Roland AIRA System-1 Custom Patches

This video, via Jim Atwood, captures a synth jam and demo of some custom patches on the Roland AIRA System-1 synthesizer.

Here’s what Atwood has to say about it:

I just cracked open the Roland AIRA System-1 and started to jam with it.

I right away deleted the presets, as I absolutely hated them. That’s probably because I’m more into old 80’s oriented sounds and so I proceeded to program my own. What you hear in the video are custom sounds that I programmed

A few of the sounds are also only using one OSC instead of two. I actually found I got the sounds I liked with one OSC, but of course it will be fun to dive into both later on.

I must say that my first impression is that the Roland System-1 didn’t sound analog at all when I first turned it on. I really had to create my own sounds and then I felt I got a little closer. The System-1 is a fun synth once you get into the programming. The 8 slots on top to save your patches are great for live use and it’s very easy to switch back and forth.

I’m using a Boss RC-300 to record the bass line. I sequenced and then recorded some drums onto the Boss RC-300 as well. Other than the drums, everything is from the Roland System-1. I’m not using any of the plugouts of course as they are not available, although I did get a voucher in the box.

22 thoughts on “Roland AIRA System-1 Custom Patches”

  4. the hype and eventual release of the aira line has been a curious one for me.

    I think that the people at Aira have had a long haul with Roland from the very start.

    Where Korg seems to have had core figures in upper management who were willing and eager to give a small development crew time and money to show that there is in fact a strong market in retro gear, Roland clearly do not.
    I don’t think this line was rushed in the sense that it was hyped and released before it was ready; this is a lack of confidence and support (money) at critical stages of development.

    I have not seen touring demos of gear and new directions in product concept like this since (interestingly enough) when i was hired by Roland to demo the D-50 in small towns around British Columbia Canada after its release.
    They found me in my highschool in a town of 6000 people and set me up.
    This was their stab back into the market after Yamaha’s DX7 had taken off so well.
    It was funny to see me standing there with an MC-50, an old Promars Compuphonic and D-50 playing “Axel F” to loggers and farmers…..

    This synthesizer has potential. Plug-out is a fantastic idea and very forward thinking.
    It just isn’t a finished product and at $700 is well below my radar at this point.

    1. I’m trying to keep an open mind about the system one because it seems like it could be the most interesting of the whole Aira line, but it this point it also seems very unfinished.

      I can’t see myself purchasing the system one in its current state, but if they actually deliver on what they’ve talked about, it could be extremely cool.

  7. This was worse than I ever could have imagined. My ears just can’t tolerate the sound of DSP synths anymore. Thank goodness for the modular resurgence! 😀

    1. How does it feel when you walk into a store, or a bar, or a club, or any other place and ear the background music?

  10. It might be youtube’s sound quality, but that sounds dreadful. You’d never
    think that this was the same company who made those early synths, such
    power resided in their sounds. Methinks that somebody at Roland is in denial..

  16. hahahaha u guys are retarded this synth is a beast they keep getting dumbies that know jack shit about synths to preview it and what not check my sc for beats made with it TRUST ME im a producer of all kinds of music I just owned minibrute and micro and got the SYSTEM 1 it is sick other then the VST3 bullshit I cant even use

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