Roland Connect 2012 is live. We’ve launched 11 brand new products that will help you make better music, all arriving in the UK between now and Christmas. With headline releases in production, guitar, amplification, and even a super-cool app for learning the piano, there’s plenty to get stuck into.
INTEGRA-7 SuperNATURAL Sound Module
With the development of SuperNATURAL sound and Behaviour Modelling technology, Roland has blurred the boundary between acoustic and electronic instruments. Built upon these core technologies, the new INTEGRA-7 sound module gives musicians a gold mine of the latest SuperNATURAL sounds in a fast-access, fully-stocked 16-part module. The powerhouse rack comprises a “greatest hits” collection of sounds from Roland’s flagship keyboards and V-Drums modules, plus all 12 boards in the acclaimed SRX library. Then there’s a new technology called Motional Surround, a 17-part ambience engine that lets you graphically control the distance and position of each part within a 360-degree sound field. With the immense power of the INTEGRA-7, you can create amazingly realistic and detailed orchestral arrangements, as well as immersive, spatial sounds, and beyond.
Features
- Flagship synth module with over 6,000 sounds built in
- The latest SuperNATURAL sounds with enhanced Behaviour Modelling technology for expressive acoustic instruments and accurate reproduction of performance articulations
- Powerful SuperNATURAL synth engine with fat analogue synth models and vintage filter types
- Dynamic SuperNATURAL drum engine with natural tonal change, derived from Roland V-Drums
- For producers, the “must-have” SRX Expansion sound library is built in; all 12 SRX titles included
- Dedicated multi-effects and EQ for each part (16 parts), plus dedicated COMP+EQ (use six simultaneously) for drums and ambience parameters for SuperNATURAL drum kits
- Innovative 17-part Motional Surround ambience engine for stereo, headphone, and 5.1-channel output
- INTEGRA-7 Editor for iPad and Motional Surround VSTi Editor for SONAR software
MOBILE AC Acoustic Chorus Amp
Designed for acoustic guitar and built to travel, the MOBILE AC delivers big sound in a package that can easily fit into a backpack. Simply plug in your acoustic guitar, turn up the volume, and enjoy clean, clear, and surprisingly powerful stereo sound, through two 4inch speakers delivering a total of 5 watts of power. You can use the Mobile AC amplifier for up to 15 hours at a time via battery power, so you can take it anywhere.
With the MOBILE AC you can also add deep stereo chorus or lush reverb effects, and by attaching an MP3 player and microphone, you’ll be able to sing along with your backing tracks. It’s also a handy personal monitor for use on stage, with a big sound belying its small size.
Features
- 5 W (2.5 W + 2.5 W) stereo amplifier
- Simple, intuitive controls
- 15 hours with six AA batteries
- Chorus, Reverb, and Wide effects to add depth to your sound
- Mic input for sing and play, and for playing together with a singer
- Audio inputs for playing along to iPods and iPhones
MOBILE BA Battery Powered Stereo Amplifier
Weighing under six pounds (2.5 kg) and delivering high-quality stereo sound with flexible connection options, the MOBILE BA is the perfect solution for schools, offices, small outdoor events, or any environment where fast, simple, and solid amplification is needed. No external power sources, speakers, or mixers are required — simply connect your music player, microphone, and/or instrument to the MOBILE BA, set the volume, and broadcast your sound with clarity and power. Small and light enough for a child to carry, the MOBILE BA goes wherever you want go!
Features
- Five-watt (2.5 W+2.5 W) stereo amplifier
- Weighs under six lbs (2.5 kg); small and light enough for a child to carry
- Three-channel built-in mixer with flexible inputs: MIC, LINE, and PC/AUDIO
- Anti-Feedback function built in
- Reverb/Echo effects for vocals, and Centre Cancel function for “minus one” vocal practice and karaoke fun
- Can be mounted on an optional microphone stand for elevated placement
DUO-CAPTURE EX USB Audio Interface
The DUO-CAPTURE EX USB Audio Interface is the latest member of Roland’s CAPTURE family of products for computer-based recording. Equipped with pro-quality VS Preamps, flexible mobile power options, iPad compatibility, and a compact, rugged design, the DUO-CAPTURE EX brings an all-new level of performance in an affordable portable audio interface.
The DUO-CAPTURE EX is a two-in/two-out USB audio/MIDI interface housed in a road-tough and lightweight aluminum chassis. Small and durable, it works great for any application, from home studios to portable laptop or iPad recording setups. For the ultimate in mobile convenience, the DUO-CAPTURE EX can be powered either through a computer’s USB bus, with three AA batteries, or an optional AC adaptor.
