Heritage Spirit, Modern Hardware, Future-facing Sonics
What if we told you that you could harness the power of wavetable synthesis, cross FM, the Juno-106, the SH-101, and the heritage sonic architecture of Roland’s lauded synthesizers and drum machines, all wrapped up in a single instrument precision-engineered for the modern musician? Roland’s SH-4d is here to answer that call. This desktop synthesizer module is packed with deep sound design tools that blend vintage, analog-style sonics with state-of-the-art digital synthesis, making it a flexible machine that groovebox players and synthesists alike will enjoy. The SH-4d’s cutting-edge engine delivers a versatile, flexible armature of aural magic, from its 11 oscillators, multitimbral sequencer, and 60-voice polyphony to its modulation matrix, Visual Arpeggio, and innovative D-Motion control. Synthesists at Sweetwater are enamored with the immense scope of possibility afforded with Roland’s SH-4d.
Related Videos: SH-4d Desktop Synthesizer Module
One instrument, endless possibilities
It’s difficult to overstate how much opportunity is built into this portable Roland powerhouse. The SH-4d’s 5-part architecture includes four independent synth parts and a dedicated rhythm part, culminating in an impressive 60 voices of sum polyphony. Eleven oscillator models run the gauntlet from analog-style and vintage-sample-based PCM synths to futuristic, morphing wavetables and cross-FM synthesis, coupled with a versatile drum synth and a Drawing mode to sculpt completely original waveforms. Each drum kit accommodates up to 26 instruments, with 49 preset kits available from the jump and another 64 slots for crafting your own. Moreover, each kit features dedicated LFOs alongside two layered waveforms that can be further shaped and refined to personalize percussive tones. A multimode ladder filter is deeply interwoven into the sonic output of the SH-4d, interacting with the pre-filter Drive and resonance controls to elicit rich harmonics and flexible filter structures.
Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig with the SH-4d
Ergonomic design with optimal depth
Designed with a highly detailed interface, the SH-4d is remarkably accessible. Each section is carefully divided to balance direct control without being so cluttered to hinder creativity, yet dense enough to avoid endless menu diving. Thirty-two knobs, four sliders, a 16-step sequencer, a 26-note button keypad, and a slew of multifunction control buttons all leverage meticulous engineering to operate independently of each other, ensuring maximum control. The filter, amplifier, and LFO sections will retain their values even if you change the oscillator models — for example, if you modified fade and pitch values in the LFO to create a pad and then moved to a wavetable oscillator model, you’d still have the pad design. Similarly, the backlit, color-coded buttons in the Oscillator section allow you to attenuate pitch, timbre, oscillator models, and oscillator volume for each of the synth’s four parts. For those looking to take the plunge, a dedicated Modulation Matrix can route virtually any parameters to each other, evoking complex, undulating textures and soundscapes, with even further areas of refinement found in the menu to hone every aspect of your tone.
Four parts of synthesis, 11 oscillator models, unfettered opportunity
The SH-4d’s 11 oscillator models can be considered the ground level upon which your sounds are built, with each offering a unique starting point before you take the reins. Sliders will automatically reorganize themselves to match the parameters of each model. Classic SH-101 and Juno 106 sounds faithfully mirror their predecessors, with the same nuance allowing waveform mixing and shaping with the sliders. Cross FM is a 2-operator FM synthesis model that provides for pulse-width modulation non both carrier and modulation signals, with sliders functioning as an envelope for the index. The Ring Model provides extensive waveshaping and additional FM synthesis, which can be key-tracked and modulated via external MIDI control. Meticulously sampled audio is used for the various PCM tones, delivering iconic vintage sounds with unmatched digital control. An innovative Drawing Mode lets you create custom wave shapes using sliders to adjust curvature and sloping. At the same time, the Chord Model allows for on-the-fly, complex paraphonic chord creation from single-note sequences. For the future-focused, a Wavetable Model turns the sliders into tools for traversing 31 tables, with the first slider manually sweeping. In contrast, the auxiliary envelopes on the remaining sliders can induce further wavetable changes.
