Product Overview
The New Classic
The SYSTEM-8 is a direct result of over four decades of synthesizer development at Roland, including some of the most iconic instruments ever made. It absolutely nails the sound and behavior of our most sought-after classics, like the included JUPITER-8, JUNO-106 and JX-3P synthesizers—and yet it does so much more. Mix and match modern and vintage oscillators and filter types with multiple dedicated effects—then split and layer them into never-before-heard new sounds. Shape every detail with the huge array of high-resolution controls and create fully realized musical ideas with the onboard polyphonic sequencer with motion recording
In addition to the SYSTEM-8’s native engine, there are three expansion slots for hosting and controlling PLUG-OUT synths. These are complete, 100% authentic models that you can swap in and out of your SYSTEM-8 whenever you like. The JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, and JX-3P PLUG-OUTs are included, giving you immediate access to living, breathing recreations of these Roland classics. More PLUG-OUTs are available on Roland Cloud including the SH-2, SH-101, PROMARS, and SYSTEM-100, not to mention many other instruments which you can control from the SYSTEM-8’s panel. In Performance mode, you can combine the native synth engine and any hosted PLUG-OUTs to create super-synth patches with layered voices, custom splits, and more.
High-Resolution Control
With one of the most expansive control layouts available, the SYSTEM-8 has dozens of knobs, sliders, and buttons for you to shape your sound. Dimmable lights give you feedback as to which controls are active and let you see what’s happening in dim studios and dark stages. Controls have a logical, flowing, layout with tonal tweaking in mind. You’ll get ultra-smooth parameter changes that sound great and help you find the sweet spots.
Dream Sequencer
The SYSTEM-8’s polyphonic sequencer is designed to be quick and flowing, keeping up with the rapid pace of your musical ideas. The upper and lower layers of the SYSTEM-8 each have their own dedicated sequencer which can trigger internal sounds or devices connected via USB, standard MIDI, or CV/GATE. You can record in step or real-time modes and the sequencer can even capture per-step or real-time parameter changes using motion recording. Keep things fresh and exciting with dedicated knobs for scale, gate, and shuffle as well as hands-on control of playback modes and direction.
KEYBOARD
Keyboard
49 keys (with velocity)
SOUND GENERATOR SECTION
Models
SYSTEM-8, PLUG-OUT1, PLUG-OUT2, PLUG-OUT3
Maximum Polyphony
8 voices (MODEL: SYSTEM-8)
(MODEL: PLUG-OUT1, 2 and 3 are depend on PLUG-OUT software)
User Memory
Patch: 64 (8 memories x 8 banks, per one model)
Performance: 64 (8 memories x 8 banks)
Structure Elements
MODEL: SYSTEM-8 is as follows
(MODEL: PLUG-OUT 1, 2 and 3 are depend on PLUG-OUT software)
LFO Section
Variation: 1 (Single LFO), 2 (Dual LFO), 3 (Resonanced Pulse LFO)
Waveform:
VARIATION 1: SINE, TRIANGLE, SAW, SQUARE, Sample&Hold, Random
VARIATION 2: 6 types
VARIATION 3: 6 types
Knobs: FADE TIME, RATE, PITCH, FILTER, AMP
Controllers: KEY TRIGGER, TRIGGER ENVELOPE
Oscillator 1 Section
Variation: 1, 2
Waveform:
VARIATION 1: SAW, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, SAW2, SQUARE2, TRIANGLE2
VARIATION 2: 6 types
Knobs: COLOR, MODULATION Source (MANUAL, LFO, P.ENV, F.ENV, A.ENV, OSC 3), OCTAVE (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2), COARSE TUNE, FINE TUNE
Modulation: CROSS Modulator
Oscillator 2 Section
Variation: 1, 2
Waveform:
VARIATION 1: SAW, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, SAW2, SQUARE2, TRIANGLE2
VARIATION 2: 6 types
Knobs: COLOR, MODULATION Source (MANUAL, LFO, P.ENV, F.ENV, A.ENV, OSC 3), OCTAVE (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2), COARSE TUNE, FINE TUNE
Modulation: RING Modulator, Oscillator SYNC
Oscillator 3/Sub Oscillator Section
Variation: 1, 2
Waveform: SINE (-2 octave), SINE (-1 octave), SINE, TRIANGLE､TRIANGLE (-1 octave)､TRIANGLE (-2 octave)
Knobs: COLOR, TUNE
Mixer Section
Level: OSC 1, OSC 2, OSC 3/SUB OSC, NOISE
Noise: WHITE Noise/PINK Noise
Pitch Section
Knob: ENVELOPE Depth
Envelope: ATTACK Time, DECAY Time
Filter Section
Variation: 1, 2
Filter Type:
VARIATION 1: LPF (-24 dB), LPF (-18 dB), LPF (-12 dB), HPF (-12 dB), HPF (-18 dB), HPF (-24 dB)
VARIATION 2: 6 types
Knobs: CUTOFF, RESONANCE, VELOCITY SENS, ENVELOPE Depth, KEY Follow, HPF CUTOFF
Envelope: ATTACK Time, DECAY Time, SUSTAIN LEVEL, RELEASE Time
Amplifier Section
Knobs: VELOCITY SENS, TONE, LEVEL
Envelope: ATTACK Time, DECAY Time, SUSTAIN LEVEL, RELEASE Time
Effect Section
Type: OVER DRIVE, DISTORTION, METAL, FUZZ, CRUSHER, PHASER
Knobs: TONE, DEPTH
Delay/Chorus Section
Type: DELAY, PANNING DELAY, CHORUS 1, CHORUS 2, FLANGER, DELAY + CHORUS
Knobs: TIME, LEVEL
Reverb Section
Type: AMBIENCE, ROOM, HALL 1, HALL 2, PLATE, MODULATION
Knobs: TIME, LEVEL
Other Section
Knobs: PORTAMENTO, TEMPO
Controller: LEGATO, TEMPO SYNC
Key Mode: MONO/UNISON/POLY
Step Sequencer
Track
1 per Patch (step pattern is saved as a patch)
Step
1 - 64 steps
Recording Method
Step recording, Realtime recording
Controllers
SCALE, PLAY MODE, GATE, SHUFFLE, FIRST STEP, LAST STEP
OTHER
VOLUME, INPUT volume, ARPEGGIO, CHORD MEMORY, VOCODER, KEYHOLD, VELOCITY OFF, TRANSPOSE, OCTAVE
CONTROLLERS
Pitch bend and modulation lever, BEND SENS PITCH, BEND SENS FILTER, MOD SENS PITCH, MOD SENS FILTER
DISPLAY
16 characters 2 line LCD
EXTERNAL STORAGE
SD Card (SDHC supported) for backup/restore function
CONNECTORS
PHONES jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
OUTPUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
INPUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
CV/GATE OUTPUT jacks: Miniature phone type
(CV: This jack supports OCT/V (Hz/V is not supported). GATE: This jack outputs +10 V.)
TRIGGER IN jack: Miniature phone type
PEDAL (HOLD, CONTROL) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
USB port: USB type B (Audio/MIDI)
DC IN jack
POWER SUPPLY
AC Adaptor
CURRENT DRAW
2 A
ACCESSORIES
Owner's manual
AC adaptor
Power cord
OPTIONS (SOLD SEPARATELY)
