The Rare Roland SH-7 (1978)

Roland's first ever synth was the SH-1000 and they've added around 20 to that line since then, including the SH-4d that came out just a few months ago.
I've played most of them and one always stood out as my favourite having borrowed one some years ago. Unfortunately they're very rare and hard to find, but after a lucky encounter I managed to finally get one.
0:00 Intro Jam
1:29 The Roland SH-7
2:06 Demo 1: Bit Coin
3:21 Oscillators, Ring Mod & Mixer
6:23 Demo 2: Remix Machine
7:52 Filter, Mod, Envelopes
10:39 Demo 3: Stop Continue
11:48 Why is it rare?
13:03 Who used it?
13:40 Outro Jam
Get the music, stems of the music, sample packs and take part in monthly Q&As here: / alexballmusic

[@arkiteuthis3747]

Nice video! To share some info related to the autobend sync thing, the SH-7's oscillators are split into two parts: the octave processor and the waveform processor. They both use the same design, but the output of the former is fed into a T-flip-flop network that divides the generated pulse (also fed through a T-latch of its own) down to the required octave divisions, which is beneficial since the octave tracking done this way results in better temperature stability. The sync pulse from oscillator one comes from the raw output of the octave pulse generator, before the flip flops, and is fed into oscillator 2's octave pulse circuitry. Now because its fed into only that half of the circuit, and not the whole thing, my guess is you're hearing the the T-flip-flop stage clamp the frequency at those points, since the flip-flop is edge triggered, and will have more or less the same frequency until it receives the next trig pulse. This is also likely why the effect is more pronounced at higher ranges. Hope this helps!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Marvelous. Thank you so much!

[@daveturbide9051]

Holy SH-7 !

[@AlexBallMusic]

I can't believe that I've never noticed that! Haha!

[@meretrix]

hahaha

[@JonMurray]

Outstanding haha!

[@rjonzun5828]

lololol

[@EvilDragon666]

Best comment. Ahahahah!

[@jlpower]

This is THE most synthesizer sounding synthesizer I have ever heard. How was I not aware of this thing? ⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@flyddw]

I was coming to say the EXACT SAME THING! Incredible mono synth!

[@Pacman1ac]

I believe that title goes better with an OB-X

[@ChrisCebelenski]

1970's synth personified - raw and beefy.

[@productamadeus8745]

It is a super fat synth! Goodness gracious! All that sticky maple syrup!

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

​@@ChrisCebelenski100% agreed. Experimental and quirky ❤❤

[@TamDNB]

I sincerely hope people in the far future appreciate the way Alex is documenting all of these incredible machines, even if none of them exist anymore

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Yes, posterity is always on my mind with this era of tech.

[@jlindborg1105]

I agree!

[@modyssey22]

I keep forgetting you have a complete System 100. I only have the 101 & 102. Jealous!! 🤣 SH-7 is the only SH I haven’t played, or frankly, heard a decent demo of. Until today. Thank you, as always for showing off the musical capabilities of your gear.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I am lucky to own the entire 100m and 100. Just need the 700. 😉 Yeah, the SH-7 is quite an un-Roland Roland, much like the SH-5. They captured their classic vibe just after this I think, which is what makes these early ones particularly interesting.

[@macronencer]

100% agree with you about this synth. It looks like SO much fun! What a shame it came out at a bad time. I'd love to have one. By the way great music too. What I like about your music is that it knows exactly what it wants to be and is unapologetic. That final track made me smile so much, remembering the glory days of synthesizers. I love this channel. 🙂

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, would have probably been a success about 5 years earlier. Just too late to the party. Thanks for the comments, that's kind. 🙂

[@EphemeralProductions]

​@@AlexBallMusicI thought synth started having their heyday in the 70s especially the 70s. How was it late to the party, I missed something. Lol

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@EphemeralProductions It's just that it's a synth that is comparable to the ARP Odyssey in terms of power and appeal, but the Odyssey was released in 1972 and the SH-7 was released in 1978, which was the same year that the first modern polysynths arrived. Interest changed overnight and the SH-7 just didn't fit. I talked about it from 11:48 if you want the longer answer.

