Learning the Roland System-100

In this video we follow simple synth logic to find out the basics of the synth, and then explore the weird unique aspects of it. We do some jamming on it, make some Euclidian Rhythms, recreate Ben Klock's Subzero bassline technique, do an avant garde noise jam, and create a polymetric minimal house track. A lot of adventures for such a humble synth!

(watch this first if you don't get how synths are generally programmed)
(watch this first if you don't know what subtractive synthesis means)

Content:
0:00 Intro
1:11 What is a semi-modular synth?
3:09 The intro preset
4:08 Synthesizer basics refresher
10:12 Special features of this synth
12:34 Setting up a euclidian sequencer
13:40 Exploring Phaser and Ring mod
20:08 Setting up a MIDI controller
23:53 Avantagarde noise drone exploration
26:32 Example track using S100 polymeter
29:19 Final thoughts

[haraldfielker]

Other synth to explore - ARP 2600. This beast is sooo big.

[dxtrs_mnpltr]

Any chance of a part 2 video? A more in depth exploration and patch creation would be very welcome. Really like this synth

[WillHatton]

What a fantastic deep dive!!! When you linked the phaser to LFO-1 at 24:30 I got chills! That's the sauce for sure, thanks bud!

[AUTOSAD]

Challenge: The default patch should be used in a house tune.

[johansmolinski]

The right hand envelope is now called VCA ADSR in a recent version of the plugin, so I actually believe in the typo hypothesis.

[dhruvalance]

lovely video, I personally think your snare would sound much better one downbeat after it is programmed. Try it. I think is holding back the groove, which is complex.

[lundsweden]

Its true that if you know what you're doing, any analog style synth should be pretty easy. Its all OSC-Filter-ADSR pretty much. Sure, some models may add a little or subtract from this basic scheme.

[NikoBased]

I wish DAW's would build in pre routing for commonly used midi controllers. I always spend like 15 minutes setting up all of my controls for a synth.

[DorisHikingAdventures]

Awesome! 69K Subscribers already! Great job....up to 100K by next month?

[antoineguilbeault]

Very cool video! I like that you did a drone session and that you went minimal for the track. There is a million videos on how to get that Drumcode, Afterlife or any top 100 beatport sound . Even if you might get less views, these sound exploration videos are far more interesting, for me at least. Thank you Oscar!

[lebigreulysse]

Great video ! Thank you so much it’s well explained 😗
Can you do the same with the Arp 2600 V by Arturia ?

[StuJames]

Love this! I started on Reason too. On Ableton now due to my course but Reason will always be home. Will definitely be looking to get hold of the SYSTEM-100 vst, thanks for the great info as usual UEMS

[TheOnodera]

With all this exploration, you're becoming the Indiana Jones of synths ;-) Thx for sharing your science with us sensei

[ravemealone]

thanks for explaining S&H function! I was just wondering what it does in the ARP Odyssey... so my question is - could you explore this synthesizer?

[luke]

I learn something every time I watch Oscar! Always well structured and informative. Great work!

[Sonmz]

You're born to be a tutor ;) I remember reason 1.0 too!)

[GabrielCalarco]

Sylenth, Diva, Omnisphere, any Reaktor, maybe Massive, any of those I click like without question. Thanks for the good content!!

[JeremiahTrue]

That sound at 25:15... amazing. I'm off to reason to reproduce it :)

[Droviderion]

26:20 that is the sound that I would expect in an real insectoid alien laboratory 👏

[Kung_Fu_Jesus]

Instant Aphex Twin in his Analogue Bubblebath era.