In the ever-evolving world of music technology, it’s fascinating to look back at the brands that shaped the way we create. Edirol, a name synonymous with accessible music production tools, played a significant role in bringing professional-quality audio to the desktop. This article explores the history of Edirol, its connection to Roland Corporation, and the key products that made it a favorite among musicians and video editors. From audio interfaces to MIDI controllers and orchestral plugins, we’ll examine Edirol’s offerings and compare them to modern alternatives. Join us as we rediscover the legacy of Edirol and its contribution to the world of music technology.
Key Takeaways
- Edirol provided accessible music production tools: Though now under the Roland brand, Edirol’s products offered a practical and user-friendly approach, especially for those starting out in music production. Their equipment provided a good balance of features and cost.
- The Edirol Orchestral plugin is still relevant: Its realistic acoustic sounds and helpful features, like multi-part support and an intuitive interface, make it a solid choice for composers, particularly those working with orchestral arrangements.
- Used Edirol equipment offers value: Since Edirol products are now part of the Roland brand, buying used Edirol gear can be a budget-friendly way to get reliable Roland technology. Check reputable sellers when purchasing used equipment.
What is Edirol?
Edirol’s History and Roland Connection
Edirol was a brand owned by Roland Corporation, a major player in music technology. Active for many years, starting in the late 1970s, Edirol focused on the growing field of desktop media production. This reflected a shift in both technology and consumer needs—more and more creatives were working on audio and video projects from their computers. Eventually, in the late 2000s, Roland decided to consolidate. They retired the Edirol name and integrated its products back into the main Roland brand. You might still find Edirol gear on the used market, which can be a great way to get reliable Roland technology.
Product Categories and Focus
Edirol primarily made products for desktop media production—video editing tools and related tech. They also produced music equipment, like master keyboards (keyboards that connect to computers) and MIDI interfaces (devices that let computers and instruments communicate). While not their main focus, Edirol made a mark on electronic music with these keyboards and interfaces, which helped musicians connect their instruments to computers for recording and live performance. If you’re interested in learning more about MIDI, check out our beginner’s guide to MIDI keyboards.
Explore Edirol’s Product Lineup
Edirol offers a range of audio equipment, from interfaces and controllers to portable recorders and plugins. Let’s take a closer look at some of their popular products.
Audio Interfaces (UA-25EX)
The Edirol UA-25EX is a popular USB audio interface known for its reliability and recording quality. Users appreciate its performance, finding it encourages them to experiment with audio production. The UA-25EX works well for both less experienced users and seasoned pros, making it a flexible option for improving your audio setup.
MIDI Controllers (PCR-M1)
The PCR-M1 MIDI controller from Edirol is well-regarded for its easy-to-use design and robust features. It’s especially useful with virtual instruments, allowing for simple creation of orchestral sounds. The PCR-M1 is a solid choice for musicians of all skill levels interested in expanding their creative tools.
Portable Digital Recorders (R-09)
The R-09 is a compact digital recorder that captures professional-quality 24-bit audio. It records in both WAV and MP3 formats, making it adaptable to different recording situations. This portable recorder is ideal for musicians who need to record high-quality audio on the go.
Orchestral Plugins
Edirol’s orchestral plugins, especially Edirol Orchestral, offer a large selection of premium acoustic sounds. The plugin focuses on core orchestral instruments—strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion—and includes realistic playing techniques like vibrato and pizzicato. This makes it a valuable tool for composers and producers aiming for authentic orchestral sounds in their work.
Discover Edirol’s Standout Features
Edirol audio equipment offers several advantages for musicians and producers. Whether you’re recording vocals or composing an orchestral piece, Edirol’s features can help you achieve a professional sound.
High-Quality Acoustic Sounds
Edirol Orchestral is known for its realistic acoustic sounds, especially its strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and keyboards. The plugin includes authentic articulations like vibrato, tremolo, pizzicato, and spiccato, making it a solid choice for composers seeking realistic orchestral sounds. This focus on detailed instrument sounds allows for nuanced and expressive musical arrangements.
Multi-Part Support and Polyphony
The Edirol Orchestral plugin supports up to 16 parts per instance with 128 notes of polyphony. This means you can create complex arrangements with multiple instruments playing simultaneously, without worrying about dropped notes. This robust polyphony is essential for creating rich and layered compositions.
User-Friendly Interfaces
Edirol has designed its products with user-friendliness in mind. The HQ-OR orchestral plugin, for example, is praised for its intuitive interface. This makes it easy for anyone to start creating music, regardless of their technical expertise. This focus on accessibility allows users to concentrate on their creative process.
DAW Compatibility
Edirol has ensured its Orchestral plugin works seamlessly with most digital audio workstations (DAWs) by supporting multiple outputs and industry-standard formats like DXi 2.0 and VST 2.0. This compatibility simplifies the workflow for users of all levels, allowing them to integrate Edirol’s tools into their existing setup.
Edirol Orchestral Plugin: A Deep Dive
The Edirol Orchestral plugin offers a suite of virtual instruments ideal for composers and musicians. Let’s explore what it offers.
Key Features and Specs
Edirol Orchestral features a collection of sampled acoustic instruments, focusing on strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and keyboards. It offers realistic articulations like vibrato, tremolo, pizzicato, and spiccato, giving you control over your virtual performances. With 16-part multitimbral operation and 128-voice polyphony, you can create complex orchestral arrangements. The plugin supports 24-bit/96kHz audio, delivering high-fidelity sound. It also allows for multiple outputs, expanding your routing options within your digital audio workstation (DAW). The Edirol Orchestral plugin is compatible with DXi 2.0 and VST 2.0 plugin formats.
