AIRA SYSTEM-1 and SH-101 Plug-Out

In the 2nd part of the System-1 review, we compare the plug-out to an SH-101

[@JazzLaboratory]

For so many reasons, this guy is the best reviewer out there.

[@denatra7144]

*•°•☆Yes!☆•°•*

[@linusyay5748]

@@denatra7144 Yesssss

[@fabiopatane9160]

What I really appreciate about your reviews, Matt, is your honest and unbiased approach to the products. Which keep your videos above most of the reviews one can come across on YT, and grants you respect and authority. Also, I appreciate the clearness of your explainations, and the no-fuss style. Thus, thank you very much for all of your efforts.

[@rorz999]

Who is Matt?

[@hoagy_ytfc]

Yeah, great stuff Matt. Right up there in standard with the reviews that that Nick chap does.

[@Dudderlyful]

I love this guys reviews, I honestly only pay attention to what this man says because he actually knows what he's talking about and will say it - as it is. So, well played sir!

[@satyanpatel6403]

Nick, as always.... Damn good review.

[@danielbrown1724]

Thx for taking the time to explore the S-1 mate, I'm a little late to the party and ordered my S-1 last week so it should be here by Wednesday. You're probably not reviewing this anymore as it's 5 yrs old at this point, however I wanted to know if you have any other videos out (or ifbyiuwhere you're reviewing the S-1 factory patches. Cheers and all the best, ~Daniel

[@therealjuantxo]

Great video Nick, as always!! Thanks!

[@MarctheDarc]

Can't truly go by the sound over youtube, but under that limitation, i must declare myself very impressed with the similarity between the original and the VA-copy. Generally i've been enjoying the sound of their ACB technology. I got my hands on a System1 just yesterday, sadly it wasn't updated with the Plug-Out, but gave me a good taste of the basic engine, and must say i really liked it. While they've made some bold, and even bizarre, choices towards certain parts of the design, people should really consider what they're getting in terms of sound and control. Where i live a decent SH-101 go for more than this costs new - that is, when you can even find 1. Even IF they don't make more Plug-Outs, this is still a viable choice compared to many analogues in the same range, once people get over its VA-nature. Excellent review as always :-)

[@gerardmccalloe4049]

I really love the demo in the beginning of the video

[@ryanbmd7988]

Great stuff Nick!!!! Thank you very much

[@cresshead]

I like this...nice work on the Review Nick.

[@vinyljunkie07]

Great video Nick but I would of liked to hear a few more comparisons between the 101 and the System 1 playing a few different patches. Either way I never thought I'd say this but I think Roland have something decent here if they carry on and keep building on it

[@Thaerim]

Great review, thanks!

[@Kidney05]

Just found this one today, awesome video. The SH-101 emulation does sound pretty damn good, but I just don't know if this has all the pieces for me. Hopefully they'll have some awesome plug-outs in a couple years time, and the TR-8 will have more sounds.

[@MitchGurowitz]

Great review. I have all 4 Airas and am happy with everything except for the joke of a manual they include. (Can you please voice that concern to Roland?) What do you think would be a reasonable price to pay for future plug outs? I would like to see an easier system to install them as well. Cheers!

[@Kittyspit562]

but does the stand alone plug out offer the sequencer like the SH-101?? if not then i would agree calling it an SH-101 plug out

[@8bitDude0]

What a beautiful looking synthesizer

[@basehead617]

mauricio loves noise the SH-101? yes ;)

[@customsynth]

new operating system has 8 x 8 patches now for each of the synths

[@Mr11Worcester]

For sure the best reviewer

[@jonnyhead]

Best reviews anywhere.

[@jamesmurray6363]

Hi just wondered if you could help me with a small problem I'm having I just wanted to know the best way to go about recording the midi into my daw as in if I needed to use the system 1 multiple times in the same track is the system 1 multitimbral ? Do the 4 voices allow me to use 4 instances of the synth or do I have to record the midi in and bounce it as audio? if you could help me out that would be great cheers

[@skyreadersociety6183]

especially like the small song ideas you made Nick in the beginning and the end.

