The Roland SH-01A is a reproduction of the Roland SH-101, a classic vintage synthesizer. Roland Boutique's Analog Circuit Behaviour (ACB) technology recreates the unique sound of the original. All features of the original also appear in this new edition, including, for example, the 100-note step sequencer. Instead of playing only one sequence, the SH-01A can store and play 64-sequence patterns. The SH-01A can also be used to control a modular rig, hardware synthesizer and software plug-in via CV/Gate, MIDI and USB. One of the biggest changes, however, is the fact that the SH-01A, unlike the original, has 4x digitally emulated oscillators. In addition to the classic mono mode, the 4x voices can now also be operated in unison mode to add punch to bass and lead sounds. Chord mode allows you to layer up to 4x notes, each of which can be transposed at half-tone intervals. In Poly mode, up to 4x notes can be played simultaneously. The former mono synthesizer now also offers the possibility to create pads and chords.
The main features of the Roland SH-01A include:
Was not sure how this was going to work out but money well spent, for the fun factor alone. Found the manual to be a little bit lacking but if you know anything about Synths then you be up and running within minutes. Imagine having your favorite VST synth in a box with hands on control at your fingertips, that's the best way l can describe this package of Roland products. Compact, one cable to connect, great sound, what else do you want. Note: does not come with the Boutique Dock so l had to buy separate at later date as l couldn't stand having a half finished synth sitting on my desk. The Driver comes unsigned so if using Win7 you will need to suppress driver enforcement. If you know how to use Synths then you should know how to use computers. This product recreates the original SH-101 so be aware of that so that's where it starts and ends. If l could get some of the others like the Juno or Jupiter it would be hard for me to resist.