Synthesist Paulee Alex Bow shared this 20th anniversary retrospective look at the Roland V-Synth.
In recent years, much of the attention in the synth world has turned to analog instruments, with digital synths sometimes getting forgotten or even maligned. As the prices for vintage analog gear have skyrocketed, though, it’s a good time to take another look at instruments like the V-Synth.
When the Roland V-Synth was introduced in 2003, Sound On Sound called it “a sound designer’s dream machine.” The instrument offers a wide range of synthesis options, flash RAM for sample storage, lots of hands-on control, double D-Beams, lots of effects, sampling and more.
Bow (Magical Synth Adventure) describes the V-Synth as ‘epic and futuristic’. Check out the video and share your thoughts in the comments!
Topics covered:
01:44 V-Synth Introduction
03:48 Deep-Dive
21:30 My Patches (No-Talking)
33:18 FOUND THE HAINBACH BUTTON
One of my most favorite synths
Rly ahead of its time this synth!
The only synth I still regret selling!
Very little compares with the V-Synth. Its the t*ts to the power of 10. One of the more tactile player’s synths around. If you have any left-field ideas, its great at bringing them out.
I sold mine – what a fool I was…
Roland – please re-release – its a true classic..
Roland doesn’t go back, unless it’s Boutique or VST.
Yes the only one I look for to add to my synth set up
Roland should get into looking to make a new XT in this qulity and improve it whit some
analog filers plus extended sample options
Easier to work with and they would blow a lot of competition out of the water
The sound is Amazing let’s make a 10.10 out of it
i liked the XT better. before it broke. then the V lost a key. not my fav. either is this new comment entry code.
At least add a virtual version in the Zen Core Engine
Let alone a slimmed down desktop hardware version ?
I initially scoffed at the Roland Boutiques due to their size. I picked up the JD-08 and the JX08 and was pleasantly surprised. I love ’em both. Maybe Roland will create a Boutique V-Synth for a few hundred bucks.
I don’t think it would translate to Zen Core. Its claim to fame is being hands-on, like a jacked-up Minimoog. You lose half of its power if you just step through the presets. You can’t make the best use of the Time Trip pad with a mouse. Its for greaze in real-time by hand.
I like the module idea, but it would have to be pretty hefty to offer all of the playable features of the original. Analog-style modules are easier to sell.