All user reviews for the Roland Integra-7

I paid about $1500 for this box, trusting Roland to design a good product. Yes, it has a great number of sounds. There are several serious flaws. While using a MIDI setup from my controller,the sounds that are loaded often just drop out- I must reload the studio set to continue once I search and find this cause. Also the sounds get stuck when changing programs from my controller, requiring a reboot. I'll never trust this Integra for live performance, can't allow a sudden stuck tone. Also I want to export some sounds to my FA workstation- the FA also has thousands of sounds, but not the simple jazz guitar I wanted- but that's another topic. I execute the instructions regarding exporting a sound (or studio set) from Integra to a thumb drive- but cannot succeed. The available help on Roland websites is minimal, very limited, a few random topics. Searching the web has led to this website but I need tech advice. It isn't apparent on the Roland website. I would caution against buying this Integra 7. A well loaded workstation may be preferable.

Supernatural sound quality is perfect, i like it a lot!

I got it with the expectation to have some 2 or 3 instruments playing along with me when playing piano.
The sound get chopped up in small pcs and swallowed, because polyphony is too small, when having more than 1 part selected from all 16.
Only 1 supernatural instrument can be used at the time, when I asked for support on Roland USA website, they just closed the question without even answering,
i hope there will be some update or improvement in the future

polyphony is so small, is there any upgrade chip?

I do not understand we have dualcore - quadcore - octacore Full HD, but a polyphony of only 128 ??? That is a true shame!

if you decide to buy it, it is good for the studio, and the sounds are nice.
if you plan to use it live it will be very frustrating to you

But there is no better soundmodule out there for now!
i hope roland will learn from there mistake

friendly regards to all fellow musicians

Rating: 8
Expander. Polyphony 128 notes.

UTILIZATION

Rating: 8
Quite simple.
The manual was in English. Yet I bought the local music store in France.
I had to download it in French on the website of Roland.
The motion is blah surround use even though it may seem interesting. You must have the system sound reproduction suitable, otherwise it is useless. In a group, we play in stereo, not suitable for intégra7 system.

SOUNDS

Rating: 8
I'm not fundamentally fan of his Roland grain.
Realistic sounds on presets "supernatural", but nothing transcendent. These are sounds like others offer. Yamaha and Kurzweil make less noise for more realistic sounds.
There are no new sounds as each new instrument. It's already chewed and digested, even if the choice is there.

OVERALL OPINION

Rating: 8

1 year.
I tried several keyboards, but I needed an expander for reasons of space in the home studio, the car and the scene ... The idea of ​​a Motif Rack XS as internet don ' appeal to him, even in the German market leaders. I needed an expander extremely quickly because of the time to configure and close dates of benefits. So I took it in stock.
What I like most:
- More sounds, more than 6,000
- 2 IN input jack 6.35 for an additional instrument
- Usb connection
- All expansion cards Roland
What I like least:
- The grain of his Roland
- Too many sounds that are similar (eg tablecloths, number 1 ....... xx)
- Seem to have made new with the old: in the end, little sounds "supernatural" and jam the entire library of sounds.
- Usb connector incomplete in its functionality: is worse than RD piano can not usb, play midi files. Not integration. Damage.
- Limitation to be able to use 4 cards simultaneously. We must choose among these 4 cards then its set a sound can interest us, but on the fifth card. Damage.
- Really absurd: no editor for PC. Only Mac, I was not able to use, and iPad. This product has a taste frankly not finished and contemptuous for PC users. It is true, there is a free editor for PC. But not provided by Roland.

After 1 year of use, I much prefer him rack motif xs same price.
Besides, I always use it in conjunction with my rack unit (the first model).

I bought this rack because it was 20 years roland in a box.
full of sounds, effects, RAS ...
perfect connection; usb, midi, SPDIF and analog.
the problem starts with the soft editing.

UTILIZATION

the configue is easy if you want to play sounds.
manual is average ... reasoning nipon! not mine
and back again the question angry!
editing is on ipad. I ... but not stable.

