Roland GAIA SH-01 Review Sonic LAB
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- Опубликовано: 29 мар 2010
- First look at the new affordable polysynth from Roland. Check the accompanying notes here:
www.sonicstate.com/news/2010/0...
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Nick you have the best synth accordian face I've ever seen at 9:30 - nice demo and love your work!
I'd just like to say how much I value your reviews. Always informative and free of the egocentric hype that bedevils so many reviews. Thanks, and keep 'em coming.
All the hate on this, why? People forget that the same things were said about the SH 101 back in the day. I think the Gaia is fantastic for the price and will one day be a classic once Roland stops production. I’m keeping mine.
Excellent review, just bought a Gaia and love it.
Great review. Just one history lesson to make: It was Roland, not Access Virus that actually coined the term 'Super Saw' on the JP 8000 (JP 8080).
All the best and keep up the good work
Access was called the Hypersaw. Same idea. I love usding my Gaia with the Virus T12..... fun stuff.
Have been using one going on 10 years now. Very nice. 👍🏻
We were just using a mixing desk to run the signal into camera if I recall. For live, you'd want some kind of amp - Roland make a few decent keyboard combo amps - I dont know their names off the top of my head.
Great review! You covered all of my questions, really.
This is a great concept to have controls similar of old analog Rolands (I'm just sitting beside a Juno-106 right now). Hope more VA synths come with knobs and sliders for each section as an option to lcd displays and shortcuts.
Can you not layer 2 patches like on the 201?
Absolutely fantastic review
I played with one of these today. Couldn't stop fiddling with it. It feels much higher quality than the SH-201 (which isn't all that bad in its own right), and has a pretty nice layout. It's definitely performance oriented... very easy to tweak the sound on the fly. I was really impressed. Good sound, nice layout. I will own one of these one day.
One of the things I liked about it is that the LFO has a pretty wide range. Other synths that I tried had less.
i love my GAIA!
Fantastic review. Many thanks.
I love my Gaia,such a wicked synth,worth every penny.
@Rbrownsword Actually, if you watch near the beginning, he mentions the 3 seperate synths in one, each with it's own oscillator, meaning that you have access to 3 oscillators =per voice= :). Unlike other 3-oscillator-per-voice synths, each one here has it's own filter, adsr ,ar, mod, filter, etc.
Excellent review !
Sonicstate always has the best reviews.
Just ordered one of these :D Can't wait 'till it arrives :D
Very well done ... loads of information!
It looks and sounds excellent. I hope the alasing will be resolved by the time it releases. The GM sound bank is a nice touch!
another great review!
Thanks for preview
I bought one recently. I almost sold it on, but then I managed to create a few marvelous de-tuned, bonkers patches & BAM! in love! It really is MUCH better once you move away from presets. But isn't everything? Great video, nick. Found out stuff I didn't know! I've never once used the shift key! This will change....
Around 5:04, probably the coolest sound I have heard from this keyboard. Time to do that on my A6!
Great review as usual, thanks very much :-)
just ordered one of these oh god i cant wait to play it along with my korg m50!!!!!!!!!
i walked into a shop today and did the ultimate synthesist test. How easy is it to make a cool sound from a synth youve never touched before. Nord Lead 2x, Novation Ultranova, Waldorf Blofeld, and the GAIA. Needless to say i was totally at home with the GAIA inside 10 minutes and it is now sitting on my studio desk right now. Its the most intutitive synth ive come across.
brilliant review :D
Very good review...:)
7:15 I think you forgot it's a digital synth :) I do really love your reviews though, it's good how you go through all the functions of the synth.
could anyone offer me a contrast of this bugger vs. the JD-XI??
what will I be missing out on if I got the JDXI? i'm leaning towards it because of the drum machine capability mainly.
love the design of this, makes a refreshing change to not have any lcd screens
Great demo and great piece of gear for its standing. Can you connect an additional midi keyboard and assign two different sounds to both simultaneously?