[@EphemeralProductions]

@@AlexBallMusic gotcha! Thanks so much mate!

[@AndersEngerJensen]

That Demo 2 - Remix machine was very lit! Sweet stuff! :D

[@ArturdeSousaRocha]

Epic sounds

[@AlexBallMusic]

2023 Roland plugged into 1978 Roland with 1982 and 1993 Rolands joining in seems to be the sweet combo.

[@RCAvhstape]

@@AlexBallMusic I agree, Demo 2 really hit home with me.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Now that's what I call an intro, honestly your one of the best synthesizer bassed music production around.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@therealmber]

Not only do I now want an SH-7, more importantly (and attainably) I want to play synthesizers in general. I find your videos pretty inspiring generally Alex, but this one especially so. Thank you so much for bringing joy and enthusiasm to the internet in a way which I'm sure I'm not the only one to find so uplifting.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks very much

[@iracordem]

i came here from ‘bad gear’ where alex is guest featured. love the ‘70s glitchy interlace thru 3d glasses’ feel he gets here… he really captured the unicorn here

[@productamadeus8745]

I love how Alex just casually jumps into various old school synth jams.

[@diderichlangmannen]

This machine and it's other members of this Roland family are the most perfect looking and sounding synth's ever made. The way they look has not lost any single amount of attraction and they will be the best looking synth's till the end of time. I do not understand why Roland is not using this unbelievable pool of possibilities for their new products? There are companies who would spend millions to be able to have something like this in their line.

[@TheUnfinishedSynth]

You forgot to mention how bloody beautiful it looks as well! Truly a great mono synth. Loved the intro tune. Sweet, happy, synth vibes. :)

[@sedumjp]

That first jam was awesome, the sample and hold bleeps morphing into a synthwave tune. If Alex Ball only did tunes he'd be a legend, the fact he talks about the synths and does humour and is so British that once he cut himself and bled tea is just the icing on the cake.

[@AlexBallMusic]

It was Earl Grey too.

[@needfortweed8734]

I know that this is not what I should be mentioning first, but I just adore the design of the SH-7. That whoe green and black scheme, nice big knobs and sliders and such. But the great thing about a Ball video is that we also get intimate with the musical side of stuff through the delicate manipulations and wonderful musicality of mr. Ball himself. So thanks again for the sound demos, they sound great. I guess synths will not be produced with the same design style as this synth, but at least we can hope that our analog lord and saviour, Ulli, will consider cloning this synth...

[@WyldeThingsMusic]

I had an SH5 many years ago. It was an incredible synth but I sold it to fund a Juno 60 in 1982, which I was somewhat disappointed with. Oh well. Happy times with the SH5 though.

[@djsquarewave]

Oh wow, I love the sound of this thing! I'm a chiptune guy first, and the demo tracks you've made here (especially the first two!) sound fantastic and *very* demoscene. The outro track sounds straight out of an Amiga game! So dang cool! Thank you for sharing this obscure piece of kit!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Definitely channeling that energy. The NES and Master System were the first consoles I experienced and they left a mark.

[@olivierneger3675]

AMIGAAAAAA !!!!

[@michaelstorer9567]

Not only informative but some great tunes as well. Alex is one of the few KZbinrs that can actually produce great music.

[@XavierRadix]

I thought you'd already covered every Roland SH synth in the observable universe... But here you are, yet again with another one! And, like all of them, it's another great and unique sounding synth! Roland was on fire back then.

[@AlexBallMusic]

There's still about 3 I've not played, but then we're there. There's a couple that would be video worthy and not in a good way. 😀

[@DVDFRMN]

@@AlexBallMusic Have you done the SH5 yet? That was the one i always wanted because Joie had one in Ozric Tentacles, plus it looks like a Dalek!

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@DVDFRMN I've featured it in a couple of videos, but not given it a video of its own. It is great and looks the part, yeah.