Two VS Preamps onboard deliver unmatched performance in this price class. Made with the same premium components as the preamps found in Roland’s OCTA-CAPTURE and QUAD-CAPTURE interfaces and M-400 commercial digital mixer, these high-grade mic preamps offer super-clean, transparent sound rivaling devices costing much more.
Features
- Two VS PREAMPs with phantom power for connecting condenser mics and Hi-Z
- input for electric guitars
- MIDI input and output for interfacing with MIDI keyboards, V-Drums, and
- other electronic musical instruments
- Runs on USB bus power, two AA batteries, and AC power (sold separately)
- Able to use batteries together with USB bus power for iPads and other
- computers with insufficient USB power supply
- Sturdy aluminum body
- Bundled with Sonar X1 LE
* Batteries or AC power is necessary for using the DUO-CAPTURE EX with iPad.
A-49 and A-88 MIDI Keyboard Controller
The new A-88 and A-49 MIDI Keyboard Controllers – two all-new controllers that combine pro playability with mobile convenience. The piano-action A-88 and synth-action A-49 feature high-quality keyboards along with a slim, light design that’s ideal for today’s on-the-go musicians. They also offer USB, MIDI, and Apple iPad compatibility, as well as onboard control of Roland’s SuperNATURAL-powered synths such as the INTEGRA-7, JUPITER-80, and JUPITER-50.
Born for mobile use, the A-49 features road-tough construction yet is extremely lightweight (under six pounds). The 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys have a rounded shape for a comfortable touch, along with many enhancements to reduce noise and increase playability. All these features add up to a premium keyboard that even the most discerning pros will appreciate. The A-49 also comes with the option of a black or white finish.
The A-88 features 88 full-size weighted keys and Roland’s acclaimed Ivory Feel-G Keyboard with Escapement. This is the same Progressive Hammer Action keyboard found in many Roland stage and home pianos, and allows users to play software-based pianos, soft-synths, and sound modules with an authentic grand piano touch. In addition, the white keys are built with a moisture-absorbing material that replicates the feel of real ivory. Even with its premium hammer-action keyboard, the A-88 is light, portable, and easy for gigging musicians to transport.
Both the A-88 and A-49 include many performance features, including a pitch bend/mod lever, D-BEAM controller, user-assignable knobs and switches, and OCTAVE and TRANSPOSE buttons. The A-88 also has DUAL/SPLIT, UPPER, and LOWER buttons for splitting and layering tones on its full-size keyboard.
Piano Partner iPad App
Piano Partner is an iPad app that provides a fresh, interactive way to learn and play a piano. It contains three applications: Flash Card, Content Browser, and DigiScore Lite, that will inspire and help you learn about music and playing the piano. You can connect your iPad and piano wirelessly with Roland’s WNA1100-RL Wireless USB Adaptor (sold separately).
* Piano Partner supports Roland’s LX-15, HP507/505/503, and DP90S/90.
Flash Card
A fun way to develop your listening and reading skills
Flash Card is an interactive music game for developing your listening and reading skills. The player is challenged to play the note shown on the “virtual” flash card or heard aurally. In each session, the player is awarded after five challenges. Three levels of difficulty are available, so players of all skill levels can enjoy.
Content Browser
Easy access to a variety of onboard songs and tones
The LX-15, HP500-series, and DP-series pianos offer a variety of onboard content, including more than 200 songs and over 300 tones. Content Browser lets you access the built-in songs and tones of the connected piano instantly by category names on the iPad’s display. You can also enjoy remote playback control of songs, including part mute or metronome on/off, from the iPad — very convenient for daily practicing or lessons.
* Content Browser and Digiscore Lite are only available for the built-in songs. You can’t use your original piano recordings nor other SMF files.
DigiScore Lite
See the onboard songs displayed as digital notation
DigiScore Lite displays digital sheet music of the onboard songs on the iPad’s screen. Notation pages are turned automatically according to the playback tempo. You can practice each hand individually along with the song by muting left-hand or right-hand part, or with a slower tempo, while displaying the notation. DigiScore Lite assists your daily practicing with a wide variety of built-in songs, from piano etudes to piano masterpieces.
* DigiScore Lite is only compatible with the LX-15 and HP507.
SONAR X2 Music Production Software
From getting a great tone to releasing the final mix, today’s musicians must master every element of the music production process. SONAR X2 is there every step of the way and takes each element to the next level of power and usability. And thanks to the revolutionary Skylight user interface, SONAR X2 lets you move seamlessly among the elements, instantly going from recording to editing to mixing and back again. Dial up the perfect synth sound with Rapture or a searing guitar tone with TH2 Producer. Record it, tighten it, chop it, and drop it in the Matrix for real-time triggering. Shape it with the expandable ProChannel. Warm it with the new Console Emulator. And do it all with a single Smart Tool. It’s genius.
