Bad Gear - Roland System-8

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/ audiopilz
Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about Roland System-8. Is this soon abandoned flagship synthesizer, little sibling of System-1, part of the Roland Aira range, virtual analog synth, Roland Cloud plugout host and overall eye-sore a future classic or just another expensive plastic toy? Is it worthy of the rich Roland Jupiter-8 and Roland Juno-106 legacy?
Thanks to Klangfarbe for helping me out with one of their Roland System 8 floor models:
www.klangfarbe.com/
/ klangfarbewien
Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:58 Overview Roland System-8
01:35 System-8 vs. System-1
01:43 Native System-8 Engine, ACB Models
02:00 Main Oscillators (SuperSaw, PWM, FM, Cowbell)
02:37 Sub Oscillator, Noise, Sync, Ring Mod
03:00 Filter Section, Self-Oscillation, Filter Types
03:40 Modulators (Envelopes, LFO)
03:55 FX Section (Reverb, Delay, Modulation, Distortion)
04:15 Vocoder
04:26 One-knob-per-function UI
04:41 Vintage Emulations (Jupiter-8, Juno-106, JX-3P)
05:06 Roland Cloud, Boutiques, Polyphony
05:26 Condition, Polyphonic Sequencer, Parameter Automation
05:57 Arpeggiator, Multitimbrality, Performance Mode
06:22 What Else??? (Pricing, Thanks)
06:48 Hate
07:13 Jam 1 (Futuristic Bass)
08:04 Jam 2 (Vintage Drum'n'Bass)
09:02 Finale (Synth Rock)
09:31 Verdict

[@AudioPilz]

Audiopilz: *slaps roof of YT channel* Full Tracks, Extended Jams, Sample Packs: www.patreon.com/audiopilz

[@pleasure1689]

The is one thing that really kills me about some of Roland's newer synths. The sound modeling system they use is called Zenology. You can use this this with any DAW for $20 a month. Essentially this makes purchasing a $1500 Usd keyboard pointless.

[@skeletonmodel]

Im looking to sell my Waldorf Micro-Q. Could you please make an episode about that? You kinda drove up the prices on the oberheim I was looking at, so it would be fair ;)

[@darrelldourte9455]

I don't think he "checked all the boxes" in this demo. Love your work...quite the tunesmith also.

[@bugetraver]

Hallo Audiopilz, ich schreibe 😊 hier auf Deutsch, da mein Englisch is Not very good😅. Verfolge deinen Kanal, fast seit dem Anfang und wollte Dir mal ein Riesenlob für den Kanal aussprechen. Niemand sonst hier, auf KZbin schafft es Hardware, Humor und tolle Sounds zu einem so stimmigen und unterhaltsamen Ganzen zu zaubern. Ich hoffe du knackst bald die 100000 Abos und bringst und dann ein 12 Stunden Set, mit allen jemals getesten Geräten. Liebe Grüße vom Kaiserstuhl

[@chriswindle3392]

Sorry audiopilz, I watch all your vids and I love your comments on all pieces, I just love my system 8 with all the good bits and not so good bits. ❤️

[@AJOrpheo]

I love how every time the show starts you got that huge ear to ear smile. Because who can't smile when a new fun weird synth is in front of you!

[@AudioPilz]

So happy to hear that, thanks!!!

[@synthetic24]

Finally, the best synthesizer in the world on Bad Gear

[@AudioPilz]

Bald claim;)

[@MT-mt8bd]

Walk tall, speak the truth.

[@fmartins777]

System 8 is the most underrated Roland synth ever. It's a beast and keep receiving updates from Roland.

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@CatmanJimbo]

What updates has it gotten? No snark, legitimately curious as I’ve almost gone for one of these several different times

[@ronanbax6102]

​@@CatmanJimbopretty sure the (pseudo) FM update was the biggest update to the engine to date.

[@Ambientnauts]

Does it have channel aftertouch now?

[@ronanbax6102]

@@Ambientnauts 99% sure it does not. The closest thing you get is an expression pedal input that can only control volume

[@saysthetedd]

The most paused videos on the internet

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@kenfusion]

I like the increased jams in the episode . Despite the downsides it seems that you had fun exploring it . Great show 😊

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

This synth is being used by touring musicians everywhere. Howard Jones has three of them on stage. Heaven 17 has used it on stage for years. Jean Michel Jarre uses one extensively. Among MANY others...so it can't be all that bad. Sure wish it had more patch storage though.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, 64 slots aren't that much...

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

@ghost mall I agree. I love the sound of it, but there are some boneheaded Roland design choices (particularly in its ridiculous MIDI implementation) that make me wish for...well, more.

[@godzil42]

@@AudioPilz At least with an SD card it is quite fast at banking them in/out, but yeah it is limite :'(

[@jdmjesus6103]

I lent a keyboard and synth to a member of heaven 17 once, she helped inspire me to start using them again.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Many of those Roland Artists are called that for a reason tho, and the synths' premium pricing helps support that system (which is fine with me).

