Roland SH-4d Review: The multi-engine synth battle heats up! // Full SH4d tutorial

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Other gear in this video:
► Arturia KeyStep 37

► Cool Holographic scopes?
The scopes I use aren't real - I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle.

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:20 vs ZEN-Core
5:25 Overview
10:30 Mixer view
11:25 Connectivity
12:00 SH-4d
14:40 SH-3D
15:45 Sync
17:10 SH/JUNO
17:55 Cross FM
20:30 Ring
22:20 Wavetable
23:40 Chord
25:20 Drawing
26:40 PCM
28:10 Filter
29:35 Env/LFO
31:30 Effects
35:35 Rhythm
38:55 Mod matrix
41:20 Arpeggiator
42:50 Visual arp
45:40 Sequencing
48:45 Automation
49:40 Live rec
51:15 D-Motion
52:05 TIPS & TRICKS
55:10 Pros & cons
58:05 Outro
58:25 Factory songs

Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):


NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[blaster]

I mean, the problem is not the instrument, its the artist behind it . Even with limited features, a good artist will always be able to create a good tune. Think about it. Thx for the video, im convinced ❤

[zebmars]

Six Roland SH-4d Reviews dropping at the same time and this channel is the obvious starting point.

[ChumpyDumps]

Can’t wait to see this thing on a future bad gear episode

[sunnyschramm]

the best feature is: NO GREEN ANYMORE on the panel/case! 🥳

[motherfuckerlimited]

This is probably going to be their best product in a while, a no-nonsense reboot of their groovebox line that builds where the MCs left off.

[YT]

Finally more multitimbral polysynths. I don't get why they don't release more machines like this.

[unitrobe]

I really appreciate how you dive right in showing all the complicated menus and settings so I instantly stop thinking I will buy tthis and enjoy your video of mastering the thing like I never will or even atempt to. I knew within 4 minutes this thing isn't for me.

[jeramiahrossnz]

I just had my MC-505 upgraded, blue LED screen, new faders and knobs, cleaned up, and brand new again, few things, this box could totally be your 3 piece band, drums, bass, keys, build songs from the foundation of that for sonic cohesion, much like older arranger workstation keyboards/systems, but with more electronic type styles, the Zencore emulation is pretty close the real Roland synths of the 80s, or feels/sounds good enough to be mistaken for that (I have a few retro Roland things now, (Juno, SC-880, MC505, stage pianos etc along with Roland Cloud, Zenbeats on the tablet) ironically, instead of Zencore, it's more like Zenbox, that's what it would end up being, headphones on, sitting on the couch or somewhere nice in the sun creating chill electronic synth-based music to build songs from. Its nice to see Roland return to form with this machine, I didn't connect to the new groove boxes, felt like something was missing, but this makes up for it. Great review as always, and 10 points for the overlay holographic style frequency display floating above most of your videos. A nice touch I thought. Cheers, J (edit, fixed typos, almost did a TLDR)

[GirlfightClub]

Wow! They discovered actual lcd screens larger than an inch! 😱

[joelcarloaymat]

It's like a modern SH-32. A lot of people never got along with it but I loved that little desktop synth. I could see myself picking this up, it looks so much fun.

[Lo-fi_Hi-brow]

My Digitakt/Digitone combo has been a nearly never-ending antidote for G.A.S. New gear is always tempting, but space, money, and *time* are limited resources, and Elektron checks almost all of my boxes. I can make any sound imaginable. Although this Roland box looks more like something that I'd be interested in than anything else I've seen from them...my DT/DN can do it all with better build quality, the greatest sequencer ever, a smaller footprint, and a workflow that I'm extremely familiar with. I'm not sure how anyone has time to become fluent with multiple workflows on a dozen devices in the first place (like the tabletops filled with gear that seem so common)—let alone time to actually make music. But, cheers to Roland for not making yet another baby-fingered boutique again...and again...and again.

[_OopsieDaisies]

this seems really exciting! right before these were announced i was planning on buying a circuit tracks. my brother works at a music shop that is a roland dealer so he suggested i wait to check this out. im a relative newbie to synths and making music on my own without using a daw and currently only have a reface dx and an old drum machine. the sh-4d definitely is a little more daunting when it comes to learning how to use it but i think this will serve me much longer.

[cbfrider]

Thanks for the few cuts in the video. This allows me to really (personally) focus on your explanations and the desktop, which also gives me a great learning experience. It's such a nice contrast to other people's videos and I really enjoy it. Furthermore, your explanation leaves me satisfied and without further questions in a completeness that I cannot find anywhere else. So, thank you for all the effort that obviously goes into your videos.

[music-maker]

Another down to earth review.. It’s interesting, having followed Loopop for many years now, you can tell when he is genuinely impressed by a new unit (whatever it might be) Not so much here 😏 Please continue to keep it real and honest ☕️🎹🔉🎵🎶

[_cocoalabs]

I picked this up recently and love it. Some downsides: You can't do multitrack audio nor midi over USB unless you have a Mac or PC on the other side.. Additionally it seems (at least with Logic Pro/ iPad and Mac) if you try to send midi to it the firmware has a meltdown.

[strangersun]

Seems like a pretty good value in an age of everything going bananas with pricing. Thanks for the video!

[Stopinvadingmyhardware]

This is the best thing I have seen from Roland in a while.

[avjake]

Man oh man. The designers that put these things together. Megakudos for providing such an in-depth review.

[ZAYAZOfficial]

You are the authority on everything synth. Hands down bro.

[brandonaikin]

This just came in the mail today. Best digital synth / sequencer under $1000 I've ever owned. Wow.