Fatal Labyrinth
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Austin, TX

Roland finally did what everyone's been wanting for decades and announced a pseudo-reissue of their old hardware.

The current Aira line consists of the TR-8 Rhythm Performer (808 and 909 integrated into one drum machine), TB-3 Touch Bassline (TB-303 with a touch pad), System-1 Plug-Out Synthesizer (based on the System synth line), and VT-3 Voice Transformer.

Unlike the Korg MS-20 mini they're not actually analog, they're analog-modeling. Roland's talking a big game about their "Analog Circuit Behavior" modeling system, and the demos released so far do sound very convincing.

No prices have been announced yet, as far as I'm aware.

TSC
Offline
Milwaukee, WI

Prices were announced:

"SYSTEM-1 is really a synth/keyboard, not a modular (despite the name). It’s a new synth, but it’s also a controller for computer software modeling vintage Roland synths, and you can load those models onto the keyboard. Because you can load those models from software onto hardware, Roland dubs it “Plug-Out Synthesizer.” Price: US$599 – ish.

TR-8 Rhythm Performer. “Full reproduction” of both the 808 and 909, promising not just the sounds but details in behavior (like what happens when you have multiple instruments in accented steps). Price: US$499 – ish.

TB-3 Touch Bassline. Think a component-modeled 303 with a touch pad and new step sequencer. Price: US$299 – ish.

VT-3 Voice Transformer. It’s probably gotten the least attention, but this could be a big seller at this price. Multiple effects in one box: vocoder (a la VP-330), glitch, lo-fi, robot, auto-pitch, and voice-controlled synths. Price: US$199 – ish."

http://www.sonicstate.com/

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2014/02/r … need-know/

http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/rol … mer-594503

http://gizmodo.com/roland-aira-the-futu … 1522717969

http://www.djtechtools.com/2014/02/14/w … -revealed/

Fudgers
Offline
Indiana

the vt-3 looks really cool! the repros seem like maybe a wasted opportunity on roland's part hmm

TSC
Offline
Milwaukee, WI

My opinion - TB-03: box of presets (so far). The whole lot for ~$1600 is absolutely not worth a Rebirth-in-a-box type line. COSM isn't dead.

Last edited by TSC (Feb 14, 2014 7:33 pm)

Fatal Labyrinth
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Austin, TX

Thanks for the links!

Prices are about what I expected, def interested in the TB-3 at that price point.

herr_prof
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Unsubscribe

just buy a bunch of mc-303s.

GenSek
Offline
Sestri Levante, Genova, Italy
TSC wrote:

VT-3 Voice Transformer. It’s probably gotten the least attention, but this could be a big seller at this price. Multiple effects in one box: vocoder (a la VP-330), glitch, lo-fi, robot, auto-pitch, and voice-controlled synths. Price: US$199 – ish."

I agree

TSC
Offline
Milwaukee, WI

I should note those are not my words. The text was taken from Create Digital Music.

Also, if anyone in the Midwest wants to hear these live before almost everybody else, come to Milwaukee next weekend where there will be a full AIRA debut. The show is for the third anniversary of MELT and it's free. Is there a better place to celebrate? No.

https://www.facebook.com/events/7908266 … /?source=1

e.s.c.
Offline
IL, US

gah, i wish i could catch a ride up for that... just took my car out to the far burbs until i sell it

Theta_Frost
Offline
Milwaukee, WI

Whaaat?  A full Aira setup will be there?

Vile
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San Diego

That phat bass kick...... *drool*

SuperBustySamuraiMonkey
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Madriz, Supain

I dont know if I can afford a 909+303 pseudo setup for 800 bucks.

Vile
Offline
San Diego
SuperBustySamuraiMonkey wrote:

I dont know if I can afford a 909+303 pseudo setup for 800 bucks.

Does it cost more where you are? Sweetwater.com is going to have the TR-8 for $499.

Edit: Never mind my comment, didn't make the connection you were talking about both the TR-8 and 3 together.

Last edited by Vile (Feb 15, 2014 6:38 am)

Victory Road
Offline
Gosford, Australia

i think i said this in the other thread about these, but i recommend getting d16's VST emulations instead. i mean, i own a tb-303 and still use phoscyon all the time cause it sounds great and is easier to set up and sequence than the real deal.

e: the vt-3 is pretty cool though!

Last edited by Victory Road (Feb 15, 2014 12:03 pm)

jbuonacc
Offline
Rochester, NY
herr_prof wrote:

just buy a bunch of mc-303s.

absolutely not.


EDIT: sorry, i read that as "just a bunch of MC-303s", but it still looks like you're saying about the same (that these are on the same level as the MC-303)? these things are actually VERY impressive for what they are, nothing like an MC-303.

Last edited by jbuonacc (Feb 15, 2014 10:21 pm)

Panda Chan
Offline
Melbourne, Australia

Is anyone else really feeling the need to circuit bend these to hell and back? or is that just me...? tongue