We take a look at the new Roland Aira System-1 synth. Just the basic synth features in this part, the plug-out has not yet been released. We will cover that in another part.
I have the System-1 and it is a nice addition to my synth palette. It sits beside my older Roland's (Juno-60, Juno-106, JX-3p) i really do not care if the System-1 is analogue or not. Haters are gonna hate.
Absolutely. I just picked one up after spending nearly two hours playing around with it in the store, and I really like it. If it sounds good, it is good. Period.
Coarse Tune of Osc 2 is: Hold Sync+Ring down together and adjust inner ring of scatter dial each light equalling 1 to 11 note steps in pitch. Not sure if this was available when you made this video. Also the colour knob is modulated by whatever source you pick wth the Mod knob below it so how it sounds will depend on the setting of the Mod knob, eg the LFO modulating Colour or of maybe an Envelope modulating it..
This video further helped me to decide to pick this up. I was on the fence about this synth but wanted to wait until it got into some hands of people in the real world. After seeing a few real world videos, i just placed an order for this sucker. I already have the other bits in this series and this completes the system. Thank you sonicstate :)
The Roland System-1 and the subsequent System-1m module are both true 4 voice polyphonic synths, not paraphonic (sharing 1 envelope generator) as he states at very beginning of this video. Granted, Nick created this video right as the System-1 was released and he did not have much time to check it out - note that he does not even have any plug-out yet. The SH-101 plug-outs was the first one released.
I just purchased one and i have to say that i'm impressed over all with the features.. Looks really cool, very light, well built and lot's of knobs...Sound wise it's ok..nothing really special..Hopefully the Plug-out's will make a difference....over all i still like it tho for it's Sonic Possibilities....
I am also interested: Nick, what are you using for an oscilloscope? Also: paraphonic, duophonic, polyphonic, monophonic-I understand half of those. Is there a source that defines them all, clearly? Cheers!
I've always wondered why some delays distort the pitch wildly when you turn the time knob while playing. Why does that happen? Is it "wanted" or an unwanted artifact?
Thank you Nick, you made another great reiew!! I must say that I really get ispired and also entertained by your videos (the Elektron one was awesome too!!).
A great review. You've got a good handle on what a synth-head actually wants to know. It sounds nice, but what would someone actually use this for? A lead synth for live work? Maybe as a single voice in a recording set up?
With the leak of the new roland jupiter 8 emulation hardware and juno 106 are they really likely to be adding these emulations to system 1? I doubt it. Does this work well as a midi controller for something like u-he DIVA - can you make templates for vsts?
Nick thanks for your prereview. But one question, have you updated the System 1 with latest Firmware from Roland us, maybe this update fixes your issues!? Besides there are some news and a short demo about plug out SH-101: Roland SH-101 PLUG-OUT Software Synthesizer In my opinion that plug out SH-101 sounds really good and the overall concept behind system-1 looks really great so far....
I'm sorry but this monophonic ness is just not on roland *tut* *tut* is the plan to put out a Jupiter plug out that people have to pay extra for in order to get polyphony? On a positive note (the only positive note I have about this instrument) I really like the tone control adds a hell of a lot of flavour!
Seeing as this is DSP it seems like there's some glaring omissions from this thing. It doesn't sound too bad I think. Better than I expected. But some of the missing features that could & should be in there, along with the lurid green LED's, make this a bit of a turkey for me.
I'm an early adopter of this being that I bought mine a few days ago here in Japan. Without the Plugouts, it's not worth the current price tag and that's gambling on the idea that the Plugtouts will be good. I'm not so sure. I can't get the System-1 to sound anywhere near my SH-101, but that's what the Plugout is for. I won't believe it if comes close. We'll see. Thanks for the additional info in the video. Well done!
Jim Atwood Basically this "Plug-Out" concept reminds me of "Premium Content". It's a $#!tty concept for video games, & even worse for synthesizers. Manufacturers have been touting "Upgradable" synths since the 1980's, but it rarely ever works out. They would release a few sound cards or an expansion board or 2, & then that's that. The System-1 has been out for a year, & currently there is only ONE SINGLE "Plug-Out". ("SH-101") Besides, if the "Plug-Outs" are free or relatively inexpensive & there's not much PROFIT in them, how MANY do you think Roland will bother creating? The concept of adding more sounds/samples, sound cards, expansion boards, etc, is one thing, but when I buy a synth, I don't want to have to buy something else just to be able to use the synth to it's fullest potential. Roland can keep their empty promises & their premium content synth.