@spudleyification tap the tempo out...you have a tap tempo button, also you can set it to midi sync
great review
again another awsome demo well done....i gotta say i was told to hang on for this by a good guy in a manchester music shop......wow..........i was guna buy the korg r3 or microkorg, or miniak........got to say miniak was the best sound and microkorg for vocode.......but the GAIA what a machine......10/10...just wish it had vocoder...the sound is awsome
@WoodenToaster No they ditched that with the change to fewer keys (no doubt to move in on the small synth market set by Korg with Microkorg and R3), and the change to 3x 1OSC layers instead of 2x 2OSC layers. Both makes sense to a degree - more portable and easier to edit.
So they took a different path with this, for both good and bad.
@SilkMeatball it loops...i use it to have it running in a sequence then create a synth sound to match the seq up.
@sonic
Not being able to locate a dealer with the Gaia, Venom, and Ultranova which one would you recommend for a newbie at synths but wants something that will grow with my understanding?
Very cool thanks for sharing 👍
It was fun! We need more new synths with this many knobs & ease of use. ;)
I use a Traynor K4 Keyboard amp for live shows when using the GAIA. About $900+tax, for 300 watt amp, including a 200watt subwoofer - massive sound. You can also switch between tube amp and solid state with the click of a button. It's a bit expensive but it really does justice for the synth.
the layout is really nice!
Awesome review man, kinda reminds me of the ARP Quadra.
I do have a question though, does this synth have more than one oscillator per synth or do you have to use more than one synth in the Gaia to get like fourth and fifth monophonic sounds?
Cheers mate.
I'm looking into getting one of these to also use as my MIDI keyboard, how would I swap between the computer receiving the MIDI data and recording the synths??
@0:58
are those strings made with waveforms
or a preset?
This is a serious bit of kit. Miles better than previous vas like the SH-201, jp-8000 etc. It has all the great new features and it doesn't break your back when moving it. I loved old analogues and some digitals like the JD-800. This synth blows them all away. The tweaking feel good factor just goes on and on. You can dial up great sounds from nothing, just like on a prophet 5. Only,10 times more complex and with effects. There are also several performance controls and beams which are fun, but which cloud the issue, really. This is basically a programmer's dream. Simple, effective and great fun. When working with the 3 osc separately, you dial up stuff worthy beyond a matrix 12. It is a well made synth but the build isn't strong. It won't take heavy knocks, not that any synth will, really. I can see these becoming classic and sought after when Roland pull the plug and return to making sound packed romplers again.
Blows them away?? This thing is made of PLASTIC. sounds like plastic too.
So is the sh-201, and just about every other modern Roland synth. That's the modern trend. Metal chassis synths tend to flex in transportation which leads to problems in the circuitry. Plastic sounding? What jibberish! This is a serious synth with a modern powerful sound engine capable of an infinite sound pallet. Stick to your old, metal chassis analogues. I've owned hundreds of classic synths and this sounds better in every way.
+James Reeno plastic is fantastic.
Robert Todd it is much better, doesn’t have the aliasing problems of the JP-80x0.
Robert Todd nope.
this is perfect! got everything i need
Took a run at my local gearstore tuesday last week. Despite it being plastic, it feels quite robust and nice. And while it's shaping up to another synth everybody loves to hate - not because there's anything wrong with it, it's just not a 20 year old Roland analog, ergo "crap" (does that then apply to Access Virus too?) - it sounds really nice and warm for a VA! The effects section is REALLY good! And all in all a super choice for any1 wanting a well sounding, easy to use, VA!
great vid. cheers
LOL I've owned this synth for over 5 years now and didn't know about these hidden settings. I really should learn to RTFM 🙃
yeaa its such a swiss army knife man! i love mine
Fantastic review. I've a Slim Phatty and I play it throug guitar (GK3+GI20). I need a keyboard controller. But I really don't know if I buy a simpler Akai MPK25 (I use live and already have a APC-40) or If I buy a Mopho KB, the SH-01 or wait for the minibrute (I saw all your review). I don't know if gaia is fat enouth (I use synth bass lines). Could you help me?
