Roland SH-4d Mega Tutorial

Out Roland's instruments, their new SH-4d is probably the one that appeals the most to me.
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Chapters:
00:01:12 Hardware Overview
00:02:13 Factory Patterns
00:03:28 Cuckoo Patterns
00:05:54 Panel Overview
00:06:26 Selecting Banks and Patterns
00:07:11 5 Parts (Tracks)
00:07:52 The Filter
00:09:55 Oscillators, Model, Sound Engine
00:12:13 That Extra HP Filter
00:12:35 Saving Tones (IMPORTANT)
00:14:36 First Notes In The Sequencer
00:14:53 The Effects
00:17:26 The Reverb
00:18:49 Saving Overwriting a Tone
00:19:42 The Models Overview
00:20:12 Model: SH-3D
00:21:03 Model: SYNC
00:22:03 Model: SH-101
00:24:01 Model: JUNO-106
00:26:00 Model: CROSS FM
00:27:49 Model: RING
00:30:28 Model: WAVETABLE
00:32:40 Model: CHORD
00:33:29 Model: DRAWING
00:36:25 Model: PCM
00:38:25 Browsing Presets by Model
00:41:54 Initialising a Part/ Tone/ Sound
00:42:10 How To Load a Tone or Preset
00:42:26 A word on Polyphony
00:42:35 A word on Producer Mentality
00:43:12 The Tone EQ! (Mentioning it again)
00:45:07 Monophonic vs Polyphony
00:45:49 Live Record a Bass + Adjust
00:46:26 Long Notes = Tied Notes
00:47:29 Quick Save Overwrite
00:50:11 Oscillator Settings
00:51:01 Tone EQ AGAAIN!
00:51:38 Creating a NES Like Lead Sound
00:52:48 Increasing Pattern Length
00:53:28 Live Recording a Melody
00:54:10 Editing a Live Recording
00:55:00 Making a Rhythm Kit: KICK DRUM
00:58:19 Making a Rhythm Kit: SNARE DRUM
00:59:26 Live Recording a Drum Track
00:59:49 Trig Probability
01:00:24 Make Rhythm Kit: RIDE
01:01:00 Make Rhythm Kit: CLAP
01:02:17 Arpeggio, Hold, D-Motion etc…

[@7177YT]

Yah, I watch those deep dives regardless of my interested in the product just so see the man do his thing.

[@truecuckoo]

❤️

[@trevormalcolm4328]

I’ve been watching SH 4d videos all day, and got more information from 10 minutes of your video than all the others put together!

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you so much Trevor 🙏🏼

[@KeirMurphy]

Love hearing something completely different done with the synth. Kudos to you, and also to Roland for having the vision to allow you to demo it ahead of release and show its potential.

[@Toughinger]

Hey mr.C. Cool tutorial, cool music…I have ordered my SH4D just yesterday, doesn’t arrived jet…. I’ve got a question about the save options, what is the difference between „Tone Pattern“ and just „ Pattern“ .. not really clear! Answer would be verry cool 😛 thanks and subbed

[@jimmywheelo]

lots of reviews but no one shows how to actually use this for workflow like Cuckoo does. Thanks Mr C

[@eduardoduraes5406]

Exactly, for the first time I liked a tutorial about SH-4, he is so low profile less ego and more creativity then others tutorials, first time I watch him and became fan.

[@charleswilliamson85]

This is the best tutorial I’ve watched on this instrument. It untangles the maze of save options and goes over some editing functions I was unaware of. Thanks for this!

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful mate 🙏🏼

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

I've had my SH4d for around 3 months now and have only recently started to dig in deeper and mess about. I took everything else off my desk and just planted the 4d on my desk to concentrate on just learning its every parameter, this tutorial has been helpful thanks.

[@truecuckoo]

Super happy to hear that! I'm a big fan of knowing the gear you have really well! This is a great machine.

[@LukezyM]

Does it really not have unquantised recording?

[@domdib55]

It's unlikely I'll ever own this machine, but your style of reviewing (and voice) are so pleasant that I watch anyway👍🙂

[@joshdyeify]

I appreciate that you show how it can sound instead of just how to navigate menus.

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼

[@tylergardner9918]

I was 24 minutes in before I realized that was a mirror and not a face cam overlay. Awesome

[@truecuckoo]

Keeping it real 😅 Thanks!

[@robman80808]

Love the depth of the drums section - so glad they didn't just go with PCM kits. Thanks for another incredible video.

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks Rob! Yeah the drum kit is very nice.

