Just ordered one.. Perfect formfactor for my Limited studio space. And loads of yummie features. Was in the market for a small synth and a drummachine.. I got both🙂
I ordered one also. I love the filter, FX, and the ease of use. I only had room for one more synth of this size. I can tell it’s gonna be very inspirational. It really sounds good to me as well.
I also have limited space and this should be perfect for me. I will probably end up using it for a tone generator/drum module. I can't wait to get started.
I have mine for a couple of weeks now and I love it…as a synth. The sequencer is a bit too basic. I’ve combined it with the polyend play and I absolutely love the combination.
@@stephandelaat i sold it two weeks later because of the sequencer limits. Its sounded good though but was very limiting. Now i got the Oxi one and a pittsburgh modular Taiga and now Im contemplating getting it again because of its sounds.. Hmm..
Yes! Agree! Agree! AGREE!! But perhaps not in the way you might think? m.th-cam.com/video/dMGq_89Z1ZQ/w-d-xo.html I often pair mine with the Korg Drumlogue. m.th-cam.com/video/sgXQnop_oi4/w-d-xo.html I really wish it had a dedicated song-mode though. Trying to advance patterns for a more ambitious song that goes into different chains/loops/etc, while using the Drumlogue is impossible... or at least not sustainable. The Polyend Play has an 8 channel midi sequencer. Since I mostly am using the Play for samples, I haven't explored it very much. Have you been able to sequence the five parts of the SH-4d from the Polyend Play for simultaneous playback? And if so, how does that work in the Play's song-mode/play-chain function? Thanks for any insight that can be provided!! Cheers from Delco!!
Roland is making some of the best machines ive ever seen ,i have mc101 had for few years very impressed it out features (akai)with a less cluttered workflow Great video !The sh-4d is a beast !
Really appreciate the annotations of what buttons/functions you're pushing on the synth. I have an sh-4d and it's super helpful to see. As someone who's only been fudging with synths for a little over a year, this is an incredibly approachable device. It isn't cheap or expensive. Very solid value. My first Roland device.
After a year with this thing...I use it as a synth...there it can be really deep...as Starsky did an amazing job showing in another video. As a synth, and current prices at like $400...it is a steal.
Nothing groundbreaking here, but the packaging/UX/ease of use make all the difference - have Roland finally got it right (limited menu diving)? Looks quite usable. This looks like what I wish the Korg Electribe 2 could have provided.. I got rid of it after polyphony and synth engine limitation frustrations. This is the answer also to all of us complaining about the format of the Boutique series - you could think of it as 3 boutiques combined into one with a size format that actually makes sense.
Hi. Thanks for the vid. Nice to see Roland send these out to you all. The sound. It does sound great. And the portability makes me think it would be nice to take with me on holidays. So in the end with the flexibilty and functionality make it a bang for buck. 🤓
Pre-ordered first thing this morning, but your video just confirms that I’m the target market for this 👍 Great details, demos, and Attenborough impression 😁
Great video! This looks to address pretty much all the issues I've had with many previous Roland devices; mainly having more buttons/knobs per function rather than loads of menu diving. Despite not being Zencore, it seems to have a great range of models and sound design capability. I think it's already on my wishlist 😜
@@StarskyCarr I am just getting to know my new Sh-4d and I am finding it a bit hard to believe that I can't make smooth pattern transitions. Are note and fx tails being cut off?
@@damiensimper they will only cut off if you've run out of your note limit. I demo how the notes continue from one pattern to the next. FX tails perhaps... if you're changing the channel FX. I've not tried that tbh as when going from pattern to pattern I generally use the same FX.. but change the sequence maybe sound etc.
I have a lot of love here for something new from Roland. Yeah sure, Juno and 101 emulations are an old school hook, but the cross mod, ring, and sync really stand out, so it seems an engine to get new takes on old sounds. (Actually the Alpha Juno saw is enough for me.) Seems like a mix between an analog 4 and a Roland MC-505. I haven't been excited for Roland kit for some time!
Legend has it a lost SH32 and a JD-Xi tried to escape a dark forgotten stock room of the Roland Factory, but security chased them into one of Dr Seth Brundle’s Telepods where a they stored Zip Disks of Zencore code and somehow activated it ….
I'm pretty impressed with the feature set, though I have to say I was picturing more Zen Core-like functionality. I had also hoped that when Roland got around to its next SH-inspired line, that they would include the SH-5 and SH-7 filter models and the SH-7 oscillator types (a big ask, I know, especially given the livery). I do appreciate that this is a sort of modernized/Aira-ized SH-32 with a bunch of 21st century features. Thanks for the review (and the Irwin/Attenborough impression at the top and bottom of the vid 🤣)!
It's a really interesting machine, better than anything else that I have been looking ta, purely because of how it can sound. Looks fun and easy to work with, without having to do huge amounts of menu diving. Thx for the upload.
Great video as always, Only one thing I'd like to see both with you (as well as other content creators) is that you somehow try and work the sequencing part into the video earlier. I understand you need to give a basic overview of what does what before you can start sequencing, but most just wanna jump in and get a beat going quickly before exploring further how the rest of the functions work.
Thanks… it’s hard because if you jump I to the sequencer and don’t know how to navigate the menus you then have to check that. If I could brain dump it parallel I would 😂 chapter markers will take you straight there. You can either scroll through them at the bottom of the picture or there’s a list in the description- I spend a while putting them all in so hopefully they will be of use!
Instant like after five seconds of intro. ❤️ Masterful! Regarding this synth, yeah, this is a fine multitimbral synthesizer. It's almost a groovebox, but a bit limited if reviewed from that perspective. As an MC-101 owner, I'm intrigued by the hands-on control and the fifth track for synthesized/rompled drums. It looks fun to use. Beyond that though, I don't think I could justify tripling the size compared to the MC-101 just for those things, for my use cases of sketching out song ideas with lush Roland sounds.
It's a groovebox in the vein of the Electribe 2. I wouldn't recommend it as a sketchpad with Roland sounds either; MC-101/-707, Fantom-06 & Juno-DS61 are the way to go for that.
The fact that the value doesn't revert on the motion tracks makes me think they based the note sequencer off the code for the SE-02 boutique, which also has this same weird feature. It's not necessarily bad, but certainly counterintuitive at first.
