Roland SYSTEM-8

The New Classic

The SYSTEM-8 is a direct result of over four decades of synthesizer development at Roland, including some of the most iconic instruments ever made. It absolutely nails the sound and behavior of our most sought-after classics, like the included JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 and JX-3P synthesizers—and yet it does so much more. Mix and match modern and vintage oscillators and filter types with multiple dedicated effects—then split and layer them into never-before-heard new sounds. Shape every detail with the huge array of high-resolution controls and create fully realized musical ideas with the onboard polyphonic sequencer with motion recording.

Beyond Vintage
The SYSTEM-8’s synth architecture draws on our deep history of research and development—and it includes authentic models of classic oscillators, filters and effects. It even has down-to-the-circuit recreations of the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 and JX-3P built-in, not to mention the world of legendary synths available on Roland Cloud. But the SYSTEM-8 goes way beyond vintage. It has multiple flavors of digital and analog-style oscillators including Saw, Square, Triangle, SuperSaw, FM and more completely unique waveforms. Filter options include the famous JUPITER and JUNO filters as well as more recent designs like the unique Side Band Filter. Ever wondered what a knobby, FM synth with a JUPITER-8 filter would be like? Now you can find out. Able to split, layer and combine different synth engines, the SYSTEM-8 is unparalleled in its versatility, going from glass to growl, or pluck to punch, with just a few tweaks of its high-resolution controls.

PLUG-OUT Expansion
The SYSTEM-8 features three expansion slots for hosting and controlling PLUG-OUT synths, which are complete, 100-percent authentic models of Roland classics that you can swap in and out whenever you like. JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, and JX-3P PLUG-OUTs are included, and it’s possible to combine the native synth engine and any hosted PLUG-OUTs to create super-synth patches with layered voices and custom splits. The growing PLUG-OUT instrument collection on Roland Cloud includes the JUNO-60, SH-2, SH-101, PROMARS, SYSTEM-100, and many others, and they also work as DAW plug-ins that you can control from the SYSTEM-8’s panel.

High-Resolution Control
With one of the most expansive control layouts available, the SYSTEM-8 has dozens of knobs, sliders, and buttons for you to shape your sound. Dimmable lights give you feedback as to which controls are active and let you see what’s happening in dim studios and dark stages. Controls have a logical, flowing, layout with tonal tweaking in mind. You’ll get ultra-smooth parameter changes that sound great and help you find the sweet spots.

Dream Sequencer
The SYSTEM-8’s polyphonic sequencer is designed to be quick and flowing, keeping up with the rapid pace of your musical ideas. The upper and lower layers of the SYSTEM-8 each have their own dedicated sequencer which can trigger internal sounds or devices connected via USB, standard MIDI, or CV/GATE. You can record in step or real-time modes and the sequencer can even capture per-step or real-time parameter changes using motion recording. Keep things fresh and exciting with dedicated knobs for scale, gate, and shuffle as well as hands-on control of playback modes and direction.

USB Audio and MIDI
With extensive support for audio and MIDI over USB, the SYSTEM-8 integrates perfectly into your studio setup or live rig. It functions as a high-resolution audio interface making live performance and on-the-road production setups clean and simple. The 49-full size keys are responsive, and the huge array of lighted knobs and sliders mean you can control your favorite plugin instruments with an interface made for tweaking synthesizers, instead of rows of generic controls. Many Roland Cloud synths even have modes that mimic the SYSTEM-8’s layout so you get automatic and intuitive one-to-one control.

CV/GATE
In addition to its full complement of MIDI and USB connections, the SYSTEM-8 also has built-in CV/GATE outputs, meaning it works as well with analog and modular gear as it does with software plugins. In fact, it’s the ideal centerpiece to the wide world of Eurorack modules and hybrid setups. You can use the high-quality 49-key keyboard to play your modular synths or use the advanced sequencer to send note and pitch data to external gear in perfect sync.

SPECIFICATIONS

Keyboard: 49 keys (with velocity)

Sound Generator Section
Models: SYSTEM-8, PLUG-OUT1, PLUG-OUT2, PLUG-OUT3
Maximum Polyphony: 8 voices (MODEL: SYSTEM-8)
(MODEL: PLUG-OUT1, 2 and 3 are depend on PLUG-OUT software)
User Memory: Patch: 64 (8 memories x 8 banks, per one model)
Performance: 64 (8 memories x 8 banks)
Structure Elements: MODEL: SYSTEM-8 is as follows
(MODEL: PLUG-OUT 1, 2 and 3 are depend on PLUG-OUT software)

LFO Section
Variation: 1, 2, 3
Waveform:
VARIATION 1: Single LFO: SINE, TRIANGLE, SAW, SQUARE, Sample&Hold, Random
VARIATION 2: Dual LFO: SINE x 2, TRIANGLE x 2, SAW x 2, SQUARE x 2, Sample&Hold x 2, Random x 2
VARIATION 3: Resonanced Pulse LFO: 6 resonance frequency
Knobs: FADE TIME, RATE, PITCH, FILTER, AMP
Controllers: KEY TRIGGER, TRIGGER ENVELOPE

