Roland U-110 - Yet Another Boring 80s Synthesizer???

Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Roland U-110. Is this 19" PCM sound module and first generation rompler yet another boring 80s synthesizer?

[littlebubble]

I enjoy this series not because it’s interesting to see what kind of bad gear is out there, but because you give every piece of bad gear an equal chance to prove itself and subvert the audience’s expectations. Bad gear is what you make it!

[Melanholix]

You will become a meme someday. I can feel it.

[SalimSivaad]

“At first glance, this video is ticking all the boxes!” Great job, Florian!

[dr_mabuse]

That Vaporwave track is actually amazing :D

[ExtremeMetal]

Not going to lie, that e piano sound is really nice

[jakobole]

Just reading the letters"U-110" gives me the shivers. I need a trigger-warning next time Mr. Pilz! (And it isn't waterproof, but the jam is epic!)

[mima]

Out of an U-110 and a MIDI controller keyboard years ago I built a faux Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, to be used in a Doors tribute band I was about to start, along with a Nord Electro 3 keyboard. The Rhodes sound on the U-110 is quite convincing at emulating the original Rhodes Piano Bass, you can see and hear it in a couple of my videos.

[DigitalMusicXpress]

Excellent work, proof that with enough creativity you can make this instrument sound great in just any electronic music!

[mattb]

Mr Pilz absolutely channeling the Geneva Jacuzzi proto-vapourwave vibes in this one.

Another banger of a video!

[smokescreensaver]

i love this channel so much. this unit just came up locally, and i took the opportunity to re-watch the ep to help me decide if i'm interested. i'm not! but what a delightful way to get some insight. thanks always, audiopilz. i hope you do many more of these.

[toneklang]

You are awesome, and your editing skills are outrageously overthetop obenheimer overture outstanding!

Ps. I received that module for free from a friend who cleaned out his basement. Plugged it in once and felt like our whole friendship had been a lie.

[JeveMCD]

Not gonna lie, the song at 4:30 sounds like it's a boss battle theme from old 16 bit era RPGs.

[musicmakelightning]

Oh holy mother. You had to remind me about this disaster. I did buy one of these - new. It was indeed the 80s and this thing was cheaper than a D70. My disappointment was boundless when I couldn't even sell it on consignment. This was back in the day when "Guitar Center" was a cheesy outfit on Steven's Creek Blvd. in San Jose CA. Those guys were happy to be rid of it and I was stuck. I think the salesman got extra commission for selling it to me. I could swear I heard beer bottles opened in the back room when I walked out with it. I think I gave it away to one of my brother's friends. I never spoke to him again. I think that even for free it had the possibility to ruin a friendship.

[SisterRose]

tbh I really miss my Roland U-20 keyboard. It was my first "proper" keyboard and I remember really liking the flutes and some of the other samples. Even the pianos were decent for what they were. It had a fair bit of character for a fairly bread and butter basic rompler. Seeing you make vaporwave with it makes me want to get it repaired or find a decent soundfont library.

[donjohnsmusic]

You can hear this awesome module in all my early music! This little unit changed my life having multi timbre capabilities. To really appreciate it, listen to my Don Johns Christmas!

[ChrisLeeW]

"The aliasing adds character", is what I used to say about my OP-1.

[rogerfelez]

Great video, glad to see that 1990s blackface 19" module videos are back!

[Rizimar]

SynthMania is a champ. I love that guy's channel

[garyshepherd]

I still have mine - and also bought the U-20. They were great at the time.

[Johnsormani]

I have the u110 since it came out. It produced very present piano sounds, especially when layered with something else it would cut really well through the mix