At Musikmesse 2015, Roland introduced not one, but three Eurorack systems:
- The Roland AIRA System-1m Eurorack Module, aka ‘Modular For The Masses’;
- The Roland System 500 Modular Synthesizer – their first analog modular synth in 25 years; and
- The Roland Eurorack Effects Modules.
This video, via RockoNCompany, takes a look at the new modular effects and how they can be customizes using a desktop AIRA Module Customizer app.
The new effects modules are unique in that they are standalone, table-top and Eurorack compatible effects. The modules include distortion, crusher, delay and scatter.
This line of digital effects Euro modules can be used as audio interfaces and can even be customized via a desktop app.
Pricing and Availability
The four new Roland effects units (Demora, Scooper, Torcido and Bitrazer) will be $299 USD MAP each and should be available in June or July, depending on the region of the world. See the Roland site for more info.
I really don’t see what the appeal of a digital distortion is, distorting a signal is such a simple operation. You can do the same thing with a 308 and MST Low Pass from Synthrotek for $265 and then it’s all analogue and has way more CV options and less hp. Or a doepfer distortion and filter for $235 will give you a proper waveshaper too. There are loads of options, I don’t really see why you’d choose Roland’s.
Christ that was stressful
Total and utter shit
I disagree with thug on – In my view these modules are total and utter shite.
You know all that software from the early 2000’s that still works on your computer? No? Imagine this in 10 years and the software updates stop coming.
It is a common mistake with technology, when we look to the failings of limited technology of the past and apply it to the more advanced technology of the future. I imagine in 10 years your AI box will be writing obsolete drivers on the fly for any unsupported hardware, and that software synths would be so advanced only the luddites and laggards will be using hardware. 10 years is a long time in terms of hyper-accelerated tech. But above all the tech stuff I don’t think anyone should limit themselves based on what could or couldn’t happen in ten years from now.
It is not a common mistake to think that software often can and does becomes obsolete – it is a fact. Are you really suggesting that people hold on to their currently obsolete and unusable SW in the hope that in 10 years or so they will once again be able to use it? Or perhaps your saying don’t fear current software purchases becoming obsolete as they will likely become useable again one day even if not directly supported by the manufacturers? Umm, i’ll pass on the waiting and continue to look to the virtues of past technology (ie HW independance) which can be used alongside current technology just fine right now without limiting myself by basing my decisions on some hypothetical what if scenario about what could or couldn’t happen in the 10 years proposed by a post on some internet blog.
Luddites? I suppose in the future only Luddites will eat food cooked by chefs in restaurants? The more enlightened will simply take a pill. After all, texture, taste and physical interaction are just experiences, they add no value to sustenance.
It’s true! I saw it in a doco from the 1950’s. Any day now!
i’ve heard all this about all muscal gear from all eras, how it becomes obsolete, when in fact it becomes vital to certain sounds if you really wanna do it right.
old analogue synths still have their place as they, like old guitar gear, have their limitations which give them their unique style and sound.
likewise with the device the aira tb-3 is based on, the tb-303, it is still a classic, and bass/guitar guys lampooned it when it was released before other folk discovered it anew for what it could really do, depsite it being an ass to program.
that sound is still a winner.
the new tb-3 has it’s particular quirks, but as you get to know it, you work with it and it’s pretty cool. great fun too.
the fx units above am just getting used to and as yet unsure how well they’ll suit me, but as i get used to their integration am finding them sometimes funny, someties awful, but more and more finding the way through them, and yeh. not too bad.
most of the guys doing the demos haven’t really had the time to get into this gear yet, and have just, i guess blagged a deal with roland to promote and review them before folk that REALLY know what they are doing take over. maybe?
but then,. actually, at the same time, i see exactly what you mean, and see that side of things too.
but thats just me, i’ve never really been an analogue vs digital, guitar vs synth side-taker. i can’t be fecked with all that. it just gets in the way of what matters to me.
i have heard the same arguement in effect when i was younger in the 80’s with comedy: alternative comedy vs traditional comedy.
was a pointless arguement as it either made you laugh or it didnt.
and in hindsight digital/electronic based acts have now proved what classics they can make and have even made some of the best rock n roll of recent decades (argueably prodigy) compared to the rather generally stayed and stale narrow sounds most mainstream guitar bands are hitting us with.
(yep, can say same about most mainstream or sub-culture, or would-be electronic guys too. it’s the same all over i suppose)
everything has it’s place, and all things can be emulted to an extent, and all original itiems also have their place.
the aira gear will find it’s place, and won’t make anything else obsolete.
it’ll just find it’s niche, and fit in with all the other forms of expression, sometimes integrating with others, and other times mastering it’s own scene.
a hi-tech worker still may love crafted wooden prducts at home! and so on.
Interesting theory. However, the history of digital technology within music in general does not support it. You’d be hard-pressed to find a studio that even uses ADAT and in the 80’s it was considered “the future”. Conversely, most “A list” studios still supply and utilize analog tape machines for all purposes and tape is now almost a century old since inception, 70 years since widespread commercial use.
And did digital effects processors or software “replace” analog guitar pedals? No, in fact the market for analog guitar pedals is probably a thousand times larger than it was in 1970.
Softwares come and go. A Roland D-50, for instance, is here for eternity!
What a waste of U space!!
Highly unoriginal and sounds awfull.
I’m not against digital Eurorack, but there is something about these that goes thud when I watch. I think it has to do with hooking my Eurorack up to my laptop. Never shall those two worlds meet at my house.
It seems to me that their software plug in modules are not actually working with the hardware units yet.
So all the real sculpting and control that these guys boast about is not being shown or heard.
We know the software is in prototype right now, and they never show it actually sending info to the module itself.
Seems like Roland could have held of a few months to show these off.
Modor!