@@cresshead yup, zen just doesn't cut it for certain emulations, 303 being one of them. The drums on this one aren't ACB like the T-8 either, just samples. ACB isn't spot on but it's better than Zen, certainly better than samples. I've still got my SH-32 and Zen somehow doesn't sound that much better.
@@cresshead I don't disagree. I actually don't use my TD-3 because it's too untamed IMO, and so doesn't sit in a mix particularly well. On the other side the Zen stuff is too tame. I use TB-3 more than anything for 303, basically same as TB-03 and T-8. I've got a J-6 and love it, thinking I might get a T-8 even though it's purely overlap. Also I like it's sidechain, something missing in my TR-6s which routinely stops me from using it.
Am I missing something or this synth sound fantastic for its price? I'm not sure what I hear because I think I hear synth that should cost twice as much.
Tempted to order it but I don't know. I have a Roland TD-30 drum sound module which is amazing, Korg Opsix, Korg Wavestate, Moog Minitaur and Behringer Deepmind and a Polyend SEQ. I kind of think the SH-4d could be reduntant within my current set up.
Happy to see that you are one of the peeps to get a review unit. Your reviews are the best, much better than Bo, even better than Loopop. I don't really see the point of this unit. Looks retro but isn't at all, really just a crippled MC-707. Yet another Zen repackage. It's just an updated SH-32 in the end, and SH-32 was a miss for the same reason: last-gen sound engine wasn't DSP like the JP-8000. I thought it might somehow be ACB tracks. Even mono ACB tracks i'd pick one up. But more Zen i'll just use my MC-101 or Zenology. This actually makes me like MC-101 even more for what it is and value for money, no unnecessary space-taking encoders, just a small unit with a wide palette of bread and butter sounds.
@@NickHowesAstro It is, albeit severely crippled. It's basically a MC-101 repackage, where 101 is a crippled 707, albeit 101 is much more useful since they opened up the synth like the 707.
@@alexwestconsulting I just don't understand why they have not just implemented Zencore. The modelling and capabilities of that with the form factor and UX/UI of this would be superb.. As it stands, it's ...meh. No software integration in your DAW, no "vast" soundpack collections... I have seen this behaviour so many times first hand at companies, and it still amazes me that they pull this stunt to this day
@@NickHowesAstro Yeah I see what you are saying: even if it is Zencore engine in the end, it's still a variation thereof that's got enough differences and limitations to make it a strange beast. But this was the same argument between 707 and 101 until Roland "fixed it" a couple years later and opened the synth engine. And yeah, even 707 and 101 lack a proper VST plugin, just an editor. Even Zenology can't act as hardware VST. Sad that. I have to export from Zenology and then import into the hardware in a super frustratingly one at time manner. That's waaaay too clunky for what should be a universal engine. I like the 101 and TR-6s because they are so cheap and small that they fill a hole for me despite their limitations. But I wouldn't personally invest in one of their more "complete" solutions due to Roland's habitual abandon-ware practices.
@@NickHowesAstro Oh, and even Elektron does this. Model:cycles is basically a stripped Rytm, less params and no overbridge (and a ton of other things like no sampling/sample import). It's still good though.
This would be great for someone barely starting out. It has a lot of tweakable samples and a great sound engine. As a groovebox, I still think the Circuit is more intriguing to play with?
The Roland SH-4d is phantastic!! (Sorry, I'm from Philly and we can't help it) My only grievance is the omission of pattern chaining or song-mode. Assuming the great Mister Carr hasn't delved into this, does anyone know how someone could sequence the four synth-parts externally? Since the Korg Electribe ES2 can sequence up to 16 external synths via its 16 channels, I tried from my Electribe... but I couldn't figure out how to make the Electribe sequence multiple SH-4d parts simultaneously. Since I'm often using the Korg Drumlogue as my performance machine for all-things percussion, I can't really be advancing the SH-4d through different pattern changes as well. An example of this failing is here... eventually, I fuck up and kinda just abruptly stop the track. m.th-cam.com/video/EzN0_RMxlk8/w-d-xo.html If there was a way to externally sequence the SH-4d from my Electribe, or some other device... I'd love to learn about this. Thanks for any insight that can be provided here. Alternatively, Roland could always include significant pattern-chaining or a dedicated song-mode via some firmware update? I'll leave you with a couple of more successful tracks.. all done in one-take.. no overdubs.. no DAW. m.th-cam.com/video/dMGq_89Z1ZQ/w-d-xo.html m.th-cam.com/video/sgXQnop_oi4/w-d-xo.html m.th-cam.com/video/5z13Oo-YAIo/w-d-xo.html These successes are largely because the rhythm is mostly just a manipulated 64 step cycle... with no advancing to different patterns throughout the track. But I have other ambitions for this project and the ability to sequence and do long-form pattern-chaining would really help! Any advice or tips on how this can be accomplished/achieved would be most appreciated!! Merci beaucoup!! Cheers from the land of DELCO!!
So after the review I'm already thinking a bit about whether the Roland Sh 4D might also fit into my setup for ideas or jams with friends, of course the sound selection is smaller compared to the MC 101/707. It would be interesting for me to know if I send my TR 707 the rimshot trigger to the ext clk of the Sh 4d, can I then trigger the arpeggiator, for example, like when I connect Sh 101?
TRANSPOSE : Sadly no means to transpose a custom made pattern either on the fly or by sequencing. Only the Arpeggio. Would like to see this from Roland.
That... and a dedicated song-mode. Trying to advance through patterns while using the Korg Drumlogue to chopping up breaks and using the filters on the SH-4d is impossible. Some people get by with a little help from their friends... I'd get by with a little help from a dedicated song-mode. If there's a way to sequence all five parts of the SH-4d from an external sequencer (or the Korg Electribe since it can sequence 16 devices on 16 channels), that would help significantly. I'll keep plugging! Cheers from Delco!
Thanks for this! Can I ask about FX sends? I've gone right thru the manual and it's actually a bit vague about send levels for each tone. Can you have, for example, a fairly dry bass tone mixed with an ambient tone with bags of delay/reverb. The Pattern MFX seem to have global levels, and so be of limited usefulness. Are the Tone MFX flexible enough to create a "finished" mix? Can you bypass Pattern MFX for each part, so you're only using Tone MFX for, say, the bass?
