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Discover the Roland System-8: A Deep Dive into Its Features and Capabilities
- Jonathan Dean
- Dec 8, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
What Is the Roland System-8?
The Roland SYSTEM‑8 is a modern performance synthesiser that showcases Roland’s ACB (Analog Circuit Behaviour) modelling technology. This innovative synthesiser not only features its own engine but also supports up to three “Plug-Out” slots. This means you can load software synth models directly into the hardware and play them without needing a computer.
This hybrid architecture provides musicians with the tactile, hands-on interface of physical hardware while granting access to a rich library of vintage Roland synths rendered in software.
Understanding “Plug-Out” Technology
What is Plug-Out?
Roland developed the Plug-Out technology to enable musicians to play their legacy instruments using modern technology. Once a Plug-Out instrument is loaded, musicians can play the legacy instrument, create patches based on it, and save them to the System-8 without needing to connect to a computer. This is a significant advantage over traditional VST-based soft synths.
What Comes as Part of the Package?
When you acquire your Roland System-8, the three Plug-Out slots on the synthesiser typically come pre-populated with the Jupiter-8, Juno-106, and JX-3P synthesiser engines. Each of these Plug-Out slots contains 64 factory patches stored in the synthesiser's memory. Combined with the System-8 synth engine, this provides musicians with a total of 266 patches.
If you acquire the System-8 with different Plug-Outs installed, you can restore the factory settings by following the Roland System-8 Factory restore process. This video shows how to undertake this process.
Please note that if you have other Plug-Outs installed prior to the factory reset, they will be erased and replaced with the factory configuration, along with any associated patches.
Plug-Out / Plugin Engines Available for the System-8
As of now, Roland has released the following Plug-Outs:
Roland Jupiter-8 - Included with the System-8
Roland Juno-106 - Included with the System-8
Roland JX-3P - Included with the System-8
Roland Jupiter-4 - Available to load via the Roland Cloud
Roland PROMARS - Available to load via the Roland Cloud
Roland Juno-60 - Available to load via the Roland Cloud
Roland SH-2 - Available to load via the Roland Cloud
Roland SH-101 - Available to load via the Roland Cloud
Roland SYSTEM-100 - Available to load via the Roland Cloud
10. Roland SYSTEM-8 - Included with the System-8
To load additional Plug-Out engines, musicians need to create a Roland Cloud account. Depending on the membership level, Plug-Outs can be purchased or downloaded to the Roland System-8 while connected to the computer used to access the Roland Cloud account.
In some cases, Roland has implemented Plug-Outs to enable access to additional features. For example, running a mono-synth in polyphonic mode or applying effects like reverb, which were not available on the original synth without using an external effects unit.
How These Plug-Outs Work in Practice
Roland's implementation of Plug-Outs on the System-8 platform allows for the combination of any patch from any engine. This means you can layer sounds from different engines, creating rich and complex textures. However, keep in mind that the synth is only 8-note polyphonic, which means layering sounds will reduce the available polyphony.
For instance, if you layer two sounds, you will only have four notes available for each sound. Alternatively, you can split sounds across the keyboard, with one sound at the bottom and another at the top. Again, the limitation of 8-notes applies, so careful management of your patches is essential.
Advantages & Considerations of the Plugin Ecosystem
The Positives of This Configuration
Vintage Authenticity: The ACB modelling ensures accurate behaviour of oscillators, filters, and modulation, mimicking the original hardware closely.
Flexibility: With three slots, you can mix classic polysynths like the Jupiter and Juno with monosynths like the SH-101 and PROMARS for complex setups.
Hands-On Control: Enjoy physical knobs, sliders, and a sequencer instead of relying on a mouse in your DAW.
Offline Capability: Use soft synths without being connected to the cloud or a computer.
The Considerations of This Configuration
Cloud Dependency: To acquire many Plug-Outs, you need to use Roland Cloud Manager.
License Model: While some Plug-Outs come with the Roland System-8 firmware, others require purchasing a “lifetime key” via Roland Cloud.
Performance Limits: Loading software models into the hardware means you're limited by how many voices each Plug-Out supports, depending on the model.
Learning Curve: Each Plug-Out has its own architecture, including different envelopes, filters, and modulation sources, requiring time to master.
Sound Libraries & Expansions
Several sound libraries and patch collections have been created by Roland and other sound designers. Some of these are free, while others require purchase.
Regardless of the source, loading new patches onto the Roland System-8 will overwrite any existing patches. Therefore, it's crucial to back up any important patches before loading new ones.
Until next time!
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About the Author
Jon describes himself as a frustrated musician with a passion for the electronic instruments that help him and other musicians be creative. He started playing keyboards in his late teens and re-ignited his passion, building a new studio following his separation.
About the Blog
The Music Tech Guy UK's Blog, Website, and YouTube channel were started to share Jon's experiences and views on the industry at large, how they affect small musicians, and provide technical tips on configuring and maintaining the equipment he owns.