audiobriefs
9:00in productionCh. 1 · Monophonic by design/ 9:00 · ceiling 15 min
Synths & drum machines

Roland System 700

A monophonic modular system built for professionals — not for playing live, not for learning, not for saving space.

The Roland System 700 is a professional monophonic modular synthesizer released in 1976 by Roland Corporation.

Chapters & takeaways4
  1. 0:52
    Monophonic by design

    It is a professional monophonic modular synthesizer — not polyphonic, not preset-based, not portable.

  2. 1:59
    Precedes the System-100M

    It launched in 1976 — two years before its smaller sibling, the System-100M.

  3. 3:20
    Built by Roland Corporation

    Roland Corporation manufactured it — not a boutique builder or a hobbyist kit.

  4. 4:50
    No ambiguity in function

    It is defined by its role: professional, modular, monophonic, 1976.

Worth your time?

Yes. Use the whole thing.

3.5/ 5
What works
  • professional monophonic signal routing
  • custom patching with discrete modules
  • robust physical construction
What does not
  • play chords
  • store patches
  • include a keyboard
Use it if
  • studio engineers
  • restorers
  • specialists in 1970s analogue electronics
Skip it if
  • beginners
  • live performers needing immediacy
  • those without maintenance infrastructure
The written brief1 min read

What it is and what it was built for

It is a professional monophonic modular synthesizer for electronic music. It was built for studio and stage use by composers and performers requiring custom signal routing.

How it works, in terms a player would use

It is a modular synthesizer. Players patch cables between modules to route signals. It is monophonic: one note at a time.

What it does better than anything else

It establishes a professional monophonic signal path with discrete, serviceable modules — more robust than many contemporaries.

What it does badly

It does not play chords. It cannot sequence or store patches. It offers no built-in keyboard or interface beyond its modules.

What people made with it

The sources do not state what people made with it.

Who should use it, and who should not

A working studio engineer or restorer with access to schematics, spare parts, and expertise in 1970s analogue electronics should use it. A beginner or casual player should not.

Is it worth your time

It is worth your time only if you need professional-grade modular synthesis from 1976 and can source, maintain, and patch it reliably.

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