[@Visionism]

I absolutely love the System 8. Fell in love with it on Roland Cloud. Superb sounding synth. I'm also one of the three people in the world who likes Roland's Aira green and black vibe.

[@AudioPilz]

I've grown accustomed to the green by now too;)

[@fatheroflies]

I've loved cheesy black and bright green since I was a kid. My aspie brain would love the whole world to look like that

[@digitalcommandos303]

4 people ;)

[@jaderington]

I quite like it now. Its not too bad when you own it in real life. I have a system 1

[@digitalcommandos303]

I have the system 1….. would love the 8 as well. Is the keybed more synthy than the system 1? Keys are horrible on that.

[@brandonharris9160]

A lot of the sounds you are getting out of this synth are absolutely incredible and surpass the greatness of more expensive and more world-renowned synths. Fucking legend

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@zanderxymox]

I'll be so happy once you hit 100k subs, you deserved it way sooner with how much work you've put into all these videos. It's definitely my favorite series on YT for music hardware :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!! Working on it!!!

[@helisoma]

there with you...get the word out and let's get this channel the love it deserves 😎👍🏻

[@garyhendrie4001]

Absolutely agree. Fantastic channel that ticks all the right boxes.

[@antonyfaulkner8649]

LOL. Roland should be paying you. The System 8 popularity just went through the roof. Love your videos... best quick gear demo/reviews on the Web.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@h2o1969]

This is the truth. I never really thought about it, but he really goes deep quick, and I feel balanced and honest with the pros and cons. A lot of the time, I feel the show should be called "It Could Have Been Better Gear". Not very catchy though.

[@ianperesmusic]

Absolutely LOVE my System-8. ACB kicks the crap out of ZEN-Core any day.

[@AudioPilz]

ACB 4 life!!!

[@Johnsys359]

Here's an idea for a Patreon perk: include a meme pack featured in the episode. ( Because they flash so fast that one must rewatch and pause for full effect)

[@AudioPilz]

Great idea, thanks!!!

[@SlaserX]

Pleeeeease make this. The jams are dope, but most of us are living for those memes ❤

[@obshaky]

@@SlaserX agreed. These memes are perfectly usable elsewhere with minor lazy modifications.

[@denovaire]

Super idea!

[@stepans2167]

Omg this is gold. Pleeeeeease

[@PleasantDiversion]

Another space filled on my "My Bad Gear" bingo card. I love owning things from this list. A good keybed with aftertouch would have taken this one from great to awesome.

[@AudioPilz]

Congrats!!!

[@ericpeters0n]

I honestly think this thing just gets hated on because it's so hideously ugly. It always sounds pretty damn good to me, and I'm a mostly-pointlessly-analog-purist these days...

[@mrz80]

Aftertouch, and a lower price on the used-gear-vulture marketplace :D

[@mrz80]

@@ericpeters0n I can't go with "hideously ugly." I'll take the Aira-esque Matrix-meets-modern-music black and green over the JD-Xa's all hands to action stations we're under attack red :P.

[@calculus77]

I really dig your inspiring jams on the "bad" gear. Thank You!

[@AudioPilz]

Hey, thank you so much for the support!!!

[@subieadventures777]

The only YT channel I watch on my laptop with my finger hovering over the space bar so I cant stop the video to see all the added pics. 😁

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@utility507A]

Yay! My Omni Man arpeggiator meme was featured in an episode of Bad Gear. Finally, a life achievement that tops my Masters Thesis! I'm over the moon right now.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice one, thanks!!!

[@drindy5166]

I could live with this piece of gear and be happy for a long time. Great video brother!!! 🔥👊🧡👍🔥

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@theriveryeti2426]

Agreed! That thing sounds amazing (and was played amazingly).

[@Max16032]

I truly believe the System-8 was the peak of the Aira franchise, not in terms of sucess but rather wasted potential. Their train of thought was: "Let's bring our classics synths back in a new, flashy way" > "People are unimpressed?! Why?? Well, let's give them "authentic" feel with the Boutiques!" > "What?! People wanted full-size, 8-voice synths all along? Ugh, fine." > "Whatever, just release the Jupiter-X"

[@AudioPilz]

True that!!!

[@sub-jec-tiv]

‘We need to male sure the structure of patches is completely insane though, because if it were easy to use it might be fun.’

[@vmppvm8763]

I actually think it would look pretty cool if it was just RGB instead of all green. The plastic case sucks for a "flagship" synth though.

[@dankeplace]

Jupiter X is a failure in its own way, you should never have to menu dive if you have a proper surface control, this is where the X falls down hard. ACB is better than Zencore in some ways too. In both instances, tRoland got both interfaces wrong, yet again.

