Free Roland SH-4d 2.0 update: new oscillator models, pattern chaining

Amidst the flurry of gear news last week, Roland quietly made their SH-4d synth newer, for free. You get two new oscillator models, pattern chaining, new system-level effects routing, off-grid sub-step entry, and more. Here’s what’s new:

The big addition is two new oscillator models:

Harmonic is an additive synth model, and is even laid out in classic drawbar organ style, though you can use this for any additive timbres, not just organs.

Step is interesting; it’s an oscillator model with a built-in, step-based LFO. Having a range of options to experiment with was always what made the SH-4d interesting, and combining its pattern/groove-making powers with animation in the oscillator model could be a potent combination.

There’s more in there, and you can see that Roland was listening to some feedback:

Pattern chaining
System-level FX – which means that you keep reverb, delay, and chorus settings consistent as you switch patterns (at last!)
Quick overwrite for saving changes (this was a bugaboo for me so – great!) – that’s both Tone and Pattern
Up to 10 steps of undo/redo
Off-grid sub-step
Better MIDI implementation. Improved program change implementation and more options for transmitting to external devices.
Step and Keyboard buttons now work for QWERTY entry on the write screen so it’ll feel less like you just got a high score in Pac-Man

Also, the release notes say that the USB support now includes “generic” support, which I think means you no longer need a driver install.

You can read my previous review. I’m really happy about these additions: they’re nothing earth-shaking, but they add some needed fit and finish to a promising device. V1 did a lot, and it seems the SH-4d was a crowd pleaser in the market, but some of these rough edges were noticeable. I hope there’s a V3 that expands effects and oscillator models in the tradition of some other Roland hardware (like the never-ending goodness of the TR-8S).