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System-1 distorted clipped audio output?

Posted: 04:36, 27 September 2016
by SynthGraphics
Recently my System-1 is having audio distortion if I turn the volume knob above 25-40% percent (varies with patch). I fully understand the Sys-1 can overdrive the OSC in the mixer section and has bit crusher, but this not the case - example patches that used to sound crystal clear at 100% volume is now distorted audio clipping. I've checked with several mixers and headphones with the same results. The SH-2 plug-out is doing the same thing.

Seems to getting worse and worse, I first noticed it when the reverb and delay had this strange distortion about them, now it's just pure audio clipping even with the effects off. Volume has turned into a the distortion knob, lol.

Anyone else ran into this? Figured I would ask.

Re: System-1 distorted clipped audio output?

Posted: 11:15, 27 June 2017
by Manic
I think I'm experiencing the same thing with my S-1m, but I'm not sure whether this is intended or not. I had an oscilloscope running and I saw the waveform being molded the same way, whether I cranced up the osc volume in the mixer section or the amp/master volume (I think it actually is an amp volume that goes before the FX).

Just be sure to not crank up the volume too much if you don't want this. Kind of sucks though, because you have to lower it A LOT to avoid any distortion. It can sound very nice too though, especially for gritty basslines or leads.

But what I think is really weird; the VST version does NOT clip internally... If you make patches with high volume and then send/get it to/from your hardware, it can sound REALLY different.
So it seems that this wasn't intended.. But in a Youtube video of sonicstate, they say it was.. Don't know what to think anymore.

Re: System-1 distorted clipped audio output?

Posted: 10:12, 11 July 2017
by plutonia7
yep.mine too. this is a hardware issue and beats me how it got past r and d stage without being fixed. once you realise what's happening having to keep master vol at 50% shouldn't be the solution.

Re: System-1 distorted clipped audio output?

Posted: 20:37, 1 August 2017
by Wimek
I encountered this problem last year and remember that somebody told me it is "by design": The maximum setting of the volumes of the oscillator in the mixer is at 12 o'clock beyond that distortion kicks in. However, I think that distortion sounds horrific...

Re: System-1 distorted clipped audio output?

Posted: 17:59, 21 September 2017
by plutonia7
Yep, it's a bit of a shock cos Roland/boss have always produced such high quality equipment. The system 8 does it too; you can hear it on many of the demo's on YouTube. Can forgive it cos they are capable of such great sounds, but it's odd they didn't make sure that if it overdrives internally, that it at least distorts musically. Point being, that the designers/testers must have noticed it.

Good point raised above re vst versions; They don't do it, so it's a hardware issue.

Re: System-1 distorted clipped audio output?

Posted: 14:07, 12 December 2020
by HolgerS
Hi,
noticed this distorted clipping just now, after having the System-1 since 3-4 years, and this because I'Ve changed my previous analoge mixer to a digital one.
So before with the analog mixer I had the volume knob of the System 1 to full 100% and nothing.
Now with digital mixer only 50% volume and still sometimes in the bassy parts of the sound it clippes.
What a nightmare. Uncontroillable. I am fully dis appointed of this.
And also to see ,that the main clipping come from the Mono out where the second output seems to be lees clippy. Don't like it and it doe not make fun.

Not sure if this was introduced with system firmware 1.3 and did not happen before w 1.2 and lower.
Maybe someone knows.
I hope it could be controllable with a software setting or whatsoever to get rid of it.
Very annoying.

Thanks, best
Holger