I do t think you can mute the pattern FX for a single part. Theyre either on/off for the whole pattern (ie all 5 parts). if I understand what you’re asking. You have individual fx reverb delay and chorus for each part plus the main stereo out Fx. So I look at the pattern FX like a mixbus insert
@luke warm thats awesome..i got mine in 1990...an old band member left it at my house, he said it was garbage because it only plays one note at a time lol there is no synth that sounds anything like it.
Hey Starsky, Great video with lots of information. The Sh-4d seems to be a great little synth, but the sound engine also seems to be a less flexible version of what one can do with Korg Opsix' user algorhythms. Would you agree on that?
Probably, I’ve never used the user algorithms myself but know what you’re driving at. This is much more about the accessibility of the sounds and the ease of creating patterns. It’s got great sounds but none are highly complex engines.
Thank you very much! Oh my God, Roland heard my multi-timbre requests :)) Question. a. Can we use our own filter for each part? b. Can we change the stereo panorama of the timbral parts? For example. Part one is on the left.The fourth part on the right... and separately, in the drum part, each instrument relative to the center?
a. the same filter model is used on all parts. I,e, the 101 and 106 oscillators don't change the filter... but each part has its own filter (not sure if this is what you meant) b. yes there is a pan knob which sets individual pan settings for each instrument and drum part (you can have different envelopes, filter settings etc for each drum tone).
In a certain way this is very close to the Roland JD-xi. 4 parts vs 5 parts, simple sequencer, drum section. Wonder if they don't overlap themselves too much? The big plus here is the FM part and knobs. Is the rest of the sound engine much better than the JD xi (which also has an analog synth section..)? How good is the Juno 106 emulation? Compared to the Boutique JU-06A? Thanks
Another question, it seems possible, but wanna be sure (woukd be agame changer compared to the JD xi), in the drum part section, how many individual drum parts can you have (SD, SN, CC, OH...), and can you mute each individual drum part (mute the BD or SD in real-time for instance..)?
they have overlap, but workflow and the end result you get with the verselab is different. Im a verselab owner and use it everyday, i wont be getting this synth but i did just order a 404mk2 to use as a scratchad for samples before putting them in the verselab to build full songs.p
From what I've read, 128 user patterns for your own projects are pretty small in my opinion. Kind of reminds me of the MC 303 with 50 user patterns to save. Even the JDXi has 4 banks, each with 64 memory options, which means space for 256 user patterns, which is quite a bit. Compared to the JDXI, I think it's good that you can finally mute individual drum parts, which is really annoying when performing.
That's a good comparison. This looks kind of a desktop vers of the Jdxi with knobs, and finally you can mute individual drums parts But other than that the Jdxi is still much better i' my opinion.. The analog part, the effects hands on section, the better sequencer layout... Roland are still cutting corners on every product just as if they wanted us to buy a bunch of machines to get bits of each to get what we would like in one. Still waiting for a true flagship groovebox (like the Yamaha Rs7000 in the early 2000's..) from any brand, but none of them seems to want to do it... And I suspect that is a purely business plan decision. An ultimate groovebox would crush all future potential little boxes like we see today. Elektron has the same philosophy.. They could engineer a massive ultimate groovebox starship.. But they just don't want to destroy their one box one function catalog.
If I want to create synth sounds that don't require deep menu diving, would you recommend this or JD-08 +JX-08, am not too focused on drum and sequencing features as I do those in DAW + want to get an SL mk3 as well.
Hi, I know this might asking a lot... But having just got this with no synth experience... It's a Little bit overwhelming. could do you a primer on synths/sound design on this? No worries if not
@@StarskyCarr sold! Thankyou. Also sorry I posted this before watch your osc vid... Both of these have really sung to me. Putting the subtitles on adds another layer. Thankyou
Are you using the Juno as a synth or a midi controller for the SH-F4 at 4:40 or so? I usually only play 1 synth at a time so when I see keys connected to a desktop unit I think "Midi control for keys only" but you are using the sliders on the Juno. So, they must be set up like 'midi thru' or something, or do you have the juno sliders mapped to the SH-4D?
I play the sliders on the Juno when the Juno is playing - it’s not controlling the SH4D - but it can send MIDI so you may be able to control it with the Juno. I think the Cc on the Juno are fixed.
I’ve never used an sh01a - but this has access to all the same stuff for time creation although not a 1:1 replica of the filter or envelopes. It’s got a lot more going on obviously. I’d pick this one unless you want a 100% emulation of the tone. For me this gets the job done in a nice to use box.
I understand these are two different things but still I’d like a second opinion. I’m debating on getting either this Roland or an MPC(similarly priced), I have logic and I play guitar,bass,keys, vox, with the daw is it even worth getting either of those? I know it depends on the type of music I make but I’m interested in these both
You don’t need either… but they’re fun and that’s why we do it! If you use a lot of samples then the MPC is the way to go, and if you like to finger drum etc. the Roland is better if you prefer programming and tweaking synth tones. You’d be happy with either I suspect. I’d you want a full song mode then MPC. For easy middling and coming up with loops the this (unless again you like using loops and samples).
Where did you get that hat, get that hat, get that hat?. Where did you get that hat? Do I want one? Not in my life time. All that is needed now is a seat if 😎.
The demo really touched me, at the end. Great sounds, great nostalgic feeling. I think they did improve the quality of their VA models from the original ZenCore. One question remains, are the track and drum mutes saved with a pattern or kept if you switch? (Elektron nowadays offers both types in addition). That would be important for me, when performing.
@@audiohufter ? You can just turn volume down for parts you don't want to hear. Or maybe there is another enable setting saved with the pattern. I find for creating a performance, keeping mutes over pattern changes is a must.
note that the 4 sliders or non- programmable audio faders. there might be some sort of workaround but the situation kept bothering me with tr8s it s not an 'improved' version of zencore. but a wattered down one. not that it bothers me...
I've watched a few SH-4d video's on TH-cam now and while the featureset is amazing I'm not amazed by the overall sound. It all sounds a bit dull, not dynamic. A bit MP3 like. I guess that's a tradeoff to get that featureset for this price.
Q. are the patterns synth osc types/patches linked (saved) to a pattern? - (like the JDXi ) Do they change when you change pattern and is it quick enough for live.... or is THAT why there is no pattern chaining?
they are saved as the patches - ie they refer back to the presets and user patches. So when you save a pattern you have to make sure you save any edits as a new tone - if you want to keep the old one. And it all appears to change fine... no blips or delays ... that I've noticed anyway. I've not spent ages thoroughly testing that side of things.
