Roland SC-88 Pro: A Classic Desktop Synth! - Sound Profile
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Support the show on Patreon! / speedydtm
In today's video, I take a detailed look at the Roland SC-88 Pro (later re-released in new forms as the SC-880 and SK-88 Pro), a classic 1996 desktop music synthesizer that has been featured in games such as Final Fantasy X, Ys I & II Complete, Thunder Force V, Touhou EoSD, and various Nintendo games like the GBA Pokemon titles, and used by artists such as Rei Harakami.
Before the days of VSTs and DAWs, making studio quality music from the comfort of your computer wasn't as easy as it is now. You needed some sort of hardware synthesizer, and one of the most famous families to cater to the prosumer home market were the Roland Sound Canvases. With the 88 Pro Boasting over 1,000 instrument patches and over 40 drum kits, is it still as easy to use and worthwhile today as it was over 20 years ago? Watch and find out in this detailed review!
Thanks to SynthMania for granting me permission to use his videos here! Please check out his channel, he does excellent work! / @synthmaniadotcom
MIDI/Desktop Synth Discord: / discord
SoundCloud: / speedyfm
#Roland #SoundCanvas #MIDI
Ever since i've discovered these I've been OBSESSED. Basically the soundtrack to my 90's/2000's childhood and I had no idea! I've been producing music for years and I could never quite figure where the sounds I heard were coming from - such an ah-ha moment for me it's unbelievable. These sounds are great for making house, ambient, and jungle tunes in 2023. Pretty en vogue if you ask me 🤷♂
I've always been a fan of the late 80s-early 2000s Roland sound. You probably won't fool someone into thinking you have the LA Philharmonic on call, but the sounds are good to my ears. I'm a late 90s baby, and these sounds can be recognized in so many different pieces of media. It's beautiful how artists were able to use them in so many different contexts, from major pop songs to obscure media targeted at children. Nintendo made liberal use of these samplers, and downgraded versions of the soundset were present in every Mac and PC in the 2000s. For many Z-lennials, including myself, the digital Roland sound WAS the sound of MIDI, at least at some point. It's honestly a comforting, familiar sound for me; unsung but still well-known.
I still use my SC-88 Pro a lot especially for arranging, producing and rendering midi versions of Christmas carols and any sort of public
domain music and to be honest I still prefer the string sounds on this one over all my other sound modules and I also prefer it over
sample libraries. I have always thought realism on strings is a bit overrated but part of the reason I don't own any expensive orchestral
libraries is that I don't do music as a paid job. I also bought more sound modules and drum machines this year including a U-220 and
an R-8. Another advantage that hardware has over VST instruments is that you buy it once and you can be sure it works with
any operating system as Yamaha and Roland are always going to support their USB to midi interfaces.
It's like a warm blanket - reminds me of staying up late at night playing video games and really getting into music for the first time.
This was really fun to watch, I might look into getting some of these as plugins for a DAW after watching this
I still use it today, as a daw plugin, it is absolutely amazing, I run it on FL Studio, and its free
ruclips.net/video/t0t6V3yQrs4/видео.html
Came here from your collaboration with Woody Piano Shack. I own the SC-88, but not the pro. The pro was known for the Japanese Game sounds I believe, back in the days. My kids and I make what they call "Minecraft" music. Bleeps and blops which honestly gives it new life. This Xmas I plan I buying the Altura Theremin, giving an awesome midi controller for the SC-88. Thanks for the awesome in depth review.
You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by my channel :)
I'm not sure about back then as I wasn't around for that era of music making), but nowadays it definitely still has a following in Japan, and the knowledge that some Japanese composers used it back in the late 90s has become much more widespread. I'm glad for that, knowing some of my favorite artists used one is what inspired me to pick one up this year and I've been loving it ever since.
That sounds awesome! I think the Altura Theremin would work really well with the open, spacey pads, and other synth sounds.
Big rei harakami fan here. Absolutely must pick one up now..
Me too! Just got mine today - $100, mint condition. Now to start on that thrilling 250 page manual ;-)
Lol, the same reason I'm here.
