Roland SC-8850
The Roland ED SC-8850 (Sound Canvas) is a GS-compatible MIDI sound module released in 1999 by Roland under the name Edirol. The SC-8850 was the first sound module to incorporate the new General MIDI Level 2 standard. The SC-8850 uses a PCM sampling engine, supports 128-voice polyphony with 64-part multitimbrality. It came preloaded with the soundsets of all older Sound Canvas models, as well as the CM-32 and MT-32. The 8850 is infamous for playing MIDI's from other Sound Canvases incorrectly and not using exactly the same sounds. Aimed at personal computer users, the SC-8850 features 1703 instrument patches, including the GS sounds and additional GM2 sounds. The selection of effects includes reverb, chorus, and Roland's own Insertion EFX, which adds effects like vibrato, distortion, tremolo, etc.
SC-8820
Alongside the SC-8850, Roland released the Roland ED SC-8820, an inexpensive cut-down version of the MIDI module, smaller than the 8850. Both sound canvases could be rackmounted alongside each other. The Roland SC-8820 model lacks the large LCD screen and extended controls of SC-8850. Both models have external appearance similar to Roland's older models.
Sound Canvas and Keyboard
In 1994, Roland introduced their SK series (Sound Canvas and Keyboard), which combines a sound canvas and a portable MIDI controller.