Production Inspiration - Mathew Jonson Presents His Synth Favorites: Roland SH-101
I've really been looking for something to break myself out of the loop that the current song I'm working on is in and tonight the internet has provided me with just the thing I need.
First, Mathew Jonson is easily one of my favorite producers and one of the artists that has stayed with me the longest. While a lot of has changed in terms of my taste since my first introduction to electronic music, I can safely say that Mathew Jonson has stayed with me since I first picked up his Typerope single back in 2003. So many of his tracks from that era of the 2000s have gone on to define much of what I love about electronic music: a sense of melancholy coupled with a long unfolding of sounds and vibes. Simply put, he has consistently delivered great music for nearly 15 years for me and I love what he manages to do.
So, when I saw that he did a studio session for EB.TV featuring one of his favorite synths, the SH-101, I knew I was going to be in for a treat tonight and it did not disappoint.
The SH-101 is a bit of an underdog in Roland's lineup that is currently getting some of the attention it deserves. It's not quite as iconic as the sounds coming from Roland's 909, 808, or 303, but it has a power and versatility that while less recognizable, is still an amazing piece of gear that is capable of pulling its weight in the studio.
Here is what I love about watching these videos.
The principles shown here can be done with a lot of different gear. The SH-101 is a simple synth at the end of the day and there are many uncomplicated mono synths that can help you. For those looking for its specific sound on the cheap, the excellent TAL-Bassline 101 or the Lush 101 synths will get you there.
I own a MC-202 which is kind of somewhere between a 303 and a keyboard less SH-101 (think acid style programming with the sound of a 101) and I've never quite gotten the handle of programming it that I've looked for until watch this. I swear I learned more in the few minutes it took me to get through these videos than I've learned in a long time owning this and it's exciting to work in a different way with what is one of the most underused pieces of gear in my collection.
With that said, I hope all the producers out there on Steemit enjoy these videos. I know I got a lot out of them.
Yay for TAL Bassline! I've never had my hands on the real thing, so I can't comment on the emulation accuracy, but as a synth in it's own right, I love it.
For me, it doesn't matter so much if the emulation is accurate as the thing that is hard to emulate is always the workflow. TAL Bassline was one of the first 3rd party VSTs that I ever used and I've never looked at is as a lesser than. Argueably, I've logged more time with the VST than the real thing (until I went 64 Bit and couldn't use the emulation anymore). Perhaps I'll get the non-free one at some point.
I tend not to care about emulation accuracy either, generally speaking. The draw of a lot of the emulations I use is more about the features. I guess in this case, the lack thereof. Sometimes this basic osc/sub-osc/filter setup is exactly what you need.
Exactly. What makes so much classic gear inspiring is how the limitations and workflow inspire, not necessarily the sound. Sometimes having too many options is the worst thing for actually getting stuff done. However, the one place where emulations do have an appeal for me is in classic string sounds. Solina sounds always have an edge for me that I can't find many other places.
I agree, The 101 is a great synth, great for bass lines and lead.
TAL also do a free software version of the Juno 60 called the TAL-U-No-62-AU which sounds pretty damn convincing too.
Their Juno 60 emulation was my go to VST for about 3 years when I first started in this space, so much though that I very nearly bought a Juno 6 after lusting after it for several years (only to finally get the second hand shop to plug it in before buying and finding out it wouldn't turn on). Really good memories with that VST. Maybe it's time to revisit.