It's not great, but it ain't bad! A very stripped down monosynth from Roland's classic SH-series. Its single oscillator only has PWM, ramp, square and noise waveforms. It has a similar architecture to the SH-101, the VCA can switch between gate or envelope, the VCF is pretty standard, and there is a sample-hold function which is great for voltage controlled filtering into acid and back! Another cool feature is its external input which will allow you to filter external audio through its VCF. Because they are pretty old now they will most likely have some functional problems like sticky keys, and noisy knobs and signal. It is used by Orbital, Vince Clarke, BT, Conemelt, Josh Wink, Banco De Gaia, Mr. Oizo, Ladytron, Jimmy Edgar, Dave Holmes, Freddy Fresh, OMD, and 808 State.

Jonathan

December 1, 2008 @ 6:36 am

This is a lovely old thing - had mine from new and love it for all those squashy basses and biting leads. I would never part with mine (for sentimental and bass reasons!) but I do think it's a bit over rated, something like a Novation Bass Station is as good if not better. I see these going for £300 on ebay and just think that's a bit much. Had a Sh-101 and I don't think these much between them. But if you see one for £100-200 and you're into electronic music grab it with both hands!

whatsinaname

November 5, 2008 @ 4:34 pm

I bought mine second hand in Coventry in 1981 ex band keyboard can't remeber who's. the music shop was the haunt of most of the scar bands of the time (next to the odeon cinema).
I still have it and will never sell it however it could do with a new pitch bender after my F wit other half knocked it a broke it.
its been every where as well had it all this time and whollop one afternoon dusting!!!!
Excellent starter synth my intro synthesizers

Lofi Freq

October 26, 2008 @ 8:24 pm

I just got my sticky fingers on one and I will never sell it.

Stu

October 22, 2008 @ 5:10 pm

This synth is amazing - i cannot replicate the warmth and punch of this synth's bass with anything else. Sticky keys? Functional problems? Never !!- it is soooo easy to service and keep clean - service manual as pdf is available for free online and shows you easily how to service, re-tune etc. Mine works as new and is nearly 30 years old. Catch one if you can!

Per

October 21, 2008 @ 4:14 pm

I did buy mine SH-09 in the late 70ies, and still use it. Now it is part of a eurorack modular synthrack. A bit weak in the filter compared to nastier fellows (MS-10, contemporarty ARP and Yamaha) but good at lower register. It is fine for bass lines and the filter sweeps smoooth and creamy. I an all digital mix, it adds warmth without screaming. Good modulation, with S/H and delay in the sine LFO. I add three more VCOs from the modular to the external in at that gives all the fatness anyone can expect.
And quality is good, my machine is stable in tuning and runs as it did 30 years ago.
Per

<987654321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.