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New Desktop Synth from Roland (SH-4d)
So there are lots of reviews out today for the new Roland SH-4d "desktop synthesizer module." It sells for $650 (USD). It has 4 digital oscillators and 11 oscillator models, loads of digital effects, 60 voice polyphony, thousands of presets, a sequencer, etc. My question is, what does this type of synth offer that you don't get with an iPad and one or two MIDI controllers? If you use something like the Novation LaunchControl XL in order to have "real" knobs, faders, and buttons for your iPad synths, what does something like the Roland SH-4d (or a similar product from Modal) bring to the table? I understand that something with analog oscillators might bring a certain sonic character that can't be replicated on an iPad, but what are your thoughts about an all-digital synth like this?
Comments
Not everyone will really benefit enough to justify the price, but there IS something to be said about having a user interface designed specifically for the sound engine. And even if you don’t mind editing parameters on a screen, the sound engine itself may offer some unique twists or clever workflow considerations that you can’t get in a plugin.
Most importantly, though, it’s a shiny new thing to try out and it will let people have fun for a little while before selling it and buying the next must-have item. And if that sounds cynical, I don’t mean for it to — music creation is fun and I think it’s okay to get excited about new gear, as long as you’re being conscious of the environmental impact and not burying yourself in debt.
I definitely see the benefits of the user interface. I've come close to buying one of the great interfaces from Soundforce SFC but I can't justify the cost.
The main feature that sets a hardware version apart from software is parameter scaling (and the dynamic of that scaling), at least that‘s to be expected from a „good“ device.
(twisting slower and it gets more precise, faster movements accelerate without jumps)
Of course you can achieve the same with a proper controller for software, but it‘s a rare feature (or one has to invest a lot of time in programming).
Iirc the old Mackie Control could do that trick, while the endless dials on my MPC Studio are plain crap with assigned midi CCs.
I like they visual sequencers they added for this, that's straight out of TE's playbook. I hope they add it to the 707 too...
This just shot straight up to the top of my want list and I’m almost certainly gonna get it. There’s still a lot to be said for having a separate hardware box for things, and considering it sends audio and midi via usb-c, it would actually be a cool companion to the iPad as well.
Preordered. This is gonna be a fun and useful one.
For an all digital synth?
Nothing really except for in wanting a "real" synth.
I'm designing my own these days in dRambo.
I put together an 8 x wavetable oscillator synth last year out of curiosity
and then created another seven more just in one project
and then mapped the entire project to the LC XL.
My current project uses 9 x LC XL scenes.
From my perspective go for an analog synth because
when it's digital it's only going to be redigitised.
Yeah, this is pretty meh. Can do more with Drambo. All digital and overpriced.
Let’s face it, Drambo has ruined all this kind of gear for us.
I am glad I don’t have to deal with encoders, shift buttons and menus on a tiny screen.
Haha, yeah. Tiny screens, no thanks.
it runs on ZenCore engine .. you get basically same sound (+ more modulation posibilities) with MC101 or 707 .. 707 costs more but you get sampling and other stuff ..
Comparing SW with HW really makes no sense .. if you want physicall knobs then really taping with finger on display is not an option (and no, midi controller is not same as having HW groovebox). It simply depends on your priorities and on what inspires you and whan induces creativity in you.
Not sayin' i'm thrilled about this one in particular, it's just another HW repackage of Roland's ZenCore engine (which sounds not that good than older ACB emulation engine they used for first boutique modules)
But really. "I don't need HW becasue of Drambo" makes absolutely no sense. As much as i like Drambo i would NEVER preffer it before my Digitone, Digitakt and Syntakt.
Totaly not for me. Drambo is good when i want to go deep, connect things, experiment with modularity.
If i want just grab something, turn it on and immediately start jamming, start make music without even thinking, just using muscle memory, HW groovebox is clear winner for me.
On iPad, probably Korg Elekctribe Wave or GrooverRider are only apps which can get close to HW groovebox feeling but still, physical knobs are physical knobs
)
tried this but this never clicked with me .. either i use ipad and then i want direct contact with app's UI/interface with fingers on screen OR if i want hw knobs i grab hw groovebox .. MIDI controllers simply never clicked with me, probably becasue of their (obviously) generic layout, detached from layout of controlled app. Feels like weird compromise to me.
