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Introducing Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak Synth

Introducing Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak Synth

Roland

Description

Roland's AIRA Compact S-1 is a revolutionary portable polysynth that puts an entire synth studio at your fingertips. Powered by Roland's acclaimed Analog Circuit Behavior technology, the S-1 lets you craft custom waveforms and add richness with overtones and comb filtering. The onboard 64-step sequencer provides endless options for crafting rhythms and melodies, with features like velocity, gate length and probability controls. Wearing multiple hats, the S-1 functions as a standalone synth for live performance, a sequencer for driving external gear and a MIDI controller for software synths.

ACB Engine Delivers Vintage Sound with Modern Flexibility

The heart of the S-1 is Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior synthesis engine, which authentically recreates the warm tones of vintage analog synths. ACB provides the S-1 with incredibly flexible and powerful sound design options not found on traditional analog synths. With OSC Drawing, you can draw your own waveforms on the color touchscreen. OSC Chop adds overtones and metallic resonances with overtone and comb filtering. The results are rich, dramatic sounds that are all your own.

Sequence and Perform Like Never Before

The S-1's 64-step sequencer opens up a world of rhythmic and melodic possibilities. Program velocity, gate length, sub-steps, motion recording and probability for experimental results. In D-Motion mode, you can manipulate a sequence in real time using the touchpad and knobs. The arpeggiator, with over 200 preset patterns, makes it easy to create pulsing synth lines. You can even transpose sequences and arpeggios on the fly for improvisation.

A Synth, Sequencer and MIDI Controller

Remarkably versatile, the S-1 serves multiple purposes for music creation. Use it as a standalone synth for live performance or in the studio. Employ the 64-step sequencer to drive external MIDI gear. In MIDI controller mode, the S-1 sends notes, program changes and control messages to software synths and more. A lithium-ion battery provides up to 4.5 hours of power for portable operation.

Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Polyphonic Tweak Synthesizer
Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Polyphonic Tweak Synthesizer
Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Polyphonic Tweak Synthesizer

Features

  • Onboard controls for Oscillators, Filter, ADSR envelope and Effects
  • OSC Drawing for creating custom waveforms, OSC Chop with Overtone and Comb for powerful harmonics
  • D-Motion, Step Loop, Arpeggio, jammable pattern transposition, and Riser
  • 64-step Sequencer with Velocity, Gate Length, Sub Steps, Motion Recording, Probability, Master Probability, Last Step, Scale, Transpose, Shuffle, Portamento
  • Use as a standalone synth, sequencer, or even as a compact MIDI controller transmitting notes as well as CC messages
  • Color and process sounds with chorus, delay and reverb
  • Comprehensive connectivity with audio, MIDI and sync I/O plus AIRA Link
  • Class-compliant USB-C audio/MIDI interface—no drivers needed
  • Lithium-ion battery with up to 4.5 hours of operation per charge

Specs

  • User Patterns: 64
  • Step Sequencer: 64 steps
  • Effects: Delay, Reverb, Chorus
  • Display: 7 segments, 4 characters (LED)
  • Power Supply: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, obtained via USB port (USB bus power)
  • Current Draw: 500 mA
    • Connectors
    • Sync (IN, OUT) jacks: Miniature phone type
    • Mix (IN, OUT) /PHONES jacks: Stereo miniature phone type
    • MIDI (IN, OUT) jacks: Stereo miniature phone type
    • USB port: USB Type-C (Audio, MIDI)
    Other
    • Expected battery life under continuous use: approx. 4.5 hours
    • Dimensions (WxDxH): 7-7/16" x 4-3/16" x 1-7/16"
    • Weight (including batteries): 11 oz.

    Reviews

    5

    4 Reviews

    100%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend

    Filters
    Best Uses
    1. Electronic Music3
    2. Accompaniment2
    3. Learning2
    4. Travel2
    5. MIDI1
    Cons
    1. No Speakers1
    2. Poor Instructions1
    Describe Yourself
    1. Experienced2
    2. Novice1
    3. Professional Musician1
    Pros
    1. Portable4
    2. Good Audio2
    3. Easy to Use1
    4. Responsive / Good Action1

    Reviewed by 4 customers

    • Has become one of my favorite Synths

      5

      submitteda year ago

      byWill

      fromAshland, Oregon

      I like the AIRA compact series and have explored the T-8, the J-6, the E-4, and the P-6. I found the T-8 to be very specialized and is a good drum machine that is inline with the ones that Roland is well known for. However, the controls are not as clear and you need to menu dive in order to access all its functions. The J-6 has a very decent Juno emulation and has a lot of chord progressions stored within it. Both the T-8 and J-6 are very specialized and is their specialization does not work for you, then you may wish to recycle these techs for those who need it. In contrast, the S-1 feels like a very full synth and I mastered the controls without needing to reference the manual (though there are some esoteric functions that do require a deep menu drive to find and work with, like the one where you draw your own waveforms, which I have looking forward to mastering some day). The reverb and delay is very good for ambient music, which is what I create, and the two waveform envelopes work very well to form a harmonic texture. The sequencer and arpeggio can make a good trance sound, which is sometimes also useful for me. There is a minor limitation in the "bpm" function as the lowest setting is 40 bpm. I would have liked for this to go lower, like to 20 bpm or even down to 1 bpm (as in one synth that I found). However, I have the S-1 paired with an Eventide Space Reverb and this limitation is well covered by the bpm function on this effect pedal. These two not only make sound tapestries very well together, but also allow me to tweak the sound in understandable ways very easily to fine tune the meditative drones that I create. I consider the S-1 to be a very serious standalone synth that is amazingly affordable given the other units that are usually called "groove boxes". It is about half the price of the others in its class, and does have a hold or sustain button that the others often lack (but I really need for the kind of music that I create).

    • Something to tweak about!

      5

      Verified Buyer

      submitted2 years ago

      byDiane

      fromRockmart,Ga

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      I bought this to complement the T8 and J6. There is a learning curve to using this. There you tube tutorials that help. The only con is lack of a decent owner's manual. You have to get it online.

    • Alot of enjoyment in a small package

      5

      Verified Buyer

      submitted2 years ago

      byPizzaLunchG

      fromWest palm, Florida

      Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

      Great affordable synth that is super portable. I take this everytime I travel

    • Definitely recommend buying

      5

      submitted3 years ago

      byEthan

      fromLas Vegas NV

      Very portable and fun to use. Has many functions and is simple to setup.

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