MATRIXSYNTH: Musikmesse: Roland GAIA SH-01


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Musikmesse: Roland GAIA SH-01


via jalvac of Future Music Spain. Googlish here.

"37 keys of standard size, battery operation and no hidden options, these are the hallmarks of GAIA SH-01, a synth built on the great tradition of Roland's analog synths compact. Offers a 64-voice polyphony and a intuitive user panel where the faders and knobs are arranged from left to right to indicate the signal flow. This is a tool with which you can relive the joy and satisfaction they once felt when you put your hands on your first analog synth. Three oscillators per voice, multimode filters, envelopes nine generators and a system of meaning ... It comes equipped for the challenges of live performances, and other benefits of GAIA SH-01 include a phrase sequencer, input external audio (with a function to attenuate the sounds of speech) and the ability to record directly onto a USB key."

Update: official product page
via Mr. Array
"Flash Back, Flash Forward
Features

With its massive sound, hands-on ease, and affordable price, the GAIA SH-01 is a high-performance value with old-school charm. The triple-stacked engine puts potent virtual analog synthesis under your fingertips, yet the control panel is so fun, friendly, and inviting, even first-timers can create great sounds. The signal flow is simple to grasp, with logically arranged knobs, sliders, and buttons. Hands-on control and fat sound make this little powerhouse a joy for music students, songwriters, session players, and live performers of all styles and skill levels.

* Huge sound with three virtual analog engines onboard, each with a dedicated oscillator, filter, amplifier, envelope, and LFO
* Layer up to five simultaneous effects, including distortion, flanger, delay, reverb, low boost, and more
* 64-voice polyphony for massive sounds without note drop-out
* Fun, hands-on control panel that’s great for instant gratification, and for learning synthesis
* Lightweight, compact body with 37 full-size keys
* Runs on AC or battery power for portable convenience
* D Beam, arpeggiator, and Phrase Recorder onboard
* USB ports for saving user patches to USB flash drives, and for audio/MIDI connection to computers"

"Triple-Fat Virtual Analog
Sink your teeth into the new triple-stacked virtual analog engine, comprising three complete synths for incredibly thick, powerful sound. Unleash the beef of three oscillators that drive a trio of multimode, resonant filters, multi-shape LFOs, and amplifiers, plus nine envelope generators. It’s like having three synthesizers in one! With 64 polyphonic voices onboard, the GAIA SH-01 makes it possible to play massive sounds without experiencing note drop-out.

Stackable Effects
From the silkiest reverb to the grittiest growl, the SH-01’s instantly selectable multi-effects will catapult your sounds into another spatial dimension. You can layer up to five simultaneous effects for dozens of variations. The onboard effects include reverb, distortion, fuzz, bit crash, flanger, phaser, pitch shifter, low boost, and delay with panning and tempo sync. Dedicated control knobs are provided for tweaking the effects in real time.

Portable Power
At less than 10 pounds (approx. 4 kg / 9 lbs), the GAIA SH-01 is lightweight, compact, and great for musicians on the go. The 37-note keyboard is full-size, however, so performers can play naturally and comfortably. The synth can be powered via AC or batteries* for the ultimate in portable convenience. A battery-life indicator on the front panel ensures that you won’t lose power unexpectedly. When used in conjunction with a battery-powered amp such as Roland’s CUBE Street, MOBILE CUBE, BA-330 or KC-110, the GAIA SH-01 can be played and heard anywhere!

Instant Control
The front panel puts every control directly under your fingertips. There are no hidden menus, no nonsense. Just play and move the knobs and sliders, or wave your hands over the invisible D Beam for dramatic effects. The logically designed front panel shows the signal path from left to right. It helps beginners understand synthesis, while experienced players will love the instant gratification of hands-on control during performance.

Phrase Recorder and Arpeggiator
Hold a note or chord and let the arpeggiator create musical magic automatically for you. The tempo can be set via tap tempo. In addition, the onboard Phrase Recorder lets you record what you play on the keyboard as well as the movements of the knobs and sliders. The controller data can also be played back independently to complement the notes you play in real time.

