KVR Audio

fraz · Post by **fraz** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:52 am

Hi there,

I thought this would be the best place for this thread. I've got it into my head that system 100 could be good for me but obviously not my wallet! I know it's related to the SH series of synths in the early 1970's and to my knowledge system 100 was released towards the end of SH production although I may be wrong.

System 100 from my research is semi-modular and consists of the keyboard (module 101), the expander synth, a seqencer, a mixer and two speakers. My question to the afficiandos out there is how good is this system 100?-in particular the two synth parts of this setup.

I read on sonicstate that you could create any sound you wish etc...nice bleeps n bloops...if that makes any sense to you.

One other persons review of this synth was it took up too much space for what it actually did so I'd like some thoughts of the folks here at KVR on this matter.

Is there any software that could produce the sounds of this system 100?

Some people think that any VA could emulate any synth ever created, is this true? With so many synths from all the manufacturers over the last thirty years thats an awful lot of emulating to do for VA's...isn't it?

How much would you folks be prepared to pay for the system 100 module 101? these products appear on ebay for alot of money...I know their rare but are they really worth the money that changes hands? or are there more wise buys that people could partake in to save themselves money and still have an enviable sonic arsenal.

If this thread seems a bit odd I apologise but I'm in the process of searching for items for my home studio in the form of hardware or software and I read about synths which have been produced over the last thirty years and wander....what does that sound like? hmm....but because these items are rare or rare-ish I can't just pop down to my local music shop to try them out!!! although I wish I could.

Regards

TechnoWeeniePas · Post by **TechnoWeeniePas** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:04 am

What a hardware synth is worth is very much up to the person drooling over it. Some people think that old hardware is usless and should not even be given away...while others think its priceless and should never be sold. Its all a perception of value to be weighed against the expected return in enjoyment and sound. Personaly I would not spend the mass amounts of money on an older synth again...sure they have a sonic flavor that is unique, but they also have their aging problems among other things. If I really wanted a modular or semi-modular hardware setup I would purchase some newer stuff...like the blacet, motm, doepfer, etc. But then agian thats just my 2cents...

Gwydi · Post by **Gwydi** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:12 am

Have a listen to the music of "Joy Electric" - http://www.joyelectric.com - , most of his music is made entirely using a System 100. The thing to remember with this synth is it's monophonic, so to create what JE does involves a great deal of planning and multi-tracking.

I seriously wanted an S100 for about a year, but they invariably go for about $US750 *per module*. I've seen two complete ones sold, each for around $US3000. While the vintage appeal is definitely there, if you're looking for a synth to work on and not just drool over, it's simply far too expensive for what it is. For that kind of money you can do a lot better.

What is it specifically about the S100 that you think suits you? If you tell us that, we can probably recommend a bunch of hard or soft synths that would also be appropriate for a fraction of the price.

G.

fraz · Post by **fraz** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:46 am

Hi,

I'm listening to that music right now, it's good! from some research I've found that VAZ+ will help me to start off with...I think.

I'm heavily into elctro pop since I was young. Of course I like other music as well now but anything electro with an element of melodic pop that's it I'm out for lunch!!!

A modern example of this would be Alice Dee-jay "who needs guitars". All those bleeps.....wonderful.

Regards

Gwydi · Post by **Gwydi** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:02 am

If you want the bleepy electro-pop sound, pretty much any standard type synth will work for you, and there are heaps of free ones out there you could start with.

I'd recommend looking at something like http://www.rgcaudio.com/triangle_II.htm which is a fantastic free synth that comes with everything you need to get started. It is also monophonic, but if you like it and how it works you can then upgrade to http://www.rgcaudio.com/pentagon_I.htm for 99 Euro.

There are literally hundreds of synths that people here could recommend to you that will do what you want, and in fact it's entirely possible to get completely lost in so many choices. My advice to you is to choose one - just one - and learn it thoroughly. Not only will having a strong understanding of synth theory and programming help you evaluate future options in a more meaningful way, but by then you should also have a much clearer idea of what features you do and don't need in any future synth.

Of course that's not as much "fun" as downloading hundreds of free synths and playing all the presets and going "wow", but in the long run you will make more progress towards what you want to do if you have the discipline to limit yourself now. This is experience talking!

What you're also going to need is some way to record your music. Did you have any plans in that regard?

Above all - remember to have fun

G.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:19 am

fraz wrote:All those bleeps.....wonderful.

You'd probably like the System 100 a lot then. However, if you're looking for alternatives, some good software to start with would be the Arturia 2600V or or TimewARP 2600. Both are emulations of the ARP 2600, the latter made by the actual guy from ARP & supposedly more legit-sounding, although I mentioned the Arturia version first because its built-in sequencer makes it a little more "bleep" friendly. The Nord Modular G2 would be a good hardware alternative (it approaches the price of a System 100, though) & the Creamware Scope card has an awesome modular synth.

