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Roland System-8 – historic turning point?

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The Roland System-8

features a:

classic (analog) signal path
– OSC 1 / 2 / 3 / noise
– mixer
– filter (multimode)
– amplifier
– LFOs

– filter-envelope (ADSR)
– amplifier-envelope (ADSR)
– pitch-envelope (AD)

a maximum of 8 voices
Plug-Out 1 / 2 / 3
64 patches and 64 performances
a comprehensive effect-section (3 effect paths)
arpeggiator, step-sequencer and vocoder
4-octave keyboard

Now, this is all very impressive. In addition, there are some little goodies to be found among the ports, especially for
the analog-synth enthusiasts among you.

Audio out R/L
Audio in R/L (for connecting a mic, rhythm device or external synth)
Trigger in (for control of the internal step-sequencer via an external analog signal)
CV/Gate OUT (for control of an external OCT/V analog synthesizer – System 1M, e.g.)
PEDAL and CONTROL jack
MIDI (IN/OUT) and USB

Summary of Contents for System-8

Page 1: ...oint of view this is about more than just the System 8 The paralysis stems from deeper down It has to do with the unequivocal turning point the Roland Company has taken A turning point that the tried and true synthesizer enthusiast and Roland fan of many years has difficulty just coping with But the world keeps turning and so we accept things as they now are New Products Re orientation A new set o...

Page 2: ...ways giving the artist the very best Juno 60 Jupiter 4 Jupiter 6 Jupiter 8 SH 5 SH 7 VP 330 Vocoder and the great Modular Synthesizer Systems 100 100M und System 700 every one a posh instrument every one Crème de la Crème And even the small Roland analog aynths as for instance the SH 2 and the cute SH 09 are of exceptional musical and constructional quality underlined by the fact that a lot of the...

Page 3: ...ses external power supply plastic chassis SOUND should not be compromised on Changing one s point of view Now casting woeful eyes back into the past and making comparisons with the present is one thing Reclassifying mental priorities is another Then again we have to be fair The Roland System 8 is a relatively inexpensive Instrument and it can do a lot Which in these digital times is admittedly not...

Page 4: ...n 3 effect paths arpeggiator step sequencer and vocoder 4 octave keyboard Now this is all very impressive In addition there are some little goodies to be found among the ports especially for the analog synth enthusiasts among you Audio out R L Audio in R L for connecting a mic rhythm device or external synth Trigger in for control of the internal step sequencer via an external analog signal CV Gat...

Page 5: ...ge controlled filter Variations give you just that technically or sound wise in connection with oscillators filters and the LFO Further mention deserve the following cross modulation ring modulator oscillator synchronization pitch envelope Above and beyond this the extensive performance sector is the second mainstay of the System 8 Among the expression and playing enhancements various key modes MO...

Page 6: ...fect Anyway that s what benders are designed to do both subtle AND dramatic changes in sound Along with all the surprises something to get used to by a change of sound the settings in the bender section get lost Which can be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage Let s look back to the Jupiter 8 Its pre set sliders and switches in the bender area VCO at exactly one octave VCF at maximum or whateve...

Page 7: ... correction of the faders since their settings are not permanent The more modern system that of the System 8 may give you greater flexibility since the required bender modulations lever settings will probably vary from sound to sound What you lose though is spontaneity If you re looking to use the bender for filter movements jollyily switching here and there through the sound programmes for instan...

Page 8: ... means the SYSTEM 8 can host spot on recreations of numerous Roland classics and JUPITER 8 and JUNO 106 PLUG OUTS are even included with purchase Split and layer synths for unheard of sounds and tap into the integrated vocoder arpeggiator CV Gate outs and advanced polyphonic step sequencer to fuel endless creative explorations source Roland com So much for publicity Whether that engine is now call...

Page 9: ...er in their own way to make music creatively Which is one very good argument in favor of a modern instrument Anyway audio purists might discover some noise in the System 8 signal path along with some inexplicable ticks or drop outs listen to soundfile Electric Piano and you ll know what we re talkig about Special Assets and a couple of Question Marks Now stepping aside from all the sound details a...

Page 10: ...at nest egg someday be big enough to fulfill the dream of a Jupiter 8 then the System 8 user will already be familiar with the Jupiter s basic sound architecture So far so very good In addition the System 8 has ist own very useful musically effective basic sound A battery of presets is at your fingertips and the Plug Outs do their own stuff of course to widen your musical horizon Which means the S...

Page 11: ...Well ah yes we would have wished a dedicated MIDI THRU socket if somebody had asked And now a few questions Why are Roland devices standardly equipped with that light weight plastic hardware these days Then again there s that painfully short 4 octave keyboard the shoddy external power supply also to be found with the Roland JD XA and that penetrating green lighting You can t even read the panel gr...

Page 12: ...the next a must have in terms of sound design Our final question involves that ominous user s manual It should be called The Pursuit Of Unhappiness with a bow to Paul Watzlawick s famous book Extra thin paper horrible black and white illustrations endless lists and tables Not a single friendly word in the direction of creative music making and then last but not least that friendly green blinking a...

Page 13: ...uno 60 a Juno 106 or even a Jupiter 8 meaning they are in no way dependent on the System 8 for analog synth sounds in any way Which brings us to the target group of today the modern smartphone generation those guys with a limited budget and a weakness for blinking lights The System 8 will offer them proper sounds some of which even have their own characteristics pretty green light orgies and a ver...

Page 14: ... instrument Possible alternatives There are several alternatives to the System 8 available for about 1500 Euros Novation PEAK 8 voice rack synthesizer with arpeggiator Price approx 1400 Euros DSI Prophet Rev 2 8 8 voice synthesizer with step sequencer Price approx 1650 Euros Behringer Deep Mind 12 12 voice analog synthesizer with step sequencer Price approx 1200 Euros Soundfiles 90 of the soundfil...

Page 15: ...fects delay chorus etc We have abstained from using MIDI and any external computer control Demo 1 1 Demo 2 2 Demo 3 3 Long Pad 1 4 Long Pad 2 5 Sparkling 6 Sequence 1 7 Sequence 2 8 Sequence 3 9 Sequence 4 10 Osc Sync 11 E Piano 12 Lead Line 13 Soft Strings 14 Roland System 8 Polyphonic Digital Synthesizer 8 Voices Price 1499 USD approx 1 250 Euros Website Manufacturer www roland com Download ...

Page 16: ...Roland System 8 historic turning point 16 Roland System 8 Photo 3000 x 2500 px Link Vergleich Roland JD XA Review ...

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