This video, via sonicstate, takes a look at the new Roland Aira System-1M Eurorack synth module.
AIRA product specialist David Ahlund joins Sonic State’s Nick Batt to discuss the new synth, which combines Roland’s Plug-Out technology with CV/GATE and Eurorack compatibility.
Roland describes the new synth as ‘modular for the masses.’ Check out the video demo and let us know what you think!
Features:
- Semi-modular synthesizer with PLUG-OUT capability
- 19 color-coded CV/Gate and audio connections with LED lighting
- 84 HP Eurorack, tabletop and 19” rack compatible using AC adaptor or Eurorack power
- Versatile oscillators with six waveforms, Crossmod, Ring Mod, Sync and Color control
- All parameters controlled with high-resolution knobs and sliders with LED indicators
- External input for processing external signals through filter, amp and FX section
- -12 dB and -24 dB filter types with independent high-pass filters
- Integrated tone, crusher, reverb and delay effects
- Tempo syncing for LFO and delay
- 24-bit/96kHz audio and MIDI interface
- AIRA Link for easy connection to MX-1 Mix Performer
- Includes rackmount adapter and braided patch cables
The System-1M has a street price of about US $600. See the Roland site for more info.
fairly pointless video to be honest, didn’t really learn much about it, we’l have to wait for sonicstate to get their hands on it properly I suppose.
Is it modular? It doesn’t really seems so to me
It’s normalized but can be though of as modular in the same way as the Cwejman S1 or Future Retro XS.
Nice hat. I look forward to seeing Rack Extension versions of the Plug Outs 🙂
It is really good that Roland have been good to their word and have developed the Aira range.
It is great to see 19 inch rack gear again., Great to see the now 64 patches on the synth .
I have zero interest in Modulars but I known this should be of use to Modular users. I am pleased to see new roland rack synths.
Good work Roland and great to see this footage and the new analogue poly synth on its way !! wow.
I don’t like these kind of music for a demo … I’m waiting to see some “berlin style” music showing the potential of these new rack. We need more info about these product.
yet to see anyone patch one of these up,its no different than a system 1 demo
hmm… Hopefully Nick Batt will do a Sonic Lab report by himself. I’ll hold off on judgement until I see a more comprehensive review. This interests me not because I necessarily want to get the full Roland Aira range – all those blinking disco lights would annoy me – but because its good that Roland are finally getting back to modular synths. In that sense the System 500 may be even more of interest than this. But this is a step in the right direction. Its not analog, but I’m not averse to a digital modular if it works well. This video did not really demonstrate the sonic possibilities though. I think the problem was that it was connected into the TR-8 and the other Aira units, which I get the impression is more orientated towards EDM noise than making creative music. Roland seem fixated on that.
What is with the Green and Black color of the AIRA line? It is so ugly.
what?…you dont want to play that you are tron?
Actually, the street price is $599… which to me is too expensive. They dropped the price of the System 1 to make you feel like it’s a deal when it’s not. Plus the FX modules are $299 a piece. So you’re spending $1800… that’s triple the original price of the regular System 1. Again, overpriced for digital modules. I guess the FX units are more interesting than the main unit. But I feel the System 1m shouldn’t be more than $400 and the FX modules should be half their price. Just maybe I might be willing to check them out, but right now with the price no way. Sorry Roland. I am enjoying your other Aira products, but I can’t figure out what you were thinking here with these prices for digital eurorack units.
Taking all full knobby synths with patch points into consideration, I think this is a bargain price.
Agreed. This is an absolute bargain and is in the same price ballpark as some eurorack oscillators. Couldn’t care less that it’s digital either. Actually, my favorite eurorack modules are all digital.
It’s a total bargain even with just the default synth engine on board. The latest update with the additional wave forms and the 8×8 patch memories ups it. It sounds fantastic regardless of its digital nature. It plays very well with my MS-20M (also sounds fantastic) and SQ-1.
not sure about this line, the look&feel is terrible, they seem to be marketing this for the EDM crew, the osc waves are awful, also the processing and the music they showcase them with.
Ya man, Down with the EDM crew!! You tell ’em. Down with processing and look, too!
I will wait to see what Nick Batt has to say on the System 1m…I do trust his reviews.
Nick Batt is the Chuck Norris of electronic gear reviewing. He should run for President, Prime Minister, and UN Secretary General.
Its like the Roland marketing crew gets their ideas from saturday night live skits not realizing those skits are making fun of people like this. Nick once told me he’s not paid to do these…I feel bad for him he should definitely be paid to get stuck in a video like this!
sounds like a plastic nosebleed
Some of us love really dirty sounding nasty synths, the ‘sophisticates ‘ music always sounds so boring and dull.
Hahaha! So sorry about your hearing problems. It must be hard to figure out what to buy.
Just curious if you’ve actually heard one with maybe a set of decent headphones or speakers.
I wish he had played something musical with this gear, instead of making dance music effects. I’d hate to think that this is the most common use of synths these days. I, too, now await Mr Batt’s more comprehensive review.
I make good old country n’ western, and this “electronic” dance music is downright offensive. I just want to program a nice bassline and play some lonely-soundin’ pedal steel over the top. My ex-wife used to tell me to get some karaoke CDs and go with that. But I think one of them there synthysizers might do the trick better.
I don’t expect no Japanese company to understand this, but if they would just hire a good ol’ boy to show off something you could play in church, they’d move thousands of these things to honest folk instead of these computer wizard teenagers with their cell phone music and euro-talk.
Ya!! Down with euro-wizards and …….and Apple. Apple hates country music. We needs an American made V-Lap Steel. Bring back live TB-303 country players. And remember kids, a shiny new analog hammer makes real music.
Whoever the poor dude was at AKAI can rest easily now. This looks even worse than the timber wolf.
i wonder how the System 1M and the other Roland modules react to audiorate signals into the CV inputs.
I have 1m – I’m just OK with synthesis, but I can whip out some sounds on a standard analog synthesizer.. 1m is a struggle. Even after the 1.20 update and the new waveforms maaaaaaaan it sounds so digital to me……… $599 .. hmm OK for 1m by itself… then you get a little registration card. that lets you buy sh-2 and Promars plug out for $95 each.. that’s almost $800 already!!!
….101 is not available for 1m yet – I can not find a link on Roland website for it. Maybe someone can enlighten me. How much is that btw? another $95 ?
Someone mention in this comment thread that Nick Batt needs to do a proper review (with all the plug outs loaded up please!) , maybe I’ll change my mind after I hear 101 on it. Another thing that no one mentioned yet, is fonts on the unit itself, it is very small and hard to see..the green led lights “cover” the font from its brightness – It might be my eyes, but something to take for the consideration if you work at night or are at the gig. For now I might keep it for another week and send it back. I just think for this much money there are better options out there. Maybe some small modular starter kit. Just my two cents. Take it or leave it.
What I’ve done to lessen the green glare is to put black rubber o-rings around all the knobs. They’re #9 size (Danco 96726) and found in the plubming department of hardware stores. They don’t fit the sliders or buttons of course, but still make a big difference.
Im disappointed that this video does nothing to demonstrate how well this new synth plays with other Eurorack modules. Being digital, I have to wonder how it will respond to audio-rate modulated CVs, and how much latency (on inputs and outputs) will exist.
If it actually works well, this would be a very inexpensive way to get a modular system started.
For this reason I think Roland missed an opportunity to add a lot of value to this product: inclusion of an on-board power supply to power a dozen or so more modules. Then this would really be a Eurorack starter kit.