7 Best VST Plugins From Roland 2023 (Synths, Drums & Effect)

Best VST Plugins From Roland 2023

1. Roland ZENOLOGY Pro

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

With the Zenology Pro Synthesizer plugin, Roland has made the ZEN-Core synth engine available to all DAW users.

Roland’s first announcement hinted at future developments, including full professional-grade ‘power synth’-style features and additional analog hardware emulations, both of which have already been released. The latter component, Zenology Pro, has now been released.

Key Features:

• User Interface
  This ZEN-Core is cutting-edge and adaptable. Though Roland used the engine in its plugins, they gave it a dated and unappealing user interface. Every component and sub-element (partials, OSCs, filters, etc.) is minute and finicky. Small sliders are used as parameters, which could be more user-friendly and enjoyable when writing code. Identical to the Pro Edit, which has a sea of sliders raging in chaos.
• Oscillators
  PCM, virtual analog, PCM Sync (a selection of PCM waves that enable oscillator synchronization between Partials), Supersaw, and Noise are the options for each oscillator section. In addition, you can customize the waveshape and source sample settings independently for each part. Interestingly, each Partial can have its left and right channels independently sampled thanks to PCM mode’s stereo capability.
• Modulations
  With two LFOs and three envelopes per layer, Zenology Pro’s modulation engine is easily controllable. This means you can use up to four partial envelopes and LFOs. Each LFO features both traditional and more intricate waveforms. These latter three are enhancements that provide the LFOs with a new level of flexibility.
  In LFO step mode, you can also independently adjust both LFOs. You will break down your waveforms into smaller pieces. Once in this setting, you can design your very own custom step modulator.
  Each conceivably infinite number of stairwell tiers can include its great sloping profile. In this case, adding a randomization feature would have been a welcome bonus.
• Effects
  The effects tab is tucked away in the terminal third of the user interface. Please note that this statement only applies to the engine as a whole. That means that there is no effect per partial. In addition, there is only one effect slot and no multi-effects processor. The good news is that there are permutations where both types of impacts are present. Therefore, a pseudo-multi-effects processor.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Summary:

The Roland Zenology Pro is a powerful Synthesizer plugin that features an extensive library of classic and great sounds. It’s packed to the brim with usable sounds. An excellent synth workstation with a retro flavor was designed with the performer in mind. This is a little competition for synth monsters with extreme power levels. Instead, Z Pro is primarily a synth that brings Roland’s rich synthesis legacy to the realm of plugins.

2. Roland TR-808

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Or Buy Here (Support Integraudio)

Sound effects such as a drum machine’s boom, snap, and sizzle are now available in your daw, thanks to Roland TR-808 Software Edition.

One of the most coveted and revered electronic instruments of all time, the TR-808 is the inspiration for the TR-808 Software Synthesizer. The plug-in version retains the original’s sound and behavior while adding on-the-fly hardware modifications for greater sonic variety and easier programming.

Key Features:

• Knobs
  As soon as a few brave musicians and producers got their hands on the TR-808 and started turning those knobs, the world began to (quite literally) feel the influence it would leave on music forever. The blazing hi-hats, snappy snare, clicky rim shot, identifiable cowbell, and, yes, that booming bass drum have been staples of both mainstream and underground songs for decades.
• Circuit
  Its sound is frequently reproduced with sample packs and knockoffs, and original TR-808 devices fetch exorbitant prices on the used market. The 808, however, is more than the sum of its components; it is a sophisticated beast. As the heart of the TR-808’s sound, the original analog circuits have been painstakingly rebuilt using our proprietary Analog Circuit Behavior technology.
  They’re a result, our TR-808 plug-in is a faithful recreation of the original in terms of sound quality down to the finest detail, and it also includes some innovative new capabilities.
• Variation
  The Basic Repetition switch and the Basic Variation button allow you to select between two distinct pattern variations. When placed in the middle AB position, it will cycle between the two variations, thereby letting you make patterns with 60 steps.
  The Fills consist of four patterns throughout each bank (eight as they have their Variation switch). Finally, in addition to the main dial, there is a second, larger dial that can instantly activate the Fill function.

Compatibility:

The OS requirements for this plugin are Windows 7 or higher for PC and macOS 10.9 or higher for Mac. It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Summary:

The TR08, at first glance, is a replica of the original 808 in the very sought Boutique format. As far as sound goes, it nails the 808 vibes. It also functions and works in the same ways, leaving the user scratching their head as they try to go past the initial pattern-making stages. After struggling with the most baffling parts of the 808, you will finally grasp how the machine works. The work allows the instrument to operate at its full potential: a highly dynamic and varied live set.

3. Roland Juno-60 

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Or Buy Here (Support Integraudio)

While Roland may be hesitant to reissue its classic analog synths in hardware form, the company has no qualms about creating virtual versions. 

The Juno-60, produced between 1983 and 1984, is a polysynth that features a single DCO, sub-oscillator, and VCF. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential synths of the 1980s. The signature Juno chorus effect is also present.