[@JonMurray]

Happened to have my headphones beside me so got the intro jam full blast. Awesome mate. What a cool synth! Love the sound. Congratulations swooping badger on your wonderful purchase!

[@dankeplace]

SH-7, Ball, Alex Ball...

[@AlexBallMusic]

..Emmaj9 plays...

[@AndrewJohnClive]

Double-Ball 7..😊

[@Decoy303]

😎

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

Licensed to Synth

[@Death_By_Media]

Now you gave him an excuse to get an M from Waldorf and a Blofeld lol

[@Peter_S_]

I just LOVE these lesser known Roland beasts! ❤

[@AlexBallMusic]

Needed a video for posterity. Very hard to find!

[@Peter_S_]

@@AlexBallMusic Your diligence, hard work, and boundless creativity make your demonstrations some of the best there are. Thank you!

[@AlexBallMusic]

​@@Peter_S_Thank you very much!

[@MarkusAliasCmn]

'... both use a 24 db or 4 pole resonant low-pass filter that uses ca3080 otas with with fat transistors as buffers. i don't know what i just said but for a second there you thought that he knows what he's talking about. i don't, i can just read'. :-))). brilliant, the funniest thing someone said on the internet for a really long time. great content, thanks a lot.

[@Rolanoid]

Instant like button smash. I had the System 100m in the 80s but never knew this one existed. No internet back then lol

[@muzikman2008]

Never knew the SH7 even existed, great skills, musicality and knowledge sharing as always Alex 😎👌

[@user-yc5um2pl5v]

The opening musical bit made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Wow! The world needs a full version (about 7 to 10 minutes will be ideal). Please!

[@oliverscarlin]

You can tell by these jams how this synth inspires you - I mean your demos are always great but these ones melted my face 🔥 clean off, no face only bones. I'm glad its yours forever.

[@glennmckenzie1096]

Never ceased to be awed and utterly engaged by the music you make!

[@bitley]

Your videos are world class!

[@InFamousProductions]

This synth is one of the best sounding ever made. Your jams on it make me realize how much impact it had on modern music.

[@designguy65]

Terrific segment as usual Alex thank you. Those early Rolands yeah. I never knew that the SH-1 and SH-7 shared a similar filter design to the System 700. This explains much about their popularity.

[@slapdash1438]

The most synthesizer sounding synthesizer on the vintage synthesizer market ever since the creation of synthesizers

[@cds9000]

Sounds outstanding, thanks Alex!

[@Stazma]

Killer demo as always. "Stop Continu" is brillant !

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Julien.

[@benanderson89]

The final little demo is such a damn joy. Exemplifies what you said about making sporingy boingy music!

[@AndyVonal]

Another fabulous demonstration of a wonderful synth. Great stuff, Alex! Thanks!

[@0xABADCAFE]

What a great sounding unit! Loved all the jams.

[@steve--smith]

Superb. Thanks for the show and tell.

[@dslavin]

Thank you so much for this video! Great patches too. I love the song at the end especially.

[@neilmacmusic]

Alex your videos and demo songlets are consistently awesome!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@btaylo24]

Very unique sounding synth. Great video as always 👍

[@VEsound]

Thanks as usual Alex :) The SH-7 sounds so good!

[@tranceemerson8325]

dude, you make the sickest demos

[@mixolydian2010]

Such a nice synth, cool you got yourself one. Cheers for the video.

[@mikegeary8056]

WOW! Such a unique sound. Great video.

[@nicennice]

It does sound amazing, but tbh Alex you make everything sound pretty bloody amazing.

[@AllureMusicLab]

So glad, i bought one last year ! Thanks Alex for keeping this awesome Synth alive !

[@davidryle]

Indeed rare. You are lucky, and so are we to see you with this in the studio now. I swear you are the only musician to keep the attention and mesmerize a goldfish. Great video and content about a great synth.

[@RCAvhstape]

His Demo 2 is my favorite out of this vid.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you, that's very kind.

[@jtro77]

Another great sounding synth. Got to say well done with your video production. I know its an audio presentation but I have watched many of your vids and they are always shot and edited great. Nice.

