Exploring classic Roland tones

Let’s get to grips with everything from basic monosynth patching to some more advanced synthesis techniques with the System-500

Let’s start with the basics. Take a VCO output into a filter and the filter into a VCA. That’s a simple monosynth sound path to start with. Explore different waveforms and different modulation to the filter and VCA and also layering the VCOs into the filter.

With dual oscillators, filters, VCAs and envelopes we can build a true stereo patch. Take VCO-VCF-VCA as your audio path on both the left and right outputs of your system. Explore detuning the oscillators and modulating the filter differently for more of a wide, varied synth sound.

Using two oscillators with PWM, we can build a thick, lush tone. Patch both square wave outputs from the oscillators into your filter and patch in different LFOs to the PWM inputs on the oscillators. Different modulation rates and tunings will add width and depth.

Sticking with PWM, audio rate PWM is a great way to add rich overtones to create more complex waveforms. Patch one oscillator triangle output into the PWM input of the other oscillator. Tune them to musical intervals for more harmonious and musical audio rate modulation.

We can’t have a dual oscillator without exploring FM synthesis. Patch the triangle output to monitor in your system and patch the other VCO to the mod input to get started with FM. Tuning the oscillators in octaves or fifths will be more stable and musical.

For more complex modulation, let’s mix multiple sources into the cut-off modulation on the filter. Use an envelope in time with your sequencer, a sample and hold signal and an LFO. Using the depth sliders we can create unique tones even within a simple patch.