Roland SH-201 specifications Voice from the Artist

Voice from the Artist

One look at the panel is all it takes to inspire your creativity. That’s the SH-201.

Photo by Isao Nishimoto

Most of the PCM synthesizers have set their

goal on the pursuit of reality or replication. I am glad to see that this particular synthesizer, the SH-201, is built upon

the ultimate pursuit of the “synthesized sound” itself. One look at the panel is all it takes to inspire your creativity. That’s SH-201.

T he eight oscillator waveforms are carefully selected and distinctively different

from the PCM in the way they possess the ultimate analog-modeling qualities. The smooth-yet-aggressive contour

of the filters is the result of Roland’s quarter of a century experience and technological innovation.

and the vertical faders are used to control the time-variable parameters such as

the envelope generator for easy visual setting. It’s design with sound creation as the top priority is simply superb.

T oday, evolution in the electronic-music

industry has placed the synthesizers with large memory capacity in the mainstream.

It is also a fact that most keyboardists rely on enormous sound libraries and preset sounds.

T hat is where the SH-201 comes in,

I t’s been 26 years since my first encounter

with a synthesizer, and that memorable first synthesizer was the “Roland SH-2”. At that time, it was not unusual for synthesizers

to carry a price tag of several thousand dollars or more. It was truly a dream instrument out of reach for middle-class citizens.

During that time, the synthesizer to break the affordable thousand dollar barrier was

and outstanding in that area among

the others. Best of all, the “Sound” itself is magnificent and there are still many musicians who use them today.

L ooking back at that time, most people

thought of the synthesizer as a tool to replicate real-life sound.

I n contrast, listing to the latest music trend,

Of course, it’s quite obvious to see that

many creative modulation-based effects can be achieved through the LFO, the synthesizer’s backbone function.

A s for the controls, rotary knobs are used

for controlling filters, pitches, and rates,

as it allows you to easily create “sounds from scratch” with its simple analog controls, the way synthesizers were designed to do in the first place.

T he SH-201 is truly a 21st century

masterpiece, with its lightweight body and incredible cost performance.

I hope you take your time and thoroughly enjoy this incredible instrument!

Roland’s original SH series, which became a global success. The synthesizer’s fundamental signal flow of VCO ➝ VCF ➝ VCA was easily mastered through the SH-2’s user- friendly panel layout. The result was a fun and easy-to-operate machine where sound creation was thoroughly delightful.

Also, analog synthesizers back then

had many unstable elements, such as poor pitch and tuning calibration. However the SH-2 was very consistent

numerous sound/music producers have created sounds that only synthesizers can produce, and listeners are demanding these

sounds as well.

P r o f i l e

Hisashi Sait o

He has been active in various Techno/Club units within Japan and overseas since the 1980’s. His involvement includes development support for numerous musical instrument manufacturers, appearances in various events and seminars, along with writing columns and reviews for various music magazines.

He is an active member of the Japan Synthesizer Programmers Association (JSPA), an organization supporting and educating the synthesizer enthusiasts of tomorrow through various activities promoting the overall electronic music.

Photo by Isao Nishimoto

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