Sculpt your sound with unmatched precision
Though the SH-4d is a 4-part synthesizer, it also includes a fifth rhythm part. Each of these five parts can have its own dedicated effect, with more than 90 onboard FX presets, from the iconic Juno Chorus to frenzied delays and spatialized reverbs. Plus, each part features individual sends for respective reverb, chorus, and delay effects, which also holds true for the rhythm part, meaning dedicated sends for each drum instrument. While its 60-voice polyphony is impressive, the SH-4d includes a valuable Voice Reserve mode that lets you predetermine a minimum number of available voices for each part, automatically managing the polyphonic distribution of voices based on the priority you need.
Reactive rhythms and powerful percussion
With 26 instruments for each drum kit, you can apply powerful synthesis controls to each instrument, including advanced modification of the bi-layer waveform structure. The 16-step sequencer can be used for each instrument, with up to four phrases that total 64 possible steps, and each step can be modified to adjust probability, substep, flams, duration, and more. You can also record directly into tracks, building grooves, patterns, and sequences that can be easily edited as you go, making the SH-4d just as capable on the stage as in the studio. While using the rhythm part, sliders can be assigned to the Chord mode, building quick, complex harmonies, while the Mixing mode lets you quick-mute each part or even each instrument.
Multidimensional connectivity
Unlike most synthesizer module designs, the SH-4d pulls no punches with its connective capacity. Onboard, you’ll find stereo 1/4-inch audio outputs, a 1/4-inch headphone output, click input, mix input, 5-pin MIDI I/O, and USB-C connectivity, the last of which can process audio and MIDI with per-part stereo channels, main output, and FX, all at once. If you’re not using batteries, the USB-C port also doubles as a power connector, allowing you to quickly fire up the SH-4d on a summer night at the lake with nothing but a USB power bank. Advanced key tracking and control are possible with MIDI-connected keyboards, while the SH-4d produces MIDI CC signals for all parameters, making it a perfect candidate for the nerve center of your aural arrangement. Interestingly, the SH-4d is built with a gyroscope, making its D-Motion system possible, allowing you to physically tilt and turn the module to modulate assignable X- and Y-axis parameters. This functionality can even be used for the SH-4d’s innovative Visual Arpeggio, sculpting melodic patterns through a series of motion-controlled visual displays.
Roland SH-4d Desktop Synthesizer Module Features:
- 4-part multitimbral synth includes a dedicated 5th rhythm part
- 11 oscillator models include SH-4d, SH-3d, Sync, Wavetable, Cross FM, PCM, Sync, Ring, and more, producing rich and distinctive sonics with an unmatched depth of control
- Ergonomic interface design carefully balances direct modification without being cluttered
- Dynamic interface control structure means sliders rearrange automatically to match the selected oscillator model
- Multimode ladder filter includes HPF, LPF, and bandpass with silky-smooth sweeps and plenty of flexibility
- Each segment operates independently of the oscillator section, letting you construct complex filter, amp, and LFO structures that can be applied to any oscillator model
- Pre-filter drive control enriches sounds with successively stacking harmonics, functioning even when the filter is completely open
- 60-voice polyphony allows for complex harmonic structures and full-track composition
- Voice reservation lets you decide how the polyphony of the SH-4d is distributed across each part or instrument
- 90+ onboard FX include the classic Juno chorus, spatial delays, drive, flangers, reverbs, and more, each of which can be assigned and modified per part
- 16-step sequencer can be used in 4 parts, totaling 64 possible steps
- Each step can be modified for duration, probability, flam, substep, and more
- 26-button keypad lets you play and construct melodic and rhythm parts without the need for an external controller
- Each of the 49 preset kits include 26 instruments that can be individually modified, with an additional 64 slots for user-created presets
- Onboard gyroscope makes the D-Motion system possible, allowing physical tilting of the module to modulate assignable X- and Y-axis parameters
- MIDI CC information is produced for virtually every value, easily integrating the SH-4d into numerous arrangements
- Modulation Matrix lets you craft deep, complex patches by connecting almost any two controls
- Comprehensive I/O suite includes 5-pin MIDI I/O, 1/4-inch stereo output, 1/4-inch headphone output, a dedicated clock input, and a 3.5mm stereo audio input for external instrument integration
- Connected controllers can be used for extensive key tracking in various modes for further aural expansion
- USB-C connectivity can accommodate MIDI, audio, and power, with multiple stereo audio channels that include individual parts, FX, master output, and more
- Can run on 4 AA batteries or used with a USB power bank for uncompromising mobile performance
