Roland boutique SE-02 (studio electronics) sound demo

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Next up testing in the boutique series is the SE-02, and really this tiny little matchbox of a synth sounds like a SE-01 and Model D on steroids.. it is just completely bonkers. :D and it's analogue dammit!!
I had the original model D when I lived back in Europe, and seriously, this is really really close to the feeling and oomph that it had. Adding the extra features.. well, its just becomes next level stuff :)
FYI, the signal might be just a bit hot at times, and do note that I am using the looper at a couple of occasions e.g it is not paraphonic.. ... and yes, there is a little jam at the end :D
So, a few words on the video and format. There are heaps of demo-videos out there already with the SE02, and my take on this is to noodle around and do sound design/demo and give you insight how i personally work with synths when wiggling with knobs. So no feature deep dive, I try however to add some subs when there are weird stuff going on, and I hope this helps with clarity (if not, please ask in the comment section below).
And YES, i use FX (not all the time), if you have questions on where and when it is on, again please ask.
FX (from right to left connected in series) .. audio out from SE02 in mono to SolidGoldFX electroman (BBD delay), Catalinbread CSIDMAN (granular delay), tc electronic ditto X2 (looper), Strymon el Capsitan (tape echo), Strymon blueSky (reverb) -- to mixer and 2 track. The track is slightly normalized to keep some of the peaks under control, else what you see is what you hear.
I hope you can enjoy it!!
BooooM / BURG

[@zvukmachines7183]

One of the best synth demos I've seen. It is so tempting to buy it after listening to this.

[@BURG]

big thanks! :D and yeah, it sound really really great.

[@Antonio229]

Hopefully you can post more videos of you using the SE-02 in the future. Awesome demo

[@pietramusicpublishingco.9306]

Really enjoyed your process of tuning the oscillators. I love this synth.

[@freejazzbone]

thanks for sharing, SE-02 still sounds good in March 2023!

[@twiglet2214]

...still in August 2023 !

[@freejazzbone]

indeed, great synth!@@twiglet2214

[@ludwigkopp8130]

Really versatile cool little synth with a huge sound. Lots of bang for the bucks 👍🤖🤖

[@BURG]

indeed, and I have only scraped the surface sonically, just messed with it today some more and it just gets better :)

[@discophone_6214]

Awesome demo man as usual! Really enjoyed it. Thanks man

[@BURG]

big thanks mate!! :) cheers !

[@Jkeane1337]

Amazing demo and performances man, i was onthe fence about this and think its gonna be my next purchase mostly based on this video, well done!

[@aptudo]

Thank you for this! Is it my imagination, or does the SE-02 have an even more pleasing "sizzle" at the top than the Minimoog? I read that the Studio Electronics folks used some Oberheim type stuff in the oscillator section. That high end reminds me of the OB-6, even though it's monophonic. In any case, you exploit it beautifully throughout this demo. Pure magic, IMO.

[@allisterainsworth9090]

Best review on the net. Thank you Sir!

[@BURG]

big thanks ! cheers !

[@valdiskrebs566]

Great demo! Like the jam @ 16:25 ... nice to have 3 oscillators.

[@BURG]

thanks! glad you liked it! :) cheers

[@andremelo246]

Now you have to do a jam with all the boutiques including the Se-02 and the SH-01A hahah!

[@BURG]

ohoooh :D .. there will most probably be a TR08, SH01 and SE02 jam, hoping to have time to set that up :D :D

[@sprungingforvoltage]

amazing thing the SE-02. pretty in love with mine 😃

[@BURG]

great synth, its epic! :D

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

sprunging for voltage same here, love it

[@Boltzman]

Thank you so much! I am so gonna buy this one!

[@BURG]

my pleasure! it is a lovely machine for sure !

[@VTOLKits]

Great demo, thumb up!

[@Antonio229]

thank you sir

[@tonydonnelly2395]

Oooofffttt!! Hi Jouni....6:04 in that sound was amazing!! This could be next on my list!!! Get my SH-01a next Thursday!👍🏻🤞🏻😍

[@BURG]

haha, yeah. :D roland really stepped up the game with these two puppies :) hehe

[@tonydonnelly2395]

ollilaboratories: sure did! But not to be an analog snob( to which I'm not)...but Studio electronics know how to make Synths sound so good!!😀

[@discophone_6214]

You should have been composing the new blade runner soundtrack. Really nice jam at the end!

