When Versatility Becomes a Burden.. // Roland SH-4D Workflow and Thoughts

[@RickyTinez]

I see a ton of people mention the MC-707! I had a day with one while working on a project once and it was surprisingly really fun. Owners of the 707, how does it compare to the SH-4D? Good combo? Replaces one another?

[@samprock]

SH-4D deserves more comparison to VerseLab, which I sold after a year. Song mode, getting around was good, but not enough sound design. SH-4D tweaking is more immediate, but ZERO of MV-1 usability. Played SH-4D for a week (messing with copy/save/lose as you do lol), second week it was collecting dust already, so went back to GC. MC-707 is an extreme on it's own - "deep (menu) diver" (==unusable). If SH-4D had at least same useable flow as VerseLab, it would have a change to serve as idea catcher and maybe small desktop controller. Maybe. I'm still happy with OP-Z on that front. Thanks for honest thoughts Ricky! On point, should help few ppl to control GAS :)

[@rainbow_mess]

I haven't used the SH-4d, but I picked up an MC-707 instead and it's really great. Much better than it was when it released, tbh ... the sampling and slicing is way better than it was, and editing synth engines is pretty simple. Only real pain point is sequencing and switching scenes, but Unit-E has some great videos that got me pretty squared away on that pretty quickly.

[@thestinkyweasel6297]

MC707 is a beast, I second the poster who suggest's Unit-E's videos. The 707 has become the centerpiece of my small rig.

[@dracul74]

I’ll probably keep my 707 over this. With the 8 tracks over usb it’s a great way to make loops or get a song started. If you take the time to learn the scales and chords features on the 707 you can do some cool stuff. I like this 4D ui, but there isn’t that magical ‘thing’ that I feel I need.

[@koalemos1679]

The feature that makes this more attractive than a 707 is the ability to seamlessly change patterns. I think the 707 can do this but is limited to 16 patterns per project which can be used with clips but the 4D just does easier with more patterns. I like making long sets of patterns that flow like a DJ set and I need to switch patterns as seamlessly as possible.

[@RobertSaintJohn]

Disclaimer: I’ve had the SH-4d for two months, gelled with it almost immediately, love it. Full respect to Ricky for this dive, and I wouldn’t dispute anything in particular that he says here. Nothing he says here is unfair. But I also think that his conclusion reflects personal workflow preferences, perhaps based on years of other gear. I found that over a few days (maybe 10 hours?) of creating tracks either in my head or inspired by working with the SH-4d, that I genuinely enjoyed the workflow. As I built up the muscle memory, everything became intuitive. I’m very happy with my finished tracks, have tons more waiting in line to be worked on. I’m also mightily impressed by what I’ve seen others do with it here on KZbin or elsewhere. It’s certainly been a better experience for me than the first month with the JUPITER-Xm 1.0 in 2019, and that’s come a long way since. I give kudos to Roland for applying many lessons learned to the SH right out of the box. I think it’s true of any gear of any complexity: you get to know the workflow and start trying to make the music you want with it. It will either take you there or you’ll find it’s not for you. My experience with the (similar) Digitone was much the same. I did not dig the flow and wasn’t floored by the sound. After 6 months I determined it was definitely not for me, and the updates later didn’t help. But it’s not bad gear, and others do great stuff with it. For those still considering the SH-4d, I’d say take Ricky’s findings seriously, but keep an eye out what others are saying about it and doing with it.

[@Alesistx2023]

Same here. Just enough features to get a track 90% of the way there for me before bouncing into daw for embellishments and mastering. Also, crucially, not menu divey… like, at all. Really excited for firmware updates (hopefully) to see pattern chaining, deeper wavetable/sample pools, broader delays/reverbs and a few bug fixes (volume jumps when switching patterns).

[@SonicVibe]

I with you I gelled with it instantly highly satisfied with it and I think the workflow is super fast

[@BrentODell]

It's tempting for me, but I already have both a KeyStep Pro and an MPC for sequencing, so all of those features would be essentially wasted on me. I'd love to see something like this with a little more sound design depth instead of the sequencing and rhythm features.

[@SonicVibe]

@@BrentODell it’s one of the most crazy sound design tool I have used think digitone with more hand on control

[@asynchronicity]

I think this is the kind of thing that contains many different kinds of jams inside of it. The whole beauty of this is to kind of dive in and find your combination of ingredients that constitutes your particular jam.😜👍

[@deepnlow808]

Its a synth. The sequence options can only be seen as a bonus. Pair this up with a decent sequencer and you are set.

