Roland System 100, Yamaha CS 30 and Teisco 110f by arp

[amustsuccess]

1. I was wondering which of the instrument stated above has edge in the following areas:
Sound
Maintenance
Functionality
Better Synth.

2. What's the reasonable price points for the synths?

Thanks!

[ApolloBoy]

If you have the cash the CS-30 is a far more versatile pick. You get two VCOs, two filters, three EGs , a ring modulator and a built-in step sequencer.

[ppg_wavecomputer]

System 100 is too expensive for what it does -- it always takes the 101 and 102 to make it fully usable. Add the sequencer cabinet, the mixer and the speakers to the lot and you're easily spending 5,000 US$ or more. Lovely sound but the SH-5 would be a better option IMO.

The CS30 is quite a beast but it takes a while to get used to its idiosyncracies. Has become fairly expensive recently (at least over here in Germany). Of the three Units you're naming, the CS30 would easily be my favourite but personally, I would much rather go for a Roland SH-5 instead.

The Teisco is interesting because it has an unusual filter bank and the three rubber pads but I am not sure how much ARP actually is in there. But it was Vince Clarke's first synth so it must be good for something. Definitely wins the Oddity Award but I'm not sure it's worth more than 1,250 US$.

Stephen

[amustsuccess]

@appolloBoy, thanks for your recommendation.
@Stephen, I checked out the Roland SH-5 on youtube and was blown away . I reckon system 100 has more capabilities than the other two, but expensive. Yamaha CS 30 seem an underrated synth.

[Steve Jones]

I think that the CS-30 would be the most rewarding synth from that list. It's extremely powerful for a mono-synth as far as routing and modulation. It's also a handful to learn the control layout.

[ppg_wavecomputer]

@ [...] I reckon system 100 has more capabilities than the other two, but expensive. [...]

Don't be mislead by the "modular" appearance -- in fact, it is even less flexible than a Korg MS-20 or an ARP 2600, and in some cases external patching is required to make the best of its feature set.

A 101 and 102 comined will easily set you back 3,000 US$ these days -- if you're in love with that early Roland sound, I'd rather save up another grand to buy a nice SH-5 instead. If it doesn't have to be that Roland character, the CS-30 (only the 30, not the 30L) would be a great instrument to start with.

Stephen

[minime123]

Go for the CS30. Good luck!
Mini

[ppg_wavecomputer]

After all, all the sequencing in this track was done using the CS30:



Should be fun.

Stephen

[amustsuccess]

@Stephen, great sound there. Very meaty sound #YamahaCS30

[ApolloBoy]

#YamahaCS30

This place doesn't work like Twitter BTW

[ppg_wavecomputer]

@Stephen, great sound there. Very meaty sound #YamahaCS30

Some 1,500 quid should get you there (a little less if you're lucky).

Stephen

[amustsuccess]

I got my Yamaha CS30 now... It's a machine that needs a lone time!

[ppg_wavecomputer]

Congratulations. Nice present for Christmas.

Stephen

[amustsuccess]

Yes I know.