The New Roland GAIA 2: A Full Review & Tutorial
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
- In this video I do a full review on the new Roland GAIA 2. I explain and demonstrate all the different features, talk about what I like and dislike about the synth, and give you my overall verdict.
UPDATE: An update to the motional pad problem I demonstrate in this video: feedback from Roland support is that this is a defect, and Sweetwater is overnighting me a replacement unit. So if you have this same "Calibrating Pad..." problem on your unit, make sure you contact your retailer to exchange it for a non-defective one.
My comparison video on the GAIA vs the GAIA 2: • Comparison: The Classi...
Roland GAIA 2: amzn.to/3FcgoYo
Roland GAIA SH-01: www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...
My keyboard Z stand: amzn.to/3Ix5xuF
Z stand extra tier: amzn.to/3XtVpa6
My keyboard A frames: amzn.to/3YwAPav
My silver keyboard covers: amzn.to/40VySFx
My black keyboard covers: amzn.to/3Gt5oXz
0:00 Intro
1:17 Another Boring Zen Core Synth?
3:35 Feature Overview
8:52 Layout & Architecture
10:32 VA Oscillators
13:45 Wavetable Oscillator
15:17 Mixer & Pitch Envelope
16:03 Filter
17:57 Amplitude Envelope
18:36 Effects
20:37 LFOs
23:38 Motional Pad
27:20 Patch Selection
29:04 Accidental Patch Loss
30:20 Arpeggiator
31:35 Sequencer
34:05 Sound Remain
35:11 Hold, Chord & Velocity
36:48 Mono/Portamento
37:13 Patch Reset, Write
37:42 Pitch & Mod Wheels
38:21 Init & Manual
38:46 Browse Patch by Category
40:06 Menu-Only Functions
44:00 Demo Track
45:30 What I Like
46:41 What I Dislike
52:36 Summary
#Roland #GAIA #Review - Hudba
An update to the motional pad problem I demonstrate in this video: feedback from Roland support is that this is a defect, and Sweetwater is overnighting me a replacement unit. So if you have this same "Calibrating Pad..." problem on your unit, make sure you contact your retailer to exchange it for a non-defective one.
Great review, answered some of my questions no one else was showing or addressing. Thank you!!!
I'm an original Gaia owner for over 10 years. The Gaia2 is not a Gaia update but an all-new synth, hence I will not sell my Gaia and add the Gaia2 to my studio. Why? These digital synths are extremely rare in synth history; JD800, JP8000, Gaia, Gaia2, are the only surface control digital we had. (JunoX and JupiterX, are somewhat surface but not really and expensive for this market as is the System8 but the 8voices is not enough. Big poly 22 voices or more, or what an analog will never give you, is for the keyboard masters out there who make big two handed chords and fast two handed play with a litle release. The surface control of these digitals and the voices make these extremely rare, so yea, buying it.
Beginner synths, Gaia's? No. These are far more complex than any analog synth (except MoogOne maybe), never heard someone say a Prophet was a beginners synth or a Moog Mini was a beginners synth but these are fairly simple subtractive. I've been a keyboard musician for 56 years, recording engineer and sound designer for 35 years, I don't consider myself a beginner, but like the Gaia's. A true update to the original Gaia would have been to improve oscillator sound quality, add a small menu for those multi-button press alternatives, add a 2nd or 3rd pedal input, and better sounding reverb.
I own a Fantom, and know ZenCore sound design, the Gaia2 is not ZenCore but a hybrid or something else. If ZenCore like a MC101, it would be 256 voice. The 22 voice is telling us it is something in between ACB and Zencore (SuperNatural?). I also added the Kurzweil synth this year, I'm not afraid of complex OS keyboards, don't need beginner synths.
From every demo I've heard, the GAIA2 is a real pad monster. Even most of the presets are great. I am considering it. And you are right, synth manufacturers need to do something about these small LCD screens. They remind me of 90s mobile phones. They should at least provide an HDMI out with an alternate user interface (like all controls visible on a single screen). There is now enough processing power in these synths to drive displays.
really cool idea with the hdmi out
Maybe they use the small LCD screens because they might be more reliable in the long term, like 15 years from now?
Now i need to test this against the Jupitor X. The pads on that are uncanny. And...Um... you obviously didn't live in the 90s! These screens are LIGHTYEARS ahead of anything on those phones. We couldn't play snake on a cellphone until about 2003. Lol. Yes, i know, you're comment was intentionally a bit hyperbolic.
It does great lead sounds, too.
