alex-ball 46 years ago
vintage synths #Synths and Effects

Alex Ball | The Rare Roland SH-7 (1978)

Roland's first ever synth was the SH-1000 and they've added around 20 to that line since then, including the SH-4d.

I've played most of them and one always stood out as my favourite having borrowed one some years ago.


The VCO's are a little different than traditional SH synths, they are syncable. There's also a mixer for all the audio signals which can be distorted for brash techno sounds. It's fun and easy to use but very powerful and perfect for screamin' techno sounds and effects.


It features many new functions like an external audio input, a ring modulator, syncable VCO's, more waveform shapes, white/pink noise generators and sample+hold. It has been used by INXS.


 Unfortunately they're very rare and hard to find, but after a lucky encounter I managed to finally get one.


00:00 | Intro Jam

01:29 | The Roland SH-7

02:06 | Demo 1: Bit Coin

03:21 | Oscillators, Ring Mod & Mixer

06:23 | Demo 2: Remix Machine

07:52 | Filter, Mod, Envelopes

10:39 | Demo 3: Stop Continue

11:48 | Why is it rare?

13:03 | Who used it?

13:40 | Outro Jam

Alex Ball
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