free html site templates

Roland HS 60

Synthplus 60 / a 6 voice analog polyphonic synthesizer (1984)

Roland Hs60

"Rare home consumer version of iconic Roland Juno 106, with different outfit and internal speakers"

Overview 

KEYBOARD 61 keys, main panel features a basic segment display, 20 levers, 2 knobs, 3 switches and 34 buttons, 2 internal speakers, on the left side there is a joystick for pitchbending or modulation assignable to filter cutoff.  Beside the "classic" 106, the Hs60 has been released in a rare module version the MKS7 and later a digital module in limited edition Ju-06 boutique; not to mention A LOT of VST plugins and sample pack.

TERMINAL CONNECTORS 
1- master pitch tuner trimmer
2- TAPE I/O for saving loading patches
3- pedaswitch input for program UP
4- Sustain pedal input
5- headphones out
6- Main out (stereo for chorus effect)
7- signal out impedance switch High, Med and Low

Roland juno106S

Sound

SOUND main core CPU NEC D7811G manages 6 voices polyphony, each voice is composed by 1 DCO digitally oscillator controlled based on 3 IC X MC5534A WG waveform generators. Each DCO features 4 summable waveforms: square with variable width, triangle, square sub-oscillator (set to 1 octave lower) and white noise generator.

The DCO can be sequenced in 3 playmodes: 

- poly1 voice is assigned restarting from first free available
- poly2 voice rotate always from 1 to 6
- unison stacks up the 6 voices, sadly it misses a DETUNE option
TIP: press [poly1] + [poly2] to access to access special unison. 

FILTER: Classic analog filter based on IC Roland IR3109 with 2 modes: Lowpass resonant (self-oscillating) at 4 poles + Highpass (not resonant) . 
LFO: Single delayed triangle modulator, relative frequency range from 0.1 to 30 Hz and 3 destinations: DCO pitch, VCF cutoff and DCO pulse width
ENVELOPE: 1 ADSR (4-segments) EG for both VCA amplitude and VCF cutoff filter (Note: bass generator DCO "7" has its own EG.).  The EG structure (and the VCA) are based on dreaded IC 80017A with frequent failures (read more)
Roland HS60

Effect, memory and Midi

EFFECT chorus is based on BBD chips (2 X MN3101 + 2 X MN3009) and 2 presets.

MEMORY  MEMORY 128 patch RAM, sounds patches can be saved / load either by Midi exclusive dump or tape player. 
Battery replacement: a BR-2325 lithium battery soldered to the mainboard / J-106S TEST MODE : turn on the synth with the KEY-TRANSPOSE pressed- testmode is useful to discover a faulty voice.

MIDI the HS60 offers one of the most impressive Midi implementation for the time: in fact all sliders sends and receive Midi exclusives systems! 

Roland HS60

Roland Juno HS60 specifications

Brand: Roland
Name: HS60 synthplus
Year: 1984-1985
Type: 61 keys keyboard
Class: analog polysynth
Actual Price: 1200€
Display: numeric segment
Speakers: yes 2x

DCO
LFO Modulation Knob
Pulse Width Modulation Knob
PWM Mode Switch (LFO / MANUAL)
Pulse Wave (ON/OFF) & Indicator (Waveform)
Sawtooth (ON/OFF) & Indicator (Waveforms)
Range Selector Buttons (16″, 8’, 4’)
Sub Oscillator Level Knob
Noise Level Knob
HPF
Cutoff Frequency Knob (0/1/2/3)
VCF
Cutoff Frequency Knob
Resonance Knob (0~Self Oscillation)
ENV Modulation Knob
Polarity Switch ( normal / inverse)
LFO Modulation Knob
Key Follow Knob (0~100%)
VCA
Control Signal Selector Switch (ENV/GATE)
VCA Level Knob
ENV
Attack Time Knob (1.5ms~3s)
Decay Time Knob (1.5ms~12s)
Sustain Level Knob (0~100%)
Release Time Knob (1.5ms~12s)
LFO
Rate Knob (0.1Hz~30Hz)
Delay Time Knob (0~3s)
CONTROLLERS
Volume Knob
Portamento Time Knob
Portamento Switch (ON/OFF)
LFO Trigger Sens Knob
Bend Sens (DCO) Knob
Bend Sens (VCF) Knob
Bender Lever
ASSIGN MODE  Poly 1 Switch  + Poly 2 Switch 
KEY TRANSPOSE : Key Transpose Button & Indicator 

REAR PANEL 
Output Jacks (MONO, Stereo)
Phones Jack (Stereo)
Pedal Hold Jack (DP-2) + Patch Shift Jack (DP-2) 
Save Jack / Load Jack  with Memory Protect Switch 
MIDI Function Selector Switch
MIDI IN/OUT/THRU
Tune Adjust Knob (+50 cent)
OPTIONAL
Headphones: RH-10
Foot Volume: FV-200
Pedal Switch: DP-2
Carrying Case: AB-1
Stand: KS-2

MEMORY : 64 patches
EFFECT: analog chorus based on BBD

CONSUMPTION :25 W 
DIMENSIONS : 992(W) x 320(D) x 120(H) mm / 39-1/16(W) x 12-5/8(D) x 4-11/16(H) inches
WEIGHT : 10 kg / 22 lb 

video demo

Do you use this machine ? do you like it?  Let us know in the comment field just below 

DISQUS COMMENTS WILL BE SHOWN ONLY WHEN YOUR SITE IS ONLINE

Share this page

AD

Roland Hs60 Synthplus Roland Hs60 Synthplus
83 out of 100 based on 5 user ratings
800 to 1400 from 1 sellers Sellers: