Roland SH-101: Is It Worth It?

[@soulandfire9252]

Yes is the my answer, I could sell all my gear except this one, love it.

[@macronencer]

I had one in 1983 and loved it! Sold it years and years ago, then bought another about ten years ago. Unfortunately it's developed a fault: it just plays the highest note all the time for every key you hit. Research suggests that this might be fixed by a power button replacement, but I haven't got round to it yet. If I had never owned one, I probably wouldn't get one - but since I do have one, I am never letting it go! Even leaving aside whether you like the sound or not, and whether you think it's obtainable on other hard or soft synths... the interface is just SO much fun to use. Those sliders fall "just right" under the fingers, and there's something about the combination of waveform options and modulation that feels optimal to me.

[@100DollarHeadache]

I've had the SH-101 the longest out of my synths - nine years as of last month. I paid a price that was stupid back then but that would be a screaming deal today, and it had the mod grip, original Roland branded strap, and Roland gig bag. I use the CV/Gate outputs on my Oberheim DSX to sequence it, and a Boss CE-300 to approximate the Juno Chorus, to give me my main bass sound.

[@tritonrecordings]

SH101 was my first analog synth. I had a blue one! "Is it worth it" is a question that can be answered with a fact - worthiness is an opinion. I do miss mine, I would own another but the prices have become a little silly. I can approximate it with other things I have but there is a sort of clean, sharp, punch that is difficult. Will your listens notice? No. Will you? Maybe...that's for you to decide. Buy whatever you want. As much as I pick on Roland's products these days, that little SH01A is actually pretty decent sounding. The Behringer clone is okay but I felt the SH01A came a little closer, surprisingly.. and someone else mentioned the Lush 101 VST which is good. If you want the real deal, then buy the real deal. I could see myself doing that again...

[@crominion6045]

I bought an SH-101 from a friend in '97 for $150. It even had the little modulation grip attachment with it. I played it until the very early 2000s then sold it for $200. LOL. I thought I'd made a killing making $50 on the deal. If only I knew...

[@LegendPhase]

You guys were kinda lucky to have these for good prices in early 2000, I own the Sh-01a and love it

[@crominion6045]

@@LegendPhase Yes. That was a great time for many of the older synths, as they were old enough to be considered just old used gear, but they weren't yet old enough to be sought after classics. I also bought an ARP Odyssey near the same time for $200 and an ARP 2600 for $400. 😮😄 I made a few bucks several years later on both of those as well, but now I kick myself for not holding onto them, considering what they go for these days.

[@maxine2798]

I got mine new in 1982 and I still have it. My first synth. It sounded great then and it still does today. What is it worth? Whatever people want to pay for it. It isn't really worth lots of hundreds as there is so much competition today.

[@boemklap8458]

Worth every single dime.

[@thomaskolb8785]

I have had several 101's over the years and it is a wonderful and useful little synth. Great for simple basses and simple leads. Add some shimmer reverb and it is a beautiful space machine too. I ended up selling my last one and bought the Behringer MS-1 instead, to get MIDI and new internal components that would not risk going up in smoke. The sound and the handling is identical, TBH, I could never tell the difference.

[@MegaBadgeman]

Is the SH101 worth it? No, there are just so many alternatives. Why would anyone want to capture that sound anyway?

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

Is my fav monosynth and I have owned almost all the famous ones.

[@station2station544]

Keep this series going. While I don't always agree with everything you say, it always spurs thought on my end.

[@eancurtis9333]

Yes its worth it!

[@daz4627]

I bought the grey 101 way back in the day when it was released for $150 (!!!!!!)... it was OK and found a place in my rig I had at that time (JX3P, Juno 106, Poly 61)... it was good for leads and effects but it wasn't a keep-forever synth... I sold it decades ago and recently picked up a second-hand SH-101a for peanuts which occasionally gets used... there's no way I'd spend $1000+ on a vintage 101 ... definitely hype.

[@zuur303]

I love my 101, which I got from an amateur rock band, covered in dirt and coffee, hardly used since "it only produces noise" (literal quote!) It goes from buttery bass to pleasant harsh-but-not-harsh sounds. Will never part with it.

