Roland JD-XA Hybrid Analog-Digital Crossover Synthesizer

The JD-XA is a unique crossover synth that brings together analog warmth and digital versatility in one super-creative, no- compromise instrument. First, there’s a four-part, all-analog monster with true analog filters and a direct dry output. Next up is a four-part digital engine powered by Roland’s SuperNATURAL synth technology, plus an impressive selection of potent effects. The JD-XA’s engines can be used independently or interactively, providing an incredibly flexible platform for sound design, studio work, and live performance. Use the analog and digital parts side by side, stack them up for total sonic devastation, or shape digital waveforms via the analog filters to create sounds never heard before. With the JD-XA, you can forget about analog or digital—just close your eyes, imagine how the future sounds, and start creating music.

ROLAND JD-XA HYBRID ANALOG AND DIGITAL WORKING TOGETHER

With its distinctive crossover design, the JD-XA is very unique in its approach to synthesis. You can blend the engines together if you want, but you can also use them completely independently, truly giving you two synths in one. Additionally, the analog and digital engines are able to interact in many creative ways.

For example, digital sounds can be routed through the analog filters, or used as modulation sources for the Cross Mod and Ring Mod functions in the analog section. If you’ve got big ideas when it comes to sound design, you need a powerful and flexible synth, and the JD-XA really delivers.

ROLAND JD-XA HYBRID ANALOG THE ANALOG ENGINE

Each of the JD-XA’s four analog parts has two oscillators, along with filter and amp sections and four envelopes—all with incredibly fast attack and response times. You also get two LFOs, with super-smooth coverage from ultra-slow to ultra-fast. Start by creating your sound from scratch, or configure the JD-XA as an eight-oscillator, pure analog version of the legendary Supersaw waveform. Or invoke the power of Poly Stack mode for warm, organic four-note chords that will sweep you away. Once you’ve got that killer analog sound, you can route it directly to the analog dry output or send it to the onboard digital effects for further experiments in the art of sound design.

THE DIGITAL ENGINE

The JD-XA doesn’t just do classic analog—it’s also equipped with a completely separate four-part, 64-voice digital sound engine powered by Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL synthesizer technology. This lets you play some of the most expressive and natural sounds available anywhere, as the JD-XA is compatible with the synth engine from the INTEGRA-7 sound module, a firm favorite of top producers, composers, and sound designers. And if you need some extra inspiration, visit Roland’s online Axial community and download the latest creations from high-end programmers to tap into great sounds for a wide variety of genres.

SMOOTH, WARM ANALOG FILTERS

The filters in the JD-XA’s analog section are 100-percent analog, giving you smooth, warm sound and organic response. There’s the classic 4-pole, a transistor ladder with stronger characteristics, and a multi-mode filter option for the essential LPF, HPF, and BPF duties. Thanks to an all-new circuit design, the resonance of the multi-mode filter provides a uniquely aggressive sound character that’s really cool. And because the filters are completely analog, you get a supremely smooth slope as you twist the knobs, with no stepping or unwanted artifacts.