5 Things I Don't LOVE About Roland AIRA SYSTEM-1 Synthesizer | SYNTH ANATOMY

Roland AIRA released last Monday the TR-8S, a further development of the TR-8. An important question here: Is a massive improved SYSTEM-1S Synthesizer planned? In this video, I talk about the 5 things I don't love about the Roland AIRA SYSTEM-1 Synthesizer.
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[@mpingo91]

C'mon, these green LEDs are fantastic. And they gonna be cult, you'll see. :)

[@Microtonal_Cats]

Yup.

[@danmeszarosable]

those leds are major PITA. it's not possible to use the keyboard in the dark enviroment. i had to disassemble the whole thing to pieces and color each led with CD marker, that helped a little

[@uvoikimovundutrauerblume3302]

Bah they are ugly

[@denatra7144]

*•°•☆Lovin The Green Man! ☆•°•*

[@andrewverran6998]

I got the 1 and the 1m , can't see what all the negativity regarding the green illumination is about ? I agree it's nothing to be complaining about, as long as the illumination doest randomly end up failing !

[@BubbaSatori]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

[@branislavbrasinski5341]

Thanks for your information. What is the better one in your opinion, same price and possibilities?

[@MrBasic]

I have the System 1m, so most of your points didn't apply to me. I also do not save patches after each performance so no worries. All your points were very good.

[@synthanatomy]

Can understand you good. The System 1m is far better in terms of useability. :)

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

Can you connect synth via midi controler and enjoy normal pitch wheel and keys?

[@cedric2280]

hi did you know how change the resolution to 48khz instead of 96khz ? (i experiment drop out with my Mx1 because the sample rate are different) ... you can disable the lights => Boot holding system 1 key, LED DEMO Hold down [MOD] andturn the [TYPE] dial Specifies the time (minute) until the LED DEMO is shown. If this is unlit, the LED DEMO is not shown. then press arpegio button

[@johnrichardson3297]

@Synth Anatomy I have the Roland TB-3 and haven’t yet applied the firmware update... Can I edit the presets w/out Ableton Live? Your reply is much appreciated

[@johnrichardson3297]

Synth Anatomy How hard would it be to Audio Engineer(ie. w/ Degree) the keyboard to be Aftertouch and Velocity Touch sensitive?

[@Pan6888]

Updated to 1.3, it worked fine but when i press the plug out button the synth seems to have installed somekind of a plug out since the button works and i can switch between normal system 1 and plug out. If that is the case which plug out synth is this on system update v1.3 ?

[@andrewlecouteurbisson7217]

Many good points but to be fair, you cannot download extra DSP chips so a 4-voice polyphonic synthesizer would have to be limited in other ways (perhaps one oscillator and a simple filter with no effects.) One very obvious omission is the TB-3 plugout. This would surely be trivial for Roland to release.

[@MrKeys57]

How do one change memory banks?

[@zoundsic]

Do you think there's enough resources in the system1 to handle polyphony while doing the emulation of plugouts, system1 onboard synth inself sounds lot cleaner so may be lot lighter on cpu.

[@andrewverran3498]

Hi i bought a second hand system 1 the other day, i has the SH101 PLUG OUT loaded, since this was the previos owner , will a firmware update delete the loaded plug out? Cheers

[@MrMongo321]

I agree on all points mentioned! I bought the System 1 - 2 years ago and I feel as if Roland does not care to update nor add anything to it...

[@thomaszuchristian3210]

Yes, Tom brought it to the point - that's why I didn't buy it! Greets from Vorarlberg

[@synthanatomy]

I still hope to see an update in future. High hopes ;)

[@MrMongo321]

yes!

[@vprice509]

I am just getting into synthesis for real. I used to have an SH-101, which I loved. I would noodle for hours, coming up with all manner of spaceship sounds. But I sold it on ebay in the late 90s and only recently have started paying attention to synths. It seems to me that Roland may be past its prime. They appear to be reliving the glory days, basking in the glow of the 808 mainly, as well as their other classics (SH-101, the 303 and the 909) and releasing some baby models of those. The old is new again, only this time not as good. I was really disappointed to learn that the TR-8 wasn't analog. They certainly know how to make solid instruments, but do they anymore? Maybe, but I think we may be paying for the name Roland, and paying a premium at that. We are living in the golden age of synthesizers right now, thanks to the popularity of EDM. The really great news is that there are innovators coming up with truly amazing stuff right now. That said, I do need to go see some modern Roland gear up close to see what I think, as I am heavily reliant on KZbin and such to see what is happening in snyth world. Thank you for this video.

[@grantburnham5370]

I think the reality is that Roland sold us not just a product, but a platform with the promise of ever expanding content for that platform and then dumped us when they realized they realized they could make more money putting their ACB synths into their boutiques.

