Roland SH-1000 Analog Monophonic Preset Synthesizer

The Roland SH-1000, produced in Japan between 1973 and 1981, is considered to be one of the first compact and affordable keyboard synthesizers. It was designed to complement home organs, which is evident from its front control panel featuring organ-style selector tabs and an included wooden sheet music stand. As a monophonic instrument, the SH-1000 made synthesis accessible to a wider audience, bringing sophisticated sound design capabilities into the homes of aspiring musicians.

The SH-1000 was embraced by notable artists such as Vangelis, Jethro Tull, The Band, Blondie, Human League, Fad Gadget, and Cairns. These musicians utilized the SH-1000 for its unique sound and ease of use, contributing to its cultural impact during the 1970s and early 1980s. A little later in 1973, Roland released the SH-2000, which offered more preset sounds (up to 30) but fewer controls and features. This shift may have been a response to the SH-1000's complexity for its target demographic.

The Roland SH-1000 features a single Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (1VCO), one Low-Pass and one High-Pass filter, and one ADSR envelope. It includes portamento and glide functions, two Low-Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) with selectable waveshapes, and a 37-key non-velocity sensitive keyboard. The instrument also offers white noise, pink noise, portamento, octave transposition, and a Random Note Generator. Although it lacks user memory, its simple interface allows users to quickly recreate or discover unique sounds.

The SH-1000 includes ten preset sounds, which are relatively weak compared to the sounds one can create via the mono-synth control panel. Despite this, its combination of features and ease of use made it a favorite among musicians exploring new sonic territories. The SH-1000's design and functionality set a precedent for future synthesizers, balancing affordability with innovative sound design capabilities.