Roland Boutique SH-01A Synthesizer Sound Module

Roland Boutique SH-01A is a meticulous reproduction of the iconic Roland SH-101, one of the most popular classic synthesizers of all time. Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology reproduces SH-101's legendary sounds by faithfully recreating the actual behavior of the original analog circuits, right down to the fine details and odd quirks that have endeared the synth to musicians and producers for decades. SH-01A builds on the great sounds and creative immediacy of the original, now in the popular Roland Boutique format offering exciting new polyphonic capabilities, inspiring new performance features, and a level of authenticity that could only come from Roland.

• Sounds of the classic SH-101 synthesizer via ACB tech, including bass, lead, noise, and sound effects
• New unison, chord and four-voice polyphonic modes expand on the original's iconic sound palette
• Built-in sequencer with 64 patterns available to save and recall
• Easy performance arpeggiator with three playback modes, note hold and three-way transpose switch
• CV/gate output for controlling modular or vintage gear
• Multiple sync options including internal and external MIDI, MIDI via USB, LFO clock and trigger input
• 64 writeable preset patches for increased performance capabilities
• Selectable advanced LFO with new waveforms and extended range of clock rate
• Sends and receives MIDI control change messages via traditional MIDI jacks or USB
• High-quality construction with metal front panel
• Highly portable for mobile music making
• Battery-operated (4 × AA) or USB powered
• Compatible with optional Roland Boutique accessories

Beauty through simplicity
The now-legendary SH-101 was a seemingly simple monophonic synthesizer launched in 1982. Unlike more complex synthesizers available at the time, SH-101 quickly became popular for its characteristic tone and simple one-VCO, one-VCF, one-VCA, one-LFO structure. A legion of artists found it quick to program and adept at bright edgy tones and exciting sound effects. Its bass sounds are universally revered, and somehow any sound it produces always just fits perfectly in a mix. More than thirty years later, SH-101's hallmark sounds continue to be sought after by electronic artists the world over. It's a staple of vintage synth collectors and well-equipped, world-class studios, and now returns as the inspiration for the SH-01A.

A is for authentic
Original SH-101s are becoming increasingly rare, making them ever more expensive on the used market. Because of this, many have resorted to sample packs, hardware knockoffs or software plug-ins loosely inspired by SH-101. SH-01A accurately recreates what makes the original so special and the interface, while more compact, is 100% authentic.

The sound is vibrant and alive thanks to Roland's proprietary Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology. Roland uses ACB to carefully recreate all the details and quirks of the original hardware by modeling each analog circuit, right down to the component level. Face-to-face consultation with the original designers and relentless research beyond the original schematics provides meticulously recreated oscillator, filter and envelope behavior – a perfect foundation to build upon for a new generation of '101' fans.

An inspired, iconic sequencer revisited
One of the most creative features of the original SH-101 was its 100-note step sequencer. Press Load, add sequential notes with legato and rests, and press Play. Easy! Designed to inspire through simplicity, the SH-101 sequencer has been the source of countless bass lines and lead melodies on legendary dance tracks. But the limitation of playing one sequence back at a time has been resolved with the SH-01A: now you can save and access 64 sequence patterns, perfect for any performance situation. Recall any pattern at any time and use the iconic sequencer to control your modular rig, hardware synthesizers and software plugins via CV/gate, MIDI and USB. Let the SH-01A be the heart of your electronic instrument setup, on stage or in the studio.

Portable performer
The simple design of SH-101 made patch creation immediate, with sounds quickly forming under the movement of each key and slider. But that inspiring sound could vanish just as quickly as it appeared due to its lack of patch memory. SH-01A adds 64 writeable patches that can serve as presets for different tracks or quick starting points for experimenting with new sound designs, making inspiration only a button press away.

SH-01A takes the original SH-101's portability and stage prowess to a whole new level. It's small enough to take just about anywhere, yet ruggedly built with sturdy knobs, metal-shaft sliders and solid silver buttons like the original. It has several tilt options for easy viewing in various live and studio scenarios and can serve as a low-latency, portable audio interface. In addition, it has a built-in speaker and even runs on batteries. And when mounted in the optional K-25m Keyboard Unit (sold separately), it can be used as a compact, all-in-one synth with 25 velocity-sensitive keys. With all this power and flexibility, you may be most surprised by SH-01A's affordable price, which puts the iconic SH-101 mojo within reach of just about anyone.