@@salaciouscrumb that is possible, but that is certainly not what Roland displays are known for 🤣
I'm usually not a fan of Roland synth demos because everyone i watch only showcase pads and string type sounds.
This demo really makes reconsider purchasing this synth. This is the best demo I've seen so far.
I love this Synth and it’s probably my cheapest. It has some real innovation but most important, Roland says it’s not a Zen. It has the best of Roland (particularly those Choruses) without the deep menu diving - the controls are all out there. The motion pad has that recording feature which makes it an Uber LFO! It’s also only ten pounds so I can sleep with it!
I spent an hour or so with one a few days ago, and in general, I really do like the GAIA 2. But, I too had some areas that didn't float my boat. For one, I really liked the architecture of the original GAIA with it's filter and amp per oscillator. That made truly complex sounds possible. There are a few other boats missed as well. For instance, if oscillators 2 and 3 are indeed VA, then it should be possible to sweep/morph through the waveforms. Speaking of that, the knob that controls the wave shape is so easy to turn and the detents so minimal, it's easy to accidentally change the waveshape while playing. And, when that happens, the sound drops out and then retriggers as if you'd played the notes again. The same is true of the range control. I agree that the pitch and mod wheels are kind of a joke, though I also don't like the usual Roland paddle for this kind of instrument -- wheels are where it's at here. But, I can't see any good reason why they couldn't use full-sized wheels.
Don't get me wrong, it sounds great, but I feel like they hamstrung the GAIA and piled some glitz on it to cover up the result. I really wanted to love the GAIA 2. I wanted for it to scream at me to heat up a credit card. But IMO, it is not a $900 synth. FWIW, my local dealer feels the same way.
Seems like a really weird choice not to give each oscillator its own filter and amp. Even on old ROMplers you had the option of changing the oscillator mix over time using separate amp env. I can understand why they did it this way, ease of use. But it feels like a step backward to me.
Once again, Roland fails to convince me to buy a Zencore synth. Owned a MC707 for a while and wasn’t thrilled with the sound.
@@sub-jec-tiv So many synths don't give them their own distinct filter and amp any more. There may be a "filter per voice," but they all get the same control/settings. The original GAIA, each oscillator had a completely independent filter and amp, each with their own envelope. Same with the LFOs -- an independent LFO for each oscillator.
If it is ZenCore it is not really VA. Even they call it VA in the other ZenCore synths it is actually sample based, as some guys on CZcams figured out.
But still even with this technology they should be able to implement to move continuously between waveforms like with many real VAs.
@@mudi2000a Thanks. That was my suspicion. Roland really need to call it what it is.
The lack of independent tones with their own filter, lfo, and envelope is a big 'ol NOPE from me. This could have been a much more powerful synth with that feature combined with the features it does have.
Its a really complete review, I knew from the start I was gona like that little synth right away as soon as I saw it on the internet, I like the 37 key format, the fact that it has full size keys ans that it can be battery powered with a power brick and a usb-c cable. The layout is clear and logic with enough knobs and sliders for the envoloppe, but the biggest feature of this synth I think are the two programable step enveloppes that can be assigned to 4 destinations each, like you said it would be great if we could have the choice to set it to one shot or key trigger and free running, but I totally disagre when you said it should have a joystick instead of pitch and mod wheels, I much prefer a proper pitch and mod wheel, even if they're too small.
That aside I really love that synth, I think it fits in the same size cathegory and form factor of the Modwave, Wavestate, and Opsix. and it looks like the first Minilogue too☕🍁🌙
Thank you, Scott, for the cool video. The only thing I could add is: holding Menu then touching/turning any other button, or slider, will instantly bring up the menu for that function. It's a great way to edit a sound quickly!
Roland hates being so practical.
You're right, I totally forgot to mention that!
Excellent overview, Scott. At first I thought this synth was a littler overpriced, compared to Korg Modwave or Arturia Minifreak. But after trying the Gaia 2 in my local Sweetwater, I want one BADLY now. It's easy to use, looks, feels, and sounds great in my opinion. It makes wavetable sounds but it has a great analog synth kind of interface, which I love. It's very "un-Roland" in it's approach and it's very refreshing. I think it'll be a sleeper hit.
Nice useful review! Categories on the presets is great. Waiting for mine to arrive.
It’s a great new sounding Roland I see a lot of hate around about it but the sound from this instrument is total refreshing and modern.
if by modern you mean shit then yes. it sounds just like that
I already have a system 8and a Waldorf. Iridium Keyboard. I sold several synths after realizing I pretty much had the synthneeds covered but I also want to use this little synth live with my system 8 and Force, and Maschine, and Roland mix-1 USB.
