Kansas City-based jazz trumpeter Alber (Alberto Racanati) shared this video, capturing a 12/6/2023 live performance at Charlotte Street Foundation Studios.
Racanati has been combining trumpet with synths since 2017. His video captures him performing five tracks, arranged for trumpet and a combination of Roland & Elektron gear. He didn’t share technical details, but it looks like his rig features an Elektron Digitakt, Roland SH-4D & SP-404. He’s accompanied by video art & production by Freq.Speak.
Roland and Serato come together to celebrate 303 day with a double control vinyl set that also honours the TR-606 drum machine.
Crank out your squelchiest basslines, because it’s 303 day, and Roland and Serato are celebrating together this year with a double control vinyl set that honours not only the iconic classic TB synth, but also the TR-606 drum machine.
The special edition vinyl is created in collaboration with trailblazing DJs J. Rocc, Fast Eddie, Shadow Child and DJ Haus.
Both boxes were released in 1981 to a fairly muted response, but found their groove in the ‘90s when they were discovered and repurposed by electronic musicians. The first record pays tribute to the distinctive bass lines of the 303, reinterpreted by hip house pioneer Fast Eddie and influential dance music DJ and producer Shadow Child. The second record simulates the pulsating drum beats of the 606, reinvented by seminal producer DJ Haus and J. Rocc, one of the original turntablists.
The records are designed to show how the revered sounds of Roland’s TR-606 and TB-303 continue to influence the landscape of electronic music today.
“If it wasn’t for the 303, I wouldn’t even be here right now talking to you. That’s my history,” says Fast Eddie of the classic Roland synth. J Rocc meanwhile, recalls: “When I first heard the 606, it was a revelation – it’s right up there with the best.”
Each vinyl was designed with complementary BPMs, allowing for flawless synchronization when played together. DJs can also blend them with their existing record collection or integrate them seamlessly with tracks in their DJ software, making it easy to use them together. The flip side (B & D) of each vinyl offers the Serato control tone for purists.
The Serato + Roland TB-303 Bass Line / TR-606 Drumatix Control Vinyl is available now. Find out details on the Serato website.
In the latest XNB video offers a deep dive into the Roland JX-08 synthesizer.
The Roland JX-08 is a new synth in their ‘Boutique’ line, based on the Roland JX-8P. The JX-08 features expanded polyphony, two-part multitimbral capability, and dual/split modes. It includes 32 presets from the original hardware and 100-plus new patches tailored to contemporary styles.
Unlike the original JX-8P, though, the JX-08 features a full set of hands-on controls, derived from the companion PG-800 programmer unit for the original hardware.
Topics covered:
0:00 – Intro
0:52 – Patches, Parts, Dual & Split
05:28 – Initialize and save
10:24 – ARP, NOTE, SEQ
18:45 – Sound Modes
20:47 – DCO’s
28:49 – Mixer ENV
31:02 – VCF
37:42 – Envelopes & VCA
39:22 – Envelopes 101
44:22 – LFO & Portamento
49:91 – Effect
54:34 – Arpeggiator
01:01:15 – Part Options
01:06:36 – MIDI settings
Watch the video embedded above and share your thoughts on the JX-08 in the comments!
