Roland SH-101

Quick facts: Roland · Roland SH-101 · Instruments · €200 + VAT per unit and day · rental in Madrid and across Spain, availability on request.

About the Roland SH-101

The Roland SH-101 is a monophonic analogue synthesizer launched in 1982, built around a single VCO, a resonant filter, a VCA and an LFO: a simple, quick-to-program layout that Roland ranks among the most popular classic synths of all time. Our Roland SH-101 hire in Madrid, available throughout Spain, is aimed at electronic artists, studios and productions that want the genuine bass and lead sound without buying a unit that is becoming ever scarcer on the used market.

What it is rented for

It is ideal for live electronic sets, studio sessions, recordings and productions that want the original sound of 1990s dance music rather than an emulation. Because it has no MIDI, it can be driven from a DAW with a 1 V/oct MIDI-to-CV converter such as the Doepfer MCV4 MIDI-to-CV Interface from our catalogue (ask us). If the setup calls for it, it can be combined with other items from the catalogue, such as the Roland TR-909 or TR-8 drum machines, the polyphonic Roland Juno-106, a Radial J48 mono DI box or the Proel Key Stand x3 Black.

Key specs

• Analogue monophonic synth with 32 keys, launched in 1982; no patch memory and no MIDI.
• Keyboard without velocity or aftertouch; expression comes from the bender, assignable to filter and/or pitch.
• 1 VCO with sawtooth, pulse with PWM and a sub-oscillator at −1 or −2 octaves, plus a noise source at the mixer stage.
• Resonant, self-oscillating low-pass filter (10 Hz to 20 kHz cutoff), modulated by the ADSR envelope, the LFO and keyboard tracking.
• LFO with triangle, square, random and noise waveforms; a single ADSR envelope for filter and VCA.
• 100-step sequencer and up/down/up-down arpeggiator, with an external clock input.
• CV (1 V/oct) and Gate inputs and outputs, battery or AC-adaptor power, and an optional hand grip with strap for playing it guitar-style.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to hire a Roland SH-101?

The Roland SH-101 hires for €200 excluding VAT. To confirm availability for your dates and request a quote, email info@peaksound.es or WhatsApp +34 636 410 986; we work in Madrid and throughout Spain.

Can I control the SH-101 over MIDI from my DAW or sequencer?

The SH-101 has no MIDI; it has CV (1 V/oct) and Gate inputs plus an external clock input. To drive it from MIDI you need a MIDI-to-CV converter such as the Doepfer MCV4 in our catalogue (ask us). You can also use its own 100-step sequencer or the arpeggiator.

Why is an original SH-101 so sought after?

Roland notes that original units are becoming increasingly rare and therefore pricier second-hand. It was a staple of 1990s dance studios, acts such as The Prodigy, Orbital, Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada have used it, and Fact listed it among the 14 most important synths in history.