Landphil · Post by **Landphil** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:48 pm

Hey, fraz.

I have partial system 100:
101 keyboard, 2-102 expanders and the 104 sequencer. Don't have the speakers or the mixer, though.
It's been a while since I pulled it out and played with it.

(that doesn't sound right

)

You can get some very complex bleeps and bloops outta this synth when armed with enough 1/8" patch cables. However, if you plan to play actual musical notes you're going to have a rough time due to the oscillators drifting. The sequencer is nearly impossible to keep in tune and the filters drift as well. Of course, I've only had experience with mine, but I would imagine most synths that are 30+ years old will have the same issues due to aged components.

It is a fun synth to experiment with but I wouldn't spend much on one.

*edit*
I feel the need to say that a System 100 with all the modules in tune sounds wonderful! Versatile, massive and full. I didn't mean for my post to sell it short. Actually, if you leave it powered up for a day or so the components do seem to stabilize quite a bit.

ross g · Post by **ross g** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:04 pm

sorry, a little late to the party....

if i was to own one analog, this would not be the one...i really like the osc sound, very creamy, and i love that they sweep thru their entire range, they don't have octave steps like some..you can do some wild cross-modulation with them...

but the filters aren't as "phat" as some (but do have their own very useful, musical sound), the envelopes are funky, they don't provide enough varibility in the "fast" range, ie they don't give that punchy percusive quality...

the biggest downfall imo is that for a semi-modular, it really doesn't provide the programming flexability of something like an Arp 2600 or a Korg MS20 (i'd LOVE to have a MS20, one of the best synths ever imo)... and there are some downright dumb things on it, like the auto/manual glide function (actually a trill), pretty much usless...and the lfo's and sample & hold sections just don't provide the flexability other semi-modulars do.....

all in all: good, musical sound, fits well with other modulars, but not enough fleability in programming...if i had only one analog i'd go for a Doepher or similar new system...used, i'd look at a 2600 (could get pricey) a MS20 (ditto) or even a SCI Pro One.....

rg

nuffink · Post by **nuffink** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:16 pm

It's interesting that we look back to the Roland and Moog modulars yet, by any standards, right now is the golden age of modular synthesis.
Look at the links on this page, has there ever been this many companies making modulars?
Whilst I can never see myself owning one of these I'm kind of glad they're still alive and healthy.

ross g · Post by **ross g** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:24 pm

Gwydi wrote:Have a listen to the music of "Joy Electric" - http://www.joyelectric.com - , most of his music is made entirely using a System 100. The thing to remember with this synth is it's monophonic, so to create what JE does involves a great deal of planning and multi-tracking.

I seriously wanted an S100 for about a year, but they invariably go for about $US750 *per module*. I've seen two complete ones sold, each for around $US3000. While the vintage appeal is definitely there, if you're looking for a synth to work on and not just drool over, it's simply far too expensive for what it is. For that kind of money you can do a lot better.

What is it specifically about the S100 that you think suits you? If you tell us that, we can probably recommend a bunch of hard or soft synths that would also be appropriate for a fraction of the price.

G.

from looking at his website, he's a using a System 100M setup, not the System 100..the System 100m is the fully modular, not the semi modular 101 keyboard and 102 expander (plus the sequencer, mixer, and speakers making up the full System 100 (just for clarity)... they made it pretty confusing with the #'s, took me a while to sort it out!

rg

ross g · Post by **ross g** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 6:41 pm

nuffink wrote:It's interesting that we look back to the Roland and Moog modulars yet, by any standards, right now is the golden age of modular synthesis.
Look at the links on this page, has there ever been this many companies making modulars?
Whilst I can never see myself owning one of these I'm kind of glad they're still alive and healthy.

very good point...(edit-GREAT LINK!)

i never thought i'd own a true modular, but the new stuff does make it possible to do it, it's a lot less risky than the old stuff in various states of disrepair... i just saved and saved and got the Doepher A100 basic, it's so friggen fun...

funny, right after i got it, the nord mod stuff came out and i thought "damn, i just spent all that bread"...i eventually got the micromod which is great, but the Doepher is still my go-to synth...i was seriously looking at the Creamware stuff (which is really, realy nice), but the other day i was looking at Doepher's site and all the new moduals they've come up with and i'm drooling...the sound samples really make me think "hmmm, if i put away for a year, i can get the expander system, or maybe the new 'radical filter' and the vclfo and new pll mod etc... " i guess gear lust is a life long disease that has no cure...

check out the doepher site if you get a chance, they are continuing to come up with cool, new, realy unique and great sounding stuff!

rg

Roland System 100