Roland System-100
Encyclopedia
The Roland System 100 was an analog semi-modular synthesizer
manufactured by Japan
's Roland Corporation
, released in 1975 and manufactured until 1979.
The modules - the 101 synthesizer, 102 expander, 104 sequencer and 103 four-channel mixer with built-in spring reverb
and mono fx send/return & the 109 speakers could be used independently, but there was no true modular flexibility, as with the later Roland System-100M and the Roland System 700. The component parts gave an expandable two-oscillator monosynth with sequencing, monitoring and effects capabilities. Each unit was independently powered so that there was no weakening of oscillator power due to complex patching. The 101 and 102 are internally normalised so they can be used without patching at all. Also, uniquely for the time, the 100 didn't have the oscillators "locked in" to fixed footages or pitches, which allows maximum flexibility for sound design
. It can also be used with a MIDI-to-CV
converter, as it supports the 1v/oct standard. more modules were apparently planned, but none were ever produced.
The System 100 is still sought-after due to its filter, sequencer and patching capabilities, though the oscillators can be unstable at the lower frequencies and the keyboard is prone to mis-triggering and double-triggering. The Roland SH-5 AND SH-7 are very similar in styling but both are complete keyboard units, as opposed to the modular System 100.
Notable use of the system was by Mute Records label head Daniel Miller
who helped produce Depeche Mode
's A Broken Frame
and by Human League (MK1 incarnation) - the albums Reproduction
and Travelogue
used the system 100 multitracked to provide nearly all the arrangements including drums and percussion. Vince Clarke
is also a user: it can be heard on many of Erasure
's albums including the "all analog" works post-1991. The K2 Plan (S. R. Dhain) has also used it extensively in a similar vein, multitracked and with the sequencer providing odd syncopations and effects. Joy Electric
's The White Songbook
album (2001) was created by using a System 100 exclusively.
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
manufactured by Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
, released in 1975 and manufactured until 1979.
The modules - the 101 synthesizer, 102 expander, 104 sequencer and 103 four-channel mixer with built-in spring reverb
Spring Reverb
Spring Reverb is the third studio album released by the rock and roll jam band The Big Wu. This was the last album recorded with former member Jason Fladager before he departed the band.-Track listing:# "Break of Day"# "SPMC"# "Make Believers"...
and mono fx send/return & the 109 speakers could be used independently, but there was no true modular flexibility, as with the later Roland System-100M and the Roland System 700. The component parts gave an expandable two-oscillator monosynth with sequencing, monitoring and effects capabilities. Each unit was independently powered so that there was no weakening of oscillator power due to complex patching. The 101 and 102 are internally normalised so they can be used without patching at all. Also, uniquely for the time, the 100 didn't have the oscillators "locked in" to fixed footages or pitches, which allows maximum flexibility for sound design
Sound design
Sound design is the process of specifying, acquiring, manipulating or generating audio elements. It is employed in a variety of disciplines including filmmaking, television production, theatre, sound recording and reproduction, live performance, sound art, post-production and video game software...
. It can also be used with a MIDI-to-CV
CV
CV, Cv, or cv may refer to:*Curriculum vitae, a summary of academic and professional history and achievements-Engineering, mathematics, and science:* Calorific value, the amount of heat released during the combustion of a substance...
converter, as it supports the 1v/oct standard. more modules were apparently planned, but none were ever produced.
The System 100 is still sought-after due to its filter, sequencer and patching capabilities, though the oscillators can be unstable at the lower frequencies and the keyboard is prone to mis-triggering and double-triggering. The Roland SH-5 AND SH-7 are very similar in styling but both are complete keyboard units, as opposed to the modular System 100.
Notable use of the system was by Mute Records label head Daniel Miller
Daniel Miller
Daniel Miller may refer to:* Daniel Miller , anthropologist at University College London* Daniel Miller , cricketer for Surrey County Cricket Club...
who helped produce Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
's A Broken Frame
A Broken Frame
* All compositions by Martin Gore.* David Gahan sings lead vocals on all songs except "Shouldn't Have Done That" which is a duet with Gore. "Nothing to Fear" and "Further Excerpts From: My Secret Garden" are instrumental.-2006 re-release:...
and by Human League (MK1 incarnation) - the albums Reproduction
Reproduction (album)
Reproduction is the debut album released by British synthpop band The Human League. The album was released in October 1979 through Virgin Records Ltd....
and Travelogue
Travelogue (album)
Travelogue is the debut album of Danish rock band Kashmir. It was released in 1994. Most of the songs are recorded live.-Track listing:# "The Story of Jamie Fame Flame" – 3:23# "Art of Me" – 4:48# "Rose" – 5:01# "Leather Crane" – 5:30...
used the system 100 multitracked to provide nearly all the arrangements including drums and percussion. Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
is also a user: it can be heard on many of Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
's albums including the "all analog" works post-1991. The K2 Plan (S. R. Dhain) has also used it extensively in a similar vein, multitracked and with the sequencer providing odd syncopations and effects. Joy Electric
Joy Electric
Joy Electric is the brand label for a series of electropop/synth pop productions by Ronnie Martin. Martin began producing music under the Joy Electric name in 1994, after the demise of Dance House Children, a band Ronnie was in with his brother Jason Martin of Starflyer 59. Starflyer 59 bass player...
's The White Songbook
The White Songbook
The White Songbook is the fifth studio album by Joy Electric, and the first in the band's ongoing Legacy series. The album has a "book" theme, with the songs logically divided into "chapters," which are also songs...
album (2001) was created by using a System 100 exclusively.