Appreciate the review but maybe could have spent more time exploring the envelope behavior and overall interaction between the components of the synth (in some patches) as that is where the character lies. Raw waveshapes are not that variable between analog/modeling type synths.
Despite it's faults to me personally roland has saved themselves by making a synth with a hell of a lot more features then similar monophonic synths in its price bracket. They could have easily just made a remake of a vintage synth but instead made something that is unique and expandable which is something i have never seen before fro a relatively cheap synth. You've got to give them credit for that at least. The tune knob thing is a bit fucking weird though it doesn't even need to go a full octave just 11 semitones will do along with the filter mod hopefully if enough people bitch about it they will fix it because that really makes no sense at all. Other then that I definitely want to buy it.
Hi just wondered if you could help me with a small problem I'm having I just wanted to know the best way to go about recording the midi into my daw as in if I needed to use the system 1 multiple times in the same track is the system 1 multitimbral ? Do the 4 voices allow me to use 4 instances of the synth or do I have to record the midi in and bounce it as audio long question I know if you could help me out that would be great cheers
I think I saw a commercial where a Roland technician had a stethoscope and a multitester hooked to the GAIA researching that "authentic digital sound" so they could get it right. Great job Roland on the 4 voice GAIA.
Budget shoppers should know that except for the low price and easy access to all synth parameters, the System-1 and GAIA are not similar at all. So get a new joke writer, do your research and stop whining.
Altodon A You're right. They're completely different, but what's wrong w/the GAIA? (that's directed more at wavestrike) Personally I like it, & this is coming from someone who LOVES Virtual Analog/Analog Modeling Synths. I have high end VA/AM like the Korg Kronos, Access Virus TI2, Kurzweil PC3K, etc, mid-range like the Korg Z-1, Alesis Fusion, Roland JP8080, etc, & lower-end like Korg Microkorg & XL+, Waldorf Blofeld (desktop) Alesis Micron, Novation Mininova, etc. I think the GAIA is a fun & cool little synth, w/it's own sound, charm, & character. Besides, there is really no such thing as a "bad" synth. However, there are unimaginative & uncreative musicians. Creative people can create amazing music & sounds, even when using cheap &/or extremely limited synths.
4 voice polyphonic, but you can set it to be monophonic, or even unison which stacks all 4 voices and slightly detunes them for a fuller sounding one voice sound.
I'm surprised Roland still has no news of the plug-out synths. Without that, it's hard to make a real judgment. The stock synth is interesting, but doesn't seem to have a signature sound, and is pretty limited in a large number of ways. How did you like the key action? From other videos, it looks like the travel is really shallow -- almost like mini keys. Lack of velocity sensitivity is also a bit silly, especially given the keyboard appears to have the hardware to support it (from a tear-down video) Overall, it just appears unfinished.
At the start I was quite excited with this, but now I'm not so sure. Seems limited in some ways. Wondering what is possible when its connected up and the plug out functionality is brought in to play. Also firmware updates could change it up a bit.
Nick, is it possible that the same button combination to get to coarse tuning [Ring + Sync] I believe also can be used on other 12'0 Clock knobs to double their range? like the LFO, Reverb, Delay etc...?
I guess, but not to my knowledge, the two button trick was pointed out to me by Roland guy - I'm sure he would have mentioned it, but I will check in second part.
sonicstate Nick, I did a bit of looking around the manual and may have figured out the problem with the LFO. In the manual it says "By holding down the [MOD] button and operating the LFO section, you can adjust the MOD depth."
hi ya you need to point out to people as well that buying one second hand they need the details that the software was activated with as without it using the vst and librarian will not be possible
As usual Nick does a great job, but I think he was pretty polite to the System-1 here. Let's see . . . digital, monophonic (with only paraphonic mode to get chords), somewhat weak oscillators, very sub-par LFO functionality, no velocity sensitivity (we're beyond even hoping for aftertouch), no multi-mode filter, weak effects, suspect keybed, goofy pitch/mod setup . . . no really special features to make up for these weaknesses except for the "plug out" functionality which is still yet to be seen in practice. It's like Roland took all the respective weaknesses of digital and analog synthesis and combined them into one very boring product. I mean, for real, what (mostly) monophonic synth doesn't have multi-mode filter capability? The potential for "plug out" is interesting, but it's crazy that Roland is asking us to pay $600 to be part of the black-box experiment. Will not be purchasing. Roland, when we asked you to start making synths again (instead of just stage pianos) this is not what we meant.