[@AlexQuested]

Dear sonicstate I just purchased my Roland System-1 synth a day ago after watching your reviews. Roland have since changed their policy and the sh-101 plug out is no longer free. Nor is the vst or au version of the synth to edit patches etc in your daw. I feel extremely short changed by Roland it might be worth it to put a small note of this in the video or in the description to save future customers like me the dissapointment.

[@brothacaim]

+Alex Quested i went through the samem :/m

[@rodrigolaporte274]

Damn! that's awful, dude. I was considering this synth since even with its shorcuts as no velocity kbd, it was a 2x1 package. Now it isn't... hmmm.

[@cresshead]

early adopters got the free sh101 - it was a short term promotional addition.

[@adriannunez8868]

Is it still the same??

[@danielbrown1724]

Thx for the update mate. I'm about 4 yrs late to the party but I just ordered mine on Saturday so it should be here by Wednesday. Hopefully they've updated some of these caveats since 2014 😳

[@AmericanIsraeliJew]

Wow you are very interesting to listen to. This is a bit to complicated for me a present but I'm learning. It's been 42 years since I went through USMC Communication Electronic Schools in 29 Palms. Having been a ground radio repairman much of what you are saying makes sense, but I'd definitely need a manual with before I'd buy it. Thanks for doing the video.

[@mejercit]

AmericanIsraeliJew How long did you serve in the USMC?

[@allowambeBOWWAMB]

TAL bassline sound amazing too... I tried A/B'ing it with my real SH-101 and it's close enough to the point that I wish I didn't hear that damn software!

[@ArikBenDavid]

great reviews! great synth!! now I'm not so sorry I sold my sh-101 :)

[@archebeats]

Nice, the intro and outro sounds of the AIRA are amazing, I don't know, I want a great digital poly synth...Don't know if I should think about this one. I just wanna play with it first.

[@PgTrAxX]

it comes very close indeed!

[@FullFledged2010]

Does the plugout work in maschine aswell?

[@TellTheWorldAgain]

is the SH-101 plug-out available as a free download ? as it didnt come with my SYSTEM-1 :(

[@mateuszpisarek1089]

at 0:00 is the factory preset 4 that is he playing? does somebody know which bank it is and what is the name of that sound? amazing...

[@AaronKraten]

Great Video - I love the sequencer on the Sh101 and that was not covered in this video . Does the System One have the sequencer from the Sh-101 ?

[@markusfuller]

hi. no it does not have the sequencer. it has a scatter function instead but its not as useful as the sequencer. i did a teardown of all the aira units.

[@-thirteen]

thanks for this demo, very good info here. I've narrowed my options down to this synth, along with the Moog Mother 32. Now, being 1.5 years later, does this synth still hold up? would you recommend buying this synth as opposed to one of the many smaller analog options available today? Thanks much, always great information on your channel

[@AFinalForm]

Don't know if you're still looking… the System-1 sounds great (IMO) and has a much wider range than the Mother 32. The M32 has one oscillator and a really good filter. The S-1 is capable of so many different sounds - some of the waveforms they've added are impossible on most traditional analogue synths. The M32 is geared more around integrating with eurorack modular stuff, although the System-1m version can also hook up with eurorack via CV/gate (though with fewer modulation possibilities, maybe). The System-1 is really underrated as a synth IMO. Some of the KZbin analogue warrior comments are hilarious ("the Monotron is better than this piece of junk", etc). My tip for the plug-outs would be get the SH-2 first, it sounds fantastic. The SH-101 is pretty authentic, and the System-100 one is quite cool but requires some patching on the computer to get the most out of, which can't be done from the front panel.

[@-thirteen]

FinalForm Thanks for that info. since my comment I've had a Sub Phatty and sold it. it sounded great but a mono synth really wasn't what I wanted. I still look at these used, good price. it still appeals

[@AFinalForm]

modcraft13 cool. Yeah I think these are good value despite the cost of the plugouts. I'm considering trading up to a System 8 for the Juno and Jupiter models but can totally understand people choosing a true analogue poly like the Deepmind or Rev2 instead. I prefer the system-1 to the minilogue though for example.