I really like your videos and you certainly know your stuff and your delivery is very classy.
Because of you I’m going to be 900 bucks poorer but it Looks like I will finally own a Gaia,
And to detractors saying this is just an expensive Plugin…yeah, I get it. This synth is a plugin software synth except that if Roland goes under, the gaia 2 will still function. If I upgrade my computer, I won’t lose the gaia due to migration issues. And most importantly, I CAN TOUCH IT! I do use plugins but I much prefer the real thing.
Plugins are like masturbation, you get the same results in the end, but real sex is so much more fulfilling!
GRAB A KNOB!
Great demo :D
Good review Scott and thanks for not being a shill. You point out the obvious failures as well as the good stuff. Well done!
to be perfectly honest, I dislike it's sound as a polyphonic synth [too plastic soundwise]. However, I'd use it as a Bass Station 2 alternative for bass, sequences, noise making and dirty lead work. Also think it's not that well priced given the caveats it presents.
I LOVE my Jupiter-X and Fantom-8. Fantastic instruments.
What you shortly played with the "Synthar Athmos"-patch at 34:48 reminds a lot of Roxy Music's intro from "More Than This" what's astonishing for just a single instrument producing a so far unexplainable otherworldly mood.
Great review i wish it was multitimbral. I wanted to use this for a quick and direct synth for lead, bass, pad sounds but guess ill have to keep looking. Would be nice if it could at least do multi part triggered from a sequencer/ daw
Hmm … not convinced; though I liked your demo sounds towards the end (and the effects sound good). Thanks for the review! 😎👍🏼
Thanks man! What a reivew, i was waiting for a honest one for a long time. Really good synth! Now i know. But this key bounce thing... one can only imagine what will happen to it after half a year of humidity and dust. Roland at it again (anyone remember jdxi keybed? i do, and it's not a pleasant memory). I hope they will fix it? Donner B-1 had the same problem and it was magically fixed in the update!
Hey man you did a great job, one of the best channels around!
Thanks! Fortunately, unless they did something ridiculous like doing button debounce in hardware, it should be relatively easy to fix with a firmware update.
@@ScottsSynthStuff let's hope so!
I think this new GAIA 2 is an awesome little synth, its almost overqualified to carry the GAIA name, when considering what the original was.
Scott, great review, thank you. I've followed your videos for a while and have learned that our synth tastes are similar enough that I can always count on your review conclusions to be something along the same lines as my taste. I have stayed away from the Zen Core stuff and kept my System 8 (fantastic synth), because Zen just doesn't cut it for me. I do love the Juno X though, but just can't see myself plunking down that amount of cash for a hobby. Now the Gaia 2 though ... that I can see.
I agree with you.... Scotts taste in synths and studio MIDI routing, etc are very close to mine as well.... (Scotts videos are what led me to buying a Fantom 06 and I'm blown away). Being an original GAIA owner (which I have now sold), this looks intriguing to own (but sigh..... I've run out of room and some of my stuff has to go if I'm going to incorporate anything new and more powerful like the GAIA 2). This is by far THE BEST synthesizer channel for me.... Scott is SUPER knowledgable and helpful with his responses.... Always appreciated!!!
IIRC you can use the pitch envelope to sweep the wavetable position, which gives you the one-shot capability you want.
Great video Scott, great audio too. Seems similar to my Korg Modwave, with more high frequencies (Good). Track pad to settings is very cool. Will see if my music store can give me an audition. Already have much Roland gear, including the lovely JD-XA, so I'm a fanboy. Seems Roland give bang-4-buck, if not boutique sounds, and small OLED screens don't bother me.
Thank You!
Excellent review. Definitely looking forward to add to my setup. One thing that you mentioned, when you make an edit, you lose the edit when changing programs. Isn’t there a save option for edits?
You can save your edits...but if you don't, and you change patches, your changes are gone. I was not able to find any option to prevent this, nor is anything mentioned in the manual.
@@ScottsSynthStuff. lol, early version Summit hardware, all over again … What is it with big synth manufacturers, repeating basic issues like these, over-and-over … ?! 🙃
Helpful vid, looking to get my 1st synth, this might be at the top. I just have a yamaha mox6 at the moment
Pass on this one... The SYSTEM 8 is much better, hands down, take other reviewers and owners advise. Even Scott states this in an above reply .
