Trend price : 50-100€
JS-30 is a desktop sampler dj-oriented with pads and basic internal ROM samples.
Company: Roland
Model: JS-30
Class: Module sampler
Dates: 1994
Country: Japan
Weight: 4 kg
Dimensions: n/a
Technology: digital
SP
Pad: 13
Display: 7-segments
Resolution: 8 / 16 bits
S. frequency: 22/44 kHz
N.waves: 36 PCM
Polyphony: 8 voices
Envelope: 1 ADSR
Memory: 1->4 mb
RAM type: SIMM 30 pins
Sequencer: 4 tracks
Sync: Midi clock
Midi: IN / OUT
DAC: BB PCM54HP
ADC: AK 9201AVP
Demo: 1
Video: 1
Review: 1
DOWNLOAD: user manual
Overview
Main panel features a basic segments display, 47 buttons, 3 sliders and 13 trigger pads that transmit Midi.
Terminal connectors:
- line input RCA
-
main out RCA
- SCSI connector
- Midi interface
- headphones out
Voice
System manages up to 8 voices of polyphony at 8-16 bits resolution with a monophonic sampling process fixed at 22 or 44 kHz rate.
TECH:
For 16 bits sampling mode it needs at least 2 Mb of RAM memory.
Wavetable
the ROM contains 36 preset samples mainly 90' dance from Roland MDC-1 and some TR-909 samples.
No way to modify the ROM content or edit PCM.
Sampling
just plug a source into gain select line or microphone impedance (CUE mode allows headphones preview for live set) then each sample has a user defined BMP tempo and can be assigned to individual pad or split by notes or triggered by Midi keyboard.
Edit
limited sample edit: loop, truncate, normalize and reverse.
Memory
factory JS comes with 1 Mb of volatile memory expandable to 4 Mb using 30 pins SIMMS for a total sampling time of 22.5 seconds at 44.1 KHz for each RAM mega.
Whole RAM bank is split into DUAL mode for "load while playing" or "sample while playing".
Envelope
a single EG 4-segments type ADSR for the amplitude control.
Sequencer
a simple 4 RPS tracks with
a) real-tim
e b) step input modes.
System can be synched with MIDI CLOCK.
Storage
SCSI interface that handles Iomega Zip or even external HD with custom file system (600 MB MAX file system formatted).
In addition SCSI imports samples (not programs) library from Roland S7XX- S550- S330 or even Akai S1000, but JS30 cannot display file name and that's a big problem.
Review
OK: cheap / pads / scsi / 8 bits mode
NOT : display / edit / limited edit / internal wavetable
"Display is cryptic, but SCSI option can open a vast door to the Roland sample library. Do not expand it: 8 bits resolution is funnier!"
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
