Roland
Premieres SC-880 64-Voice Synthesizer ModuleA
General MIDI/GS Sonic Arsenal for Today's MIDI Musician January
29, 1998The
Roland SC-880 64-Voice Synthesizer Module offers today's MIDI musician an arsenal
of professional sounds and features, packing 1,117 high-quality internal tones,
42 rhythm sets, 256 patches and 5 independent audio effects processors into a
single rack space unit capable of delivering 32-part multitimbral sounds with
64-voice polyphony. The most powerful Roland GS sound module to date, the SC-880
brings layered sounds, stunning musical textures and creative effects options
to MIDI-based composition and performance.
Sonic excellence was a key design
goal for the SC-880, and Roland engineers dedicated massive waveform memory to
the most popular sounds, creating lush pianos, fat organs, screaming guitars and
a growling version of Roland's classic TB-303 Bassline. Up to four distinct tones
can be layered together and stored as patches, while users can also create and
store multitimbral setups as performances, distinguishing the SC-880 as the first
Roland GS sound module to offer these powerful capabilities. Realizing that
rich musical textures fall flat without punchy, powerful rhythm tracks, Roland
designed the SC-880 to deliver 42 full polyphonic rhythm sets ranging from Techno
and Hip-Hop to smooth jazz kits and wild, mega-reverbed rock drums. Up to four
rhythm sets can be combined at once to create intricate and moving rhythm arrangements.
The SC-880 doesn't skimp on effects either; it offers a wide range of powerful
effects algorithms, and up to five effects can be added independently to any of
the SC-880's sounds. Effects options include 8 types of reverb, 10 delays, 8 different
chorus effects, 2-band EQ and 64 different multi-effects algorithms including
distortion, 3-D processing, and guitar amplifier simulations. Multi-effects can
be turned on or off independently per part and combined with any other effect
as desired-a feature which has never been offered before in this class of synth
modules. An easy-to-read backlit 136 x 32-dot graphic display helps users step
through intuitive navigation menus. This display allows all 16 part levels, effects
settings, tone selection and more to be gauged at a glance in realtime. A new
Phrase Preview button plays back the currently selected tone in an appropriate
musical phrase for review without having to use a MIDI keyboard. And a new Tone
Finder groups similar sounds together for easy navigation. Two stereo outputs
(four mono outputs) enable sounds to be independently routed and mixed. And two
separate MIDI inputs, a MIDI Out/Thru terminal and a built-in computer interface
allow for immediate connection to a Mac or PC for computer-based music production.
Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of electronic
musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products and music
accessories. For more
information, contact Roland Corporation U.S., 7200 Dominion Circle, Los Angeles,
CA 90040, 213.685.5141, www.rolandus.com.
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