[@johnshima01]

really impressed tbh, good comparison

[@FOCtv]

It looked like there was an amplitude discrepancy between the two instruments when you were doing the comparison via oscilloscope. Also, I'm sure that with some tweaking of the square wave duty cycles, they would sound much closer.

[@flowerpower111]

What synth was he playing in the first 15 seconds of the video? Poly SH-101?

[@sonicstate]

No, the System-1 in poly mode (4 voices)

[@didierb9102]

"Each of these knobs ... transmits midi data" !!! Thanks.

[@ewanstefani]

Great review again. I'd love to see a bigger poly synth version with 8 voice Jupiter/Juno plug outs. I would prefer the original color scheme though.

[@mrbreaker101]

prophetic, this comment, given the System 8 is exactly that (except the colour scheme)

[@kingdingaling8709]

Does anybody know if there is a cookbook for the system 1?

[@jasoncorganbrown]

These digital emulations are getting better and better. The Korg and Aurturia ipad synths have also surprised me. And I am usually very picky. I still would rather see at least an smt analog from Roland.

[@gavintduffy]

Does it have an updated sequencer yet?

[@halion9]

My take is that it is only 4 voice because it uses a lot of cpu power. My I7 8gb macbook meter really jumped up adding an instance, whereas omnisphere not so.

[@atommachine]

Good review ! for someone who wants close to a sh101 plus some different options it is tempting, i personally like the less clean sound of a 101 and if i did nt have one i would be very interested to demo the plug out. It s bog ugly though 0-0

[@yeotao]

I like everything green about the system 1. Green n black is a win win. I m glad it wasnt blue n black.:)

[@jerryreff67]

I wonder if you could dump a GR-55 into the System 1

[@kvfive]

I'd like to see the vsti version available without purchasing the S1 ;)

[@kvfive]

Ps - First class review Nick.

[@cresshead]

yes, you can now...also there's roland cloud rental option with after a years membership you get to keep 2 vst/au synths of your choice

[@twzstudio139]

The System-1 sounds close, but like the 808 comparison, the System-1 has a brighter and slightly harder sound, it is a good model of the SH-101, and you did a nice job with the review, but I am still dubious. We'll have to see if Roland really follows through.

[@MrBoxxed]

love your work (team), Thank you. still not a huge fan og the AIRA synth at this stage.

[@Bestovitch]

Does the plug out have the sequencer from the 101?

[@markusfuller]

nope no sequencer.

[@8-BitHeart79]

Squirt the code translates to impregnating the Aira.

[@georgegeorgio1751]

hahaha you're a comedian lol

[@johannbach2725]

Really nice opening music

[@mCKENIC]

Dammit! I don't want a System-1. I have an SH-101 & modular, computer for the digital stuff and too many synths already. Added to that I hate the look, 8 patch memories is boneheaded IMHO... but that intro sound is bloody BEAUTIFUL! Every time I see a SonicState demo if the Aira series I'm impressed and want them :-) Thanks for all the hard work Nick!

[@atommachine]

That intro is sweet!

[@cresshead]

firmware updated years ago to give 64 patch location the the internal system 1 and also an additional; 64 patch location for your installed plugout.

[@ubiquitousreverser]

Mmm… now wondering all these years later, did they update to class compliant midi & usb drivers. Still the best sounding virtual analog for the price used.

[@dragonlite9143]

Does the sh101 plug out come with it if I were to get it from a retailer like guitar center???

[@TheThoreas]

Dragonlite yes sh101 plug out is free download for system 1 owner

[@garyroberts2615]

+Thoreas Thor This now seems to have expired despite voucher still in the pack

[@rorz999]

Why didn't you put 'part 2' in the video title!?

