the Roland SH-3A

[rcmeyerson]

I have a question that I'd really love if anyone could answer. Is the wiring set up where someone with what I would consider intermediate to advanced electronics and woodworking experience could take off the control section and make it a separate module from the keyboard. For transportation purposes.

[wallacelux]

arpeggiator?? sorry if i missed it in the demo

[AutomaticGainsay]

@wallacelux It's in part 2! And also, you should watch the new higher-quality versions instead of these old versions! : )

[tashlosung]

I want to be your girlfriend and I'm a girl. God damn, these videos are awesome

[Realkill010]

8:03 Galaxian.

[RLW1967]

What year did Roland come out with the SH-3A synth?

[AutomaticGainsay]

@RLW1967 1974, I think.

[RLW1967]

@AutomaticGainsay Thanks...........

[freqazoidiac]

Very sweet. I enjoy those Rolands, and Miss my SH-2 dearly ;)

[Compastral]

freaking amazing synth!

[destruktobot]

AG, I'd really like to be your girlfriend, which is complicated by the fact that I'm a straight dude with a beard, is that okay? Anyway, if you keep saying some variation on "very unique," then I'll have to call the wedding, or at least domestic partnership, off. Terrific video, though.

[AutomaticGainsay]

There are a number of phrases I abuse. I don't want that fact to stand in the way of our domestic partnership, though.

[destruktobot]

We need a pre-nup to protect our synths, and I hope the hz/volt stuff will get on okay with the v/o kit. I've been burned before, man.

[AutomaticGainsay]

Ha ha, best comment ever

[BelgianFriesX]

I've never understood what a noise generator can be useful for. It might be good for ambient stuff but honestly, I rarely use it.

[AutomaticGainsay]

It can be good for percussive noises. I often use them to add a grit and breadth to a sound by adding subtle amounts.

[BelgianFriesX]

Hmm, yeah. I have to admit, I tried using it to make a snare once.

thanks :D Your vids are awesome by the way.

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thanks!

[akunmano]

wow man i want one of these =D!

[Desmaad]

What is that doohickie above the keyboard, an optical controller, à la modern Rolands?

[AutomaticGainsay]

There are three things above the keyboard... two music stand holes, and the on/off switch and its light.

[yonomaspoh]

it was cool but a little boring because all i heard were atari/nintendo-like sounds... could you tell me what to do to get a "metal keyboard solo sound?" or maybe how to "imitate" a guitar? for solo duels or something like that. :) thx

[UnchainTheNight1]

n00b lol

analog synths arent like digital "synths"

they don't play back samples, they make entirely different sounds

[dustytretch]

This is a monophonic analog, synths used 4 metal r usualy virtual analog polyphonic , check out keyboards like korg triton

roland ax8 korg x5d korg x50 they have sort of metal sounds

[Envergure]

The SH3a's saw wave isn't really a saw wave, it's more like a hi-passed saw wave. Unique.

[Lavidicus6]

Thank you ResidentNate, We try to be...It's just everyother keyboard that comes from Roland seem to have one more sound added then the last one Roland put out.. Same keyboards just one or two added sounds

[COMPACTASS1]

101 is plastic

[KutWrite]

Thanks for the tutorial. Interesting.

So, the sliders are in feet, like an old pipe organ, haha!

BTW, from a writer to a musician, "unique" means "one of a kind." So there's no such thing as "more unique" or "very unique." You're now one of the few who will be correct!

[AutomaticGainsay]

Hey, KutWrite!

I am the person who usually says things like this to people... I can be a horrible pedant... but unlike some pedants, I like to be corrected. I looked the term up and found that you're correct! I stand corrected, and will never use "unique" in this way again! Thanks for your input! : )

[Lavidicus6]

Well, In MY opinon the piece of equipment is not that great, maybe because I'm kind of hooked on the Access Virus.....

[AutomaticGainsay]

Yeah, I'm not that into apples because I really love oranges.

[Lavidicus6]

Im not saying I do not like Roland synths just not that one. I am actually looking into buying the Sh 201. I really lik that synth alot. Roland has been around for decades for a reason. Longer then David smith instruments (the old pro one and phrofecy's ) Sorry my spelling sucks

[COMPACTASS1]

sh 201 is craaaaaaaap you need to research, sh 101 sh-1 sh-9

are way better

[cc1sportingtorver]

Why, exactly, do you say that????????

[IIIMASTAIII]

who now how much does this thing cost? I have one and wont to sell this thing!

[COMPACTASS1]

i will trade you for a virus

[IIIMASTAIII]

O_o What?

[AutomaticGainsay]

Hmm. I would think that if you had both synths, you would recognize how different they are structurally. I could list quite a few architectural differences, but there is also a difference in sound due to the fact that these synths were made at different times from different components. I find that the "same sounds" concept is a matter of resolution...

[csantos1964]

WOW, SH3A was my first synth together with a Roland Strings from the same age.

Time flyes and technology doesn't stop .

[Gregsynth]

Marc, you got some of the best demos. I got two questions:

1. Is that your ARP 2600 at the top of the screen?

2. Did you tune the synth 2 semitones up? (You press 'A' and 'B' is played).

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thank you!

1. Yes!

2. Ha ha, what are you, one of those monsters with perfect pitch! ; ) The truth is, I don't tune the synths before I do demos, as they aren't trying to match anything. That one had probably been tuned up for some reason.

[Gregsynth]

Well, I got perfect pitch (sorry if it sounds bragging in the comments) but I'm not so sure about the monster part! LOL!

I just realized how dumb that second question was. (The synth is analog).