[@gabepollack8382]

If only they had released the Jupiter-X w/ ACB instead of ABM or came out with a System 8 that was five octave and of a more professional look + construction. or ACB boutiques that were maybe a bit larger with quarter-outs and the number of voices it says in the damn name. or made more original great sounding synths that aren't always somewhere on the spectrum between do it all workstation and toys cashing in on nostalgia for the past. they really know not what they are doing with their synth line.

[@valuemastery]

Wow, this thing sounds good! And I love the 100% knob per function. 😍

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@AynsleyGreen]

Roland's greatest hits in one plasticky box - super versatile and can sound fantastic if you get away from the factory patches and the lousy Reverb. The System 8 engine sounds like modern sequel to the JP-8000 at times - if you turn the Condition knob into the negatives it does indeed sound like a JP-8000 (which is handy). The SBF Filters are from the V-Synth. Filter #3 -18dB is the TB303 filter. The Vintage filters are impressive, and allow for fanciful scenarios like JP-8000 SuperSaws through a Juno filter + Chorus. The updated FM engine does the DX7 greatest hits. You can use the Motion Sequencer as a 2nd LFO. The FX section can do some wild stuff, if you dig into the hidden parameters in the menus. And you get the all 3 FX lanes for both Layers, with 4 notes of polyphony! And most of all, with the latest ACB Circuit Mod firmware, it has a far more realistic Juno than that 'flagship' Zencore-based Juno-X. Not to mention the other PlugOuts - the Juno 60 and Jupiter 4 are outstanding. Just a pity about the build quality, looks, 49 keys, weird shape (which means it doesn't fit in common road-cases), and some bugs with Performance Mode, all of which make me reluctant to use it on gigs these days. C'mon Roland, give us a proper System 16!

[@AudioPilz]

Reminded me of the JP-8K too!!!

[@fmartins777]

System - X

[@AMikeOnLine]

I've had my System 8 for about 3 months and i love it. I'm no expert in this field but i've had a few synths. I started with a Yamaha Motif XS6 which sounded great but was very complicated to program. The system 8 is very straight forward and it's easy to create very complex sounds. I've made some truly amazing sounding patches, sounds that i have never heard before which i find exiting. The only downside for me is saving your patches over writes the pre-sets. No big deal as long as you back up everything to SD card. Also i would have liked a built in Drum kit and a large colour screen. Apart from that it is a very capable and addictive machine. I would recommend it to anyone beginner or pro.

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@Matt-zp1jn]

Controller, Sequencer w/screen - Aira TB-3 Nice acb Drums - Aira TR-8 +exten. (w/606,626,707,808,909) ACB Synth - Aira System-8 , + 3 Plugouts! (Jup 8, Juno 106, JX3P) new V2, updates ACB mini Synth - Aira System-1 , + 1 plugout (Se-2, Promars, Jup 4) Mixer - MX-1 = A very underrated synth setup with lots of options, versatility, fun, ACB sound, lots of Synth plugout options! 😎

[@mrz80]

Would the loss of the presets be that big a deal? One thing Roland has been notorious for is having presets that by and large do nothing to showcase what you can wring out of the instrument.

[@helisoma]

@9:00 again not only a perfectly polished and enjoyable review but another magical finale...your energy is really an inspiration for me to push my own creative boundaries 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@AudioPilz]

Happy to hear that!!! Thanks!!!

[@dreamdealer]

amazing video man, impressive amount of work and effort you put into this, quality content.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@maxstatic]

Consistently throwing down and delivering the goods. Your vids are soooooo good.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@MephistoMods]

I totally saw the video. This comment is not for the algorithm.

[@AudioPilz]

#truth

[@iancain6647]

The algorithm knows...

[@entropybentwhistle]

@@iancain6647 I always wondered how algae make these rithms, but when I ask all I hear is a voice shouting back “Science, bitch!”

[@dustyaudio]

I’ve never seen a “survey” for a comment before today… I told KZbin this comment is 1. “Excellent” & 2 “Shows support to the creator” 😂

[@prospectnyc]

I love my System 8, especially because of the ACB plug outs. Your criticisms are on point. I wish Roland would make a version 2 of this thing with better build quality and more expansive ACB capabilities. The ZenCore stuff is fine but not as sonically interesting as their ACB stuff.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! I'm afraid the focus is on ZEN now

[@SlaserX]

100%, with more keys, after touch, and more plug outs at least.

[@minimal3734]

To my ears ZenCore is inferior to ACB.

[@mrz80]

@@AudioPilz Yep, pretty much everything coming out of Roland nowadays is "How many different ways can we neuter the ZEN code base and how many different sizes and shapes of boxes can we hide it in before they stop spending their money here?" :|

[@Asmuk]

"(...) a pricing strategy deeply rooted in denial of reality." Writing doesn't get better than this. Thanks again for the great content.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Soundsexy]

Incredible timing! Mine arrives tomorrow! Thank you for the massive boost of confidence my money went to a good place.. thank you for the proper demo and your delivery is unmatched! Aloha from Hawaii 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Aloha!!!

