The Roland System 100 from 1975

A look at Roland's System 100 from 1975, their first foray in (semi) modular synthesis.

0:00 Intro Jam
0:57 The System 100
1:59 Demo 1: Falcon
3:02 Talk: The Basic Unit et al
4:28 Demo 2: Proto Acid
5:33 Talk: 101 & 102
7:57 Demo 3: Ring in Spring
9:04 Talk: 103
10:55 Demo 4: Bucket and Fade
12:00 Talk 104
13:53 Vangelis Spiral
14:48 Clock Mod Tricks
15:49 Demo 5: Tumble & Fall
17:03 Talk 109
18:28 The Human League
20:30 Outro Jam

Links:

Florian Anwander resources:

[missingdogmusic]

Folks at Roland should build you a time machine so you can advertise for them back in 1975. This is the best and most in-depth video I've ever seen on this wonderful piece of history. Thank you!

[Hainbach]

One of your absolute best videos, bravo!

[palindromial]

I live my synthesizer dreams vicariously through you sir. And may I say, I live them well that way. Thank you!

[gionspenzers]

What makes Alex's synth videos better than the others is that he doesn't just show the sound of the synthesizers, he used it to make great music. Nothing beats that. My favourite Demo in this video is Demo 4: Bucket and Fade. Great video, Alex!

[FrankenLab]

Sometimes I don't know what's more impressive, the incredible synths you get to experience, or your talent and amazing demos! Never disappointed by your videos!

[GilgaFrank]

Might get flamed for saying it but I loved every sound that came out of that synth

[johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thoroughly enjoyed this Alex! Loved the history, your amazing 'futuristic' jams, and the awesome tie-in to the Human League and their drum patches.

[leinadisjourneys]

Love that you dove into the sound of Vangelis' Spiral album. Most people know him by his soundtrack stuff but he released so much great stuff outside of that.

Great video as always!

[XavierRadix]

It's probably my favourite looking synth from the 70s. Especially in its complete form!
I also had no idea Vangelis used this on Spiral, that's amazing!

[timkoelln]

Another on my bucket list of synths. You have the best job ever Alex! (And you deserve it)

[InfoAbsorbent]

I've drooled over this synth for years! Such a gorgeous instrument.
"Tumble & Fall" was a really beautiful example of how uniquely present the sound is. It's such a dream synth.

[mikeb]

What an amazing setup, you make it sound so fantastic from a time of my early years of the 70's where TV themes used this equipment to make hauntingly, warm and beautiful textures. Thank you so much for making this video my mouth is watering...

[darrenmawdsley]

What an awesome synth - Nice to learn that Vangelis' magic is not just exclusive to the CS80. 👍

[autoy]

This is such an impressive sounding system, I can’t even imagine how good it is in person. Also reminds me a lot of the EMS sound but perhaps more refined, probably because of the more advanced build technology. Once again, an amazing document you put together that’s worth watching several times.

[SpikesStudio]

It might just be me, but does anybody else think its a work of beauty? The shape of the slider knobs, the wonderfully drab green finish... its symmetry and poise? Kudos Alex, once again.

[macdaddybender]

Brilliant. Once again you make a video which is massively informative and educational whilst simultaneously being really fun to watch. I'm looking forward to the Human League recreation.

[skaneverdies]

I don't know if there is a cooler looking electronic instrument in the whole world. I saw this in the liner notes of a Joy Electric record in the early 00s and assumed for a while that it was a prop rather than an actual mass-produced instrument. Loving this coverage.

[HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

We knew this was going to be a banger and blimey it’s a gem. Nothing beats Alex in full Roland mode. Just brill !

[lefttoe]

These sounds send me back to my childhood. Can't recall the songs, but still do remember the sounds.
Of course except The spiral :)

[michaelwessel]

Nice punchy bass lines and super funny presentation, as always! THANKS, you got one of the best vintage synth shows on the planet!