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Roland AIRA SYSTEM-8 PLUG-OUT Synthesizer

BH #ROSYSTEM8 • MFR #SYSTEM-8
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Roland AIRA SYSTEM-8 PLUG-OUT Synthesizer
Key Features
  • 49 Full-Sized Keys
  • Advanced ACB Technology
  • Hosts Up to 3 Plug-Out Synths
  • Advanced LP, HP, & Side-Band Filters
The powerful and deep AIRA SYSTEM-8 from Roland delivers a vast pallet of sounds inspired by over four decades of legendary Roland synths. The cutting-edge Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) engine provides an eight-voice, 3-oscillator synth with multiple filters, effects, versatile LFOs, and a wide array of high-resolution controllers to control it all.
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Roland SYSTEM-8 Overview

From Manufacturer

The powerful and deep AIRA SYSTEM-8 from Roland delivers a vast pallet of sounds inspired by over four decades of legendary Roland synths. The cutting-edge Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) engine provides an eight-voice, 3-oscillator synth with multiple filters, effects, versatile LFOs, and a wide array of high-resolution controllers to control it all.

The SYSTEM-8 supports up to three Plug-Out synthesizers and ships with the classic Juno-106 and Jupiter-8 synthesizers. The 49-key velocity-sensitive keyboard can be split and layered for never-before heard sounds. The keyboard offers MIDI/audio connections via USB. Other features include an integrated vocoder, advanced polyphonic sequencer (TR-Rec style), arpeggiator, CV/Gate outputs, and polyphonic chord memory. The SYSTEM-8 ships with a power adapter.

Advanced Sound Engine
Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) approach accurately recreates historic analog sounds with forward-thinking technology. The SYSTEM-8 is equipped with the most advanced ACB engine yet, which offers eight voices of polyphony, three oscillators (including a sub oscillator option), and silky-smooth filters with ultra-detailed resolution. It's easy to dial up warm pads, fat basses, expressive lead tones, and more, all inspired by the rich sonic character of the legendary SYSTEM series. Reaching beyond the retro vibe, the versatile SYSTEM-8 is also capable of producing crisp, dynamic tones and evocative textures that are ideal for modern sound designers
Plug-Out Expansion
In addition to its internal sound engine, the SYSTEM-8 features three expansion slots for hosting and controlling Roland's PLUG-OUT software synths. Jupiter-8 and Juno-106 Plug-Outs are included, giving you immediate access to authentic sonic reproductions of these Roland classics. Optional Plug-Outs such as the SH-2, SH-101, PROMARS, and others are supported as well. Using the SYSTEM-8's Performance mode, you're able to combine the internal synth engine and hosted Plug-Outs to create super-synth patches with layered voices, custom splits, and more
Maximum Sonic Control
With its comprehensive interface, the SYSTEM-8 offers countless ways to shape sounds and discover new ones. The panel is packed with direct-access controls for dynamic sound creation and live performance expression. Many hi-res filter types are available courtesy of the advanced ACB engine, including a powerful side-band filter inherited from Roland's V-Synth. Tons of top-notch effects are on hand for adding character and ambience, from overdrive, distortion, and fuzz to delay, chorus, reverb, and more. And just like the numerous synth parameters, the effects have grab-and-go controls that make it simple to enhance sounds as you play.
Creative Toolbox
Designed to inspire, the SYSTEM-8 is filled with intuitive performance tools to spark your creativity. The 64-step sequencer features a familiar TR-REC-style interface and dedicated controls to record, play, and manipulate loop sequences in real time. While building your sequences, you can capture single notes or full chords, as well as all your knob and slider moves. The Arpeggio function is equipped with quick-access knobs for switching patterns and styles as you play, while Chord Memory allows you to trigger polyphonic note stacks with a single key. The SYSTEM-8 even has an advanced vocoder built in, offering another expressive option for delivering unique and memorable synth performances
USB and CV/Gate
While the SYSTEM-8 excels as a performance instrument, it easily integrates with your production software and external gear. The synth functions as a USB audio/MIDI interface for your DAW, and the 49 full-size keys provide a responsive, comfortable keyboard for recording MIDI tracks. There's even a control-surface mode for using the SYSTEM-8's knobs, sliders, and buttons with your soft synths. And with the built-in CV/Gate outputs, you can send note/pitch data from the synth engine and step sequencer to trigger your modular synths and retro gear

Roland SYSTEM-8 Specs

Keyboard
49 keys (with velocity)
Sound Generator
Models
SYSTEM-8, PLUG-OUT1, PLUG-OUT2, PLUG-OUT3