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

@@truecuckoo this video sold me. I won't incorporate it into my Elektron rack, but it will be a fun stand alone box. Tomorrow mine arrives.

[@sunnyschramm9650]

the best feature is: NO GREEN ANYMORE on the panel/case! 🥳

[@freak0n182]

I know eventually we’ll all look back on the green era nostalgically and come to appreciate aspects of it but thank GOD that’s over.

[@truecuckoo]

🖤

[@richardjones2189]

@@ewg1 😂😂😂. Because making music is all about asthetics, right?

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

Green Gang STAND UP

[@vertigev]

I actually like the green on their products 🤷‍♂️

[@geistersound937]

Great and clear as always! - I have to say I wasn't initially tempted by this, but I think you have won me round again! Keep these vids coming , man- always so calming and peaceful, I love this channel.

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@tonybucks5709]

I have just listened to Carl Craig playing with this synth and it was amazing.

[@wudimusic]

i was thinking it sounds very artificial and plasticky

[@duelinmarkers1]

After not looking at Music KZbin for weeks, it's great to come back and find a fresh Cuckoo Mega Tutorial!

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

Great great overview, Thanks❤ Just bought this fabulous and powerful little gem. Went thru the whole 200 page owner's manual yesterday (well, there are over 50 pages or so with effect parameters, huge by the way..) I must say, you've managed to squeeze it in a hour tutorial! Amazing work man😊

[@briannhinton]

I can tell you like it by the glean in your eyes and the slight smile you have as you are exploring sound creation. I hope to hear some more tunes from you on this instrument!

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks! Yeah I feel like finally Roland comes around with something that really appeals to me.

[@AbyssalReverberations]

Thanks so much making this video! I ordered my 4D yesterday after hearing some sound demos. Your demo shows exactly what I needed to be confident in the purchase. I will be rewatching this a few time when my unit arrives this week lol

[@scott21113]

Cuckoo - Thanks for making this video - it's a tremendous help to unlock the features of this little production synth. I rather prefer something that doesn't do everything at once and the limitations spark creativity - but with a minimum of menu diving. I got started on my music journey with an MC-505 and the same immediacy of purpose for a knob turn, tweaking a slider, or tapping in a pattern with the SH-4d enhances my productivity and creativity immensely.

[@JamesBermingham]

Truly amazing run through of this synth. My heads been turned. You should make an album of some of your patterns. 👏👏👏👏

[@jaydeepalmer]

Amazing how you make just about any piece of gear have the cuckoo sound ❤️

[@WillisZzz]

EQ per part on a desktop synth/groovebox, automation, dedicated audio outs per part over usb… def impressed with Roland this time👏

[@WillisZzz]

So does the sequencer always quantize sloppy notes or is there a way to turn that off?

[@Berus7777]

SUGGESTION: These tutorials are an amazing and meaningful asset to the synth community. One thing I'd love to see you include is an extra 5 minutes on how to connect/use the instrument with Ableton. I realize that there are other DAWs, but so many of us in the electronic music community (Elektron users, Teenage Engineering users, etc) use Ableton because it lends itself so well to performative aspects of this genre of synth. Showing us how to get something like this working with Ableton would be a fantastic way to make these tutorials even more valuable and complete with regard to how much they already benefit the community. Thanks again for all the tutorials!!

[@TheRealBruceLee]

have you found any info of how to get it to work with ableton?

[@viviansutherland2169]

This is gonna be massive. I can't wait to get my hands on one. Been waiting for this box my entire music life.

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

Well what happened?

[@jasonbarton9352]

Great tutorial- Love your work and you nailed with the term "Roland Vibe". Love it!

[@jszack]

With all of these little round buttons and sequencing and knob spinning, I'm transported back to your original Analog Four demos that introduced me to you in the first place. I think you may have convinced me to check this out.

[@npartridge12]

Hi Cuckoo I just wanted to say a big thanks for your excellent overview of this brilliant machine. Mine arrived today and I absolutely love it, brilliant sounds, very easy to use and the sound sculpting tools on this thing are amazing. I spent most of the day so far just playing with the SH4d engine alone, so can see how you got so involved in that engine here. I do have an MC101 but find all the menu diving and combinations of button presses a little too much for me, although the Zen Core engine is very deep and sounds are great. But I just found the SH4d so much more immediate and was creating little grooves within a very short space of time. Your tutorial here was so useful in showing what this thing can do, thank you for your excellent work here sir.

