The Roland System 100 from 1975

[@missingdogmusic]

Folks at Roland should build you a time machine so you can advertise for them back in 1975. This is the best and most in-depth video I've ever seen on this wonderful piece of history. Thank you!

[@AlexBallMusic]

I live in 1975. I just use a time vortex machine I bought in Dixons.

[@patriciaoudart1508]

@@AlexBallMusic I found my SH2000, and Juno 6 in a 1999 vortex, as Time machine was fading to numeric! But I began to configure a new time machine named 'Behringer' 😵😱💫

[@DoctorNemmo]

It will be easier for Roland to build a time machine than a new analogue synth.

[@ryanstewart5352]

@@DoctorNemmo 🤣

[@slimyelow]

How do you know that they perhaps didn't do that already?

[@Hainbach]

One of your absolute best videos, bravo!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! One of my favourites to make.

[@gionspenzers]

What makes Alex's synth videos better than the others is that he doesn't just show the sound of the synthesizers, he used it to make great music. Nothing beats that. My favourite Demo in this video is Demo 4: Bucket and Fade. Great video, Alex!

[@24slowtiger]

Exactly. This is the kind of synth music which I'd really like to hear more.

[@gregorykulinski2186]

Well small wonder he is like fish in the Water and it's just beginning. Oceans are to be conquer.

[@palindromial]

I live my synthesizer dreams vicariously through you sir. And may I say, I live them well that way. Thank you!

[@SpikesStudio3]

It might just be me, but does anybody else think its a work of beauty? The shape of the slider knobs, the wonderfully drab green finish... its symmetry and poise? Kudos Alex, once again.

[@themindasmusic]

I love the look of Roland synths of this era. My brother has an SH5 still in the case. its just beautiful, weighs a ton though!

[@annother3350]

Its like the controls of a 60s james bond mission control centre

[@XavierRadix]

It's probably my favourite looking synth from the 70s. Especially in its complete form! I also had no idea Vangelis used this on Spiral, that's amazing!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, stunning looks on this one. Vangelis used the 100 a lot. It was pride of place on top of his CS-80 for years.

[@Reijerszen]

Im very lucky to have inherited my dad’s model 101 and i love it dearly. I will never let it go. He saw i was makin music and produced it from his back room lair. I had no idea he had one, was completely caught off guard.

[@FrankenLab]

Sometimes I don't know what's more impressive, the incredible synths you get to experience, or your talent and amazing demos! Never disappointed by your videos!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@InfoAbsorbent]

I've drooled over this synth for years! Such a gorgeous instrument. "Tumble & Fall" was a really beautiful example of how uniquely present the sound is. It's such a dream synth.

[@TheCALMInstitute]

Damn this is THE cleanest System 100 I have ever seen! I have the System 103 mixer personally, and I think it sounds amazing on an 808. Redline all channels and put just a bit of spring verb on it. 👨‍🍳💋

[@leinadisjourneys]

Love that you dove into the sound of Vangelis' Spiral album. Most people know him by his soundtrack stuff but he released so much great stuff outside of that. Great video as always!

[@adam872]

Indeed. Albedo is an awesome album of his from that same era

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Trust me I had to go check out that album very soon after and was not dissapointed.

[@unclemick-synths]

​@@adam872 indeed it is. Spiral and Albedo were cassette flipsides in my car as surely as DSOM/WYWH.

[@michaelp8838]

I remember seeing the original human league at the marquee club in London and I can remember they had two 102 expanders fitted to there system 100 I was quite impressed and started saving for my own synthesiser, alas if I only had talent who knows how far I would have got.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, I saw a photo of them with x2 102 expanders. Very cool. Martyn Ware says they sold it to part fund a Fairlight in the 80s. He was then gifted one back by Vince Clarke in the 90s.

[@Error6503]

@@AlexBallMusic I believe the first track on Music of Quality and Distinction Vol.3 from 2013 was done purely on his System 100 ... it sounds straight from the Travelogue era.

[@wjec1970]

​@@Error6503Thanks for the heads-up on that. Just had a listen...Kim Wilde on vocals. It's absolutely old school Human League-sounding System 100m!

[@darrenmawdsley3470]

What an awesome synth - Nice to learn that Vangelis' magic is not just exclusive to the CS80. 👍

[@AlexBallMusic]

His System 100 sat on top of his CS-80. I've done a System 100 playlist in the video description and there's a good video of him using both together.

