are full can you bounce all 8 tracks down to a master stereo track ? and play it back along side the 8 tracks?
Hmmm...

Given the information in the manual I would say yes. You can copy the recordings of up to 8 tracks down onto one 'V-Track'. And in Normal mode you can select the 'V-Tracks' to play as tracks.

OB

Hi all.
The recorder is based on all of our BOSS recorders. So there are 8 tracks and you can record either a mono or stereo signal to each track. And yes, all the records direct to SD cards and streams off the card. Like a BOSS or VS recorder there are also Virtual Tracks, 64.

The Input Effects engine is essentially a GT10 architecture. So for guitar and bass players, there's BOSS quality multi effects to track with, as well as very good vocals multi effects.

There is a fully programmable drum machine, like what is inside a BOSS recorder. And you can import SMF patterns into it. Also, the arpeggiator is based on the Fantom allowing you to import your own custom arpeggiator phrases.

Most importantly, there is a the newest sound engine inside, so then sound quality is 21st Century quality.

First and foremost the Juno-Gi starts as an amazing keyboard. It's simple to use and the live sets are similar to the fantom model in that you easily layer sounds, arps, rhythms and sync it all to the recorder.

Another big feature is how easy it is to import or export your audio. You can record to an SD card and then transfer to your PC or now there is a USB audio interface on board. As a product specialist, the most questions I got about the previous Juno's where how to turn MIDI into audio and I think the Gi makes it totally simple.

The Sonar Production Pack is very powerful as it isn't the previous LE version but based on 8.5, so the capabilities of the software bundle surpass what could be done with an on board MIDI recorder.

I am missing a lot other features (runs on batteries, has our USB Song Player, 128 voice polyphony), but it offers a lot for a keyboard that sells for under a grand in the US. I think we've made the kind of instrument really makes song writing, or computer music making, or live playing much easier.

OK, that's sort of a sales pitch, but I hope it answers some questions.

PS: Writing the on an iPad so please excuse any misspellings or terseness.

PSS: Please follow me on Twitter @DanFromRoland

Also, yes you can bounce down all eight tracks to a stereo track. And the Gi has the Mastering
Tool Kit from the BOSS and VS recorders. So you have multi band compressor, EQ, limiter, Enhancer, and more just for mix down.

Here is more info on Sonar Production Pack:

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/PPP/default.asp

Key Features

Powered by SONAR 8.5
32 audio tracks
64 MIDI tracks
8 simultaneous inputs and outputs
24-bit/96 kHz audio quality
24 simultaneous effects
8 simultaneous virtual instruments
Includes 2 virtual instruments
Includes over 10 audio effects
Integrated VST/VSTi support
Support for ACID™-format loops
Support for ReWire clients such as Live, Reason, and more
Active Controller Technology™ automatically maps MIDI keyboards and control surfaces to the parameters you need most on effects, instruments, volume, pan, and other mix elements
Easier integration of virtual instruments with Synth Rack
Support for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Windows Vista as well as 32-bit Windows XP operating systems

Dan, Gi's specs sound really nice to me. I've always loved BOSS effect chains, they are amazing, and having them in the Gi will be fantastic. I also like direct SD card recording/playback, a good step forward indeed.

BTW one thing, the manual says that stereo tracks occupy two mono tracks, at least I think I read that you need to activate two if you want to record in stereo. Could you please clarify?

Dan, is Gi 16-multitimbral (I mean connecting to external sequencer) ?

Hi all.

Firstly, NEVER posts to a forum from a iPad (Or rather practice before you do.)

What I meant to say about the audio tracks is they work just like any BOSS BR Recorder. You have eight MONO audio tracks and if you wish to record stereo, then you can LINK two tracks together. This is how all BOSS recorders work. So hope that clarifies the track count. But again, track count is FLUID because you can bounce tracks to other virtual tracks, like in a BOSS or VS recorder.

Yes, there is a sixteen track multi-timbral engine in the Juno-Gi. Though I haven't gotten to the stage of using the the Gi this way with a PC yet.

Dan Krisher
Twitter: @DanFromRoland

Dan,

Thanks for helping us with our questions. I think it will go a long way to help everyone understand the feature set. The manual is helpful but it doesn't cover everything.

Can you let us know when the Juno GI will be available? I've got mine on pre-order now. How long am i going to have to wait?

OB