[@thedeepblueskys]

This 4D is not for everyone, but I noticed the majority of commenters are loving the video demos on it. I placed a preorder right away. I have lots of gear and don’t need anything else, but this one seems really fun to shape and mold sounds. I’m stoked to get it and explore. It seems really inspiring. I think if anything it’s a win for Roland.

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

Good decision. It's just great

[@fittonbikes]

Very retro gamer style. I appreciate that has always been at the molten core of Cuckoo style. However, its great that its allowed you that immediate access to an retro game vibe.

[@MaxSonicUA]

Your demo tracks are pure gold. Love it❤

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you so much 🙏🏼

[@BobNoble]

Still waiting for you to do a full set on this awesome machine!

[@Sequence303]

Thats for his video it's very informative 😊 excited to have a go myself

[@davidblesse2820]

Thanks so much for the help here cuckoo. Lots to unpack in this beast.

[@enriquegalan78]

Hi Cuckoo, I just got the RLDN SH4D and after your video I have a good base to manage it! thanks!

[@truecuckoo]

❤️

[@hexfxtriks]

Like your other new synth reviews. You go into such a fun, creative mode. Many others are dry and 'open boxy'. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@eduardoduraes5406]

Cuckoo, first time I watch your channel and I really liked it, very objective and creative to explain.

[@digitaldobbie]

I just love the sound of buttons that click. Roland have made a few Grooveboxes of recent with rubber buttons, I prefer the nice solid ones that feel like you are actually making contact with them

[@sinewaymusic]

I'm torn about that one. While I agree with you on the feel of it, I prefer the silence of the rubbery buttons for when jamming next to my wife. 😊

[@kgbinfo]

I love those super thin pulse waves. Sounds like a clavinet.

[@sinewaymusic]

I really enjoyed this tutorial. You show so much of yourself through your patterns, while also demonstrating the diversity of this synth. It's always a joy to watch you go through instruments. I'd love to see a more in-depth walk-through and commentary of the sequencer capabilities and shortcomings, and particularly your take on using this as a standalone groovebox similarly to the Syntakt. I can already tell that there are some obvious gotchas, such as the way parts are saved separately from patterns, but what about things like microtiming, p-lock capabilities/limitations, manual triggering of different patterns throughout a longer song, etc? And how does it work to actually perform on it while a pattern is playing? With those non-endless knobs, how will it handle switching between controlling different parts in a live jam situation? And, let's say you have a few patterns all using the same part preset, what happens when you tweak that part live and change to the next pattern, will it reset the state of that sound to the saved part tone, or will it keep going with your live modifications? And the biggest question of them all: how fun is it to use? (Conversely, how frustrating is it as a standalone groovebox?) Many thanks in advance! -David

[@mastaboog749]

Finally picked up one of these. I got the s 1 tweak synth months ago and wished i had just went with this. My music making varies so hard, i do hip hop beats for my friends a lot with my MPCs and have been wanting to incorporate more synths on top of my MPC. Tho i also snagged the verselab mv 1 real cheap as well, so im on a roland kick this year. The verselab i want to use as a sketch pad for ideas or maybr even along side my MPC and synths, i like that it has easy vocal recording. I need to figure out midi sequencing with it as well, along with sh4d. Having multiple sound engines over multiple midi tracks i feel like with the mpc sequencer i can go crazy. So mpc live 2, verselab, sh4d, and sp 404 mk2 will be my livesrt up(i want to really learn 404 better as well, more than effects!) Your videos really help me learn thank you!

[@CREATIVESOUNDde]

veeery charming, animating and informative Tutorial - cool ! THANKS

[@Asmrpresenter]

After just trying to read the Roland manual may I congratulate you on making such a brilliant video manual, I love how this synth sounds but boy Roland should pay you to write the manual 🙏😎

[@mhenke10]

Dude! Cuckoo bank patches 6-8 are amazing. 6 is old school final fantasy vibes for sure. I’m playing Metroid prime right now and I can definitely hear it. Great stuff, keep it up!

[@truecuckoo]

❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼

[@davidrupture8892]

Thanks Cukkoo I really learnt a lot about using mine watching this video. Peace!!!

[@truecuckoo]

So happy to hear that David! There's more depth to it than what I managed to cover. But once you have the initial overview, it becomes easier to explore on your own.

[@sillyworm]

Thank you TC Always a pleasure!

