AIRA Compact Series
$215 each roland.com
Strengths
+ Portable and rechargeable
+ Comprehensive connectivity including USB, MIDI and Audio In/Out
+ The quality of the sound engines
Limitations
– T-8 and J-6 would benefit from better screens for editing of menu parameters
– Noise present at audio outputs when powered via USB
– T-8 and J-6: no internal automation of sound parameters; limited MIDI spec
Roland haven't been shy of revisiting their classics, and this has taken many forms – from hardware to software, targeting specific units, or just distilling parts into entirely new products. The Aira range with its black and green livery was one of their first attempts to provide realistic recreations. More recently the Boutique range has resurrected the sound of the Jupiter-8, TR-808 and many others. It is notable however that Roland have stuck with the DSP approach, unlike Korg who have introduced units based around analog sound generation circuitry (most accessible in the Volca range, where simplicity, small footprint, battery power and