Sam Garza there are dozens of us. dozens!
If anyone cares I bought one a few years afterwards! I've had some fun with it but I have no clue what I'm doing
Incredibly insightful and helpful video! I will be purchasing one of these soon for sure - thank you so much!
I'm honestly in love with the sounds on the SC-88 Pro, so it's definitely going to find a place in my future collection.
Awesome video all around!
Ever since I discovered the MT-32 I've been a huge fan of the Sound Canvas line and a huge Roland simp...Apparently my boyfriend's 'rich friend' had an 88Pro when they were teenagers. He played guitar and wanted to make backing tracks for it... Minor overkill for sure!
Granted, this was in the late 2000s, so it wasn't exactly cutting edge or unreasonably expensive at this point, but for reference, to him "rich friend" meant someone who lived in a house instead of a trailer, and could afford food consistently...so still kind of impressive that he had one!
Nice review! I bought one about two years ago and for DOS games and midi files it is a great unit. I must say it is a bit of a nostalgia thing :)
During the 90's I was drooling over adverts of the sound canvas but I couldn't afford one at the time.
It wasn't until a Gravis Ultrasound arrived in our house that I could finally hear something better than just OPL3 sounds.
Thank you!
The good 'ol' GUS, huh? I never got to experience one of those but I've wanted to for a while. They seem very limited in use, but for what you can use them for... wow, they sounds AMAZING.
Rewatching Sound Profile series. This is some titanic job you've done making it.
This thing has some incredible dsp effects.
The guitar demo sounds amazing.
Rei Harakami made a lot of beautiful music on the SC88, for anybody interested.
Holy moly! This is exactly the kind of channel i've been looking for! Been binging these sound profile videos, and looking forward to more!
I run it on FL Studio, and its free
ruclips.net/video/t0t6V3yQrs4/видео.html
Crazy how much work this guy puts into his videos. Thanks speedy
Just ordered mine! super stoked to use it!
Really great video! I've only seen bits and pieces about the SC-88 so it's great to see this video with all this neat info. I've never been huge into MIDI but with this I might do some digging into it.
I realized Paper Mario on N64 used many sound instruments from this sound module for the soundtrack for this game! Ya learn something new every day!
Outstanding vid mate. Best in class. Big ups to this lovely tech soldier. SALUTE!
I own dozens of these 90s general MIDI modules for the mere purpose of comparing old MS-DOS game music :)
Thanks to this video I just picked one of these up for myself.
I came here from the collab with Woody's Piano Shack. Nice work from both of you!
I just picked up an SC-88 Pro. I was feeling a bit empty after my Boss DS-330 died a few years ago. I'm the original owner of that old unit from the early '90s, and I had made quite a few compositions using it back then. I considered getting an exact replacement or even a Roland SC--33 (a visually identical but upgraded model). In the end I jumped up to the SC-88 Pro for far more sounds.
I've only played with the SC--88 Pro a little bit, but I found that the included SC-55 sounds are very similar to my old DS-330. That's great news for my old compositions. Additionally the new native sounds in the unit sound really good, so I look forward to making use of them in new songs.
Did you consider the virtual sound canvas in Roland Cloud before buying the org hardware? Just curious?
This video took TWO MONTHS to put together, between research, editing, and some rewrites due to getting new information and picking up synthesizers that required a change of script (I bought THREE SYNTHESIZERS during the production of this!). I hope everyone enjoys it! And once again, thank you to SynthMania for letting me use his JV-1080 and JV-2080 videos in this - I don't own either of those so it really helped a lot.
Here's the SC-88 Pro XG video I mentioned; please note some of the tracks have really harsh instruments, especially on headphones with sensitive mids/highs (MDR-7506s for example), so turn your volume down BEFORE playing. ruclips.net/video/8i9RAY_HS2g/видео.html
much appreciated. a lot of depth.
The link is dead :(
Do you have anywhere I can listen to that SC-88 renditions of Sophisticated Fight and Silver Will?