[@DJ-Lazy-Lodger]

wow i so admire you;-)

[@LittleJa2002]

Those warm synth stabs at 7:03. 🔥

[@milklordnomadic]

Just found your channel, and holy shit I haven't subbed so fast to a random in recent memory. You're so good at what you do, and very thorough in your examination and history of these underappreciated devices!

[@electronictiger]

What a sound! Fantastic synth and wonderful music!! Thanks Alex.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks once again for tuning in.

[@ReadAndReturn]

The stop motion slider clip at the start though.... So sick! Lovely sounds coming out of this synth Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Needed to be done. I've made a gif of it too. 😀

[@ronnetgrazer362]

That, and the lasers... pew pew!

[@sentimental7167]

Great synth! Thanks for sharing. There seem to be people who prefer the SH-5 over the SH-7, which I quite never really understood. To me too, this is a really unique beast…

[@AlexBallMusic]

Same, yep. SH-5 is a close 2nd for me.

[@DJMEGALIGHT]

Loved the video! beautiful creature sh7.

[@dfreeman120]

This sounds super phat, brilliant piece of kit. Thx

[@modmodell8897]

Your video is so good, thanks!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@eliaswarg6818]

Awesome. As always

[@tonep3168]

Congratulations on getting hold of this. It truly sounds amazing! You bring the best out of it!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. Yes, lucky to find one. We got it fixed up, but I've got longer term plans to get the panel completely redone so that it looks brand new too. It will be cared for.

[@stimpy8177]

@@AlexBallMusic Alex, would you be interested in making a video of you restoring one of your synths one day? It would be great to geek out over the insides of some of these iconic devices!

[@PocketUnv]

You make the most lovely noises, they please me to no end.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. :)

[@jabelsjabels]

Wow, I was unaware of this! It looks like a blast, even when you put it next to modern monosynths. Lots of weird features! Great demo jams as always too

[@theorize999]

I wouldn’t even know how to classify your music but its always super creative i love it

[@christofferainek]

That opening tune!! Congrats on getting an absolute legend! 🤩

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@808v1]

nice get Alex. great video.

[@danniielle]

Another gem here Alex... Both the SH7 and this video! 😎💖

[@AlexBallMusic]

:)

[@JayNLASD]

Discovered the SH-7 after buying my SH-5 some years ago. Liked it then and now even more!! Like the video’s you make, keep up the good work!!

[@B_T_B]

Demo 2 gave me flash backs to a Pentatonik ( Simeon Bowring) vibe!. Superb ! Excellent video as always!

[@superlogico8260]

great video, really enjoyed it. And not only the gear demonstration: I geniuinely think it's teh first time I watch a video from someone doing gear (or software or whatever) demos that actually has talent as a musician, the music you created with this is amazing!

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Uli, are you watching? One of these please? This is so cool. I remember hanging out in the music store, and playing all the new Roland synths, in the 70s. Man, those were exciting times, thanks for bringing back wonderful memories. Sweet music, and great video production. Best wishes for your continued success 🎶🌎☮

[@thelanavishnuorchestra]

I start my youtube days with Jawoodle and end my youtube week with Alex Ball. Thumbs all the way up!

[@BestBackingTracks]

Wow, it sounds amazing.

[@toi_techno]

Great vid as ever 2nd demo is cool

[@HalonOfficial]

The SH-7 sounds absolutely amazing! you lucky dog 🙂

[@Zwopper]

CONGRATULATIONS! ❤

[@PaulBoos]

G-- D--- It now I want one! What a great sounding synth. I really love the tunes you created with this synth - that Remix one was super! So was the Outro! I felt like I was in a land created by Vince Clarke (which is always a good thing...)

[@WilliWerkel]

Thank you for "remixing" the SH-4D jam at 6:23. I could listen to this for hours... again!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@isaac.anthony]

Wow, it has a definite "sound" thanks for showing it off, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, doesn't look like it sounds!