[@SHA-3qua]

Wow I caught it on time! You are doing the lord's work keeping us appreciating the gear we own so we can feed our pets

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@entropybentwhistle]

Only Werner Herzog could come close to trying decipher the corporate psyche of Roland. They haven’t put out anything that caught my attention in several years, with maybe the exception of the boutique D-50 because I was looking for that board’s soundset at that exact time.

[@AudioPilz]

True that!!!

[@mrz80]

@@AudioPilz Have enough people said enough bad things about the D-05 for you to give it the treatment?

[@TokeStorm420]

Your jams are always badass! Thank you for always brightening our day and giving us our synth fix with your great videos. Might I suggest the Roland Juno DS61 to be featured on the awesomeness that is your show, Bad Gear.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Great suggestion!!!

[@tbornottb303]

I love anything Roland ACB. I own the TB-03, TR-08, T-8 and J-6 and they are all at near analog strength in the mix. At one point the synth community seemed aghast to learn that ACB was actually software, but I guess Roland just owned it with the Plug-Out trademark--they know how to roll with the punches. Yesterday's "computer controlled" lead to today's plug-outs. Another great show! Thanks!

[@AudioPilz]

Big ACB fan here too

[@poofygoof]

I was skeptical when the TR-8 and ACB came out but after hearing it live, I was convinced it captured some of the magic of the originals. As an owner of the 606 and 707/727, the expansion pack for TR-8 seemed to get things right, within expected unit variation. I honestly think the Aira line will be considered its own vintage in another decade or two...

[@rorz999]

ACB is still the best sounding VA I've heard. I'm glad the synth community at large recognises its brilliance now

[@MSM5500]

Initially I used to have three pieces of JU-06 boutique then traded them in for System-8. Apart from they aren't patch compatible I wasn't able to reproduce accurately some specific Juno-106 sounds with JU-06 for some reason. But System-8's Juno-106 plug-in/out reproduces that patch just spot on. I believe it happens due to boutiques aren't the same as System 8 in terms of ACB implementation. The fact is that System-8 is the most advanced synthesizer Roland ever produced so far. It's got tree times more powerful hardware than Jupiter-X (3 BMC processors vs 1)

[@poofygoof]

@@MSM5500 I wouldn't be surprised if the boutique units are stripped-down or otherwise "optimized" even if they are based on the same core designs. The polyphony on the JP-08 is hobbled, for instance. I wonder if anyone's done a multi-way compare between the roland cloud VSTs, system-8 plug-outs, boutiques, and originals?

[@denovaire]

Surprisingly good sounding and versatile! Great episode, Flo :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@Chadderbox]

I always go to like these videos at the end but then scroll down to realise that I already have while it was playing. Great content as always :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@MCBrainpower]

Nice one as always, bro! (You are reaching a next level of meme madness & GIF swiftness 😂) I love the System-8 as its Jupiter-8 emulation is sonically definitely the closest to the sound of the OG, currently on the market (or in recent years at least) imo….However, I think the Jupiter-X is very DOPE as well….Anyway: GOOD VIBES, mayne!! Have a great weekend.

[@AudioPilz]

Have a nice one too!!!

[@kerzwhile]

Great episode!! You nailed it!! 😊

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@AN-fl1yt]

Excellent sounding synth!

[@AudioPilz]

👍

[@xard64]

Roland really knows how to do the "gamer hardware" design for synthezisers.

[@AudioPilz]

😂😂😂

[@Rompler_Rocco]

SUCH a sick sequence in that first jam! 💯💯 ...AND I FINALLY figured out how to rewind less than 10-seconds!🕺🕺

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks Rocco!!!

[@hut48]

Please share how 🤣

[@Rompler_Rocco]

@@hut48 I'm on the Android KZbin app... ok, so, when you tap the screen and the red progress bar appears, I'm holding my finger on the red dot (which indicates how far into the video you are) and sliding up. That action pulls up a "frame view" on the bottom which allows you to shuttle backwards and forwards more precisely. No more spending 40 seconds at a time trying to catch a meme! Good luck! 👍👍

[@Space_pulse]

@@Rompler_Rocco thanks for the tip. Works on my iPhone, too

[@infindebula]

Nice one. It takes me about a half hour to watch a 10-minute Bad Gear episode as I rewind and freeze-frame on the memes.

[@DJ_TideWave]

Thank God it’s Friday!! Awesome episode! Now I want a system 8! 😅

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Have a nice weekend!!!

[@leewightman8619]

Me too

[@SlaserX]

Get one, you physically can not get bored of one unless you hate the cream of the 80s Roland analog crop

[@101wut2]

OK, I was with you on all the Roland Boutique stuff, but I have to take this one personally! The System-8 is versatile, reasonably easy to use and sounds absolutely incredible, especially in the hands of someone like Gattobus (or yourself). Like all hardware it has a few limitations, but I actually love this thing overall. Personally I've gone for the Juno-X instead, but I certainly wouldn't be ashamed to have a System-8 in my rig! :)

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@errorkit]

incredible? what Synths did you play in the Past?

