Dude, I miss mine, got the system 8, but you, like not all the other vids, gives this lovely little thing (too short travel on the action only, to me..) the cred it deserves, man!!!! I think it sounds mindblowingly awesome, especially for EDM or psy, I use the system 1 filter on my system 8 all the time 'cause it's just soooo piercing... Great vid to show the awesomeness of stuff!!!
Thank you man! I was thinking about the System-8 for a while because i really like the System-1 and the System-8 has more features and controls. But i recently heard that the basic tone is a bit different on both synths. What do you say? Is the System-8 just a bigger, better System-1?
First off well done! You got some awesome sounds from the System 1 here! I got my System 1 when it came out and I still use it sometimes. Some other slept on synths IMO: Korg Wavestate Korg OpSix Hydrasynth Moog Grandmother/Matriarch
Thanks for the overview. I bought several pieces of AIRA gear but loaned it to a friend for a few years. Just got them back, but I missed getting the System-1. After your demo, I think I’ll get it. I have a Bass Station 2, so looking for a polyphonic keyboard to go with it. Thanks!
@Kablehead From a 2021 perspective, any additional reasons that this synth is still relevant and useful? I know that there have been updates since its release, but I do not know if they give additional features and functions to it. Also, to me it just makes since to blend it in with my TB-3, TR-8, and MX-1, so I’m grateful for your perspective. As it is, thanks for your reply!
@@velanche I'm not into the "newest" sounds. So for me it still has a lot of usable sounds and more to explore. But of course there are more "modern" sounding synths on the market now. But i haven't seen too many with the same amount of knobs. And more knobs = more fun imo.
Few things to keep in mind: owners of expensive vintage analog gear often get pissy when new options with very similar sound become available with additional functionality. Also, anyone that is super concerned by the lack of velocity and feel of the built in keyboard (and 'missing' sequencer) isn't qualified to discuss the instrument in the first place because they would already have better options available than anyone could reasonably expect from a synth near this price range. You will NEVER get the best of everything in one package and the system 1 is an excellent compromise for those who know how to utilize their gear properly.
@@phd_sound yeah, that sums it up pretty well. I am now moving away from it, and the keys are part of that. Also, if I am going to have a side little digital keyboard, I am thinking Micro freak. For now, though, the Korg NTS is working well for me, and I love the size. I plug it up to my controller and it sits right next to my eurorack. Perfect for right now.
Yeah, I really enjoyed the sound of this synth, I just couldn’t stand how sensitive the filter knob was. My hands aren’t super smooth and it does sweep smoothly for a digital filter, but that knob being as small as it was I usually would end up getting a jerky sound from sweeping it and it picking up on my hand’s jittery movement. Other than that it to me is the best analog emulation I’ve ever heard, with that nice digital crossover. Great sounds enjoyed your take on it!
Thanks! I don't remember having that problem but i understand what you mean. I wonder if a bigger knob would help to control it more smoothly or if it's the translation from knob to software.
Need this, only synth in my price range that has LFO you can midi sync to clock, I have a poly d but doesn’t clock sync LFO, system-1 would be ideal to get so use as a lead synth imo
I have one arriving tomorrow. In excellent condition 22/09/23. I have Blofeld. Summit, hydrasynth , Medusa, vector, some behringers synth ect. The Marmite synthesizers you either love or you hate. I needed this disliked synth to add to the collection. You had some lovely sounds out of it 🙂
I hated this synth. I’m excited to see this video pop up in my subs. :-) I love conflicting opinions. It could’ve been amazing if it had a sequencer. That’s all I wanted. Ahhh lol I love the greeen!
This was my first synth. I got it when it first came out and it is still a favorite. I love the green. When I was a kid and was asked what I wanted for Xmas, I said I wanted green toys. So many knobs. So many sounds. Always inspiring to work with.
Thanks for the video that beast sounds great. I was going to get it, novation ultranova, sh-01 gaia, or dreabox typhon. But my computer broke so I will have to wait. 😭
17:11 Great Advice! I got a cheap computer & sold enough items to get a System 1. I've been watching all your videos thanks to this video. I really enjoy them & hope you continue making more. ✌
cant find answers-is it possible to update without loosing the plugouts?had bought system1 with plugouts,but do not own one of them...are they gone after update? is it possible to store them?afraid of connecting to pc😅 can u help?
Most stuff backs your presets and added external sounds before updating then layers them back in after the update is done. Idk about this one but most engineers code that into the update.
Can definately hear some Gary Numan around 12min....Mad synth , got mine the other day and already sniffing around for the 1m.. SH2 and SYSTEM 100 PLUG OUTS "ALL GOOD". 😮😊
The CS is a great instrument i think. Had one for a while but sold it because i realised i had too much synths. I really like the simplicity of the interface and also the sound. It was easy to sell because i knew i could buy one again anytime. Very underrated too i think.