[@madmac66]

Well said about class compliance. Drives me Absolutely batshit crazy. All the piles of gear on my studio floor I can no longer use due to lack of support. Imagine if the car industry behaved like this. “Sorry sir, we no longer support your 5 year old Dodge, so we can’t service it, you can’t buy parts for it, and our technicians no longer know anything about it”. Utter bullshit and the music industry aught to be ashamed of itself

[@KirkMonteux]

Why does it has to flicker and blink like a slot machine all the time?

[@dakoiaa]

This can be easily disabled in the Menu

[@MethodicBR]

Looks promissing.. But it have too little presets , memory and only one plug out. Maybe a bigger full feature keyboard using the Aira technology in a year? I hope so

[@sotirisnikolaidis4835]

Can you tell me please how to connect my sh 101 with the tr8 aira? Thanks

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

you can’t

[@SoloStuff]

Thanks, very useful review. 11:05 The thing with the class complaint drivers is that they are as you know made by OS vendors (Microsoft, etc.) not Roland. And that can restrict the synth/hardware to a certain standard that might be slower or not up to the high specs of the hardware since it doesn't know the new specifics of it. For such reasons, Roland or any other hardware manufacturer might choose to build a specific driver to support some none standard features that are in their hardware.

[@sonicstate]

Okay, thats a fair point, but its only doing 2in 2 out and MIDI, notthing too taxing I would think.

[@steveelbows3797]

sonicstate Yeah, I don't think there are too many good excuses for a lack of class compliant midi and audio in this day and age. I would hope that any non-standard additional parts of the hardware that required some bespoke usb drivers would be able to sit alongside the class-compliant stuff, but I don't actually know if thats the case. And that possibility may also be limited by hardware choice of usb interface controller chip. There are at least three really rubbish reasons why Roland may not do this class-compliant stuff, along with some possibilities which are justified. I would rant about this issue more if I had a clue which reasons are the real ones, and if this device really would be a supremely great fit for stuff like iPads. But things like the spec of the keyboard and the fact the whole plugout thing really lends itself to working with a DAW on a computer and then using it as stand-alone hardware, means I'm not going to cry too much about this devices failure to embrace the world of tablets. This sort of thing does make me wary of becoming a Roland customer though. I got a real nice feeling when some X-station 25 from Novation that I got in 2004 turned out to be class compliant for both midi and audio, and worked real nicely with my iPad in 2014. I'll have to wait a good while to see if Roland and the AIRA range can get anywhere close to that sort of class (pun intended), which is a shame really.

[@SoloStuff]

sonicstate hmm, in that case I guess I agree with you. Although it is transferring patch and plugout data at the same time on the same USB isnt it? Could the compliant driver be confused by that?. Any way they might have just slapped their already ready made I/O interface/driver that they used every where else but thats not a good excuse. Thing is, even with the compliant driver there is no telling that Microsoft, Apple etc. will do a good job in future OSes, or worse change the standard, which means that some hardware in the past might not work any more.

[@MarctheDarc]

SoloStuff Part of the idea behind class compliancy is that it's backwards compatible, and should always be so, even if it undergoes changes. But the problem is indeed the transfer of Plug-Out data. Everything else it does is technicly possible via class compliant drivers, particularly since they gave it the bulkdump of patch data. Now, it is possible to implement Plug-Out data in a class compliant manner, if the "drive" the data are installed on, were to work on the same basis as a USB drive. However, this could have some negative sideeffects, such as it could be harder to keep the system "sealed" from unintended eyes. Some might be confused when it shows up like an extra drive - the disconnecting could troublesome in certain cases. And most importantly it may affect the manner in which the data are installed and subsequent stability and performance. So while class compliancy would have been preferable, i can understand why this isn't.

[@TheThoreas]

hi you can save 64 patch in your system 1 hold "system 1' the "Bank" blink you have 8 "bank" in bank you have 8 preset

[@cleonx]

do i need to be connected to a computer to have the plugout sounds or they remain saved in the system 1?