Oscillator 1 Section
Variation: 1, 2, 3, 4
Waveform:
VARIATION 1: SAW, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, SAW2, SQUARE2, TRIANGLE2
VARIATION 2: Noise Saw, Logic Operation, FM, FM+SYNC, Vowel, CB
VARIATION 3: FM 2 Operaters: 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:3.5, 1:15, 6:1
VARIATION 4: FM 5 Operaters: Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, Type E, Type F
Knobs: COLOR, MODULATION Source (MANUAL, LFO, P.ENV, F.ENV, A.ENV, OSC 3), OCTAVE (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2), COARSE TUNE, FINE TUNE
Modulation: CROSS Modulator

Oscillator 2 Section
Variation: 1, 2, 3, 4
Waveform:
VARIATION 1: SAW, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, SAW2, SQUARE2, TRIANGLE2
VARIATION 2: Noise Saw, Logic Operation, FM, FM+SYNC, Vowel, CB
VARIATION 3: FM 2 Operaters: 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:3.5, 1:15, 6:1
VARIATION 4: FM 5 Operaters: Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, Type E, Type F
Knobs: COLOR, MODULATION Source (MANUAL, LFO, P.ENV, F.ENV, A.ENV, OSC 3), OCTAVE (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2), COARSE TUNE, FINE TUNE
Modulation: RING Modulator, Oscillator SYNC

Oscillator 3/Sub Oscillator Section
Variation: 1, 2
Waveform: SINE (-2 octave), SINE (-1 octave), SINE, TRIANGLE､TRIANGLE (-1 octave)､TRIANGLE (-2 octave)
Knobs: COLOR, TUNE

Mixer Section
Level: OSC 1, OSC 2, OSC 3/SUB OSC, NOISE
Noise: WHITE Noise/PINK Noise

Pitch Section
Knob: ENVELOPE Depth
Envelope: ATTACK Time, DECAY Time

Filter Section
Variation: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Filter Type:
VARIATION 1: LPF (-24 dB), LPF (-18 dB), LPF (-12 dB), HPF (-12 dB), HPF (-18 dB), HPF (-24 dB)
VARIATION 2: Side Band Filter: 6 types (SBF1 - SBF6)
VARIATION 3: SYSTEM-1 Filter: LPF (-24 dB), LPF (-18 dB), LPF (-12 dB)
VARIATION 4: JUPITER-8 Filter: LPF (-24 dB), LPF (-18 dB), LPF (-12 dB)
VARIATION 5: JUNO-106 Filer: LPF (-24 dB), LPF (-18 dB), LPF (-12 dB)
VARIATION 6: Formant Filter: u-a, u-e, u-i, o-a, o-e, o-i
VARIATION 7: Formant Filter: u-i-a, u-e-a, u-i-e, o-i-a, o-e-a, o-i-e
VARIATION 8: Harmonics Filter: 64FEET, 32FEET, 16FEET, 8FEET, 4FEET, 2FEET
Knobs: CUTOFF, RESONANCE, VELOCITY SENS, ENVELOPE Depth, KEY Follow, HPF CUTOFF
Envelope: ATTACK Time, DECAY Time, SUSTAIN LEVEL, RELEASE Time

Amplifier Section
Knobs: VELOCITY SENS, TONE, LEVEL
Envelope: ATTACK Time, DECAY Time, SUSTAIN LEVEL, RELEASE Time

Effect Section
Type: OVER DRIVE, DISTORTION, METAL, FUZZ, CRUSHER, PHASER
Knobs: TONE, DEPTH

Delay/Chorus Section
Type: DELAY, PANNING DELAY, CHORUS 1, CHORUS 2, FLANGER, DELAY + CHORUS
Knobs: TIME, LEVEL

Reverb Section
Type: AMBIENCE, ROOM, HALL 1, HALL 2, PLATE, MODULATION
Knobs: TIME, LEVEL

Other Section
Knobs: PORTAMENTO, TEMPO
Controller: LEGATO, TEMPO SYNC
Key Mode: MONO/UNISON/POLY

Step Sequencer: Track, 1 per Patch (step pattern is saved as a patch)
Step: 1 - 64 steps
Recording Method: Step recording, Realtime recording
Controllers: SCALE, PLAY MODE, GATE, SHUFFLE, FIRST STEP, LAST STEP

Other: VOLUME, INPUT volume, ARPEGGIO, CHORD MEMORY, VOCODER, KEYHOLD, VELOCITY OFF, TRANSPOSE, OCTAVE
Controllers: Pitch bend and modulation lever, BEND SENS PITCH, BEND SENS FILTER, MOD SENS PITCH, MOD SENS FILTER
Display: 16 characters 2 line LCD
External Storage: SD Card (SDHC supported) for backup/restore function
Connectors:

• PHONES jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type

• OUTPUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch TRS phone type

• INPUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type

• CV/GATE OUTPUT jacks: Miniature phone type
  (CV: This jack supports OCT/V (Hz/V is not supported). GATE: This jack outputs +10 V.)

• TRIGGER IN jack: Miniature phone type

• PEDAL (HOLD, CONTROL) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type

• MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors

• USB port: USB type B (Audio/MIDI)

• DC IN jack

Power Supply: AC Adaptor
Current Draw: 2 A
Accessories:

• Owner's manual

• AC adaptor

• Power cord

Options (Sold Separately):

• Keyboard Stand: KS-10Z

• Pedal switch: DP Series

• Expression pedal: EV-5

Dimensions
Width: 881 mm / 34-11/16 inches
Depth: 364 mm / 14-3/8 inches
Height: 109 mm / 4-5/16 inches
Weight: 5.9 kg / 13 lbs 1 oz

For more information, click here to visit the manufacturers website.