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Roland Sound Canvas

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PCM sound module and sound card series

The Roland Sound Canvas (Japanese: ローランド・サウンド・キャンバス, Hepburn: Rōrando Saundo Kyanbasu) lineup is a series of General MIDI (GM) based pulse-code modulation (PCM) sound modules and sound cards, primarily intended for computer music usage, created by Japanese manufacturer Roland Corporation. Some models include a serial or USB connection to a personal computer.

Sound Canvas SC-88 Pro

Products

Sound Canvas

The first Sound Canvas units (SC-55 and SB-55) were sold in the winter of 1991, in some cases also sold as "Edirol" rather than "Roland" as the brand name, mainly with the SC-88VL.

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Output resolution Notes References
Roland SC-55 1991 GM GS 16 24 317 9 16-bit @ 32 kHz Half Rack unit, first product of the line, units without GM logo and with firmware <v1.20 technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset, capital tone arrangement not fully consistent with GM spec, Patch #122 is "Fl. Key Click" instead of "Breath Noise").
Roland SB-55

(Sound Brush)

1991 Half Rack unit. Floppy disk-based MIDI file player that was bundled with a remote control (Also works on the SC-55, 155, and 55mkII). Supports SMF types 0 & 1. A blank disk can be inserted for recording purposes, but only records in type 0 (A whole performance merged into one track). Playback starts automatically when a disk is inserted.
Roland SC-7 1992 GM 16 28 128 6 16-bit @ 32 kHz No display, introduced serial port for PC/Mac connectivity.
Roland SC-33 1992 GM GS 16 28 226 8 16-bit @ 32 kHz Table top version of SC-50, rebranded as BOSS Dr. Synth DS-330 (fewer tones).
Roland SC-155 1992 GM GS 16 24 317 9 16-bit @ 32 kHz Table top version of SC-55.
Roland SC-55mkII 1993 GM GS 16 28 354 9 18-bit @ 33.1 kHz Half Rack unit. A minor upgrade to the original SC-55.
Roland SC-55ST 1993 GM GS 16 28 354 9 16-bit @ 33.1 kHz Half Rack unit. Lower cost version of SC-55mkII. No display and only one MIDI input.
Roland SC-55K 1993 GM GS 16 28 354 9 16-bit @ 33.1 kHz Half Rack unit. Japan-exclusive karaoke model based on the SC-55ST. No display or front panel operation but features dual mic inputs and built-in echo effects, all of which can be individually adjusted by the knobs at the front of the unit. Retains rear I/O from the SC-55mkII.
Roland P-55 1993 3 28 32 0 Piano module, with a limited set of instruments. Can be used in tandem with other GS/GM compatible synthesizers via their MIDI THRU ports to override certain instruments.
Roland SD-35 1993 GM GS 16 28 223 8 16-bit @ 33.1 kHz SC-50 with integrated MIDI sequencer.
Roland SC-50 1994 GM GS 16 28 226 9 18-bit @ 33.1 kHz SC-55mkII without the Roland MT-32 patches, only one MIDI input.
Roland SC-88 1994 GM GS 32 64 654 22 18-bit @ 32 kHz Half Rack unit, additional height for more controls, introduced multiple triggering and EQ, SC-55 map support (with differences).
Roland M-GS64 1995 GM GS 32 64 654 22 18-bit @ 32 kHz A 1U rackmount version of the SC-88.
Roland SC-88VL 1996 GM GS 32 64 654 22 18-bit @ 32 kHz Smaller sized version of SC-88, with a same size and panel layout as the SC-55. Some units are marketed as an "Edirol" product and have a distinct beige finish.
Roland SC-88ST 1996 GM GS 32 64 654 22 18-bit @ 32 kHz A black plastic box, with LEDs for MIDI activity. 2 MIDI ins, 1 out. There is one single button on the front panel for switching between SC-55 and SC-88 modes.
Roland SC-88 Pro 1996 GM GS 32 64 1117 42 18-bit @ 32 kHz SC-55 and SC-88 map support, introduced Insertion EFX and unofficial XG compatibility.
Roland SC-88ST Pro 1997 GM GS 32 64 1117 42 18-bit @ 32 kHz A black plastic box, with LEDs for MIDI activity. 2 MIDI ins, 1 out. There is one single button on the front panel for SC-55/SC-88/SC-88 Pro modes.
Roland SC-880 1998 GM GS 32 64 1117 42 18-bit @ 32 kHz A 1U rackmount unit similar to the SC-88 Pro, but with an enhanced "patch mode" and a newer DAC.
Roland ED SC-8850 1999 GM GS GM2 64 128 1640 63 20-bit @ 32 kHz Desktop module that can connect via USB. Contains a new native map as well as SC-55, SC-88, and SC-88 Pro maps for backwards compatibility. However, compatibility with these units is flawed due to modifications made to the synthesis engine as well as improper mapping of older instruments.

