What is the Roland Cloud SRX Dance Trax?

It is a virtual instrument plug-in that brings the sounds of the original SRX hardware expansion boards to modern computers. It includes a vast library of sounds specifically designed for electronic music production.

How many sounds are included in the SRX Dance Trax?

The software contains 567 patches and over 2,000 individual waveforms. These include a variety of drums, loops, scratches, and synthesiser sounds.

What genres of music is this instrument best for?

It is specifically designed for dance and electronic music. It is highly suitable for genres such as hip-hop, techno, house, and trance.

Is this a physical hardware expansion board?

No, this is a virtual instrument (software) for use within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). It is based on the legacy SRX hardware but exists as a digital plug-in.

Does it include drum sounds?

Yes, it includes hundreds of individual drum sounds, including kicks and snares. It also features pre-recorded loops and grooves for rhythmic production.

What is the typical price for a lifetime key?

The typical price for a lifetime key for this virtual instrument is approximately £67. This allows the user to own the software permanently without a recurring subscription.

How does it compare to the Roland Juno-106 virtual instrument?

The Juno-106 is an emulation of a single specific analogue synthesiser. In contrast, SRX Dance Trax is a sample-based workstation containing thousands of different sounds from multiple sources.

Does it include special performance effects?

Yes, it features various sound effects such as scratches and stabs. It also includes modern digital effects to process the sounds within the plug-in.

Can I use this in any DAW?

Yes, as part of the Roland Cloud, it is compatible with most major DAWs that support VST, AU, or AAX formats. This includes software like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.

What original hardware is this based on?

It takes sounds from six different titles in the original Roland SRX expansion board series. These boards were originally used to add sounds to Roland hardware synthesisers.

Is SRX Dance Trax included in ZENOLOGY Pro?

While ZENOLOGY Pro is Roland's flagship synthesiser, SRX Dance Trax is a distinct virtual instrument. However, both are part of the broader Roland Cloud ecosystem.

Are there other SRX virtual instruments available?

Yes, Roland offers other titles in the series such as SRX Piano 1 and SRX Piano 2. These focus on different sound categories compared to the electronic focus of Dance Trax.

Gear article

Roland Cloud SRX Dance Trax Virtual Instrument

The Roland Cloud SRX Dance Trax is a virtual instrument plug-in that recreates the legacy of the SRX hardware expansion series for modern digital audio workstations. It offers a comprehensive library of over 2,000 waveforms and 567 patches tailored for electronic genres such as hip-hop, techno, house, and trance.

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Background and Development

The SRX Dance Trax virtual instrument is a digital software recreation of Roland's celebrated SRX expansion board series. Originally released as hardware modules to expand the sound sets of JV and XV series synthesisers, the SRX boards became staples in studios during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

This specific software iteration aggregates sounds from six different titles in the original SRX hardware range. By porting these assets to the Roland Cloud platform, the manufacturer has preserved the specific digital textures that defined early electronic music production while integrating them into a contemporary DAW workflow.

Features and Functionality

The software is built around a vast library of 2,000 waveforms, providing a broad sonic palette for rhythmic and melodic construction. Key functional features include:

Comprehensive Patch Library: 567 pre-programmed patches including stabs, scratches, and sound effects.
Rhythmic Content: A large collection of loops and grooves alongside hundreds of individual drum samples, such as kicks and snares.
Modern Interface: While the sounds are vintage, the interface provides modern workflow implements to facilitate fast editing.
Digital Effects: Built-in world-class digital effects allow for polishing sounds within the plug-in interface.

Sound Character

The sonic signature of SRX Dance Trax is defined by the 'unmistakable sound' of early electronic music. It captures the specific punch and fidelity of early digital synthesisers and samplers. The collection is particularly noted for its curated selection of dance-focused percussion and synthesised textures that are designed to sit well in a mix without extensive processing.

Target Audience

This virtual instrument is primarily intended for producers working within electronic disciplines. Specifically, it suits those creating:

Techno and House: Utilising the broad range of kicks and rhythmic loops.
Hip-Hop: Leveraging the scratch samples, stabs, and kit pieces.
Trance: Using the atmospheric pads and high-energy lead waveforms.

It is an ideal choice for producers seeking the specific aesthetic of turn-of-the-millennium hardware without the need for physical rack units.

Comparison to Related Products

Within the Roland Cloud ecosystem, SRX Dance Trax serves a different purpose than the 'Legendary' series. While the Jupiter-8, Juno-106, and SH-2 plug-ins focus on individual synthesiser emulation, SRX Dance Trax is a multi-timbral workstation-style instrument.

Compared to SRX Piano 1 or SRX Piano 2, which are specialized for acoustic emulation, Dance Trax is focused exclusively on electronic production. Users seeking a broader, modern synthesiser engine may look toward ZENOLOGY Pro, but for specific 'retro' dance textures, the SRX Dance Trax remains a more focused tool.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Roland Cloud SRX Dance Trax?: It is a virtual instrument plug-in that brings the sounds of the original SRX hardware expansion boards to modern computers. It includes a vast library of sounds specifically designed for electronic music production.
How many sounds are included in the SRX Dance Trax?: The software contains 567 patches and over 2,000 individual waveforms. These include a variety of drums, loops, scratches, and synthesiser sounds.
What genres of music is this instrument best for?: It is specifically designed for dance and electronic music. It is highly suitable for genres such as hip-hop, techno, house, and trance.
Is this a physical hardware expansion board?: No, this is a virtual instrument (software) for use within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). It is based on the legacy SRX hardware but exists as a digital plug-in.
Does it include drum sounds?: Yes, it includes hundreds of individual drum sounds, including kicks and snares. It also features pre-recorded loops and grooves for rhythmic production.
What is the typical price for a lifetime key?: The typical price for a lifetime key for this virtual instrument is approximately £67. This allows the user to own the software permanently without a recurring subscription.
How does it compare to the Roland Juno-106 virtual instrument?: The Juno-106 is an emulation of a single specific analogue synthesiser. In contrast, SRX Dance Trax is a sample-based workstation containing thousands of different sounds from multiple sources.
Does it include special performance effects?: Yes, it features various sound effects such as scratches and stabs. It also includes modern digital effects to process the sounds within the plug-in.
Can I use this in any DAW?: Yes, as part of the Roland Cloud, it is compatible with most major DAWs that support VST, AU, or AAX formats. This includes software like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.
What original hardware is this based on?: It takes sounds from six different titles in the original Roland SRX expansion board series. These boards were originally used to add sounds to Roland hardware synthesisers.
Is SRX Dance Trax included in ZENOLOGY Pro?: While ZENOLOGY Pro is Roland's flagship synthesiser, SRX Dance Trax is a distinct virtual instrument. However, both are part of the broader Roland Cloud ecosystem.
Are there other SRX virtual instruments available?: Yes, Roland offers other titles in the series such as SRX Piano 1 and SRX Piano 2. These focus on different sound categories compared to the electronic focus of Dance Trax.