[@jumpingman8160]

the SH 101 all sounded slightly diferent from each other. And all these years past the differences are even more noticeable. There's nothing special about it. Just inconsistant parts values that go nutty over time.

[@UberOcelot]

Excited for the Superlative SB-01, if it manages to come out that is. (Should be around the corner.) Thin 32 keyboard powerhouses are an underrated niche of synths. Need a few more on the market.

[@emilyschmanks]

it sounds so pure. what is imo unique about these classic roland synths (specifically the sh101 and tb303) and that no one but Dinsync has managed to replicate, is that the square wave sounds sweet instead of hollow. on my moog grandmother i hardsync a triangle wave to my square wave so it doesn't sound as 'square'. i don't like when people use terminology like this, but the square wave of a sh101 or 303 sounds rich and creamy.

[@SinclairSound]

If anyone wants to 101 sound in vst form, check out the LuSH 101.. it's a crazy good vst and unlike the TAL and Roland offerings, it uses the sh101 architecture as a starting point and builds off it it.

[@DennisCaunce]

I had a Roland sh-1000. Now that was a fun synth

[@starglider101]

it's the artist, not the instrument !

[@annother3350]

You need the right tools for the job

[@jonnno2439]

I still love my MC 202

[@falangistavaleroso9689]

best step sequencer ever.

[@MegaBadgeman]

Me too

[@kal317]

Cool demo bro

[@GALAXYHUNTER]

Can anyone describe the grey colour more precisely like of RAL pallette? I want to paint my DYI grip for the SH101. I need the colour of the paint.

[@crnkmnky]

Take your keyboard to the paint shop, and ask them to match it?

[@VitaEx]

Are the sounds at 9:30 sequenced or lfo? Or arpeggiator maybe since different then lfo to me

[@EuroDJ]

Thnx ) Cool Synth

[@Vitaphone]

As someone who had a 101 in his studio for years, i totally disagree. I bought a ms-1 and 6 months later I sold the sh as it not only has proper midi and usb and has the sound as close as you would find any two vintage 101’s but they also command a ridiculous “vintage” premium on the market so I sold it. I’ve never once regretted my choice, and never once felt I was missing the 101 vibe or sound, I feel back in love with the 101 vibe and went on the feature it in 5 tracks back to back, during that time frame I was using both synths and came to the conclusion I no longer need the headache of putting it the repair shop (which happened twice in 3 years). People really don’t pain a realistic impression of the upkeep of vintage analog and waaaaay over romanticize the upside. This was a little more tenable before the info cloning and now mainstream clones from Korg, Moog, Behringer, Sequential, Studio Electronics, etc. People really need to stop capping… it’s builds on fetishizing gear, which can lead to feeling of inadequacy’s, or a host of other reasons some people just don’t get to actually writing music. Bottom line, regardless of what others may say… if you want the 101 sound, grab an ms-1… and frankly that’s still probably overkill… I think the boutique or vst will do the job if the kinesthetic value is low on your priorities. This is coming from a guy with the receipts (I’ve posted photos in the groups to prove I had both)… people give way to much subjective value to objective truths… it’s objectively true that an ms-1 has some subtle differences in sound… they objective truth is it is a incredibly small amount of people on the planet would be able to absolutely tell the differences in a blind test. And once the synth is hooked up to a PA in a live setting or the sound has passed through analog or digital processing in a song… that number would drop to 0. If you are a 101 purist… ie you know the instrument back an fourth and have a deep relationship with it… maybe nothing else will do… or maybe you’d find it not different then the subtle changes when you get it back from the shop or you pick another one up and find it somehow seems a little different… or maybe just not touching the synth for a few months and the amount you reacclimate to it when you turn it back on. FYI, no shade at you Zach or the video… just my take.

[@jakelawson1]

It's a great synth and if they were still available at the price I bought mine at ($199 new in 1984) I'd be all over it. But, to be honest, I like my MS-1 better. FWIW, the 101 was the perfect beginner synth. The workflow was so intuitive and everything I learned on it has worked for me to this day.

[@asoundlab]

Thanks for sharing! Out of curiosity, what do you like better about the MS1? The extra performance features or the sound?

