Roland JS-30

Sampler desktop with 12 pads not sensitive to the dynamics: it is donf or nothing.
Sequencer real time without quantization, just a reminder ...
No scheduled backup internally ... but a SCSI port: a funny machine dating from 1994.

Eight-voice polyphony.
Only mono.
RCA audio outputs.
Headphone output.
No effect.
Stereo audio input and fader to mix with the incoming sounds JS-30 signal.
Resolution of 8 original (with 1Mb of memory base) but passes in 16 bit when the memory is max (4Mb with 3 simm edo 1 Mb) bit.
Resolution sample 22 or 44.1 kHz, 22.5 seconds at 44.1 kHz 8 bit with 1Mb and 45 seconds in 16 bit 44.1 kHz with 4Mb.
With 1Mb: 8 bit / with 4 Mb: 16 bit and no choice!
36 PCM sounds factory we can not erase ... almost unusable except pseudo TR909 kit, Roland oblige! Nevertheless, it can still be used to impress your fluorescent groupies in the evenings 90s kitsch and ridiculous authentic guaranteed success in the key!

The backup tape does not work ... well, let me explain, it saves the data in digital (computer backup type prehistoric tape, for those who remember, with the characteristic sound of the modem) and for the samples ... it's audio! sound scrolls faster then resampled by the machine. Zero points for this solution because the deterioration of the sound is terrible.
Dump sample works only with "Awave Studio", but very good. Maybe with another soft, but I have not found. As a reminder, noon sds transmits only mono data and it is great, just the JS-30 is mono.

Attention ZIP 100 drives do not work necessarily, it depends on the model JS-30 chip that team (but obviously unlikely to have the correct version of Os of origin).

UTILIZATION

The general config is pretty good, I would say that this device is an ergonomics and ease-of-use! shame that its possibilities are from another time ...
The manual is very clear when we ignored the multi languages ​​on the same page and drawings, you know, going to see to understand
Editing is an example of the genre, even if the display is more simplissime. If you are unable to serve you the JS-30, stop to persist in the way of electronic musical instruments ...

No effect at all, but again, fast and efficient editing with adjustable ADSR, anyway.

SOUNDS

Converters, well, like in the old days I would say ... no filter or effect, but the dynamic is very good.
The economy you will apply: the samplers at the time, remember SP-12 and other MPC 60, the trick was accelerated sampler sounds (33t of 45 for example) then dépitcher to get good playback speed . The JS-30, good old old school recipe works just perfectly: a lil ride in your favorite audio editor, a p'tit x4 or x8 or more for the more adventurous. Once in the box, no dépitchez mercilessly. This is the secret weapon for aliasing thunder!

OVERALL OPINION

I'm a fan of samplers in desktop format. I have MPC 2000 XL Ensoniq asr-x pro, Akai S20. Miss me yet Studio 440, Yamaha SU 700, SP 12 or 1200, but that is another story and most importantly, another investment, but I remain open to all the gifts, I take good care, I promise, I swear!
I love the look of the JS-30, gray plasticky 90's solid and robust design made in Italy. I bought mine for 50 euro, "mint" in its original box, with only intermittent failure due to poor contact which was repaired seamless: a breeze.
However, I totally recommend buying this unit as first harware sampler: the simple fact of the SCSI connectors or hard drive that goes to risk your morale ... further possibilities - ridiculous today 'hui - you navreront necessarily. Fully do a song with is a tour de force which I am not yet risky. However, for those who want a simple and effective sampler for creating your own drum kits or percussion old school, why not, but you will absolutely have pumped directly into memory (4 MB, as saying nothing), otherwise seeking three barrettes simm edo 1 Mb risk be more than tedious.
Do not lose sight of that fact Akai S20 figure racing machine by comparison, is an understatement!
Attention also to lovers sound research, the sound of the Roland transalpine is not low-fi, except if you take the madness of sampler directly your handheld radio with micro doll your little sister connected to JS -30 ... but who does that these days
To conclude, a sympathetic curiosity, although very expensive when it was released (8500 balls was not nothing), it should buy at a really cheap price, under penalty of being disappointed because, unlike Notice Utopik with which I do not agree - and this despite the respect I owe to those who take the trouble to write a review here - our brave JS-30 can in no way replace an MPC, even RPET.

A / D 16-bit D / A 20-bit
No effects
1 MB RAM standard, upgradeable to 16MB
MIDI In/Out, SCSI, RCA IN / OUT, MICROPHONE IN
Sequencerr 4 tracks - Works of samples - PADS
64 inner loops

The JS-30 is closer to an MPC, than other samplers of It's age/ price
Good sound, intuitive operation, but, you loose all of your data when you power off.

UTILIZATION

Relatively simple to use, manual is long and has a poor multilingual layout
Editing is a redundant samples without LCD ...

SOUNDS

Converters correct, 22 or 44.1 Khz
ASDR envelope for samples

OVERALL OPINION

It's a good machine, which is an equivalent can of SP-505 for example. This can be a good alternative for a group that seeks a machine for squence or play samples live or RPET without investing in other hardware coteux more .. .
(It was quoted at over 8500 Fr its release 10 years ago ...)