Also, great taste with Nihon Falcom. Especially Ice Ridge of Noltia, probably my favorite track from Ys 2. Wasn't expecting that, since I came here from learning about these synths from Touhou EoSD.
Great job, really appreciate the effort!!
Thank you very much for this brillant informative video. 🙏🍀
Amazing video on an often overlooked unit!
I'm drooling on the NX5R..We almost have the same setup, although mine is the NS5R in conjuction with the SC88Pro. Very hard to find that NX5R here in the Philippines, but I got my NS5R and SC88Pro at a Second Hand Shop in Japan. I just love layering Roland and Korg classic sounds specially playing 90s Music.
A lot of Final Fantasy VIII's music was made with this! :')
Just an awesome review mate! Really enjoyed watching this :).
Keep it up! Cheers.
That sylky lead patch is unreal
For some strange reason, I get the impression that you're a fan of Ys.
Also, 4:28 made me laugh way more than I care to admit.
Maaaaybe. I just like using Falcom music cause they have a very, very nice music use policy that makes it easy to find music fit for any video.
@@SpeedySPCFan What is their music use policy? Do they have a website that lists it?
Excellent video showing off this magnificient device. I picked one up a couple of years ago here in Germany with no problems to get my retro gaming tunes right along with the Roland UM-1 interface. My other SC-55 suffers from a iffy left channel, but it's the port itself unfortunately.
Even though I do play a little keyboard I'm not that proficient in making use of all the functionality this magic box to actually produce some music.
Hi! I was looking to get a sound module (your videos are helping me decide) but was wondering - how does this work when using a DAW like Ableton? Will I have to just sample individual instruments as I play them / feed one midi track from my computer at a time for one instrument? Or is there a way to feed multiple tracks of MIDI information for different instruments in the module at once, then back into Ableton? Wondering what the standard workflow is for using these modules with DAWs.
Loving your vids, this made me buy an sc-55 mkII I got a great deal on!
I am the one running XP! I laughed ! I want this synth!
Thanks Maccy D
oldies but goldies :-)
great video and great device
I use sc88 pro for retro gaming, I think it's the best choice outside of using mt-32
Pads, strings and orchestral sounds - really good way of filling a mix without watching your ageing i7 CPU start remixing via the terrible bottle necks. ..
I see you also have a Yamaha MU128 / MU1000 or MU2000 soundmodule, nice!
Awesome, Speedy! I feel late to the game. What was I doing in the 90s? A recent video I made on my XP 30 renewed my interest in Roland’s GS extensions to midi and the sound canvas modules. After a quick scan of eBay and FB marketplace, I realize the VSC on Roland Cloud might be the most cost effective option. And why now? Well… I picked up a A33 midi controller this afternoon for $75 and I’m staring at all these buttons…. Would the GS midi messages on the A33 work with the virtual Sound Canvas?
Great video
Dropped a like because of Ys and Trails music.
Any idea if Thunder Force V (and by extension Technosoft’s games from circa 1995-1998) used a synthesizer like this? They have a very distinct sound that isn’t like many other Shmup OSTs at the time.
Technosoft composer Hyakutaro Tsukumo did mention the SC88 in a note included in the BLAST WIND ost CD. There are also some great SC88Pro covers that sound VERY close to the sound palette of the actual games so I think it's safe to say that the SC 88Pro was likely used for those games. It's really impressive how they were able to compose everything without any outboard effects, especially those guitars.
@@mil3sperhour Figured it was an SC88! Thanks.
@@mil3sperhour He uses that hardware to its fullest potential and I’m impressed. This song in particular, “Overtake”, is one of the best he’s ever made! I can’t get enough of that guitar slide at the beginning. ruclips.net/video/NlfiNAbVx98/видео.html
is that Falcom in the background? insta subbed
also just ordered this thing. very excited.
This is the most thorough review for ANY item I’ve ever seen rofl. Can you possibly tell me how to get some sounds from Final Fantasy X out of the pro yo? 😎
Touhou eosd (and above) aren't composed for the SC-88 specifically. At that point in time the developer had already moved on. That being said, Seihou 1&2, as well as the OST for Torte Le Magic, were composed for the SC-88.