[@computationalerror69]

he delivers again

[@TDRKB]

Great video Alex. So glad you were able to procure one in such good condition. I remember seeing these in Music stores in the 70's and thought the green was cool. I remember seeing INXS using one. You can hear it particularly on "Don't Change". You went all out on this video - great grooves!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah cool, you were there when they arrived, before disappearing again shortly after! INXS - Yes! It's even in the video for "Don't Change" which is pretty cool. Hardly any examples of it out there being used, although a few people have brought some more to my attention following the video.

[@mitchelldries6628]

kind of a dream synth for me here

[@sauce_aux]

I love these.

[@TheSynthnut]

Great demo Alex, this is another of my "could have been" synths from the 90's! I think you have hit the nail squarely on the bonce, the SH-7 is really a box of delights. As you say, no one massive stand-out aspect, well, apart from the sound. It's just so incredibly versatile, from old-school cheesy to positively modern, digital sounding and everything in between. The sounds, just transcend the apparent simplicity and included features, for example, the filter and dirive. Those vocal formant effects and the glissando synch sweep aren't on the ingredients list supposedly. I think I was put off by the styling back then, oh, the folly of impressionable youth...

[@mikemeengs5720]

How have I lived so long and not checked this thing out before? I just found out that this is the only mono analog I've ever needed! (Still love my 2600 though.) Your audio demos are creative and inspiring, Alex...top notch work! 🎹

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Mike. Yep, it's like a beefed up Odyssey I guess. Quite surprising for a Roland synth.

[@infindebula]

@@AlexBallMusic a beefed up Odyssey perhaps, but it still sounds very Roland analog. Maybe I’m just a bit biased because I know what many of them sound like, but i hear a common sonic character in all the vintage SH, Juno, Jupiter, System-100/700, JX instruments. Even though many of them employ different oscillator and filter technology, they have a common presence (perhaps it’s “air” or “sizzle”). As soon as I heard the first lead sound in this video (1:06) I grinned and nodded, if that makes sense.

[@peterbondmusic]

Great demo songs as ever.

[@adastra123]

Coooooooool. You did it again with simple video tricks that kicked ass. It looks so ......????? Tweak me ?? Probably one of the coolest looking synths I have seen.

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's very "tweak me", yeah!

[@ScottWozniak]

Beauty AND a beast! 💚

[@dc9662]

Thanks for helping me figure out what to put on my wedding registry!

[@haydenduvall162]

Gorgeous.

[@silentmodemz]

The GAS never stops! Great vid!

[@OriginalRaveParty]

Nasty green bugger. It looks like a tank's dashboard 😜

[@AlexBallMusic]

Haha! Yes it does.

[@schance1666]

what an amazing synth! come on Behringer!!!!! great vid as always!

[@AlexBallMusic]

I think they're doing the SH-5, but you never know.

[@schance1666]

@@AlexBallMusic hey, that'll work! thanks for the headsup! I've got their 2600 and MonoPoly and they are absolutely killer. best cash i've spent since i landed an original ms-20 for $50! :0) You write some great demo tracks, btw!!

[@dyscotopia]

I really hope Behringer follow this channel... What a vibe this thing conjures

[@matthewharty6531]

sounds great

[@EvilDragon666]

Sincere congrats on getting this beauty. Looks in really good nick too! I shudder to think how much it cost. :)

[@MartinDoudoroffLLC]

Loads of fun!

[@jupitermarx]

This is everything 🎉🎉❤❤

[@chedhead3278]

Mmm, looks good, sounds good, probably smells good too. Cheers Alex, fab tunes and tones.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Pretty clean, considering it's a bit tatty. Some stuff arrives smelling of decades of cigarettes.

[@oldunclemick]

Cool synth, nice music!

[@MrArtrock]

Great video mate, remember when this synth came around 1978 and the guys at the local musicstore in Stockholm were amazed what kind of sounds I managed to bring out playing with it for 15-20 mins because they obviously didn't understand this beast ;-)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah cool, you were there! At least you understood it!

[@vincentprimault4380]

The Intro Jam and the Bit Coin demo are gorgeous ❤

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you.