Sound Quality and Performance
Users appreciate the Edirol Orchestral plugin for its rich, full sound, created from high-quality instrument samples. These realistic sounds make it a versatile tool for various musical applications, from film scores to adding orchestral elements to any genre. User reviews often highlight the plugin’s impressive sound quality.
Compatibility and System Requirements
Edirol designed the Orchestral plugin for use with modern processors. Its efficient performance allows for up to 16 parts per instance and 128 notes of polyphony, ensuring smooth operation even with complex orchestral arrangements. You can find the product’s system requirements in its documentation.
Pricing and Value
The Edirol Orchestral plugin is priced at $350, offering a complete orchestral toolkit at a competitive price. This makes it an attractive option for musicians looking for a comprehensive orchestral sound library. You can download the plugin to explore its capabilities.
Edirol vs. the Competition
Comparing Edirol with Other Audio Production Brands
Picking the right audio gear depends on your needs and budget. Edirol offers solid tools, especially for those starting out, but how do they compare to other brands? Let’s take a look.
EastWest
Edirol Orchestral is known for its affordability, especially compared to larger orchestral sample libraries like those from EastWest. EastWest offers a huge range of high-quality sounds, but the cost can be significant. If you’re just starting out and want to explore orchestral sounds without a huge investment, Edirol might be a good fit. Edirol provides a more budget-friendly entry point for creating orchestral music.
Vienna Symphonic Library
The Vienna Symphonic Library is famous for its incredibly detailed and realistic orchestral samples. This level of detail comes with a higher price tag. If you don’t need the vast, nuanced sound library of Vienna, Edirol offers a practical alternative with its more streamlined collection of sounds. Edirol’s orchestral sounds are also easier to use and more accessible for newcomers.
Native Instruments
Native Instruments offers a wide selection of virtual instruments and effects, often geared towards electronic music production. Edirol’s orchestral software, on the other hand, has a more specific focus: traditional orchestral sounds. This specialization makes Edirol a good choice for composers working on classical or film scores.
Spitfire Audio
Spitfire Audio creates high-quality orchestral libraries known for capturing the feel of live performances. It makes orchestral music production accessible without requiring a huge upfront investment. While Edirol Orchestral might not have the same level of realism, it’s a solid starting point, especially for those working with a limited budget.
Unique Selling Points and Limitations
Edirol Orchestral stands out with its premium acoustic sounds, especially its strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. It’s a versatile tool for composers. The software includes realistic articulations like vibrato and pizzicato, essential for authentic-sounding orchestral music. User reviews point out that while Edirol’s sound quality is good, it might not match the precision and depth of higher-end libraries, which could be a drawback for professional composers. However, Edirol’s pricing, around $350, makes it a cost-effective option for those just getting started.
Where to Buy Edirol Products
Finding the right Edirol gear is easy, whether you’re shopping online or prefer to try before you buy. Here’s what you should know about purchasing Edirol products.
Official Retailers and Distributors
Edirol products are available from authorized retailers and distributors, which ensures you’ll receive authentic equipment and reliable customer support. Sites like Klarna offer price comparisons, so you can easily find the best deals on Edirol products.
Online Marketplaces
Several popular online marketplaces stock Edirol products, providing a range of options for musicians of all levels.
Sweetwater
Sweetwater is a well-respected music gear retailer carrying a variety of Edirol products. They often have helpful reviews and resources available as well.
Amazon
Amazon frequently stocks Edirol products, offering a broad selection for both casual users and experienced musicians. Their user reviews can be a helpful resource when making a decision.
Guitar Center
Guitar Center is another reliable option for buying Edirol products. They typically carry a range of audio gear suitable for various skill levels, and often have knowledgeable staff available in-store.
eBay
eBay is a good resource for finding both new and used Edirol products, often at competitive prices. It’s a smart choice if you’re looking for a deal.
Free Downloads and Trials
The Edirol Orchestral plugin features premium acoustic sounds, with a focus on strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and keyboards. It offers realistic articulations like vibrato, tremolo, pizzicato, and spiccato. Free downloads are sometimes available, allowing you to explore the plugin’s capabilities before committing to a purchase. Check the product page for the latest download options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edirol still around?
No, Edirol isn’t a separate brand anymore. Roland, the parent company, absorbed Edirol back into its main brand. So, while you won’t find new Edirol-branded products, you can often find used Edirol gear, which is essentially Roland technology.
What kind of products did Edirol make?
Edirol focused on equipment for computer-based music and video production. They were known for their audio and MIDI interfaces, which allowed musicians to connect their instruments to computers. They also produced master keyboards, portable recorders, and software plugins.
I’m looking for an orchestral plugin. Is Edirol Orchestral a good option?
Edirol Orchestral is a solid choice, especially if you’re working with a tighter budget. It offers a good range of realistic instrument sounds and essential features like vibrato and pizzicato. While it might not have the depth of some higher-end libraries, it’s a great starting point for composing orchestral music.
Where can I find Edirol products?
Since Edirol is now part of Roland, you won’t find new products under the Edirol name. However, you can often find used Edirol equipment on sites like eBay. For new Roland gear, check out retailers like Sweetwater, Amazon, and Guitar Center.
Are there any free trials or downloads for Edirol software?
Occasionally, you might find free downloads or trials for Edirol software, particularly older plugins. Your best bet is to search online or check forums related to music production software. Keep in mind that support for older software may be limited.
