Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:36 am
Cool. I loved it.
I like the SH-201. It is cheap, but it is not a toy.The Analog Organist wrote:What do you think of the Roland SH 201? Is it just a cheap disposable synthesizer for kids, or is there more to it?
I've often debated getting one simply because it's an inexpensive nobby analog polysynth having memory and lacking menus. Such instrments are hard to come by these days. But the word is that the SH 201 sounds very weak and digital, especially on the high end. How would you describe its tone? Is it at all useful for classic string, brass, and flute sounds? I ask because it would be extrememly handy to have an inexpensive ten-voice synthesizer that could provide even a limited range of synth tones while complimenting other more expensive instruments, such as the DSI equipment.
Could an SH 201 at all be compared with one of the Junos of old? Would its tone compare with, say, a Juno 6, or is this just wishful thinking?
It is a good little synth for the money and you can make it do some crazy stuff, but it is true that it is not real powerful. I don't think it sounds quite as good as the vintage Rolands, but it does have some presets that sound close to the SH-2000. It has a cheap digital sound about it, but that is one reason I like it. This is one of those synths that sound good behind a nice analog synth. It is great for backing voices.
It is also a fun synth to play and the idea of it having 2 LFO's make it even better plus it has a digital tape echo that sounds just like the RE-201, (in my opinion)
I think you would like it. It does a lot for the money, but it is lacking phat tones.
