Hi.
I just wanted to tell you that ROLAND CLOUD IS THE BEST PURCHASE I EVER FUCKING MADE IN MY LIFE.
Actually, I've made 3 purchases music-wise that have literally ... well, let's just say, I won't be catching up on my favorite streaming services any time soon. In order:
Roland Cloud Professional
FocusRite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen which just happened to come with, among other things, Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555
A cheap-ass ($220!) Yamaha Pacifica PAC012DLX
Here's the deal.
Many, many years ago, I had a Roland LAPC-I. At some point in my past, I ditched it, because my days of having a full-length (thirteen-inches) IBM ISA bus card were past-due. But I missed being able to do actual analog synthesis, and was frustrated with free alternatives, so I gave Roland Cloud a try to see if its software-based D-50 was worth a damn. And because the Professional subscription gives you two of their "Legendary" instruments, I grabbed a Jupiter-8, because that's what Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran said was his favorite synthesizer. And after I started playing with the Jupiter-8, I realized that I never really wanted the D-50. The J8 was the real thing I wanted.
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE
This also comes with Zenology, which is literally the entire modern-day Roland synthesizer engine, and even has modes that replicate all their old synthesizers (but digital versions, not the full analog emulation that the Legendary comes with). OK, really fuckin' cool, right?
It also comes with Zenology FX which is literally every effect Roland, Boss, and then some have ever done.
Including the following list of Guitar Amplifier Simulators:
Look, I'm telling you -- there's only one of these I'm ever using. I'll give you a hint: I pre-ordered Alex Van Halen's upcoming memoir.
But look at this list. These things sound phenomenal and just like the real thing. You get to choose where the mic is placed in front of the speaker, how much of the output is direct in and how much is mic'd, etc. (And then there's the Softube Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555, like I mentioned above.)
I don't have the space or money for a real amp. Guys I'm in guitar heaven and I haven't even spent money on a single actual guitar amplifier. I just load up the DAW and I've got every amp I ever wanted. (I haven't tried out the Mesa Boogie for that Metallica sound... yet.) Oh, and then the free version of Cakewalk by Bandlab includes TB3 and all the amp simulators in there.
this concludes my Ted Talk