Roland System-8 User Manual

4
Panel Descriptions
Controller Explanation (for variation 1)
[RING] button
(OSC 2 only)
This is a ring modulator. It generates a
complex waveform by multiplying OSC 1
and OSC 2.
OSC 1
OSC 2
[SYNC] button
(OSC 2 only)
This is oscillator sync. It generates a
complex waveform by forcibly resetting
OSC 2 to the beginning of its cycle in
synchronization with the OSC 1 frequency.
OSC 1
OSC 2
4
OSC 3/SUB OSC
Controller Explanation
Wave knob
Selects the waveform that is the basis of
the sound.
R
(Sine wave), -1Oct, -2Oct,
S
(Triangle wave), -1Oct, -2Oct
[COLOR] knob The result depends on the waveform.
[TUNE] knob Adjusts the pitch of the oscillator.
5
MIXER
Here you can adjust the volume of OSC 1, OSC 2, OSC 3/sub-
oscillator, and noise.
Controller Explanation
[OSC 1] knob Adjusts the volume of the OSC 1.
[OSC 2] knob Adjusts the volume of the OSC 2.
[OSC 3/SUB OSC]
knob
Adjusts the volume of the OSC 3/sub-
oscillator.
[NOISE] knob Adjusts the volume of the noise.
[NOISE TYPE]
button
Selects the type of the noise.
Lit: white noise
Unlit: pink noise
6
PITCH
Here you can create time-varying change (envelope) for pitch.
Controller Explanation
[ENV] knob
If this knob is turned toward the right, the
pitch initially becomes higher and then
returns to the pitch of the key you pressed.
If this knob is turned toward the left, the
pitch initially becomes lower and then
returns to the pitch of the key you pressed.
[A] slider
These sliders operate similarly to the [A][D]
sliders of the
8
AMP section (they aect
the pitch rather than the volume).
[D] slider
7
FILTER
These settings determine the brightness and thickness of the
sound. Here you can also specify the time-varying change
(envelope) for the lter.
Controller Explanation (for variation 1)
[VARIATION] knob
Selects the variation of the FILTER section.
&
For an explanation of variations 2 and
following, refer to “Reference Manual”
(PDF).
[CUTOFF] knob
Species the cuto frequency of the lter.
This knob is a GRF (GRIFFER) knob which
allows high-precision adjustments.
Filter type knob
Selects the slope of the lter.
LPF: -24 dB, -18 dB, -12 dB
-18 dB
-12 dB
-24 dB
Level
Frequency
HPF: -12 dB, -18 dB, -24 dB
-18 dB
-12 dB
-24 dB
Level
Frequency
[RESO] knob
Resonance boosts the sound in the region
of the lter’s cuto frequency.
Higher settings produce stronger
emphasis, creating a distinctively
“synthesizer-like” sound.
1
2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9
11
12
10

Roland System-8 Specifications

General

Product type	Digital synthesizer
Product color	Black
Keyboard number of keys	49
Maximum polyphony (notes)	8
Display type	LCD
Built-in display	Yes
Display number of characters	16
USB ports quantity	1
Compatible memory cards	SD, SDHC
Power source type	DC

Weight and Dimensions

Depth	364 mm
Width	881 mm
Height	109 mm
Weight	5900 g