Capturing ideas with the JD-XA

I’m a bit confused by my JD-XA’s sequencer. How do I make a four-bar sequence?

The JD-XA is one of our favourite synths but it lacks detailed tutorials for the sequencer. There’s a sequencer primer at bit.ly/roland_seqprimer but we’ll break it down below. The XA’s sequencer is a useful resource when songwriting or capturing ideas quickly. You have 16 parts, four analogue, four digital and eight int/ext/MIDI, all of which can trigger the internal engines or external MIDI and CV. This lets you use the XA not just as a sketchpad for complex ideas (with the native engines) but also to control other MIDI/CV gear.

> Now, hit Real Time Record and play, let the count in roll by (if you set one) and start recording your sequence. If you make a mistake, erase the pattern with the Erase button (and choosing Erase All) or press Erase and hit notes whilst play/recording is enabled. > Once your parts are recorded, save and name the preset (which saves the sequence too). You should now have independent bass and EP parts on Analogue PT1 and Digital PT1. Now tweak the sounds, add effects, overdub and record parameter tweaks in live too.

> First, make your bass and EP sounds. We like to make a split EP/bass so it can record the EP and bass at once to separate tracks. Make an analogue bass on Analogue PT1, then an EP on Digital PT1. Set zone/key/split ranges by holding the respective part buttons/notes. > Next up, let’s prime the JD-XA’s sequencer! Hit the Pattern Length button and set the length to anywhere from 1 to 4 bars. Now hit the Real Time Rec button and scroll through and set the options such as count in, click, grid, quantise on input, swing, loop record etc.