I thought I said SC-88 Pro in the video, not SC-88? Unless my memory is mistaken... I know for a fact EoSD was composed originally on the SC-88 Pro then moved to the SD-90, and Touhou 7 and 8 had (kinda mediocre) SC-88 Pro MIDIs as an option. I'm fairly sure both of the Seihou games are SC-88 Pro GM as well - do you have anything saying otherwise? I'd like to confirm whether or not I (and the general consensus I've seen for that matter) is wrong :p
@@SpeedySPCFan Yeah precisely what I mean.
Anyone who calls the sound of a JD990 bad is no friend of mine
Solid vid dude! I must imagine that the effort to A/B from all of the select MIDI cuts must have taken quite a while.
I've never really been too keen about the static ROMpler boxes, so I mostly keep my eyes towards knobby VA boxes like a Novation A-Station or an Audiothingies Micromonsta (
The A/B cuts were actually some of the easiest parts! Record the screen and tunes, mask the video, line em up, and cut some chunks that fit.
That's a fair point; I like these simple ROMplers, not only cause I think there's charm to how they sound, but also because they force you to work within limitations that aren't particularly strict, but are strict enough that it forces you to get creative with how you use and mess with sounds. That said, knobby and crazy synths are a lot of fun and I'd love to get my hands on one some day :D
Oh shit, didn't know about the battery thing. Just picked up a replacement for my SK-88 pro...
I love this! (DCT master)
Old PC/device motherboards are very interesting.
Awesome review - Quick Question what is the best way to record the music you make with this hardware - Do you record it straight into a Portable Recorder like a Zoom H6 or can you still record the music through a Audio Interface? I'm planning on buying one soon. thanks again for your help
Is composition on an SC-88ST Pro possible with its lack of face buttons and LCD screen?
Yep, you'll just have to use GS Advanced Editor to set everything up
@@SpeedySPCFan I was wondering about this since the STs seem dirt cheap. Might pick one up at one point for something less cumbersome than my SK-88 pro in my desk workspace.
you can record the music of main theme of shadow warrior 1997 please?
cool lux elite profile pic
You have the same voice than Captain Joe !
Super smash bros melee started my love for this
You should move the voltage tap from 100V to 120V on the transformer, assuming you are in North America and not in Japan.
So i see you have NX5R as well. Does this compare to the Sc88?
The NX5R is more similar to the SC-88 Pro, so I'm going to roll with that - and I think the two compare favorably. Very similar features and specs, just with Korg's spin on the sounds. I did a whole video on it if you're curious!
Speedy DTM subscribed!
Hello! I try to set my sc88 to work on my sharp x68000. There is a cursor behind the sc88, do you set it to midi ? Pc1 or 2??
Set it to MIDI and use the MIDI connectors on the back. MIDI IN A of the SC-88 should be going to the MIDI OUT of your X68000.
The PC1/PC2/Mac settings are only used for the tinier RS-232C connector, which is only supported on Win9x, MS-DOS, PC-98, and old Mac computers.
@@SpeedySPCFan thanks !!!
Did you make a mistake? You mean cable in the midi out of the midi board in the x68000 right?
@@CousinHubertRetrogaming Yeah, sorry. I corrected and edited the comment now, lol
What software do you use for midi sequenzing in the video?
awesome video, thanks for sharing all these details! if you have a choice of 1 module to enjoy midi files which one would be? I have an sc55 but looking for a better one such as 32 tones support maybe an 88pro not sure...
SC-88 Pro is my number one pick, followed by the SD-90. 88 Pro has the best balance for playing General MIDI files while the SD-90 sounds much better in most cases but doesn't have the same nice balancing as the 88 Pro.
@@SpeedySPCFan Thank you so much will hunt one around!
How can a synth be in rackform? Is it like a physical VST that you trigger using a MIDI keyboard? Weird shit.