@@cresshead it looks like a JD-Xi on steroids, but ditching the rubbish-quality minikeys instead of giving us something decent like the Keystep keybed, but I have keyboards already so that's a non-issue for me
Sounds great, looks great...great demo, great form factor...however Roland.... what a colossal own goal omitting zencore compatibility. It could have been the budget Jupiter-XM/X and MC series crossover everyone wanted
In fact , the more I think about it, the more it's a real "what the hell were they thinking" Zencore/Zenology pro gives me thousands of superb and fully editable sounds, with full integration in my DAW and seamless bi-directional transfer to and from the MC hardware (not as seamless as the System-1/8 but dump to SD card not a biggie). All the SH/Juno etc goodness, plus sampling and vast PCM, plus a bigger poly count. MC-101 with System-8 and I have the best of both worlds, and as of 7AM this morning, MC-101 was 310UKP on Amazon (ordered it at that price)
I guess it's to do with the complexity of the sounds on the Zencore engine. One gripe I had with the Xm was the amount of menu diving even though the synth has a knob laden panel. The ethos here appears to be 'keep it simple'... which for me is the main selling point tbh.
@@StarskyCarr Not an excuse, simplify the top level params 100% agree, but removing the Zencore integration and ability to deep dive is insanity. Coming from 20 years in synth design and development, I've seen this "bean counter" mistake too many times from Japanese companies, not wanting to harm their own sales, whilst shooting themselves in the foot by doing so
I literally bought an MC101 this morning, after watching Loopop and other demos of this, if they'd implemented Zencore, I'd have bought this without hesitation.
@Nick Howes - Yeah the only good thing I thought about this was it might bring the price of the MC101 down (to go with my TR-6S, and i have the SH-01A and TB-03) I'm UK but Amazon is Saying MC101 at £388 for me 🤔
@@StarskyCarr thanks, I saw the use of the arp on a single layer/part, but wasn't sure if it was per part. Other early users have been saying it is not...I was hoping to clarify...and you did. Thank you.
Just ordered one.. Perfect formfactor for my Limited studio space. And loads of yummie features. Was in the market for a small synth and a drummachine.. I got both🙂
I ordered one also. I love the filter, FX, and the ease of use. I only had room for one more synth of this size. I can tell it’s gonna be very inspirational. It really sounds good to me as well.
I also have limited space and this should be perfect for me. I will probably end up using it for a tone generator/drum module. I can't wait to get started.
I have mine for a couple of weeks now and I love it…as a synth. The sequencer is a bit too basic. I’ve combined it with the polyend play and I absolutely love the combination.
@@stephandelaat i sold it two weeks later because of the sequencer limits. Its sounded good though but was very limiting.
Now i got the Oxi one and a pittsburgh modular Taiga and now Im contemplating getting it again because of its sounds.. Hmm..
Yes! Agree! Agree! AGREE!!
But perhaps not in the way you might think?
m.th-cam.com/video/dMGq_89Z1ZQ/w-d-xo.html
I often pair mine with the Korg Drumlogue.
m.th-cam.com/video/sgXQnop_oi4/w-d-xo.html
I really wish it had a dedicated song-mode though.
Trying to advance patterns for a more ambitious song that goes into different chains/loops/etc, while using the Drumlogue is impossible... or at least not sustainable.
The Polyend Play has an 8 channel midi sequencer. Since I mostly am using the Play for samples, I haven't explored it very much.
Have you been able to sequence the five parts of the SH-4d from the Polyend Play for simultaneous playback? And if so, how does that work in the Play's song-mode/play-chain function?
Thanks for any insight that can be provided!!
Cheers from Delco!!
Roland is making some of the best machines ive ever seen ,i have mc101 had for few years very impressed it out features (akai)with a less cluttered workflow Great video !The sh-4d is a beast !
So glad you got one to demo or review for us. By far my fav channel for synth content like this. Thanks Roland for connecting with this channel :)
Thanks :)
Now that is the right size. Sounds great! Nice🤘
Really appreciate the annotations of what buttons/functions you're pushing on the synth. I have an sh-4d and it's super helpful to see. As someone who's only been fudging with synths for a little over a year, this is an incredibly approachable device. It isn't cheap or expensive. Very solid value. My first Roland device.
Always good to see reviews like this from a long-time Roland user like yourself. Great sounding demos, it's a cool unit!
Thanks, always good to comments like this :)
If it had had a Jupiter-8 mode and rainbow buttons, I'd buy one. 🙂
Rainbow buttons have nothing to do with the music..
Way cooler without the naff rainbow lights if you ask me!
After a year with this thing...I use it as a synth...there it can be really deep...as Starsky did an amazing job showing in another video. As a synth, and current prices at like $400...it is a steal.
"mc101 mk2" with physical control. I think i like this one
Nothing groundbreaking here, but the packaging/UX/ease of use make all the difference - have Roland finally got it right (limited menu diving)? Looks quite usable. This looks like what I wish the Korg Electribe 2 could have provided.. I got rid of it after polyphony and synth engine limitation frustrations. This is the answer also to all of us complaining about the format of the Boutique series - you could think of it as 3 boutiques combined into one with a size format that actually makes sense.
I’m just the latest getting inspiration from your review, thanks much from a new subscriber. I’ll be ordering SH-4d soon!
Thanks for the thorough overview. Its nice having someone who collects and loves roland sytnhs give their take on it.
Hi. Thanks for the vid. Nice to see Roland send these out to you all. The sound. It does sound great. And the portability makes me think it would be nice to take with me on holidays. So in the end with the flexibilty and functionality make it a bang for buck. 🤓
Thanks… just an FYI MIDI works over the USB as well as the DIN ports.
@@StarskyCarr Thanks! I was misinformed then. Don't know anymore what gave me the impression.
This is a really comprehensive review. Thank you!
Pre-ordered first thing this morning, but your video just confirms that I’m the target market for this 👍 Great details, demos, and Attenborough impression 😁
Great video! This looks to address pretty much all the issues I've had with many previous Roland devices; mainly having more buttons/knobs per function rather than loads of menu diving. Despite not being Zencore, it seems to have a great range of models and sound design capability. I think it's already on my wishlist 😜
I much prefer it to the Xm even though it’s missing a lot of the functions and stuff like a Jupiter8 - this just has some more immediacy about it.