[@mattierenton701]

The having to hold shift for some pretty basic operations is a bit annoying, not knowing where in earth you are if your on a 64 step pattern is annoying, not having a metronome is a bit annoying, not having a count in is a bit annoying, sometimes it can sound a bit robotic and can be a bit annoying, all that being said.. I INSTANTLY FELL IN LOVE WITH IT !!!!

[@SonicVibe]

Agreed

[@noisetheorem]

I have one and really like it. It’s really nice for on the couch doodling and getting ideas down. It’s also very nice as a tone module driven by an external sequencer. It’s also really great for creating synthesized drum sounds. That said, it’s far from perfect. There are definitely some bugs and gaps that feel like they rushed it out. I’ve got a feeling this could be a really great box if they give it updates like the TR-8s or SP404mkII have gotten.

[@thedeepblueskys]

That’s how I feel about it, that if Roland was to focus on updates, things could get interesting. I have the 8s and SP 404mkii and Roland definitely followed threw with them. So I hope they don’t sleep on the 4D in terms of firmware updates!

[@dannymolns3573]

Would you say it's good for sound design

[@noisetheorem]

@@dannymolns3573 Yes and no. In some areas, such as the drum synth, its very very good. In others, the single filter is a bit of a bummer. The FX are really, good though. Pair it with a device that can sample, and it can be a great starting point.

[@DoctorNemmo]

Spoilers: they won't. Roland rarely supports hardware beyond a couple of years.

[@thedeepblueskys]

@@DoctorNemmo That’s a bummer because it’s definitely got some flaws and areas that need improvement. I ended up selling it not because of these reasons, but because I didn’t need it. I really liked a lot of things about it.

[@kris_lx]

I just got one this week and I like it, works well together with my Digitakt and Syntakt.

[@TK-hz4ss]

I absolutely love my SH4d. It is a deep synth and an outstanding sound design module, Its alao a drumsynth synth as well and great to sketch loops and sample them with. Hardly a synth to not give it your attention and learn. It is so worth it. If youre talkin shit about it then your not giving it the time to learn its soul, we are spoiled by music technology to the point where we overlook gear that deserve more recognition than people are willing to give.

[@SonicVibe]

100% agree love mine it’s really not hard to use

[@sullycliftona888]

im. stuck. ..this n. two. others. the digitakt. or tr8 s. ....

[@asynchronicity]

I like how you don't love it but you make it sound absolutely great!

[@TerekkiTerekki]

This paired with the OXI one ~ great combo

[@markorendas1423]

Im quite happy... still catching on to the triple save function...id like for it to become my main go to unit. This a drum machine and another synth. I do wish there was a editor program available. Thanks for a honest and distinctive assessment

[@dolo747]

I think this device is fun to fool around with. Portability is a plus for me also. I'm probably gonna keep mine.

[@whoadog8725]

If I worked for a competing music hardware brand, I would disclose this information right away prior to my critical “unbiased” review of a competitor’s synth/groove box. Maybe I’m just old school like that.

[@briannhinton]

I have zero concerns with Ricky being biased.

[@rxchurch]

“Let’s add a metronome” because it doesn’t have one! I’m keeping mine as a portable 4 part synth module that I’ve paired with the Polyend Play which handles samples, drum duties and synth sequencing. You are completely accurate that the sequencer workflow leaves much to be desired. Not to mention the bugs like the pattern loops at the shortest part if you set different pattern lengths per part and the effects tails get killed if you change patterns. Also, you are always on grid and there is no song mode or pattern chaining. Hoping some of this gets fixed in updates, however as a portable synth module for some nice Roland sounds to be externally sequenced, it’s worth the $ for me.

[@Decoy303]

No metronome? Wow! 😅

[@hughthemusicalengineer4365]

Just got to spend time to get your head around it. I'm having lots of fun with my SH-4d. As it has an audio input, it's easy to pair it with other synths without the need for a mixer. I find MC-101 is great with this, but so is Typhon, and lots of other things. You can also use the sequence on one of the tracks to sequence external gear. Works very well. However, I do hate how it saves projects, but it seems to know where all the bits are.

[@logemann74]

I have the sh 4d and the digitakt. I can feel every complaint and thanks that you are honest. Still a great device if you want to have a multi timbral synth and dont want to buy too many synths anyway.

[@Kablehead]

It's funny that 2 mod slots for the wavetables seems not enough. The Digitone for example only has 2 lfo's for each track. I really hate some of the UI choices Roland did here but i feel like we're a bit harsh towards them. Myself included. Probably because they made theses iconic devices in the past and now they sometimes keep struggling a bit.