The keyboard? Yeah. I'm definitely not impressed with the quality of the keyboard. For some reason Roland built a keyboard with two rubber dots under each key, so it COULD do velocity, but then they never bothered to make the key scanner actually do that. I had an ancient Miracle Piano keyboard handy, which I plugged in with an old DIN MIDI cable, and presto, velocity! I guess that gives you an option to not use velocity if you don't want to, but it just happens to be the default without using a whole other keyboard. (I currently prefer without velocity.) I got mine cheap at a pawn shop for around $150, but the high E key was dead. So I opened it up, tried to clean it as well as I could, and got it working after about two or three hours of tinkering. A few days later it was dead again. When I get around to it, my next fix attempt will be circles of metal tape over the rubber dots for that key. As I understand it, the System 1 and the TR-8 (I got one of those at a good price too) were Roland's first attempt at analog emulation, using a DSP to emulate a model of the analog circuitry, and with room to add more emulations. Being a first attempt, there are a lot of rough edges in the designs of both, but they're okay at the right price. Oh, and there's a rack-mount module version too, the System-1m. No keyboard, no arpeggiator, and it costs a hundred bucks *more*. There's just no soul without the keyboard and arpeggiator, and all that toxic green light in your face. I can't see much use for it, either you're pro enough to use something newer, or you're not "pro" enough for the price tag. But it might be fun to see a wall of four or six of them.
Very nice experimental sounds! Great synth!
Sounds gritttyyy and lovely just like Nord G1. Great machine, highly underrated. Phill Western loved this synth
Dude, I miss mine, got the system 8, but you, like not all the other vids, gives this lovely little thing (too short travel on the action only, to me..) the cred it deserves, man!!!! I think it sounds mindblowingly awesome, especially for EDM or psy, I use the system 1 filter on my system 8 all the time 'cause it's just soooo piercing... Great vid to show the awesomeness of stuff!!!
Thank you man! I was thinking about the System-8 for a while because i really like the System-1 and the System-8 has more features and controls. But i recently heard that the basic tone is a bit different on both synths. What do you say? Is the System-8 just a bigger, better System-1?
First off well done! You got some awesome sounds from the System 1 here!
I got my System 1 when it came out and I still use it sometimes.
Some other slept on synths IMO:
Korg Wavestate
Korg OpSix
Hydrasynth
Moog Grandmother/Matriarch
Thank you!
@9:38 😵💫🫨🫠💯💯💯
Thanks for the overview. I bought several pieces of AIRA gear but loaned it to a friend for a few years. Just got them back, but I missed getting the System-1. After your demo, I think I’ll get it. I have a Bass Station 2, so looking for a polyphonic keyboard to go with it. Thanks!
Cheers! It's a great synth. Very underrated imo.
@Kablehead From a 2021 perspective, any additional reasons that this synth is still relevant and useful? I know that there have been updates since its release, but I do not know if they give additional features and functions to it. Also, to me it just makes since to blend it in with my TB-3, TR-8, and MX-1, so I’m grateful for your perspective. As it is, thanks for your reply!
@@velanche I'm not into the "newest" sounds. So for me it still has a lot of usable sounds and more to explore. But of course there are more "modern" sounding synths on the market now. But i haven't seen too many with the same amount of knobs. And more knobs = more fun imo.
...and I love the scatter on this one :)
It's what I want on my synths and boss rc loopEr ,that rhythm u get from the scatter is classic
Cool! And I like your hand gloves too!
Brilliant synth especially when you add the plugouts
Robert Del Naja was recording with one of these and a TR-8 as recent as 2020.
I like mine. I don’t understand the negative opinions on it. I like the sound. This and the DFAM are my to to play with at the moment.
Few things to keep in mind: owners of expensive vintage analog gear often get pissy when new options with very similar sound become available with additional functionality.
Also, anyone that is super concerned by the lack of velocity and feel of the built in keyboard (and 'missing' sequencer) isn't qualified to discuss the instrument in the first place because they would already have better options available than anyone could reasonably expect from a synth near this price range. You will NEVER get the best of everything in one package and the system 1 is an excellent compromise for those who know how to utilize their gear properly.
@@g10118 my Hydrasynth has no sequencer
Good sound, but bad keybed and pitch wheel
@@phd_sound yeah, that sums it up pretty well. I am now moving away from it, and the keys are part of that. Also, if I am going to have a side little digital keyboard, I am thinking Micro freak. For now, though, the Korg NTS is working well for me, and I love the size. I plug it up to my controller and it sits right next to my eurorack. Perfect for right now.
Yeah, I really enjoyed the sound of this synth, I just couldn’t stand how sensitive the filter knob was. My hands aren’t super smooth and it does sweep smoothly for a digital filter, but that knob being as small as it was I usually would end up getting a jerky sound from sweeping it and it picking up on my hand’s jittery movement. Other than that it to me is the best analog emulation I’ve ever heard, with that nice digital crossover. Great sounds enjoyed your take on it!
Thanks! I don't remember having that problem but i understand what you mean. I wonder if a bigger knob would help to control it more smoothly or if it's the translation from knob to software.
Is this need to be updated? Or a stand alone even if there is no lap tap...
It's a hardware synth that needs no computer.