#1 Roland is notorious for doing two updates then completely dropping the ball on PC interface support, so how excited can I be about "plug out" #2 There is exciting reasonably priced analog stuff coming out. If Roland has to be DSP there should not be so many limitations to; velocity, polypony, etc...
Is the Roland plug-out offerings a dead project? Roland should have created an API for the plug-out builder so that 3rd parties could offer plug-out products.
2:50 why say "at 12:00 position"?? Just say volume halfway up. sheeze. It took me a few seconds to understand what that position meant. What if someone is visually impaired, do they know what 12:00 position means? How is this synth any different from ones that wer made in 70s and 80s? Nothing changes?
Describing the position of a rotary knob by means of reference to a clock face is a quick way of saying where the position is with a fair degree of accuracy plus a parameter is not always described as ‘up or down’. There are few other reasons now that I have thought about it whilst typing, I’ll let you figure those out. Same for your questioning of wether a visually impaired person has any concept of time and the 24 hour clock. Nick is a brilliant presenter with a deep knowledge of music and synthesizers. And here’s a funny bit I spotted just after 13mins where he makes a wavelike motion with his arm and pulls a funny face 12:50 P E A C E
With only two octaves of keyboard, not sure there would be a point, would there? Also, DSP has limitations -- you can only do so much calculation before you need more DSP horsepower.
dmfan dmfan If you're not using it as a self-contained performance instrument, there's little there to sway you over VSTs. The whole reason they do the two octave thing is to make sure it fits in a typical small gig bag/backpack. When I buy a synth with a keyboard, I expect to use the keyboard itself. Otherwise, I'd save the space (which is at a premium) and buy a module or plug-in.
Yes, just did subscribe. I wonder why I did not do this earlier. I always watch your videos. This was quite an in-depth review of the System One for a so-called "not in depth review"! I will keep my eyes/ears open for the second part.
Couldn't be happier with the TR8 and FA-08. And I'd bet that Roland bashers are going to change their tune about the System 1 after watching this SH-101 Plug-Out Synth video below. Roland SH-101 PLUG-OUT Software Synthesizer
I can't understand why Roland would release a half baked product like this. Without 3 or 4 plug outs to choose from on release this synth almost begs you not to buy it until we see what they are going to do with it, but if no one buys it the product dies. Very strange release.
It's all a bit underwhelming to be honest. The supersaw sounds horrible compared to the JP-8000 and good emulations of it. How can Roland consistently pioneer these dance sounds and then go on to mess them up so badly later?! Just my opinion, anyway. Good review.
Yes you are correct. I have both the Roland AIRA Sytem-1 and the Roland JP-8000. The JP-8000 is the better synth for sure so far. I say so far because I still have areas to explore on the System-1.
as hardware becomes more and more virtualized,and vsts becoming the standard in production..one wonders what hardware is even for? Live shows?... is that the only reason?
Thanks Nick , but I've seen enough of your reviews to be able to tell how little you like this. I don't like it either. Save your money for micro and mini brutes ,Volkas , and maybe a sub 37 but not this flashy junk!!
I also gather the same reflection as you did by watching Nick' video above. Roland has gotten too big and their product over value ratio has slipped downwards. Newer and smaller companies will not have that financial payload on them and will general be more creative and offer a better sounding and versatile product.
Roland hasn't really done anything I've liked since the MV sampler series. Their synths just don't do anything for me anymore. I do wish them luck, and commend them for trying, however.
There is nothing in this synth that a simple plug-in can't do. Why waste more money, space and patience by hooking it up? Underwhelming. I feel like the SH101 emulation is gonna break or make this synth, so Roland better do a good job.