SOUNDS

sounds ..; perfect ... there is everything .., may be too!
top ... top .. and for the most part.

pianos, violins, brass, synths, tablecloths ... and company,., we find happiness.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had two months;
I know to be ready all that exists to this day.
have, it is useful sustainably.
it was not the "finesse and power of my korg kronos x, but it has the palette allows to have fun without taking cabbage.

pure Finally, the big downside is the edition;
not stable; MIDI leaving us without knowing why the ipad!!
iPad cheche that connection!
not finish this app.
damage.
but I keep it because ... 20 years ... roland

Master pattern XS6 or oasys 76 keyboard. Interface the Yamaha UX16. 6000 sounds ...!
All Roland sounds in the box ...
I also use it with a wind controller such akai ewi 4000 s

UTILIZATION

Relatively clear and easy but it is essential to the iPad screen to set or screen PC or Mac (I have the iPad with the free application ... It's really well done)
Without the additional screen editing sounds is very heavy and impractical
Ome stability problems between the iPad and lintegra (GST in GST it wins despite the wired connection)

SOUNDS

Supernatural sounds are great, especially the strings and synthesizer (in large numbers)
The integrated 3-dimensional spatial system is awesome and worth it.
The guitars are amazing.
Winds are a little below (except flutes), especially the sax (it's not sample modeling ...)

OVERALL OPINION

18 months.
For the pleasure of having the choice between thousands of sounds and space it is worth it.
The set is super pro and robust
Yes

Characteristics are tops!

UTILIZATION

Edit audio from a computer or an iPad, it's really not the stuff of Roland! To date no official editor software from Roland on Windows. And the iPad version does not allow to edit all the sounds of the rack, we forget the edition PCM sounds. The Mac version does not run under OS X 10.9. Oh the guys at Roland, you wake up we are in 2014! It's over 80 years.

SOUNDS

The sounds are top, and there are a lot. Must still have easy access, and can be edited easily.

OVERALL OPINION

I will not repeat that choice! The selection of apps, to edit the sounds of this missile are really poor. Like I said, no editor windows, iPad app not over, no software vendor either for mac os x 10.9.

Brief have a porsche engine in a 2CV 80 is good, but it was difficult to access resources of the engine from the dashboard.

Roland expander which includes all the sounds from the first until the last Roland synths technologies Brand Roland.
Expander classic 128-note polyphony, 16 shares multitimbral t1 audio part (A / D inputs).
Now, 16 parts can keep their settings Fx indivifuels, that's not bad! Because it takes in my opinion!
8 assignable stereo outputs, USB, MIDI headphone etc. ....
There is a PC / Pad Utility to manage more easily the machine.

UTILIZATION

Easy setup, clear menus, you can enter in the edition also easily even without iPad or PC. But Pc integration / iPad is made it is clear and logical.
The manual is clear and sufficient enough, I also know the brand and the latest technology of the brand, it helps! Fx are as usual very well made and effective nonetheless.

SOUNDS

Many sounds are VERY obviously we awash in the number but it's still a good idea to "gather" all these sounds, because right now, the music industry is not very rich, I find interesting the idea.
By then against the SUPERNATURAL finally disappointed me. I almost buy it but I tried a Yamaha MOxF6 jute behind and magic SUPERNATURAL fell at once! The Drums are interesting and pianos and EP also extend the range of history but hey ....
it's a mass effect for not as much as can be expected.

OVERALL OPINION

But try not to buy headphones and PA system.

The supernatural did not really believe me. The Drums are not bad all the same, the EP, the synth sounds (bass, lead pads etc ...) but the rest is a little too mass effect ....

I advise all the same to Roland Lovers because it is a real library of sounds from Roland always! it's still a good expander for serial arrange / compose.

My use:
Software Mac / PC Expresseur (musical instrument computer-aided)
Specialized controllers based microcontrollers (Arduino), via Expresseur.
Using super-natural essentially sound.
Some rare changes on the envelope.
Using controllers to modulate the required sounds.
Using controllers to modify the behavior of super-natural.
polyphony of the order of 2 to 32.
Midi USB connection / PC
Connection 5.1 audio jack mono jack to the Integra 3.5 a 5.1 amp Logitech Z906

UTILIZATION

Correct general configuration.
Proper Manual (internet).
To order it in sysex, we must bring patience and his computer calculator ...
sound editing: difficult without assistant (but there rested .. 6000).
Too bad that we should juggle slots and banks: we can not have all the banks arranged at the same time.