[@truecuckoo]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@MikeGomeztheDMG]

Your tutorials are the BEST! I just discovered this synth and I was immediately intrigued. After watching this it went straight to the top of my list. I really like the workflow, there seems to be a little crossover from the OP-Z that I think could help me get up to speed quickly. And the price point?! I think it’s a great value. Bravo Cuckoo & Roland 🙌🎛

[@AviPFine]

I've hesitated to consider this synth but I didn't realize all the neat things it can do. It's pretty nice! Cool demo

[@formulator404]

Super video Cuckoo ❤️ my SH-4d arrived yesterday 😎

[@eliaswarg6818]

This is a deep machine! We are gonna need more tutorials!! :)

[@filipzo]

Mandatory like at 6:20! Nice synth btw! Have a nice day everyone

[@RandomRotation]

Another great Mega Tutorial by the one and only :)

[@truecuckoo]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@VoltTone]

Ordered one on the morning it was released.. cant wait to try it out. Most exciting Roland gear in ... forever?

[@JoeNebula]

Well informed tutorial here on the sound design. Thanks very much

[@-The-Darkside]

Early on in the video I wasn't sure but it soon stood out. I think I might wait to see if I can get one on the 2nd market in a while.

[@Trovarsi]

Excellent walkthrough as usual! 🙏🏾

[@truecuckoo]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@SuperBumps]

Got this box. And it is twisting my box. The curve is steep for my simple noggin.

[@krazywabbit]

Knowledge was dropped in this video to help you make music beyond the gear demo. Sad that some enter the chat to voice their dislike over gear or who’s doing it. Clearly mom and dad didn’t teach about the option to turn the channel. Two thumbs up sir. Stay safe.

[@Doc_Underkraut]

Thanks for your Tutorial! 👍

[@jcostello7447]

You are the best Cuckoo, thanks for the in depth video!..

[@TJ-rf1xl]

Thought you'd like this unit, seems like it's the most Elektron-style synth Roland has made. The functionality is very intuitive, perhaps even more so than an Elektron box. I figured the vast majority of things out just by playing around with it for a few days after I got it...although I still very much enjoyed this tutorial! :D

[@ajipo]

Wow! This synthesizer matches so well with the cuckoo style.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Finally they’ve put controls for synthesis on the panel. Mc707/101 was awful usability-wise; sold my 707 because it just wasn’t fun.

[@truecuckoo]

Yeah I feel like they did a complete reboot in their UI department. This is great.

[@ParkinsonsResourceOrg]

"Please come to the principal's office" made me laugh loudly. Wonderful.

[@thomasackerman3995]

I really like your tutorial. we can here you and you explained the machine in bite size bits. I hope roland pays you.

[@polarxta2833]

Great video - love your compositions - I think they are going to run out of these in stores this coming weekend :)

[@alexandrosroussos]

Nice tutorial thanks ! Would be perfect if you provide chapters on the timeline as I'll certainly rewatch some of it when I'm looking for a specific feature.

[@spoony303]

That "smooth" preset track at 3:00 is has a distinct TYCHO vibe.

[@jimvien4623]

Very very good tutorial. The best teacher. Could you make part 2 on Roland SH4D. Most people waiting from you. I never know. But I already order to play it

[@bertokleine280]

Clear and nice…… Or Bob Ross of the synth….🥳✌🏼

[@adamkrueger4463]

Inspiring G! Well done!

[@seanjones-diosdetechno6927]

Hey, thanks a lot for sharing. I got this instrument, love it, but i could see i would need to read the manual or watch some tutorials and this video really helped a lot, the machine has way more features, especially for sound design that i could have imagined. Very cool. Also we were just debating you were from. I placed my bet on German but living in London. Glad to hear Norway, that's a visit I def have pending! Thx again!

[@simonc8265]

I feel myself weakening ..... arrgh damn you for discovering my intense dislike of menu diving.....i have no defense. Thankyou for putting up. as ever your enthusiasm is truly infectious.

[@truecuckoo]

😅❤️

[@jeffryarchambeau5441]

After seeing a few other videos I decided I didn't need this. Then I made the mistake of watching your video. Major GAS

[@arnulfschnitzler4695]

Hello Cuckoo, thank you, you made me drink tea.

[@mattkaz9604]

Save should save the synth settings with the pattern. I remember spending a year with my machinedrum wondering why my tracks always sounded worse than i remembered then realising I'd been altering kits that belonged to patterns and messing things up. Otherwise, this thing is pretty cool.

[@truecuckoo]

Yeah agreed. This was my first feedback to the team when testing it for the first time. Let’s hope there’s enough memory on board to accomplish this in a firmware update.

