Myrk- wrote:That's made by Oscar who is just some dude on the facebook group, I remember him posting a while back about how he would one day get a patch set on Axial (being very bitter about everything hahahaha). I don't think he's anyone famous or well known - Roland would be way better off just putting Gattobus's sounds on Axial imo.
Re: the JD-XA being maybe ditched... Seems all the coolest gear Roland make gets dropped because they make it confusing and convoluted... they did the same with the VG-99 guitar system which was a real swiss army knife, and that is still to this day (after 10 years) the most powerful midi guitar system there is, and hilariously still the flagship... which they discontinued! I feel the JD-XA is the synth equivalent of it. Seriously Roland need to hire some westerners to run the business side 'cus the Japanese dudes are just torching their own company by concentrating on re-creating old synths as small toys for tiny hands. I wonder if they even care about people outside of Japan?! They seem unlike any other company, with an inability to have discussions with the public or respond properly to issues or questions. Funny thing is people sell their gear because Roland is silent, then out of nowhere they release updates or additions for the gear you just sold... really stupid business practices.
Firstly please don't make assumptions about people you don't know and an added kind word of advice - If you choose to put words into other peoples mouths be aware that more often than not your comments will be noted by someone, somewhere who knows the person you're referring to personally. I've been super busy with work commitments and this reply was brought to my attention via email by someone I recently finished remix work for.
Anyway here's some background info.
I've been with several labels (most label dealings have not been mutually beneficial) have music published through Sony Classical, appeared on Synphaera Records "Star Seed" which made Igloo's top 20 ambient releases last year and have done anonymous one off remixing (for well over 8 or so years).
I got my first Roland synth in 85, know my way around the D50, JD-XA, JD-990, S550, Integra-7 and V-Synth pretty damn well and know a lot about synthesis and sampling and moved into electronic music production after studying (pre computer based) graphic design in the mid to late 80's having created music for independent art installations and several CD's used by some Australian art therapists for group meditation purposes. I've been remixed by Honeysmack, Biologik and have seen several of my contemporaries go on to success under various pseudonyms and/or changed names.
If anyone was ever part of RS7000.org back in the day they would know me well as one of the site Moderators who posted a tonne of information on using the sequencer in creative ways and tips and tricks for parameter locking CC's in XOX or Step modes long before Elektron came along and how to use the device in a poly-metric fashion.
Most of what I compose is on an experimental tip and I write, program, record, arrange mix and produce everything myself. I work primarily with hardware instruments and interested in seeing what synths can do in the here and now with a more forward focus. My studio is fundamentally a hardware front end with a DSP processing back end using a combination of Reactor Blocks, Molekular, Max4Live, Integra Live and Logic.
People in the Elektron forums know how much I love my dual Monomachine's too.
If you ever used Concrete FX Kubik (before Jon started coding for Rob Papen) then you'll know some of my work with the Ambient Soundbanks that were released for them. I beta tested both V1 and 2 and was on the ground up sound design team for Vektrik as well.
The fact the Roland like my stuff is great. I don't do retro patch design am not an analog purist and probably hold a lot of opinions that are different to yours. That said I put a lot of work into knowing the JD-XA well and have been aiming to create these as a totally alternative sound set that shows a different side to the instrument itself.
I have never aimed to be famous or well known and consider being good and knowledgeable at what I do reward in itself and am totally comfortable being a self funded independent artist.
Commercial success has its place and the world needs musicians who give freely, work commercially, who explore the fringe and who dabble in the indie markets. All of them add to a rich tapestry and feedback loop that influence each other in a myriad of ways.
Hisakazu Yamasoto put a lot of heart and should into the JD-XA and if you are ever lucky enough to spend time having a conversation with him you'll see how evident his passion and commitment to excellence are. He happened to hear some of my sound demo's and loved what I was doing with the synth which in turn has inspired me to do a more extensive sound set.
I don't do retro patch design am not an analog purist and probably hold a lot of opinions that are different to yours. That said I put a lot of work into knowing the JD-XA well and have been aiming to create these as a totally alternative sound set that shows a different side to the instrument itself.
The fact the Roland like my stuff is great and getting feedback from Hisakuza and Atsushi was very humbling. The fact that they would take a gamble on sounds from essentially a home based studio musician is a wonderful thing and should be celebrated.
I have a selection of music video's on Vimeo - the videos are meant o be nothing more than a vehicle for the audible experience. My old Youtube channel got hacked and had to be culled at one stage Miasma and Gelatine had over 1500 plays a piece ( bit of a record for me) and I know there are people out there who message me that appreciate my work. It isn't for everyone but make no mistake these sound banks are a labour of love.
I may be "just some dude" who juggles 3 jobs to have the opportunity to get new gear and continue to pursue what he loves but I love what I do passionately and always strive for some level of excellence with whatever music I create.
Feel free to give some of it a spin here -
https://vimeo.com/oscarfinch
It covers everything from NuJazz to Glitch, IDM and Electronica.