Roland ED SC-8820 1999 GM GS GM2 32 64 1608 63 20-bit @ 32 kHz Mobile MIDI device with no LCD display, successor of the SC-88ST Pro. USB-powered, but does not act as a full USB audio device. A software editor such as GS Advanced Editor is required to edit sounds. Despite similarities, patches and effects occasionally play differently from the 8850 - some samples on the 8850 are stereo while the 8820 versions are mono and vice versa.
Roland ED SC-D70 2001 GM GS GM2 32 64 1608 63 20-bit @ 32 kHz for INST, 24-bit @ 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz for WAVE 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 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.

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 @ 32 kHz 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).
Roland RAP-10 1993 GM 16 26 128 6 16-bit @ 32 kHz PC based ISA high-end Soundcard. Includes two-channel 16-bit digital audio support.
Roland GPPC-N 1993 GM GS 16 28 354 9 16-bit @ 33.1 kHz NEC PC-9801 card to insert in computer
Roland SCB-7 1995 GM 16 28 128 6 16-bit @ 32 kHz 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 @ 33.1 kHz 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 hardware modification is performed (L/R external connectors or as an external unit). The SCD-15 was installed in Charlie Lab Megabeat One MIDI devices as well. Charlie Lab was very popular in southern Europe back in the 1990s/2000s.
Roland SCP-55 1995 GM GS 16 28 354 9 18-bit @ 33.1 kHz PCMCIA card to insert in notebook/laptop computer

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 @ 32 kHz "Computer music" version of the SC-55, no screen. 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 @ 32 kHz A beige box with a volume knob and two LEDs on the front, technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset), combines the CM-300 with a CM-64.

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 16-bit @ 32 kHz SC-50 with 61 key MIDI keyboard. Only SK unit with integrated speakers.
Roland SK-50 IV 1997 GM GS 16 28 226 8 16-bit @ 32 kHz Similar to above, but in a beige finish.
Roland SK-88 Pro 1999 GM GS 32 64 1117 42 18-bit @ 32 kHz SC-88Pro with 37 key MIDI keyboard
Roland SK-500 2000 GM GS GM2 32 64 1608 63 24-bit @ 32 kHz SC-8820 with 49 Key MIDI keyboard

Studio Canvas

A Edirol Studio Canvas SD-80 displaying a user saved patch

Studio Canvas was a series of PCM sound modules with built in audio interfaces (some models only) sold under both Edirol and Roland branding. The samples contained in the ROMs of these units do not in all cases mirror the original SC-7 / SC-55 GM/GS samples. GM2 is downward compatible with GM.

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Output resolution Notes References
Edirol SD-20 2002 GM2 GS XGlite 32 64 660 23 24-bit @ 44.1 kHz A MIDI device with no LCD designed for laptops and computers, and has a very similar design to the SC-8820. USB-powered, but does not come with its own built-in audio interface. Has 3 analog output (2 RCA L/R) (1 3.5mm phones front pannel), one digital output (TOSLINK), and one input (1 3.5mm LINE IN) Has different presets than SD-80/90/50
Edirol SD-80 2002 GM2 GS XGlite 32 128 1050 30 24-bit @ 44.1 kHz A 1U half-rack version of the Edirol SD-90 with 144 user patch slots (128Inst/16Rhythm) and without a buit-in audio interface. Has five analog outputs (4 ¼"TS) (1 ¼"phones front pannel) and two digital outputs (1 S/PDIF) (1 TOSLINK). Digital outs locked at 44.1KHz sample rate.
Edirol SD-90 2001 GM2 GS XGlite 32 128 1050 30 24-bit @ 44.1 or 48 kHz Has a built in WDM/ASIO™2.0 compatable audio interface with inbuilt effects. Does not support saving of user patches. Has five analog outputs (4 RCA L/R) (1 3.5mm stereo front pannel), three analog inputs (2 RCA L/R) (¼"TRS front pannel), three digital outputs (1 S/PDIF) (1 TOSLINK) (1 USB), and three digital inputs (1 S/PDIF) (1 TOSLINK) (1 USB)
Roland SD-50 2009 GM2 GS 16 128 1125 32 16 or 24-Bits @ 44.1 kHz Mobile Studio Canvas. Has a built in WDM/ASIO™ compatable audio interface. Has three analog outputs (2 RCA L/R)(1 3.5mm Stereo), one digital (USB), three analog inputs (1 stereo 3.5mm LINE IN) (1 XLR 48V available) (1 ¼"TRS Hi-Z available), one digital (USB). Has different presets than SD-20/80/90. Does not support XGlite.

