Roland System-1

What Roland SYSTEM-1 Plug-Out Is For

Roland SYSTEM-1 Plug-Out is a virtual instrument designed for producing electronic music, pop, synthwave, techno, house, and all aesthetics requiring expressive and immediately usable synth sounds. Thanks to its 4-voice subtractive structure, it excels in punchy basslines, sharp leads, compact pads, and rhythmic sequences, while remaining quick to program.

Its appeal is not limited to the studio: Plug-Out compatibility allows, depending on your setup, transferring the instrument to use without a computer on a Roland System-1 or System-1m. This is an ideal approach to switch from a DAW workflow to a more direct live performance, while maintaining sound consistency between composition and stage.

Main Features

Subtractive synthesis engine: from classic to radical

At the heart of the instrument is an architecture designed for speed: two oscillators supported by a sub-oscillator to reinforce the low end, and two types of modulation to go beyond purely analog territory. Cross modulation provides rich harmonic variations, while ring modulation generates more atypical colors, perfect for effects, abrasive pads, or incisive leads.

Filtering, modulation, and dynamics: musical control

Sound shaping is ensured by a modulateable and resonant low-pass filter with switchable slope, complemented by a high-pass filter to clean the lows, refine a sequence, or make room for the kick and bass. The presence of a VCA, LFO, and 2 envelopes facilitates creating lively sounds: sharp attacks, filter sweeps, tremolos, subtle or extreme movements, all with a play- and performance-oriented feel.

Built-in effects: grain, space, and depth

The effects section gathers essentials to quickly finalize a patch. The bitcrusher adds bite and a lo-fi or digital aesthetic, while the delay and reverb place the instrument in space, from short slap to hypnotic feedback. This combination is particularly effective for transforming a simple arpeggiated line into a wide and immersive pattern, without multiplying external effect instances.

Arpeggiator + Scatter: from idea to groove, tempo-synced

To speed up writing, the arpeggiator offers an immediate starting point for rhythmic patterns. The Scatter function, tempo-synced, adds a performative dimension by slicing and rearranging the sound flow: ideal for transitions, breaks, or instant variations that energize an arrangement. In production as well as live, these tools encourage a workflow focused on movement and impact.

Plug-Out Mode: studio continuity to compatible hardware

Plug-Out support opens a hybrid scenario: design your sounds in your DAW, then use the instrument on a Roland System-1 (331463) or System-1m (362078) to play without a computer (optional and not included hardware). This approach is relevant if you want to keep a consistent sound between studio sessions and stage setup, while regaining the feel of a hardware instrument.

Technical specifications