[@BURG]

haha, i would not mind that... :D :D and thanks again mate!

[@SanplerVarondaro]

me gusta este modelo de Roland saludos desde tijuana MX

[@HotStrange]

The Blofeld is the perfect controller. The keybed is the best I've played. What made you choose this over the Behringer D? I love the sound of both but I NEED a mono synth with patch storage as none of my others have that ability.

[@BURG]

Agreed, the blofeld has a great keybed, if not the best I have ever owned. :) The SE02 was just a loaner, was not sure if I should get it or not. It did not match my needs atm, so no go :)

[@HotStrange]

ollilaboratories understandable. It sounds fantastic, though. This demo really shows it in a great light. Thanks!

[@valdiskrebs566]

Haut Strange Nice keybed, eh? Would make a good MIDI controller if it had some sliders and a few more knobs.

[@garyturner5204]

If you are considering the Behringer Model D, but need patch storage, the Roland SE-02 has patch storage, the Model D has no patch Storage.

[@BenColemanUK]

Some *incredible* sounds here, particularly at 16:28, 20:57, 23:30 - Amazing job. What is happening at 31:25?? It sounds poly/para-phonic I didn't think that was the case?

[@BURG]

No it is not paraphonic, if you noticed the tc electronic ditto FX pedal I am using that to create a loop just prior.

[@BenColemanUK]

I should have watched more carefully! I can see you tapping out the tempo and capturing a loop now

[@paul-78]

I love what's going on at 31:25

[@neuesmusiker]

Could you please explain a little more in depth how you were setting up the fake ratcheting with the LFO? I've trying to see if I can figure it out from watching this video over and over, but I can't seem to quite get a handle on it. Cheers!

[@BURG]

its very simple, i just have the LFO triggering the envelope rather than the gate (switch to the right of the ADR knobs) the trick is to set the LFO speed to a rate that give you these double-triggers, as you can hear sometimes they are out of sync/tempo. What it is doing is basically cycling the envelopes, rather than one shot.. so when I turn the sequence off you hear the LFO continuing to cycle the envelopes

[@dj-7154]

what a great demo.. how did you find the latency issue via usb into DAW? Heard there is a delay with Ableton and Cubase... playing directly via the DAW into the seo2 and back out via USB audio ? thanks

[@BURG]

Thanks ! I have not tested it with a DAW unfortunately, and probably wont as I mainly use standalone instruments :) sorry about that, cheers !

[@dj-7154]

thanks..what initial patch used on 6:43 mark?

[@BURG]

I have used no inital patches on this demo, all you hear is created on the fly from a single sawtooth sound, cheers !

[@danielortizdecaracas]

I want to start my dawless setup for live performances with low cost obsolete vintage retro equipment, low fi, preferably with midi rather than sync or cv / gate, using drum machine, groove boxes, phrase sampler, korg monotron, volca, casio vl1, midi sequencer, guitar pedals, half rack midi modules etc, maybe a nintendo with the DS10 a casio sk1 etc, what do you recommend? I'm digressing? is it a lot of G.A.S gear syndrom acquisition?

[@Antonio229]

My Minitaur may have to go to help finance the SE-02

[@woodz45]

i'd still go for the behringer D...and keep the minitaur!

[@HotStrange]

Igor Večerič no way!

[@BrandonElliotSmith]

@ollilaboratories I keep seeing these videos where people have it propped up just above the back half of a keyboard. What is holding it up? Is it a "u" bracket that attaches to the back/underside of your keyboard? I have an idea in mind which involves a "u" shaped laptop stand, but i'd gladly go the route I see here if I can figure out what it is lol

[@BURG]

There is nothing that physically attaches the unit, good old friction and fresh rubber feet is doing the trick here. As long as it is not in a too deep angle it will stay on just fine. Cheers 🎹😎

[@longshotkdb]

excellent demo. the unit sounds a little too* 'soft' to my ear. :/ but its still very cool. hours of fun no doubt. cheers.

[@NEOREV_MUSIC]

exit 1Ø1 trust me, it's not soft. this baby can get quite raw. he didn't seem to use the feedback knob as much. Plus the XMOD section can create some raw sounds.

[@longshotkdb]

well, its not just from this demo, theres something just very slightly 'glazed' and shiny..but i take your point, and it certainly would not put me off buying one, if i was so inclined.

[@longshotkdb]

also, ive been playing with some pretty old, harsh units recently, so thats where my ear is at right now.

