The Roland System-1 is the world’s first PLUG-OUT synthesizer, using ACB (see box out below) technology to flawlessly recreate the most sought after analogue circuits of the last three decades, System1 is every electronic dance music producers dream.
System-1 is unlike anything we’ve come across before, capable of delivering soaring lead lines, rumbling bass and synthesized drums, this four oscillator beast offers enough flexibility to break new sonic territory while blurring the lines between performance instrument and studio tool. As a studio tool System One allows control of software recreations of some of Roland’s most iconic creations – such as the SH101, more on that in a moment – as a performance instrument the One can host accurately modelled analogue circuitry with unrivalled authenticity.
To showcase the accuracy of ACB Roland created the SH101 in soft synth form. These monophonic classics were only in production for a short while between 1982 and 1986 and, while many have attempted to emulate the tone, those seeking to recreate the sounds of acts such as the Prodigy, Aphex Twin and Daft Punk often resort to purchasing second hand 101’s from marketplaces such as eBay.
System-1 features 96khz internal processing, you’ll be able to connect the unit to your computer via USB to send and receive Audio and MIDI information, the One can also receive MIDI clock information from other units in the AIRA range.
ACB | Analogue Circuit Behaviour
The AIRA range is the first to use Roland’s new proprietary digital emulation system ACB. Analogue Circuit Behaviour (ACB) has enabled incredibly accurate modelling of some of the most sought after classics in the Roland range.
Yasuyuki Watanabe explains: “The first priority was to study the behaviour of these analogue instruments, and try to carefully recreate it. However, in today’s music styles, there are certain elements which have to be created digitally. So in order to achieve a harmony between these elements, we chose to use digital gear to recreate these analogue instruments.”
The main features of the Roland System-1 PLUG-OUT synthesizer include:
- Four oscillators for buckets of fat synth tones
- Oscillator colours create continuous waveform changes from simple to complex
- All parameters can be controlled with physical knobs and sliders with LED indicators
- Advanced Arpeggiator with SCATTER
- SCATTER jog dial offers 10 different phrase variations with dynamic, real-time control over 10 stages of depth
- Variety of modulation functions including ring modulation, cross modulation and oscillator sync
- Filter types vary between -12dB and -24dB and include independent high pass filters
- Tone knob for easy tonal balancing
- Crusher knob for modern edge
- Integrated Delay and Reverb effect units
- Tempo syncing for LFO and Delay
- Innovative thin keyboard with 25 normal sized keys
- Comfortable to play and yet the most compact Roland synth ever