The Roland SH-4d represents an ambitious fusion of synthesizer and sequencer technology packed into a compact, battery-powered desktop unit. This innovative instrument defies traditional categorization, positioning itself as a synth-focused groovebox that combines the best elements of modern multi-engine desktop synthesizers with Roland's legendary sound design heritage.
At its core, the SH-4d is a four-part multitimbral synthesizer with an integrated drum machine, onboard sequencer, and comprehensive effects processing. While maintaining Roland's distinctive sonic character, the instrument draws clear inspiration from contemporary devices like Elektron's multi-engine boxes, Teenage Engineering's OP-1, and Arturia's MiniFreak.
The SH-4d stands uniquely in Roland's current lineup, featuring simplified ZEN building blocks rather than full ZEN-Core compatibility. This streamlined approach eliminates menu-diving complexity while maintaining the sonic versatility that modern producers demand. The instrument includes newly developed SH-101 and Juno-106 synth modules, alongside a digital rhythm section that diverges from the TR-8S architecture.
The physical design prioritizes hands-on control with a wealth of tactile interfaces crammed into a roughly foot-wide chassis. Portability remains paramount with USB-C power capability and battery operation via four AA cells. Multi-channel USB audio streaming enables seamless DAW integration when connected to a computer.
The user interface centers around the same screen and button cluster found on the Jupiter-Xm, supplemented by dedicated button strips for sequencing, pattern/part selection, and shift functions. A non-velocity-sensitive button keyboard provides note input capabilities.
Sound generation follows a modular approach similar to the Arturia MiniFreak, where various synthesis engines can be loaded into the main oscillator section, with controls adapting their functions accordingly. The right-hand panel controls—filters, modulators, and effects—maintain consistent behavior across all synthesis types. Unlike single-part synthesizers, the SH-4d provides four fully independent parts plus a dedicated rhythm section, each with complete access to panel controls.
The instrument operates on a Pattern-based workflow reminiscent of drum machines and grooveboxes, with each Pattern storing sequence data alongside complete settings for all five parts and effects processing. This approach enables seamless recall of complete device states. Parts reference instrument patches from a central pool, though the saving workflow requires individual naming and slot assignment for each part.
Technical Specifications
Sound Generation
- Polyphony: 60 voices total (shared across all parts)
- Parts: 4 synthesizer parts + 1 rhythm part
- Synthesis Types: 11 different synthesizer models per part
- Drum Machine: Digital synthesis with PCM sample blending
Synthesizer Models
- SH-4d: 4-oscillator virtual analog with supersaw, modulating Juno saw
- SH-3D: 3-oscillator with additional LFO replacing fourth oscillator
- SH-101: Classic Roland sound with slider-controlled wave shape mixing
- JUNO-106: Authentic recreation with LFO and PWM slider control
- SYNC: Dual-oscillator sync synthesis with variable waveform and envelope modulation
- CROSS FM: 2-oscillator FM engine with multiple wave shapes and PWM
- RING: Ring modulation-based synthesis with cross-modulation and wave-shaping
- WAVETABLE: 32 wavetables with manual, LFO, and envelope position modulation
- CHORD: Programmable chord progressions with multiple voicings
- DRAWING: Custom waveform creation via encoder and slider control
- PCM: 4-layer PCM sample blending for classic Roland sound module tones
Oscillator Section
- Waveforms: Standard waves, hybrids, supersaw, modulating saw types
- Individual Tuning: Per-oscillator tuning control
- Pulse Width Modulation: Per-oscillator PWM with position control
- Sync Options: Oscillator 1-2 and 3-4 sync capability
- Fatness Processing: Saturation/shaping with one-octave subharmonic component
- Detuning: Supersaw detuning control
Filter Section
- High-Pass Filter: 6dB/octave auxiliary high-pass filter
