RetroSound Studio Tour: Analog Monophonic Synthesizers

video upload by RetroSound

"Welcome to RetroSound Studio Tour: Analog Monophonic Synthesizers & Duophonic — a deep dive into legendary mono synths from the 1970s and 1980s, including rare East-Bloc classics.

In this new episode, I showcase iconic instruments such as the Minimoog, ARP Odyssey, Roland SH-101, Maxi-Korg, Sequential Circuits Pro-One, alongside Soviet and East German synthesizers like the Polivoks, Alisa 1377 and Vermona mono synths.

These analog monophonic synthesizers defined the sound of electronic music — from the fat Moog and cutting ARP to aggressive Polivoks and raw Eastern European character.

This video explores the sound and architecture of true analog mono synths built around VCO, VCF, and VCA signal paths, highlighting their distinctive basslines, lead sounds, and modulation capabilities. From the Moog basslines to the aggressive Polivoks filter sound and the unique character of East German Vermona synthesizers, each instrument demonstrates why 1970s and 1980s monophonic synthesizers remain highly sought after by collectors, producers, and electronic music enthusiasts."

The Monophonic Analog Synths:
0:07 Maxi-Korg 800DV
3:17 Sequential Pro-One
6:30 ARP Odyssey Mk. III
8:39 Roland SH-101
11:56 Moog Prodigy
15:24 Moog The Source
17:34 Moog Micromoog
18:16 Moog Minimoog
20:56 Moog Taurus
22:21 Formanta Polivoks
24:44 Rodina Alisa 1377
26:48 Vermona Synthesizer

Roland SH-101 Blue: Fully Restored + SH-1oh1 MIDI Mod + Original Bag

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

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Blue Roland SH-101 w/ Original Box, Mod Grip, and Shoulder Strap

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

"-Roland SH-101 Analog Synthesizer (in rare blue color)

-Original Roland branded adjustable leather strap

-Modulation grip/strap buttons (mounting screws are currently stored on back of synthesizer as pictured)

-Owners Manual

-ALL original packaging!

Bonus: Magazine advertisement page for this specific model"

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Roland SH-101 Analog Synthesizer RARE BLUE COLOR (With Original Box)

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Fully functional and in excellent condition Roland SH-101! Comes with Original box and power supply.
This has been serviced for reliability

Service notes include (12/30/25):
- Cleaning and Lubricating All Sliders
- Servicing power switch
- Reflowing Solder joints"

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12/23/25 (O Holy Night) Roland SH-101 + PV 1310 + MXR 129 + Yamaha EM-100 + MIDIVERB II + CXM 1978

video upload by Cfpp0

"Some “O Holy Night” Christmas crystals"

12/23/25 (Christmas crystals) Roland SH-101 + MXR 129 + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"12/23/25 Roland SH-101 + Peavey 1310 + MXR 129 Pitxh Transposer + Yamaha EM-100 + Alesis MIDIVERB II + CXM 1978

Merry Christmas crystals"

12/10-19/25 Metasonix D-2000 + Make Noise Maths + Roland SH-101 + Gieskes Starving Binary + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"12/10-19/25 Metasonix D-2000 + Make Noise Maths + Roland SH-101 + Gieskes Starving Binary + Alesis MIDIVERB II + Peavey 1310 + Yamaha EM-100 + DBX 119 + ElectroComp EML 200

This was a test from earlier this month of a rack we installed above the Metasonix D-2000. There are two Make Noise Maths and a Gieskes Starving Binary triggering the D-2000. The D-2000 is heard as is, but it is also heard through the DBX 119, which gates the signal, and also gates a drone from the ElectroComp EML 200, which is fed through the DBX 119 at the same time. The Roland SH-101 is played manually, through a Peavey 1310 delay into a Yamaha EM-100 mixer, with the preamps cranked up and the internal spring reverb on. Everything has some Alesis MIDIVERB II."

12/14/25 Roland SVC-350 & SH-101 + Shure SM58 + Peavey 1300 & DDL-3 + Alesis MIDIVERB II

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Cfpp0

"12/14/25 Roland SVC-350 Vocoder (for sale) & SH-101 + Shure SM58 + Peavey 1300 & DDL-3 + Alesis MIDIVERB II

'Hello, buy my vocoder—now, now, now! Please.'

Those are the lyrics. We are listing the SVC-350 Vocoder and the SPV-355 pitch to voltage synthesizer in this video on reverb.com at Christopher’s Boutique 489."

via this Reverb listing

"This listing is for two rare rack units by Roland that will let you turn your voice into robots, aliens, or just plain old voltages: the SVC-350 Vocoder and the SPV-355 Pitch to Voltage Synthesizer. The video in the photos section of this listing is of the actual unit.

The SPV-355 allows you to take audio and convert it into pitch voltages, envelopes, and gates to use on other equipment. It’s also a nice two-VCO synthesizer itself, with filter and envelope controls.

The SVC-350 is a coveted Vocoder, allowing you to connect synthesizers, drum machines, guitars and, of course, a microphone, and get either a fully wet vocoded version or a blend of the dry and wet.