SOUNDS

The sounds are really good. The super-naturals are taping.
The motional surround allows full spatial placement in 5.1, giving a clarity in the audio rendering ...
The banks are very different (the sounds of the world ...). Could all go. 6000 sounds!

OVERALL OPINION

Used for a month (waiting for 3 months ..)
After the Roland SD-50, there is no comparison: a much more clear, precise, natural.
Surprise: the optical output of Integra-7 is not 5.1! and does not go into the USB! Only the synthesis stereo out optical and USB? To clarify ...
The purchase decision is made to have eight independent audio channels or 5.1 surround output with super-natural sounds.
The housing is very expensive ... But the quality is there.
This is the only product I know that is what I need, at a high price, but without falling into full unaffordable.

Synth with over 6000 sounds
SuperNATURAL technology with 'Behavior Modeling' generating acoustic sounds with expressive and joints
Powerful generator synth sounds SuperNATURAL reproducing thick analog sound make and vintage filters
SuperNATURAL drum sounds from the Roland V-Drums modules
Essential sound library of SRX with all the 12 SRX
Equalizer and multi-purpose dedicated to each of the 16 games plus six sets COMP + EQ and battery parameters 'Ambience' for drum kits SuperNATURAL processor
Technology 'Motional Surround' innovative to 17 parts for stereo output, headphone and speaker (5.1 channel)
Applications INTEGRA-7 Editor 'for iPad and' Motional Surround VSTi Editor 'for SONAR

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is fairly well done, but for me the big downside is the lack of PC editor. In effect Roland has developed a minimalist editor on iOS (the SuperNatural Acoustic part is not preventable).
After several months of waiting Roland finally released an editor on Mac but apparently will not develop PC editor which for me is a gross error of strategy, as the publisher is not essential for keyboard workstations equipped many controls, but the sound editing on an expander such as Integra-7 sound editing without the help of an editor is particularly painful pretty quickly.
This is a big disappointment for me as not being able to quickly adapt to the use of my controller wind (AKAI EWI 4000S) traffic in the menu through the LCD turns fatal.

SOUNDS

The sample set is so huge that it was hard to even walk around there are still a lot of duplicates see similar sounds or just a setting has been changed.
Using a powerful editor that expander could very well become the ultimate weapon for users of wind controllers (WX or EWI) the SuperNatural Acoustic sounds are stunning realism that is all the more frustrating unable to adapt to the game of woodwind in the absence of PC editor.
The expression could be fabulous if it were possible to easily edit MIDI controllers it may be possible with the Mac editor but unfortunately not for PC users.
The effects are also very effective and especially different for each MIDI channel which is an improvement over the old expanders brand and other brands.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this unit for 4 months and I am more disappointed with the policy and strategy of Roland by Integra-7 itself. Equipped with a real editor (PC) This module could be a real killer unfortunately Roland seems to think that only Mac owners deserve an editor PCistes appreciate.

So to conclude for users AKAI EWI Wind Controllers and YAMAHA WX or go your way and you turn deaf rather reliable values ​​Yamaha MOTIF RACK XS and especially Roland Fantom XR (with banks Mr Patchman) shame Roland mistake as some category of their customers

This was an expander as in years, fashion is to workstations or small synthesizer.
As we all expander used with a keyboard or piano master or his computer. I use it with 3 and this is where the value of an expander.

Like any self-respecting expander, it is equipped with connectors. Just look at the specifications of the beast to be convinced.
What is remarkable is that there are 2 USB ports (1 front, 1 rear) for connecting a USB flash drive or a USB wifi or a small midi keyboard, along with a computer .
Like any high-end hardware it has multiple audio outputs and one optical output.

Sounds are enormous sound (that can do as well any good vst respectable) but also expressiveness live game, especially on the supernatural sounds. Over 6,000 sounds and all very good! I never met a machine so much with such homogeneity in quality.