Can someone tell me, how in the hell can i get output1 into output 2?i mean like output 1 mode on 2 because i have sound issues/damaged output 1 and i wanna use output 2 but in the manual i read it is without the effects in output 2?no way to just get output1 mode for output 2 so i can still gave the effects?
Set your SC-88 Pro to Double Module mode and you'll get output from both - though keep in mind you'll be unable to use parts A01~A16, only B01~16 output via Output 2 in double mode. You also lose the equalizer and delay effects, as well as insertion effects (those only work on A01~16). You still get Chorus and Reverb though.
You can set the mode by doing this:
1: Hold SELECT and press KEY SHIFT [R]
2: Say ALL/YES to enabling the mode
I'd check to see if your headphones jack works tbh, the 88 Pro is tailored around having at least Output 1 working :x
@@SpeedySPCFan thanks for the reply, yes the headphones jack works but it's on the front and kind of gets in the way with other gear but i guess that's the only way for now to get output 1 style since it has the same as it. And i knew i'd lose the effect on output 2 but i was just wondering if i can't flip it around, like say headphones jack stays as is, and output1 to 2 and output2 to 1, so that 1 is without delay effects and 2 is with everything else. Sorry if this doesn't make sense lol
I just acquired a Roland SC-88 Pro and I am wondering if you could point me to a guide that explains how to connect it via USB MPU-401 to a modern computer. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
20:07 was this footage from before you resoldered black from 3rd pin to the 4th? (from the left)
Do you know anything about the korg AG-10? I have one but cant manage to control it via MIDI and theres a program in a disquette that only runs on IBM or old Mac
The AG-10 is a regular General MIDI module with some hidden editing features - if you just want to use the stock General MIDI sounds (128 sounds + a drum kit), then you should be able to control it using any program that can interface with a USB MIDI device.
Like I described in the video, you would want something like a Roland UM-1, which you plug the MIDI cables coming from that into your AG-10 and the USB into the PC. It should show up as a regular MIDI device - I don't know what DAW you use and what the process is for using external MIDI devices, but you should be able to find help online for that. You could also just use a MIDI sequencer like Sekaiju, which is built for external devices like that.
As for the editing features... you're kinda out of luck since KORG never released any software for editing, and the Emagic driver somebody wrote is long gone on the internet. The software on the diskettes I believe is just the demo songs and a MIDI player.
Are there any pros of getting this over a JV for production only? I mean you can often get a proper JV-1080 for less than one of these. Do I miss out on any cool features?
The 88 Pro has an effects filter that wouldn't be matched until COSM was introduced at the end of the JV/XV's life. Comparing it to just a plain ol' JV-1080 is also the wrong mindset: the 88 Pro combines sounds from the JV, and first few SR-JV boards.
It's like a 'best of' compilation, and in that regard, it's actually a pretty good deal for under $200, as you'd be paying a crap ton more to get a decked out JV-1080 *assuming* you don't need to be synthesize your own sounds, and you're more after the 90s music aesthetics than you are having a complex synth.
Hey Speedy, nice video. Have the chance to buy one (the VL-Version) and would like to ask you something, since the manual is not very clear on the topic:
I want to use it for a live-setup. I have an electric piano and organ and want to be able to combine sound (E-Piano & Pads,...) or use the Synth-Sounds instead.
So i want to plug in both Keyboards to the module, each on a different midi-channel. Than have a patch for each song, having sounds on ode midi-channel and/or the other.
Can i do this with the sc-88?
I also looked at Yamaha MU80/90/100, cause in general i'm a big fan of Yamaha, but the performance-mode of the Yamaha supports only one Midi-Channel. which sound pretty strange to me....
Or do you have any other recommendations?
Thanks for a short reply (if possible). Best regards from Germany. Matthias
I watched this video and out squeaked a wet fart. This video is awesome!
Hi ! Excellent video, I love my SC880 !
I have a question... I try to mute some midi channels, for playing only on 7 to 14, but I cannot find how to do that... Does someone have an idea ? Thanks !
6:28 Descent!!