Oh. I think you have just managed to express a feeling I have had about the midi controller + iPad synth setup for a while but couldn't quite put it in words. Thanks, mate. 🙂👍
Yup.
Here's a video I did recently when designing a drum synth preset of mine.
I was inspired by countless analog drum machines and groove boxes.
It's one design across eight Tracks.
All eight synths are mapped to the LC XL.
I use the LP X to play in the notes.
I'm currently adding the finishing touches.
On this one it's an 8 x step sequencer using an X-Touch Universal controller.
I can adjust the mix for three wavetable oscillators and a noise generator
Per step it has cut off Freq, pitch, hard sync amount,
resonance amount, random notes and gate length.
Swings and roundabouts depending on your own particular situation.
Having all hardware sound sources for me means
This all enables me to still be using a lowly iPad Air 2 for sequencing and producing.
Totally agree on what inspires you esp in terms of grooveboxes and Drambo is that for me. It can be both immediate and deep in my experience. And I can use it more in the immediate ways than deep most of the time. I have templates to get going and samples organized, so no fussing about.
At this point, if I were to get another groovebox, it probably would MC707, since it checks most of the boxes from sounds and hardware perspective. This is pretty meh, like a souped up monotribe. But between Maschine and Drambo, my groovebox needs are pretty covered at this point.
Also, there's the question of not comparing hardware and software and then saying software experience is sub par. I think this depends on your perception and personal preferences. If you use touch more, you'll prefer it more and conversely same with hardware.
Agreed.
Once again agreed.
As a musician/composer what’s important for me is the sound.
If it gets the sound and feel I need I don’t care whether it’s hardware software or a fusion of the two,
again it’s down to personal preference and there’s no blanket response for that.
The primary function is to “create music”.
Does the SH4D allow you to play all 4 engines at the same time? Can I stack the Oscillator Sync, SH101, Juno106, and PCM sample to play live all at the the same time and just sequence the rhythm?
For me it would be more stable than my IPad. I use iM1, Poison 202, Tal-u-No-LX, and Digital D1 with DigiStix2 all in AUM and then a Steinberger interface to get the left out for drums and the right for the synths. I can’t use this live as I get hung notes and apps crashing.
For me, the SH4D could possible be a one and done piece of gear for live work. 4 synths and a drum machine with two separate outs except it has no song mode☹️
I think the SH-4d is more of a synthesizer than a groovebox (although it does have some groovebox-like features). Most of the knobs, sliders, and buttons are devoted to crafting the sound (wave form, filter, envelope, LFO, etc.). I haven't spent much time with grooveboxes yet, although I have a few downloaded on my iPad.
It only has class compliant MIDI. Audio requires drivers so doubtful it will work with iOS in current state. Maybe Roland will add class compliant audio in a future update like MC-101.
I think this is a great beginner tool
I have a fantom 6 so I can do all the synthesis that this does and more in greater depth.
I agree with you, but as a tool to get simple but effective sounds, with a minimum of hassle, then this could well be a go to groovebox, for more complex sounds then I’d say look elsewhere.
I’ve been feeling an urge recently to unnecessarily get the T8 because I have the E4 and J6, but I don’t think I’d explore the T8 much because I don’t like the 303-ethos of synths, I’d have preferred an MC-202 control set, and also I find manually having to set up drums tedious (having used to have a tr808 and tr606 in the past), I was on the verge of gritting my teeth and putting up with that linear drum interface
Now this comes along and if I’d have bought a T8 I’d be in regret, this is better to go alongside the E4 and j6
No iOS app with midi controller compares to hardware , not until something like push/maschine/mpc studio (silver/black) lands on iOS supporting an app/host . Mapping CCs is usefull but not the same as the actual hardware integration
SH4d sounds ok ( from watching YT videos) , it looks fun to play , reminded me of Sh-201 I used to had , crappy sound but loved the control surface
Ah okay. That’s kind of a bummer but not a dealbreaker especially considering how great the updates to the MC grooveboxes have been. Still super excited for this one. Really sounds great
/DMfan🇸🇪
I’ve just did a proper YouTube influencer style livestream (the room was full, no wait, empty)
https://www.youtube.com/live/z6xzyxRLNPA?si=DiiqfLLNWILzQbN7
Recreating Synplant patches, I’ve just picked up an SH-4d.
Nice. I love my SH-4d. Perfect companion to MPC Live 2.