[@GizzyDillespee]

"It's like having an entire orchestra in a concert hall, but slightly less heavy, and made of synth."

[@mycosys]

@@AlexBallMusic TY!!! i hadnt seen it

[@swanofnutella4734]

Somewhere around here I have a record by Vangelis made in the late 80s/early 90s that's very digital sounding. I think I could use it like Michael Ironside in Scanners to make all my analog purist enemie's heads explode. ;)

[@Gazdatronik]

@@swanofnutella4734 Was it direct? I hope it's direct.

[@GilgaFrank]

Might get flamed for saying it but I loved every sound that came out of that synth

[@AlexBallMusic]

It only makes awesome sounds.

[@drindy5166]

​@@AlexBallMusic💯% 🔥👊🧡👍🔥

[@adamjacksonmedia]

You won't get flamed... this thing is a magestic beast!

[@imnoone492]

I had one of these in the late 70’s and sold it before learning it. I had a friend modify a Quad panner I used it with my Yamaha stereo mixer PA and could do Quad when used with with the PA and the one that came the system 100

[@autoy]

This is such an impressive sounding system, I can’t even imagine how good it is in person. Also reminds me a lot of the EMS sound but perhaps more refined, probably because of the more advanced build technology. Once again, an amazing document you put together that’s worth watching several times.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hey! Yeah, super smooth and rich and beefy all at once. Those 70s filters are often crazy huge. The VCS3 was like that when I played it, I can only imagine what a Synthi 100 is like!

[@mycosys]

Addictive. Ridiculously addictive

[@timkoelln3826]

Another on my bucket list of synths. You have the best job ever Alex! (And you deserve it)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@k3nnygray]

Consistently the best demo tracks of any synth videos out there

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Kenny.

[@michaelwessel4953]

Nice punchy bass lines and super funny presentation, as always! THANKS, you got one of the best vintage synth shows on the planet!

[@johnnymorgansynthdreams]

Thoroughly enjoyed this Alex! Loved the history, your amazing 'futuristic' jams, and the awesome tie-in to the Human League and their drum patches.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hey Johnny! Cheers for tuning in.

[@HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

We knew this was going to be a banger and blimey it’s a gem. Nothing beats Alex in full Roland mode. Just brill !

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you Jamie. 😀

[@paulcybotron347]

My first hands on exposure to a synthesizer in primary school, owned (amongst other instruments) by a good and naturally talented friend. Led me to haunt all the local music stores trying out the latest and greatest. Who would have thought i would end up a prog music journalist interviewing the likes of Tangerine Dream & Yes. Now if only i had hung on to a System 100 and a Minimoog. Thanks Steve (Skine), you have no idea the impact you unwittingly had on my life.

[@macdaddybender]

Brilliant. Once again you make a video which is massively informative and educational whilst simultaneously being really fun to watch. I'm looking forward to the Human League recreation.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Matthew!

[@prodby_trxllo]

Holy Moly! That shot of the 100 and the 100m playing together at 8:08 is a thing a beauty!

[@AlexBallMusic]

I can die happy. 😀

[@mycosys]

@@AlexBallMusic If you could not for a while tho, thatd be cool. I like your vids and you seem to add value to human existence.

[@lefttoe6969]

These sounds send me back to my childhood. Can't recall the songs, but still do remember the sounds. Of course except The spiral :)

[@mikeb2575]

What an amazing setup, you make it sound so fantastic from a time of my early years of the 70's where TV themes used this equipment to make hauntingly, warm and beautiful textures. Thank you so much for making this video my mouth is watering...

[@simsish]

love that 70's Roland green

[@jmd1743]

I like how you're actually using the instrument instead of thin demo of each synth setting. For that I'm subbing.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! It always seems the obvious thing to do with them, so I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@jmd1743]

@@AlexBallMusic You should try making an album by continuing what you did with the intro.

[@skaneverdies]

I don't know if there is a cooler looking electronic instrument in the whole world. I saw this in the liner notes of a Joy Electric record in the early 00s and assumed for a while that it was a prop rather than an actual mass-produced instrument. Loving this coverage.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, one of the most beautiful objects Roland made as well as a killer system.

[@russ254]

joking, but it looks more like a pilot station out of the Nostromo than anything else that I've seen.

[@RCAvhstape]

@@russ254 That's what makes it so cool!

