Tech
Eight stunning products from NAMM 2016
From CDJs and cans to mixers and MIDIs
Roland A-01 MIDI and SYSTEM-500
We already knew the Eurorack SYSTEM-500 modular synth was coming, but Roland officially unveiled the set-up at NAMM. Confirmed back in November, the SYSTEM-500 contains the 512, 521, 530, 540 and 572 modules and apparently has "the classic character and playability of a vintage Roland modular synth, with all the advantages of a modern instrument." What that means is that it features a dual voltage controlled oscillator, a dual voltage controlled filter for frequency control, a dual voltage amp, attack, decay, sustain and release envelope sections and a five-stage phase shifter. As if that's not enough, the Bluetooth-enabled A-01 MIDI controller (pictured above) was also on show. Sleek and stylish, it works as an 8-bit synth, measuring at a similar size as the Roland Boutique range, and is fully compatible with the K-25m mini-keyboard. Oh, and it's able to control analog and modular gear, too.
The A-01 is due out on February at the price of $599 and the System-500 is out now