[@lX-NDR]

I think this synth is very powerfull and pure for producers. The sounds to me sound very pure.😅

[@a_nick_t]

FWIW I had an MC-101 and looked extensively at the SH4d and ultimately I went with a Digitakt. Now I’m having fun! But I will agree that everyone’s brain works differently and some synths will click better than others. Appreciate your candor Ricky. So many KZbinrs just skim the surface and ultimately aren’t helpful. 😎👍🏼

[@ericlloyd7981]

Ah this helps, got an MC-101 after months of research and next day an SH4d was on the market and thinking of getting that too but its just another little Roland and really want something different again so I'll be doing research on this Digitakt thing whatever that is that I probably spelled wrong anyways.

[@rewwhiskas4234]

Sounds really gorgeous to me! Hopefully with some firmware updates these workflow faffs will get ironed out..

[@vincewatson_official]

Its not a studio machine for experienced pros Ricky, but what it is is an incredible sound module for live performance, triggering MIDI from something else...I trigger from my Force for live shows and its absolutely fantastic for stage use.

[@JayKaufman]

I just wanted to say I love your music. I've been a fan for a long time! Hope to see you in Toronto, Canada at some point.

[@dhaze909]

it's absolutely a beast also in the studio...audio usb with all the tracks separated and ready to be processed, the midi implementation that let it drives from whethever you want, it take midi in and clock from my mpc one but also a clock in from my modular and the usb sync from the daw, i'm lovin it

[@beesting6135]

@@dhaze909 it's a beast for sure

[@thevoiceofgrandmother]

agreed! also, big respect vince. hammered out your remix of kaotic harmony in the club just last week!

[@stefan1024]

I think it's kinds cool for bedroom producing electro pop stuff, like a workstation or a little daw in a box.

[@theshinyobject2438]

I was looking for a reason not to like it to be honest. But I don't even use many of the sequencing features I just need a good tone generator. I sill haven't found a reason not to like it in your video. I understand the saving problem would suck.

[@Lesser_Than]

Naw man. Keep it. I didn’t like it at first but now I love it. It probably sounds smoother than my other small form factor. It’s definitely not as fleshed out as elektron though. Give Roland a chance to update and maybe fix some things.

[@RuiGon1]

I just want a chain patern in the next update. Thanks for sharing.

[@MaskedMenace94]

I just got it a few days ago. All I need is the ability to record/program off the grid and the ability to automate the rhythm track. This would be damn near perfect aside from a few other things. Saving especially. I hope they update it like they been doing the 404MKII

[@thelibrarian3734]

I have one and to be fair while your points are valid it sounds gorgeous especially if you are looking for those Roland classic sounds, its a tweakers dream especially if you write techno but house perhaps not.

[@Gdxgz]

The save structure is the only thing I think is a true let down with this, and I hope a future update addresses it. The rest of the hate seems very over exaggerated. I replaced my mc101 with this because the workflow blows the 101 out of the water. Same with both of my electron models boxes, which are clunkier than the sh4d (theres some irony to this vid???). Id assume its the same with the 707. Yet im seeing people who have clearly never touched the 4D talk about how their 707 is better. Personally I view the SH4D as a sort of microfreak and a groovebox had a baby.

[@BASILEMOJO]

yeah you r the only dude who make sens here,totally agree!

[@SonicVibe]

Agreed I love mine

[@Thirolls]

I have this one from the beginning and I love it :). It sounds really really good, and the workflow is okay for me. There are a lack of some features like micro timing, visualise where you are in the sequencer or a metronome, but I can deal without all of that. The SH4D bring me the classics vintage synths I want in one box + some really nice classic TR drums, and I found his workflow MUCH more good and immediate than the MC707. U have to keep in mind guys, than the MC 707 is a groovebox, and the SH4D is primarily a synth. Not the same purposes.

[@ZenMountain]

Much better.

[@SonicVibe]

Agreed

[@articutmyself]

Despite it's shortcomings I think this would pair so well with my digitakt. Great video Ricky.

[@dictabeat]

I like the tr8s. Got a hate love relationship with the mc707, but with the 4D, I just feel it's more of the same and now all the Roland stuff sounds alike and I don't feel like buying more because of it

[@mattierenton701]

Ricky , shift + utility gives you duplicate steps (part) and duplicate steps (ptn) that was a lifesaver for me finding that out !!!