@@StarskyCarr I am just getting to know my new Sh-4d and I am finding it a bit hard to believe that I can't make smooth pattern transitions. Are note and fx tails being cut off?
@@damiensimper they will only cut off if you've run out of your note limit. I demo how the notes continue from one pattern to the next. FX tails perhaps... if you're changing the channel FX. I've not tried that tbh as when going from pattern to pattern I generally use the same FX.. but change the sequence maybe sound etc.
I have a lot of love here for something new from Roland. Yeah sure, Juno and 101 emulations are an old school hook, but the cross mod, ring, and sync really stand out, so it seems an engine to get new takes on old sounds. (Actually the Alpha Juno saw is enough for me.)
Seems like a mix between an analog 4 and a Roland MC-505. I haven't been excited for Roland kit for some time!
Legend has it a lost SH32 and a JD-Xi tried to escape a dark forgotten stock room of the Roland Factory, but security chased them into one of Dr Seth Brundle’s Telepods where a they stored Zip Disks of Zencore code and somehow activated it ….
Yup ,like a JDxi with better knobs/menu.
@@SphericEl on steroids
Excellent video and I will be referring to it when I start using my SH-4d beyond the monkeying around with it that I have already done. Thanks!
Oh ..... it was Indiana Johns voicing over with some soft Attenborough tones!! LOL Good one, Starsky! You're synth-whisperer you! :)
hahaha love that intro Starsky. My studio reminds me of a jungle sometimes
I'm pretty impressed with the feature set, though I have to say I was picturing more Zen Core-like functionality. I had also hoped that when Roland got around to its next SH-inspired line, that they would include the SH-5 and SH-7 filter models and the SH-7 oscillator types (a big ask, I know, especially given the livery). I do appreciate that this is a sort of modernized/Aira-ized SH-32 with a bunch of 21st century features. Thanks for the review (and the Irwin/Attenborough impression at the top and bottom of the vid 🤣)!
Nice review. It’s like the Roland Electribe (how I wish Korg would make an Electribe 3).
Always the best review on YT, Thanks.
You convinced me it can be a tasty musical, good sounding instrument, in the right hands.
It's a really interesting machine, better than anything else that I have been looking ta, purely because of how it can sound.
Looks fun and easy to work with, without having to do huge amounts of menu diving.
Thx for the upload.
Great video as always, Only one thing I'd like to see both with you (as well as other content creators) is that you somehow try and work the sequencing part into the video earlier. I understand you need to give a basic overview of what does what before you can start sequencing, but most just wanna jump in and get a beat going quickly before exploring further how the rest of the functions work.
Thanks… it’s hard because if you jump
I to the sequencer and don’t know how to navigate the menus you then have to check that. If I could brain dump it parallel I would 😂 chapter markers will take you straight there. You can either scroll through them at the bottom of the picture or there’s a list in the description- I spend a while putting them all in so hopefully they will be of use!
@@StarskyCarr I feel silly now for not having noticed before. Thanks though for pointing that out!
Instant like after five seconds of intro. ❤️ Masterful! Regarding this synth, yeah, this is a fine multitimbral synthesizer. It's almost a groovebox, but a bit limited if reviewed from that perspective. As an MC-101 owner, I'm intrigued by the hands-on control and the fifth track for synthesized/rompled drums. It looks fun to use. Beyond that though, I don't think I could justify tripling the size compared to the MC-101 just for those things, for my use cases of sketching out song ideas with lush Roland sounds.
It's a groovebox in the vein of the Electribe 2.
I wouldn't recommend it as a sketchpad with Roland sounds either; MC-101/-707, Fantom-06 & Juno-DS61 are the way to go for that.
The fact that the value doesn't revert on the motion tracks makes me think they based the note sequencer off the code for the SE-02 boutique, which also has this same weird feature. It's not necessarily bad, but certainly counterintuitive at first.
Major bonus point for going straight to voodoo ray!
What else ;)
As a package I think it is awesome. With batteries and phones on the couch. The ergonomics seem by far better than MC-101 (can sound great!).
7.57…. ‘If your a fan of song mode……it hasn’t got one’ classic 😂
You can pack so much in with digital. This thing is a bunch of synths in a small box and with an easy interface for once.
Exactly my thoughts
Oh, man, just when I thought I was in control. .
I'm sleeping before ordering, but the urge is strong.
About time the SH-32 got a refresh.
If they'd added the 303 emulation from the T-8 it would have had an instant audience.
T-8 TB-303 emulation is ACB based,
SH-4B synth groove box is a cutdown version of ZEN with it's own standalone filter type (ladder based)
Why?
@@cresshead yup, zen just doesn't cut it for certain emulations, 303 being one of them. The drums on this one aren't ACB like the T-8 either, just samples. ACB isn't spot on but it's better than Zen, certainly better than samples. I've still got my SH-32 and Zen somehow doesn't sound that much better.
@@alexwestconsulting My Roland T-8 (TB-303) sounds pretty darn nice compared next to my B td-3's .. all good here!
@@cresshead I don't disagree. I actually don't use my TD-3 because it's too untamed IMO, and so doesn't sit in a mix particularly well. On the other side the Zen stuff is too tame. I use TB-3 more than anything for 303, basically same as TB-03 and T-8. I've got a J-6 and love it, thinking I might get a T-8 even though it's purely overlap. Also I like it's sidechain, something missing in my TR-6s which routinely stops me from using it.
Am I missing something or this synth sound fantastic for its price? I'm not sure what I hear because I think I hear synth that should cost twice as much.
Love your demos
Tempted to order it but I don't know. I have a Roland TD-30 drum sound module which is amazing, Korg Opsix, Korg Wavestate, Moog Minitaur and Behringer Deepmind and a Polyend SEQ. I kind of think the SH-4d could be reduntant within my current set up.
thank you for the Voodoo Ray vibes!😎👏
Great stuff - great demo - like it👍
Another great video - thanks for the walk through
Does it have an IN input jack for processing external audio signals via the numerous knobs?
