VvSurLeRiddim
Published on 04/01/13 at 09:30
Value For Money :
Poor
- 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.
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.