Roland SH-101

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"SH-101" redirects here. For state highways numbered 101, see List of highways numbered 101.
SH-101
Roland SH-101 grey model
ManufacturerRoland
DatesNovember 1982-1986
Price
  • US$495
  • GB£249
  • JP¥59,800 (1980s)
Technical specifications
CV/Gate
, Clock in

The Roland SH-101 is an analog synthesizer manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1982 and 1986. Though it was something of a commercial failure during the time of its manufacture, it later became a staple of electronic music in the 1990s, particularly house music.

Sound and features

The SH-101 is

MusicRadar, the SH-101 has "snappy and razor-sharp" bass, "squelchy and expressive" leads, and a "piercing yet smooth" filter.[2]

Release

The SH-101 launched in the US at $495 and in UK at £249,[3] making it much more affordable than the popular digital synthesisers of the time.[2] Two limited edition versions were also released in both red and blue colours, in contrast to the original grey. Roland marketed the SH-101 to the emerging keytar market, with magazine slogans such as "freedom for expression" and “[the 101] takes you where you want to go".[3] However, it was outsold by the digital Yamaha DX7 and was discontinued in 1986.[3]

Legacy

During the 1990s resurgence of analogue synthesisers, the 101 became a staple in dance music studios.[2] It was used by many famous electronic musicians.[3]

In 2014, MusicRadar wrote: "Some inexpensive synths were brilliant 'for the price'. The Roland SH-101 was brilliant, period. Never a rock star's instrument like the Minimoog or Prophet-5, the 101 was a synthesiser for the rest of us, and a damned fine one, too."[2] In 2016, Fact named the SH-101 one of the 14 most important synthesisers in history.[4]

Famous users

Famous musicians that have used the SH-101 include:

Les Rythmes Digitales, Squarepusher, KMFDM, Freddy Fresh, Lab-4, Jimmy Dickinson of Little Angels, The Chemical Brothers, Boards of Canada, The Knife and many others.[3][12][13]

Hardware re-issues and recreations

In 2018, Roland introduced the Boutique SH-01A, a virtual analog synth, based on its Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology. It is available with or without a keyboard.[14][15][16]

In 2019, Behringer started producing a clone of SH-101 called MS-101, since the Roland patent had expired.[17][18] The layout and sound is very close to the original, with the addition of enhancements such as MIDI and USB.[19][20]

In 2019, Superlative Instruments launched a Kickstarter campaign to produce the SB-1 Space Bee,[21] very similar in layout to the SH-101 with a unique keyboard design and all keys and keyboard in dark gray.[17][22][23]

In 2023, Roland introduced the S-1 Aira Compact, based on its Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology. It is a small form factor with built in keyboard.

Software emulations

In June 2020, Roland released Zenology plugins for Roland synths, which includes an SH-101 emulator.[24][25] Roland claims it is an ultra-detailed replica.[26]

Other software emulators include Togu Audio Line TAL-Bassline-101, D16 Group LuSH-101, Togu Audio Line TAL-Bassline (a free limited version of the other Togu app).[27], and Softube Model 82.[28]

References

  1. ^ Anatomy, Synth (2018-01-04). "Erica Synths Reissues The Curtis Synthesizer Chips CEM 3310, 3340 & 3360". SYNTH ANATOMY. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Tech, Computer Music2014-04-17T13:55:00 106Z (17 April 2014). "Blast from the past: Roland SH-101". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2019-08-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c d e "Red Bull Music Academy Daily". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  4. ^ "The 14 most important synths in electronic music history – and the musicians who use them". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
  5. ^ Rosenschein, Ari (2020-07-28). "Synthesizing Belief: A Conversation with Bon Harris of Nitzer Ebb". Roland Articles. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  6. ^ "Aphex Twin's Roland SH-101 Synthesizer | Equipboard®". equipboard.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  7. ^ "7 pieces of gear that helped define Aphex Twin's pioneering sound". Fact Magazine. 2017-04-14. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  8. ^ "Erasure: 'We're still trying to work on the perfect pop song'". www.gigwise.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  9. ^ "Roland SH-101 monosynth - The Prodigy equipment - The Prodigy .info". theprodigy.info. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  10. ^ "808 State Article: TBD". 808state.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  11. ^ Dummy. "Terekke interview: "Astral projection."". DummyMag. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  12. ^ "Roland SH-101 | Vintage Synth Explorer". www.vintagesynth.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  13. ^ "Roland's brand-new SH-101 Boutique synth has allegedly been leaked via Instagram". DJMag.com. 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  14. ^ Corporation, Roland. "Roland - SH-01A | Synthesizer". Roland. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  15. ^ Kane. "Review: Roland SH-01A". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  16. ^ February 2018, Bruce Aisher 19 (19 February 2018). "Roland Boutique SH-01A review". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ a b "Everybody needs a 101". Mixmag. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  18. ^ "Behringer's synth clone train keeps rolling with modular System 100". Engadget. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  19. ^ "Behringer's Roland SH-101 clone goes into production". DJMag.com. 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  20. ^ "Behringer MS-101 Review". MusicTech. 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  21. ^ "Superlative Space Bee SB01 opens for preorders on Kickstarter". gearnews.com. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  22. ^ April 2019, Simon Arblaster 11 (11 April 2019). "Superbooth 2019: Superlative Instruments teases rechargeable SH-101 synth clone with unique keyboard". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ October 2019, Ben Rogerson23 (23 October 2019). "Superlative's SB01 synth looks like a Roland SH-101 from the future". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ July 2020, Ben Rogerson01 (July 2020). "4 classic Roland '80s synths are coming to the Zenology plugin: the JX-8P, SH-101, Juno-106, and Jupiter-8". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ Abrons, Sara. "Roland Intros ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer Plug-in – rAVe [PUBS]". www.ravepubs.com. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  26. ^ Corporation, Roland. "Roland - SH-101 | Software Synthesizer". Roland. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  27. ^ Music, Computer (17 April 2014). "Blast from the past: Roland SH-101". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  28. ^ "Softube Model 82 Sequencing Mono Synth". Sound On Sound. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 2021-02-25.

External links

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