[@qwe1231]

Sounds great (still after six years), a bit expensive, has limitations. It has competition but it's still a powerful and useful bit of kit that works well in its ecosystem.

[@AudioPilz]

That sums it up nicely!

[@MarshalArnold]

Really like the System 8 concept. Wish they would have added some of those basic features and a few more voices. But, as mentioned, this sounds really great.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!!!

[@willdorak985]

80'S synthesizers didn't have much more than 8 voices.

[@cosmicaddress7851]

Great video again, and fantastic arrangements showing off your talent!! The System 8, despite it's flaws, is the one I would first turn on in my studio when I want to be inspired, it sounds so great and the one-knob-per-function makes it so immediate and fun. It isn't quite as organic as my JX-8P, but it still sounds/feels like a real instrument to me. I do wish though it had an extra octave of keys, and more plug in slots.

[@Wagoo]

Roland should have made a proper ACB JX-8P plugout, instead of that poxy fake template wrapping around Zen Core they made with ABM for JX-08 etc.

[@cosmicaddress7851]

@@Wagoo I agree! if only we could load the PG-8X as a plugout :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! That sums it up nicely

[@mrz80]

@@cosmicaddress7851 PG-8X kinda healed a gaping hole in my brain. I let the 90s slide by without jumping on a JX-8P when people were selling 'em cheap, and always regretted it. I'm eagerly anticipating Martin's upcoming rewrite, which should squish some anomalies I've noticed using the plugin on my linux box.

[@C01dEyes]

As an owner of a System 8 I knew this day would come. Time to watch someone call my baby ugly 😅

[@AudioPilz]

I'd never!!!

[@C01dEyes]

@@AudioPilz I've had mine now for about 3 years and even though it has limitations there's so much I've been able to do with the production wise. Being able to simulate classic Roland synthesizers have saved me a bundle of money and time trying to track down old hardware that might need to be fixed up.

[@sschueller]

Awesome jam, I don't know how you do it but you pull amazing things out of theses devices.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@CockatooDude]

That is the strange duality of the new Roland stuff, everyone says that it shouldn't be good due to this and that and plastic and whatnot, but then when you actually play around with it, the interface is intuitive and the sound is fantastic. I do with the System-8 had aftertouch though, that would've made it quite a good main polysynth I think.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, it's still a Roland

[@totomhavehat]

This will be considered a vintage classic in 10 years

[@AudioPilz]

That's probably right!

[@chriswindle3392]

I love my synths and I know for sure my system8 is probably the best synth I've used ❤️

[@alex_darsen]

Oh man! You finally got one of my pieces of gear! I was able to land a used System 8 in excellent condition for a great price, and I bought it primarily for the plug outs. I figured that’s the closest I’d be able to get to a Jupiter 8. It has a 106 and a JX3P on board too, and I was happy. What made me happier was several months after my acquisition, Roland released a Juno 60 plug out. I couldn’t download it faster! Replaced the 106 and now finally have that J60 sound back in my rig. I sold my J60 decades ago and regretted it since about 3 weeks later. So the ACB version is a good substitute. I actually don’t like the Aira sound engine, but after watching this, I might get into it more. Thanks!

[@AudioPilz]

Big ACB fan here!!!

[@mrz80]

Everyone who sold a Juno back when analogs were getting dumped deeply regrets it, as do all of us who didn't take advantage and *buy* one when they were pennies on the dollar :D

[@64north20west]

I don't know how you keep making great music on bad gear with new hilarious video backgrounds every week. Amazing. And yes, this Roland would be bad gear even if it didn't have the green lights. But the sub oscillator is very good!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! I try not to mess around too much;)

[@jordimoraguesmassanet1179]

Man, your jams are amazing.

[@dankeplace]

His mother's honey is even better. Oh no I di ant!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@dankeplace]

@@AudioPilz cmon, I was pretty funny too, jams and honey!!! MEME ME!!!! lol

[@godzil42]

The System-8 was my first "real" synth, and I never regretted buying it. If people can only look at the material and "green LED" and judge it only on that, well. It is not cheap, but there is actually quite a lot of tech inside, ACB is not something really efficient en term of computational power, just have a look at the ACB VSTs how much CPU they use..

[@AudioPilz]

Interesting! Never tried them in VST form. Thanks for posting!

[@Wagoo]

@@AudioPilz they are the "legends" series or whatever in Roland Clod

[@ntrnlgrv]

This is my first hardware synthesizer also. I sometimes have questioned if the price was worth it, but with all its possibilities even though some limitations, I don’t regret it.

