Nord Stage and Roland JD-Xi

[Evans The Song]

I'm thinking of buying a Roland JD-Xi mini synth to use with my Nord Stage 2EX on stage because, in theory, they seem to compliment each other well. The JD-Xi has many features that are missing on the Nord which I would find useful - a vocoder, a basic sequencer (useful for things like baselines), a wide range of drum sounds, a basic mono analogue synth and a decent number of Roland's Supernatural sounds which will hopefully give me some more inspiring and dynamic string, brass and pad sounds than the rather flat ones (in my opinion!) that are available on the Nord Sound library. Two Supernatural sounds are available simultaneously on the JD-Xi which (in theory) could be accessed via MIDI from the Ext sections on panels A & B on my Nord. The piano and organ sounds don't seem to be as good on the Roland but, of course, we all know how great they are on the Nord! Plus the Roland's small size means it's not too much extra to take to a gig - and it's got red side panels to match the Nord!

Is anyone on here using a similar combination of Nord Stage and JD-Xi? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts before I splash the cash!

[Evans The Song]

You can not play two layers on the jd-xi, not even from the Nord stage. I’ve had the JDXI with the Stage, it wasn’t as flexible as I expected.
If you like the sequencing, and want the option to have two extra synthlayers, and dont’t mind not having the minikeys: take a look at a Roland MC707 or even it’s smaller brother the MC101. You get a lot more flexibility in sounds and in sequencing.

[Evans The Song]

You can not play two layers on the jd-xi, not even from the Nord stage. I’ve had the JDXI with the Stage, it wasn’t as flexible as I expected.
If you like the sequencing, and want the option to have two extra synthlayers, and dont’t mind not having the minikeys: take a look at a Roland MC707 or even it’s smaller brother the MC101. You get a lot more flexibility in sounds and in sequencing.

Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't need the mini keys - I'll do some research on the MC707 and the MC101

[Evans The Song]

You can not play two layers on the jd-xi, not even from the Nord stage. I’ve had the JDXI with the Stage, it wasn’t as flexible as I expected.

I'm a bit confused - I had a look at the JD-Xi manual online and it says this: "The MIDI transmit/receive channels are channel 1 for the Digital Synth 1 part, channel 2 for the Digital Synth 2 part, channel 10 for the Drum part, and channel 3 for the Analog Synth part." Surely it must be possible to access the individual Digital Synth parts and the Analog synth part via MIDI using the Ext sections on my Nord set to the same MIDI channels?

[Evans The Song]

You can not play two layers on the jd-xi, not even from the Nord stage. I’ve had the JDXI with the Stage, it wasn’t as flexible as I expected.

I'm a bit confused - I had a look at the JD-Xi manual online and it says this: "The MIDI transmit/receive channels are channel 1 for the Digital Synth 1 part, channel 2 for the Digital Synth 2 part, channel 10 for the Drum part, and channel 3 for the Analog Synth part." Surely it must be possible to access the individual Digital Synth parts and the Analog synth part via MIDI using the Ext sections on my Nord set to the same MIDI channels?

If there are separate channels per section it should, actually (and reading around I believe it does)

[missoundscape]

You can use midi channels to access the different layers, but afaik you can only play one layer at a time.

[Evans The Song]

You can use midi channels to access the different layers, but afaik you can only play one layer at a time.

I can't read this limitation in the manual and specs, but I see this official tutorial (made using a Roland FA06 as a master) that should explain what you can do and how. Maybe worth watching

[Evans The Song]

This is really useful - thanks Maxpiano for sharing the video

[Badplaya]

Not getting detailed or anything but personally I bought the jdxi and I was disappointed by it’s limitations in sound design. Great for using on board sounds but making your own not so much. Also the vocoder isn’t very good at all. I’ve ended up using my NS3 connected to Mainstage and using it’s vocoder and mostly Arturia software and I’ve been very happy with that setup. For sequencing and sound design I’m now considering a Korg minlogue xd. Just my experience