[@vertigev]

+1

[@monovibe5924]

@@truecuckoo Mine recently arrived and I have just found this annoyance out. After figuring how to make and save a pattern, my initial creation became 'something else' the next time I fired up the unit. I need to look into that side of things or re-visit your video as I must have missed this if you mentioned it

[@bleepfakes]

@@truecuckoo hmm this puts me off getting it, have they fixed this? it must be tricky to do for them otherwise it would be in there. deal breaker for me

[@sentokan]

Great as usual! Question is: there are any individual effects on each drum instrument? Thanks!

[@lucianangstrohme4252]

😆 the 'dun dun dun dun please come to the principles office' made me lol 🥰

[@truecuckoo]

❤️😅

[@SonicVibe]

You killed the beat 🔥

[@sdsmack1]

Great tutorial, man, sorted out a few niggles I had, THANKS BUDDY!

[@blast0r]

I just got this lovely machine and I found that switching between presets to assign them has many of them super quiet at default. I might be missing something, but I definitely will keep trying.

[@truecuckoo]

Yeah getting uniform volume between patches is pretty important.

[@elsantoproductora]

This device is awesome. I hope they reconsider the preset management or at least add the option to save presets inside the patterns like on the mc101.

[@truecuckoo]

For sure it’d make things so much easier. If they have memory to spare, I hope they consider it.

[@sinewaymusic]

Yeah, that part threw me off quite a bit. I guess you'll have to get used to dumping entire device backups to your computer to ensure that you can clear patterns and tones up for future projects.

[@socialcameleon6956]

I would buy this immediately if it had a real keybed, I'm so on the fence about the buttons. And I'd rather not add an additional midi keyboard, the compact size is part of the appeal. Like I need to be able to play some funky licks not only program sequences or hold a chord. But I enjoy the sound of the machine a lot. Great demo of course!

[@JohnMark61355]

Thank you.

[@BoringStranger]

Dude. That pattern 7 and 8 from the Cuckoo bank. I can party to that 5:02 🎉🎉 💃🏽🕺🏽

[@BoringStranger]

Pattern 6 has that Mega Drive fast game feel ❤

[@truecuckoo]

Let’s bring the party on ❤️‍🔥

[@bahgo]

Cuckoo likes his "Whew" sounds.

[@deedd4401]

makes more sense to power it thrugh power bank over usb, rather than dead type of batteries... not sure about noise issues though

[@touchcircle22]

another outstanding video sir.......ha ha "the big boys"...luv it : }

[@brianwilliams4686]

Was super excited about this, pre-ordered on day one, but the more I think about the awkward saving setup, and now realizing that you can't even chain patterns together, I'm realizing it's kind of a stretch to call this a groovebox, much more of a synth with a drum track than groovebox. Hoping future firmware improves it.

[@truecuckoo]

You’ll get the hang of saving. But I think you need to adopt the idea of the computer as a place to backup a whole “project”, then wipe all the patterns and create a new sesh. The lack of chaining and song mode might put some people off, but for me it’s actually not a big deal since I enjoy doing this in real-time anyway. But let’s send the clear message to Roland so that they see the need. They are known to make big firmware updates down the line with many of their long lived platforms. It kinda comes down to how much memory they have on the device. I suspect this one is pretty limited in terms of storage capacity.

[@comfortblanket]

Damn shame it doesn’t have song mode..😢

[@PaulHubiss]

Awesome tutorial, thanks a lot! ;)

[@snorrevonflake]

Wonder if this will ever be available, Thomann has it in the store as "available in many months" since the first reviews on youtube.

[@JudgeFredd]

Great video

[@felipefs106]

Really liking this one. Would be nice if Roland implemented Projects (like in the mc's) or at least a Snapshot mode to avoid loosing a session , like saving in Temp area like Elektron machines

[@horaziohorazio]

we all love the cuckoo

[@Ca11mero]

At 28:58 it sounded pretty much like "Due to You" with Linear Movement =) Cool synth! It's not as expensive as Teenage Engineering but seems to have quite a lot of potential in comparison.

[@richardsmith1290]

Thanks!

[@jesusrocks7500]

Got mine two days ago. Have barely scratched the surface of what it can do. I doubt I'll be buying any more synths EVER. (P.S. Cool frames, Bud!)

[@lX-NDR]

This synth needs granular!

[@buhlerjohannes9942]

The best 👍👍👍

[@Dolores5000]

Coolness!

[@jboulderct]

Like a Roland Tracks with real synthesis? Could be a winner...

[@bluexpanse]

Perfect t-shirt. I had a mushroom trip like that once. But wait... if that's the "me" who had the trip? Hmmm...