I take your point, but you need a computer of course, and in practice there is a world of difference interacting with a software screen and a physical hardware control - which makes the experience much more enjoyable (for some) The GAIA also has a lot of people that love the user experience, but acknowledge that it has its faults as a technical synth.
sonicstate How much are they going to be charging for the plugouts? Honestly, this review changed my tune about this synth. The Roland-issued demonstrations really did nothing to make me think it was anything but another crap DSP analog emulation. But now I'm quite impressed. The four note poly (did you say it was paraphonic at the beginning? Because I feel like I didn't notice the filter retriggering for each note), plus the "supersaw" and other wave multiplying effects, and built in delay, make this thing right up my alley. Add patch memory, arpeggiation, and a full-featured front panel, and this thing might just fill the roll of the all-purpose "analog" synth that I need for my new wave-esque band. The tone knob is a nice touch too. Thanks, as usual, for the review sonicstate!
inthefade Basically this "Plug-Out" concept reminds me of "Premium Content". It's a $#!tty concept for video games, & even worse for synthesizers. Manufacturers have been touting "Upgradable" synths since the 1980's, but it rarely ever works out. They would release a few sound cards or an expansion board or 2, & then that's that. This thing has been out for over a year, & there is only ONE SINGLE "Plug-Out". ("SH-101") Besides, if the "Plug-Outs" are relatively inexpensive or even free, (meaning there's not much PROFIT in them) how many do you think Roland will bother creating? Adding more sounds/sound cards is one thing, but when I buy a synth, I don't want to have to buy something else just to be able to use the synth to it's fullest potential. Roland can keep their empty promises & premium content synth.
Nah, I'd rather buy a synth that is worth my money more, which looking at this Roland probably includes every monophonic analog synth ever made. In other words: a monotron is in every expect better that this piece of garbage. Yeah, it has less features, but I don't feel ripped of by it's price point and it's more fun. There is no reason to make a monophonic synth that is digital. They could have easily made it polyphonic but they want to ride on the monophonic analog bandwagon without actually releasing an analog synth.
Rivalo The reason I don't like modeler synths is for the same reason you wouldn't buy a modeler guitar OR amplifier. You just want a specific instrument, not one that can pretend to be any other. Modeling software and hardware has come a long way, but whenever you get something like that it's not "yours".
Rivalo "They could have easily made it polyphonic but they want to ride on the monophonic analog bandwagon without actually releasing an analog synth." Same thing with tb-03 I'm not liking at all... Thumbs down for these two... And TR-08 yes it is quite nice drummachine IF you buy all extramodules current and future ones...
Rivalo After some research and listening, I really want to take back my uninformed comments. Was probably drunk and/or on the Roland hating train. New Roland stuff seems nice. The new semi-modular version took my attention, and those plugouts sound pretty good.
Ivry to like the aria series, but they are just all so bad. I have an 808 and a tr-8, and you know what the tr-8 could have been so much more instead its a product I use when I make recordings I dont take serious, because my 808 can handle real 808 business.
WTF roland.. put fully rotating endoders with leds contours for values... what the point in having the plugout system if you dont have fully rotating endoders... (WITH NO TICK PLEASE.. you should copy kore 2 encoders and values screen.. use that for all modules.. come out with another one soon before native instruments do a similar kore 3 keyboard..
Gotta agree. This synth emulation is WEAK compared to the softsynth world right now. This system is the weakest link in the AIRA line so far in my opinion.
I honestly think Roland are geniuses... (assuming this aira stuff is selling). Lets be honest here... why in the world would anyone want this stuff? Who is doing production work or studio work without a computer???? (since this stuff pales in comparison to vst counterparts) and if you don't use a computer for this stuff... (as I know lots of guys who fit this category and if u also do you will know what I'm about to say to be true...) you for sure don't want this stuff. You won't be tricked by some pretty lights when you have drum machines and synths like DSI and elektron or even arturia are putting out. I have seen the roland aira line advertised as "dj equipment" instead of synths/recording gear. News flash (Im a producer whose day job is touring dj for resident clubs in many countries) djs don't have any use for this... why would u plop more stuff on an already crammed DJ booth just so u can have a bassline or a drum loop on standby? no thanks, current dj software/ equipment is extremely powerful don't need to lug this around. My 2 cents (sorry if I sound peeved, was really hoping for this stuff to be better and was let down. oh well theres always korgs arp 2600 coming out soon)
Your points all make sense, but you're forgetting that some people have a limited budget. This would be the kind of instrument bought by someone who isn't into computers for music and/or is looking for something affordable to add to a live performance. Think of all the bands out there that don't even make money, but do it because they love it. Maybe they want to add a synth sound to their live performance, but don't have $2k to drop on the synths you listed. This is also for the musician that is testing the waters of synthesis without wanting to commit too much. There's a huge market for cheap amateur synths right now that is growing, and I bet any music store employee would back that up.
