Roland's modular approach to synthesis arrived at a pivotal moment in the early 1980s when most synth players were moving toward preset-based instruments, making the System 100m a refreshing throwback to hands-on sound design that still felt contemporary.
The System 100m is a compact modular synthesizer built around a series of individual modules that slot into racks holding three to five units depending on the configuration you choose. The core sound generation comes from dual voltage-controlled oscillators with a range spanning 32 feet to 2 feet, three modulation inputs per oscillator, and both hard and soft sync capabilities. The oscillators output switchable waveforms including triangle, pulse, and sawtooth, with manual pulse width modulation available. Signal flows through 24dB-per-octave low-pass filters featuring cutoff and resonance controls, plus a built-in high-pass filter with selectable cutoff points at 1kHz, 2kHz, or 5kHz. Dual voltage-controlled amplifiers handle level control with switchable linear or exponential response. The modulation section includes dual envelope generators with ADSR curves, invertable outputs, and manual gate buttons, alongside a comprehensive low-frequency oscillator offering five waveforms with frequency ranges from 0.05Hz to 30Hz. Additional modules provide ring modulation, noise generation, sample-and-hold, phase shifting, audio delay, an analog sequencer with 16-step capacity, and portamento control. The system connects via an internal buss network carrying CV, gate, trigger, and power through 8-pin DIN connectors, with stereo and mono outputs plus dedicated headphone outputs.
The System 100m earned respect among musicians and sound designers for its flexibility and the quality of its filters and envelope generators, though the modular approach meant you were building your own signal path rather than relying on preset memories. It remains a sought-after piece of vintage gear for anyone interested in understanding how synthesis actually works.
