Hey there! I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.
Yesterday, the SONICWIRE CONTEST 2025 results were announced, and unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the final round. Looking back, I noticed a few things in my submission that could’ve been better—guess it’s time to tweak and resubmit next time! Still, I got a one-year Pro Tools license and a Sonible Essentials Bundle, so I’m not too bummed about it.
Roland Joins Plugin Boutique with a Launch Sale!
On another note, Roland (via Roland Cloud) has officially joined Plugin Boutique! To celebrate, they’re holding a launch sale from now until August 24, with 30% off all products (except the TR-808).
Quick heads-up: If you purchase through the links in this post, I earn a small commission, which really helps me keep going. Thanks in advance! 😊
Roland Cloud offers virtual recreations of their iconic synthesizers, which were previously available only through a subscription model. Now, you can purchase individual instruments outright—a big win for producers! Plus, Roland’s sister brands like Boss and DW Drums are also part of the deal, offering virtual instruments like the DW Drum VST and even free Boss effect pedals.
Let’s take a quick look at some of Roland’s standout virtual instruments and the DW Drum VST.
Roland’s Iconic Virtual Instruments
JUNO-106
The JUNO-106 is the successor to the JUNO-6 and JUNO-60. As the name suggests, it’s a 6-voice polyphonic synthesizer, though the virtual version lets you choose 2, 4, 6, or 8 voices for flexibility.
The standout feature? That lush Chorus effect on the right side of the interface. Back in the day, synths like the JUNO-106 used chorus to create a stereo sound, giving it that iconic ‘80s vibe. Comparing the plugin’s presets to YouTube recordings of the original hardware, the emulation is spot-on, though the high frequencies are slightly sharper in the plugin. A touch of EQ can get it sounding nearly identical to the hardware’s smoother tone. Roland nailed the recreation here.
JV-1080 & XV-5080
The JV-1080 is a legendary rack-mounted PCM synthesizer from 1994, packed with iconic strings, ethnic instruments, retro stabs, and more. It’s a ‘90s classic that’s still relevant today.
The XV-5080, its successor, takes things further with a massive library of over 900 presets and a wide range of onboard effects. Both synths use the same editing engine, so you can tweak envelopes and patches for detailed sound design. The XV-5080 includes most of the JV-1080’s core waveforms and patches, but subtle differences in reverb and effects settings give each a unique flavor. Personally, I find the JV-1080 a bit thinner, while the XV-5080 has a thicker, more robust sound.
Roland also offers SRX Expansion packs for additional sounds, sold separately.
Mono Synth Collection (SH-101, SYSTEM-100, SH-2, TB-303, PROMARS)
This collection includes five iconic Roland monophonic synthesizers, perfect for crafting lead and bass lines. Here’s a quick rundown:
SH-101
Released in 1982, the SH-101 is a monophonic bass synthesizer famous in techno, D&B, and acid genres. With a single oscillator producing sawtooth or square waves, it delivers a distinctive, gritty bass tone that’s instantly recognizable.
SYSTEM-100
The SYSTEM-100 (1975) is a semi-modular monosynth known for its experimental, happy-accident-style sound design. Those patch cables scream creativity—just tweak and see what cool sounds you stumble upon!
SH-2
The SH-2 (1979) is another monophonic synth with dual VCOs and a sub-oscillator, giving it a thicker, deeper sound than the SH-101. It feels somewhat similar to a Minimoog and can be used in similar contexts.
TB-303
The TB-303 is the legendary bass machine that birthed acid house. Designed to mimic bass guitars, it flopped commercially and was discontinued in 1984. But its cheap secondhand availability made it a staple in electronic music genres like acid, house, and techno. Don’t think of it as a bass guitar replacement—its quirky, unique tone is what makes it so special. It reminds me of sounds from old-school video games!
PROMARS
The PROMARS (1979) is a monophonic sibling of the Jupiter-4, with two VCOs for a rich, detuned sound. Think of it as a scaled-down Jupiter-4 without the arpeggiator or ensemble chorus. It’s got a thick, vibrant tone that’s perfect for bold leads or basses.
Drum Machine Collection (TR-606, TR-707, TR-727, TR-909, TR-808)
Roland’s drum machines are absolute legends, and the TR-808 is arguably the most influential. (Note: The TR-808 is not included in this sale.) Here’s a look at the others:
TR-606
The TR-606 was designed alongside the TB-303 bass synth for seamless synchronization. Its interface is similar to the 303, and its sound is a classic in electronic music. You’ll likely recognize it when you hear it!
TR-909
The TR-909 is the successor to the TR-808, blending analog and sampled sounds for a punchier, more defined tone. It’s a dance music staple, known for its powerful kick and crisp hi-hats.
TR-707
Despite its name, the TR-707 came after the TR-909. It uses fully sampled sounds at 8-bit resolution (6-bit for cymbals/hi-hats), giving it a more realistic yet slightly lo-fi vibe compared to the 808 or 909.
TR-727
The TR-727, a sibling of the TR-707, specializes in Latin percussion sounds—think tropical rhythms for afrobeats, reggaeton, or Arabic pop. It shares the same UI as the 707, making them easy to sync for house music production.
DW Soundworks
The DW Drum VST is a game-changer for beatmakers. The default Maple Mahogany Natural kit is a standout—crisp snares and punchy kicks that thump in the low end with just a slight tweak. The sound quality is top-notch.
The mixer lets you control overheads, ambience, and output routing, similar to other drum VSTs. DW Soundworks comes with 13 expansion packs, including the Metal Legacy pack (7.71GB, free!).
The Plugin Boutique version also includes six additional sample packs:
- DW 50th Anniversary Kit Expansion Pack
- DW Maple Mahogany Expansion Pack
- DW Pure Maple Expansion Pack
- Slingerland Vintage 1958 Expansion Pack
- DW Pure Almond Expansion Pack
- Gretsch USA Custom Expansion Pack
These samples are punchy and versatile, making DW Soundworks a must-check for anyone shopping for a drum VST.
Wrapping Up
Whew, that was a lot to cover! Roland’s virtual instruments and DW Soundworks are packed with high-quality options, and with the 30% off sale (until August 24), now’s a great time to explore. Check out the links above to browse the full lineup.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next post! 🎶
Jooyoung's Music Blog 