Polyphony is 128 voices, which may seem a lot but we finally reached a limit pretty quickly when you start to drive at the same time with 2 keyboard parts (especially if you stack sounds), a computer and a arranger. 256 channels as the Jupiter 80 would not be too much if we only use the Integra.
The synth sounds are editable supernatural.
It is interfaced with an application ipad. Good thing I had a ...

UTILIZATION

The basic operation is very easy because the concepts are basic. There is one side sounds, which may possibly modify to create their characters, sets and studio configurations that are full of Integra.

The screen is clear enough for an expander. All parameters are editable on the Integra without the need for an external editor.
But use with the iPad brings a real comfort, especially in wireless use. It is possible to mix his shares, choosing instruments, to have space to play on the level of reverb for each track, edit synth sounds, ... all that sitting quietly at the back of his chair before save all settings in a studio set.

With wifi ipad and I can also move the piano, keyboard master or PC interface and still have close to hand. It really is a giant even if you can not do everything from the tablet. It fail much like the selection and parameterization of the effects of the split keyboard on the Units and editing sounds of drum kits.

The manual is thin for such a powerful machine. A sign of the simplicity of its design.

SOUNDS

The sound is excellent in all areas. I have rarely seen such homogeneity as a large quantity of sounds.
The sounds of pianos played with a piano keyboard is superb with such expression that it's hard to stop once you start.
Ditto for the sax, violins, EPs, guitars (electric or even distortion), the brass, pads, synths, drums, ... you can spend hours playing without seeing the time passing.
For guitars, synths, brass, sax, aftertouch is essential. The integra responds so well to the aftertouch we would be wrong to deny.
For sound and expressiveness of live play, this machine is one of the best. Again it would be a shame not to use it as a vst.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had two weeks. Sure, it's a little short to be objective but opinions are also hot sometimes interesting.
I use it in addition bk-7m with an Access Virus TI, Korg R3, and as VST Omnisphere.
For € 1,500, you can find it expensive but this "small" machine really does not blush tone and expressiveness in the face of Kronos, the xf ... which certainly provide functionality workstation but finally little home studio use due to computers.
Roland thank you for this great return expanders.

- What type of keyboard (synth, piano ...)? How many octaves?
No keyboard, this is an expander rack.

- What controllers (pitch, modulation, sustain ...)
The rack itself does not have this type of wheel, but using a master keyboard who does, most sounds react to pitch / modulation. Again, it depends on the sounds, see MIDI implementation manual.

-How many sounds?
Thousands, over 6000 according to Roland, but some are more or less duplicate, and I do not know if we can consider the synthesizer's presets as "sound" of its own. One thing is certain: there are many, many, many ones ... almost too many.

- What polyphony?
128 voice polyphony, 16 multitimbral parts!
Plenty enough.

- How many effects?
I do not know exactly = see the manufacturer's manual:

- What styles?
With such a choice, there is of course everything from acoustic instruments, the instrumentation, electrical ts, brass, various drums and percussion, synth sounds, instruments "ethnic" sounds of the orchestra, and even some sounds ... short, really everything.

- Are they editable ?
Yes for synths.
Partially for a number of sounds, especially the most "recent" ones.
Not much, or not at all for "older" sounds.
= See MIDI implementation manual that explains very well the possibilities for all sounds.

- Via a utility Mac / PC?
VST for Windows and Mac.
IPad editor exists, but nothing for Android, -1 for that.

- What connection (Audio, MIDI, pedals ...)?

Front:
- 1x USB type A socket for connecting either a WiFi dongle (to use with iPad editor) or a flashdrive for backup / restore of user data (preset patches ...) or to update the firmware .
- 2x Jack IN (Left / Right) to get the audio processed by the rack's effects.
- 1x stereo jack output for headphones

Back:
- 3x DIN MIDI connectors (In, Out, Thru)
- 1x USB type B socket, to connect a PC (to transfer MIDI or MIDI + 2 tracks audio) or iPad (note: for a totally incomprehensible reason, special adapter "Apple's connection kit for camera "is required (it costs € 30, -1 for that).
- 8x Jack outputs assignable to different parts, great for multitrack recording (+1 for that), or otherwise you can also use them to have a "surround sound" 5.1 (useless in my case)
- 2x XLR outputs (Left / Right) for the main mix
- 1x SPDIF coaxial output
- 2x Jack IN (Left / Right) to get the audio to be processed by the effects rack, same as façade

UTILIZATION

- Is the general configuration easy ?
For a newbie like me, it is a little confusing at first, but if you study it, in a few days you'll get it.

