Software Synthesizer

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One instrument.
A universe of sound.

Explore thousands of genre-defining Roland sounds in one powerful instrument. From vintage synth tones to modern hybrid sounds, ZENOLOGY puts it all at your fingertips.

+ Standard Features

  • ZEN-Core Synthesis System plug-in for Mac and Windows
  • Over 4000 tones and 200 drum kits, easily expandable to over 10,000 total selections
  • Compatible with Sound Packs and Wave Expansions available on Roland Cloud
  • Advanced tone browser to explore sounds, tag favorites, and create custom banks
  • Powerful synth architecture with up to four partials per tone, each with flexible oscillator, filter, amplifier, dual LFOs, and equalizer
  • Layer multiple synthesis types, including advanced virtual analog and modern PCM
  • Four oscillators with nine virtual analog waveforms, Supersaw, noise, PCM, and PCM SYNC
  • Includes 1840 PCM waveforms, easily expandable to over 7000
  • Ten filter types, including JUPITER and other iconic models
  • Eleven LFO shapes, including tempo-synced Step LFOs with 37 curves per step
  • Over 90 lush Roland effects, including pristine reverbs, JUNO-106 and CE-1 choruses, SDD-320 Dimension D, and DJ-FX Looper
  • Modern resizable user interface for smooth workflow in any production environment
  • Edit and share sounds between ZENOLOGY and ZEN-Core hardware like FANTOM, JUPITER-X, JUNO-X, RD-88, MC-101, MC-707, and others
  • Upgrade to ZENOLOGY Pro or use ZENOLOGY Lite for free with a Roland Account
Zenology Version 2.0

The power of ZEN.

For decades, Roland sounds have had a massive influence on music. Our legendary instruments have defined genres like techno, house, rap, trap, and hip hop, and deeply influenced pop, rock, and film music. This long legacy has culminated in the ZEN-Core Synthesis System. It's the most advanced sound engine we've ever made, powering our professional synthesizers like JUPITER-X and FANTOM, used on stages and in studios around the world.

Zenology Version 2.0
Zenology Version 2.0 | Classic analog. Vintage digital. Modern hybrid.

Classic analog. Vintage digital. Modern hybrid.

ZENOLOGY is an expandable plug-in version of the ZEN-Core Synthesis System. ZEN-Core is based on discrete synth voices—each containing a flexible oscillator, filter, amplifier, dual LFOs, and effects. It mixes multiple synthesis types, combining vintage Roland oscillators and filters with PCM waves capable of sync and cross modulation. Layer up to four voices in a single tone for rich, complex sounds, both classic and modern.

Zenology Version 2.0| Highly effective

Highly effective.

Roland effects processors are as revered as their legendary instrument counterparts. Spacious reverbs and delays, sweeping JUNO-106 and CE-1 choruses, and unique effects like the SDD-320 Dimension D and DJ-FX Looper are just some of ZENOLOGY's over 90 effects that can shape and color your sound.

Zenology Version 2.0 | Sound that knows no bounds.

Sound that knows no bounds.

ZENOLOGY comes with thousands of patches, hundreds of drum kits, and access to an ever-expanding, always-evolving universe of creative options on Roland Cloud. Driven by the powerful ZEN-Core Synthesis System, a steady stream of new sounds and expansions focus on specific genres and instrument types or feature custom collections from leading artists.

Zenology Version 2.0 | Find your way

Find your way.

ZENOLOGY's friendly and informative browser helps you find exactly what you're looking for. Filter and organize your sounds, rate favorites, and even create custom banks. No matter how you work, your sounds are never far away.

Zenology Version 2.0

Model perfect.

From rare and sought-after classics to the designs of tomorrow, our growing collection of Model Expansions can instantly transform ZENOLOGY into entirely different instruments, like the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, SH-101, JX-8P, and JD-800. Using advanced modeling techniques to capture the essence of our legendary instruments, every Model Expansion has its own sonic personality, features, and preset tones. And they're optimized for high polyphony with interfaces inspired by the original hardware—but reimagined for your DAW.

Explore ZENOLOGY Model Expansions

Zenology Version 2.0 | Model Expansions
Zenology Version 2.0 | Design your sound

Design your sound with ZENOLOGY Pro.

Ready to dive into the world of custom sound design? Upgrade to ZENOLOGY Pro to harness the vast power of the ZEN-Core Synthesis System on your computer with an expansive interface and multiple editing views to tweak existing sounds or craft all-new sounds that inspire your music.

ZENOLOGY PRO

Zenology Version 2.0 | Hardware and software in harmony

Hardware and software in harmony.

ZENOLOGY works seamlessly with compatible Roland hardware like FANTOM, JUPITER-X, JUNO-X, and the RD-88. Use the same sounds in your DAW and hardware instruments, create custom banks, share with friends and collaborators, and tap into fresh inspiration with sounds from top artists and professional sound designers. You can even share Model Expansion sounds between ZENOLOGY and compatible ZEN-Core hardware.

Explore ZEN-Core

Specifications
Part
1 part
Tone Memory Type
2 Types (Tone/Drum Kit)
Effects
Multi Effects: 93
Reverb: 8
Tones (ZENOLOGY Pro / ZENOLOGY)
4,106 Tones
109 Drum kits
Tones (ZENOLOGY Lite)
240 Tones
10 Drum kits
*ZENOLOGY Lite cannot save or write user data
*ZENOLOGY Lite cannot Import or Export User Tone/Drum Kit data
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Tones per bank
2,048 tones or less
* User can make new user banks.
Plug-In Formats
VSTi 3.7 (64 bits)
AU
AAX
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS MAC OS
Operating System
macOS 11
macOS 12
macOS 13
Host Application
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.7 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: V2 Audio Units compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 or better
Apple Silicon
RAM
2 GB or greater
Storage Space
1 GB or greater
Display resolution and Colors
1,280 x 900 dots or higher, 16.7 million colors or greater
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS WINDOWS
Operating System
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 10 (64-bit)
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 11
* This does not work with the Windows(R) RT.
* This does not work with the Windows(R) 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 3.7 compatible
AAX compatible
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 or better
RAM
2 GB or greater
Storage Space
1 GB or greater
Display resolution and Colors
1,280 x 900 dots or higher, 24 bits Full Color or greater
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
* 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 ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the ZENOLOGY 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.

Owner’s Manuals

Support Documents