Roland Sound Canvas

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Roland/Edirol Sound Canvas lineup is a series of PCM-based MIDI sound modules and PC sound cards primarily intended for computer music usage, created by Roland Corporation. All Sound Canvas modules are compatible with General MIDI and MT-32 soundsets. Some models include serial or USB connection to computer.

Products

Sound Canvas

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets output resolution Notes References
Roland SC-55 1991 GM GS 16 24 317 9 16 bit @ 32kHz Half Rack unit, first product of the line, first model, technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset) [1]
Roland SC-155 1992 GM GS 16 24 317 9 16 bit @ 32kHz Table top version of SC-55 [2]
Roland SC-7 1992 GM 16 28 128 6 16 bit @ 32kHz Connects via serial cable to either MAC or PC [2]
Roland SC-55mkII 1993 GM GS 16 28 354 9 18 bit @ 32kHz Half Rack unit. A minor upgrade to the original SC-55.
Roland SC-55ST GM GS 16 28 354 9 Half Rack unit. Lower cost version of SC-55mkII. No Display and only 1 x Midi In, headphone and R/L RCA Output jacks. [2][3]
Roland P-55 1993 3 28 32 0 Piano module, with a limited set of instruments.
Roland SC-50 1994 GM GS 16 28 226 9 18 bit @ 32kHz SC-55 without the Roland MT-32 sounds, but with increased polyphony (from 24 to 28). [4][2]
Roland SD-35 1993 GM GS 16 28 223 8 16 bit @ 32kHz SC-50 with integrated MIDI sequencer [5]
Roland SC-33 1992 GM GS 16 28 226 8 16 bit @ 32kHz Table top version of SC-50 [2]
Roland SC-88 1994 GM GS 32 64 654 22 18 bit @ 32kHz Half Rack unit [6][2]
Roland M-GS64 1995 GM GS 32 64 654 22 18 bit @ 32kHz A 1U rackmount version of the SC-88 [7][2]
Roland SC-88VL 1996 GM GS 32 64 654 22 18 bit @ 32kHz Smaller sized version of SC-88, with a same size and panel layout as the SC-55 and SC-50. [8]
Roland SC-88ST 1996 GM GS 32 64 654 22 18 bit @ 32kHz [2]
Roland SC-88PRO 1997 GM GS 32 64 1117 42 18 bit @ 32kHz [9][2]
Roland SC-88ST PRO GM GS 32 64 1117 42 18 bit @ 32kHz A black plastic box, with LEDs for MIDI activity. 2 MIDI ins, 1 out. one single button on the front panel for sc55/sc88/sc88pro modes. without Cakewalk StudioWare or the GSAE 4.01 (GS Advanced Editor), you will be "flying blind" when using this. the same goes for the sc88st and the sc7 units
Roland SC-880 1998 GM GS 32 64 1117 42 18 bit @ 32kHz A 1U rackmount unit version of the SC-88PRO [10][11]
Roland ED SC-8820 1999 GM GS GM2 32 64 1608 63 24 bit @ 32kHz Mobile MIDI device with no display and the successor of the SC-7, SC-55ST and SC-88ST. Contains a new native map as well as SC-55, SC-88, and SC-88Pro maps for backwards compatibility. USB-powered, but does not act as a full USB audio device. GS Advanced Editor or another program is highly recommended when using this synth. [11]
Roland ED SC-8850 1999 GM GS GM2 64 128 1640 63 24 bit @ 32kHz Desktop module that can connect via USB. Despite similarities, patches and effects occasionally play differently from the 8820 - some samples on the 8850 are stereo while the 8820 versions are mono and vice versa. Also has unofficial XGLite support (tested with a slew of XG MIDI files). Most of Roland's present-day electronic keyboards, has some of their sounds derived from the SC-8850. [12][11]
Roland ED SC-D70 2001 GM GS GM2 32 64 1608 63 24 bit @ 44.1kHz and 48kHz Digital audio-oriented desktop module version of the SC-8820. Contains A/D inputs as well as USB audio functionality when connected to a host system. This is also the only Sound Canvas module to have digital audio ports built in. The output can be selected either 44.1kHz or 48kHz, however the sound generation (samples on ROM) is still 32kHz internally.

Sound Canvas Personal Computer Products

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets output resolution Notes References
Roland SCC-1 1992 GM GS 16 24 317 / 354 9 16 bit @ 44.1kHz PC based ISA card (8 BIT). The SCC-1A and SCC-1B (different software packed with card) revision upgraded the board to 354 Tones. First model technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset). [2][13]
Roland RAP-10 1993 GM 16 28 128 6 16-bit @ 44.1kHz PC based ISA card (16 BIT) based on SC-7. Consumer based high end 16 BIT Soundcard.
Roland SCB-7 1995 GM 16 28 128 6 16-bit @ 32kHz Daughter board to attach to a Soundcard Waveblaster port. Also sold As SCD-10 and SCM-10 in bundle with MPU-401/AT.
Roland SCB-55 1995 GM GS 16 28 354 9 18-bit @ 32kHz Daughter board to attach to a Soundcard Waveblaster port. Also sold As SCD-15 and SCM-15 in bundle with MPU-401/AT. Internally 18-bit resolution, will be limited to 16-bit because of daughterboard connector, unless a HW mod is performed (external connector as external unit).
Roland SCP-55 1995 GM GS 16 28 354 9 18-bit @ 32kHz PCMCIA card to insert in notebook/laptop computer
Roland GPPC-N ???? GM GS 16 28 354 9 16-bit @ 44.1kHz NEC PC-9801 card to insert in computer