[@Congasjones]

Sorry but try it for 3-4 weeks and then you will realise how good it actually is???

[@hugocaldeiravinagre]

Great video. i have deleted the factory patterns. how can i restore them ? i ve made no backup and i have no restore folder in my 4d drive like the manual mentions.

[@thedeepblueskys]

I bought the SH-4D to try it out and see if I liked it. I didn’t jive with the sequencer at all, and saving my patches is always a mystery. Just not sure what’s going on with the saving aspect, but regardless of all this, I actually love the sounds it’s capable of creating. Plus I love the simplicity of it. The filter and FX are pretty amazing to me. So I use it with a Keystep 37 and could sequence it with my Digitakt. I’ll probably wont get rid of it, because I enjoy it as a synth too much, but not so much as a groovebox. I’m thinking about also setting it up with my Keystep Pro to control its timbre’s on there own separate midi lanes, and the drums on there own. I’ll make a KSP project that will save all the midi channels. Plus I’m gonna try out the Korg SQ-64 with it too. Love that the 4D is battery/USB-C powered. Maybe there will be some kick ass firmware updates that will fix some of my hang ups with the saving annoyances and add more cool features like FX, and workflow advantages.

[@dannymolns3573]

You said you love it as a synth. That's kind of my reason for wanting it. Underwhelmed with the hydra desktop and either gonna go for this or deepmind12d. How are the sound design capabilities on this? Also I was reading that there's no librarian for it? So just overwriting factory slots with your new patches?

[@thedeepblueskys]

@@dannymolns3573 I owned the DM12 keyboard version and sold it to fund a Tasty Chips GR-1. I didn’t regret it at all because the GR-1 is totally amazing, but so was the DM12. It would be a very hard to choose between the DM12D and the SH-4D. I felt the DM12 has more going on when it comes to being a synth. It lacked a proper sequencer though, but other then that it has more controls. They where very responsive and the shear amount of presets was definitely better then the 4D. However the 4D is just so young in its firmware development to tell what’s to come. I do prefer the sound of the 4D more but that’s because I feel the FX are better and definitely easier to use on the fly. That’s what the 4D is good at. It’s totally portable and everything is fresh and new. The battery power alone makes it a great sketch pad to carry with you. If someone offered me the DM12 or 4D for free but I could only pick one, it would probably be the 4D. Honestly I’d save up a little more and get a Virus Ti-1 desktop if it’s within reach. I got one used for $1,100 and it’s the best synth I have ever owned. Also lacks a sequencer, but man is it amazing. I use a Keystep pro to control and sequence all my gear, so the sequencer thing is not a problem, otherwise the 4D has the DM12 beat on that aspect.

[@PavelKabelik]

Hi, as you mentioned Digitakt, did you tried to use it as main sequencer for SH-4d. I tried different settings, but was not succesfull. I'd like to switch SH-4d presets from DT, but it seems, that MIDI implementation on SH-4d is pretty limited. Or am I wrong? Thanks

[@thedeepblueskys]

@@PavelKabelik I haven’t tried that combination yet, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. As long as you have the correct midi channels setup it should. In fact you should be able to sequence all 4 timbres of the 4D with 4 different midi channels on the Digitakt or any other sequencer. I’ll give it a try with the Keystep Pro, and see what the deal is, as my Digitakt is packed up due to my home studio being remodeled. But yeah, it would be a shame to not be able to control the SH-4D with an external sequencer no matter what the sequencer is. I’m gonna have to explore this now that you bring it up. I just assumed it could be done like any other synth I’ve owned.

[@ThinkerThunker]

Nice review RT. This thing to me is like a Roland JD-XI version II. It's a little bit of a LOT of things, but doesn't OWN any of it.

[@RickyTinez]

Yes! That’s a good way to put it. It doesn’t define itself

[@197979jones]

zzzzzz

[@80noisemaker]

Yeah I get the sequencer is janky, but if you dismiss this and use it for what it is primarily sold as - a polyphonic multitimbral synth, this pairs great with the Syntakt or Digitakt to get some decent polyphonic sounds into them and use their superior sequencer to sequence it. Roland maybes shouldn’t have added the sequencer if it was an afterthought, but as a synth, not sure what the issue is? The ‘shift +’ function is no different to the Electron ‘Func +’ to get to secondary menu options. If you have a studio of other synths then this ain't gonna be for you, but for the hobbyist or someone looking for a small setup, I’d say give it a go, I have no doubt Roland will improve the SH-4D with firmware updates, but even as it is, I ain't complaining.