SONAR X2 Essential
- 64 audio & unlimited MIDI tracks
- Enhanced award winning Skylight interface
- Matrix performance view
- Integrated per track arpeggiator
- Seamless usability & workflow
- 10 Virtual instruments including Studio Instruments
- TH2 SONAR Guitar Processor
- FX Chains 2.0
- Automation & Take Lanes
- Flexible export and Delivery options including MusicXML and SoundCloud
- Pristine 64-bit/384KHz audio engine
- Native 32/64-bit application
SONAR X2 Studio
- Unlimited audio & MIDI tracks
- Enhanced award winning Skylight interface
- Seamless usability & workflow
- 17 Virtual instruments including Z3TA+ Classic
SONAR X2 Production
- Unlimited audio & MIDI tracks
- Enhanced award winning Skylight interface
- Seamless usability & workflow
- R-MIX SONAR
- Modular ProChannel
- BREVERB SONAR and BREVERB SONAR ProChannel module
- ProChannel Console Emulation Module
- QuadCurve & Softube Saturation Knob ProChannel Modules
- FX Chains 2.0 plus FX Chains ProChannel Modules
- 21 Virtual instruments including Rapture subtractive synthesizer
From music school to home, from recording studio to backstage dressing room, the pocket-sized VT-12 is your ultimate traveling vocal coach. With a variety of built-in exercises and warm-ups for improving your vocal skills, the VT-12 provides real-time analysis of your pitch while you sing so you can visualise your progress. The illuminated pitch meter displays your pitch, and can even detect two singers simultaneously for two-part harmony training in equal temperament and just intonation. The VT-12 also has onboard vocal guides and backing tracks based on the bundled book from Berklee Press (the publishing division of the world-famous Berklee College of Music), plus 50 etudes from the world-standard Concone classical vocal lessons.
Features
- Visually check your pitch in half-step increments with the illuminated pitch meter
- Detects two singers simultaneously for two-part harmony training in equal temperament and just intonation
- Onboard audio exercises with guide vocals and backing tracks, plus a companion book from Berklee Press; for warm-ups and basic-level exercises, the pitch meter displays your pitch against the internal guide vocal for comparison
- World-standard Concone Op. 9 Fifty Lessons classical voice exercises with piano accompaniment and melody guide tracks; the VT-12 displays the pitch of the guide melody and your pitch simultaneously
- Review function for instant playback to hear your performance
- REC IN jack (stereo mini) for recording songs and other lesson content
- Attachable template for teaching and practicing in the Solfége format with moveable “Do”
- Metronome with tap tempo
- Built-in tilt stand for desktop use
- Runs on two AA-size batteries (alkaline or Ni-MH rechargeable)
- Available in three colors: black, metallic orange, and aqua blue
ATUP-EX Upgrade/Expansion Package
Roland is pleased to announce the ATUP-EX Upgrade/Expansion Package for the AT-900, AT-900C, and AT-800 MUSIC ATELIER organs. The ATUP-EX kit adds ultra-realistic SuperNATURAL voices to the lineup of internal sounds, plus a high-quality pipe organ group from Roland’s Classic series. The upgrade also adds new onboard rhythms with enhanced drum sounds, expanded D-BEAM features, new songs and styles, and much more.
With the ATUP-EX kit, 21 new SuperNATURAL sounds are added to the AT-900/AT-900C/AT-800. Users will experience a new level of expression with these incredibly authentic and natural instrumental sounds. Roland’s SuperNATURAL technology provides unsurpassed realism and recreates the organic nuances of live acoustic performance.
Fifteen authentic pipe organs from Roland’s Classic series are also added with the kit. These gorgeous pipe organ voices have been sampled from churches and cathedrals around the world, and the sounds have been designed to take advantage of the MUSIC ATELIER’s Quick Registration settings.
UM-ONE MK2 USB Audio Interface
Roland introduces the new UM-ONE mk2. A 1-in/1-out USB bus powered MIDI interface with high-performance FPT processing for low latency and tighter clock timing. Compatible with Mac, PC and iPad via Apple Camera Connection Kit, the super compact UM-ONE mk2 is an affordable, reliable, easy-to-use MIDI interface.
Features
- 1-in/1-out MIDI interface with high-performance FPT processing
- Compatible with Mac, PC, and iPad via Apple Camera Connection Kit
- Super compact, affordable, and easy to use
- Data indicators for both MIDI input and output
- Conveniently integrated USB and MIDI cables
- USB bus powered
I have a product idea using your existing technology which I believe lots of guitarists would want to own; would you be interested in hearing the suggestion?
Hi Nigel,
Of course! Do share…
Jay