If I were to get a SC-88Pro (or SC-55mkII) that is 100v, would I be required to get a transformer to convert it for 120v or will it work out the box without the need of a transformer or any mods?
Nobuo uematsu used an sc88
HOW roland sc-88PRO inside ROM PLAY? Thank you very much!!
Does anyone know if they used one of these on Metroid fusion’s soundtrack?
Hi Speedy, I recently picked up an Edirol Roland SD-90 studio canvas. Do you have any experience with this?
Yep! Working on a review of it now.
Is there anything you're curious about?
Excellent! I'm struggling to find the right software driver for my Mac, 2010 using 10.13.6 tried all the available ones on the Roland site to no avail. Can't find the editor either. I read that it is available on the Japanese site, but can't find it there either, help!
@@robertreid8241 You have to use the Generic driver mode on the SD-90; the Roland drivers are very out of date.
Press SYSTEM, press PAGE DOWN four times, and change USB Driver to Generic instead of Vendor. Press ENTER, wait for it to complete, then restart your SD-90.
And here's the editor: www.cosmosmusic.com/support/download_read.php?no=9772
Thanks Speedy! I'll try it out tonight, looking forward to your review. Any idea when you will be posting?
@@robertreid8241 Hopefully some weeks out from now, I've recorded a lot of the video for it and I'm working on the script now ^^
Weird question, but do you possibly have a link to that version of Sophisticated Battle that starts playing at around 2:30
mega.nz/file/lARFSS6R#W1tgXpO4dh4FoklzICeDd518k87yCrG02x44G-sIFgE
It should be somewhere in this big ol zip
Midi links of demonstration
Really bummed they discontinued the digital VST of this synth…
I thought Sound Canvas VA is still available on Roland Cloud.
It doesn't work on modern machines. They've stopped updating it.@@LittleRichard1988
Is there anything that the SC-88 Pro has which the SK-88 Pro doesn't have?
As far as I can tell no. The only difference is the keyboard. I think the SK-88 pro is great if you don't have a good midi controller already.
I wonder if soundfont from it has now become free?
No it's not possible to recreate this with a soundfont. The Roland Cloud Sound Canvas VA is cheap way of having all these sounds in a VST plus all the
sounds from the SC-8820. Or you can get a hardware SC-88ST Pro or SC-8820 cheaper than an SC-88 Pro with a display and control panel. You have at
least 3 realistically priced options with Sound Canvas VA being the cheapest option or you might be able to find one with a display/buttons for a bit less
than typical asking price if your patiend enough. I think £220 is not that bad for the SC-88 Pro that has a display/buttons or the ST version is just as good
if you have GS Advanced Editor or know how to do program changes. But there are still ways around working with sound modules that don't have a contol
panel.
The mains voltage can be changed by moving a wire: ruclips.net/video/_jIBWbfu_VQ/видео.html&ab_channel=RetroBoxRoom
i find it slightly charming that "88 pro" kind of sounds a little like "idiot pro", no shade to the machine, nor the player. it just makes me feel like things are more possible for idiots like me.
Cuanto sale en dolar amigo me interesa uno asi espero me respondan. Saludos
Uno de estos suele ser de $200, pero puede ser menos.
minun musiikkia Löytyy Facebookista.
Wario
Why does everyone want to talk so much? We want to listen to the patches :(
Because this video is a review for anyone who is considering buying one or anyone who wants to learn about it.
I am tired of modern crap, they are dull, boring & lifeless.
bought a JV1010 & SC88PRO recently, happy days are back
I have at least 10 midi sound modules now including a Roland SC-88 Pro and JV-1080. In the last year I also bought loads of older sound moduels and drum
machines including a Roland U-220, Roland R-8, SC-55, Emu Proteus/2... . To be honest I find all modern arranger and workstation keyboards such as Genos,
Montage, PA-5X and Even Nautilus rather underwhelming, ugly and overpriced for what they are. I would sooner buy a Korg M1, Korg 01/W or Roland D-70.
is that Falcom in the background? insta subbed
also just ordered this thing. very excited.