Vintage Synth Explorer

Roland • SH-3a

The SH-3a is a funky little analog synth and was among Roland's first programmable additive synths. Like the SH-1 and SH-09, the SH-3a has a single oscillator for a simple monophonic sound. Not nearly as good as the two or three VCO's found in other monophonic synths. It could perform additive synthesis by mixing in up to five different waveforms. All of its editing controls which are just shy of the SH-5's features have been crammed together all the way to the left of the keyboard. This was an attempt to accommodate organ and piano players who would typically put their synths on top of their piano. This makes space for sheet music, there's even a stand for sheet music. As for its construction, the wood casing is covered with fake leather, and protected by metal corners. It has been used by Kitaro, Human League and Vangelis.

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steve

Posted 47 days ago

Have had one of these for years and years - model SH3 (no a). LOVE IT! Have also owned moogs and korgs and various other analog and digital boards... hate to disagree with others, but I really love the warmth and personality of this synth, I use it all the time for sessions and live. The one oscillator can be fattened a lot with the additive synthesis, and the filter (at least on the SH3) is fantastic. I do however agree with a previous post about the limitations of the sample and hold.

Rose Specs

Posted 105 days ago

This synth has got character and fatness, definitely not 'cold' in my opinion... it is very much alive and often dawdles through melancholic cat moans before exploding into perky space zings. Actually the first synth I ever used so i could be nostalgically biased... did use it for an undisputably good wobble bass recently though....thanks scozbor!

Knurra

Posted 132 days ago

i just sold mine... i tried to make it interesting by adding patchjacks but it didnt help much.. it still has a boring basic sound.
back to the modularwall........

micke

Posted 247 days ago

Also used by Steve Roach (x2), The Enid, Carlos Perón/Yello, Chris Carter/Throbbing Gristle and Swedish pop/New wave band Secret Service.

According to Maryn Ware of the original Human League, they only used the SH-3A on their second album.

pugface

Posted 382 days ago

I nearly bought one of these off a neighbour in the 80s to go with my CS80. I thought it was boring and had very little synthesis. Really i wanted a SH5 or SH7. Must say it was limited with one osc. That was disappointing about it and why i didn't buy it in the end.

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