Synopsis

Roland Conventional Comparisons

Synopsis	Media	Physical	Interface	Architecture	Components	Resource

Conventional Family Picture

Released	MSRP	Synopsis	Ebay Description
1975	?	Bitimbral string and brass synth was probably designed to accompany an organ.	The Roland RS-101 is a 61 key, fully polyphonic bitimbral (string and brass) analog synthesizer, featuring tone control and vibrato.
1975	?	Adds chorus and vibrato delay to the RS-101	The Roland RS-202 is a 61 key, fully polyphonic bitimbral (string and brass) analog synthesizer, featuring tone control, chorus, and vibrato.
1978	?	"Paraphonic" string synth, including monophonic synth and bass sections	The Roland RS-505 is a 49 key, analog ensemble synthesizer, featuring auto-bend, vibrato, fully polyphonic string and synth sections, along with monophonic bass section. The synth section features a resonant low-pass filter with ADSR envelope, while the string and bass sections have AR envelopes.
1979	?	Organ and strings designed to complement an SH-1	The Roland RS-09 is a 44 key, fully polyphonic bi-timbral (organ and string) analog synthesizer, featuring tone control, chorus, and vibrato.
1980	?	RS-09 without the strings.	The Roland Saturn SA-09 is a 44 key, fully polyphonic analog synthesizer, featuring organ, tone control, chorus, and vibrato.
1980	?	Adds a vocoder to the RS-09, swapping organ for human voice sound. The SVC-350 (1984) is only a vocodor (no synth).	The Roland VP-330 is a 49 key, fully polyphonic bi-timbral (voice and string) analog synthesizer, featuring tone control, chorus, vocoder, and vibrato.
1976	no	Basic monosynth.	The Roland SH-3 is a 44 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms), white/pink noise, resonant low-pass filter, ADSR envelope, dual LFOs (saw and sine/square waveforms), glide/portamento, S/H, and chorus.
1976	no	A significant upgrade to the SH-3 (dual VCOs, ring mod, second EG, dual filters, CV/gate interface ...)	The Roland SH-5 is a 44 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/pulse/square/triangle waveforms with ring-mod, sync, and PWM), white/pink noise, resonant band-pass and low/band/high-pass filters, AR and ADSR envelopes, dual LFOs (saw and sine/square/triangle waveforms), portamento, S/H, and CV/gate I/O.
1977	no	Similar to an SH-3, swapping chorus for presets and losing an LFO.	The Roland SH-1000 is a 37 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms), white/pink noise, resonant low-pass filter, ADSR envelope, LFO (sine/square waveforms), glide/portamento, S/H, and 10 presets.
1977	no	Swaps controls for aftertouch and more presets, including a preset only EG	The Roland SH-2000 is a 37 key (aftertouch sensitive), monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator, resonant low-pass filter, LFO, portamento, S/H, and 30 presets.
1978	no	Similar to an SH-5, but swapping an LFO for full ADSR envelopes. First synth with the Roland's familiar high to low pass filter configuration. The monosynth can also be 2 voice polyphonic.	The Roland SH-7 is a 44 key, monophonic or duophonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/pulse/square/triangle waveforms with ring-mod, sync, and PWM), white/pink noise, high-pass and resonant low/high/band-pass filters, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, LFO (saw/sine/square waveforms), portamento, S/H, and CV/gate I/O.
1978	no	Single oscillator SH-5 swapping BPF for HPF and losing an LFO.	The Roland SH-1 is a 32 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM), white/pink noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, AR and ADSR envelopes, LFO (sine/square/random waveforms), portamento, auto-bend, and CV/gate I/O.
1978	no	Dual oscillator SH-1, without ENV2	The Roland SH-2 is a 37 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO (sine/square/random waveforms), portamento, auto-bend and CV/gate I/O.
1980	no	Similar to SH-1 (single VCO) or SH-2 (single ENV), but without HPF.	The Roland SH-09 is a 37 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM), noise, resonant low-pass filter, ADSR envelope, LFO (sine/square/random waveforms), portamento, auto-bend and CV/gate I/O.
1983	no	Strap-on SH-09 with cpu based arpeggiator and sequencer	The Roland SH-101 is a 37 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM), noise, resonant low-pass filter, ADSR envelope, LFO (sine/square/random waveforms), portamento, auto-bend, arpeggiator, 100 step sequencer, strap pegs, and CV/gate I/O.
1983	no	Simplified (no noise, arpeggiator, fewer mod routings) SH-101 in a desktop form factor.	The Roland MC-202 is a desktop (32 mini key/buttons), monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM), noise, resonant low-pass filter, ADSR envelope, LFO, portamento, step sequencer, tape interface, and CV/gate I/O.