[@jefvancalster]

Grant Burnham exactly my opinion... the ju06 software would fit perfectly in the system 1

[@synthanatomy]

Agree with you, it was announced as the big future and nothing big happens. Yes, the System-8 but beside this nothing. All their ACB's are now in the Boutique, so it's a good way to monetize the ACB technology.

[@synthanatomy]

I'm not sure but I think the System-1 chips must be powerful enough to make it possible. Little Boutique has the power so why not the System-1. Maybe they will surprise us with a big update but I don't think :(

[@mcshafty1]

Anybody had success sending a purchased plugout to a used System1? Mine didn't come with the authorisation card when I bought it 2nd hand. First up, I still love this synth. It sounds good and the updates have added good features. But I hate the way Roland makes the plugout purchase process for second hand users so difficult. No replies to customer support queries etc. I'd love to buy the sh2 plugout but its not cheap and I'm worried I wouldn't be able to use it standalone.

[@boimesa8190]

how many plug outs are available right now? Only interested in buying this IF there are enough plug outs...

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

Just bought the System 1m for a bargain price - kinda hoping it will give me JP8000 sounds and modulation (especially with the updated waveform bank) for a lot less than the cost used JP8000 here in the UK. The plugins are a bonus for me (although the SH-101 plugin is not included with the 1m!). Any comments on the AIRA synth engine itself?

[@synthanatomy]

Well on the AIRA Synth engine I have nothing to complain. It's super powerful and versatile. Also that you have drect access to all the parameters is nice. The plug-out thing is nice but an update would be nice ;). Thanks for your comment and good to see that people still buy it ;)

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

Would be nice to have a D-50 plugout using the extra knobs and sliders!! Thanks for your awesome synth and iOS / VT reviews.

[@mmattcisterna5591]

Korg minilogue vs Roland Aira System-1. Which is best and why?

[@dolo747]

how do you sequence the system 1 keyboard without using a daw? it's not syncing properly with my mpc live unlike my other synths

[@synthanatomy]

I don't play a lot with the System-1 in the past. I used it mostly as poly synth than just sequencing.

[@adriannunez8868]

dolo747 did you ever find out? Getting a MPC One and I don’t know if it’ll sync too

[@stateofart2445]

Men... I want to buy it a roland aira set ( SY 1 + TR 8S + MX 1 ) What do you think I have something better today ( Is for play techno) ?... Another question. Can I charge my own sounds in the SY 1 ?

[@KingzofSwing]

Good choice

[@kahlilwolf]

Just bought a system 1 on Ebay as my first synth. Still excited!

[@ozzy3933]

hey i'm thinking about getting one as my first aswell, can you tell me about your experience with it so far?

[@kahlilwolf]

@@ozzy3933 I enjoy using it. It's fun to have something to get hands on with but it doesn't do anything you can't already do in the box imo. But if you want something fun to get hands on with then it's worth it.

[@ozzy3933]

@@kahlilwolf thenk u :]

[@pocho3881]

@@kahlilwolf what box?

[@soundscaperecordings1111]

Same buddy! Waiting for delivery ☺️

[@RookieWeedalogist]

Is this multi timbrial

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Didn’t know about the plug-outs only being monophonic. How many plug-out did eventually come out? There was an update to add more drum machines, but you can’t even buy them anymore. It seems Roland have ditched the Aira line for the Zen cloud line. Thus being able to make money from subscriptions. Maybe I’ll get a cheap System 1 second hand one day. I don’t want a cloud subscription

[@Methanol2000]

This is something I don't understand; you have all the info prior to purchase..the kind of modwheel it has, patch memory amount, monophonic, etc, then you buy it and complain that you don't like the modwheel, memory amount etc. I agree about the updates though.

[@synthanatomy]

I'm in a different purchase situation as you and other users. As a media publisher, I purchased gear that I'm interested in to check out, to review, to make videos. I did multiple videos about Plugout engines which are wonderful. As I have my opinion, I always share with my viewers what I don't like. Today, mostly right in the reviews and not as a separate video. Cheers :)

[@harrisporgias8424]

All points are spot on. The main reason I sold mine is the worst keybed I have experienced ever in a synth. Roland need to at last understand that there are still people that do know or care to learn how to play a keyboard. If they want to cut down price, better not to include a keybed at all, instead of that joke.

[@synthanatomy]

On your side, only make a keyboard version when they know how to make one. The System-1 key-bed on my reason why I play it now very rarely.