@c2mojo
damn good question. sitting here debating on what synth's gonna be my first as well.. It's most likely one of these three OR a budget workstation like the microstation
Nick, thanks again for an informative synth session. I have one question: can this synth be used as an audio interface as you are suggesting at 10:12? This is not featured in their specifications. Thanks in advance for your reaction & keep up the excellent work! You and that Japanese guy (too bad he's not subtitled) rule the tube as it comes to product videos. Cheers from Belgium, Van.
Great review! How would you compare the gaia to the ultranova? They are of course very different synthesizers, but what would you prefer?
@sonicstate Hell yeah!
I am a Minimoog fan, not a Minimoog widow... I loved this stuff!
excellent review, is it possible to loop in the built in recorder or does it just play through the sequence once?
not too many physical synths have both super saw and pulse waves. im sold on this synth! altho, i wish it looked more like the sh-201.. i think the gaia is kinda ugly.. but, its a synth so its not what it looks like.. its how it sounds!
@sonicstate, thanks for this review. I'm stuck between this gaia, ultranova, and the m-audio venom. for a total newbie, which would you recommend? the vocoder for the ultranova is a plus, but both of the others seem really good too. have any advice?
very nice review:) im just wondering, could you please tell me how to use the tempo sync buttons?
Not a bad synth you can get some nice dxish progressive pad sounds scapes from this.
using the 3 filter and 3 amp envelopes for each oscillator.
Its a shame about the waveforms sounding so thin thou.
Good review! And I liked your brother in Shaun of the Dead as well!
@Senj1n I'm happy that computers have really good capabilities for making sound. A computer mix can sound just as good as an outboard one. However they sound fat in a different way, where in the box sounds more clean and more precisely pumped, out of the box (generally) sounds warmer and more organic. It's a matter of taste and feeling (mouse vs. knobs, cables and noise versus total recall) what you pick to make music. Even LFO's sound better on real analog beasts like the Putney.
How do you import the sound after you finished it to the virtual studio like Ableton, FL studio or Reason ?
Doesnt look bad. Sounds kinda nice too. More into those contemporary sounds. I like the analog ADSR buttons.
I have JP-8000 I bought back in 1998, and for anyone starting out I would say grab the Gaia, it might not sound the same but having all the hands on control makes a synth so much more fun, something that Microkorg, Ion etc are missing, and something not worth spending $3000 for on the Virus.
the sh-201 , the Gaia and the System 1 aint the same at all but they got huge classic soundpatch's that bring the exact cloned sound then the OG synth IMO .
it's tru that sometimes some patch 's spund more like the synth sounded on the CD but that more the sound designer fault .
@angie4josh
There are 3 different sounds per path, and they're controlled over MIDI at the same time just like any normal synth. You just can't trigger each of the 3 parts individually on separate channels.
@Envergure even most of the portable analogues and even a lot of modular synths are subtractive models, an additive or fourier synthesis requires at least 512 separate sounds, controlling those via individual dedicated ADSR envelopes gives you a total of 2048 parameters, so analogue synths capable of additive synthesis have to be very complex. AfaIk the only synthesizers capable of additive synthesis are digital ones.
This synth is worth every nickel that offers earth shaking possibilities!luv luv luv✌🏻👽Christo
Love the review. Tremendous way to demo a synth. I feel Roland have been losing its vision since the XV series. In my opinion this synth is closest to what Roland does best. It is the ideal first true modern synth for anyone to play and learn how to program and is better than a Korg or Yamaha in this context. Roland has a tendency to be gimmicky but there is more meat than cheese here, finally! I wish they would continue in this direction. Did I mention how much I enjoyed this demo?
im looking into buying one of these..looks awesum fun!
quick question tho.. what sound system setup would u recomend i play it through to get a decent live sound?
in other words, what were you using? :)
Also, it doesn't really stand out much in this video, but I found the low boost to be pretty impressive in person.
It's limited in some ways, but I feel like it's one of those things where the limitation forces you to be creative.
I haven't wanted a new Roland this badly in... well, decades, probably.
totally agree!!
I like the prhase loop. "It's quite handy!"
You're right! But Mopho fascinates me, and the minibrute too. I wonder if buying the MPK takes me a half money yard away from this synths. I wanted just one keyboard at the stage. By the way, I think I'll get the MPK because it is very usefull... and will keep the Mopho dreams quiet. Thank you!
