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MGR/Bruddah Max « Roland SH-32 »
Published on 07/28/04 at 15:00I picked this synthesizer module up on closeout for $199 after it was discontinued.
This is a maximum "bang for the buck" item. By using samples for the oscillator waveforms, Roland has squeezed 32 oscillators into this unit (32 or 16 synth voices depending on whether your patch uses 1 or 2 oscillators). Most of the synthesis parameters have their own knob or slider, making programming of new sounds very easy. People looking for a cheap virtual analog synthesizer would be hard pressed to find a better value, new or used. In addition to 3 multitimbral synth parts, there is a rhythm part which has samples of Roland's classic drum machines of yesteryear - the TR-808, TR-909, TR-606 and more. They've also added a fully programmable arpeggiator to the mix.
As far as the sound goes, this unit excels at recreating the sound of Roland's synthesizers of the '80s - Jupiters, Junos, JXs, most of the sounds of these classics can be coaxed out of this box. The filter has that "Roland" edge to it that most other virtual analogs have trouble approximating. Add to this a very clean sounding reverb/delay unit and an "insert" effect with 35 possible effects, including many time-based effects that can be synced to MIDI beat clock, and you have a comprehensive virtual analog palette of sounds.
Roland decided to offer oscillator sync mode, but when this is enabled, the synth becomes monophonic and the filter is taken out of the synthesis engine. This greatly limits the usefulness of the sync mode.
The SH-32 also has a 3-character LED display - and these are 8-segment LEDs at that, so complex characters are difficult to present. Roland has invented their own alphabet to compensate for this limitation, and it makes much of the parameter information (for effects settings and such) difficult to read.
The filter knob can occasionally add a zipper-like noise to the filter if swept slowly. This is only from the knob's limited resolution, however - any envelope or external MIDI control of the filter does not produce a zipper sound.
Due to the small size of the front panel (about the size of an A4 sheet of paper) and the multiple labels per button, finding some functions can be difficult. Most of the settings are indicated on the front panel, though, so the hunt for particular parameters is usually short.
As I've already mentioned, the unit is quite small, and weighs very little. The case is made of sturdy metal, though, so it will take a knock or two without falling apart. The power supply is an external line-lump cord, and this is probably the weakest element of the setup.
This is a very capable and clean sounding "virtual analog" synth module with the added bonus of drum samples to allow "all-in-one" dance song creation (there is no sequencer but the arpeggiations can have up to 32 steps). There is quite simply nothing at this price level that can compete - or even at twice as much. Highly recommended!
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
This is a maximum "bang for the buck" item. By using samples for the oscillator waveforms, Roland has squeezed 32 oscillators into this unit (32 or 16 synth voices depending on whether your patch uses 1 or 2 oscillators). Most of the synthesis parameters have their own knob or slider, making programming of new sounds very easy. People looking for a cheap virtual analog synthesizer would be hard pressed to find a better value, new or used. In addition to 3 multitimbral synth parts, there is a rhythm part which has samples of Roland's classic drum machines of yesteryear - the TR-808, TR-909, TR-606 and more. They've also added a fully programmable arpeggiator to the mix.
As far as the sound goes, this unit excels at recreating the sound of Roland's synthesizers of the '80s - Jupiters, Junos, JXs, most of the sounds of these classics can be coaxed out of this box. The filter has that "Roland" edge to it that most other virtual analogs have trouble approximating. Add to this a very clean sounding reverb/delay unit and an "insert" effect with 35 possible effects, including many time-based effects that can be synced to MIDI beat clock, and you have a comprehensive virtual analog palette of sounds.
Roland decided to offer oscillator sync mode, but when this is enabled, the synth becomes monophonic and the filter is taken out of the synthesis engine. This greatly limits the usefulness of the sync mode.
The SH-32 also has a 3-character LED display - and these are 8-segment LEDs at that, so complex characters are difficult to present. Roland has invented their own alphabet to compensate for this limitation, and it makes much of the parameter information (for effects settings and such) difficult to read.
The filter knob can occasionally add a zipper-like noise to the filter if swept slowly. This is only from the knob's limited resolution, however - any envelope or external MIDI control of the filter does not produce a zipper sound.
Due to the small size of the front panel (about the size of an A4 sheet of paper) and the multiple labels per button, finding some functions can be difficult. Most of the settings are indicated on the front panel, though, so the hunt for particular parameters is usually short.
As I've already mentioned, the unit is quite small, and weighs very little. The case is made of sturdy metal, though, so it will take a knock or two without falling apart. The power supply is an external line-lump cord, and this is probably the weakest element of the setup.
This is a very capable and clean sounding "virtual analog" synth module with the added bonus of drum samples to allow "all-in-one" dance song creation (there is no sequencer but the arpeggiations can have up to 32 steps). There is quite simply nothing at this price level that can compete - or even at twice as much. Highly recommended!
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com