Vintage Synth Explorer

Roland • SH-32 Synthesizer

The SH-32 is a 4-part multitimbral desktop synth module using new Wave Acceleration Synthesis to deliver up to 32 voices of fat synth waves and entirely new waveforms. The raw waveforms are sampled rather than mathematically generated and are actually multi-sampled across the octave ranges. There's also a full complement of knobs and sliders, analog-style 808 and 909 drums, DSP effects and a killer programmable arpeggiator - all at a reasonably cheap price.

The SH-32 is more like an affordable follow up to Roland's JP-8000 and JP-8080 analog modeling synthesizers than the real SH-series synths of the seventies/eighties. But that doesn't mean it can't sound like an SH-101, for example. The SH-32 has awesome, aggressive filters, however audible stepping can be heard when slowly twisting the cutoff knob, but not so when modulated with the envelope or LFO. It has many more variations of each classic wave than older SH synths, offering 67 types of waveforms. Everything from thick bass sounds to entirely new sounds not possible on traditional synthesizers can be coaxed out of the SH-32.

Every parameter is available on the front panel via knobs and sliders. There are no hidden menus, although the mass clutter of controls and information printed on the face of the SH-32 is a bit overwhelming, but look closer and it does seem as logically laid out and organized as possible.

Whilst you can certainly hook this baby up to your MIDI keyboard or sequencer and go to town with its great sounds, the SH-32 is perfectly happy running stand-alone making it perfect for DJs, live musicians, and just plain having fun. It has no sequencer but does have an amazing Arpeggiator with programmable or tap tempo settings. There are 64 arpeggiations and 64 drum rhythm patterns and they can be fully programmed by the user. It even has a chord memory feature making it great for techno and trance style arpeggiations. Superb built in effects will sweeten up the sounds immensely as well, with 35 insert fx and 10 types of reverb and delay. The SH32 is a unique combination of virtual analogue synthesis, excellent rhythm sounds, rhythm styles, an arpeggiator, and other 'groove' facilities - with an affordable price and compact size.

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Tommy Cribs

Posted 5 days ago

If only Roland had marketed this VA to the synth buying public instead of going after the DJ/303 crowd (for shame). Anyone looking to expand their synth setup with limited space should look into this oddity. The presets are mostly cheese, but the layout is intuitive & well thought out even without the manual you can get to programming quickly & with good results. Far superior to a bass station, ms-2000/microkorg in design & sound. Now I don't have to take the 60 or 106 to gigs. Thanks Roland! Future classic.

dream demolition fact

Posted 14 days ago

I agree with Benny (below). You still see quite a few of these second hand, and I think it must be because people try them out in the shop and think 'Urghh'. The presets are truly appalling (and they all sound the same - whiny funk leads and weedy basses) and really don't give you a true impression of what can be done with it if you have a MIDI controller and a few hours to spare - there's two LFOs for a start (which, given that you'll find one of these for under 200 pounds, is amazing), and polyphony abounds. Just be careful with the filter; the resonance is pretty harsh.

Benny

Posted 15 days ago

I have to admit I was kind of unfair judging this thing, due to its confusing interface (which I'm starting to get a grip on) and its horrible preset patches I neglected it, thought it was a boring synth and put it out for sale, some time passed and nobody really came through with making a deal so I decided to give it another chance, and boy am I glad I did! With a proper master keyboard to play it with and patiently tweaking its settings, this thing sounds AMAZING! Lush, sweeping Jupiter-like pads, SH-like bass hits and bubbles, screechy filtered leads, organs and bells, even most of the effects sound great! This synth stays in my collection, end of story!

Don't make the same mistake I did and judge it by its presets, they do a terrible job at showcasing what this little box of joy is capable of..

Beeny

Posted 65 days ago

This is pretty descent sounding, not fantastic but good considering what youre paying for it, the number of voices available is amazing too, the best thing about it is the pads I think, I think my MS2000 makes better leads and basses than this thing, and is more fun with its mod sequencer. However, this has in my oppinion a huge flaw, and that is the interface, what was Roland thinking when they designed it? The display is cryptic, the button combinations and assigns is beyond confusing and the manual does a pretty terrible job at trying to explain it.. I would have given this 5 stars if it weren't for the horrible user interface, now it gets 3, an ugly zit on an otherwise great unit.

Logan 5

Posted 182 days ago

An amazing synth,such a great hands-on machine.You can coax some incredibly diverse sounds out of it,but it does take a bit of getting used to and the manual is really useful.

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