SH-5 VS SH-7 VS SYS100-101

[BadTeeth]

Ok so it's time for my first foray into 70's Roland and its really between the above 3.
I've read various accounts and cannot seem to lock down any solid info.
Here is what i do know - system100's seem to be very overpriced.

Here is what i don't know:
Filter circuitry - are the all the same?
Oscillators - are some better than the others?
Does the 'semi-modular' structure of the 101(and 102 etc) lead to a collapse in sound quality?
What target consumer did Roland have in mind for each design?
etc
EDIT What do you think is a fair price for each unit?
Let the debate rage =P~

PS. use will be in a pretty valid home studio producing electronic music of various types.

[Sir Ruff]

My impression (based on only owning an sh5 but being familiar with the others) and which will surely be eclipsed by someone else's, is that the sys100+101 and sh7 are probably pretty similar when you get down to it... the sh5 also shares many features, but seems to have stronger oscs than the others. However, despite its fantastic BPF, the standard filter is actually really weak... probably much weaker than the filter on either the 5 or 7. Although it is multi-mode, it is only 12db/oct (compared to 24db/oct on the 7 and 100), and (to me), just sounded very bland... the BPF is where it really shines.

Pricewise, they are probably all between 1500 and 2000 depending on the day of the week... If I really had to choose, I would probably go for the sys-100+101 simply for the semi-modular aspect, even if it didn't quite sound as good as the others. Followed by the sh5 which I'm imaging probably sounds the best out of all of them and can certainly stand on it's own in terms of features.

[BadTeeth]

Unreal, thanks for the reply Sir Ruff.

Good to know that the filter on the SH-5is different to the sh7 and sys100.
From what i've read it's BPF is quite unrivalled. If you don't mind me asking, which aspect of your production is answered most consistenly by this synth? bass/effects/leads? Do you use the external input often?

[guitarsandsynths]

The sh-7 is super flexible. A monster of a synth, really. No band pass, but hpf. The modulation possibilities are crazy, with lots of manual control options. S/H, Ring modulator and the very unique auto bend feature. It's duo-phonic with 2 oscillators with multiple wave forms, a third oscillator with draw-bar control for combining multiple wave lengths, and a separate LFO. 2 egs. Blah, blah, blah... It sounds killer, tho, with a very wet LP filter. I never owned the other two, but the sh-7 won't disappoint you.

[Bitexion]

How available is any of these synths? Can you simply choose between them, or is any of them for sale at all anywhere?

I keep hearing the SH5 is "better" because of the extra BP filter. What's special about it?

[pflosi]

that's an interesting shoot out

sh7 seems to have more functions that the 5, but i guess the sys 100+101 would have even more?

[BadTeeth]

and the very unique auto bend feature.

What more can you tell us about this feature guitarsandsynths?

How available is any of these synths? Can you simply choose between them, or is any of them for sale at all anywhere?

Anything is possible if you put your mind to it
But in actual fact i will most likely be sourcing these from Japan. I do not believe they were distributed too widely outside of Asia/Australia.

Also i was wondering if anyone could confirm or deny a rumour i heard that the System 100 was not marketed toward the professional user but was instead intended as an instructing tool and aid to teachers of sound synthesis principles? This would be interesting to know.

Thanks!

[Bitexion]

Yeah, I've only ever seen ONE SH-7 in Norway, and it was whisked away after 2 weeks standing in the used-synths shop I frequented. Did test it for a while though. Seemed like a spaceship. But of course I didn't have enough time to learn it totally and make it "my own" so to speak.

[premieklovn]

Yeah, I've only ever seen ONE SH-7 in Norway, and it was whisked away after 2 weeks standing in the used-synths shop I frequented. Did test it for a while though. Seemed like a spaceship. But of course I didn't have enough time to learn it totally and make it "my own" so to speak.

I tested it as well and loved it. I know about at least 3 SH5s in Norway.

[BadTeeth]

Well -...

it took 10 emails, 3 phone calls, a return plane ticket covering 2000 kilometers of Australian coastline, 5 metres of bubble wrap, 10 fragile stickers and some permanent spinal damage but i have managed to obtain a mint condition Roland Sh-5. And, wait for it --- for US900 bucks.
It was worth every effort and i couldn't be more chuffed. Seems serendipity was on my side after starting this thread. Jealous?

[madtheory]

Jealous?

Course not!

[pflosi]

looks nice

[Sir Ruff]

Well -...

it took 10 emails, 3 phone calls, a return plane ticket covering 2000 kilometers of Australian coastline, 5 metres of bubble wrap, 10 fragile stickers and some permanent spinal damage but i have managed to obtain a mint condition Roland Sh-5. And, wait for it --- for US900 bucks.
It was worth every effort and i couldn't be more chuffed. Seems serendipity was on my side after starting this thread. Jealous?

Not really: It only took one phone call and $1000 to get mine shipped to me in the US from Oz...

Anyways, congrats! it's a beast. And again, probably the best choice of the three.

[BadTeeth]

Anyways, congrats!

looks nice

Thanks!
She sounds even better than she looks (and i know this is hard to believe )
The fella i bought it off was the second owner after he was given it by The Queensland Conservatorium of music in circa 1995. Apparently they offloaded their entire vintage synth collection for virtually nothing.. he ended up with the SH-5 but there were at least 20 other instruments that made their way into various lucky peoples studios.

Not really: It only took one phone call and $1000 to get mine shipped to me in the US from Oz...

hahah wow that is cheap!!1

I've not yet owned a moog, but i am not fully aware of why people sometimes refer to Roland's sound as 'thin' --- this thing is in danger of dominating a mix as is . But i guess i won't know until i sit her down next to a mini (hopefully in the not too distant future).

[Hybrid88]

To Sir Ruff & BadTeeth, how on earth did you find these in Aus for that price? AFAIK there hasn't even been one on eBay this year and from past experience they go for about 2k Aus when they do come up. Mad...

Edit; - One there now - first in a long while, you two got a bloody good deal by the looks of it

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Roland-SH-5-Synt ... 286.c0.m14