[@cjlewis79]

I’m using mine with a Digitakt and it’s so much fun.

[@dhaze909]

this baby is most valuable of a Digitone or a syntakt in my opinion, i'm using it in a combo with digitakt and a oxi one sequencer....timeless fun... hope they'll do an upgrade to make work that d-motion thing with the buttons, the arp styles types are really fun but i hate move or shake it like as a children with his toy

[@slamhamburgger]

Love to see honest reviews like this. Also, sick Wedgehead shirt. I was just there the other night!

[@MrFunktone]

I think your coming off the back of digitakt workflow expecting this to be the same smooth workflow but thats expecting a lot and its only just come out so Roland im sure are gonna update this thing. Im more concerned about the portability of this thing and the sound, which are ticked boxes. This hasn't put me off i love one

[@brooksideplaylists]

Roland, you clearly need to do some serious firmware upgrade work on this machine, the way Arturia did with the Keystep Pro. This thing is far too complicated for it's own good, which is a shame, as the sound capabilities are clearly excellent. Great Video Ricky.

[@gabrieleatzeni8665]

This Thing will be in Bad gear

[@dracul74]

In like 2 weeks, lol.

[@entropybentwhistle]

@@dracul74 Too soon…he can’t make enough memes to fill the video in that time.

[@JH-lo9ut]

And Florian will make it sound awesome...

[@InRoB-Music]

Fun fact, the syntakt was in the show before 😂

[@gabrieldelamora3701]

"Straight to bad gear", just like the Korg drum thing that came out recently!!

[@kh485]

Anything inspiring here as far as the sound set or rhythm generation capability?

[@dudemanxx]

I know you're sending it back regardless, but I wonder if you ended up figuring out the TIE function. You hold the step with the notes you're looking to stretch, then hit PAGE/TIE to add each additional step. I don't think I like how this works overall, but it's one of the few "intuitive" functions on this machine. Also means there's visual representative of gate lengths which isn't terrible. Yeah, very weird device. I'll be keeping mine because I'm a hoarder but it's been an uphill battle learning and using mine. edit: just got to @21:12 and see the issue with the copy and paste function on the rhythm track. When you copied the step, you expected to just copy the step for that low-velocity shaker. But what I think happened is that it copied that step for the kit as a whole, as if every instrument was treated like a note in a chord, instead of its own part. You had a kick and said shaker sequenced on step one, then copied those across to the other steps, mostly unaffected except for step 13. That step previously had a snare, which was then replaced with your kick+shaker step.

[@sazianasazi1182]

I'm thinking this would be a decent expansion module for the Digitone/takt. The Digitone could sequence the synth parts, and the Digitakt could sequence the rythm part. 🎧

[@jayrvento4116]

What about adding a Beatstep pro and sequence from there? Could it alleviate some of the annoyances?

[@a_nick_t]

If you’ve got the cash to spare…

[@jayrvento4116]

@@a_nick_t Oh, I've should have said it was an idea for the ones that already own one

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

I have an MC-707 and absolutely love it!! For this though, I would prefer pads or nothing. Those little plastic buttons seem below Roland and more akin to Teenage Engineering or Liven. And one more small thing....where are the Roland colors?! I'm a visual person and find the custom color coding on the 707 very helpful for instant feedback and recall.

[@BASILEMOJO]

I own Both and to modify sounds on the fly and the flexibility of the drum machine kill the Mc 707

[@kalleeriksson2148]

Hey Ricky, I'm curious about your current synth collection. Did you sell the Pro 3 and Grandmother or are they still around?

[@mutinyz]

why don't you explain the menu diving as you go, to show people how to get to the same pages that you're using?

[@Reprogrammed_By_SEGA]

It is probably Roland's best attempt to try and simplify ZenCore for live play, even though they say it is not ZenCore. Still not there for me and I'm not a fan of grooveboxes with menu diving. It would be nice to see them make another attempt but in an SH-101/2 style package with less menu diving. Also is it just me or is there too much reliance on knobs these days and not enough sliders?

[@domingoleija3436]

Wether they upgrade that or not we're curious on your thoughts on comparison with ELEKTRONS DIGITAKT WORK FLOW?🤔

[@SibertianMusic]

Unfortunately, when using USB audio, I hear audio from both the DAW and the device itself. The sound is doubled. It is unclear how to leave only the sound that comes from USB (DAW). Without this setting, multitrack recording doesn't make much sense.

