Main Console (fig. 1-01) - Complete View

The 700’s Main Console is an extremely powerful synth... all by itself. Think of it as an ARP 2600 on steroids and you’ll be scratching the right surface. Its power and versatility stem from 3 VCOs, 2 VCFs, 2 VCAs, 2 ADSRs, 2 LFOs, Noise Generator, Ring Modulator, Sample & Hold, Reverb, Phaser, 8 (!) audio mixers (1 stereo), 7 (!) CV Mixers, 2 Multiple Jack Panels, Voltage Amplifier, Voltage Processor/Inverter, Envelope Follower, Integrator, Tuning/Test Reference Oscillator, Monitor Section (headphones), etc.

Borrowing a page from the ARP school of synth design, commonly used paths (audio signals and control voltages) are pre-wired and then normalled (and/or half-normalled) to various modules in the cabinet - eliminating a lot of otherwise repetitive and cumbersome patching.



Main Console (fig. 1-02) - Left-Section Overview

On the VCOs, note the dual concentric “coarse” and “fine” pitch adjustment knobs, in addition
to the Moog-style octave-stepped “Range” switch. Like on a Moog, setting the latter to “LO”
turns the VCO into a LFO. Each VCO has a set of normalled VC modulation inputs which can be
mixed. Note the “1/10” toggle switch above each modulation attenuator, allowing for extremely
fine adjustments.



Main Console (fig. 1-03) - VCO Detail
The four basic analog waveforms are always available simultaneously via their indivual outputs. The Waveform Selector determines which of the four appears at the Input Mixers of the VCF, Ring Modulator, and VCA modules.



Main Console (fig. 1-04) - Mid-Section View

An illustration of good design: Each of the VCFs (top-left) features an audio input mixer with
four normalled ins + a patchable 5th one. Cutoff Freq modulation inputs feature a 3+1 CV Mixer.
Note the white toggle switches selecting ADSR 1 or 2 at the normalled inputs. The whole
concept is found again on the adjacent VCAs (on the right), albeit with two fewer ins of each.
VCF-1 (703E) is a classic 24dB/octvae fixed low-pass design.
VCF-2 (703B) is a variable-mode filter (High-Pass, Band-Pass, Low-Pass).



Main Console (fig. 1-05) - Right-Section View

The system’s 711A (top-right) puts to shame most analog synths’ output sections (when and
if they have one). Spring reverb (+3ch input mixer), V-controlled Phaser (+2ch input mixer
& LFO), and a Test-tone/tuning oscillator, all feed a 3x2 Audio Mixer with pan sliders.
The twin output busses feature back-lit VU meters.






Block 2 - Keyboard Controller

Keyboard (fig. 2-01) - Control Panel Detail




Keyboard (fig. 2-02) - Obligatory “artsy” shot

The keyboard, like all early Roland Keyboards, is (quite frankly) crap. If you ever had the pleasure of playing a SH-1000, SH-2000, System 100 (not 100m), you know that to be true. Use a MIDI-to-CV converter (with or without a keyboard) and put this one in a closet. Enough said.






Block 3 - Sequencer

Sequencer (fig. 3-01) - Complete View

Like many of the 700’s modules, the sequencer is a sophisticated, versatile and powerful implementation of the concept. Innovative and some unique (to this day) features, make the 717A one of the most desireable components of the system and a milestone in the field.


Sequencer (fig. 3-02) - Controller & Clock Detail

The Pulse Shaper is used to “condition” external and/or recorded sequencer pulse signals to be used
as transport commands (i.e. Start, Continue, Stop, End), or to trigger other synth functions.


Sequencer (fig. 3-03) - Step, Output & Running Mode Detail

The duration (timing) for each of the 12 steps on the 717A can be adjusted by 1) a switch offering musical values (whole note to 1/32) and
by 2) a multiplier for the selected value. The latter enables the creation of rhythmic patterns with dotted notes and tuplets. Any step can be
put in “Hold” mode, muting its gate at the clock, and retaining the previous step’s CV, thus allowing the programming of rests.
Unique to the 700’ sequencer, is the inclusion of an “Analog In” for each step, which accepts both audio and CV signals. This turns the
717A into a programmable electronic switch. When a signal is present at the Analog In, the individual step pots on rows ABC will act as attenuators for each input. Slick!






Block 4 - VCO Bank

VCO Bank (fig. 4-01) - Complete View

The top row of Block 4 adds six VCOs, for a total nine! These are joined on the bottom row by a Mixer, a 2 x 5 Jack-Mult,
a third dedicated LFO, a second Sample & Hold and ADSRs 3/4.
Unlike the VCOs found on the Main Block, these omit the Waveform Selector (because their outputs aren’t normalled
anywhere), but they gain patchable ins for their modulation sources. A defeatable KBD CV is normalled to all VCOs.


VCO Bank (fig. 4-02) - Additional Modules’ Detail

Gate signals are normalled to the LFO and the pair of ADSRs.






Block 5 - VCF & VCA Bank

VCF & VCA Bank (fig. 5-01) - Complete View

The top row adds a second instance of both the 12dB/oct MultiMode and the 4-pole 24dB/oct LowPass VCFs.
Three VCAs, a Gate Delay, four ADSRs (for a total of 8!) and a third 5x2 Jack-Mult panel round out Block 5’s facilities.
As was the case in Block 4, the absence of normalled signals (with the exception of the BKD CV and Gates), each module’s
Audio and CV input mixers become fully patchable.


VCF & VCA Bank (fig. 5-02) - Gate Delay & Dual ADSR Detail View

Delaying Gate signals is a time-honored technique on modular systems. Discrete delay times for the Rise (Attack) and Fall (Release) portions
of a Gate further expands the usefulness of the process. As in Block 4, Gate signals are normalled here to the pair of Dual ADSRs.






Block 6 - Interface & MultiMode Filter

Interface & MultiMode Filter (fig. 6-01) - Complete View

In Block 6, The Interface (Frequency-to-Voltage converter + Envelope Follower + Schmidt Trigger) is augmented by a sixth VCA, a versatile MultiMode Filter, and a 9-input Audio Mixer. (Nine VCOs, nine Mixer Inputs. Coincidence?)






Block 7 - Effects & Switch

Effects & Switch (fig. 7-01) - Complete View

Block 7 (L to R)
Variable Jack Mult panel, offering the following configurations: a) three 1x3; b) one 1x3 + one 1x7; c) 1x11.
Four-way Electronic Switch;
Two-Channel Phase Shifter;
Two-channel Audio Delay.





System 700 (fig. GS-02) - “Night” view

An attempt at creating a bit of “Gear Porn.” The 700’s LEDs are small and recessed into the modules’ front panel surface, making them not
nearly as bright as those found on a Moog, for example. They are perfectly visible and functional to the naked eye — just not as easily
captured with a camera. Here, their presence has been “enhanced.”