- Are the sounds and effects easy to edit ?
Mitigated, in my case I can not use either the VST (I do not have a Mac or Windows PC) or the iPad editor (I have no Ipad and when I borrowed one for testing, I realized that I still had to pay 30 bucks for the USB adapter, so I abandoned).
As a result : I have to use the LCD screen and menu pages where you navigate with buttons in front ... not so great.
I do not take away points for that, because even if it's not super convenient, you can nevertheless access to all functions of the machine this way, so that could have been worst. For example, with the Yamaha Motif Rack XS, only some of the main functions are available with the front buttons, and for all the rest you have to use a computer, so those who do not one for music or who do not have a compatible one are screwed.
Here, you have everything, so it's OK.

- Is the manual clear and sufficient?
The manuals are very detailed, +1 for that. We have all the menu pages, internal routing schemes, all settings, all MIDI codes, in short : there is really everything in it.
However, at first it is a bit complex for those who are not used to this kind of machines, but you'll get used it, and after a while it remains a good reference source when you need one specific information.

Note: currently, Roland does not seem to have published .midnam file for Integra-7, so I'm trying to cook a "home made" one.
See this thread (in french) : https://fr.audiofanzine.com/rack-numerique/roland/integra-7/forums/t.511133,liste-des-6023-presets-de-l-integra-7-au-format-excel,post.7334974.html

SOUNDS

- The sounds they agree your style of music?
As said above: there's really any, impossible not to find happiness.

- Are they realistic?
Throughout YES, they are excellent.
Especially the batteries, which sound really good, very natural. It is possible to program a truly realistic battery and that the listener does not hear the difference between a "real".
On brass, as usual, it's still a little box, with some surprises including a sax or two (usually, this is the worst) which resemble almost true, some trumpets also ( particularly muted trumpets) are convincing.
For the rest, it is generally good, but there is nothing new: the big improvement over what I've heard of keyboard / sound banks / plugins is up to now mainly engine "SuperNatural" is really not bad overall.
But the rack content - sounds more "SuperNatural" - almost all historical Roland sounds for years, so much that there is to eat and drink, good, very good and less good.

- The expression is good? (Response to velocity, aftertouch to)?
Rendering SuperNatural sounds good and seems very expressive: in particular can modulate the attack or the stamp with the modulation wheel for brass bearings to snare etc ...
According to what is really the responsiveness to nuances of the game, I can not really judge because I have a master keyboard M Audio input range with a fair and just touch especially since I 'm not a pianist or keyboardist (I have a technique of m ***).

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you been using?
2 weeks

- Did you try many other models before buying it?
No, this is my first machine of this type.
Before, I was operating mainly on computer with SF2 sound banks and synths plugins. So I can not really compare the ergonomics, but yes sounds.

- What is so special that you like most?
+ Some very good sound, I needed in particular for drums and keyboards / organs (Clavinet, Hammond, Rhodes & Co.). On this side there I am overwhelmed.
+ Independent outputs assignable
+ Choice sounds great
+ Multitimbral and polyphonic
+ Harware solution independent of the computer

- What feature do you like the least?
- Not applicable to Android, not Linux VST, no file midnam ...

- How would you rate quality / price ratio?
Difficult to say at first glance, it seems a bit expensive, but not much more than its competitor Yamaha (which is less powerful and less recent it is true), and be aware that it is a machine anyway powerful : inside is a real computer, it all alone, don c it seems jutifier part of its price. Next, I noticed that each of the 10 - 15 "Expansion Cards" (= sound bank) supplied with the unit is sold in 300 €! (Which is expensive, I think) So it's perspective ...

- With experience, you do again this choice?
Too early to tell, I would answer this question in 6 months.