USB and EXT IN
Connect directly to a computer (Mac or PC) with one simple USB cable, and stream audio directly to the software of your choice. The SH-01’s USB ports can also be used to transmit and receive MIDI data, and to store your patches and phrases (recorded with the Phrase Recorder) to a USB memory stick. For integrating with external devices, the SH-01’s EXT input lets you connect external audio sources such as an MP3-player and play along with your favorite songs or backing tracks - great for practice and live performance. Manipulate the incoming audio with three Center Cancel modes, which let you eliminate pre-recorded vocals, guitars, or bass."

New Roland SH01 - Gaia seen on Musikmesse 2010, Frankfurt

YouTube via Moogulator.

4 fabulous seconds. :)

"New Roland Gaia seen on Musikmesse 2010, Frankfurt www.sequencer.de synth database"

Update2:

Official vids from Roland: GAIA SH-01 Synthsizer introduction (Part 1)

YouTube via RolandChannel.

Update: Note the Roland System 100m and System 700 modulars in the background starting at :29 and an overview of some classic Roland analogs at 5:20."

http://www.roland.com/products/en/SH-01/

With its massive sound, hands-on ease, and affordable price, the GAIA SH-01 is a high-performance value with old-school charm. The triple-stacked engine puts potent virtual analog synthesis under your fingertips, yet the control panel is so fun, friendly, and inviting, even first-timers can create great sounds. The signal flow is simple to grasp, with logically arranged knobs, sliders, and buttons. Hands-on control and fat sound make this little powerhouse a joy for music students, songwriters, session players, and live performers of all styles and skill levels."

GAIA SH-01 Synthsizer introduction (Part 2)


GAIA SH-01 Synthsizer introduction (Part 3)


You can find more videos here.

Update3:

Roland Gaia SH-1 en la Musikmesse 2010

YouTube via Hispasonic

"Roland está anunciando GAIA SH-1, un nuevo sintetizador con síntesis analógica virtual, inspirado en clásicos sintes de la empresa. Dispone de tres motores de síntesis analógica virtual integrados, cada uno con componentes dedicados de filtro, oscilador, amplificador, envolvente y LFO. Ofrece la opción de agrupar hasta cinco efectos simultáneos, incluyendo distorsión, flanger, reverb, low boost y más. http://www.hispasonic.com/noticias/nu..."

7 comments:

  1. for the same reason they keep making the same VA synth just in different but equally as ugly packages

    ReplyDelete
  2. aside from the Vsynth anyways... that's the only innovative thing they've done in a long time ay?

    ReplyDelete
  3. When did you last see a Roland product without D-Beam, when did you last see a Korg with normal mod wheels?

    I need to see the price guesstimate for this with all the other toys coming out this year. Shame it doesn't have a vocoder, that market segment would have welcomed it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sad they didn't invent something new and fresh, just old supersaw now with three oscs... I can see more trance songs build around supersaw patches...eww

    ReplyDelete
  5. MrLonghair... Roland site says MSRP $739, so I'm guessing maybe $600 street price?

    http://www.rolandus.com/corporate/press_releases/article.php?ArticleId=983

    Battery powered is nice -- it's my favorite feature on my MicroKorg. Makes for portable tweaking. Of course, on the MK, you spend a lot of time turning the two big function select knobs to do your tweaking. The Gaia should be easier to tweak with all the dedicated knobs and sliders.

    It is nice to see lots of new gear coming out after a lean year or two.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Roland seems to be continually targeting a less and less experienced audience, people who (apparently) need an explanation of what an LFO is.

    I agree about the rehashed technology--I'd be interested if it had a more authentic VA sound than the SH201, an actual display, a 5-octave pressure-sensitive keyboard, and a real mod wheel. Or, heaven forbid, an innovation or two that I haven't thought of.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It looks to me that they are aiming this at more of an intermediate market. Hip High School kids with a band. It has some nice features and looks easy to use.

    Shame about the white color. It would be nice if they had a black alternative as with the new little keytar thing.

    ReplyDelete

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