[@HotStrange]

exit 1Ø1 It's not gonna have the aggressiveness of an ms20 or a Brute, but that's what I like it. I have an ms20 for that. I want a nice, smooth, buttery mono synth.

[@longshotkdb]

'buttery' thats a good word for it, but sure, 'a place for everything .......' enjoy, cheers! =)

[@fjfrancois]

Dude nice video. Have you tried more than 1 SE-02 poly chained? Thank you

[@BURG]

thanks, nope, just had the one! cheers

[@djsteve2424]

Best review .....Moog minitaur or Roland SE 02 for Bassline?

[@HotStrange]

What do you think of the combo of the se-02 and Blofeld? Thinking of getting one to pair with my Blofeld.

[@BURG]

The blofeld has a natural shelf for it :D jokes aside, the se02 being mono .. ofcourse you cannot just midi them up, but soundwise they complement and do not overlap, SE02 being well.. an advanced mini moog really, extremely good with bass sounds + massive leads.

[@HotStrange]

ollilaboratories hey thanks for the reply! I ended up with an Erebus v3 instead and I’m absolutely loving it. That plus an Ms20, a Blofeld, a MicroFreak and some Volcas and other small synths. I’m pretty much set for the next long while. God I hope so anyway 😟

[@BURG]

@@HotStrange the erebus is not a bad choice, a great machine! Microfreak has me intrigued, i might pickup one of those in the future. cheers and keep up the music!!! peace

[@nicoraibak]

is this pure analog¿?

[@BURG]

Nico Raibak yes it is, fully analogue 3OSC madness crammed into a matchbox by the studio electronics team

[@marcoagius6926]

Hi! Can you hook up the Roland gaia midi to this SE02 and hear sounds from the SE02? thanks

[@BURG]

Hi, yes any synth that has standard MIDI out can control the SE02, like the Roland gaia. Cheers !

[@marcoagius6926]

@@BURG thanks!

[@murahachibu]

I’m new to synths from guitar. Are all of your effects stereo or do you use mono guitar effects as well?

[@fredrikwaara1400]

To mee it sounds like a lot of aliasing from the oscillators (for ex 3:46) . But maybe that's just KZbin compression, for the oscillators are analog right?

[@BURG]

it is completely analogue yes, so no V/A stuff, the real deal

[@ACS828]

Thanks for the demo! Disregarding your synth collection, If you had to choose a mono synth between the Roland SE-02 and the Korg MS-20 Mini, which one would you personally prefer?

[@BURG]

oh that is indeed a tough one, i think the ms-20 would win in the long run for me :) cheers !

[@Skiroy]

Whats effects were u using at 30:00

[@BURG]

strymon el cap delay and a plate reverb in the blue sky iirc

[@oc10121989]

no retrig and portamento!

[@HotStrange]

omer cohen janznsbsbcnandnfjzjzjjzkd

[@mezz3036]

This sounds lovely but it's twice the price that it should be.

[@BURG]

To be fair, I don't think it would be possible to make it much cheaper def not as low as 249 USD, it is a 3OSC full blown analogue synth that sounds like a Minimoog for 499 usd. Sure one could get the behringer D copy, but that has much less features, and histoically the build quality on their low end products have been so so over the years.

[@mezz3036]

Quite true. On paper it is a bargain. Its the build quality on the boutiques that bothers me. Some of the knobs on my jx 03 went weird after just a couple of days. These look to be the same knobs. I give the SE 02 about 2 years before it falls apart if this is the case. . I love the sound, its just a shame that the awful Roland company were involved. Also they are $800AUD here in Australia which makes them more expensive than the polyhonic minilogue by $100. Also, excellent demo.(should have started with that :) If you are not having any problems with it in a few months I might seriously consider getting 1. How is your JX-03? have u had any problems?

[@BURG]

:D I have had no problems with the JX-03 during the time that I had it, all knobs/switches etc worked just fine. However, I had to sell it recently due to modular investments (that's an expensive hobby) .. 2 years in my studio with 0 problems was alright I think. The SE-02 is just a loaner, I am considering getting it but I really need to give it some thought.. the sound is so great that I might end up getting it, still a bit on the fence though due to the size and as you say the knobs. Still have a couple days to noodle with it, let's see what happens. :)

[@mezz3036]

Oh no modular! You will be greatly missed in the music scene. :D

[@BURG]

haha :D :D