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

I actually don’t mind about any of the complaints you mentioned. Only thing I’d really like Roland to address is the poly plugouts and adding velocity to filter. As for the memory locations I got the System1 plugin/editor, game changer! This is such an versatile underated awesome synth! Got mine for 150€ recently, I still can’t believe it. If you know anything about synthesis you’ll understand what I mean. This isn’t a synth meant to be played on, the keybed is just symbolic, just there to play trigger your patch but most people will trigger it from an external sequencer. I personally trigger it from my Minibrute2S and it works wonders plus I get a bitimbral configuration. Couldn’t be happier! People will complain anyways. If there was nothing wrong with it people would complain that the damn thing is too perfect.. so just do what you gotta do and have fun!

[@Bonn5656]

Is she 101 poly or mono on this synth ?

[@simonmorton3746]

I totally agree with every point you make. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE the System-1 (I have 2, one for sh101 and the other for system-1/sh2 sounds). There is just something about the synth (the scatter arp is awesome, effects are brilliant) that I connect with. It just puts a grin on my face and gives me goosebumps. That to me is THE only way to judge a synth. Call me bonkers but I sold a virus ti2 to fund the first one. I even sent back an se-02 and got the 2nd system-1. ....I also thought about selling the system 1 and getting a system 8, but the arp/ scatter arp is soo good I didn’t (if you pump a sequencer into the system-1 arp you can get some amazing results- I use the synthstrom deluge). Anyway thanks for the video, subbed!

[@starwars007oele]

Simon Morton It seems like Syntstrom Deluge (best thing I ever bought) users feel the same way. I also like that special knob on the left....,much better than pitch bend. A pity I cannot play the two synths at a time....., you can now! But buying two of the same units is difficult for me because there is so much out there I like to buy. Maybe the M I like that one to. Cheers✌️

[@synthanatomy]

Oh Simon than you are a System-1 fanboy :) I really enjoy/love the engine of the System-1 but for me keyboard demotivate me to play it. But for sure, it's a matter of taste ;)

[@synthanatomy]

Agree, the Syntstrom Deluge is a powerful hardware instrument. Had not chance yet to play with it but hopefully one day :)

[@starwars007oele]

SYNTH ANATOMY I have one good 5 octave keyboard with aftertouch and pitchbend to control several other synths some with and some without keyboard. So I don’t mind the crappy keys of the system 1. And I am not a keyboardplayer, thats wy I love sequencers. I agree with you that Roland does’t do much with upgrades and they always have to make a product twice. If the will make the Aira mk2’s like the new tr-8s than we can be happy I think. Greetz ✌️

[@mcshafty1]

So cool to read the different opinions. I got one to team up with a TR8 and a XoxBox and at first I was dissapointed with it both as a performance instrument and in terms of getting it to fit in the mix - the presets are BIG sounding. But after using a little restraint and a sequencer it's turning out be a lot of fun!

[@floridahiker1503]

Besides for its faults the system 1 and 8 are the only synthesizers with super square and super triangle waveforms. They sound amazing.

[@uvoikimovundutrauerblume3302]

I never used the super saw so i never need super triangle and super square .

[@lennardauri]

I love my System 1 in spite of all that :-). But, what I really miss is a compare feature to update the hardware controller to reflect a preset. Or do you know a way to do that?

[@synthanatomy]

Good to hear also some happy users :) Sorry I don't think that it includes such a feature.

[@christoroppolo8742]

You and I share the same view on this one too! Peace I sent their so called modular back in one week.🎶🔦✌🏻🕺👽👏🏻🛸🙏👍🏻Peace Christo

[@MrKeys57]

No velocity? thats really bad

[@PerAnkh418]

Green colour is brill

[@tonster2]

Can't agree on any of them. keybed is different, but not a problem. it is actually fun to use. Pitch wheel is different, but it works. Patch memory? you can easily send all current settings to PC and save them there. Green colour? I don't buy synths for their colour! Updates? Older synths never had updates. I agree that i would love more, but can't really blame them for not having any. Aftertouch could be a thing, but sometimes having a 'restriction' makes you play differently and be creative in different ways. All these are arguable, but not something to put you off from buying and enjoying one.

[@IntangibleMan]

Totally agree ietion. This video actually made me want to buy one more than before.

[@lordbachus]

The keybed makes this a no go... the rack version solves this.

[@synthanatomy]

Yes I agree you statement :) Thanks ;)

[@shadowhenge7118]

I heard the rack version cant use the plugout without a pc. The minute you power cycle it the plugout is gone.

[@phd_sound]

I would have kept it but haaated the pitch wheel

[@Microtonal_Cats]

27 people who bought it clicked "Thumbs down." Oh, and thank you. You talked me out of it. I'm going to get a Roland SH-01 instead.

[@amundbisgaard7295]

Very helpful. I have intuitively shunned away from Roland this far. I'm more of a Moog or KORG guy, I guess.

[@uvoikimovundutrauerblume3302]

Me 2 had a lot Rolands ( Sh1000, sh2,sh101,Juno6,Alpha Juno2,jx3p,jx8p all with pg , promars ,d5 ,d10,d20,d50, jv 80,jv1080,jv1000,gr50,jp8000 jp08 )and they are all gone .