Both work well, but both are old. This means you need to use them regularly or they can develop a little bit of scratch when turning the knobs.

You are the robots."

Blue Roland SH-101

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Clean, Serviced and calibrated sh-101! Clean battery compartment. New power supply included. Plays and sounds great. There was a small crack under the keys which is strong and reinforced - that's the only thing that kept us from listing as excellent.

Tubbutec Midi, which we stock, is available for install for a fee."

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Blue Roland SH-101 Monophonic Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Roland SH-101 (1982-1986), 1-VCO monophonic synthesizer with sequencer.

Compact yet just perfectly sized, plastic but sturdy, simple yet full of useful features. Not only one of Roland company's best looking designs, it is also a rare foray for Roland into 3rd party ICs - Curtis Electromusic's CEM3340 VCO chip granted SH-101 its distinctive rich tone. Needless to say that SH-101 defined the sound of IDM, early house and techno, and still rocks on!

This is a rare blue model that has been carefully serviced inside and out, which included replacing all of the electrolytics, cleaning all of the potentiometers, replacing some unstable sliders, as well as performing general cleaning. All the functions have been tested and re-tested.

The cosmetic condition could have been described as excellent if not for some of the plastic screw posts _inside_ the case. Those are notoriously brittle, but have been restored to the best of our abilities."

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Donner L1 // Four evocative patches [no talking, audio only]

video upload by Dexba

The Roland SH-101, here reimagined by Donner in the L1, didn't offer most of the amenities we are accustomed to today, but I wanted to try to come up with four patches that could show some other sides of the instrument, closer to my likings. I hope you will find them of some inspiration 🧡"

0:00 Sync Birds
1:25 Broken Tape
2:53 Gluey Piano
4:11 Kick & Snare

1983 Roland SH-101 32-Key Monophonic Synthesizer Red w/ Mod Grip SN 351581

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"1983 Roland SH-101 in red with the macthing mod-grip.

The SH-101 is a classic monosynth especially great for fat punchy bass lines. There is a built in arpeggiator and sequencer that work great with the snappy envelope and filter. Fully serviced and calibrated in house, ready for immediate use."

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Red Roland SH-101 Keyboard Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

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EMS Universal Sequencer driving Roland MC-202 and SH-101

video upload by analogia pl

"One 'layer' of Universal Sequencer sequences the MC-202 and the other 'layer' is used to play the SH-101 live.

I don’t know what it is with EMS, but each time you get to play one of their quirky and unusual designs, you get a new kind of feeling — as if these sometimes bulky and obsolete electronics are very much alive.

Let’s be frank: there are a million simpler ways to play an SH-101 or an MC-202. But somehow, using the Universal Sequencer makes those classic synths feel completely different."

EMS Universal Sequencer externally triggered

video upload by analogia pl

"Let’s get nerdier. Someone asked if the Universal Sequencer can be triggered from the outside world. Of course it can! What I did here was a recording a sequence into the Uniseq that would play the MC-202, switched trigger to external, then recorded a sequence into the SH-101 and use gate out from 101 to externally trigger in of the Uniseq. It works like a charm."

Blue Roland SH-101 SN 372513

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Rare blue Roland SH-101!! Comes with original Roland leather strap, original power chord, Protective soft leather case."

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Red Roland SH-101

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"The rare red SH-101 in great condition with the official adapter. The adapter was purchased brand new recently. This synth has been well taken care of."

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ROLAND SH-01A Demo & Review

video upload by Woody Piano Shack

"Demo and review of the ROLAND SH01 (SH-01A) BOUTIQUE sound module, recreating the legendary sounds of the iconic ROLAND SH-101 analogue synthesizer."



"Lesson packs available for one-time purchase on Patreon.

MORE WOODY PIANO SHACK
https://woodypianoshack.com"

ROLAND SH-01 BOUTIQUE Sound Demo

video upload by Woody Piano Shack

"All the best sounds on the ROLAND SH01 BOUTIQUE sound model, a faithful recreation of the legendary ROLAND SH-101. Full review coming !"



"Lesson packs available for one-time purchase on Patreon.

MORE WOODY PIANO SHACK
https://woodypianoshack.com"

Superlative SB01 (Roland SH 101 Clone) w/ Original Box

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

This one was spotted and sent in via
M Me. "This is the Superlative SB01, a clone of Roland's SH101 80's mono synth. I backed this on Kickstarter many years ago, it has just arrived and I no longer have a need for it. it comes in original packaging, it's just the Synth, no cables as it does not come with any. Use any charging USB C cable to power/charge as it has a built in battery."

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Blue Roland SH-101 with mod grip and strap SN 402770

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Vemia listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

"Roland - SH-101 BLUE with Mod Grip & Strap (s/n B402770) - Classic SH101 in blue with mod grip and Roland strap. All working well, in good condition, note one of the tangs on the battery box cover is missing, but battery box cover still closes fine. (PSU is not included).

VEMIA can collect and pack: 9GBP."

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