[@eddievanheinous666]

Everyone focuses so much on the plugouts that I didn't even know about the VA on there. It's not bad!

[@AudioPilz]

Really enjoyed it quite a bit too!!!

[@pujo5137]

Yet again absolutely killed it in the end.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@tedandersen5403]

love your chanel! great humor and lots of information

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@brucebennett5338]

personally, i love my system-8!

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@EmilioNorrmann]

this inspired me to try to fix my system-1's keybed ... again

[@AudioPilz]

System-1 is actually really nice (except for the keybed;)

[@Wagoo]

yeah thankfully the keybed on the Sys-8 may be crap, but at least it doesn't break. Sys-1m fixes that.. then you need to get scatter back with the Roland AIRA Scooper eurorack module

[@VTOLKits]

Wieder tolles Video, du hast mir den System-8 jetzt doch fast verkauft.... Zum Glück bin ich in den Ferien.👍👍

[@AudioPilz]

Danke!!! Gerade noch einmal davon gekommen;)

[@nocontextmemes2617]

How could anyone hate on the design, the green lights looks sick, especially in a room with some LEDs, can't wait to get mine.

[@antoniocalimero1173]

Its one the best synth on the market 😊

[@AudioPilz]

There's some tough competition tho;)

[@NobiSAINT]

@@AudioPilzlike Which one would you pick over this?

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

​​@@NobiSAINT Novation Summit for 1 example. REV 2 for another. I could go on...

[@willdorak985]

The only thing I hate about the SYSTEM 8 is the plastic body. But other than that, it's one of the best synthesizer I have ever own.

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@mattpierce1011]

Holy the editing on this one was next level 🎉

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!

[@FormulaXFD]

YESSS. The trifecta is complete, all of my roland toys have been given their time.

[@AudioPilz]

Bad Gear Bingo!!!

[@shaunmadison99]

Another very well done episode! I heard the Juno 60 is cool

[@voodoohex72]

yes it sounds great just like the rest of the plugouts for this thing. ACB rocks imo. Sold my juno 106 when I got my system 8 and never looked back.

[@shaunmadison99]

@@voodoohex72 oh really?!?!??! Nice!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@SonicVibe]

just got the roland SH-4d would love to see it on the show and hear your thoughts, great ep as always !

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! Great suggestion!!!

[@h7rh]

Great vidz.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@mudi2000a]

Great video. I still think this is the best VA synth Roland manufactured until today!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! I like the System engine quite a bit!

[@slipknotboy555]

It does sound good! I have a JP-8000, and honestly, the System 8 seems to kinda blow it outta the water. The JP-8k has achieved sort of legendary status - but it's pretty thin sounding. And this has significantly more features.

[@SlaserX]

​@@slipknotboy555 thank you for that. I have a System 8 and love it, and a Virus, but as a VA-Head, I've always wanted a JP-80x0, it calls to me, and I have to remember that I just don't need it.

[@ericpeters0n]

Not as versatile, but the tiny S1 sounds smokin' to me as well!

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

The plug out idea was awesome. Wish more companies did such a thing but it’s not the best move if you are a synth company trying to squeeze as much money out of people as possible.

[@AudioPilz]

Didn't Arturia do something like that?

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

@@AudioPilz I don’t know. Did they?

[@Wagoo]

@@AudioPilz I think you are talking about the Arturia Origin? It loads in components of an ancient version of V Collection. It sounds like it'd be crap but actually it's an amazing sounding synth.. you can also build your own synth architectures in there by combining and routing components from one synth to components from another. There are also "templates" which are less heavy to run than the modular system, so you get more polyphony. They only did Minimoog and Jupiter-8 templates for it though. A CS-80 template was promised, but never came. You can just build your own with the modular system still.. but you get less polyphony that way

[@Jacob-ur3lh]

System 8 is what happens when you take the green pill in the Matrix. The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" is about this synth. 🤣. Love your channel!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! Lol

[@thomaskolb8785]

One of my synths that I will never sell. It's just absolutely perfect.

[@el.martinete]

Another great video with banger jams! Would love to see you try some no input mixing

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Great suggestion!!!

[@MatthewTomich]

Considering the System 8 is primarily a flexible container for vintage synths, if they had made the look of the board more of a vintage styling, they probably would have sold five times as many units.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!!!

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

You nailed the drawbacks. But even with all of them, it’s obvious you found out what makes the System 8 so good: how musical it is. It’s just really easy to jump in and start making stuff with it. As many downsides as it has, it’s still a go-to synth for me.

[@JustinEdwords]

also, its built in synth engine is nothing to sniff at. my other favorite is the JX-3P - now with the 1000 dollar knob bank

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!!

[@edwingamesandmusic]

Great episode! Looking forward to an episode on the V-Synth! It's not bad gear, but I don't think that should stop you 😆

[@AudioPilz]

Great suggestion, thank you!!!

