Roland Boutique Sh-01A Synthesis

Why I bought the SH-01AI wanted a synth to complement an existing collection of small, low cost, analogue synths. I like playing live jams and I was missing an all-round synth that could be used for basslines, arps, pads or leads. The SH-01A seemed to fit my requirements best in terms of sound, versatility, price and size, so I decided to try it. I also bought the Roland K-25m Keyboard.First impressionsIt is a lot smaller than I had expected. It is not as tiny as a Korg Volca, but much smaller than my Korg Minilogue. Nonetheless, the controls are well laid out with perhaps the exception of the switches. I personally would have either ditched the pitch bend and mod ribbons or made them narrower so there would be more space for the rest of controls. Despite its size, it sounds really big. I mean really big!The unit is very solidly built, with a nice metal panel top. The sliders move very smoothly.The synth is very easy to use. The manual is a large sheet of paper and bit of a pain, but even without referring to it, most functionality is obvious and easy to master. Some people say it is hard to get bad sound out of this synthesizer, and I must agree.What I like mostThe sound. This is of course a personal thing, and others may disagree, but I can’t get my head around how good this synth sounds. Roland have done a remarkable job re-creating the analogue sound of the 80s in this instrument. I never owned an SH101, but I have quite a few records from that time, featuring the SH101, and when I play the SH-01A it sounds identical. I was worried that, because the SH-01A is not truly analogue but uses Analogue Component Behaviour technology, that it would not sound as rich as a true analogue synth, but that is not the case. This synth sounds and behaves 100% analogue, like its original.I also like the fact that it does not take up loads of desk space (see attached picture of the SH-01A next to my other synths). Furthermore, I think that this instrument is quite modestly priced for the quality you get. This is synth is good value.I also very much like the 100-step sequencer, which is very easy to programme. Via MIDI or CV and Gate out it is great to use as a sequencer for my other synths. I also like the mix in socket, which means I did not need to get a bigger mixer as I was able to chain both my Minilogue and SH-01A together through one channel on the mixer.What I like lessI already mentioned the switches are a bit cramped between the sliders, which could have been easily remedied by reducing the space taken up by the pitch bend and mod ribbons.I people complain that the SH-01A requires USB power (or battery of course), and that this means noisy audio. I use Neoteck Audio Noise Eliminators in the audio line out for all my synths, (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076J3GD74) and it works also really well with the SH-01A.Would this be a good synth for a beginner?Yes, it would, providing you also get the Roland K-25m keyboard. You would not need anything else, other than perhaps a good pair of earphones, as the built-in speaker is not great. The synth has a very simple design, yet it can produce a wide range of wonderful sounds. It is easy to learn how the different elements of the synth produce different effects. I would highly recommend it as a first synth for those who want to give it a go, but it is likewise a super additional synth for the more experienced synthesist.

You really need to use a keyboard to input the notes , ended up buying an arturia keystep which was more expence , but great sounding synth nevertheless.

This is a beautiful unit capable of some interesting sounds. It has a good feel, the unit is weighty and nicely finished and the dials are a good size and solid to the touch. Sliders are smooth and everything lives up to the Roland eye for quality. I also have the TR-08 and the two can be synced together to create an advanced drum and wave synth sound. Very pleased with this purchase!Power adapters are micro usb and I invested in an https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-RAVPower-Chargers-Adapter-Adapters/dp/B01LAH5B50/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_rp_c_2_1_1/259-0190850-0584629?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01LAH5B50&pd_rd_r=b69d1d9a-20db-4d95-aaba-e1b8c93555a4&pd_rd_w=jOO23&pd_rd_wg=F4841&pf_rd_p=b8021308-7082-49c4-8dfb-296c7e8b2e71&pf_rd_r=HQ8R7FHNRD4W1TCRYCS1&psc=1&refRID=HQ8R7FHNRD4W1TCRYCS1 to power not only these units, but charge my phone too. :)

It’s said that you can’t make a bad patch on an SH-101. Seems to be the case here too!

I had a Red SH-101 back in the day and was craving its sweet tones again, I got a korg nts-1 ok-ish, I got an arturia microfreak, it's good but it didn't fully satisfy, I got a TR-06 and TB-03 then the SH-01A, the Electro trifecta, I put the SH-01A into a Zoom MS-CDR70 for a touch of reverb and was in 101 heaven, within ten minutes of turning it on I had found my sound, it is Analog Circuit Behaviour but doesn't sound digital to my ears, with polyphonic mode you can run a sequence then play an arpeggio on top then transpose both, so good, I use a Keystep 37 as a controller.10 out of 10