Roland - SYSTEM-8 | Software Synthesizer

Classically Trained

The SYSTEM-8 draws on our deep history of synthesizer research and development, with circuit-accurate models of classic Roland oscillators, filters, and effects. It includes legendary third-party oscillator types as well, plus the famous JUPITER and JUNO filter designs for super-authentic vintage sounds.

Beyond Vintage

The SYSTEM-8 does modern sounds too, with many flavors of digital and analog-style oscillators, plus waveshapes like SuperSaw, FM and more. In addition to classic filter models, options include an all-new VCF along with more recent designs like the unique formant, harmonic, and side-band filters. This makes the SYSTEM-8 unparalleled in its versatility, going from glass to growl—or pluck to punch—with just a few tweaks of its controls.

SYSTEM-8 Sound Examples

Hardware Integration

For synthesizer power users, combining the Roland SYSTEM-8 software synthesizer with its hardware sibling is a potent pairing. Sound designers will love the ability to play and shape sounds with a velocity-sensitive keyboard and dedicated controls. Live performers will appreciate transferring patches to hardware and taking the stage computer-free.

Join Roland Cloud today for full access to the powerful SYSTEM-8 and the vintage instruments that inspired it.

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Specifications
Maximum Polyphony: 8 voice
LFO: Variation (1, 2, 3)
Waveform:
: SINE, TRIANGLE, SAW, SQUARE, Sample&Hold, Random
: 6 types (Dual LFO)
: 6 types (Resonanced Pulse LFO)
FADE TIME
RATE
PITCH
FILTER
AMP
KEY TRIGGER (ON, OFF)
TRIGGER ENVELOPE (ON, OFF)
OSC1: Variation (1, 2)
Waveform:
: SAW, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, SAW2, SQUARE2, TRIANGLE2
: Noise Saw, Logic Operation, FM, FM+SYNC, Vowel, CB
COLOR
MODULATION Source (MANUAL, LFO, P.ENV, F.ENV, A.ENV, OSC 3)
OCTAVE (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2)
COARSE TUNE
FINE TUNE
CROSS Modulator
OSC2: Variation (1, 2)
Waveform:
: SAW, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, SAW2, SQUARE2, TRIANGLE2
: Noise Saw, Logic Operation, FM, FM+SYNC, Vowel, CB
COLOR
MODULATION Source (MANUAL, LFO, P.ENV, F.ENV, A.ENV, OSC 3)
OCTAVE (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2)
COARSE TUNE
FINE TUNE
RING Modulator (ON, OFF)
Oscillator SYNC (ON, OFF)
OSC3/SUB OSC: Waveform (SINE -2 octave, SINE -1 octave, SINE, TRIANGLE, TRIANGLE -1 octave, TRIANGLE -2 octave)
COLOR
TUNE
Mixer: OSC 1
OSC 2
OSC 3/SUB OSC
NOISE
NOISE TYPE (WHITE Noise, PINK Noise)
Pitch: ENVELOPE Depth
ATTACK Time
DECAY Time
Filter: Variation (1, 2, 3)
Filter Type:
: LPF (-24 dB), LPF (-18 dB), LPF (-12 dB), HPF (-12 dB), HPF (-18 dB), HPF (-24 dB),
: 6 types (Side Band Filter)
CUTOFF
RESONANCE
VELOCITY SENS
ENVELOPE Depth
KEY Follow
HPF CUTOFF
ATTACK Time
DECAY Time
SUSTAIN LEVEL
RELEASE Time
Amplifier: VELOCITY SENS
TONE
LEVEL
ATTACK Time
DECAY Time
SUSTAIN LEVEL
RELEASE Time
Effect: Type (OVERDRIVE, DISTORTION, METAL, FUZZ, CRUSHER, PHASER)
TONE
DEPTH
Delay/Chorus: Type (DELAY, PANNING DELAY, CHORUS 1, CHORUS 2, FLANGER, DELAY + CHORUS)
TIME
LEVEL
Reverb: Type (AMBIENCE, ROOM, HALL 1, HALL 2, PLATE, MODULATION)
TIME
LEVEL
Controller: BEND SENS PITCH
BEND SENS FILTER
MOD SENS PITCH
MOD SENS FILTER
PORTAMENTO
LEGATO (ON, OFF)
BEND RANGE
BEND GAIN (1, 2, 3, 4)
TEMPO SYNC (ON, OFF)
KEY ASSIGN (POLY, MONO, UNISON)
KEY HOLD (ON, OFF)
OCTAVE (-3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3)
CONDITION
Arpeggio: ARPEGGIO (ON, OFF)
ARP TYPE (1OCT UP, 1OCT U+D, 1OCT DOWN, 2OCT DOWN, 2OCT U+D, 2OCT UP)
ARP STEP (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/4T, 1/8T, 1/16T)
Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
Tune: 430.0 Hz--450.0 Hz
Patches per bank: 64 preset
Plugin-Formats: VSTi 2.4 (64 bit) * Windows only
VSTi 3.6 (64 bit)
AU
AAX
System Requirements (macOS™)
Minimum Operating System: macOS 10.14
Host Application: VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: Audio Units V2 compatible
AAX compatible
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5 or better (Quad-core CPU recommended)
Apple M1 chip
RAM: 4 GB or more
Hard Disk: 100 MB or more
Display resolution and Colors: 1280 x 800 dots or higher, 16.7 million colors or more
Other: You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
The SYSTEM-8 driver must be installed on your computer to connect this software to the SYSTEM-8.
System Requirements (Windows®)
Minimum Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)

*This does not work with the Windows® RT.
*This does not work with the Windows® Phone.
*This does not work on the virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC, or Boot Camp.
Host Application: VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 2.4/3.6 compatible
AAX compatible
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5 or better (Quad-core CPU recommended)
RAM: 4 GB or more
Hard Disk: 100 MB or more
Display resolution and Colors: 1280 x 800 dots or higher, 24 bits Full Color or more
Other: You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
The SYSTEM-8 driver must be installed on your computer to connect this software to the SYSTEM-8.
1. Although Roland has tested numerous configurations and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the PLUG-OUT SOFTWARE SYNTHESIZER, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the PLUG-OUT SOFTWARE SYNTHESIZER based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements. This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved.
Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

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Downloads

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.