@tompabes
The Juno G is every bit as pro as the Fantom X, in terms of its synthesis. Same for Sonic Cell too. Yes 'professionals' would go for the Fantom, where professional means 'needs to be seen to be professional/successful/monied'. For anyone not playing in public, save yourself a fortune, get a JG.
@ Mystic38
Spot on. Your comment about 'things will reduce to software and controllers'. We've been going round in circles all week, but your comment surely wraps everything up. IF Roland doesn't make fully fledged workstations for professionals (or those who want ONE all-in-one pro device for music creation), then WHAT PRODUCT DO THEY HAVE??? Because yes, for years you have been able to replace the need for a £2k Fantom G with dozens of brilliant cheap and even free soft-synths, used on the PC you are probably more obliged to own than a luxury piece of pro musical equipment. If roland can't even put all their technologies into one device, they're slicing up their own pie and hand it to others to swallow!!!
Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
I had a PC, software and controllers nearly 15 years ago, they are all instantly forgettable. Owning a real synth like a Juno-G will be a cherished thought forever. I love my Juno - I don't see how you can love a soft anything, it's not real, it doesn't inspire me.
I played a track to a 15 year old the other day and his instant question was 'what software program do you use'. OMG is that a compliment or an insult?
I played a track to a 15 year old the other day and his instant question was 'what software program do you use'. OMG is that a compliment or an insult?
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
MeNotU, right now you are sending us your thoughts through software, this means that your thoughts are not real. In case you didn't know, JUNO-G is all software inside, and also your music is software, this means what you create is also not real. That is if I speak your language, of course.
In technical terms of the digital world, there is no such a thing as hardware synthesizer or software synthesizer. It's hardware plus software. Hardware is being controlled by software - otherwise it's just a can of plastic, metal and silicon.
In technical terms of the digital world, there is no such a thing as hardware synthesizer or software synthesizer. It's hardware plus software. Hardware is being controlled by software - otherwise it's just a can of plastic, metal and silicon.
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
A Juno is for making love with - soft synths are purely porn.
I want something I can cuddle at night haha
I want something I can cuddle at night haha
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
lol
So which is yours shaped like? ...MIDI, USB or Jack plug?
So which is yours shaped like? ...MIDI, USB or Jack plug?
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
Nobody can beat my speacon! 
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
"the workstation is dead"
there are many people who use MPCs, old ensoniq stuff and even roland w-30
what is "workstation"? poly synth or sampler + sequencer, right?
lots of ppl prefer hardware and not soft (as well as opposite)), so i don't think it's dead.... i think 2 decades ago some said that analog monosynths is dead, don't think lots of ppl theese days can agree with this.... they are made by different companys now, that's true
and hardware synth, coupled with seq is good as you can instantly capture your ideas... and the workflow is faster...
the other thing is that modern workstations becomes very complicated and not much better than older ones... sometimes even worse because of bugs and cheap components they use, so ppl prefer secondhand for more stability and quality... indeed who want to be a betta tester for their own money? so it's the q of time when new stable workstations will arrive
there are many people who use MPCs, old ensoniq stuff and even roland w-30
what is "workstation"? poly synth or sampler + sequencer, right?
lots of ppl prefer hardware and not soft (as well as opposite)), so i don't think it's dead.... i think 2 decades ago some said that analog monosynths is dead, don't think lots of ppl theese days can agree with this.... they are made by different companys now, that's true
and hardware synth, coupled with seq is good as you can instantly capture your ideas... and the workflow is faster...
the other thing is that modern workstations becomes very complicated and not much better than older ones... sometimes even worse because of bugs and cheap components they use, so ppl prefer secondhand for more stability and quality... indeed who want to be a betta tester for their own money? so it's the q of time when new stable workstations will arrive
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
I AM, once again, remember that your "hardware synth" is all software inside.
Why should I pay $2000 or more for a "hardware workstation" when my Mac is cheaper, faster, has more features AND is EASIER to use? I mean it, EASIER to use. Many people keep talking about computers being complicated, but they don't look at the fact that computers are not all the same at all.
Why should I pay $2000 or more for a "hardware workstation" when my Mac is cheaper, faster, has more features AND is EASIER to use? I mean it, EASIER to use. Many people keep talking about computers being complicated, but they don't look at the fact that computers are not all the same at all.
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
The Synthesizer is DEAD!
Maybe we should say this too..
I mean lets face it, the point of a synth was to mimic other instruments now we have samplers which do a better job.
and computers can also reproduce the synth architecture too..
But maybe the workstation as we know it is at an end simply because the power increase of even the most modest of pc/laptops is more than is needed to operate as a DAW/sequencer.
emphasis may start going into architecture and sound abilities rather than trying to do everything in one.
as long as its multi timbrel and has percussive parts adding a laptop will probably serve better than what could ever be provided internaly.
lets face it, we have never see a workstation DAW that rivals what is available on the computer.
in the end a performers rig may consist of just a keyboard controller and a computer.
Maybe we should say this too..
I mean lets face it, the point of a synth was to mimic other instruments now we have samplers which do a better job.
and computers can also reproduce the synth architecture too..
But maybe the workstation as we know it is at an end simply because the power increase of even the most modest of pc/laptops is more than is needed to operate as a DAW/sequencer.
emphasis may start going into architecture and sound abilities rather than trying to do everything in one.
as long as its multi timbrel and has percussive parts adding a laptop will probably serve better than what could ever be provided internaly.
lets face it, we have never see a workstation DAW that rivals what is available on the computer.
in the end a performers rig may consist of just a keyboard controller and a computer.
