Roland Aira Series Review (T-8, J-6, E-4): A Backpack Recording Studio

You may not imagine it, however in the event you’re older than 19, you possibly can most likely determine precisely what a classic, high-end Juno synth feels like. If you are craving that classic sound, you possibly can nonetheless discover it by haggling with weirdos on Craigslist and repairing historic circuitry, however it is going to value you in cash, time, and presumably aggravation.

Not any longer: Small, inexpensive, rechargeable, and moveable, Roland’s new Aira synth line contains the T-8 drum machine, J-6 synth, and E-4 vocal processor. You can sync them up with no laptop computer to carry out stay or use them with an audio interface to document classic-sounding hits. Together they value lower than a Macbook Air.

The democratization of music production gear is nothing new. Top 10 singles have been crafted in bedrooms and residential studios for many years, and producers like Finneas are making hits with gear that prices as a lot as a single day’s studio rental did within the early Eighties. The Aira is simply the most recent line to step into the land of old-school synths, drums, and vocoders for lower than the value of a Walkman off eBay.

The ’80s Called

The T-8, J-6, and E-4 are available in compact plastic instances with orange, blue, and pink backs. A small USB-C port behind every synth acts as a charging port (you will get about 4 hours of battery life if you wish to take these off-grid) with 3.5-mm midi out and in ports beside it.

On high of every unit are two 3.5-mm sync ports (out and in, for pairing with different models in time) and blend in-and-out ports for sending audio by all three models with no mixer. It’s a pleasant contact that allows you to play them all of sudden. On the higher proper of every unit is a quantity knob, which is small however oddly satisfying to show.

Below that, they grow to be their very own distinct digital devices. I gained’t get into methods to use them (Roland’s wonderful manuals and a few YouTube videos will take you additional than I can in a couple of hundred phrases), however right here’s what they do.

The T-8 acts as a 32-step sequencing drum machine, very similar to the basic Roland 808 (learn: Kanye West’s favourite drum machine) however with extra sounds. It has controls for bass drum, snare, hi-hat, toms, and hand claps. You may also add a bass or keyboard line. If you just like the sound of ’80s radio beats, you’ll discover these right here, in addition to greater than sufficient tuning and customization options to put in writing EDM, indie, hip hop, pop, and different beats with ease.