The Roland System 100 from 1975

A look at Roland's System 100 from 1975, their first foray in (semi) modular synthesis.
0:00 Intro Jam
0:57 The System 100
1:59 Demo 1: Falcon
3:02 Talk: The Basic Unit et al
4:28 Demo 2: Proto Acid
5:33 Talk: 101 & 102
7:57 Demo 3: Ring in Spring
9:04 Talk: 103
10:55 Demo 4: Bucket and Fade
12:00 Talk 104
13:53 Vangelis Spiral
14:48 Clock Mod Tricks
15:49 Demo 5: Tumble & Fall
17:03 Talk 109
18:28 The Human League
20:30 Outro Jam
Links:
System 100 playlist: • Roland System 100 Tracks
Nemo Studios: www.nemostudios.co.uk/
Martyn Ware System 100: www.bonedo.de/artikel/human-l...
Florian Anwander resources:
www.florian-anwander.de/rolan...

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@kennygray9620]

Consistently the best demo tracks of any synth videos out there

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Kenny.

[@palindromial]

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

[@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. 😀

[@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 :)

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@rodgre]

Ugh. Even the spring reverb sounds AMAZING!!

[@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.

[@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. 😀

[@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!

[@toddtrillo7445]

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

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@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.

[@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.

[@xpavpushka]

Your demos are really nice. Thanks

[@StevoMusicManUK]

Brilliant video, thanks for putting this out there

[@Stue007]

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

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Another wonderful episode of this channel!!

[@dalejason]

Brilliant work as always 👏👏👏 thank you.

[@rorz999]

Thanks for the video. What an incredible sounding synth!

[@chbuschmann]

I geek so hard on this - excellent video, Alex!

[@djmastergroove946]

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

[@Gmartin4049]

another killer video Alex.

[@woodnoname5015]

excellently done, so infomative . Thank you.

[@soundlabsounddesign9392]

This is an amazing video! Thank you for all the detailed and thorough work :)

[@bodymechanics9211]

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

[@mrr2816]

A sheer joy to watch! (your spiral was spot on..)

[@CreateListenCreate]

Really enjoyed this! So informative and musical.

[@drindy5166]

This is a hardcore and fantastic video brother!!! Absolutely enjoyed this. Much love! 👊🧡👍

[@kentune38]

Another fantastic video. Bravo!

[@GianmarioScotti]

Thank you, Alex, this was very interesting and stimulating. Subbed.

[@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.

[@blakebrothers]

Excellent video and walk down memory lane - many thanks!

[@mcfearce-one8934]

What a wonderful presentation, thank you

[@kerzwhile]

Absolutely brilliant Alex! Damn I love that reverb! 😉

[@princepaul5557]

Very unique system. Thank you for sharing!

[@makeshift_battlefield_music]

that is tons of fun, I really enjoyed learning about this instrument, thanks for sharing it with us!

[@RudyAdrian]

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

[@jamesdefrancesco7765]

Great job yet again.

[@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. 🙂

[@MacXpert74]

Very cool video. The System 100 sounds massive!

[@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).

[@alexlifeson8946]

Awesome video 👍. That Tumble & Fall sounds excellent 👍

[@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.

[@TeddyLeppard]

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

[@uxartmusicvideo-andphotogr2043]

Amazing video and synth. Acid Jam is awesome.

[@ianwynne764]

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

[@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.

[@timkoelln3826]

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

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@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!

[@aidyleemusic300]

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

[@sawsquaresinetube]

Awesome! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 very informative. I was super excited to watch and loved it! I love my 101 and that LPF 😂❤

[@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

[@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.

[@cthulholmhastur5317]

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

[@grrlpurpleable]

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

[@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.

[@dalemoore387]

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

[@TheUnfinishedSynth]

So glad you embraced the System 100's joyous madness in this video!

[@joshuasmith6231]

Hah, this was a fun coincidence for me, since I listened to Spiral on the way to work this morning. Great video, Alex.

[@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.

[@tuddilu]

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

[@ivorydungeon909]

Lovely stuff, as always... the bassline on the intro jam reminds me of the Fletch score

[@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!

[@slimyelow]

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

[@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!!!

[@happygolucky2231]

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

[@700500300]

Thank you for the interesting video and good music!

[@_Thorsten]

Outstanding review/demo of this classic Roland analog Synth.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@princequestly2218]

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

[@sw1ne2001]

Another cracking video, thank you. Your depth of knowledge, clear illustration of information and research efforts throw into stark relief that you are indeed a nerd of the highest order. Think I mentioned before you should audition for a local band, I think you could go far..

[@soepil]

The mind boggles indeed! Great video and demos. Thank you.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@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.

[@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! 🙏😊

[@Noise-Conductor]

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

[@stevenmann9769]

Loved this video! Great job 😊

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Steven.

[@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!

[@michaelwessel4953]

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

[@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.

[@bobz1736]

Superb as always !!!

[@strawmanhat]

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

[@nobel11]

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

[@jlindborg1105]

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

[@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

[@igordewit7357]

When instruments still looked fantastic ..like straight out of a sci fi movie,or an aeroplane cockpit. Wonderful ...no screens,just sliders and knobs for miles!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Beautiful isn't it!

[@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!

[@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. :)

[@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!

[@UndercoverWanderer]

Great feature of the Sys100. And I love your jams!!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you

[@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 👍🏾👍🏾

[@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.

[@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

[@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!