Roland AIRA Compact S-1 Tweak Synth

The Roland Tweak Synth (S-1) has quickly become the crown jewel of my music production setup, and for good reason. This compact powerhouse packs a punch that belies its size, delivering a sonic palette that's both rich and incredibly versatile. From the moment I unboxed it, I knew I was in for something special. First off, the build quality is what you'd expect from Roland - solid, with every knob, button, and slider feeling both sturdy and satisfyingly tactile. The design is sleek and intuitive, making it a joy to explore and tweak sounds on the fly. It's clear that Roland has put a lot of thought into the user experience, blending traditional synthesis with modern functionality in a way that feels both familiar and innovative. But let's talk sound - the heart and soul of any synth. The S-1 delivers in spades, with a range of presets that showcase its capabilities right out of the gate. From deep, growling basses to ethereal pads and cutting leads, every preset is a starting point for exploration. The real magic happens when you start tweaking. The synthesis engine is robust, allowing for deep sound design that can cater to any genre, from EDM and pop to ambient and beyond. The feature that sets the S-1 apart for me is its portability. It's compact enough to fit in a backpack, but don't let its size fool you - this synth can easily become the centerpiece of a live performance or studio session. The onboard effects are top-notch, adding depth and dimension to the sounds without the need for external processing. In conclusion, the Roland Tweak Synth (S-1) is a revelation for synth enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting out, the S-1 offers a perfect blend of usability, portability, and sound quality that's hard to beat. It's become an indispensable tool in my music-making process, inspiring new ideas and bringing a level of creativity and fun that's genuinely exciting. Roland has truly outdone themselves with this one, and I can't recommend the S-1 highly enough.

This is a remarkable little device. Fully battery powered with an internal rechargeable battery that holds a decent charge, and recharged / powered via USB C. Output audio is clean and can be huge if sent through a large system. Built in FX are convenient and sound great. Despite the size there's a two octave keyboard and sequencer, along with a useful relevant layout of knobs. Sound quality is quite good too, advancements in DSP are apparent when a little box like this sounds deceptively analog. I got it with the inclination of it being more of a toy and novelty, but it has the potential to be put to serious use for music making and performance. At the moment I haven't dived all the way to the deep end with it, but I have spent some hours playing music with this. The built in patches are quite good and making adjustments follows the usual synth logic. One downside is that the small form factor cuts down on the amount of buttons or a well developed screen. This gives it a bit more of a learning curve to figure out, as you will have to dive into using it via a manual even if you have extensive synth knowledge. Takes time to get used to the sub menus and the full capability if you want to go beyond just making sound happen. And the only thing I can speak of to detract from this synth is that it didn't come with a 1/8" to midi adaptor cable, just arrived with a USB C cable. Overall I highly recommend this to someone who wants to make music on the go as the portability is amazing. You can put on a sequencer show on the street with this thing! But it can also be a serious tool in the studio as the sound quality is proper.

awesome little synth. very versatile. hours of fun... I purchased a patches pack which adds a lot to it, and can get some classic sounds of out of it. I wish they'd include a midi to 3.5mm cable with it as these are hard to find, and the puny little keys call for a midi keyboard to be plugged in.

The Roland AIRA Compact S-1 is proof that great things come in small (and green!) packages. This synth is a portable powerhouse that punches way above its weight. Whether I’m producing at home, jamming at a friend’s house, or just noodling on the go, the S-1 is always by my side. Its compact size makes it ridiculously easy to carry, and let’s be real—the green design? Chef’s kiss. It stands out in the best way possible. What really sets the S-1 apart, though, is its tweakability. It’s a playground for sound designers. The knobs and buttons make crafting unique analog sounds an absolute joy, and the built-in reverb and delay are just…wow. The reverb is lush, the delay is crisp, and together they elevate this little synth into atmospheric bliss. You can go from subtle ambiance to full-on space opera in seconds. The small keyboard is surprisingly good and velocity sensitive. You can even use it as a midi controller to sequence other gear, although I tend to use a full size keyboard to control the S-1. Now, it’s not all perfect. There is a bit of menu diving, which can be a slight hurdle if you’re trying to stay in the creative flow. But once you learn the layout, it’s manageable. Plus, there are third-party apps out there that let you use the S-1 as a VST, which opens up even more possibilities in a DAW. Final thoughts: The S-1 is small, portable, endlessly tweakable, and sounds fantastic. It’s perfect for anyone who loves hands-on sound creation without being tied to a big studio setup. If you’re looking for a synth that’s as fun to use as it is to listen to, the S-1 is a no-brainer. Bonus points for looking cool while doing it.

This is a nice little synth,alot of bang for the buck. I would definitely recommend. Very usable sounds and intonation is pretty spot on to the sound engine this is originally made from. But the U.I is much to be desired. The classic old double digit red led screen Roland has been using for ages and the hieroglyphic like paterns makes the menu diving needed to truly unlock the potential of this little guy is like learning a whole other language. The instructions are in true Roland fashion of decoding the Rosetta Stone. But there are some really great third party editors for the P.C that can help you get around all the squinting and fumbling with those tiny silicone keys.All in all I'm impressed with these entry level synthesizers that have been coming our in recent years. It gives an opportunity for new comers and pros alike to have a little piece of Roland's history. For the price it's a no Brainer. But you will definitely benefit having a midi keyboard to play this cutie. Cheers!

This is like a full size synth in a small form factor that you can take anywhere and sound design on the go. A lot of fun to mess around with once you get used to it.

I own several very advanced synths, a groovebox and a state of the art drum machine. I also own a recording interface that retails at over $1000. I own Ableton Live Suite. The S1 is the real deal. It is very powerful and easy to use. The user interface is brilliant. If you are looking for a first synthesizer, or you are looking for an addition to your studio rig, the S1 is a masterfully designed synth because above all else it is so easy to use and sounds so, so good. In my honest opinion the S1 is an incredible synth at a great price. I own 4 korg volcas which is what i learned on, but the S1 eats every single one of them for breakfast. You can do no wrong adding this wonderful piece of musical equipment to your rig. For the price (which is very, very reasonable) you can maximize your creative potential. Do not second guess this amazing instrument, it goes toe to toe with every single synth I own without breaking a sweat.

Bought this to get better at synthesis while on the go or at coffee shops. Very happily surprised by how intuitive it is and how powerful the sounds that come from it are. The USB interface is fantastic, no hassle to get it plugged in and the drivers automatically install. Sometimes I even use it as a MIDI controller if I want to mess around with songs in public, but it’s not the most ideal keyboard. Being battery powered is absolutely mint. So easy to bring this thing around. I recommend buying the carrying case, it’s great for putting a few extra cables in so you don’t have to worry about forgetting any of your connectors.

As per the title, there’s a lot of power in this little guy. The ACB circuitry sounds fat and phenomenal with no aliasing I can perceive. Effortlessl apes and sequencing with a 4 voice SH-101 based engine (with a few twists for tweaked). Pretty little thing, too.

It is by far the best hardware synth I have had. It is totally easy to invent new sounds and great for sound designers and composers.

Un sonido excepcional, moderno y retro a la vez, perillas para los parametros escenciales de modelado analogico, el secuenciador de 64 pasos (4 compases) lo vuelve super versatil, no dudes en comprar este sinte ya seas primerizo, intermedio o avanzado, por el rango de precio obtienes un sonido que costaria 3 veces mas

Tiny, yet powerful Synth!!! Best price too, compared to international online shops.

As a sound emulator for the Roland SH-101, this is by far the best instrument in the Aira series. It sounds great.