Need this, only synth in my price range that has LFO you can midi sync to clock, I have a poly d but doesn’t clock sync LFO, system-1 would be ideal to get so use as a lead synth imo
Did you end up getting an s-1
@ yes
I need a second System-1 to play with differents Sounds Banks or Plug Out Synths with the Arturia Keystep Pro ;-) I Love it !!! Great video !!
Thank you! I wish i had some of the plug outs. Seems like they're not available anymore.
@@kablehead give me your e-mail, i have all plug outs, i can send you ...
@@BernardBossonMagic Thank you but i think they only work on one device.
I have one arriving tomorrow. In excellent condition 22/09/23. I have Blofeld. Summit, hydrasynth , Medusa, vector, some behringers synth ect. The Marmite synthesizers you either love or you hate. I needed this disliked synth to add to the collection.
You had some lovely sounds out of it 🙂
Thank you! That's a nice collection you have. The System-1 is really a great synth. I wish you a lot of fun with it!
do people not like this thing? its so good
Two years later, do you still use it?
I sold it. :) But only because i needed to pay bills. I still hold it in high regard.
I hated this synth. I’m excited to see this video pop up in my subs. :-) I love conflicting opinions. It could’ve been amazing if it had a sequencer. That’s all I wanted. Ahhh lol I love the greeen!
:D Haha! I can see why some people hate this synth. It can be annoying too.
A sequencer would indeed be nice. And a darker, stronger green. :)
This was my first synth. I got it when it first came out and it is still a favorite. I love the green. When I was a kid and was asked what I wanted for Xmas, I said I wanted green toys. So many knobs. So many sounds. Always inspiring to work with.
Very cool! But @Kablehead where did you get those gloves???????? We need some!
Thanks! I ordered them from amazon. :)
thanks for the video and opinion
Thanks for the video that beast sounds great. I was going to get it, novation ultranova, sh-01 gaia, or dreabox typhon. But my computer broke so I will have to wait. 😭
17:11 Great Advice! I got a cheap computer & sold enough items to get a System 1. I've been watching all your videos thanks to this video. I really enjoy them & hope you continue making more. ✌
cant find answers-is it possible to update without loosing the plugouts?had bought system1 with plugouts,but do not own one of them...are they gone after update? is it possible to store them?afraid of connecting to pc😅
can u help?
I think the plugout should stay on the system-1. But i don't have plugouts and so i don't really know. Good luck with it!
@@kablehead thx for that quick answer!!
Most stuff backs your presets and added external sounds before updating then layers them back in after the update is done. Idk about this one but most engineers code that into the update.
Can definately hear some Gary Numan around 12min....Mad synth , got mine the other day and already sniffing around for the 1m.. SH2 and SYSTEM 100 PLUG OUTS "ALL GOOD".
😮😊
Oh nice! Have fun with it. It's a great synth for a great price.
What are your thoughts on the reface CS? That is what I bought instead of this a couple years ago
The CS is a great instrument i think. Had one for a while but sold it because i realised i had too much synths. I really like the simplicity of the interface and also the sound. It was easy to sell because i knew i could buy one again anytime. Very underrated too i think.
i also waited for the arpeggiator, i am getting one next week, thanks, Levi
Yeah, the arp is great too. I wish you a lot of fun with it!
might just have to pick it out from the drawer it lives in an try it again : ]
:D I don't use it a lot but when i do i really like it,.
Nice
The keyboard? Yeah. I'm definitely not impressed with the quality of the keyboard. For some reason Roland built a keyboard with two rubber dots under each key, so it COULD do velocity, but then they never bothered to make the key scanner actually do that. I had an ancient Miracle Piano keyboard handy, which I plugged in with an old DIN MIDI cable, and presto, velocity! I guess that gives you an option to not use velocity if you don't want to, but it just happens to be the default without using a whole other keyboard. (I currently prefer without velocity.)
I got mine cheap at a pawn shop for around $150, but the high E key was dead. So I opened it up, tried to clean it as well as I could, and got it working after about two or three hours of tinkering. A few days later it was dead again. When I get around to it, my next fix attempt will be circles of metal tape over the rubber dots for that key.
As I understand it, the System 1 and the TR-8 (I got one of those at a good price too) were Roland's first attempt at analog emulation, using a DSP to emulate a model of the analog circuitry, and with room to add more emulations. Being a first attempt, there are a lot of rough edges in the designs of both, but they're okay at the right price.
Oh, and there's a rack-mount module version too, the System-1m. No keyboard, no arpeggiator, and it costs a hundred bucks *more*. There's just no soul without the keyboard and arpeggiator, and all that toxic green light in your face. I can't see much use for it, either you're pro enough to use something newer, or you're not "pro" enough for the price tag. But it might be fun to see a wall of four or six of them.
Yeah, the green is too crazy. I don't know what got into the designers heads. 🤔
Trance Central
Delay Lama appears at 11:48 hahaha
:D Little easter egg from Roland.
@@kablehead yeah, hahahahah. Just done watching the role video. Gonna buy one! Thanks for the research material :)
@@brunocpimenta Nice! For the price it's unbeatable imo.
+ nice gloves :D