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Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Customer Reviews for Roland Gaia Synthesizer with 37 Full-Size Keys

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Roland Gaia Synthesizer with 37 Full-Size Keys

Model: SH-01
SKU: 9788835
UPC: 761294411063
Explore your musical creativity with this synthesizer that features 37 full-size, velocity-sensitive keys for an expressive playing experience. The 64-voice polyphony and a variety of effects, including reverb, fuzz and more help you create a unique sound.
Average Customer Rating:
5 out of 5
5.0
 out of 
5
(1 Review) 1
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Customer Reviews for Roland Gaia Synthesizer with 37 Full-Size Keys
Review 1 for Roland Gaia Synthesizer with 37 Full-Size Keys

For the beginner and the expert

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: km3rd
from KS
on 07/25/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Sound Quality
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Craftsmanship
3.0 out of 5
3.0
What's great about it: Price and features
What's not so great: It's totally plastic, proprietary external memory
This is a perfect synthesizer for the novice not content with factory presets. If you are interested in the art of synthesis in addition to musicianship, I cannot think of a better synth on the market today. Sound creation is a breeze with SH-01, and what sounds can you make! This synth is FUN!!
For the musician with experience in synthesizer programming, there is the marvelously rich Roland Supersaw waveform which is great for some really full sounding pads. This is my first Roland synth -I also own/play Nords, old and new Moogs, a Prophet '08, and many others- and the Supersaw made a believer out of me. No, it won't be a substitute for any of my higher end synths, but it has earned its place in my studio.
The SH-01 is a totally plastic construction. So, treat it gently carrying it to practice and gigging. A lot of reviewers on other websites have really knocked the SH-01 for that. But over ten years ago I bought a Yamaha CS1x because I couldn't afford a Nord Lead or Roland JP-8000 or an actual analog synth. The snobs still turned their noses up at the CS1x even though I saw a few appear on MTV used by signed artists. And many years before that Casio released its CZ series synth line which are still used today by some artists (Moby may still use one).
The SH-01 is a virtual analog synth, unlike the CS1x which is a ROMpler with knobs and the CZ series which are digital, which puts the Roland in a different class. The SH-01 ups the ante with its USB connectivity for both MIDI control and audio recording with a computer. The USB port for storage to external memory is okay, but possibly proprietary -for use with Roland brand memory. Roland also adds a D-Beam control which is novel, but I could take it or leave it.
Overall for the money, this is an ideal true synthesizer. Mine has already given me hours of fun, even out of the box.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+25points
25out of 25found this review helpful.