[@rickyspanish1123]

man, I am more a synth than a sample guy and hoped to ditch my mc707 for this one because of the hands on controls. I definetly keep my mc707. Good video and thank you!

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Having used both, I can tell you the 707 is sonically way more capable, but the SH4D is a way more hands-on synth that you can easily edit and tweak. I really love it.

[@Doyourememberlove]

It´s perfect for my Live compact setup. Digitakt sequencing it: using it's 4 voices. Multi-effects, master compressor, etc. Adding an additional Digitone to the mix is just overkill.

[@197979jones]

This with the OXI One - 100% the most fun ive had with studio gear......The Roland is so neat/compact and sounds great. Yeah its sequencer sucks and people act like hitting the save button 4 times has ruined their day....BUT with the OXI - so productive

[@AudioLomtik]

I get that the sequencer workflow could be frustrating. But I'm curious, if you were judging it solely as a multi-timbral synth and not a groovebox.. ignore drums and sequencer for a moment... where the sequence/drum machine would be handled by another device in a DAWless setup, would it change your opinion of it?

[@aneveningwithebola2727]

Honestly, I recommend that with most Roland boxes. Their synth engines are always ridiculously good, but there are far better sequencer options out there. Or you can always say "screw it" and plug some keys into it, that's my plan.

[@AudioLomtik]

@@aneveningwithebola2727 That is what I do, plug a keyboard into it (I'm not a fan of the button keyboard other than to audition sounds) and use it as a 2 or 3 part multi-timbral synth. I don't have a use case for it as a drum machine or sequencer, those bases are covered elsewhere. As I'm not aware of anything that competes with it at the combination of price point, multi-timbral ity, polyphony and on board FX, I was curious how Ricky or others would rate it for those specific use cases.

[@new.romance999]

Yeah I wish Roland would cut the sequencer and the drums and charge 200 less. But now every machine has to do everything and have everything. Im sick of grooveboxes.

[@AudioLomtik]

I guess they thought putting the word "synthesizer" on the front panel would clarify what it's meant to be, and the drums + sequencer would be considered a free bonus. Even at the current price point, and even forgetting about the drums and sequencer features, is there anything else has the same combination of multi-timbrailty and polyphony for similar cost? I can't think of anything comparable at the moment.

[@wolfgangdevries127]

@@AudioLomtik not really afaik. But I'm passing this one til it's updated.

[@ktreier]

I already own a MC-707 so I couldn’t see what this would add other than a more intuitive UI, but even then they’ve hobbled the ZenCore engine so it doesn’t compete with the 707 and Jupiter Xm. It really seems like a miss to me. Sounds seem thin also. I watched a bunch of reviews from the usual suspects and yours was the most honest. Other reviewers were clearly trying to be positive enough the maintain their launch day status.

[@isaac.anthony]

same! i really want an editor like the TR8s, MC707 would be so much better!

[@Rustik1722]

The rest are fake garbage except Nathan. Whose gonna talk shit and not get early access

[@ktreier]

@@isaac.anthony absolutely. An editor for the 707 would be great.

[@thestinkyweasel6297]

@@isaac.anthony Yes please to the editor!

[@distantcomets]

@@isaac.anthony It's NOT an editor, but are you aware that you can build patches in the Zen Core app and export them to the 707? Again, NOT an editor, but building patches in software gets me a lot of the way through the tedium.

[@koskey06]

Thank you! I been looking into buying my first synthesizer/groove box..... Still trying to find the best one for me with our breaking the bank. This is priced a little more than i want to spend but i am willing to pay if something is worth it. MC101 might just still be my best bet....

[@JoeLinux2000]

Your feeling about this synth is very similar to my feeling about Yamaha's DGX-670. It can do a lot but it's very difficult to figure out. The user interface is often very kludgy. Worst of all string voices don't sustain with the sustain pedal, but they do sustain as long as you hold down the key.

[@kh485]

It seems like a simple update could be implemented to streamline the “track and project save” process.

[@RickyTinez]

Hopefully!

[@eyesintheskies]

Hear what your saying but think as a do it all kinda box once you’ve mastered the workflow this would be a real beast. I guess that goes for any machine really. But if like you your jumping between different machines with different workflows I can understand the frustration. Still sounds good though, nice and portable to, coach\train journeys would fly by!

[@dracul74]

I liked how quickly you dialed in a wave table sound, but the shift func stuff might drive me nuts. I love the Elektron workflow (own 6 products, lol), but I also own the mc 707 and you do get used to how they manage patterns, parts, etc. Hmmm….

