World's Greatest Mono Synth: Roland SH-101

Today we've got our man Chris Cline in the studio to talk about, in his opinion, the greatest monophonic synthesizer of all time: the SH-101. So much has been said about this legendary synthesizer, but lets get into some specifics and some awesome sounds-- let us know what you think!

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[sarahhey]

Thank you for an awesome, well explained and enthusiatic presentation! The SH-101a has been on my radar for ages and this video finally sold me on picking one up :)

[heusker]

Just bought one a few weeks ago. It finally got shipped to me, then I had to take it to the shop to fix the resonance slider and tuning, and the bender was adjusted too. Just got it fully working four days ago, and I feel like it's brought so much to my life.

[sirrealistic]

Still have it in blue. My 1st synth and still a true versatile beast despite being monophonic and pre-MIDI.

[theturtleproject]

i had one for many years, its a beast

[project-]

I picked up a mint 101 about an hour ago. Serviced, calibrated & tuned with new power board capacitors & power supply socket, cleaned key contacts, audio sockets, sliders & pots. Noise reduction mod. It sounds so good - instant gratification! Owned one years ago and always regretted selling. Boutique is the BEST emulation but doesn't have all the nuances of the original if that's what gets you going. It’s bemusing to read people disparaging the 101, its place in synth hall of fame is academic at this point.

[lo-firobotboy]

Roland has always been my favourite synth manufacturer. I own or have owned an SH-1000, SH-2000, SH3 and all of the JUNOs, but I've never owned and SH-101. (It's still on the wish list.) Something about the Roland oscillator/filter combination on their early synths appeals to me more than other manufacturers from the same era.

[nexuzeb]

It is one of the best, bases especially in the mix! Can't afford the real one and am pretty happy with my MS-1 though...

[falangistavaleroso]

I agree, I have owned like 40 analogues and the sh is my fav.

[oblitafier]

I was a kid living in the UK when the SH-101 came out. I wanted one, but could only afford a Yamaha CS01. Wish I had kept all my synth purchases over the years.

[keradcelohcap]

Everybody's enthusiastic about SH-101 playing bass or acid type of sounds, and I guess it does a good job there, but what about using this synth for playing some nice pure analogue leed voices? I don't play acid/dance music, and I don't use my SH-101 for basses or special effects...but I love the soft flavour of saw type sounds that this synth is capable of playing (I mean the leed sound of "Oxygene 4", or moog played "Shine on you crazy diamond"). Of course, it needs a touch of reverb and/or delay, but the effects are fantastic (to my taste). The only disappointing thing is no memories to store these patches for calling them instantly back.

[steun]

Mine has almost the same crack near the bender. It has a similar shape and also touches the N of BENDER. I was thinking does this guy have my sh101?

[roberttodd]

Maybe it is. I've got the sh-2 as well and as much as I love it and how amazing it sounds I have a sneaky love for the sh-101 more I think. Action is just so fast on it.

[seeyouintheeighties]

Dave Stewart said he used all this for basslines on his early hits of the eurythmics

[inperfectsequence]

The truth is, the SH101 is one of the best synthesizers, 100% monophonic with keys and not semi-modular.

But I think the best monophonic key synthesizer is the SH-5.

Aside from having a ton of tricks in its two filters, it has all the benefits of the SH-101.

I don't consider it monophonic/poly because it's a 4-note paraphonic synthesizer, but without a doubt, of all the analog synthesizers, this is the one that can store chords with its 4 oscillators.

The Odyssey is duophonic, so I don't consider it exclusively monophonic, on the same level as an SH101 or Model D. The MS20 isn't in that category either, because it's semi-modular and can do 2-note paraphonic synthesizers.

The Pro-One has two sequencers, and they're really great. They're also very musical, but they can't stack 4 shapes like the SH101.

Thanks for the video.

[magnustorque]

Sorry, the SH101 is definitely a top drawer mono, but the best mono? that would be subjective.
As far as Roland mono synths go, the SH5 is probably the best . And then you start to compare Moogs, Sequential's Oberheiem's, ARP's, etc. It's an exercise in futility.
Even my statement about the SH5 is subjective.

[Mkhaus]

I have a sh01a definitely a great piece of gear. Can agree it being the best mono.

[nexuzeb]

That unit looks fresh outta the box and sounds fresh as well, completely refurbished insides?

[jasonakagecko]

Thank God I already own one, or I would be hunting right now to buy one.🎹

[pedrofreire]

c'mon guys, no one bothered to check if what he said actually maded any sense? his VCA explanation was really weird and he kept mistakingly calling the VCA a gate, then he proceeds to say "if you turn the attack all the way down all you hear is a click" and can somebody PLEASE explain to me what is a Voltage Controlled FREQUENCY? I'm pretty sure he must be very competent guy, but we gotta always be pretty clear is explaining the basic (or 101, if you will) of synthesis.

[LousyFacelift]

Don't buy an OG! They are so expensive these days and the Roland Boutique SH-01a sounds EXACTLY like this but adds a ton of additional features: polyphony of up to four voices, polyphonic sequencer, unison mode, chord mode, 64 patch- and 64 sequence memory slots, alternative noise generator, two additional LFO waveshapes, extended LFO range for FM, audio input, MIDI, LFO sync mode... add a chorus pedal and you've got yourself a great Juno-like four voice poly that can be transformed back into a 101 at the push of a button. One of the best if not the best Boutique without a doubt!