Roland PROMARS: The Compact Analog Powerhouse

Overview of the Roland PROMARS

The Roland PROMARS, introduced in 1979, is a compact monophonic analog synthesizer that offered powerful sound-shaping capabilities in a portable package. As part of Roland’s Compuphonic series, the PROMARS combined analog synthesis with digital control, making it a unique instrument for its time.

Key Features of the Roland PROMARS

• Synthesis: Analog subtractive synthesis
• Oscillators: 2 VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators)
• Filter: 24dB/octave low-pass VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter)
• Envelopes: 2 ADSR envelope generators
• LFO: 1 LFO with multiple waveforms
• Keyboard: 37-key keyboard
• Memory: 8 memory locations for storing sounds
• Arpeggiator: Built-in arpeggiator
• Interface: Compact design with slider controls

Development and Innovation

The PROMARS was developed as part of Roland’s effort to create more compact and affordable synthesizers. It incorporated digital control for improved stability and memory functions, while retaining the warm analog sound that musicians loved.

Unique Aspects

• Compact Design: Offered powerful synthesis in a portable format
• Digital Control: Provided stability and memory functions not common in analog synths of the time
• Versatile Sound: Capable of producing a wide range of sounds despite its small size

Impact on Music Production

Applications in Music

• Electronic Music: Used for creating distinctive lead and bass sounds
• New Wave: Popular among new wave bands for its unique character
• Experimental Music: Favored by experimental musicians for its sound-shaping capabilities
• Live Performance: Ideal for touring musicians due to its portability

Legacy and Historical Significance

• Represented an early example of combining analog synthesis with digital control
• Influenced the design of subsequent compact synthesizers
• Continues to be sought after by vintage synth enthusiasts for its unique sound and compact design

Conclusion: The Roland PROMARS’s Place in Synthesizer History

The Roland PROMARS stands as a significant instrument in the evolution of compact analog synthesizers. Its combination of powerful sound-shaping capabilities and portability made it a popular choice among musicians in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The PROMARS’s legacy continues to influence modern synthesizer design, particularly in the realm of compact analog-style instruments, cementing its place as a classic in the synthesizer world.