I have a GAIA that I bought new for 500€ by a guy who had it and never used it. I gotta say, the quality to price ratio is possibly the best I've ever seen... yeah it's not analog but with all the possibilities you have, it has nothing to envy to synths that cost three times more... I had all the fun in the world with my GAIA, I have much more expensive synths that aren't as fun. It's not perfect, some minor flaws here and there, but again compared to other synths of the same price range I think it wins.
Ive always wanted this synth. It is capable of creating some good sounds
oh boy, just got an interest in this piece and thought for a second that Bit Crash effect read Brit Crush, guess somebody gonna go make some money off that one lol.
@Bryanbmx720 SonicState has the BEST reviews, man, this guy shows EXACTLY what we want to know about these devices, and with excellent detail.
ive had this synth for a good year and a half. i bought mine brand new in box for 500$ best investment ever. I made my money back selling my instrumentals and some. definitely a favorite in my arsenal. word up! The Gaia remains infinite when it comes to sound. you just better have the creativity to yield this beauty of a beast! Dear Lawwwd!!!
@hawklord2112 Ooh, thats a little harsh! I agree about the analog purists - its not supposed to be for those guys - this is a VA and thats it. I think duncanperson has it about right. Countfeedback - thanks for the clarification I didnt know that. I skipped a generation of Roland stuff - I had the 106 and jp6 and a JV1080, but missed the JD models.
Again nice video, thanks ;)
How many patch storage locations are there? And how many phrase recordings can you have?
Can I get the same sounds in a Roland SH-201?
@sonicstate i wasnt meaning that to be harsh!
from the looks of it, it's got the same core programmable architecture as the SH-32 does / did - with a third oscillator - and adding some things that the SH32 didnt have (the keyboard, obviously, and the D-beam) and cleaning up the 32's rather cluttered interface a lot!
HI, Thanks for the the vid!
Which is better This or the virus
what about that "bit crash" distortion mode?
nice review, i made up my mind n got the gaia got it for a bargain...thanks for a good review on it.... it was great i tryd a few but i got 100 pounds of this machine so i snapped it up....im very hapy with it....
Well first of all this is a virtual analog synth but it does sound more digital to be honest! Ive since sold it & bought a JX-8p which is full analog. I think its a case of horses for courses, ive used some jupiter & moog software lately & it really impressed me but I just love the more hands on approach! ;)
what can this do for dubstep? I've got some guys asking about playing synth for our band and I want to know if this can drop some heavy bass
I really dig my Gaia, really fast to edit and I can get great pads, sub synth and super saw tones. I paid $250 cdn on a boxing day sale. I also have a nord electro and a lil phatty, those cover everything I need as a singer guitar player producer guy. I love the full size keys in a 37 key it fits on stage for lead sounds and pads and works great in the studio without needing EQ in the mix. Yes mainstage and arturia etc. Cover more ground, but I am sick of staring at screens! This is fadt and has a great tactile surface to work with. At $250 it’s a steal
Quickness Wow, may I ask where you found it at that price? Thanks!
Fantastic Accordion face!
Where is the chorus FX?
also can you sync the effects level with the lfo?
This little fella is still around
I like the layout, it has lots of knobs and the little sequencer reminds me of the JX-3P. It's a true Roland in terms of layout and possibilities. I think the sound is reasonably OK if you are into digital sounding VA's like Nord Lead, JP-8080 or Virus. It could be a nice polyphony boost for subtractive modern dance sounds, but it lacks separate outs and separate MIDI channels, so 64 voices is just complete overkill. They probably just an old stack of 64 voice chips left in a warehouse somewhere
@dana4261 61 keys? And you're planning on pressing each of these 61 keys at the same stime are you?
For the price you can not beat it. It has 64 voices, lots of knobs and sliders for tweeking & real time control. It may be boarder line a toy but it is a very powerful toy and would be a great synth for musicians just starting out. If you are looking for real massive synthesis buy a V synth for $3,000.00. Roland has a synth for every level of musician.