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Overview
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The SH-32’s front panel is designed for easy editing. There are 17 sliders that control envelopes, etc.; four large knobs that control filter, etc.; four smaller knobs for selecting effects, etc.; 49 self-illuminating buttons; six buttons and a 3-digit LED display. The rear panel contains all the basic connections: stereo outputs, MIDI In and Out, a headphone output, footswitch jack and power switch. The SH-32’s compact, portable design makes it perfect for desktop use or for use in a DJ booth, while its retro-styled interface lets you tweak and program sounds with ease.
The SH-32 contains the following:
●2 oscillators, a filter, amp and two LFOs per sound. While being fully digital on the inside, you have the ability, using knobs and sliders, to create sounds using an analog-style interface.
●67 oscillator waveforms and 4 rhythm sets. Handles layering and multitimbral sound creation with 32-voice polyphony and 4-part multitimbral operation.
●2 independent effects processors: 10 types of reverb/delay and 35 insertion effects.
●Built-in programmable arpeggiator with chord memory function.
Figure 1: SH-32 Block Diagram
ARPEGGIATOR
(PROGRAMMABLE)
BPM SYNC
OSC 1 | | LFO1 | | |
| | | |
SUB OSC | MIX/ | | | 2 x EFFECTS |
| FILTER | AMP |
| RING/ | |
OSC 2 SYNC | | | INS-FX |
SUB OSC | | ENV | ENV | REV/DELAY |
| |
PART 1 | ENV | | | |
| | | |
PART 2 | | | | TO ARPEGGIATOR |
| | | |
PART 3
PART 4 / RHYTHM
PREVIEW /CHORD MEMORY
The self-illuminating buttons, mentioned above, are what make it possible to fit so many features in such a functional, compact box. These buttons include those for sound editing with which the current status is shown using three types, or “stages”, of indication: off, illuminating, and flashing. This allows you to edit intuitively
from the front panel without having to navigate back and forth through a hierarchical interface. Thirteen buttons at the bottom of the front panel function as a virtual single-octave keyboard when the Preview button is pressed. This feature allows you to verify sounds and play performances without having to connect a MIDI keyboard.
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Wave Acceleration Synthesis
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Let’s explore some of the actual sounds while examining some features. There are two basic ways that sounds can be saved on the SH-32. One is called “Patch” mode and the other is “Performance” mode, in which up to four patches (including rhythm sets) can be overlapped and played at the same time. You can use either mode, depending on your needs.
Let’s explore Patch mode first. Listen to some of the preset sounds using the virtual keyboard on the front panel. You will probably notice how fat and powerful the notes sound. You might be wondering how this is possible.
When designing the SH-32, Roland developed a proprietary sound generating system called “Wave Acceleration Synthesis.” Wave Acceleration is a new way to generate sound that was developed by studying famous vintage synthesizers and analog modeling synths. The results were then quantified so that Roland could put the best of these qualities into the SH-32. Words like “fat”, “distinct” and “cutting” all come to mind when playing the presets. And these sounds are designed to fit in any mix—no need for extensive EQ and outboard effects.
This punchy sound can also be found in the built-in rhythm sets. The SH-32 contains four kits (two preset and two user) with waveforms taken from Roland’s classic TR-808 and -909 Rhythm Composers. We’re sure you’ll notice how rich the bass presence is in not only the kick drum, but even in the toms.
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Oscillator
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Let’s take a closer look at Wave Acceleration Synthesis by investigating the waveforms contained in the oscillator section. For those who don’t know, oscillators are what determine the basic characteristic of a sound. The SH-32 includes seven basic waveforms: saw, square, pulse, PWM, triangle/sine, Spectrum, and Noise. These also include variations capable of producing a variety of sound characteristics (Figure 2), translating into over 67 waveforms total! And each waveform has that fat analog feel, so you’ll never experience the dull, lifeless sounds that result when sampling an analog synthesizer. (You will notice this even with the PWM and Noise waveforms.)
But don’t take our word for it, let your own ears be the judge! | ▼ |
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1. Oscillator Section
The SH-32 includes two independent oscillators. The basic waveforms are saw, square, pulse, PWM, triangle/sine, Spectrum, and Noise. Each waveform also includes several variations (except for PWM), so be sure to check them out when auditioning the SH-32.
Pitch can be varied in octaves (Octave button), in semitones over two octaves with the Pitch Coarse slider, and over ±50 cents using the Pitch Fine slider. Also, the sub oscillator (SUB OSC), which is used for adding a sub-octave element, contains a Subsonic mode for adding a special frequency component for ultra-thick bass sounds. There is also an Oscillator Sync function, a ring modulator, and a pitch envelope, which changes the pitch of a sound over time.
By pressing the OSC1 and OSC2 buttons at the same time, both become the editing target, which makes it easy to apply the same settings to both.
2. Filter Section
The filter can be set to one of the following settings: low pass, band pass, high pass, peaking, and OFF. You can switch between –24 dB/oct for a tight sound and –12 dB/oct for a smooth sound. A Key Follow function is also provided, which changes the cutoff frequency in accordance with the key pressed on the keyboard.
3. Amp Section
The amp section contains an ADSR-type envelope generator. Using the Key Follow function you can change the time that follows the decay time for each pitch range. The On and Off buttons for the ten types of reverb and delay, which can be used as loop effects, are located here. The Level button located on the right side of the front panel can be used to control the volume of patches, rhythm sets and performances.
4. LFO Section
There are two independent LFO sections and you can choose among seven waveforms including random. Several parameters are available such as Fade In, which allows you to set the time it takes to reach the maximum LFO amplitude, and Key Sync, which causes the LFO phase to start each time a key is struck. The LFO rate can be automatically synchronized to BPM; tap input is also possible. As with the oscillators, simultaneous editing is possible by pressing the LFO1 and LFO2 buttons together.
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5. INTENSITY/INS-FX
This area is used to turn on and off one of the SH-32’s 35 insert effects, and to make settings for the particular effect selected.
6. Output Level
Adjust the level of the main out and headphone out jacks here.
7. FX/SYSTEM
Adjust the insertion effect and reverb/delay parameters. When set to the System position you can set the SH-32’s overall system parameters (selected from buttons at the bottom of the front panel).
8. MIDI Setting Knob
Select parameters to be set when controlling the SH-32 with information transmitted from external MIDI devices.
9. Button Group 1 and Data Entry
In addition to “Analog Feel,” which adds a slight wavering of pitch to produce an analog synth-like sound, these buttons are for setting portamento, legato, level and pan, and for switching between patch/performance and entering data. The Exit and Level/Pan buttons, when pressed together, play a demo song.
10. Button Group 2
The buttons at the bottom of the front panel have a variety of functions. The basic functions are patch number selection, part selection, calling up chord memory and system parameters, setting the arpeggiator and programming. Also, turning on the Preview button activates a “virtual” keyboard which consists of self-illuminating buttons lit orange (octave shifting is possible). You can use the virtual keyboard to perform and verify sounds without using an external MIDI keyboard. You can also play sounds continuously by turning on the Hold button.