[@fullmoonofus2683]

In need of the info too

[@cleonx]

@@fullmoonofus2683 they are saved in the s1. Only need pc to transfer first time

[@oldowl4290]

Were there ever more than 1 or 2 plugouts made for this? Seems like Roland had a good idea here but never expanded on it like it was touted. Would've been nice to at least have 4 or 5 options, not just 1 or 2 apart from the stock unit.

[@icecreammm2]

There are 4 plug-outs available for the System-1: SH-2, SH-101, PROMARS and System-100

[@andrewmcconville7673]

Does the System-One have an analog filter though?????

[@andrewmcconville7673]

The SH-101 is supposed to have the fastest sounding envelopes giving a distinctive sound. Does the plug out follow suit???

[@SPAZZOID100]

Analog is so over hyped.

[@lumyiadark]

Thank you ^.^*

[@connorpierce9663]

Anyone know if Roland ever released class compliant drivers for this?

[@Person1471]

Roland doesn't 'do' class compliant.

[@JonesyTheCat]

@@Person1471 They do now, e.g. MC101 and MC707.

[@Person1471]

@@JonesyTheCat Indeed! You could have knocked me down with a feather when I read it in the patch notes. I was so impressed, I went and bought one haha!

[@RaffisChannel]

the price isn't bad considering the number of knobs, sliders, built in dsp, and software interaction . Just a controller with this many physical controls would start to get up there in price.

[@kennymester]

Nearly 5 years later with no feature updates or new Plug-out. Shame shame Roland...

[@USRFobiwan]

There is a problem with the USB audio of the Aria devices. In a Windows environment you can't have multiple audio devices together. Most of us already have an audio device (internal or external) or if you want to record the audio from different Aria devices through their USB connection in a take you can't. You have to switch to one of the aria devices in the DAW and record, switch to other device and record that one etc. There is a workaround using the latest Asio4All to combine multiple audio devices but it's not stable enough and you lose the legacy driver and probably a lot of ms. The other way is feeding the outputs of the aria's into your sound device and then record this way. (if you are lucky enough to have a lot of inputs) thus loosing a lot of inputs and probably adding noise to the chain. It's a shame that if you plug multiple aria devices it is not recognized as 'one' multi i/o audio device like some audio devices you can stack together to become a big hub. Lucky for apple users that you can mix different audio cards to be 'one' hub using the aggregate Device setup. Another problem is that you cannot change the bit/sample rate, its 24/96 or nothing.

[@musicmixesforyourheartsoul4129]

Buy a 2nd pc used on eBay for less than 100 usd ( if you dont already have an old pc) and record on that. Then transfer the recorded wav file via a usb stick = 'problem' solved in 1 min 🙂

[@PureAmbientDrone]

I think for the money its worth investing into a System 1.

[@noahhultgren193]

Pure Ambient Drone I agree, the new Roland stuff looks too small and this guy is cheap on ebay now

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

@@noahhultgren193 got mine for 175 bucks

[@dobanyi]

At 9:13 you can hear that sound when the resonance is fighting with the oscillator's lower harmonics, plus a lot more saturated filter sound. That one is still yet to be modeled properly. The sw resonance does not sound like an integral part, more like an added sine wave on top. Still, this one is a pretty decent code.

[@happyfarmer6823]

i want that scatter wheel

[@MinimalWave1982]

sounds very close i could live with the sound, but the lack of the sequencer is a no go!

[@SPAZZOID100]

It has midi. Sequence it externally.

[@TEHBILB]

8:15 common problem - power button needs replacing!

[@DJDigitalJosh]

Only 8 patches? No way I'd get 1 of these without more patch memory.

[@RadicalAns2]

Is it weird that I recognized Nick by just his hands? I think I've been watching too many sonic labs videos.

[@fitagoraz]

Nasty Bitch

[@johnalver]

So your telling me is that . . .IN 2021 THERE IS NO DEVICE ON THE CONSUMER MARKET THAT PLUGS INTO THE HEADPHONE JACK ABD RECORDS THE OUTPUT?!?!?!?! WHY THE F NOT

[@zlippery1]

I like evertyhing about System-1 except the green colour. Make it in blue and black.