- Main Filter: Multi-mode filter with drive control
- 24dB/octave low-pass mode
- 24dB/octave high-pass mode
- 12dB/octave band-pass mode
- Resonance: Wet, whistley resonance character with keyboard tracking
- Envelope: Dedicated ADSR filter envelope
Modulation
- LFO: Dedicated LFO with type, rate, fade-in controls
- LFO Destinations: Pitch, filter, and level modulation
- Modulation Matrix: 4 sources to 4 destinations each
- Mod Sources: MIDI CC, LFO, envelopes, velocity, pitch/mod wheels, MIDI note
- Learn Mode: Automatic source/destination assignment
Envelopes
- VCA Envelope: ADSR with level and pan (switchable to ADR for one-shots)
- Filter Envelope: Dedicated ADSR for filter modulation
- Drum Envelopes: Individual amp and filter envelopes per drum channel
Effects Processing
- Send Effects: Reverb, chorus, and delay (multiple models each)
- Insert Effects: Per-part Tone effects including CE-1 and Juno chorus
- Master Effect: Global effect slot for entire mix
- EQ: Individual part EQ plus global mix EQ and compressor
- Beat Effects: No dedicated Scatter or Step Loop effects
Rhythm Section
- Trigger Buttons: 26 trigger buttons for drum programming
- Sound Sources: Nearly 500 starting points (~40 cycling waveforms, ~460 PCM samples)
- Layer Blending: Two-source blending per drum sound
- Modulation: Frequency cross-modulation with 4 flavors
- Pitch Modulation: Envelope-controlled pitch modulation per channel
- Per-Channel Processing: Individual filter and filter envelope
- Sample Loading: No user sample loading capability
Sequencing
- Tracks: 5 independent polyphonic sequencing tracks
- Pattern Length: Up to 64 steps per pattern
- Track Properties: Different lengths, directions, and speeds per track
- Maximum Step Length: 1/8th notes
- Recording Methods: Live recording, TR Record, Step Input
- Quantization: Hard quantization only (no micro-timing)
- Shuffle: Per-part shuffle control
- Note Capacity: Up to 8 notes per step
- Motion Parameters: 4 motion parameters per step (non-overlapping)
- Step Features: Probability and sub-steps (ratchets)
- Arpeggiator: Individual arpeggiator per part
Visual Arpeggio Modes
- Bouncing Ball: 3 variations with animated physics
- Etch-a-Sketch: Piano roll interface
- Orbit: Modulation tied to orbiting bodies
- Limitation: Only active while Visual Arpeggio screen is open (not recordable)
Performance Features
- Pattern Selection: Persistent pattern select mode with mixer control
- Mute Control: Part and individual drum channel muting
- Mission Control View: Combined mute, mixer, pan, and effects send control
- Knob Modes: Direct and Catch modes for parameter takeover
- D-Motion: Accelerometer-based modulation (pitch and roll sensing)
Physical Specifications
- Dimensions: 360 x 195mm front panel
- Power: USB-C power input, 4x AA battery operation
- Keyboard: Non-velocity-sensitive button keyboard
- Display: Same screen as Jupiter-Xm
- Controls: Extensive knob, slider, and button layout
Connectivity
- USB: USB-C port with multi-channel audio streaming
- MIDI: MIDI In/Out (5-pin DIN)
- Clock: Clock input (3.5mm)
- Audio Input: 3.5mm audio input
- Audio Outputs: Quarter-inch stereo outputs
- Headphones: Quarter-inch headphone output
MIDI Implementation
- Multi-channel: Independent MIDI channels per part
- Control Channel: Follows unit focus for unified control
- CC Generation: All controls can transmit and receive MIDI CC
- Full Implementation: Comprehensive MIDI parameter control
Pattern Management
- Pattern Storage: Complete device state storage per pattern
- Part Referencing: Parts reference central instrument patch pool
- Copy/Paste: Pattern, part, step, and step range copying
- Save Workflow: Individual part naming and slot assignment required
- Pattern Triggering: Queued pattern changes (no instant takeover)
Notable Limitations
- No Song Mode: No pattern chaining or song structure
- No Pattern Reload: Cannot return to saved pattern state after live tweaking
- No Live Transposition: No real-time sequence transposition
- No Count-in: No metronome or count-in for recording
- No User Samples: Cannot load custom drum samples
- Limited Step Loop: No dedicated beat/step effects for performance