[@RickyTinez]

the MC 707 is surprisingly really useful and quick at creating a track idea. I loved using it to grab quick loops from external synths. and the drums in it weren't bad!

[@Jamesjimjimmy]

So could i sequence this with say... a digitakt and use multiple synth engines at once? If so whats the polyphony like?

[@bengineer_the]

When moving a pot with recorded automation, why not just offset / attenuate the recorded modulation? (rather than fight it?)

[@cgxone7578]

Yooo! Reppin Wedgehead! I live in Portland and just went there the other night! I love all your videos!

[@PeaceDub]

Is that the same small round hard plastic keys same as on the SH-32? Why they want that hmm..

[@hdslave]

I wonder if roland wasnt targeting these lower price points if they could actually shell out to create their first good UI. but at the same time im wondering how much sh4d, tr8s, tb3, and the boutiques share. they may all be the same software at their core which may all be based on the zencore plugins anyway

[@alexanderfpv6655]

Could the graphics & design of the faceplate be any less inspiring?

[@embersandash]

I think the interface looks good. But the actual instrument is meh.

[@CalebKnorde]

"it's not an elektron" - ricky probably

[@dracul74]

One thing I love about the mc 707 is you get the independent outs over usb with no hassles… true for this too? For me I love this as I can build a track and then replace the drums for syntakt or digitakt after.

[@Death_By_Media]

Yes usb has a stereo out for each part

[@sirvidia]

does the pattern sequencer only do 4/4?

[@hostnik777]

No, you can set the number of steps for each of the 5 parts between 1 and 64, and use a variety of note subdivisions; enough to cover all but the most ridiculous of time signatures.

[@technoviking4152]

It looks like interesting real synth groovebox

[@mattayre7746]

I've got a Digitakt, Digitone, Monologue and Minilogue. I'm thinking of picking up one of these but I'm not sure - I sold a Blofeld recently and I was hoping this might replace it.

[@VJFranzK]

I was hoping it would play easily like my classic Electribe EMX! ...but now worried about Shift Menu Overload, we shall see.

[@raulgorgulio9834]

«On paper it sounded incredible» - is the exact same feeling that I have about the MC-101. I really love its sound and features, but its workflow is so annoying, that is messes up the creative flow. Still not sure what I want to do with it, I don't use it that much, but I also haven't found any good alternative yet.

[@LavalampDM]

I went through a whole journey that started with the Verselab, returned it because I hated the menu diving, slow sample loading and previewing, and bugginess. Spent the extra money for an MPC Live II, hate the complexity even more then the Verselab. I ended up keeping it but then I bought an SP404mkII, which I like just a little bit more. To me the Verselab would have been the perfect device if the usability wasn't so bad. It is a very capable synth.

[@snörre23]

Is this actually available anywhere in the world ? Thomann germany reads "several months".

[@wolfgangdevries127]

Small shops have it. They even have small discounts here and there. Which usually means it's not sold well. I think many sent it back to Thomann's and Bax Shop. In my eyes it's not a finished product. Simple.

[@JustinUrban1]

So I was thinking of getting one of these units for the soul purpose of sampling chords and drum hits into my Digitakt 🤔

[@channelite]

I like the coaster for the cup.

[@AlexIsASeraphim]

Thanx for this Ricky. I have had my eye on this one. But it does come down to what work flow works for you. I'm at the budget end of the market and I prefer creating with the Circuit Tracks to the MC 101 for example.

[@BASILEMOJO]

Circuit Tracks with 6 voice polyphonie? LOL you r a looser dude!

[@phelper4554]

A few more buttons for menu driving 8 encoder style around the display like Elektron and we would have gotten a beast this workflow issues are the worst you are so right ❤ Roland needs some Beta testers that are actually making music 😅

[@RickyTinez]

Yea, certain things you'd want to be at the forefront of the creative process! My favorite indicator is when using a product and it does something that you'd expect without even knowing it was going to. like copy paste a pattern and it goes to that pattern. or if I copy paste something it doesn't disappear when I change patterns.. 🤦🏽‍♂

[@phelper4554]

@@RickyTinez lets hope that in future they will let you test some things before they start producing it 🙋‍♀️

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Just noticed I posted a very similar thing. Definitely if these sound engines were inside an Elektron Digi format box... whoooo that would be amazing.

[@andyinderbyshire]

I've seen a lot of content on this. I don't think there is a pattern chain function, which limits it as the brain at the heart of a setup... Don't get why they would have missed that when developing it. Also, not sure how it would work for live performance?