[@mycosys]

If ur into synth pr0n Black Panels Only magazine is worth checking out. As are AudioParasites alternate panels. My neutron is now very much the prettiest synth i own thanks to an AudioParasites panel. (literally took it out of the box, tested it worked and replaced the garish original panel lol)

[@emnigmamachine]

If I recall correctly that entire Joy Electric album “the white songbook” was either made entirely with or relied heavily upon the system 100. Great album worth a listen.

[@rwbennet]

Had my back to the screen working on my modular case just listening to random videos - as soon as the intro started to this video I had to turn around and see what the hell is was. Really nice video and demo man!

[@AlexBallMusic]

The 100 will do that to you.

[@GeorgeL909]

Maaaaann.... You are just a treasure Alex. Thanks for this, I enjoyed this video a ton, and I definitely would consider morphing into a system 100 with all the expanders as my final boss form probably one day.

[@twidknobbler]

Oh so fabuloso! Brilliant video and love the demo ditties, 1 and 5 my favs. Really interesting to learn how Vangelis used the 100 sequencer too. Looking forward to the Human League cover.

[@mbrombert]

Ouuuffff that Falcon bassline sound is gorgeous... but then again so is the next one. What an absolutely perfect system. Quite possibly in my top 3 of all time.

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's a keeper.

[@rodgre]

Ugh. Even the spring reverb sounds AMAZING!!

[@bodymechanics9211]

That was fantastic! All the demo tracks are incredible as well. Such a rich spectrum of sound.

[@Gerald_Daniel]

Nicely said: "...& those early recordings will always have to me the sound of a kind of future on the horizon that we never quite get to....". ...love that

[@strawmanhat]

You are hilarious. Your playing and composition are a great compliment to some rare gear. Thanks.

[@Noise-Conductor]

Thank for being the funnest synth nerd on KZbin. I really liked that last jam!

[@djmastergroove946]

This was incredibly fascinating. Thanks for the knowledge and the demo's. Loved it.

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Another wonderful episode of this channel!!

[@OswaldoVonSchnoobenstein]

My God what a machine. I was 8 when that came out. It was the 80's where I started my love of Synths. I could use this thing TODAY for my albums and it would be Heaven! My current set up is a Montage, Deepmind 12 and Hydrasynth. It's amazing what they did back in the late 70's.

[@FailedMuso]

Been waiting patiently for this one. P.S. Delighted to have been able to assist with the Being Boiled patch 🙂

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks SO much for that.

[@FailedMuso]

@@AlexBallMusic My absolute pleasure, my friend 👍

[@asleeds]

Can’t wait to hear the Being Boiled take. One of my favourite ever songs. ‘A future that never quite arrived’ is a great way to put that era of music.

[@uxartmusicvideo-andphotogr2043]

Amazing video and synth. Acid Jam is awesome.

[@hardwaresecuritymodule]

Blown away by the sequencer - utterly amazing, I've never used an analogue sequencer ... now I see the attraction. Good old Roland. Wonderful video as always, but one of my favs from you

[@AgsmaJustAgsma]

14:13 Oh God, yes! This is almost like hearing an unreleased demo track from Spiral. Brilliant.

[@PCoyte]

Brilliantly and most satisfyingly detailed! The Human League beats and 'future' sound I loved are so down to this piece of gear and their explorations in that unique era. It's so great to have you encapsulate this history and experience so that I now know others appreciate it too

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

Thank you for this. Great piece, displaying the sonic greatness that true analog brings! Thx again.

[@eklipseRomania]

I always wondered how Vangelis did that on Spiral. 11/10 for the reference and guide.

[@chent]

You videos are always the best! Like the stuff you make sounds so good, but I can only imagine how those old synths would sound if I was playing them. :P

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! To be honest, it's difficult to make a bad sound on things like the 100. :)

[@macronencer]

"The sound of a kind of future on the horizon that we never quite get to..." That was very well put. I still have that single (Being Boiled / Circus of Death) and I remember being quite obsessed with the unearthly and slightly disturbing futurism of the sound - not to mention the nightmare-inducing lyrics (especially Circus of Death).

[@pablowentscobar]

Fascinating. I'm a synth baby, I've only been Really into synthesizers for a couple years. I bought a Korg Volca Keys and Sample a year or so after they were released but they sat mostly untouched for years until I sold them to a friend. I can't pinpoint what it was but something really sucked me into synth world a couple years ago and I really started to be fascinated with everything about them, so most of all this is so fresh for me, and yours and many others channels have just been a vast well of knowledge for me. So thank you.