[@borisf3171]

you can change the color of the LEDs AFAIK.

[@zlippery1]

Ok. I hope so!

[@berniesanders5419]

"Old and knackered" lol that's my ex

[@hexfix93]

Sonic State is the best!!!!

[@Eightball69]

£479 is a lot of money for this when there is true analogue stuff out there - not convinced by the SH-101 emulation either

[@SPAZZOID100]

Digital is fine. Doesn't have to be analog.

[@MushroomAndCoinFreak]

in this age of digital synths i really think that the system-1 is quite a babe BUT why the fuck did roland built this thing whith just two octaves? it is so cool and than there's just bullshit like that -.-

[@Digiphex]

I like the sound of the VST, unfortunately that keyboard is an integral part of the package. As an alternative, one should probably consider the Bass Station II hooked to Lush 101 or TAL's version of the SH-101

[@SRASi101]

Roland given up making analog synths, They last over 30 years. Plug-ins last as long as your computer 5/7 years if your lucky. Roland will be on something different 5/7 years and probably not interested in keeping old products up to date so they work on new computers. (Throw away products should be at throw away prices). You can get a REAL ANALOG for that price. My 101 has lasted 30 years with no repairs. And looks as if its going to last another 30 odd years lol

[@cresshead]

jdxi and jdxa both have analog synths plus the se02...so no...they have not 'given up'

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

I've had it for 20 min , packed it and send it back to Sam Ash don't buy it if you real player , this is a toy , I probably would keep it if it was in rack , this "keyboard" is a JOKE !

[@dakoiaa]

The Synth is really nice but the keybed, I agree, is surprisingly ridiculous. Maybe this is among the reasons the rack version is often more expensive.

[@LFOVCF]

Pitch and mod, very disappointing controls, no excuse for that!

[@bubnjarovski]

looks like shit, sounds cool

[@LFOVCF]

As the saying goes...near as makes no difference.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Too bad the software will not work 6 years from now.

[@KOISANX]

... Now that ZENCORE is here.... How are you hardware owners feeling, waiting for more plug outs? Thanks for nothing Roland 🙄

[@pcuimac]

This Synth looks totally obsolete to me. My iPad 4 + Synrizer + Nanostudio + Synth xyz .. and a decent controler keyboard are so much better and more flexible. I love the TR-8 and TB-3 though, because of the live aspect. But this is just another good sounding synth with a terrible keybed.

[@verve92]

Dude(s)....play it. The best Roland synth in 20 years. If you want good keybeds, find a time machine or spend some money!

[@pcuimac]

***** At the moment: CME Xkey + Arturia MiniLab controller+ iPhone with MIDIBridge and powered USB hub + 30pin2USB adapter + 30pin2thunderbolt adapter. The powered USB hub provides voltage to all the devices and the keybeds. The keybeds are routed into the iPad via iphone MidiBridge software. It's not as easy as it could be but works very well and does not cost anything extra because I allready use iPhone and iPad for other purposes anyway. Just turn off 3G if you perform in public ;) The main problem: Too many very good cheap as bread VAs on my iPad. :)

[@brothacaim]

verve92 loooool

[@hexfix93]

I wont upgrade from cubase 5, so screw roland....

[@BrandonRyan]

???

[@verve92]

It works with my Cubase LE, wtf you talking about?

[@hexfix93]

ITs vst3,

[@BrandonRyan]

Yes it's vst3....Steinberg's latest and only officially supported plugin protocol. The problem?

[@RetropUk]

***** You will still be able to play it like any other synth and record that in Cubase 5 you just won't be able to use the VST plugin for it. Not really a big deal when you can control it through the knobs and midi anyway? What's the big deal.

[@iqnill]

Time has spoken. Sys 1 is yet another Roland abandonware...

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

In true Roland fashion. Mind you, it may well be a hit in the not so distant future. We’ve seen that happen already.

[@nycdreams2]

Talk less play the Dalm instruments