[pac209]

Great demo, the only downside is that people realize the potential of this machine --> the price is still going up despite the age of the machine...saw one listed nearly at 1000$ now :-S

[AutomaticGainsay]

I have occasionally been blamed for causing prices to rise! In some cases, though, I think I was just helping some synths get to the prices they should be in comparison to other synths. I think $1000 is excessive for this synth in this current market, though!

[Gregsynth]

LOL! "Blamed for causing prices to rise." LOL!

If I bought an expensive analog synthesizer, I'll blame YOU for influencing me (your demos)! LOL!

[j1mbafr0sty]

hey great demonstration ive seen a lot of ur vids on here and sonic state and i love them all man kepe the good work and dont let

monchandclaxbach get at ya hes just trying to get a rise out of u man keep the haters at bay

[AutomaticGainsay]

Hey, thanks, and thanks for watching!

[analogmagic]

Thanks so much for this demo of the Roland SH-3A! It brought back a lot of nice memories of my own Roland SH-3A I used to own long ago. I loved hearing it again. Wonderful!

[monchandclaxbach]

if only it was demonstrated by someone who has musical skill. .sigh.

[AutomaticGainsay]

Musical skill is irrelevant in the demonstration of the sound and functionality of a synthesizer.

You plainly don't understand the point of this video. People are generally irritated when they watch a video to see what a synth sounds like and instead get some virtuosic douchebag wanking away.

My own wankery exceeded what it should have in this video. But you don't care... as the point of your post wasn't to make cogent criticism, but rather to be a dick.

[monchandclaxbach]

sorry to offend you mate was just saying what i was feeling. you should take less offence and practice some more. my friendly youtuber. peace to all music lovers.

[AutomaticGainsay]

I appreciate you sharing your feelings, but you have to realize that saying offensive (and especially untrue) things generates offense... it's simply the way things work.

Likewise, if I had told you that your compositions on MySpace were lacking in musical interest or compositional skill, you might have taken offense at that.

[monchandclaxbach]

thankyou.

[harryberger65]

Your demonstration is excellent! I bought one now and I will be able to check it with your instructional video. Thanks a lot!

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thank you, and thank you for watching!

[moogyboy6]

Is this the model that Steve Miller used?

[TheWhiteNationalist]

I want one soooo bad. I have the SH-1000 and it rules.

[CKnoxW]

After a sudden relization, I have relized (big surprise there) that I saw this synth on the Seattle Craigs List a while back. Now I know your from Spokane so I'm wondering if that was yours?

[AutomaticGainsay]

I sold mine on eBay!

[TINMANCHANNEL]

Roland timbre design. Also well thought out on the System 100 and especially the Jupiter 8.

[twangothan]

Is this the synth Steve Miller used on "Fly like an eagle"? I can't find any info on the web, just that it was a Roland and this one would have been contemporary when he recorded it. Any ideas?

[Desmaad]

I like Rolands: they don't sound like video games as the others do. It's also easier to get a nice, rich sound from them, compared to others where most of the settings sound pretty bland.

[itsemilyhansen]

minimoog voyager anniversary addition electric blue?

[diglet553]

whats the name of the intor song? Its really good

[CKnoxW]

I love that sound in the opening song. It sounds like Shine On You Crazy Diamond.

[AutomaticGainsay]

Thank you, that's very flattering!

[dbeckster]

hey your right! It dosn't sound like it completely tho... You'd probably need a moog to do that. I'm listenin to to it right now on wish u were here. Great album. Lots of synths! But for even better synth sounds, i would recommend listenin to dark side of the moon's on the run and any colour you like. Nice video Automatic Gainsay!!!

[CKnoxW]

Pink Floyd's really not a synth band, but when Rick brings one out, it creates amazing moments.

[dbeckster]

Actually there was a lot of synths, effects, and sequencers in the 70's of Floyd.

[CKnoxW]

not as many as one would want.

[dbeckster]

eh.

[CKnoxW]

Well, which albums are you talking about? Dark side has SOME stuff. Animals is mostly organ, and The Wall and Meddle have next to nothing, mostly Rhodes, piano, and organ. The most Synth heavy is Wish You were Here, I think. Please point out what I got anything wrong in this comment.

[Heyde1979]

Welcome to the machine has alot of mini moog synthesizer in it

[CKnoxW]

Exactly my point. So does Shine On You Crazy Diamond, the song that started this conversation in the first place.

[StudioF]

Great video.

[rezisehtnys]

Ahh, ok. Are these keyboards that you use in your band or are they just ones in a collection? Either way I'd love to own half what you do?

[AutomaticGainsay]

I am down to 5 analog synthesizers, two electric pianos, one combo organ, one Novachord, and one Theremin (which is not technically mine). I have owned all of the synthesizers I demo, but some of the demo'd synthesizers have been sold to purchase other demo'd synthesizers. I do use all of them in my band.

[ComradeJX8P]

You're serious about the Novachord? Does it work? The only working version I've seen was on the Novachord Restauration page.

[rezisehtnys]

Ahhhh, there's your problem. iMovie.... =P

[AutomaticGainsay]

Every version of iMovie has had its quirks that I've been able to work around. The current version seems pretty good, it's only the mp4 compression that is giving me trouble.

[rezisehtnys]

Nice demo. I noticed the jump was in time with the music. Kind of odd.

[grandmaos]

very nice

[Jexus]

What's wrong with the picture jumping every 1 second ?

[AutomaticGainsay]

Your guess is as good as mine. That effect is courtesy of the iMovie mp4 compression. I would appreciate any suggestions regarding how to stop it.

[retrosound72]

Very cool! Great demo video.