Yes it does but I have yet to figure out how to manage the audio via the filters and cutoffs. Or any knobs in general...
fantastic synth for the money. Except the SAVE procedure and the annoying 4bar limitation
great job fella, cool lil box too 🙂
Ha! That was a brilliant intro 👏🏻
Be carefull Starsky Irwin, you might get hurt by a stingray in a Bad Gear episode soon.
Awesome review, I want one
Like the voodoo ray demo 👍🏻
Wonderful intro, thanks for bringing some levity to the usually very stuff synthtube space
are you a fan of the round buttons or would you prefer tr8s style pads?
great video as always.
man. this looks so fun
Happy to see that you are one of the peeps to get a review unit. Your reviews are the best, much better than Bo, even better than Loopop. I don't really see the point of this unit. Looks retro but isn't at all, really just a crippled MC-707. Yet another Zen repackage. It's just an updated SH-32 in the end, and SH-32 was a miss for the same reason: last-gen sound engine wasn't DSP like the JP-8000. I thought it might somehow be ACB tracks. Even mono ACB tracks i'd pick one up. But more Zen i'll just use my MC-101 or Zenology. This actually makes me like MC-101 even more for what it is and value for money, no unnecessary space-taking encoders, just a small unit with a wide palette of bread and butter sounds.
If only it was a crippled 707... It's not even that
@@NickHowesAstro It is, albeit severely crippled. It's basically a MC-101 repackage, where 101 is a crippled 707, albeit 101 is much more useful since they opened up the synth like the 707.
@@alexwestconsulting I just don't understand why they have not just implemented Zencore. The modelling and capabilities of that with the form factor and UX/UI of this would be superb.. As it stands, it's ...meh. No software integration in your DAW, no "vast" soundpack collections... I have seen this behaviour so many times first hand at companies, and it still amazes me that they pull this stunt to this day
@@NickHowesAstro Yeah I see what you are saying: even if it is Zencore engine in the end, it's still a variation thereof that's got enough differences and limitations to make it a strange beast. But this was the same argument between 707 and 101 until Roland "fixed it" a couple years later and opened the synth engine. And yeah, even 707 and 101 lack a proper VST plugin, just an editor. Even Zenology can't act as hardware VST. Sad that. I have to export from Zenology and then import into the hardware in a super frustratingly one at time manner. That's waaaay too clunky for what should be a universal engine. I like the 101 and TR-6s because they are so cheap and small that they fill a hole for me despite their limitations. But I wouldn't personally invest in one of their more "complete" solutions due to Roland's habitual abandon-ware practices.
@@NickHowesAstro Oh, and even Elektron does this. Model:cycles is basically a stripped Rytm, less params and no overbridge (and a ton of other things like no sampling/sample import). It's still good though.
This would be great for someone barely starting out. It has a lot of tweakable samples and a great sound engine. As a groovebox, I still think the Circuit is more intriguing to play with?
The circuit tracks would play well with this…
SH stands for synthesizer with japanese accent - "SHynshesiza". So naturally Roland made a digital groovebox.
Voodoo Ray alone makes me want this unit. Wish I hadn't spaffed my money on a Wavestate. :-/
The Roland SH-4d is phantastic!! (Sorry, I'm from Philly and we can't help it)
My only grievance is the omission of pattern chaining or song-mode.
Assuming the great Mister Carr hasn't delved into this, does anyone know how someone could sequence the four synth-parts externally?
Since the Korg Electribe ES2 can sequence up to 16 external synths via its 16 channels, I tried from my Electribe... but I couldn't figure out how to make the Electribe sequence multiple SH-4d parts simultaneously.
Since I'm often using the Korg Drumlogue as my performance machine for all-things percussion, I can't really be advancing the SH-4d through different pattern changes as well.
An example of this failing is here... eventually, I fuck up and kinda just abruptly stop the track.
m.th-cam.com/video/EzN0_RMxlk8/w-d-xo.html
If there was a way to externally sequence the SH-4d from my Electribe, or some other device... I'd love to learn about this.
Thanks for any insight that can be provided here.
Alternatively, Roland could always include significant pattern-chaining or a dedicated song-mode via some firmware update?
I'll leave you with a couple of more successful tracks.. all done in one-take.. no overdubs.. no DAW.
m.th-cam.com/video/dMGq_89Z1ZQ/w-d-xo.html
m.th-cam.com/video/sgXQnop_oi4/w-d-xo.html
m.th-cam.com/video/5z13Oo-YAIo/w-d-xo.html
These successes are largely because the rhythm is mostly just a manipulated 64 step cycle... with no advancing to different patterns throughout the track.
But I have other ambitions for this project and the ability to sequence and do long-form pattern-chaining would really help!
Any advice or tips on how this can be accomplished/achieved would be most appreciated!!
Merci beaucoup!!
Cheers from the land of DELCO!!
Be nice to get a 303 engine at some point. Looking forward to a 101/106 deep dive comparison. But yeah, this is huge.
I'm not sure a deep dive comparison would be too much use tbh as the filter/envelopes aren't matched.
is there a way to solo and record the rhythm parts elements individually?
So after the review I'm already thinking a bit about whether the Roland Sh 4D might also fit into my setup for ideas or jams with friends, of course the sound selection is smaller compared to the MC 101/707. It would be interesting for me to know if I send my TR 707 the rimshot trigger to the ext clk of the Sh 4d, can I then trigger the arpeggiator, for example, like when I connect Sh 101?
TRANSPOSE : Sadly no means to transpose a custom made pattern either on the fly or by sequencing. Only the Arpeggio. Would like to see this from Roland.
That... and a dedicated song-mode.
Trying to advance through patterns while using the Korg Drumlogue to chopping up breaks and using the filters on the SH-4d is impossible.
Some people get by with a little help from their friends... I'd get by with a little help from a dedicated song-mode.
If there's a way to sequence all five parts of the SH-4d from an external sequencer (or the Korg Electribe since it can sequence 16 devices on 16 channels), that would help significantly.
I'll keep plugging!
Cheers from Delco!
GQ Starsky❤
how does this hold up against the Jupiter xm ? anyone favor it over one another ? cheers
Thanks for this! Can I ask about FX sends? I've gone right thru the manual and it's actually a bit vague about send levels for each tone. Can you have, for example, a fairly dry bass tone mixed with an ambient tone with bags of delay/reverb. The Pattern MFX seem to have global levels, and so be of limited usefulness. Are the Tone MFX flexible enough to create a "finished" mix? Can you bypass Pattern MFX for each part, so you're only using Tone MFX for, say, the bass?