Roland claims that its Analog Circuit Behaviour modeling technique, which is at the heart of its replication, will faithfully reproduce the “odd quirks and endearing limits” of the original synth. Some new functions have also been added; for instance, you can now swap out the Juno-60’s regular filter for the Juno-106’s high-pass filter circuit.

Key Features:

• VCA
  This includes a new velocity sensitivity knob and an undefined tone knob. When viewed on an oscilloscope, its impact confirms what you can hear: that it gives more bass at its anticlockwise extreme and more midrange and treble at its clockwise extreme, but this needs to be explained in Roland’s scant documentation.
  So that “Tone alters the tonal character,” all it says is that “Tone” is a tinkering tool. Okay, that makes sense. In addition, there are now three settings for the VCA Gain source switch, up from the previous two.
• Juno Chorus
  Many businesses have tried to follow this model, but only some have succeeded. Chorus I and II in Cloud 60 are nearly identical and can be fine-tuned in the first Effects unit to account for any remaining subtle discrepancies (see below). When you mix Choruses I and II, you’ll notice a slight slowing of the modulation compared to the original.
• Signal Path
  The signal flow begins with a simulation of the Juno-60’s single DCO per voice, but there are now six footages ranging in size from 64′ to 2′ to catch the eye, and the on/off switches for the sawtooth and pulse waveforms have been swapped out for faders.
  It’s possible that these embellishments aren’t historically accurate, but they are helpful. As a bonus, the LFO’s effect on the oscillator frequency and the selected contour’s effect on the pulse width can now be applied in opposite directions. While the immediate effects of these alterations may not be immediately apparent, the resulting sonic palette is vastly expanded.
• Effects
  There are three effect modules available on Cloud 60. The first one is a reproduction of the Boss CE1 chorus pedal, and it features six different effects: overdrive, distortion, and Juno choruses. Unfortunately, only two controls are available for these: volume and tone. The second unit features a flanger, a delay/chorus hybrid effect, and two different delays. So again, adjust the volume and the duration of this one.
• Patch Bank
  Regarding Cloud 60, the patch bank has 64 total patches, ranging from A1 to H8, on an 8×8 grid. It’s not how the Juno-60 originally saved sounds, but only the most devoted purist would care about that. Make as many copies of your new banks as you like and store them in files for easy access.
  You may easily manage the sounds within a specific bank, but the Juno 60 only allows one bank to be open at a time, so if you want to combine sounds from several banks into a single one, you’ll have to load each sound individually and save it again.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Summary:

If you like the Roland Cloud, here’s another classic synth you can add to your collection at no extra cost: the Jupiter-8. It’s a great-sounding synthesizer, but despite Roland’s assertions, others can emulate the Juno-60. Unfortunately, it’s not the most feature-packed emulation out there, so if you’re looking to buy it as a standalone soft synth, consider the alternatives first.

4. Roland Juno-60 Chorus – Best Chorus Plugins

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

The JUNO-60 by Roland is a vintage synthesizer icon that has been sampled on countless hit songs and remains popular.

The JUNO-60 from Roland is a vintage synthesizer icon, featured prominently on countless hit songs and widely admired even in the modern music industry. The analog stereo chorus effect contributes so much to the sound’s depth and personality that musicians rarely turn it off. The JUNO-60 Chorus plugin allows you to add the distinctive tonality of this classic 1980s effect to any DAW project.

Key Features:

• Chorus Types
  The original I and II chorus types are included in the plugin and can be used singly or combined to create a third chorus type. The first chorus setting gives the sound a soft shimmer, while the second provides a fuller, deeper impression. In addition, the noisy, dry, and master volumes can all be adjusted to suit individual tastes.
• Secret Formula
  Because of its solitary DCO, fat sub-oscillator, and characterful VCF, the fine-tuned JUNO-60’s luscious stereo chorus effect complements these aspects of the synth. As a result, players rapidly recognized it as a crucial part of the JUNO’s signature sound, helping the instrument punch above its weight class and hold its own against more advanced and costly multi-oscillator polysynths of the day.
• User Interface
  The JUNO-60 Chorus is a genuine Roland plugin that recreates the original effect in your preferred digital audio workstation in all its understated glory. Authenticity to the era is achieved through carefully modeling all three chorus modes, each offering its unique analog noise. Graphics that mimic the synth’s iconic panel and the oh-so-cool wood side panels further the retro feel of the JUNO.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Summary:

It’s great that this chorus is now available in digital format, especially for those disappointed to discover that their physical copy had been damaged. The three chorus settings faithfully reproduce the original’s sound.

5. Roland SYSTEM 8 – Best FM Synth Plugins 

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

With System-8, Roland continues its crusade to reinterpret its earlier work in a modern context.

The SYSTEM-8 incorporates faithful recreations of vintage Roland oscillators, filters, and effects, drawing on our extensive background in synthesizer development. In addition to the iconic JUPITER and JUNO filter designs, it also features legendary third-party oscillator types for producing sounds that are extremely true to the era in which they were first produced.

