hmm…
so this could be interesting - http://www.rolandus.com/go/aira/
YES!
Volcas MK2 anyone?
This could be a good step in the right direction. Nice one Roland.
only if it has D-beam.
Well, that’s exciting!
what I hope they haven’t done is just churn out an 808 clone…whilst hopefully it’ll be ‘808 capable’ I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting much more from a drum machine now…?
I’m thinking maybe an analogue / digital hybrid ?
To be honest - & don’t flame me 
- I actually wouldn’t care if it’s digital / modelled if they’ve absolutely 100% nailed the modelling to sound authentic analogue if you want it. 'Cos let’s face it, it means you’re going to get so much more scope with a box like that. I do believe that the Roland corp have the chops to do this, if anyone can.
But a hybrid would be cool - a stock set of true analogue sounds but the ability to replace them with a modeled or even sampled version as you like to make mix & match kits…?
I can see what looks like a reverb section near the top of the panel - that’s potentially good. One of the things Elektron nailed right back with the original Machinedrum is that many of us want to produce a polished drum sound right within that stand alone machine as far as possible - I don’t want to have to go back to using 8 or more separate outputs into a big desk channels to add fx, eq, compression really… I like to get the sound right in the drum machine as far possible - that’s why I love the MD most out of all the drum machines I’ve ever had.
Come on Roland - surprise us, in a good way ! - What we don’t want is ‘MC303-gate’ all over again… 
Surely they’ve learned…? 
As long as it’s not another groovebox with static samples… please?
uuhhh i saw this just some hours ago and i really hope they bring back the 808 fully analog made
but, i’m guessing that roland will use their “super natural modelling” for that…
i would be much happier if i’m proven wrong
100% Super Natural Sound Engine from Integra etc… Roland at this point can’t and will never do analog again. Looks interesting though.
^
yeah, I must admit this is what I’m thinking too…
Like I say, not necessarily a problem IMHO… plus if you want a real analogue 808 just buy a M1AMI - sounds pretty much identical, but with a better sequencer. I think another boutique company are making a clone / kit too ?
In a similar vein I’m really hoping that what is in Elektron’s locked, frosted box isn’t another analogue product - let’s have something wild & digital.
I’m willing to bet it is VA digital- not analog. But that is not necessarily a bad thing as the MD and MoM are digital. But at this point at least 4 Individual Outputs would have to be mandatory for anything above a $699 price point. If this new AIRA drum product is simply a Stereo Out it might be a skip.
there’s another photo knocking about which looks like a vocoder in the Aira range too - the VT-3… A reincarnation of the old VT-1 Voice Transformer ?
maybe Roland are giving us suite of machines to do old skool electro with ?
I have given up on Roland. Each year its a build up to a let down.
Just watch out for something else on the horizon…
It would be great if this was a super-modeled digital thing, so that you can buy it on the used market for around half price in a couple of years, just like most super-modeled digital things! 
(except Elektron gear of course )
Just watch out for something else on the horizon…[/quote]
???
Just watch out for something else on the horizon…[/quote]
???[/quote]
Yamaha…?
Just watch out for something else on the horizon…[/quote]
???[/quote]
The frosted glass box thing - AKA the new Elektron machine…