1983	no	"Compu Music" module based on an MC-202 (swapping the sequencer for pre/post VCA mix inputs)	The Roland Compu Music CMU-810 is a desktop monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM), noise, resonant low-pass filter, ADSR envelope, LFO, portamento, mix inputs, and CV/gate I/O.
1983	no	Simple monosynth in a desktop form factor	The Roland TB-303 is a desktop (13 mini key/buttons) monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/square waveforms), resonant low-pass filter, decay envelope, 7-track sequencer, and CV/gate outputs.
1983	no	"Compu Music" mixer module, including synth and rhythm sections, but requiring an AppleII to function.	The Roland Compu Music CMU-800 is an AppleII computer expansion card, which includes a desktop mixer, 6 voice analog synthesizer, 7 voice drum synthesizer, and a sequencer. The sequencer features 8 synth tracks, 1 drum track, and 2 CV tracks.
1982	?	Entry level hybrid synth (i.e. digital/analog).	The Roland Juno-6 is a 61 key, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO, chorus, and arpeggiator.
1983	?	Adds patch memory.	The Roland Juno-60 is a 61 key, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO, chorus, 56 presets and arpeggiator.
1984	$?	Preset only piano module with limited MIDI implementation.	The Roland Planet-P (MKS-10) is a 2U rack, 16 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO, chorus/flanger, 8 presets (piano, clavichord, harpsichord, electric-piano), and MIDI.
1984	?	Adds basic MIDI (no SysEx), trading the arpeggiator for portamento.	The Roland Juno-106 is a 61 key, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO, portamento, chorus, 128 presets and basic MIDI.
1985	?	Adds stereo speakers and a music stand to the Juno-106.	The Roland Juno-106S is a 61 key, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO, portamento, chorus, 128 presets, stereo speakers and basic MIDI.
1985	?	(a.k.a SynthPlus 60) Repackaged Juno-106s (probably aimed at the home market).	The Roland HS-60 is a 61 key, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO, portamento, chorus, 128 presets, stereo speakers and basic MIDI.
1985	$1095US	Ensemble style rack (Juno-106+monosynth+PCM rhythm), programable via MIDI only.	The Roland Super Quartet (MKS-7) is a 2U rack, polyphonic analog synthesizer, featuring separate (2 voice) melody, (4 voice) chord, (1 voice) bass, and (11 voice) drum sections, dedicated outputs, chorus, and MIDI. The melody and chord sections features a single oscillator (saw/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO, portamento, and 100 presets. The bass section features single oscillator (saw/pulse waveforms with PWM), resonant low-pass filter, ADSR envelope, and 20 presets. The rhythm section features 17 TR707 based waveforms.
1985	$695US	(a.k.a Alpha Juno-1) improves the EG flexibility and adds performance features (aftertouch via MIDI or foot controller, programmable pedals, music stand).	The Roland Alpha Juno-1 is a 49 key, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, 4-stage envelope, LFO, portamento, chorus, 128 presets (64 editable) and MIDI.
1986	?	(a.k.a. SynthPlus 10) Repackaged Juno-1.	The Roland SynthPlus 10 (HS-10) is a 49 key, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, 4-stage envelope, LFO, portamento, chorus, 128 presets (64 editable) and MIDI.
1985	$1095US	(a.k.a Alpha Juno-2) adds a 5 octave keyboard (with aftertouch) and cartridge port to the Juno-1.	The Roland Alpha Juno-2 is a 61 key (velocity and aftertouch sensitive), 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, 4-stage envelope, LFO, portamento, chorus, 128 presets (64 editable), cartridge port, and MIDI.
1986	?	(a.k.a. SynthPlus 60) Repackaged Juno-2, adding stereo speakers, but swapping the cartridge port for a tape interface.	The Roland SynthPlus 60 (HS-80) is a 61 key (aftertouch sensitive), 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, 4-stage envelope, LFO, portamento, chorus, 128 presets (64 editable), tape interface, stereo speakers, and MIDI.
1985	$695US	Rack Alpha Juno, with guitar mode.	The Roland MKS-50 is a 1U rack (aftertouch sensitive), 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/pulse/square waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, 4-stage envelope, LFO, portamento, chorus, 128 presets (64 editable), guitar mode, and MIDI.
1979	no	As with the JX line the first model of the line is a bit of an anomoly, performing more like a Juno than a Jupiter.	The Roland Jupiter-4 Compuphonic (JP-4) is a 49 key, 4 voice polyphonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/square/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, LFO (saw/squre/triangle), portamento, S/H (to filter), arpeggiator, chorus, 18 presets (8 editable), and arpeggiator.
1980	no	Monophonic Jupiter-4, swapping arpeggiator, chorus, and S/H for dual oscillators and gate/CV interface.	The Roland ProMars Compuphonic (MRS-2) is a 37 key, monophonic analog synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/square/pulse waveforms with PWM and sub-oscillator), noise, high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, LFO (saw/square/triangle), portamento, 18 presets (8 editable), and arpeggiator.
