Roland SH-101

I think everybody knows the features...and if you don't they are easy to find.

The features might seem limited, and yet it's incredible what you can do with it.

UTILIZATION

Is it easy to make settings? The basis of subtractive synthesis.

Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive? ...never read it

Is it easy to edit sounds or effects? No effects. Editing is über-easy, every knob controls a single function. It couldn't be easier.

SOUNDS

Do the sound presets fit your music style? It's a mythical sound for electronic music, if it didn't suit me, I would be the problem.

Which sounds do you prefer / hate? ...
I love the basses, leads, distorted effects

Don't look for realism

I love the expression of the filter, as well, it livens up the sounds wonderfully

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using it? Used often, resold and rebought.

Did you try any other models before buying this one? Yes, everything, except analog or modeling units.

Which feature do you like the most / the least?
+ The ease of use, depth, soul, arpeggiator, mini sequencer.
- Nothing. When you buy this type of gear you know you'll have constraints: A brief warm-up time, no midi, no way to save presets... But who cares!!!

I always smile when people bad-mouth its sound qualities. Just remember this synth was chosen by the pioneers of electronic music and still is a favorite among some of its most venerated representatives, even though that wasn't Roland's intention... As with many Roland products, this product wasn't conceived to please the people that ended up using it, the latter are artists that decided to hijack it for their own purposes, because it SOUNDS GOOD!

Smooth and precise keyboard, 2 octaves shifter.
arpeggiator and built-in sequencer, cv & gate outputs, it allows you to control a modular synth effectively.

UTILIZATION

Easy and clear editing

SOUNDS

I totally agree with the previous review.
Especially the noise is amazing, much better than the Yamaha, for example.
I use it mainly for leads with an old boss chorus and a SE70

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it in the early '90s and have never let go of it.

Often imitated, never equaled, the SH101 has no competitors...I also like the new analog Vermonas, which have a similar color to analog gear of the early '80s.
I also have a pro one, same technology as the sh101: The sound is more raw and the lows more punchy, but, in my opinion,, when it comes to effects, arpeggios and leads, the sh101 is better!...I think it's due to a Roland filter.

The Roland SH 101 is a analog monophonic synthesizer that can be purchased online for just under 1000 usd, now I feel that price is a little to expensive. Yes it is a great piece of vintage gear, but anytime you purchase vintage gear you are taking a risk because it is so old that there will be something wrong with it when you get it. So I don’t feel the Roland SH 101 should be that much, I think it should be worth around 700 dollars. But if you purchase it you wont be upset, you will love the sounds and the ease of use with the Roland Sh 101.


UTILIZATION

Its pretty easy to use, really nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to vintage gear. The more you use this unit the more you will love it. that’s one thing that I can say that is good about it. Each time that I get a chance to use it I fall more in love with the sound and warmth of the machine.


SOUNDS

The sounds are great, some really good techno stuff, you can have all the control of the pitch and lfo with the pitch bender. Also the arp is pretty good too, you can use it to arp up and down and all in real time. The Roland SH 101 reminds me of a few other boards that have been used over the years in some recent music and it seems like this board gave a lot to the sound of the Juno line that roland has created years ago.


OVERALL OPINION

You will be happy with this boards sound and quality, but the price could be a little too much. It is a Very popular piece of vintage gear, and that could be why its so expensive but to me its just not worth that amount of money anymore. I wish I could have bought one for a lot cheaper than what they are asking for them.

Keyboard very comfortable to play in relation to competitors and korg yamaha of the time;
Controllers easy to use and above all quick to switch or toggled: Portamento / LFO mod ...
No MIDI, no FX, no memory => normal for analog.
Monophonic
Ability to stack as triangle wave, square + pwm, subosc and noise

USE

Super simple to use and very fast to modulate the sound

SOUNDS

Its Top and vintage

NOTICE GLOBAL

The arpeggiator is simple and powerful at the same time:
manual up / down and especially the notes are sequenced according to the chord played on the keyboard, all this combined with a really stable and powerful LFO and legato mode, making it a formidable tool;

The qualities of the machine stand out when it is passed in the external effects of good quality, including Dlay a distortion etc.