Analog circuit behavior delivers killer sound and feel

Part of the attraction of a modular-style synthesizer keyboard is that you can sit down, grab a knob, and tweak your sound with instant results. No digging through menus, no sorting though parameters, just good old-fashioned hands-on control. And that’s exactly what you get with the Roland AIRA System-1. This is actually a result of two very cool things Roland did.
First, using their Analog Circuit Behavior technology, they modeled each component of the System-1 to sound and feel right. That variable -12dB to -24dB/octave filter? It’s based on the kind of analog technology that would normally price the System-1 out of reach for most people. But the sound and behavior is as authentic as it gets. And the same can be said about the envelopes, amplifier, and other instruments. Add to that hands-on controls for… well, everything, and you’re good to go.

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You haven’t lived until you’ve tried this arpeggiator

Everyone loves a great arpeggiator, right? Well, with the Aria System-1 synthesizer, you get one of the most intelligent and flexible arpeggiators you could ask for. Six arpeggio styles let you chose the right kind of motion for your groove, and you can lock the pattern to one of six beat divisions for perfect sync. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
When you really want to go nuts, put the System-1 into scatter mode, using the same compound job wheel that controls pitch bend. It’s hard to describe just exactly what Scatter does — it’s a kind of randomizer that you can dial in and fire off to create cool effects and sound variations. A total of 10 Scatter types with 10 levels of intensity let you produce anything from a subtle glitch to total circuit-melting freakout effects.

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All essential synth effects processors onboard

When you’re performing with a tabletop full of synthesizers, drum machines, and various other gadgets, it’s amazing how quickly going out to a show turns into an exercise of baggage handling. One of the little things that has impressed the electronic musicians is the collection of built-in effects available on the AIRA System-1. Onboard, you’ll find both a lush reverb and a classic delay effect (that you can easily lock to MIDI clock), giving you two easy ways to beef up your sounds. That’s not all — crank up the Crusher knob and you get rewarded with gritty, ultra-modern distortion that can make event the meekest sound snarl. And while it’s not exactly an effect, the single-button tone control can let you dramatically alter the timbre of your synth with the twist of a knob.

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Plug-out technology lets you load more synth sounds

We’ve all heard of plug-ins, but Roland’s Plug-out technology takes software integration to a whole new level. Although the System-1 appears in every way to be an analog synth, it’s really a sophisticated standalone computer masquerading as an analog synth — becomes incredibly cool. You see, you can completely reprogram the entire sound engine of the System-1 by uploading new Plug-out software synths to it. These will include a host of classic Roland keyboards, many of which will take full advantage of the System-1’s extensive hands-on controls. Best of all, once you’ve uploaded a new synth to the System-1 from your computer, you can pick it up and take it with you — no computer needed. And you’ll still have the default System-1 sound there as well, so you can switch between synths with the push of a button.

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Total integration with your live rig and studio system

Whether you’re on the road or in your studio, you’ll find your Roland Aria System-1 synth extremely easy to integrate into your rig. High-quality 1/4″ jacks provide stereo output, and there’s a convenient headphone jack for when you’re just playing by yourself. With a single USB cable, you can pass MIDI to and from your computer and audio to your DAW. And Roland didn’t forget about those of us who like to cut our computers out of the equation, so they also outfitted the System-1 with traditional 5-pin MIDI I/O as well. Top it off with rock-solid MIDI clock sync, and the System-1 fits in perfectly with the rest of your AIRA instruments and MIDI instruments.

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