LinuxMusicians

Despite everything I've read about AIRA series issues with Linux - S-1 USB audio output works right out of the box with kernel 6.4.6. Can't check latency now but everything seems fine. I think it is the only affordable hardware synth with digital output. IDK about other AIRA devices in this series but S-1 manual clearly says "You don’t need to install a device driver on your computer or mobile device to do this, since this unit supports USB Audio Device Class 2.0 specs", maybe Roland finally fixed this. I never had any real analog hardware but for me it sounds very analog

Thank you for the info. That synth is so "affordable" and feature that I almost bought it even though I have too many cheap mono-synths already.

How does it "present" itself to Linux via the USB cable? As an audio device (i.e. like a sound card) or also as MIdi?

Linuxmusician01 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 10:59 am

Thank you for the info. That synth is so "affordable" and feature that I almost bought it even though I have too many cheap mono-synths already.

How does it "present" itself to Linux via the USB cable? As an audio device (i.e. like a sound card) or also as MIdi?

Didn't try to record yet but Bitwig HW device sends MIDI and receives the audio by USB, then routes it to internal laptop card, so everything should be fine.
There are audio in/out and midi in/out. I removed all other devices from output leaving only S-1:

$ cat /proc/asound/cards
 3 [S1             ]: USB-Audio - S-1
                      Roland S-1 at usb-0000:05:00.3-1, full speed

$ aplay -l
card 3: S1 [S-1], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

$ arecord -l
card 3: S1 [S-1], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
  Subdevices: 1/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

$ aconnect -o
client 28: 'S-1' [type=kernel,card=3]
    0 'S-1 MIDI IN     '

$ aconnect -i
client 28: 'S-1' [type=kernel,card=3]
    0 'S-1 MIDI IN     '

Latency according to Bitwig.

@porzione: Thank you for the info and the screenshots! From that last Bitwig screeny and the 'aconnect -io' commands I conclude that you have a USB-Midi in connection to the Roland S-1, no Midi out (yet) from it. In the manual I read that it indeed has Midi in- and out. I take it that you connected it via USB, not via the mini-jack Midi output and input ports on the back: they need a converter cable (page 7 from the manual) from tip/ring/sleeve (TRS) mini-jack to 5 pin DIN-Midi (may this cheap one from Aliexpress will work).

The manual (page 61) says 'bout USB-Midi:

You can transmit and receive audio and MIDI data by connecting a USB cable from your computer [...] to this unit. You don’t need to install a device driver [...] since this unit supports USB Audio Device Class 2.0 specs.

• Note that data can’t be directly transmitted/received between this unit and your computer or mobile device if you’re connecting through a USB hub.

So the 'aconnect -io' command should list more than only the one Midi in port...

P.S. Mistakingly I thought that this synth is monophonic, given its price-tag. Luckily, I was wrong! It's (4 voice) polyphonic. Now it's neigh impossible to resist buying it as I don't have many polyphonic sysnths... Gonna watch some YouTube vids about it to listen to its sounds.

Linuxmusician01 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:44 am

I take it that you connected it via USB, not via the mini-jack Midi output and input ports on the back: they need a converter cable (page 7 from the manual) from tip/ring/sleeve (TRS) mini-jack to 5 pin DIN-Midi (may this cheap one from Aliexpress will work).

You-re right - connected via USB, I don't have any 5 pin MIDI interface (yet) and my controllers are USB only.

Linuxmusician01 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:44 am

Gonna watch some YouTube vids about it to listen to its sounds.

I recommend this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxhdlH6LZK0 really good demo of what this tiny thing is capable of.

porzione wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 4:46 pm

Linuxmusician01 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:44 am

I take it that you connected it via USB, not via the mini-jack Midi output and input ports on the back: they need a converter cable (page 7 from the manual) from tip/ring/sleeve (TRS) mini-jack to 5 pin DIN-Midi (may this cheap one from Aliexpress will work).

You-re right - connected via USB, I don't have any 5 pin MIDI interface (yet) and my controllers are USB only.

Linuxmusician01 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:44 am

Gonna watch some YouTube vids about it to listen to its sounds.

I recommend this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxhdlH6LZK0 dino game really good demo of what this tiny thing is capable of.

I tried this, the demo is really good, recommended to everyone

A word of warning about mini-Jack TRS to Midi 5-pin DIN: there's type A and type B. So if you don't get the cable with the synth and you order one on Aliexpress than it's a 50% gamble if it'll work. You can also make one yourself with a stereo cable, TRS Jack plug and a 5 pin DIN plug (again: Aliexpress is your friend).

References:
https://minimidi.world

https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/upda ... din-cables

Note that Type A is now part of the standard so this should be less of a problem in the future.