1981	no	King of the Rolands. Combines Jupiter-4 and MRS-2 functionality, while adding osc sync and FM, along with dual filter slopes.	The Roland Jupiter-8 (JP-8) is a 61 key, 8 voice polyphonic bi-timbral analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/square/pulse/triangle/noise waveforms with PWM, sync, and FM), high-pass and resonant (12\|24dB) low-pass filters, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, LFO (saw/square/triangle/random), portamento, arpeggiator, chorus, 64 presets, DCB interface, dual XLR and phone stereo outputs, and arpeggiator.
1983	no	Less polyphony than the Jupiter8, but uses a multi-mode filter and adds a dedicated vibrato and minimal MIDI.	The Roland Jupiter-6 (JP-6) is a 61 key, 6 voice polyphonic bi-timbral analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/square/pulse/triangle/noise waveforms with PWM, sync, and FM), resonant 24dB low\|high-pass or 12dB band pass filter, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, dual LFOs (sine and saw/square/triangle/random), portamento/glissando, arpeggiator, chorus, 80 presets (48 editable), basic MIDI, XLR and phone stereo outputs, and arpeggiator.
1984	no	Similar to a rack Jupiter8 with swapping arpeggiator, chorus, and DCB for aftertouch (with dedicated pitch LFO), velocity, cartridge slot, and MIDI. Early models (Rev 4, up through serial 511799) used the same filter as the other Jupiters (IR3109), while later models (Rev 5, serial 511800 and higher) used the same filter as the Super JX (IR3R05)	The Roland Super Jupiter (MKS-80) is a 2U rack, 8 voice polyphonic bi-timbral (aftertouch and velocity sensitive) analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/square/pulse/triangle/noise waveforms with PWM, sync, and FM), high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, dual LFOs (triangle and saw/square/triangle/random), portamento, arpeggiator, chorus, 64 presets, cartridge interface, XLR and phone stereo outputs, and MIDI.
1984	?	The JX series begins the menu based editing system for Roland's step-up level synth line, but still offers dedicated (knob/function) editing via external editors. The JX-3P is similar to a dual oscillator Juno with a sequencer and minimal MIDI.	The Roland JX-3P is a 61 key, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/pulse/square/noise waveforms with PWM, FM, and sync), high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO (triangle, square, random waveforms), chorus, 64 presets (32 editable), chord memory, 128 step sequencer, tape interface, and basic MIDI.
1984	?	The MKS-30 (Planet-S) is a rack JX-3P, swapping the sequencer and tape interface for a cartridge slot.	The Roland Planet-S (MKS-30) is a 2U rack, 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/pulse/square/noise waveforms with PWM, FM, and sync), high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO (triangle, square, random waveforms), chorus, 64 presets (32 editable), chord memory, cartridge slot, and basic MIDI.
1984	?	The GR-700 is a guitar version of the MKS-30, designed to be used with a G-707 guitar.	The Roland GR-700 is a foot controller designed to be used with a G-707 guitar. The 6 voice polyphonic hybrid (digital/analog) synthesizer features dual oscillators (saw/pulse/square/noise waveforms with PWM, FM, and sync), high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, ADSR envelope, LFO (triangle, square, random waveforms), chorus, 64 presets (32 editable), chord memory, cartridge slot, and basic MIDI.
1985	$1695US	The JX-8P adds portamento, a second EG and additional modulation routings to the JX-3P voice architecture.	The Roland JX-8P is a 61 key, 6 voice polyphonic (aftertouch and velocity sensitive) analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/square/pulse/noise waveforms with PWM, sync, and FM), high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, LFO (sine/square/random), portamento, chorus, 64 presets (32 editable), cartridge interface, and MIDI.
1986	$2195US	The JX-10 (Super JX) houses dual JX-8P voice modules and a sequencer in a 6 octave case (with additional performance controls), but with poor Sysex implementation.	The Roland Super JX (JX-10) is a 76 key, 12 voice polyphonic, bi-timbral (aftertouch and velocity sensitive) analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/square/pulse/noise waveforms with PWM, sync, and FM), high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, LFO (sine/square/random), portamento, chorus, chase (delay), 100 presets (50 editable), cartridge interface, dual stereo outputs, single track (real-time) sequencer, and basic MIDI.
1986	$1995US	The MKS-70 (Super JX) is a rack JX-10, swapping the sequencer for better Sysex implementation.	The Roland Super JX (MKS-70) is a 2U rack, 12 voice polyphonic, bi-timbral (aftertouch and velocity sensitive) analog synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/square/pulse/noise waveforms with PWM, sync, and FM), high-pass and resonant low-pass filters, dedicated filter and amp ADSR envelopes, LFO (sine/square/random), portamento, chorus, chase (delay), 100 presets (50 editable), cartridge interface, dual stereo outputs, and MIDI.