Virtual Sound Canvas

Hyper Canvas and TTS-1
Roland Sound Canvas VA (Set to SC-55 Map) playing a demo MIDI file

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 improved TTS-1 softsynth, which Roland has sold previously through its Edirol subsidiary as the HyperCanvas.

Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Notes References
VSC-55 1996 GM GS 16 128 226 9
VSC-88H3 2000 GM GS GM2 16 128 902 26 With SC-55, SC-88 and SC-88 Pro compatible instrument mappings. Most of the instrument samples are from the SC-55.
VSC-MP1 2001 GM GS GM2 16 128 902 26 With SC-55, SC-88 and SC-88 Pro compatible instrument mappings. Most of the instrument samples are from the SC-55. 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).
SOUND Canvas for iOS 2015 GM GS GM2 16 1600 63 iOS MIDI player app without patch editing.
Sound Canvas VA 2015-2024 GM GS GM2 16 64 1600 63 VSTi/AU plugin based on the SC-8820.

Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth

Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth, included in instances of DirectX as an integral part of DirectMusic, and on Microsoft Windows since Windows 98, incorporates sounds from the Sound Canvas series licensed by Microsoft from Roland in 1996. A four-megabyte file, titled "GM.DLS", contains the sample set in DLS format. Under Windows 9x, Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth is available only if WDM-capable sound driver is installed.

Apple QuickTime Software Wavetable Synthesizer

In 1997, Apple licensed the complete Roland Sound Canvas instrument set and GS Format extensions for improved playback of MIDI music files in QuickTime 3.0. This replaced the limited set of instrument sounds licensed from Roland in QuickTime 2.x.

Discontinuation of Sound Canvas VA

In July 2024 Roland announced that it would not longer be supporting the Sound Canvas VA software from the Roland Cloud service. The Software would no longer be freely available starting September 1, of 2024.

Distribution

North America

  • Roland Systems Group U.S.

Europe

  • EDIROL Europe Ltd., London, UK

References

  1. 藤本健 (18 July 2021). "GM登場前の1991年3月にリリースされたRoland初のGS音源、Sound Canvas SC-55｜藤本健の"DTMステーション"". 藤本健の"DTMステーション" (in Japanese). Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  2. "Loading..." www.synthman.com.
  3. "Roland SB-55 Technical Specifications". SweetCare. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  4. ^ Sound on Sound - The History of Roland Part 4
  5. ^ Weksler, Mike; McGee, Joe (October 1993). "CGW Sound Card Survey". Computer Gaming World. pp. 76–83. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Roland GS History". xv2020.s14.xrea.com.
  7. "Loading..." www.synthman.com.
  8. Sound on Sound - Review of SC-50
  9. Sound on Sound - Review of SC-88
  10. "M-GS64 details DEAD LINK". Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  11. "Toslink mod for somes SCs". Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  12. "Roland SC-88vl Sound Canvas Edirol | Reverb". reverb.com. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  13. Sound on Sound - Review of SC-88 Pro
  14. "1996年、Roland GS音源の最高峰として登場したSC-88Pro｜藤本健の "DTMステーション"". 藤本健の “DTMステーション”. 1 February 2014.
  15. Sound on Sound - Review of SC-880
  16. ^ "The History Of Roland: Part 5". www.soundonsound.com.
  17. Sound on Sound - Review of SC-8850
  18. "Roland ED SC-8850: The First USB Synth! - Sound Profile" – via www.youtube.com.
  19. "Owner's Manual" (PDF).
  20. "Crossfire Designs". www.crossfire-designs.de.
  21. Sound on Sound - Review of SK-88 Pro
  22. "Roland". www.synthman.com.
  23. Edirol Studio Canvas SD-20 Owner's Manual roland.com
  24. Edirol Studio Canvas SD-80 Owner's Manual roland.com
  25. Edirol Studio Canvas SD-90 Owner's Manual roland.com
  26. Roland Mobile Studio Canvas SD-50 Owner's Manual roland.com
  27. "Exploring Sonar 4's TTS1 Synth". www.soundonsound.com.
  28. Roland - VSC-88H3 details
  29. Roland - VSC-MP1 details
  30. Sound canvas for IOS iTunes Archived 7 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  31. "Roland - Sound Canvas VA | Software Synthesizer".
  32. "Sound Canvas Va".
  33. "Microsoft Licenses Sound Canvas Sounds From Industry Leader Roland Corp". Microsoft Corp. 22 October 1996.
  34. "Apple Licenses Roland's Sound Canvas and GS Technology for Quicktime 3.0". Harmony Central. 21 December 1997. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  35. "Sound Canvas VA is being discontinued". Roland Cloud. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

External links

PC sound cards
IBM compatible standards
Other standards
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