ROLAND SYSTEM 100 MODEL 101 TUTORIAL & OVERVIEW

This is a tutorial and overview of the Roland System 100 Model 101. The Model 101 is the keyboard synth part of the system. The system also included speakers, a synth expander, a mixer and a sequencer. This was a system of synths made by Roland in the 70s. It sounds really smooth and fat and has that classic vintage Roland sound which can also be found on the bigger brothers SH-5 and SH-7. In this video I go over each component, knob, button and jack on the front panel of the synth.

This is a fairly simple and standard synth on spec. It has a single oscillator, a single ADSR envelope generator, a single LFO and a combo low pass and high pass filter. What sets it apart is that it's semi-modular so you get to patch in and out the different components. It also has a really nice basic tone. It's one of those synths that has a large sweet spot and sounds good in almost all settings.

~~~ SOCIAL MEDIA ~~~
I'm @onceuponasynth on all socials.

~~~ MY MUSIC ~~~

~~~ AUDIO GEAR USED ~~~
• Roland System 100 Model 101 (keyboard)
• OTO Machines BAM (off screen, a little reverb)

~~~ VIDEO/RECORDING GEAR USED ~~~
• Zoom H6n
• Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro
• iPhone 6
• Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
• Lumix 14mm f2.5 Lens
• Manfrotto 055 Tripod w/ 410 Junior Geared Head

[BlueManIan]

I love this synth! Joy Electric, one of my favorite electronic artists ever, used it quite a lot. 💚

[andrewstanworth]

I really want one. I wouldn't need reverb, either! God i love the sound of that thang. Very enjoyable video

[epicon]

Gosh i love finding and learning about vintage synths!
I'm buying all analog gear i can afford but because i don't have 200 000$ for all the synths i want, i have to be grateful for Roland's and other companies analog circuit modeled vsts. The vst combines this 101 with the 102 making it a dual oscillator synth.

[lundsweden]

I used to own a full system, 101 keyboard, 102 expander and the sequencer, mixer + speakers. I bought mine for $2200 AUD in '97.
This was my first synth so I won't critise it too much, but I never felt it was that great.

PWM is very thick and phat, triangle a little weak and saw and square sound pretty standard IMO.

Filter has great grit, but bass is destroyed by it. I parted mine up and sold the different components for about $7000 AUD in 2004, went on holiday and bought a second hand Korg Z1 (which I still have) and a Roland JX8P- So no regrets!

[nefaco]

The sound of that filter! Wow! What a beast... funny that your choice of reverb is a room .. sounds great though..

[ArcAudios]

Brilliant, I am now wanting a remake & reissue of this model. Great video.
Thanks & Regards

[tonyhill]

I like the talking...this is good info... don't listen to the haters

[tonyhill]

I didn't know the sh-101 came from this...might wanna mention that bit of synth history

[magmasunburst]

RS Pearson used one of these extensively on the CDs from the '80s: naked index, hieroglyphic audio, luck of innocent auras, and many others. They're all free at the regenerative music label at least have been for a while.

[rasterraster]

thanks man, got mine in mail and could not get sounds like this and thought it was broken haha

[xsm]

the real question is... I dont know what trends were poppin' in the 70s.... BUT, that shade of green is either horrendous! or really cool, can't decide. on the bad side, it's like hospital equipment green, on the good side, it's smoked minty fresh green... I think it's a green anyway... weird choice Roland but I do love it!

[AdamTheAd-vancd]

Thanks for posting this . Im so really dif the layout of this synth. About time someone made a decent video about this vintage beauty. Very Sh7/5 looking :-)

[tommymai]

This synth is insane sounding. Was playing with one earlier today and let me to YouTubing it now.

[MusicFed]

16:40 to hear how it sounds. You welcome

[stephensmitherman]

The Early Human League sound right there.

[nonoahish]

#1 on the want but will never have list

[envueltoenplastico]

Hi once upon a synth! Great video :) I am curious about sequencing this, do you know if it works with the generally standard 1v/oct pitch CV or does it use a different voltage because it's a bit older than the later Rolands (SH-101, MC-202 etc.)? Thanks!

[variancewithin]

7:30 those jacks are for modular synths compatibility i think

[HomeCinemaJunkie]

Now I know where Moog got their idea for Grandmother...

[synthever]

Very nice! System 100 sounds great.

Have you ever connected it to the 102 module? What are your thoughts on System 100 vs SH-5 and SH-7?