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
once again, Artemy, looks like you're talking only about last roland products when you say workstation.... and in this case yes, buy fantom g and become a betta tester for your $2500 sounds funny and unreal... better computer DAW
but there could be special sound chips (like on ensoniqs) or digital controlled analog filters.... or digital controlled analog synth... (Alesis Andromeda) there's much more possibilities... and in one easy to use package.... i don't like to make music with computer mouse, i know that i'm not alone (and there are ppl who like making music with mouse)... and workstation ( or a groovebox) could offer different, and well thought workflow... it's a question of what suits you better... some like jeans and others like suits ( clothes here)))... there should be alternatives... why not?
if you have an onboard easy to use sequencer it is better, than if you have none)) you play your synth and want to capture your idea and.... you have to turn on your comp, plug your synth, set up a project ( or load preset)... or just press rec? and sequencer has some advantages over audio recorder ( different editing possibilities)... that's my point... i'm not against softsynths, but i'm for dedicated hardware.... there should be alternatives!!!!
said so near workstation is dead
here was you a modern tend
P.S. this topic should be moved to "comunity talk" isn't it?
but there could be special sound chips (like on ensoniqs) or digital controlled analog filters.... or digital controlled analog synth... (Alesis Andromeda) there's much more possibilities... and in one easy to use package.... i don't like to make music with computer mouse, i know that i'm not alone (and there are ppl who like making music with mouse)... and workstation ( or a groovebox) could offer different, and well thought workflow... it's a question of what suits you better... some like jeans and others like suits ( clothes here)))... there should be alternatives... why not?
if you have an onboard easy to use sequencer it is better, than if you have none)) you play your synth and want to capture your idea and.... you have to turn on your comp, plug your synth, set up a project ( or load preset)... or just press rec? and sequencer has some advantages over audio recorder ( different editing possibilities)... that's my point... i'm not against softsynths, but i'm for dedicated hardware.... there should be alternatives!!!!
said so near workstation is dead
here was you a modern tend
P.S. this topic should be moved to "comunity talk" isn't it?
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
Again... I say this is simple.
It is beyond simple and costs nothing to include a sequencer beyond all sane human usage on a musical instrument in 2010. Don't pretend it's worth £1,000!!! It is mere pennies.
And I know nothing. But I know I'm right.
The simplest games that anyone could have downloaded to their mobile phones for at least the last 5 years must surely be massively more complex than a simple MIDI sequence... even translated to blobs on an LCD screen!!!!
It is beyond simple and costs nothing to include a sequencer beyond all sane human usage on a musical instrument in 2010. Don't pretend it's worth £1,000!!! It is mere pennies.
And I know nothing. But I know I'm right.
The simplest games that anyone could have downloaded to their mobile phones for at least the last 5 years must surely be massively more complex than a simple MIDI sequence... even translated to blobs on an LCD screen!!!!
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
i don't like to make music with computer mouse
You wont..
all will done from your advance fully assignable controller/s
if you have an onboard easy to use sequencer it is better, than if you have none
I would say its more convenient to have than not to have, but better! is always any computer based sequencer.
Another thing about on workstation sequencers is workflow..
There is a down side to workstation sequencers..
when you decide your going to upgrade to the next workstaion your workflow changes just like anyone that came from the X to the G, there was a new learning curve and this will be repeated for every new workstation that anyone changes too.. where as if your already using a computer based sequencer, your work flow never changes regardless of what keyboard or gear your change to.
You wont..
all will done from your advance fully assignable controller/s
if you have an onboard easy to use sequencer it is better, than if you have none
I would say its more convenient to have than not to have, but better! is always any computer based sequencer.
Another thing about on workstation sequencers is workflow..
There is a down side to workstation sequencers..
when you decide your going to upgrade to the next workstaion your workflow changes just like anyone that came from the X to the G, there was a new learning curve and this will be repeated for every new workstation that anyone changes too.. where as if your already using a computer based sequencer, your work flow never changes regardless of what keyboard or gear your change to.
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
LOL@ the speacon! 
Re: Septimo - "the workstation is dead"
there are many people who use MPCs, old ensoniq stuff and even roland w-30
You're right.. There are many people who use these machines, but it's mostly the older producers who have been in the game for a while and this what they are used to.. the new people coming into this are not buying these machines mainly cus they are either too young or simply cannot afford one...So the problem ends up being that these new producers/ music makers once they end up getting comfortable with software, do you really think anyone is gonna convince them that a less capable but much more expensive option is where they should go? It aint gonna happen... So are they gonna keep catering to a shrinking demographic or are they seeing where the future is heading and not tryin to end up sinking in the past...
Lets put a fake number on it.. Lets say roland sells to a total of 100,000 people total sales of all products.. and out of those 100,000 only 500 will buy a luxury workstation cus they do not want to work off their computer and prefer the hardware, do you think they are going to continue on that route just cus it's what you prefer? Not for long.. They do not care what individuals think or prefer, all they care is what their bottom line reflects and if FantomG is getting in the way of that bottom line, guess how fast they are gonna cut that out...
As a corporation, their business is to make money not loose money for shrinking group of people who prefer hardware.. The way they see it is you either adjust to what the future has to offer or get left behind...
To think that they will continue to make these workstation is to think that they will continue to make MPC's and MV's.. And that isn't gonna happen either. That whole concept is at it's end when you have an ipod that can do all that and soon enough even more in a 10 dollar app.
The workstation peaked at Fantom-X, and they took it one step forward and a couple steps back in certain area's with the G... the only thing left is to make harware synth keyboards with maybe a recorder so you can sketch ideas and export to pc since most people are doing this either way with full on workstations... do you really need a Full workstation just to sketch out ideas? nope... I think most serious producers(with WS's) are using their workstations to start the idea and they are arranging and finishing on the computer.. It's dead.. we got what we got and that's it... And it's not so bad.. It had a great run.. But concepts must change and everyone including Roland must bend to whatever the future brings...