[@jakelawson1]

@@asoundlab This is going to sound really strange when talking about a Behringer, but, to start out with, the build quality is on another level. If feels much more solid than my Roland did. From a sound standpoint, I can't really tell much difference; certainly not enough to make up for the difference in price, but my ears are pretty poor. Being able to use MIDI is a huge plus for me. I use the CV on the Beatstep to control the MG-1, and if I want to use them both at the same time, this is a big help for me (note: not an expert, so there may be better ways to handle it). The sequencer is hit-and-miss to me, the SH had such an intuitive sequencer that the added functionality on the MS isn't always a plus, but again, MIDI makes it a non-issue. The FM is nice, too-it's a more interesting implementation than I expected and it feels like the sort of mod a custom shop would do for you. It's not a must have, but it's fun. I love vintage gear and usually prefer it, but my sense is that Behringer has actually made a better SH-101.

[@birdie17uk]

@@johnnyv673 Oh, it's that guy. Where's the 'roll eyes' emoji when you need one?

[@thetalkingtelephone1]

Zach, I love your gear videos. I got an Sh01a and it rules, but there is definitely something undeniably better sounding about the real sh101. I didn’t notice before I got the boutique, but now I hear it and the original just sounds holy. Too damn expensive though!

[@Conforce]

often have the sh09 and sh101 side by side.. thinking, shall i get rid of one... even though these are kind of similar in a way.. they both sound kinda different. i find the 101 more tight and crisp and almost a bit clean compared to the sh09. the 101 has a more contemporary character. even though it's so over used, it's for me the lower octave regions where the magic is at. it's so tight! you can make a 909 kick on it. oommmmmpfffff! i don't get all the neurotic stuff people try to create on this synth. it works on the nerves. where some other synths lose it (low notes) the 101 stands... i have to say the roland vst version is not bad at all. it get's the job done but loses it in the lower regions. the pwm is special but not as special as the sh09, the 09 has a richer harmonic sound.

[@asoundlab]

Agreed on all of the above!

[@soulandfire9252]

Have you tried playing the 09 and 101 in unison using the CV/gate? Add a bit of detune to one of them and your getting into SH-2 territory.

[@_P_M_]

Interesting you mention the Drone Logic album. I've heard that and I knew exactly the sound you're talking about. Water Jump?

[@annother3350]

Oh yes, love that album

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

Hey, could you do a video on the Casio HT-6000? It’s an 8-voice 4 DCO, 8 analog VCF and analog BBD chorus MONSTER from 1987. I hadn’t heard of it until I bought one a few days ago and I’ve fallen in love!!

[@atommachine]

Well here is the SH101 and Ht6000 together , no BBD as far as i know but a lovely combo.kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXWYanuhoq9jbrs

[@mikemeengs5720]

I remember seeing a couple for sale for $699.00 each when they were new...too expensive for my 20 year-old butt though. Still about what I might pay today. But listening to the video's audio by itself and it might as well be a free VST. Sorry...not worth today's ridiculous prices.

[@night_speed]

Yeah i think the sh101 has become, for lack of a better term, less unique sounding. There are plenty alternatives now. I have an ms1 and an afx station which i think are comparable instruments, same form factor etc. I find myself grabbing the afx station 9 times out of 10.

[@wendigo1011]

lolololol i love clowns :)

[@TheJuzzmezz]

a 'quite used' 101 is going for $2000 on local gear page-just stupid $ynth snobbery-i just picked up mint Behringer ms-1 for $250 aust -i had an original in 99 i loved the sound- but the ms-1 blows it away with its capability ,build quality, added FM, midi ,patchability-etc no brainer

[@bernyboss]

Very worth it!

[@horder2344]

Sold mine for £1000 this year. Yes it sounds nice and is fun to play with but it's an extremely limited synth sound wise and certainly not worth the crazy prices.

[@trump-1-win]

Yes

[@slowbike1]

“It’s the instrument!” - person who spent 20k on vintage stuff. “It’s the artist!” - person who can only afford the volcas and boutiques. LOL! It’s all good guys. Just make music. 😄

[@geofff6671]

I had one back in the late 80s. Probably bought it for $100 and sold it for something similar. It was and was meant to be a cheap synth. It’s ok but its not worth it and definitely nothing magical about it. If someone offered me a choice today of a Behringer model D or a real SH101, leaving aside the resale value I’d take the model D.

