Thank you Rachel,

This was unbelievably useful answer - it beats discussions on AH about it. I
also used to have System 100 - but only the keyboard monosynth, also known
as 101. I sold it, and maybe I made the mistake. One person told me "you can
make all these sounds on Jupiter 4, you don't need System 100 for it". I
have no idea if that is true or not. Does Roland System 100 have it's own
unique charm that makes it worth owning it Absolutely. So do other 90% of
analog synths made in last 30+ years.

As I practice with my modular more and more (it is 80 % Doepfer, and 20 %
Plan B/ASys), I think that sound of modular is in technique of playing and
patching, not in particular brand itself. I have 3 G6 racks, and I find that
(finally!) sufficient amount of power to get what I want. I sold 808
recently, to discover that it held me back! Percusive sounds I get from my
modular, though crude at the moment, sound beautifully menacing and
original. I am trying to get rid of my 909 by the way. Any buyers in
Montreal by any chance

Regards,

Zoran

>From: grove@...
>Reply-To: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com
>To: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: 1 Re: Roland System 100
>Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 22:44:11 +1100 (EST)
>
>Hi Doepferites,
>
>I have both a complete System 100 and an A100 Mini System.
>
>For all intents and purposes, they are both quite different instruments.
>
>The Mini System shares only 1 VCF, LFO, EG and VCA for its 2 VCO's.
>Of course it's a modular and can be expanded to more power but let
>us just consider it as a self contained instrument.
>
>A full System 100 is indeed something like an analogue "workstation".
>It's also "semi modular". It has several things that make it
>superior to the A100 Mini in that it is of course 2 complete mono synths
>in essence, but its design allows the system to function as a very
>powerful 2 voice instrument.
>
>The HPF filter in the System 100 is much like a 303 in that it is an 18db
>slope filter. It's discrete though and made up of basic components.
>It also sounds a lot better (richer) than a 303 and you can get a lot more
>out of the sound. You've also got a simple LPF in there as well.
>
>This HPF filter is the key to the sound. The VCO is pretty good and
>can generate a very wide range of sounds. An old one can
>detune in unwanted ways, but mine has been recapped and holds its pitch
>much better than 10 years ago. My System 100 has been completely
>recapped and cleaned &c so it does make a good reference.
>
>The A100 filter A120 is much more "transistorised" sounding than
>the System 100. I feel it is much closer to the System 100m
>which is also a bit more modern in design. I actually wanted
>a 100m but couldn't get what I wanted, so went with the A100 instead,
>as it is a more modern design and has the sound I wanted. I also
>now have a G6 waiting for modules, whereas my System 100 is complete.
>
>The EG in the System 100 is less sluggish than the A100's A140 EG.
>It doesn't click on short envelopes like the 140. The 140 does
>have more range, but doesn't feel as good as the Roland, which does
>beautiful percussive sounds.
>
>The System 100 102 has a terrific S&H section, with lots of pluggability.
>It also has a ring mod. The 101 synth is actually a basic thing,
>but with lots of sources and destinations for patching. You really
>need to have the 102 to unlock the full potential, esp with sync
>which the A100 also has. Unlike the A100, you can only sync the
>VCO2 as a slave to VCO1.
>
>The System 100 104 is as basic as an analogue sequencer gets.
>2 channels of 12 steps each linkable to up to 24 steps.
>I trigger it step by step
>from Logic using a Gate pulse to move each step forward.
>
>There are no mutes for each step. They are not quantised.
>I can get mine to hold a tune and it will even survive being
>powered off, provided I don't touch any steps. It's been recapped!
>
>You will need the A190 or MAQ (which I also have) to drive the A100,
>but the Mini comes with it.
>
>The System 100 103 mixer is better than people think. It's
>relatively quiet and can take a fair load. It also has a very
>dense spring reverb and 4 very cool looking v/u meters ;)
>
>You have to hear a full System 100 with the Sequencer and the sound
>mixed through the Mixer 103 and its spring reverb to realise it's
>a totally unique sound. The System 100 was designed to be a self
>contained "workstation" to compose with that gave you a lot of
>flexibility but in a controlled environment so you have to work
>in that constraint. I think it is closer to an EMS Synthi AKS
>than anything else, in concept, if not sound.
>
>I say if you have a Doepfer, try at least to get the 101 and 102
>together - the sum is greater than the parts. If you have an A100
>already, try the System 100, as it shares the 1/8" plugs and works
>just fine. If you already have a 101/102, you should scrounge
>for the sequencer, but you can live without it. If you have
>the 104 Sequencer and/or the 103 Mixer but no 101/102, sell them
>to someone who needs them as they are not that good on their own...
>
>
>rachel
>
>--
>Rachel Polanskis Systems Admin, University of Western Sydney
>ADD Werrington North Campus (+61 2) 9678 7291 < r.polanskis@... >
>"It is a sin to be silent when it is your duty to protest." - Abraham
>Lincoln
> "Who do you trust " - John W Howard