[@kgbinfo]

ooohhhhhh proto-acid is so cool! I love that you can sequence the 101 and the 102 individually.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, nice two-voice concept. Add drums and spring reverb and you're off. 😀

[@Toolsquatch]

I really wish more synths incorporated VU meters into them, something about seeing the instrument pushing those levels always makes me a giddy little mad scientist. Wonderful video as always Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, that warm glow and those dancing needles. 😍

[@rorz999]

Thanks for the video. What an incredible sounding synth!

[@tuddilu]

Just wow, well done. Really nice to demonstrate how the hidding things works!!

[@jlindborg1105]

A huge "Thank You" for presenting these old classics in a different way that they are remembered for. :)

[@richardalldredge9129]

Ever since your Roland vid I’ve wanted more on the system 100 and system 700!! I absolutely loved this vid and it had some banger tracks!!! I can’t get enough of your compositions!!!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

I would of been here first but KZbin crashed, that's a very interesting looking Sythersizor and another one I have never heard of until you do a video on it.

[@toddtrillo7445]

Wow , now that was 21 minutes and 48 seconds of awesomeness

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@ozboomer_au]

Mighty useful video. Have been mucking about with synths for 50 yrs & never considered the use of CV in the ways you demonstrated with the sequencers... Brilliant..

[@aidyleemusic300]

Awesome video, awesome synths... amazed you could make this video and not get lost in tinkering!

[@maclainediemermusic]

21 minutes and 47 seconds ago I didn't know about the complete system and now I know that I can't rest until I have it all in my posession. Thank you.

[@Eisentanz]

Here another footage of Roland System 100 sounds. No talking. Just enjoy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6LTao14lKp5oaM

[@grrlpurpleable]

Another awesome video and demo songs! Loved the 'Price is Right' style into but bonus points for brining Vangelis into the video.

[@dalemoore387]

Brilliant. Loved this, especially the recreation of the sequence from the great Vangelis album, Spiral.

[@wolfunplugged]

this is such a high-quality entertainment for musicians and gear geeks...very very well done! the technical explanations, the demo songs, the fun factor. thank you so much, Alex!

[@returnofthenative]

Thank you Alex, seems you went to very great lengths on this one. I do so love Balls 'n all quality review videos.

[@AlexBallMusic]

It was a pleasure, but I wanted to do it properly, yeah. Glad that came across.

[@leonlkowalski]

For decades I've been wondering how Vangelis did "Spiral". Not kidding. Thanks a lot, Alex, for answering that question. And of course for another very insightful and entertaining video!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad to provide the answer Leon! Cheers.

[@nj1255]

Those are some of the best demo songs I've heard in a KZbin vide, no matter the genre! I don't even "synth", but you make me want to.

[@ArcAudios77]

Alex, a wonderful watch - Headphones on - delightful. Your work on the System was the ideal attraction. Got me wanting but I've told you such before alongside many others. Best wishes.

[@arthurcrime]

This is a rather large slice of heaven, I was the proud owner of an sh5 for many years this brings back many of the wonders of that device, love.

[@MacXpert74]

Very cool video. The System 100 sounds massive!

[@danpreston564]

The 7 year old me was utterly transfixed by that Being Boiled drum beat. Although I don’t think I knew it was anything groundbreaking or new, because at the age of 7, everything is new so nothing is new. Fantastic demo, as always. You are a master of your craft.

[@AlexBallMusic]

The perfect age to have it ingrained in your psyche then!

[@Kkidzz]

Alex, so glad you mentioned Reproduction and Travelogue…. I bought both albums upon their individual release dates. Travelogue was/is my fave between the two. Forty plus years later I am blown away how ahead futuristic it still sounds. The track ‘Dreams of Leaving’ specifically being the ultimate Dopamine Dump for me… the actual recording of the album is mind blowing.

[@arnoriva]

Brilliant as always!! I love it. The way you play with a large palette of styles makes your demo very attractive. Nice one.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Arno.

[@michaelfeiner]

Ooooh wow what a lovely sound synth kit! Congratulations, and as always, a superb presentation Alex! 🌟

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Michael. Happy birthday for the other day too. 🙂

[@michaelfeiner]

@@AlexBallMusic Thank you so much! 🙏😊

[@amrkoptan4041]

that is just amazing, I love Roland Synthesizers, the amount of effort and ethics put into these, just like your videos is just splendid.