[@KNHSynths]

Roland missed the goal. Plug out synth is meaning a Synth that will last, that will evolve with time. The reality is a "one shot" product, very appealing but with no future. I've got a System 1m so I don't have the keyboard or wheel problem, and the sound is really good. I don't regret, but I will not trust Roland again (and when I see the new cloud system you must pay all your live ... I'm not ready for such a trap). But the instrument sounds good, and was not that expensive for a 4 voices synth.

[@synthanatomy]

Agree with you. The System-1 sounds really good for the price point. Also I love the one feature per knob design. But I think It's far more possible with this instrument when Roland decided to relaunched the development. But we know how the market is: we need new stuff every year, even it's only a facelift.

[@KNHSynths]

that 's right. But Roland does not care too much about their customers. For example you will never have an update for 4 voices SH101 plug out in System 1 because they did it with a new synth, the SH101 boutique edition. They knew it when we purchased our System 1 but we did not know. It's not a fair deal. The market law can explain but it does not excuse ....

[@nexuzeb79]

Just get System 8, mate, soo much more worth it! I had the system 1, love the sound but too much shortcomings, I agree, would be interesting to see a new System1S (as in sampler) that would be more tight, portable and feel less plastic,toy like... Doesn't have to be heavy but more feel to it..

[@shadowhenge7118]

Its a great upgrade from a casiotone... and worth about as much

[@phil-good]

The syns of the 80's never had any updates !!!

[@SyntheticFuture]

Not entirely true. Quite a few 80's synths have aftermarket mods available. Granted not by the manufacturer but still ;) Also stuff like the Roland JV's had expansion cards and PCM cards. Kind off counts?

[@pocho3881]

@@SyntheticFuture not entirely true, like you just answered your own question.

[@THATHATSALLFOLKS]

keys clunk when they hit the bottom

[@synthanatomy]

that's right

[@axs203]

Why didn't they put pitch and mod wheels on......it's so annoying!

[@st0rmchild]

The System-8 is much better, but unfortunately they didn't nail the keyboard on that one either. While it's obviously better than the System-1 keyboard, the keys make a weird clicking noise when released, which can actually be quite annoying depending on what type of patch you're using. It's disappointing to get such a low quality keybed in a $1600 synth.

[@domthierry4981]

and the music?

[@TROGULAR10000]

In spite of their legacy Roland have been dismal at design for some time. Their main competitor Korg is much more in tune with what people want. Even Behringer made an affordable Juno-type synth that people are loving and Roland was incapable of doing so themselves. Meanwhile boutique companies like Arturia, Novation, and Elektron offer better designs at affordable prices for all those who think Moog and DSI are overpriced. The Gaia has a nice layout, nice sound, and nice features but is damn ugly to look at.

[@synthanatomy]

Well, Roland made always in the past their own way. Look at the other companies: we make analog mono synhts, Roland, let's do a digital Synthesizer. With the SE-02 Synthesizer they finally made a mono synth. The System-1 came out in a time where other companies released affordable analog mono/poly synths like the MiniBrute, Monologue, Minilogue, Bass Station 2, ... It's a good that Roland make their own way but would like if they take more the time to make it perfect. The TR-8S is now finally a good step in the right direction ;)

[@uvoikimovundutrauerblume3302]

@@synthanatomy Roland is always to late . Back in the 1980's the Dx7 was there and Roland continued with analogue . Korg is a innovator and Roland is for the commercial people .

[@holografik3327]

that's the problem with big japanese companies, they are flooding the market every year with new products and don't update the existing ones.the other company starts with a K..G , i myself decided to stop buying japanes synths.

[@todosmiros8119]

ANY board with 23 keys is crap. I dont care how great it sounds. they screwed you by making it a bass synth, requiring you to go buy something else. Its stupid. However, the VST from roland for this synth is PHENOMINAL.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Roland has become the Apple of synths....sad...except the D-05.....they did that right! (well loose the touch sliders and add a longer display would have been betyer)

[@synthanatomy]

Roland is also a big company like Apple so no wonder. The main goal is to make profit. It's more obvious in this companies than in the small boutique companies. If they update the System-1 with a powerful last update, it would be happy ;) Thanks for your input ;)

[@fortheloveofnoise]

+SYNTH ANATOMY They will still make money if they made. better products and had better support....but they know ppl will buy anyways...hence the apple comparison....where as small brands have to step up their games because they have less cult followers

[@amundbisgaard7295]

I think this video shows that you found them out. Roland appears weak.

[@jonnyhead]

Just sell it and buy another synth,there are plenty of amazing ones on the market that are kicking it's ass......., i now realise this video is 3 years old 😂😂

[@synthanatomy]

Already sold ;)