Roland SH-201

[Alex Specht]

Ive been checking out the Roland sh-201

Two things I am interested in:

Roland states that it has the same modeling as a JP-8000, which was a decent analog clone.

Also the VST compatability

How does this work? Im imagining that it will use the DSP from the keyboard to make the sound (rather than using the CPU). However what if I am using my regualr sound card and I also want to play the sounds from the SH201. Can this work like a UAD-1 card or powecore?

Any thoughts?

[Siem]

Originally Posted by Alex Specht

Ive been checking out the Roland sh-201

Two things I am interested in:

Roland states that it has the same modeling as a JP-8000, which was a decent analog clone.

Also the VST compatability

How does this work? Im imagining that it will use the DSP from the keyboard to make the sound (rather than using the CPU). However what if I am using my regualr sound card and I also want to play the sounds from the SH201. Can this work like a UAD-1 card or powecore?

Any thoughts?

It's just a virtual editor on your screen, which saves it settings with your track. No audio in/out your computer.

at least according to this:

As mentioned at the beginning of this review, the SH201 is the first Roland hardware synth to offer VSTi integration. When the SH201 Editor installs, it installs as two versions: the stand-alone one (activated by manually starting the program from your computer) and the VST Instrument one (a separate DLL file). The VSTi version requires a USB connection, which provides the necessary additional 'MIDI port' to the SH201 in your DAW software. The plug-in appears in your list of VST instruments as 'SH201 Editor VST'. When loaded, the Editor appears just as if it were the GUI of a software synth. The SH201 can be edited from here just as with the stand-alone version — with the additional advantage that if you save the song with the SH201 in an edited state, it's recalled exactly as you left it when the song is reloaded. Curiously, the Editor did not support the recording and automation of its GUI elements within Sonar (my DAW of choice) in my tests during the review period (see the 'Sonar & The SH201' box. However, Sonar happily recorded changes made on the SH201's panel as MIDI control data, which is a perfectly acceptable alternative.

[MarcB]

Thats how the virus Ti "should" have been instead of all this faffing about with audio sends and extra latency

[rasp]

I've heard the JP-8000 sounds superior to the SH-201 but I can't confirm this. Perhaps it's something to do with the DACs.

[Mike6581]

It's supposed to be based on the JP-8000's sound architecture and it does have the "super saw" function. I've not tried the JP-8000 so I can't comment how that sounds compared to the SH-201, though I doubt it'll be amazingly different. As for the 201 itself, I'm not too impressed with it to be honest. I bought it, used it a few times and now it's just sitting in a cupboard unloved at the moment. You'll have a lot of fun with the "d-beam" controller (brilliant for using live) but the actual sound of it is a real disappointment, it's got a very limited range of sounds it can do and it's got a really plastic and lifeless character to all it's sounds.

If you're after a cheap-ish modelling synth, I'd go for the Novation X-Station if I were you. I sold my K-Station to get the SH-201 and I really regret it!

[crufty]

v-synth > jp 8080 > sh201

but wouldn't worry about it too much. do look at the used market and purchase whatever your budget will allow. one thing that would make a lot of sense is a 2u sh 201 rack. the sh201 is a large keyboard for what you really get.

is it analog tone you are looking for or supersaw? pardon massive clipping but am too lazy to do it proper.

[SWAN808]

I wouldnt bother getting an sh201 - go with a second-hand jp8000/8080. Got more knobs on.

[Acid Hazard]

I must be one of the few who actually liked the 201 =o]

[crufty]

one reason for jp8080 v sh201 delta might be the fx. jp8080 is delay only sh201 has verb etc. i have never used 201 other then plunking on one for 2 minutes while nosing around music stores etc. it seems to get a lot of hate but honestly it seems better then many other synths of its ilk.

one thing that I would definitely do...try before you buy. The vsynth and 201 should still be in stores. the v-synth / vsynth XT at least suffer from aliasing and zippering. So the 201 may as well. it might not. To test, simply tweak cutoff either very slow or very fast. AGGHHH it is the one area where the vsynth will fail ye, esp on tb303 type bass sounds.

i can't remember if the 8080 suffers from same artifact.

bloop blurrb BLOWzziippppppPppPppPPrrrb dfegadtutt

easy to fix by not being glacially slow with tweaks or a speed demon but other than that

[tonmeister]

Originally Posted by Siem

It's just a virtual editor on your screen, which saves it settings with your track. No audio in/out your computer.

The vst/au plug is just an editor true - kind of limited.
there are also core audio drivers provided for mac (and i think something for windows) that allows the 201 to act as a sound card, then all of your compter audio will come out of the 201, and you can play the 201 over the top of that with the keyboard or via midi. and input and filter audio via the external input.

The synth isn't the ultimate, but most of us around here like it. it is very well laid out & approachable which encourages sound design, and no screen menus to deal with. yes some more complex tones are not possible

[soundrick]

I just picked up a used SH-201, and I can't get my sustain pedal to work???

Can anyone help out?

I've tried a Korg pedal, M-Audio pedal and a Boss switch, and the only thing they do is play/stop the phrase recorder.

HELP!!!

[raffor]

It's in the manual. The pedal input takes all kinds of pedals. You just have to enable that in the menu. And there you choose also what gets effected.

[Dissident]

I think the SH-201 is an awesome little synth. . .I've used it a number of times. Some great fat sounds in it and really straightforward editing/tweaking of the tones.

The Arps and the little Dbeam feature are pretty awesome too.

I just noticed that you're in Mountain View. . .Greetings from Redwood City!

[wakestyle]

I just picked up a sh-201. it's awesome but it is lacking in a couple area's

1) DAC imho sucks (especially since there's no spdif out), sounds much worse than my $400 soundcard.
2) audio via usb is not usable (unless you have a system that can source 2 sound devices and still then you will have massive latency)
3) vsti plugin isn't updated in a long time (not working for windows 7), and see #2 (no audio via vsti).

[zerocrossing]

I had a 201 for a few days. I got it because of the claims it was like the 8000 and I thought that with a D-beam would be fun.

I can't say if it was better or worse than an 8000 but I thought it was one of the worst sounding synths I've ever played including software. Sold it quick.

[i3enjamin]

With the SH-201... you just have to know what you're getting yourself into.

It's become one of my favorite synths to play. Mainly because of the ease of editing. OP is asking about the software editor (a couple years ago, lol)... but really I don't think he should be. Everything is layed out in front of you on the hardware. And that's the only reason to buy it.

The sound is thin and punchy. The filters/resonance seem a a little thin as well. You're not gonna hear that "mooginess" in the filters. They're very plain and lacking depth.

When I go to my SH... I'm doing one of 4 things. 1) Looking for the "Kesha" type sounds, 2) looking for "Timbaland" type sounds (Sexy Back / Way I are / Timbo chorus strings), 3) looking for quick LFO modulation... or 4) Using supersaws. You can get most the same things on a JP-8000.... but you can definitely get it from the SH as well.

I have a Virus C and a Motif as well... and the SH-201 is the first piece of equipment I go to when I want to make a new sound. A lot of people hate it... but I've come to love it.

Again, you just gotta know what you're getting yourself into.

[Hazmatic]

Between the JP-8000 and the SH-201, the sound of the JP blows the SH away. As stated, it might be because of the DACs, but whatever the reason, the sound of the SH is inferior to the JP.

[synthdood]

I find the SH201 lacks a lot of brightness/treble higher up the keyboard. Take a simple saw with the filter wide open and all the harmonics disappear as you play higher notes. This is not caused by the DAC because it is the same if you play audio through usb asio.

Is this also the case with the JP8000?