I do t think you can mute the pattern FX for a single part. Theyre either on/off for the whole pattern (ie all 5 parts).
if I understand what you’re asking. You have individual fx reverb delay and chorus for each part plus the main stereo out Fx. So I look at the pattern FX like a mixbus insert
Thanks@@StarskyCarr
Loving the video @starskycarr, good fun.
Question if I may: Are the models generating their sound or are they in essence sampled waveforms?
They’re generating their own as far as I know.
I'd love an emulation of an SH3a....those were really unique. Mine needs a good service.
Mine too. Had in from new and still love it
@luke warm thats awesome..i got mine in 1990...an old band member left it at my house, he said it was garbage because it only plays one note at a time lol there is no synth that sounds anything like it.
Got it, really fun
Looks good it seems like zencore with a lot of knobs to access parameters!
not Zen-core, unfortunately
@@Jason75913 Oh I didn't know it, I'll check the spec later. Thanks!
Just when I thought I'd gotten over my GAS...
Hey Starsky,
Great video with lots of information.
The Sh-4d seems to be a great little synth, but the sound engine also seems to be a less flexible version of what one can do with Korg Opsix' user algorhythms. Would you agree on that?
Probably, I’ve never used the user algorithms myself but know what you’re driving at. This is much more about the accessibility of the sounds and the ease of creating patterns. It’s got great sounds but none are highly complex engines.
Wow, that was quick. Thanks for that. If it is focused on accessibility rather than flexibility, the SH-4d is not for me. I'll stick with the Opsix.
Thank you very much! Oh my God, Roland heard my multi-timbre requests :))
Question. a. Can we use our own filter for each part?
b. Can we change the stereo panorama of the timbral parts? For example. Part one is on the left.The fourth part on the right...
and separately, in the drum part, each instrument relative to the center?
a. the same filter model is used on all parts. I,e, the 101 and 106 oscillators don't change the filter... but each part has its own filter (not sure if this is what you meant)
b. yes there is a pan knob which sets individual pan settings for each instrument and drum part (you can have different envelopes, filter settings etc for each drum tone).
3 of the knobs are also buttons. Do you know of any special use of them?
In a certain way this is very close to the Roland JD-xi. 4 parts vs 5 parts, simple sequencer, drum section.
Wonder if they don't overlap themselves too much?
The big plus here is the FM part and knobs.
Is the rest of the sound engine much better than the JD xi (which also has an analog synth section..)?
How good is the Juno 106 emulation? Compared to the Boutique JU-06A? Thanks
Another question, it seems possible, but wanna be sure (woukd be agame changer compared to the JD xi), in the drum part section, how many individual drum parts can you have (SD, SN, CC, OH...), and can you mute each individual drum part (mute the BD or SD in real-time for instance..)?
Doesn't Verselab have 7 tracks, plus vocal, full Zen core, and for a time was on sale for $500? Seems like they have a lot of gear in the same space.
It’s a different concept… with zencore, samples and full vocal takes, but limited patch editing capabilities.
they have overlap, but workflow and the end result you get with the verselab is different. Im a verselab owner and use it everyday, i wont be getting this synth but i did just order a 404mk2 to use as a scratchad for samples before putting them in the verselab to build full songs.p
@@StarskyCarrerm it's not zencore
Sorry if you mean the sh that is ...
I wish the oscillators could be mixed. I’d like to use a wave table oscillator with a virtual analog oscillator
Another Roland groovebox with a nostalgic name, now with an option to tilt the unit to manipulate sounds. Ow boyyy
Tilting's fun :)
So there’s only one filter type? A bit stingey no?
I hope the keys are not like the mc307. Are their responsiveness any good? Need sometimes double tapping?
From what I've read, 128 user patterns for your own projects are pretty small in my opinion. Kind of reminds me of the MC 303 with 50 user patterns to save. Even the JDXi has 4 banks, each with 64 memory options, which means space for 256 user patterns, which is quite a bit. Compared to the JDXI, I think it's good that you can finally mute individual drum parts, which is really annoying when performing.
That's a good comparison. This looks kind of a desktop vers of the Jdxi with knobs, and finally you can mute individual drums parts
But other than that the Jdxi is still much better i' my opinion.. The analog part, the effects hands on section, the better sequencer layout... Roland are still cutting corners on every product just as if they wanted us to buy a bunch of machines to get bits of each to get what we would like in one.
Still waiting for a true flagship groovebox (like the Yamaha Rs7000 in the early 2000's..) from any brand, but none of them seems to want to do it... And I suspect that is a purely business plan decision. An ultimate groovebox would crush all future potential little boxes like we see today.
Elektron has the same philosophy.. They could engineer a massive ultimate groovebox starship.. But they just don't want to destroy their one box one function catalog.
@@rodolphep0nthus555 yesss indeed. Rs7000 is the best!
If I want to create synth sounds that don't require deep menu diving, would you recommend this or JD-08 +JX-08, am not too focused on drum and sequencing features as I do those in DAW + want to get an SL mk3 as well.
JD08/JX08 are great devices but hampered by a ridiculously unsuitable screen which forces you to learn hieroglyphics.
Hi, I know this might asking a lot... But having just got this with no synth experience... It's a Little bit overwhelming. could do you a primer on synths/sound design on this? No worries if not
I’ve got a whole series on Udemy and my Patreon - tbh it’s the same for pretty much every synth. If you know the basics you can do it on anything.
@@StarskyCarr sold! Thankyou. Also sorry I posted this before watch your osc vid... Both of these have really sung to me. Putting the subtitles on adds another layer. Thankyou
Are you using the Juno as a synth or a midi controller for the SH-F4 at 4:40 or so? I usually only play 1 synth at a time so when I see keys connected to a desktop unit I think "Midi control for keys only" but you are using the sliders on the Juno. So, they must be set up like 'midi thru' or something, or do you have the juno sliders mapped to the SH-4D?
I play the sliders on the Juno when the Juno is playing - it’s not controlling the SH4D - but it can send MIDI so you may be able to control it with the Juno. I think the Cc on the Juno are fixed.
Greetings from Texas! Great vid! Now I'm going to bed.. lol
Honest question for Roland users. Will this be less menu diving than the 101/707?