Key Features:

• Circuit
  The SYSTEM-8 can also produce good tones; it has various oscillators (both digital and analog) and waveforms (including SuperSaw, FM, and more). Recent innovations such as the formant, harmonic, and side-band filters join time-tested favorites like the VCF in the filter model lineup.
  With a few simple adjustments, the SYSTEM-8 can go from glassy to growly or plucky to punchy, making it the most adaptable instrument ever created.
• Filter
  The filter portion features an ADSR envelope with the amount and velocity sensitivity for precise filter control. If you like the sound of your keyboard speed amplifying the filter cutoff, you should have this. It’s becoming apparent that Roland has simplified things to an acceptable degree.
• Variation Control
  The addition of the various control, which, when set to variation 2, enables six Side-Band filters that amplify and distort the harmonics in a very harsh, almost metallic fashion, is arguably the filter’s most intriguing improvement.
  This is especially helpful with more complex tonal sources like the Super-Saw since it provides an additional layer of control (to the point where a second LPF would be useful for taming the chaos).
• Vocoder
  Only the Vocoder, enabled by pressing the Vocoder button on the left fascia, can fully use this function. However, after exploring the settings, you will discover various vocoder control options, which greatly reduce the sibilance feedback and excessively high monitoring volumes.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Summary:

The System-8 is a professional-grade synthesizer that has been a pleasure to use. You wouldn’t know it wasn’t a Jupe by listening to it on a track, but with all the extra features, it’s a potent creation in its own right, just like the original.

6. Roland Jupiter 8 – Best Synth Plugins

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

The Roland Jupiter 8 virtual analog synth plugin is a robust instrument that has endured the test of time.

Roland’s Cloud Jupiter 8 plugin is a highly accurate representation of the original instrument. So if duplicating the original is your ultimate objective, you’ll do that here. The RC Jupiter 8 uses Roland’s Analog Circuit Behavior Modeling technology for expressive tactile control and is PLUG-OUT compatible.

The plugin has both standard effects and original touches, such as the condition knob, which simulates the wear and tear of the old synthesizer you’re emulating. The Jupiter-8 is also available in Zenology as an add-on model.

Key Features:

• Patches
  Using the Patch button’s browser to rename and copy presets, you may reorganize your presets within a bank. You can share patches with other users if you own a Plug-Out hardware synth. A great way to take your favorite music with you on a trip or to a concert is to record it beforehand.
  Even though you cannot add patches to a favorites list, they can be copied and pasted into a different available spot. In addition, if you pay for a more expensive plan, you can unlock additional preset banks and make them yours forever.
• Oscillators
  This plugin features not one but two oscillators. The octave range and waveform controls are shared between the two OSCs. Also, there is a knob on VCO-1 to implement cross-modulation from 2.
  More tuning options for VCO-2 via Sync, a low-frequency setting, and the Sub knob are available. You can find the oscillators’ volume controls on the instrument’s right side.
• Filters
  The VCF section has both high and low filters; the cutoff of the high filter may be adjusted using a slider, while the cutoff and resonance of the low filter can be toggled separately. In addition, you can adjust the envelope and velocity sensitivity of the bipolar filter. At long last, the filter cutoff’s LFO modulation and key-follow amounts are fully controllable.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Summary:

Despite being a slightly less cutting-edge synth plugin than the most recent offerings, it meets many criteria. Most importantly, it has that unmistakable vintage Jupiter sound. You can purchase any of Jupiter-8’s three membership tiers (Basic, Pro, and Ultimate) for a one-time fee of $150 US.

7. Roland TB-303 – Best Techno Plugins 

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

The TB-03 Boutique allows you to pre-program an entire song by linking patterns to make a complete song.

The Roland TB-303’s characteristic sound full of warmth, energy, and personality was crucial in popularizing the genres in his release era. When TB-303 first debuted in 1981, people were suspicious, but when musicians unearthed the odd box, they created a wave of sensual, smooth sound that enthralled an era.

Key Features:

• Randomization System
  Complete patterns and variants on existing ones can be produced with a single click using the plugin’s Randomisation process, and patterns can be exported from the plugin as MIDI or audio clips. Although this configuration works fairly well, we’re disappointed that the previous method can give radically different outcomes with its linear, old-school approach.
• Effects
  Drive and Delay are the two most fundamental effects modules; each has a single knob to adjust Tone and Delay Time. The drive contains five different distortion algorithms in addition to a Compressor, while Delay gives two different delays, a chorus, a flanger, and a delay plus chorus.
• Circuit
  This iconic instrument has been upgraded with this one. The virtual one, based on an analog circuit to mimic its hypnotic sound, is the ideal companion to other great Roland instruments.
  Everything from identifiable user interfaces to the unique crunch and squelch of the original has been accurately recreated, and some new features would have been revolutionary in their era.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Summary:

The TB-303 can be credited for helping to make dance music so popular. It’s estimated that the original machines are selling for four figures on the secondary market, thanks to the widespread urban legends surrounding them in electronic dance music.

It’s too bad the TB-303 software isn’t sold separately. On the other hand, the Roland Loyalty Program allows subscribers to choose a new instrument each year. Is the 303 sound you want in your DAW but with less complicated sequencing? There is no better way to get it.