[@TriangleWaveRecords]

This reminds me of the Korg Electribe. Kinda does everything but doesn’t really have that x-factor/edge. Basically seems like another groove box that doesn’t do anything that can’t be done in a DAW.

[@BASILEMOJO]

i rarely read so much crap in a small sentence///🖕

[@vernellshelton90]

As I was skipping around in the video, I felt this this is more technical than musical. I think that something can be programmed

[@markkilley2683]

I would have one, if there was one available.

[@Digiphex]

I'd put some more money and get the MC-707 which does most of these sounds and samples, has 8 tracks, control of multiple performance parameters and scatter.

[@BASILEMOJO]

yeah but drum part such on MC 707 ,707 is a menu diving machine....

[@projectz975]

it seems like a really good synthesizer for the money with a sequencer tacked on just to give the guy at the store an easy way to demo the sounds. like fr fr compare the sound of this to other synths in its price range and its a pretty decent competition, and i cant think of any new synths with the same number of voices at that price.

[@bobclark5360]

I had it ordered and canceled..thank you for the honest review..disappointed but grateful for details that so many seem afraid to share or just ignore. I understand the dynamics involved but we need peeps like you and a few others to share their gut and not just what the MFG hopes you'll say.

[@eddmtz4028]

Should be a good idea on showing a good pair of monitor speakers to use and get all the power from the beats.

[@peterfuzz3887]

every time you edit a new sound, you should give it a new name, (like a "save as" in your computer,) to avoid the inconvenience of erasing the previous sound - which would affect every song you recorded before , using it! !

[@wackerburg]

*Less But Better.* (Dieter Rams) - That's my motto. Not only in the realm of making music, but that's the topic _here_. My guess is that most of the tools available today suffer featuritis and most users do not know and master all the features these tools offer. Yet, they tend to get another cheap one. And another one. And... 🙂 I happily enjoy vintage machines. No need for updates, instant boot-up-time. Instantly the results I want; when I want a 909-beat, I turn on the 909. 808 for the day? Turn on the 808. And I really simply just love their sound and groove 🤷🏼‍♂ And though I am curiously interested in hearing the demos from recent tools like this, they never spark any interest due to their lifeless, boring, stale or limited sound. Roland is now just creating new products from the same codebase again and again and again. But the good thing is; noone is forced to buy or use this 😀

[@robertsyrett1992]

Synth sounds pretty good! I kind of wish they went all out and licensed the elektron sequencer, but that would be too OP, I suppose.

[@axs203]

I like that Roland tried to do something a bit different with this. Should have made it more Sh32 looking. At least they used the 70s computer font! 😊 The keyboard is a great addition. Quite a few knobs. Its too black. The screen is bigger than what you would expect....but too much menu diving. They need to make these things with touch screens ..its 2023! Having Tempo as a shift function is hideous. Tempo should always have its own knob immediately accessible. Who designs these things and then who tests them at Roland to catch things like this? Copy paste and save should be quick actions as you do them all the time on pattern based grooveboxes. I think the jx305 was a brilliant design personally. Bring it back! Ios apps have great interfaces this device could learn from.

[@user82938]

Nice Wedgehead shirt. Pinball is life.

[@nicolasroy6654]

I got a MC-505 and a MC-808 in the pass and i was going to buy a 707 but after trying it sounds like just an upgrade of the 808. I wanted something to create my own sounds. And SH-4D is great in this sense. You can start from the scratch and that's what i want. MC-707 is realy great but MC are not for me anymore. So try before buying a machine.

[@JacobSkriver]

not that I have any desire to buy a Sh-4d so not that I really care, but aren't you employed by Elektron? It seems as if there could some conflict of interests here?

[@embersandash]

Oh word? Didn’t realize that.

[@mastaboog749]

I just ordered one to go with my mpc live 2, battery brothers

[@filipzawadzki9424]

I dont know why, but this unit sound reminds me best deep house tracks besides what you created that actually deep house. It's SH 4 Deep I heard little amount of devices that was capable of sounding like that.

[@lowspotsound721]

thank you for keeping it real about Roland's tedious workflow!

[@JeffHendricks]

Roland's workflow can be so frustrating... I'm still fighting my Verselab. There comes a point when there's more stuff it can do that you can reasonably control with a couple of buttons and a mini screen.

[@RobaQ87]

The sad thing is that the Rolond seems to abandon this hardware, there is no software update since a year. Great device but still has few problems and needs software improvements.