Roland today announced updates to its entire Aira line, delivering features requested by users from around the globe.

The Aira Update includes enhancements for the whole line, such as backup and restore facilities and better overall MIDI management.

In addition, there are product-specific enhancements, like external MIDI pitch control for VT-3, tuning control for TB-3, and instrument gain control for TR-8.

Roland is also now including the SH-101 Plug-Out software synthesizer as a free download for owners of the new System-1 keyboard.

Here are the details on the product-specific updates:

TR-8 Version 1.1 Update

Manage your kit and pattern library with easy backup and restore over USB.

Customize kits by adjusting the gain of each instrument to suit your individual style.

Rolls are now easier to engage, offer more control, and sound better overall.

Alternate unlatched trigger mode engages only while “On” button is held down.

Scatter will enable for one cycle and then automatically disengage.

Get back in the groove by instantly starting a pattern from the top.

Lock the contents of a pattern so you can experiment without losing your original groove.

Now you can edit both A and B parts of a pattern without stopping the sequencer.

Local On/Off and MIDI Controller modes determine how MIDI data is sent and received.

MIDI velocity is variable by the accent setting.

Select kits using MIDI control change messages.

Scatter On/Off, Type and Depth can be controlled via MIDI control change.

Record patterns in real-time from external MIDI devices.

Disable sending of all MIDI messages.

Toggle whether or not TR-8 responds to PLAY/STOP messages.

Control effects using MIDI control change messages.

Here’s a video demo of the updated TR-8:

TB-3 Version 1.1 Update

Manage your pattern library with easy backup and restore over USB.

Control both pattern tune (-700 to 700 cents) and master tune (430-450)

Assign a specific tone to a pattern so sound will change automatically when pattern is selected.

Transpose a pattern during performance by simply pressing a note on the touchpad’s keyboard. No need to hold “Keyboard” button.

Organize your favorite patterns for quick access in live performance with a custom user bank.

Lock the contents of a pattern so you can experiment without losing your original groove.

Quickly change the root note of a pattern by shifting its pitch.

The sequencer now supports notes from C0-C6 for added flexibility and dramatic slides.

Extended Transpose Range.

Local On/Off and MIDI Controller modes determine how MIDI data is sent and received.

Record patterns in real-time from external MIDI devices.

Implementation of both slide and accent pattern by MIDI control change.

Scatter On/Off, Type and Depth can be controlled via MIDI control change.

Disable sending of all MIDI messages.

Note range has been extended from C0-C8 when controlled by external MIDI device.

Here’s a video demo of TB-3 version 1.1:

VT-3 Version 1.1 Update

Manage your presets with easy backup and restore over USB.

User presets have been doubled to six locations.

Volume level of voice characters are more evenly matched for smooth transitions.

Control pitch of voice characters, including vocoder, with external MIDI keyboard.

Cuts low frequency sensing to improve performance of Auto-Pitch characters.

Gates noise to reduce chance of feedback or howling sound.

Adjusts level of audio over USB.

Change program memory with MIDI controller message.

Here’s a video demo of VT-3 running the updated firmware:

Finally, here’s a video demo of the System 1 with update 1.1:

The updates are available as free downloads. See the Aira site for details.