Boss Releases JS-5 Jamstation
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JS-5
(Click for a larger picture) |
February 14, 2000
Boss' JS-5 JamStation is a backing and song-composition
tool designed for guitarists and bassists who need accompaniment but don’t
want to deal with traditional MIDI sequencers, keyboards or complex computer
software. The compact, tabletop JS-5 features 200 Preset songs with four-part
backing tracks which can easily be arranged to fit user-defined chord
progressions. An additional audio track provides two minutes of digital
audio recording and can be expanded to an amazing 32 minutes with an optional
SmartMedia™ card.
Perfect for those who perform alone in clubs, or for players who just
want to plug in and play, the JS-5 can create full-sounding backing tracks
with minimal effort. It does this through the use of a unique Backing
Generator function, which creates highly customizable four-part accompaniments
from any of 200 Preset songs. These internal songs also provide a great
way to practice, and by muting the instrument part, the JS-5 becomes a
rhythm machine with bass sounds. Users can work with preset chord progressions
or input up to 26 of their own, storing their new songs to any of 100
User locations.
A standout feature of the JS-5 is its dedicated audio track, which until
now was completely unheard of in a backing machine. Capable of digitally
recording up to two minutes of audio through a dedicated recording input
jack (selectable for Mic, Line, or Guitar), this track can be used for
anything from recording vocals to guitar overlays, or even tracks from
CD’s. Even more impressive is the JS-5’s automatic Timestretch
feature, which can be used to synchronize audio recordings to the internal
backing part. Recording time can be expanded to 32 minutes using an optional
32MB SmartMedia™ card.
Other useful JS-5 features include a Locator function, which can repeat
a section in a song between two user-defined loop points—perfect
for rehearsing a difficult part or doing ad-lib performances in a club.
An assignable footswitch can be used to reset the
JS-5, start/stop songs, or exit a loop while keeping a guitar player’s
hands free. Connections to the JS-5 include a recording input jack, stereo
outputs, headphone jack, and a footswitch jack, plus MIDI In/Out.
For more information, visit Roland on the web at www.rolandus.com. |
