Synth Happens - McDonald's vs Burger King - Roland SH-32 Review

A detailed review of the Roland SH-32 desktop synthesizer by Synth Happens. Manufactures Lifespan from 2002-2004

Discontinued by Roland in 2004, the SH-32 is among the most sought
after synthesizers in history, fetching upwards of $2,000,000.00 at
auction. Only 108 were produced.


The SH-32 is a 4-part multitimbral desktop synth module using new Wave Acceleration Synthesis to deliver up to 32 voices of fat synth waves and entirely new waveforms. The raw waveforms are sampled rather than mathematically generated and are actually multi-sampled across the octave ranges. There's also a full complement of knobs and sliders, analog-style 808 and 909 drums, DSP effects and a killer programmable arpeggiator - all at a reasonably cheap price.

The SH-32 is more like an affordable follow up to Roland's JP-8000 and JP-8080 analog modeling synthesizers than the real SH-series synths of the seventies/eighties. But that doesn't mean it can't sound like an SH-101, for example. The SH-32 has awesome, aggressive filters, however audible stepping can be heard when slowly twisting the cutoff knob, but not so when modulated with the envelope or LFO. It has many more variations of each classic wave than older SH synths, offering 67 types of waveforms. Everything from thick bass sounds to entirely new sounds not possible on traditional synthesizers can be coaxed out of the SH-32.

Every parameter is available on the front panel via knobs and sliders. There are no hidden menus, although the mass clutter of controls and information printed on the face of the SH-32 is a bit overwhelming, but look closer and it does seem as logically laid out and organized as possible.

Whilst you can certainly hook this baby up to your MIDI keyboard or sequencer and go to town with its great sounds, the SH-32 is perfectly happy running stand-alone making it perfect for DJs, live musicians, and just plain having fun. It has no sequencer but does have an amazing Arpeggiator with programmable or tap tempo settings. There are 64 arpeggiations and 64 drum rhythm patterns and they can be fully programmed by the user. It even has a chord memory feature making it great for techno and trance style arpeggiations. Superb built in effects will sweeten up the sounds immensely as well, with 35 insert fx and 10 types of reverb and delay. The SH32 is a unique combination of virtual analogue synthesis, excellent rhythm sounds, rhythm styles, an arpeggiator, and other 'groove' facilities.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• synth metal
• oxes 2011
• don caballero 2011
• hella live 2011 1
• shellac live 2011
• murphy
• ed 209
• 6000 sux
• sh32
• microkorg demo
• oxes
• 2011
• hella live 2011
• Synth happens
• black metal
• a minor forest
• shellac live
• trans am live 2011
• extreme driving
• high speed
• Giorgio Moroder live
• harold Faltermeyer live

[SynthHappens]

@ 4:20 the metal begins!!!!!

[SynthHappens]

regardless of this informative review, if you have a keen eye you will notice @ 1:44 a spool of waterproof medical tape, a wooden pipe and a bic lighter. we had to tape daves finger because he smashed it with a hammer and the pipe was used for medicinal pain relief. This video is not meant for the masses, nor is any synth happens song. These songs are intended for us. I try to keep up with dave on the drums and he pushes me on the synths to play drums better and what you hear is the truth.

[aikighost]

Ive found with the sh32 if you put a piece of Gorgonzola into the midi port array it can do a good SEM V emulation. Great synth if only it didn't demand constant blood sacrifice.

[Psychlist1972]

@pomfrit93 Pretty sure it's humor, dude.

[MrAdmaGeddon]

4:20! I built the same synth. The lights are great but sometimes they're just too much so I turn the machine face down and cover it with a wet towel. Great review and song.

[pogsquatch]

Made me laugh.

[pomfrit93]

Nice ! you can hear that the guy with the camera don't know anything about synthesizers! ;) no offense :P