[@LousyFacelift]

I feel like there is a certain magic to the sound of a 101, probably even because it is such a simple sound structure. There is a certain "elasticy bubblegum quality" to the sound that makes a strong recognizable character and - just like the TB-303 - you either love it or hate it. I totally love that sound. Bands like Boards of Canada make great use of that synth imo. But unlike many others I don't care whether this sound is made on an OG, SH-01a, MS-1, Malekko or whatever else there is out there. I have an SH-01a and would never want to trade it for an OG (if they were the same price).

[@geofff6671]

@@LousyFacelift I should add I have the SH01a today and I think I actually prefer the sound of it to the original 101 I had. I’m really not sure why anyone would pay over $1k for an original one today, when there are so many good alternatives even if you want the 101 sound.

[@LousyFacelift]

@@geofff6671 Yes, the SH-01a sounds fantastic and it adds so much to the concept (polyphony, storage memory, extended LFO settings...) I love that thing! 😊

[@jimharris6389]

It was worth it when I bought one for £90 in 1993.

[@seansloan6578]

why isnt this old not manuf0re issue? I know it Was legendary

[@sarahhey8654]

Check out the Malleko Manther.... 🐱

[@sarahhey8654]

*Malekko :D

[@joshuakosch6475]

i see allot of synth videos and you guys dont cover all the sounds like are in it. it doesnt seem like you went through all of the effects that it has. it cant be rated to see if it worth it if you dont go through the effects and play all the sounds that are in it.

[@prolinea4]

How to pronounce "Behringer" (by Uli Behringer): kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKKbhIOuf8x7jNU

[@brenatom.]

Swapped mine in 89 for a big bag of quality weed. 😅

[@michaelhonormusic]

1000 dollars for a Roland sh-101 is nuts, better of spending on a new monosynth like the minibrute or monologue. The System 1 with sh-101 build in Plug-out is also better option. Nah vintage synths are mostly overrated compared to todays synthesizers.

[@LousyFacelift]

Beware of the build quality of the Minibrute - there is something like the red glue issue in these (not exactly the same but close...) Monologue - yes!

[@michaelhonormusic]

@@LousyFacelift I have a minibrute since it came out, never had any issue so far. Im gonna buy a monologue as well 😊

[@LousyFacelift]

@@michaelhonormusic I hope it will stay good for you, unfortunately a friend of mine has one, too and the keybed started acting weird. I have the Minilogue and other small synths like the MicroFreak and the Novation Mono Station so I can't justify the Monologue but it sounds great imho.

[@franklucas9313]

just get the behringer one: way way cheaper! and it sounds almost the same.

[@vegettoblue8705]

Go Ms101 all day

[@smts0243]

No. This 1982 instrument is not worth it unless you are a collector or purist. There are so many new and more capable "work horse" synths available these days for much less.

[@thb-music]

This is the right answer. It's not too hard to dial in a patch on a BSII that will get that same feel. However there isn't a hard line between musician and collector. It's a spectrum. So I enjoy mine knowing the history and alumni of it. But having one isn't required to hit the sonic space it occupies.

[@smts0243]

@@thb-music Definitely. If you have one, enjoy it :) It's a very capable instrument, but like you I also think that one needs a better reason than "I need a mono synth" not to pick for instance a BSII for half the current 101 used price :)

[@gordon2402]

Never regret that i sold mine 5 years ago .

[@vincentmccormack3629]

Although it’s a synth I’d like to own, for me it’s definitely not worth the going rate. Neither from a collectibility nor a nostalgia standpoint.

[@franklucas9313]

behringer has a true analog reproduction for you for a fraction of the used price

[@vincentmccormack3629]

@@franklucas9313 The MS sounds like an SH, and if you squint, looks like one too. It may even be better, but it isn’t an SH. I’d always struggle with that as The 101 is relatively easy to find and affordable to a point (I just can’t justify it). I see it differently in the case of the forthcoming UBXA, as an original is utterly unobtainable for me.

[@keitomineproductions4133]

"is it the artist or the instrument" Well, if you weren't an artist, the instrument wouldn't do anything would it?

[@jonkelly5246]

I'll take a moog matriarch for 500$ more any day of the week

[@station2station544]

Those are cute.

[@XPJV]

The simplest monosynth... - $200 max.