[@st0rmchild]

I have plenty of wish list improvements for the version 2 they’ll never make, but even with its flaws, the System-8 is awesome.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, V2 would be great!

[@daveakabluewater]

A great sounding synth … ripping tones at once dignified and refined, sprinkled with mayhem

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@jugglerj0e]

The final jam & animation were Great!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@fredericfarr9663]

Having seen the Roland Gaia on your show (which I own and enjoy), I am now tempted to get the system 8 😅

[@starsunderer]

Im leaning towards a deepmind 12. Apparently a Roland sound while retaining analog for 1/2 the price ish. And queakable in differnt ways. I like how S8 has an array of knobs, and it has all botiques in one box, great for at home, not so much while on the go. But if you get one, it will likely retain its value for resale, so thats a plus and really no risk to try it out. ♦️🔺️❤️🔺️♦️

[@Wagoo]

Deepmind 12 uses the Juno 106 voice architecture, however without the same chorus circuit. Its real strength is all the built in effects.. and an 8 slot mod matrix where you can modulate the parameters of those effects. Something the Moog One still can't do. The System-8 sounds great, though. Nails the Juno and Jupiter sound way more accurately than the later Jupiter-X/Juno-X releases.. which come in nicer cases but don't have much brains

[@AudioPilz]

Deepmind is super tempting!

[@ironinquisitor3656]

The pro version of the Roland Boutiques. The System 8 sounds great but I wish it had 61 keys. Was hoping this would appear one day on this channel for ticking all the boxes at first glance.

[@AudioPilz]

It definitely does!

[@ironinquisitor3656]

@@AudioPilz I sure hope Roland also makes a Jupiter-4 Boutique for a future review on your channel considering they released the ACB emulation for Cloud and the System-8 last year.

[@Wagoo]

@@ironinquisitor3656 yeah seems logical to do an ACB Jupiter-4 boutique.. I'm hoping for a Jupiter-6 ACB plugout this year 🤞

[@SlaserX]

As much as I'd love to see some more practical ACB plug outs like a D-50, I'd think it would be fun to get something like a RS-202, for the sheer fact it's old and rare. That's one of the charms of ACB, I can now say I've heard weird synths like the ProMars, which I've never heard of before getting a System 8

[@Wagoo]

@@SlaserX well D-50 is digital so doesn't work with ACB.. ACB simulates analogue circuits. D-50 also already exists in "DCB" form as the D-05 boutique (and probably a Roland Clod plugin).. DCB is more like an emulator that runs the code from the original synth RS-505 would be even better.. but I think they have problems with "divide down" circuits and ACB. At least they did when they last tried to do it with the VP-03 boutique, which is supposed to be a simulation of the VP-330. But it sounds vastly worse on strings/choirs than the original (or the Behringer analogue clone, VC340).. with the vocoder they kind of get away with it.. that sounds okay. But very noticeable on the strings/choirs

[@anthonyrothercom]

the HULK of Synths for 3L3K7RO fanbois / great episode - loved it

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you, Anthony!!!

[@patrickbateman7444]

I had Werner Herzogs voice in my head reading this and it was too funny. Well done!

[@AudioPilz]

Same here;) Thanks!

[@Novaheart1998]

I have a system 8 and its lovely , I also have a JDXA and it is also lovely. I paid considerably less for them than probably anyone ever but that’s just my luck. 🎉 the System 8 emulates older Roland analogs extremely well. I have many old Roland analogs to compare them. I bring up the JDXA because it came out several years before the AIRA line and it often gets a bad rap but Im telling you its a damn cool synth. Both are damn cool. I use then constantly they don’t let me down on projects, they sound and look retro futuristic.

[@AudioPilz]

Love the Supernatural engine of the JD-XA(Xi)

[@Novaheart1998]

@@AudioPilz yes the filter on the system 8 is Roland’s best analog emulated filter, I think its the same as the one on the slightly older Fantom 06/07/08 line. Those used the super natural engine also. That super natural synth engine was Rolands best until Zen core. The XA also used the super natural engine or some version of it but it actually has an analog filter hence it beats all the emulations anyways.

[@sammadden5540]

I'm fairly convinced if this looked like a juno it would of sold way better 😅

[@Wagoo]

Not having the 106 & 60 ACB plugouts in the Juno-X chassis is a crime against humanity. But they wanted to cheap out and only use 1x BMC chip in that, so put in poxy Zen Core and ABM parameter templates Juno-X should have.. could have been.. the 60/106 ACB engines paired with analogue filters. Would have sold like hot cakes

[@AudioPilz]

True that!!!

[@YourMom-zt5zj]

I have the System 8 plugin (and several more), and I have to agree: the native engine is massively underrated. It's a really, really fantastic-sounding modern synth that can easily pull off various vintage Roland sounds pretty much perfectly. Just a huge, rich sound. The synth is almost all sweet spot. I really love it. I had to pause the video on the "hate" section and laughed aloud at the "Blofeld sounds better" bit: I had a Blofeld for years and it's just not even in the same league as this in any respect. Sure it has wavetables and everything, but the filters aren't even in the same category. I sold the Blofeld eventually: just found it uninspiring and had very little sweet spot compared to something like this.

