Modular Monthly

Roland System 500

Most people reading this will be familiar with some of Roland’s synthesiser products. Two key parts of Roland’s history that the new Eurorack System-500 builds on are the System 100m and the System 700. Both of those modular synths provide the backbone for the new Eurorack modules. Visually the System-500 looks like a darkerpanelled half size version of the System 100m and the circuits from both the 100m and the 700 provide the basis for the new modules. We’ve been lucky to have a lot of experience with System 100m so we were keen to dive in.

The first thing, of course, is the size difference: Eurorack is based on modules that are 3U tall, the original System 100m was 6U – twice the size. Which does mean that the throw of faders is much shorter and things are a bit tight in places, but sonically the System-500 absolutely shines.

It offers a varied, powerful basis to build a modern modular system around both in features and sonic possibilities. Like the 100m, most of the modules are dual units (the 512 VCO is two oscillators, the 521 VCF is a dual filter) and there are lots of dual modules with mixing on the inputs and varied outputs on most modules. The new 510 packs a full synth voice into one module and the new 505 is based on the well-loved SH-5 filter section.

With all this in mind, Roland seem keen to lean on their heritage and bring modern versions of classic synths and circuits into a new format – but with new twists and connectivity for the Eurorack format.