Studio Canvas

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets output resolution Notes References
Edirol SD-90 2001 GM GS GM2 XGLite 32 128 1050 30 24 bit, 44.1 - 48 kHz Desktop module. Can be used as a USB audio device, allowing for direct recording of processed MIDIs onto computer. GS sound bank is a mixture of SC-55, SC-88, SC-88Pro, and SC-8820/8850 samples. Contains 4 GM2 banks (Classic, Contemporary, Solo, Enhanced) as well as two Special banks in Native Mode and 3 MFX effects slots (1 per part - cannot be used jointly or stacked). [14]
Edirol SD-80 2002 GM GS GM2 XGLite 32 128 1050 30 24 bit 1U rackmount version of SD-90. Lacks audio input ports. [15][11]
Edirol SD-20 2002 GM GS GM2 XGLite 32 64 660 23 24 bit Mobile module. Does not have the SD-80/90's Enhanced bank as well as MFX. USB-powered, but lacks USB audio capability. Lacks a MIDI Out port and on-synth instrument preview function. The Roland editing program for this synth is also not as complex as that of the SD-80 and 90. [11]
Roland SD-50 2010 GM GS GM2 16 128 1125 32 24 bit @ 44.1 kHz Compact, USB Bus powered and functions as a USB audio device. GS bank is more similar to that of the SC-50. Not very related to the rest of the SD family. Library instrument is still those from SC-8820/SC-8850 or 24-bit @ 32kHz. [16]

Computer Music Products

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets output resolution Notes
Roland CM-300 1991 GM GS 16 24 317 9 16 bit @ 44.1 kHz A beige box with a volume knob and two LEDs on the front, technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset)
Roland CM-500 1991 GM GS MT-32 16 24 317 9 16 bit @ 44.1 kHz A beige box with a volume knob and two LEDs on the front, technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset), incorporates third generation Roland MT-32/LAPC-I compatibility.

Sound Canvas and Keyboard

The following combine a sound canvas module with a built in MIDI keyboard

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets output resolution Notes References
Roland SK-50 1994 GM GS 16 28 226 8
Roland SK-50 IV 1997 GM GS 16 28 226 8
Roland SK-88Pro 1999 GM GS 32 64 1117 42 SC-880 with 37 key MIDI keyboard [17][11]
Roland SK-500 2000 GM GS GM2 32 64 1608 63 SC-8820 with 49 Key MIDI keyboard [18][11]

Virtual Sound Canvas

There is also the VSC, Virtual Sound Canvas, range of PC software which provide GM and GS synthesis on windows PCs. Many versions of Cakewalk's Sonar software came bundled with a copy of VSC, though from Sonar 4 onwards they ship with the Roland powered TTS-1 softsynth, which Roland has sold previously through its Edirol subsidiary as the HyperCanvas.[19]

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Notes References
VSC-55 1996 GM GS 16 128 226 9 [2]
VSC-88H3 2000 GM GS GM2 16 128 902 26 With SC-55, SC-88 and SC-88Pro compatible soundsets [20]
VSC-MP1 2001 GM GS GM2 16 128 902 26 With SC-55, SC-88 and SC-88Pro compatible soundsets. A multipack containing the standalone MIDI synthesizer, a DXi plugin and a VSTi plugin. This is the only Windows NT OS family compatible version (Windows 2000/XP). [21][11]

Distribution

North America

  • Roland Systems Group U.S.

Europe

  • EDIROL Europe Ltd., London, UK

References

  1. ↑ - Synthman - SC-55
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 Sound on Sound - The History of Roland Part 4
  3. ↑ Tokai Music - SC-55ST Specification
  4. ↑ Sound on Sound - Review of SC-50
  5. ↑ Synthman - Roland SD-35 specification
  6. ↑ Sound on Sound - Review of SC-88
  7. ↑ M-GS64 details
  8. ↑ Toslink mod for somes SCs
  9. ↑ Sound on Sound - Review of SC-88Pro
  10. ↑ Sound on Sound - Review of SC-880
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 Sound on Sound - The History of Roland Part 5
  12. ↑ Sound on Sound - Review of SC-8850
  13. ↑ Crossfire Designs - Review of SCC-1
  14. ↑ Sound on Sound - Review of Edirol SD-90
  15. ↑ Sound on Sound - Review of Edirol SD-80
  16. ↑ Roland - SD-50 product page
  17. ↑ Sound on Sound - Review of SK-88PRO
  18. ↑ Synthman - SK-500 details
  19. ↑ Sound on Sound - Exploring Sonar 4's TTS1 Synth
  20. ↑ Roland - VSC-88H3 details
  21. ↑ Roland - VSC-MP1 details

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