Product Description

Roland's SonicCell puts the power and legendary sound quality of a Roland hardware synthesizer on your desktop. With its dual SRX expansion bay, built-in USB audio interface, and ability to play SMFs and WAV/AIFF/MP3 files, SonicCell is a dream for computer-based musicians and live performers who seek a compact, integrated pro sound module and USB audio-interface solution.

Features

128-voice sound module with new soundset, featuring super-realistic acoustic instruments

USB audio interface functionality plus USB-memory host function

SMF and audio data playback capability via USB host function

SRX slot x 2

PC/Mac Editor and Cakewalk SONAR LE bundled

Superior Sound Module
Equipped with a state-of-the-art sound engine, SonicCell delivers the pristine sound quality of a dedicated Roland hardware synth. A remarkable new waveform set has been created for SonicCell, including a world-class collection of acoustic instruments, drums, and percussion that are expertly programmed to provide the ultimate in expression and realism. SonicCell’s internal sound bank can even be expanded and customized via its two internal SRX expansion bays. Choose from over a dozen of Roland’s famous SRX Expansion boards (sold separately) that cover a vast world of musical instruments and styles. Whether you’re driving SonicCell from a computer, another synthesizer, or a MIDI keyboard or guitar controller, you’ll enjoy unsurpassed sound quality, reliability, and flexibility.

Seamless Computer Connectivity
SonicCell is ideal for musicians who use a PC as the core of their writing, recording, and performing universe. More than a mere sound module, SonicCell is equipped with a built-in USB audio interface. Simply connect SonicCell directly to your computer’s USB port, and you can record and create music with no additional hardware required. You can even plug a microphone, guitar, or other instruments into SonicCell and record your live audio tracks directly into your computer. And since SonicCell can help minimize the burden on the computer’s processor, you’ll enjoy more efficient and stable performance. As an added bonus, a free copy of Cakewalk's Sonar LE recording software included with every SonicCell sold, as is a plug-in style PC software editor, which makes sound designing and effects programming fast and friendly. SonicCell is the perfect all-in-one solution for synthesis and recording.

Ultra-Handy Backing Machine
In addition to its high-quality synthesis and audio-interface functions, SonicCell can be used as a virtual backing band. Simply create a playlist of your songs or backing tracks with the software Playback Editor (included free with SonicCell), and transfer the playlist to a commercially available USB memory stick. Insert the stick into SonicCell’s USB port, and it will become a stand-alone song player that you can play and control onstage or anywhere you perform. SonicCell can play back WAV, AIFF, and MP3 files. It evens plays Standard MIDI Files!

Technical Description

Sound Generator Section
Parts: 16 parts

Maximum Polyphony: 128 voices

Wave Memory: 128 M bytes (16-bit linear equivalent)

Expansion Slots: Expansion of waveforms and patchs for the internal sound generator

SRX expansion boards: 2 slots

Preset Memory:
Patches: 896 + 256 (GM2)
Rhythm Sets: 32 + 9 (GM2)
Performances: 64

User Memory:
Patches: 256
Rhythm Sets: 32
Performances: 64

External Memory: USB Memory

Effects:
Multi-Effects: 3 systems, 78 types
Chorus: 3 types
Reverb: 5 types
Input Effect: 6 types
Mastering Effect: 3 bands Compressor

Audio Interface Section
Number of Audio Input/Output Channels:
Input: 1 pair of stereo (MIC, GUITAR: Monaural/LINE: Stereo)
Output: 1 pair of stereo

Signal Processing: PC interface: 24 bits, AD/DA Conversion: 24 bits

Sampling Frequency: AD/DA Conversion: 44.1/48/96 kHz

Nominal Input Level:
Input jack (MIC/GUITAR/LINE (L) )
Mic: -50-- -30 dBu
Guitar: -30-- -10 dBu
Line: -30-- -10 dBu

Input jack (LINE (R) )
Line: -30-- -10 dBu
Nominal Output Level
Output jacks: -10 dBu

SMF/Audio File Player Section
File Format:
Standard MIDI File: format-0/1
Audio File: WAV, AIFF, MP3

Others
Display: 128 x 64 dots organic EL graphic display

Connectors:
Output jacks (L/MONO, R)
Headphone jack
Input jacks (MIC/GUITAR/LINE(L), LINE(R)) (MIC: 1/4 inch phone type or XLR type(phantom power) / GUITAR: 1/4 inch phones type(always Hi-Z) / Line (L): 1/4 inch phone type, LINE (R) (1/4 inch phone type))
MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT)
USB Connectors
COMPUTER (supports USB MIDI and USB Audio; Hi-Speed USB port required)
MEMORY (supports USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Flash Memory)

Power Supply: DC 9 V (AC Adaptor)

Current Draw: 800 mA

Accessories Included
Startup Guide

Manual

CD-ROM (Sound Editor, Librarian, Playlist Editor, USB Driver)

CD-ROM (SONAR LE)

Wrench

AC Adaptor (PSB-1U)

Power Cord

USB Cable

Optional Accessories Not Included:

Wave Expansion Board: SRX Series

USB Memory: M-UF128

SonicCell stand and PDS-10 bracket: BKT-S

Pad Stand: PDS-10

Sonic Cell Editor System Requirements

Windows PC
Operating System: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition/Professional, Microsoft(R) Windows Vista(TM)

* This does not work with the 64-bit Edition of Windows(R).

CPU/Clock: Pentium(R)/Celeron(R) processor 1.4 GHz or higher

RAM: 512 MB or more

Hard Disk: 160 MB or more

Display/Colors: 1280 x 800 or higher/24 bit Full Color or more

Others: A USB connector that supports USB Specification Revision 2.0 or higher

* Intel chipset is recommended.

* SonicCell may not perform to its full specs when used with an added USB 2.0 interface card.

CD-ROM Drive

Macintosh
Operating System: Mac OS 10.4.3 or later

CPU/Clock: PowerPC G4 1 GHz or higher/Intel processor

RAM: 512 MB or more

Hard Disk: 160 MB or more

Display/Colors: 1280 x 800 or higher/1670 million colors or more

Others: On-board USB 2.0 port

CD-ROM Drive

Notes
* Although Roland has tested numerous configurations, and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the SonicCell Applications, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the SonicCell Applications based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements. This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved.

Compatibility of the Plug-in Version
* The following host applications have been verified to work properly with the plug-in version SonicCell Editor.

VSTi version:
CAKEWALK SONAR LE (Windows)
CAKEWALK SONAR 6.2 (Windows)
Steinberg Cubase 4 (Windows/Macintosh)

Audio Units version:
Apple Logic Pro 7.2 (Macintosh)

* The following host applications have been reported to NOT work properly with the plug-in version SonicCell Editor.

Steinberg Cubase SX3 (Windows/Macintosh)

Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer 4.6 (Macintosh)

* Though all of the host applications listed above performed properly in our testing, some of them may not work due to differences in inherent manufacturer design specifications and your operatinig environment. We cannot guarantee all the operations in these music applications.

Size and Weight (Dimensions)

Width: 294 mm, 11-5/8 inches

Depth: 175 mm, 6-15/16 inches

Height: 55 mm, 2-3/16 inches

Weight: 1.2 kg, 2 lbs. 11 oz.

*excluding AC Adaptor

Product Rated 7.4 Out of 10 (6 ratings)

Read 3 Roland Sonic Cell Synthesizer Module with USB Audio Interface Full Reviews >>

• "Great piece of hardware for a great price" - Read More
• "The product might be good however, the lack of support after sale is non existant." - Read More