@tommyg5095 yeah the 8 is definitely better but I wasn't looking at that price point lolol
I’m very happy with it 👽✌️
Fantastic review, although i'm not convinced about this synth. Goes too deep into certain areas while missing out on others.
I like it. Might be worth comparing to the Modal Argon 8. This has significantly more voices. And I like that motion pad.
Very very very comprehensive 😂❤
I have a Juno-60 in my Juno X (that you tried to shit on). So yes it exists already. I love it. It sounds amazing!! Currently you need a Juno X to have access to it.
With it's three distinct tones that each have their own independent filter, lfo, and envelope, I can't imagine why you would sell your original Gaia.
Thanks for the info on the JD-800 having multiple tones. Wish it had the ability to quickly copy one tone to another or select multiple tones to edit at the same time. That is a feature that still makes the original Gaia an absolute winner for me.
I would have loved if the Gaia 2 had incorporated all that but... as it is, while I do dig the motion stuff, I just don't know that I would spend that much for a cheaper model Zyncore synth with a flashy modulation option. I could get the Korg Modwave if I wanted that.
I was wrong about the old series
you were right
when are you gonna do a recap?
Does it come with a software editor for post tracking automation tweaks in a DAW environment, and a librarian? Great video
Not yet. I suspect it will however, either from Roland or a third party.
I purchased the gaia 2, but im debating sending it back. I just wish they could have made it muti timbral, at least two parts.
Hi sir, I am new to synth and I bought this.
Can presets be added to via Roland Cloud?
All I’ve seen anyone mention is the three additional models available
Can you confirm nothing else can be uploaded to the synth beyond those three models?
I’m a bit confused on that.
In other words if I pay for Roland cloud will I be able to use anything else besides those three models “on this synth machine”
Thank you 🙏🏼
The only real "issue" I have with the new Gaia is the lack of multi timbral capability. In an era where so many MPE synths and controllers are becoming normalized, this seems a glaring removal/omission. Being able to use a Hydrasynth, an Osmose, or a KMI/Roli controller just opens up so many performance possibilities. The Nymphes is a great little (and inexpensive) 6 voice fully analog synth, but playing thru the Hydra or Osmose (throwing a few external FX boxes onto it's output) and it goes from being a sort of Juno 6/60/106 based synth to something so much more. Maybe in firmware they can at least make it MPE responsive. Roland has finally gotten with the USB program, now just get with the MPE program and you be forward thinking.
And it is multitimbral really as you can play sounds on top of each other so let us get 16 parts with fw 1.11 please - why not u know.
High, may ask you something? It it a digital recorder in the corner or a digital mixer? What is it named exactly?
That's a Behringer X32, it is a digital mixer, but it does have the capability of recording to USB (although I don't use this function - I use it as a multichannel audio interface to my DAW)
i think you might want to edit the part where you said " it has the same keys as the jupiter X"
i think what you meant is Juno-X .
cheers!
HOLD FUNCTION FINALLY
These are going for $699 now. Hopefully, with a FW update, this will be bi-timbral. I think it's comical the way some are bemoaning the missing GM sounds. There are Roland GS units around for $100 or less.
In my opinion, Roland screens are not that bad. These are not LCDs - these are OLEDs with very high contrast and very wide reading angles. They are small, it's true.
I don't know a lot about the Gaia 1 or 2, but I know my friend that replaced his Juno 60 with a Gaia was hugely disappointed in the sound. He probably should have bought a Jupiter X or the modern Fantom. I don't think they were out at the time. It seems the Gaia 2 can also use model expansions, so it would probably have been a lot better for him.
he replaced a Juno60 with a Gaia? 😅 what was/is wrong with him fcs
He was a gigging musician.
Weight probably the reason.
Too bad the System 8, Jupiter X, Juno X or Fantom 06wasn't available at the time.
Wow now that must be one of the worse decisions he must have made😮. The guy who bought the Juno 60 made the opposite decision that day.. Gosh
i still think my Roland SH-4d packs more punch for cheaper but i do like the drawing motion xy pad modulation feature is pretty sick ! best demo so far btw
p.s that calibration bug would drive me nuts
@@SonicVibe Probably as good as all that Moog gear you don't own eh?
my mavis might just be the last gear the real moog ever sold @@dankeplace
@@SonicVibe Mavis? you said you had a whole bunch of Moog that you wont sell now because something something.
yup but that was the last thing i bought before InMusic @@dankeplace
Does the Gaia 2 do anything like vector synthesis?
