What is the Roland Cloud SRX Piano 2?

It is a virtual instrument plug-in that recreates the sounds of the legendary Roland SRX expansion board hardware. It focuses specifically on high-resolution 88-key acoustic grand piano samples for use in digital audio workstations.

How many presets are included in SRX Piano 2?

The software comes with over 50 presets. These range from soft vintage tones to bright, modern contemporary piano sounds.

What is the benefit of four-way velocity switching?

Four-way velocity switching allows for a more nuanced performance by triggering different samples based on how hard a key is pressed. This ensures the instrument reacts naturally to the player's touch and expression.

Is this a recreation of a specific hardware unit?

Yes, it is a faithful digital recreation of the samples and architecture found on the original Roland SRX expansion boards. It specifically draws from the orchestral and piano heritage of that hardware line.

Does SRX Piano 2 include digital effects?

Yes, the instrument features a host of world-class digital effects built directly into the plug-in. These allow users to shape the sound without needing external processing.

What is the typical price for a lifetime key?

The manufacturer lists the typical price for a lifetime key at approximately £67.00. This grants the user permanent access to the virtual instrument within the Roland Cloud ecosystem.

How does SRX Piano 2 differ from SRX Piano 1?

While both focus on acoustic pianos, they utilize different sample sets and presets derived from various hardware expansion boards. SRX Piano 2 offers its own unique selection of over 50 presets and distinct sonic characteristics.

Can SRX Piano 2 be used for vintage-style music?

Yes, it includes several presets specifically designed to provide soft, vintage tones. These are ideal for genres that require a more subdued or characterful piano sound.

Is the piano sampled in mono or stereo?

The 88-key grand piano in SRX Piano 2 was sampled in high-resolution stereo. This provides a wide, immersive soundstage suitable for modern music production.

What other Roland Cloud instruments are related to this?

It is part of the SRX series, which includes SRX Dance Trax. Other notable Roland Cloud virtual instruments include the TB-303, TR-909, Jupiter-8, and Juno-106.

Does this software work with ZENOLOGY Pro?

While SRX Piano 2 is a standalone virtual instrument plug-in, it is part of the broader Roland Cloud ecosystem that includes the ZENOLOGY Pro synthesizer. Both are designed to integrate seamlessly into modern digital workflows.

Who is the ideal user for the SRX Piano 2?

It is designed for the modern composer or producer who needs a highly expressive and versatile grand piano. It suits those looking for the specific high-quality acoustic sounds that Roland hardware is known for.

Gear article

Roland Cloud SRX Piano 2 Virtual Instrument

The Roland Cloud SRX Piano 2 is a high-resolution virtual instrument that recreates the specific acoustic grand piano sounds originally found on Roland's legendary SRX expansion board hardware. Available as a plug-in for digital audio workstations, it features a meticulously sampled 88-key piano with four-way velocity switching for expressive performances.

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Background and Development

The Roland Cloud SRX Piano 2 is a digital software recreation of a specific entry in the SRX expansion board series. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Roland's SRX boards were the industry standard for expanding the sound palettes of hardware workstations like the Fantom and XV series. This virtual version preserves the legacy of those boards, offering the same high-quality waveforms within a modern DAW environment. It follows in the footsteps of other Roland Cloud releases, such as the SRX Piano 1 and the SRX Dance Trax virtual instruments.

Technical Features

The instrument is built around a meticulously recorded 88-key acoustic grand piano. To capture the nuance of a physical instrument, it employs high-resolution stereo sampling and four-way velocity switching. This mechanism ensures that the timbre changes naturally depending on how hard the keys are struck, allowing for a realistic dynamic range. Beyond the core samples, the software includes modern workflow enhancements and integrated digital effects, enabling users to polish the piano sound within the plugin interface.

Sound Profile and Presets

SRX Piano 2 is designed to be versatile, moving beyond a single static piano tone. It includes over 50 presets that cover a broad spectrum of sonic characters:

Vintage Tones: Soft, warm characters suitable for jazz or nostalgic arrangements.
Modern Contemporary: Bright, punchy sounds designed to cut through dense pop or rock mixes.
Orchestral Textures: Balanced tones derived from the SRX Orchestral lineage for scoring and classical contexts.

The character is defined by its precision and 'exquisite' detail, aimed at providing a faithful recreation of the original hardware expansion's sonic footprint.

Target Audience and Comparison

This virtual instrument is primarily intended for composers, producers, and keyboardists who require a professional-grade acoustic piano with a specific 'Roland' character. While Roland Cloud offers other options like SRX Piano 1, the SRX Piano 2 provides a distinct alternative with its own unique sample set and preset library. It sits alongside other Roland Cloud legends like the Jupiter-8 and Juno-106, offering a more traditional acoustic utility compared to those synthesiser-heavy plugins. For users of ZENOLOGY Pro, SRX Piano 2 serves as a dedicated, high-fidelity expansion for acoustic needs.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Roland Cloud SRX Piano 2?: It is a virtual instrument plug-in that recreates the sounds of the legendary Roland SRX expansion board hardware. It focuses specifically on high-resolution 88-key acoustic grand piano samples for use in digital audio workstations.
How many presets are included in SRX Piano 2?: The software comes with over 50 presets. These range from soft vintage tones to bright, modern contemporary piano sounds.
What is the benefit of four-way velocity switching?: Four-way velocity switching allows for a more nuanced performance by triggering different samples based on how hard a key is pressed. This ensures the instrument reacts naturally to the player's touch and expression.
Is this a recreation of a specific hardware unit?: Yes, it is a faithful digital recreation of the samples and architecture found on the original Roland SRX expansion boards. It specifically draws from the orchestral and piano heritage of that hardware line.
Does SRX Piano 2 include digital effects?: Yes, the instrument features a host of world-class digital effects built directly into the plug-in. These allow users to shape the sound without needing external processing.
What is the typical price for a lifetime key?: The manufacturer lists the typical price for a lifetime key at approximately £67.00. This grants the user permanent access to the virtual instrument within the Roland Cloud ecosystem.
How does SRX Piano 2 differ from SRX Piano 1?: While both focus on acoustic pianos, they utilize different sample sets and presets derived from various hardware expansion boards. SRX Piano 2 offers its own unique selection of over 50 presets and distinct sonic characteristics.
Can SRX Piano 2 be used for vintage-style music?: Yes, it includes several presets specifically designed to provide soft, vintage tones. These are ideal for genres that require a more subdued or characterful piano sound.
Is the piano sampled in mono or stereo?: The 88-key grand piano in SRX Piano 2 was sampled in high-resolution stereo. This provides a wide, immersive soundstage suitable for modern music production.
What other Roland Cloud instruments are related to this?: It is part of the SRX series, which includes SRX Dance Trax. Other notable Roland Cloud virtual instruments include the TB-303, TR-909, Jupiter-8, and Juno-106.
Does this software work with ZENOLOGY Pro?: While SRX Piano 2 is a standalone virtual instrument plug-in, it is part of the broader Roland Cloud ecosystem that includes the ZENOLOGY Pro synthesizer. Both are designed to integrate seamlessly into modern digital workflows.
Who is the ideal user for the SRX Piano 2?: It is designed for the modern composer or producer who needs a highly expressive and versatile grand piano. It suits those looking for the specific high-quality acoustic sounds that Roland hardware is known for.