I think so. I’ve not used either of those, but believe there’s more menus for editing etc. the knobs in this give a much different experience.
this SH-4d groovebox has dedicated sound design knobs like an Electribe 2, those Zen-core grooveboxes have none at all, so yes
If this is Zencore based..can I load my presets into the MV-1?
Nice BLiPdAy present! ;)
Haha... yeah - This was what I spent my Birthday creating :)
I was hoping to get a SH01a at some point, but just wondering if the SH101 emulation on this does absolutely everything that would be on the SH01a??
I’ve never used an sh01a - but this has access to all the same stuff for time creation although not a 1:1 replica of the filter or envelopes. It’s got a lot more going on obviously. I’d pick this one unless you want a 100% emulation of the tone. For me this gets the job done in a nice to use box.
Instant watch
I understand these are two different things but still I’d like a second opinion. I’m debating on getting either this Roland or an MPC(similarly priced), I have logic and I play guitar,bass,keys, vox, with the daw is it even worth getting either of those? I know it depends on the type of music I make but I’m interested in these both
You don’t need either… but they’re fun and that’s why we do it! If you use a lot of samples then the MPC is the way to go, and if you like to finger drum etc. the Roland is better if you prefer programming and tweaking synth tones. You’d be happy with either I suspect. I’d you want a full song mode then MPC. For easy middling and coming up with loops the this (unless again you like using loops and samples).
using it at all a year and halfa later?
Where did you get that hat, get that hat, get that hat?.
Where did you get that hat?
Do I want one? Not in my life time.
All that is needed now is a seat if 😎.
how much is it? bongwater and goiter center don't have it yet.
Try this: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/S0BERUlFSUBFR0ZEQ0NATEpITA?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2Froland-sh-4d.html
$650 in the US
@@RobertSaintJohn ooh i may just get one
"bongwater and goiter center"
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The demo really touched me, at the end. Great sounds, great nostalgic feeling. I think they did improve the quality of their VA models from the original ZenCore. One question remains, are the track and drum mutes saved with a pattern or kept if you switch? (Elektron nowadays offers both types in addition). That would be important for me, when performing.
that is the million dollar question!
could not find it in the manual or anywhere...
someone please answer
@@audiohufter He answered elsewhere, they are kept over change, not saved in pattern. 👍🏽
i was afraid of that :(
just like tr8s etc.
thanks for letting me know much appreciated!
@@audiohufter ? You can just turn volume down for parts you don't want to hear. Or maybe there is another enable setting saved with the pattern. I find for creating a performance, keeping mutes over pattern changes is a must.
note that the 4 sliders or non- programmable audio faders.
there might be some sort of workaround but the situation kept bothering me with tr8s
it s not an 'improved' version of zencore. but a wattered down one.
not that it bothers me...
I've watched a few SH-4d video's on TH-cam now and while the featureset is amazing I'm not amazed by the overall sound. It all sounds a bit dull, not dynamic. A bit MP3 like. I guess that's a tradeoff to get that featureset for this price.
dull is not warm Roland.
Q. are the patterns synth osc types/patches linked (saved) to a pattern? - (like the JDXi )
Do they change when you change pattern and is it quick enough for live....
or is THAT why there is no pattern chaining?
they are saved as the patches - ie they refer back to the presets and user patches. So when you save a pattern you have to make sure you save any edits as a new tone - if you want to keep the old one. And it all appears to change fine... no blips or delays ... that I've noticed anyway. I've not spent ages thoroughly testing that side of things.
@@StarskyCarr cool, this appears to be a new version of the JDXi to some degree but new sound engine.
@@cresshead it looks like a JD-Xi on steroids, but ditching the rubbish-quality minikeys instead of giving us something decent like the Keystep keybed, but I have keyboards already so that's a non-issue for me
Sounds great, looks great...great demo, great form factor...however Roland.... what a colossal own goal omitting zencore compatibility. It could have been the budget Jupiter-XM/X and MC series crossover everyone wanted
In fact , the more I think about it, the more it's a real "what the hell were they thinking" Zencore/Zenology pro gives me thousands of superb and fully editable sounds, with full integration in my DAW and seamless bi-directional transfer to and from the MC hardware (not as seamless as the System-1/8 but dump to SD card not a biggie). All the SH/Juno etc goodness, plus sampling and vast PCM, plus a bigger poly count. MC-101 with System-8 and I have the best of both worlds, and as of 7AM this morning, MC-101 was 310UKP on Amazon (ordered it at that price)
I guess it's to do with the complexity of the sounds on the Zencore engine. One gripe I had with the Xm was the amount of menu diving even though the synth has a knob laden panel. The ethos here appears to be 'keep it simple'... which for me is the main selling point tbh.
@@StarskyCarr Not an excuse, simplify the top level params 100% agree, but removing the Zencore integration and ability to deep dive is insanity. Coming from 20 years in synth design and development, I've seen this "bean counter" mistake too many times from Japanese companies, not wanting to harm their own sales, whilst shooting themselves in the foot by doing so
I literally bought an MC101 this morning, after watching Loopop and other demos of this, if they'd implemented Zencore, I'd have bought this without hesitation.
@Nick Howes - Yeah the only good thing I thought about this was it might bring the price of the MC101 down (to go with my TR-6S, and i have the SH-01A and TB-03) I'm UK but Amazon is Saying MC101 at £388 for me 🤔
Careful you don't wake up the alpha male there lol. Love the SH-101 demo at the end!!!
haha... good one.
Can you swap between the patterns manually without loading times? As a manual kind of song playing
Yes. I do it in one of the demos at the start. When there’s a chord change it’s a new pattern - end of the second time I demo the live functions.
Question: is there a plain (non-visual) arp? And if so, is it a single global arp or are there four (one per part)? Thanks!
Yeah I use it when I demo the sequencer. It’s per part.
@@StarskyCarr thanks, I saw the use of the arp on a single layer/part, but wasn't sure if it was per part. Other early users have been saying it is not...I was hoping to clarify...and you did. Thank you.
@@synthseeker I’ll have to double check. I was sure it was per part but not sure if I’ve checked 100%.
@@StarskyCarr - thank you!
Love the Indiana Jones style 😁
Haha thanks… I was going for early David Attenborough natural history documentary style. But will definitely take Indians Jones!