It's not multitimbral, but you can get the motional pad matrixed into a lot of different parameters that make it work very similar to a vector synth.
The more I see the Gaia 2,the more I can't escape the feeling that it's just a bad Modwave. For it's price, you could get a Modwave AND a System 1.
Go try edit a modwave like that (I have one). Ok if you want to spend hours. The modwave is totally awesome though but so complex…
@SlaserX It took a while to understand my Korg Modwave, though it's more "different" than complex. Eg, lots of pre-set choruses, once you discover ther's s sub-menu. Modulation and the Sequencer are a bit complex.
Behringer just released a small synths with tiny OLED displays but despite the size they are super clear and sharp. Roland should learn from them about that. Btw. System 8 or Gaia2?
Oh I'd take the System-8 for sure.
SYSTEM 8 NO QUESTION ABOUT IT..
System 8 of course but have a look at the Peak ;)
@@errorkit Already have a Summit! :)
I am truly thinking, seriously thinking of buying a second SYSTEM-8...
What's a retail price? It jumping up and down from 900 to 770... did anyone bought it already from the store?
I'm just waiting on your next 9+ minute masterpiece, before you call this synth a *buzzsaw*
It’s reasonably priced I suppose compared to used nord lead 2’s , Novation K series , or even JP8K/8080 synths if you’re after a knobby virtual analog with more modern features , where it falls short is that multitimbrality isn’t a common “ modern feature “ , but as Roland is an IP Platform first and an instrument manufacturer second I suppose that’s where the SH4d comes in to surprisingly fill that extremely underserved gap .
For decades now, companies have put out new boxes that are all the same. A couple oscillators, filter, amp, envelopes, lfos, and some effects to add on. Plus an arpeggiator and 64 step sequencer. Have now so many synths that can do the same, that every new synth is just boring.
There's a lot of companies putting out very interesting completely non-traditional experimental stuff to ya know!
That's what a synth is. Maybe what you want is those autopilot melody generators and modular madness stuff from those synth expo videos.
It’s all about how those building blocks are connected. Even a synth with just those building blocks can be very deep, if it has unusual patching abilities like the ability to cross modulate oscillators. For example many modular synths are built of those basic building blocks, but the sounds you can get out of them are extremely different from a Juno because of the amount of flexibility.
Oof, the menu diving looks fiddly. I make complex patches, i’d be hating this synth. I realize i’m in the minority though, most people just load a preset and change the filter.
It's actually not bad. Roland have done a good job for a change of making the menus make sense.
Love your channel man, have followed for ages… but… Roland has sucked for SO LONG and has been so lazy, expecting people to just flood them with cash for subpar junk for so long, that I don’t care about anything they make any more. It’s 10 lbs of the same old crap from Roland. Gaia 2 could have laser guided features galore and they can still GTH. You have to buy into their shitty ecosystem. Keep up there great videos and content!!
I REALLY don't like that for the GAIA 2, in order to have model expansions loaded, you have to buy a proprietary Roland WIFI connector, and have the thing "phone home" on a regular basis to ensure that you still have permission to use your synth that you BOUGHT, or else it no longer works. Not in a MILLION years would I subject myself to that. Roland can go pound sand for that.
But as a completely stand-alone, self-contained, synth the GAIA 2 is actually pretty good. At least it's not yet another remake of an 80's "Roland classic." I mean, how many Juno-106 remakes do we possibly need?
@@ScottsSynthStuffdo you mean that you you can’t install model expansions via USB-C and, worse, you have to periodically authorize them, even with a lifetime key? 😢
@@weddy5700 Correct. You have to buy the dongle, and you only get a specific number of power cycles before the synth locks you out until you let it "phone home" for permission to continue using what you paid for. EXACTLY why I refuse to do this. I will never buy an expansion for my GAIA 2.
@@ScottsSynthStuff planned obsolescence then… you’re totally right. Fortunately, it’s a bonus.
I can grab a second hand Gaia 2 for 600€ and still wonder if I can get more subtle tones as the presets. I fell in love with the ergonomics! Much more hands-on as my Modwave (a complex beast). More limitations, more fun!
Should have been ACB. What a shame.
Can't do ACB and have a 22 voice synth. Too much work on the processor.
Max in synths for ACB is 8 voice.
@@dankeplace But that was over 7 years ago now with the release of the System 8! Surely processors of that kind have advanced?! Should be able to achieve 16 voices at least...
@@kekethetoad there is a reason they haven't done this, and I doubt it has to do with the processing power.
Live less
Annoying review.
Boring