Maximum Polyphony
8 voices (MODEL: SYSTEM-8)
(MODEL: PLUG-OUT1, 2 and 3 are dependent on PLUG-OUT software)

User Memory
Patch: 64 (8 memories x 8 banks, per one model)
Performance: 64 (8 memories x 8 banks)

Structure Elements
MODEL: SYSTEM-8 is as follows
(MODEL: PLUG-OUT 1, 2 and 3 are dependent on PLUG-OUT software)

LFO Section
Variation: 1 (Single LFO), 2 (Dual LFO), 3 (Resonanced Pulse LFO)
Waveform: : Sine, Triangle, Saw, Square, Sample&Hold, Random
Knobs: Fade Time, Rate, Pitch, Filter, Amp
Controllers: Key Trigger, Trigger Envelope

Oscillator 1 Section
Variation: 1, 2
Waveform: : Saw, Square, Triangle, Saw2, Square2, Triangle2
Knobs: Color, Modulation Source (Manual, LFO, P.ENV, F.ENV, A.ENV, OSC 3),
Octave (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2), Coarse Tune, Fine Tune
Modulation: Cross Modulator

Oscillator 2 Section
Variation: 1, 2
Waveform: : Saw, Square, Triangle, Saw2, Square2, Triangle2
Knobs: Color, Modulation Source (MANUAL, LFO, P.ENV, F.ENV, A.ENV, OSC 3)
OCTAVE (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2), Coarse Tune, Fine Tune
Modulation: Ring Modulator, Oscillator Sync

Oscillator 3/Sub Oscillator Section
Waveform: Sine (-2 octave), Sine (-1 octave), Sine, Triangle (-1 octave), Triangle (-2 octave)
Knobs: Color, Tune

Mixer Section
Level: OSC 1, OSC 2, OSC 3/Sub OSC, Noise
Noise: White Noise/Pink Noise

Pitch Section
Knob: Envelope Depth
Envelope: Attack Time, Decay Time

Filter Section
Variation: 1, 2
Filter Type: : LPF (-24 dB), LPF (-18 dB), LPF (-12 dB), HPF (-12 dB), HPF (-18 dB), HPF (-24 dB)
Knobs: Cutoff, Resonance, Velocity Sens, Envelope Depth, Key Follow, HPF Cutoff
Envelope: Attack Time, Decay Time, Sustain Level, Release Time

Amplifier Section
Knobs: Velocity Sens, Tone, Level
Envelope: Attack Time, Decay Time, Sustain Level, Release Time

Effect Section
Type: Over Drive, Distortion, Metal, Fuzz, Crusher, Phaser
Knobs: Tone, Depth

Delay/Chorus Section
Type: Delay, Panning Delay, Chorus 1, Chorus 2, Flanger, Delay + Chorus
Knobs: Time, Level

Reverb Section
Type: Ambience, Room, Hall 1, Hall 2, Plate, Modulation
Knobs: Time, Level
Other
Knobs: Portamento, Tempo
Controller: Legato, Tempo Sync
Key Mode: Mono/Unison/Poly
Sequencer
Track: 1 per Patch (step pattern is saved as a patch)
Step: 1 - 64 steps
Recording Method: Step recording, Real-time recording
Controllers
Scale, Play Mode, Gate, Shuffle, First Step, Last Step
Other: Volume, Input Volume, Arpeggio, Chord Memory, Vocoder, Keyhold, Velocity Off, Transpose, Octave
Controllers: Pitch Bend and Modulation Lever, Bend Sens Pitch, Bend Sens Filter, Mod Sens Pitch, Mod Sens Filter
Display
16 characters 2-line LCD
External Storage
SD Card (SDHC supported) for backup/restore function
Connectors
Phones Jack: Stereo 1/4" / 6.35 mm phone type
Output (L/MONO, R) Jacks: 1/4" / 6.35 mm TRS phone type
Input (L/MONO, R) Jacks: 1/4" / 6.35 mm phone type
CV Output Jacks: 1/8" / 3.5 mm phone type (Supports OCT/V (Hz/V is not supported)
Gate: 1/8" / 3.5 mm (Outputs +10 V)
Trigger In Jack: 1/8" / 3.5 mm phone type
Pedal (Hold, Control) Jacks: 1/4" / 6.35 mm phone type
MIDI (IN, Out) Connectors: 2x 5-pin DIN
USB Port: USB Type-B (Audio/MIDI)
DC In Jack
Power Requirements
AC adapter
Current Draw: 2 A
Dimensions
34.7 x 14.3 x 4.3" / 88.1 x 36.4 x 10.9 cm
Weight
13.0 lb / 5.9 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
20 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
40.5 x 19.5 x 7.5"

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