[@Pheonix0114]

I've never been more sad when one of your jams faded out as the closer this time, it sounds incredible.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@par5ek]

Roland for the win I have to admit I played with a system 8 and I like it 😱 Green disco lights are a bit too much And when it goes into demo mode it is embarrassing Genius as always Cheers

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! The goblin of synths

[@BassFunMusic]

sounds ♥☺fire BRO

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@pcuimac]

How dare you? HOW DARE YOU? I got one for 900€ and it's my favorite synth. I love the green LEDs. Wall warts have multiple positive features, like not heating up the inside of the synth and being cheaply replacable without sending the synth to Roland. The only bad feature is the limited amount of 64 patches per engine, which makes 256 patches total. It also has the Juno 106 Chorus without the noise, if you prefer that like I do. You also have to add the brushed aluminum cheeks to make it go VROOOOOOOM.

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@ronanbax6102]

I knew this day would come!

[@AudioPilz]

Inevitable!

[@Berus7777]

HEY MAN... Watch what you say about my hideous System 8! Aside from the sheer millennial hideousity (yes, it's now a word) of it, and those FAAAAAHKING green lights, it's great fun. Stick the System 100 Plug-Out on there from Roland Cloud, and you'll be up until 2:00 a.m. playing on it.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice new word I've learned today! Thanks!!!

[@NikoNoxious]

ACB just seems to hit the spot so much nicer than Zencore. I think it's a shame that Roland is incapable of reading the room and just keeps making mistakes. I still have my TR8 in main dawless setup and 404mkII + se02 in a mobile rig- Roland are capable of good designs, I just wish they would hit the market with a flagship that didn't embarrass themselves.

[@AudioPilz]

I assume it makes sense in the balance sheet;)

[@DurararaX2]

Your timing is impeccable. Just this week I was offered one of these in trade for a vintage Korg I'm selling. Like offering a Kia for a used Porsche lol. Thanks for posting this!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! There are some Kias I would definitely prefer to some Porsches;)

[@medialex78]

System aid for Roland System-8 - another great show here!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@alexwestconsulting]

Oh man I love the System 8. The new "circuit mod" they added to the plugouts controlled on the color knob is so good, was hoping you would highlight it (yours isn't lit). If the system 1m had more voices and could house the 106/60 plugouts (and had more slots) I'd 100% recommend that to everyone and call it a day, but unfortunately you need this beast for that and so I can totally see people not wanting to pony up, ridiculing it even as it's not exactly inexpensive while having poor construction and ugly besides. And people just HATE paying for VST in a box when its something that you can get way cheaper in DAW that sounds the same. But this is DAWless, and in that space that Aira line is totally viable. I just got the MPC line Jura (106) expansion and the Aira acb plugout just absolutely destroys it. Those quality acb models just really cut through a mix. But now that 106 is on mpc, we are going to be hearing those crappy sounds in recordings all over the place now. Im not saying that the Aira line is THE best sounding, and value for money isn't exactly high, but they do sound really good and nail those sounds that they nail. Would I say to most people to get a System 8 instead of something like a Peak? Probably not. But there's a good percentage of people that would really be able to use it for so many classic sounds, classic sounds available in a flexible dawless unit.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for the heads up - didn't know that!

[@dankeplace]

Oh it's you again, you seem to fail to answer my question every time I ask, always responding with, oh I answered you last time, did you not read? So if you can answer here and now, how is it that you have 1K subs, 1 vid, and only 126 views of your channel?

[@MT-mt8bd]

@@AudioPilz sounds even better! big sound!

[@h4ndrix]

That final track HITS 🔥 guess im a Roland fanboy lol.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@jibjamjangles]

great song at the end, i would like to hear the whole thing

[@AudioPilz]

Shameless plug: full tracks, extended jams and sample sets can be found on Patreon;)

[@RottenRotny]

I've been using these live since '17 or '18. Works well for what I need. Also, I love the green disco lights!

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@elitemantis]

Finally, your review that doesn't make me buy a new Roland Aira Gear. Yeah, ok, that's only because I already have System-8. Honestly though, it's so much fun to play, all those knobs and sliders to twiddle with are really fun! I only wish it had the System-1 scatter knob. Then again, that's what I can use MX-1 for :D Now I'm only waiting for MC-707 review to drop and push me into buying it and the cycle will be complete.

[@JustinEdwords]

i LOVE the scatter on the MC-707

[@AudioPilz]

Not a big fan of the System-1 Scatter (or any scatter;) tbh

[@tomadeney8860]

​@@AudioPilzFunny 'cause actually that's one of the (many) reasons I love the System 1 😊