[@princequestly2218]

This synth sounds so massive the oscillators are incredible, what a machine. Your demos are the best.

[@NeonDream81]

Great video! Sounds just lovely, and as entertaining as always. Sonic delights aside... I've always loved the industrial green/grey aesthetic of these early beasties. Cheers!

[@jdrukman]

Love it. My band mate has one of these. He also has the actual system 100m that was owned by Ian Craig Marsh. We used the 100 in particular quite a bit on our first album (The JDs - Education). Your video does great justice to a phenomenal instrument.

[@RudyAdrian]

What a phenomenally informative video - clearly A LOT of information has gone into making into this video the perfection that it is :)

[@happygolucky2231]

what a lovely sounding synth. also appreciated the slight nod towards the midnight cowboy theme on the first demo! quality stuff as always.

[@gizmogearloose3391]

Every jam sounds SWEET...especially the intro! I did struggle to understand the synth terminology...my main instruments are guitar and vocals...but I LOVED hearing about the Roland System 100's history! And as usual, your sense of humor makes this, and all of your episodes, FUN! Excellent work, Sir!

[@DestroyER82]

That thing has for my subjective taste really genuinely pleasant sound. Really enjoying it. Kinda feel bad that I skipped in last years some chances to have at least that basic unit, because they dont show up anymore (for reasonable $). Amazing showcase, really enjoyed it. All the best!

[@timburdsey]

I think ‘Falcon’ may be my favourite of all your demos, @alex, and there are some absolute gems to choose from. Absolute twisted kosmiche genius.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@TeddyLeppard]

I've honestly never seen or heard of this one. Nice to keep being surprised with your videos.

[@LFOVCF]

I love the colour scheme, they look kind of Cold War-ish. A few years ago, I had a little chat with Martyn Ware, after a Heaven 17 concert, at my local festival. Really nice guy, and he looked a little surprised with someone talking about synths with him. Yet another great video Mr B! You turn out tune after tune, using the gear you show, squeezing out every drop of tuneage from it.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah cool! Interesting guy, he was on Pro Synth Network a while back.

[@Stue007]

So cool, this old but beautiful sounding synth - very well demonstrated. Thank you very much!!

[@CreateListenCreate]

Really enjoyed this! So informative and musical.

[@tonydotnottingham]

An absolute joy as always, your enthusiasm and love for these instruments and their unique quirks and potential really shows.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. Glad the enthusiasm came through. 🙂

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

The sound of these 70s badboys never cease to amaze me and very inspirational to a design I'm undertaking to a degree. Top draw, Top corner Alex well played 👍🏾👍🏾

[@florian-anwander]

What a great video! Owning a complete System 100 myself I can tell, that you really show the people, that this is an instrument that makes you make music - and not a "device" that makes sound.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hey Florian! Thanks for the awesome circuit breakdowns, very handy!

[@Rolanoid]

Your demos sound fantastic Alex. I bought the 101 keyboard module second hand when I was a teenager back in the mid 80s. It was my first synth and at first I didn't have a clue how to use it especially as there was no manual. Sadly I sold it when I moved countries in '88.

[@ianwynne764]

Hello Alex: The Vangelis demonstration was amazing. Thank you.

[@slimyelow]

Alex, your musical creations just blow me away. - every mutterfiggende Zeit

[@blakebrothers]

Excellent video and walk down memory lane - many thanks!

[@nobel11]

Your depth of knowledge is rivaled only by the amazing timbres you coax out of these lovely machines.

[@benji.B-side]

Excellent review and fantastic insight to how these beautiful instruments perform. You made some top notch music on this set up.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@DeirdreSM]

Oh, this takes me back, thank you very much! The twelve steps is probably because it allows for quarter notes and eighth note triplets, which is more complexity than a lot of other options at that time. I remember thinking that made sense; lots of the options that didn't have a divisible by 3 options made me feel like the music it could produce was really limited (as I really love triplets).

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep absolutely, at 12:19 I said it was likely because of compound time. The System 700 and Korg SQ-10 and a version of the Yamaha CS-30 sequencer use the same 12 or 24 step approach, but it was predominantly 16 as you say.

[@adwarfsittingonagiantsshoulder]

This synth sounds really good, I like that spring reverb ! I liked the Vangelis hommage. And all those demos you have done are all excellent, both reminiscent of an era and original at the same time !!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Not surprised Vangelis liked it. He was sat on top of his CS-80. Praise indeed!