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Corrected synthesis information: SC-55 uses only PCM, not LA synthesis, based on the service manual.
Added sources for SC-55 specifications and MT-32 compatibility.
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{{Redirect|Sc-55|the isotope of scandium (Sc-55 or <sup>55</sup>Sc)|Scandium-55}}
{{Redirect|Sc-55|the isotope of scandium (Sc-55 or <sup>55</sup>Sc)|Scandium-55}}
{{Infobox information appliance
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Roland SC-55
| name = Roland SC-55
| title = Roland SC-55 Sound Canvas
| title = Roland SC-55 Sound Canvas
| aka =
| aka =
| logo =
| logo =
| image =
| image =
| caption =
⚫
| developer = [[Roland Corporation]]
| caption =
⚫
| developer = [[Roland Corporation]]
| manufacturer =
| manufacturer =
| family =
| family =
| type = [[General MIDI]]
| type = [[General MIDI]], [[Roland GS|GS]]
| generation =
| generation =
| releasedate = {{Start date|1991}}
| releasedate = {{Start date|1991}}
| lifespan =
| lifespan =
| price =
| price =
| discontinued =
| discontinued =
| unitssold =
| unitssold =
| unitsshipped =
| unitsshipped =
| media =
| media =
| os =
| os =
| power =
| power =
| soc =
| soc =
| cpu =
| cpu =
| memory =
| memory =
| storage =
| storage =
| memory card =
| memory card =
| display =
| display =
| graphics =
| graphics =
| sound =
| sound =
| input =
| input =
| controllers =
| controllers =
| camera =
| camera =
| touchpad =
| touchpad =
| connectivity =
| connectivity =
| platform = IBM PC, PC-88, PC-98, Sharp X68000
| platform = IBM PC, PC-88, PC-98, Sharp X68000
| service =
| service =
| dimensions =
| dimensions =
| weight =
| weight =
| topgame =
| topgame =
| compatibility=
| compatibility =
| predecessor = [[Roland MT-32]]
| predecessor = [[Roland MT-32]]
| successor = [[Roland SC-88]]
| successor = [[Roland SC-88]]
| related = [[Roland SC-8850]]
| related = [[Roland SC-8850]]
| website =
| website =
}}
}}
The '''Roland SC-55''' ([[Roland Sound Canvas|Sound Canvas]]) is a [[Roland GS|GS]] [[MIDI]] [[sound module]] released in 1991 by [[Roland Corporation|Roland]]. The SC-55 was the first sound module to incorporate the new [[General MIDI]] standard. It was the first in the [[Roland Sound Canvas]] series.
The '''Roland SC-55''' ([[Roland Sound Canvas|Sound Canvas]]) is a [[Roland GS|GS]] [[MIDI]] [[sound module]] released in 1991 by [[Roland Corporation|Roland]]. The SC-55 was the first sound module to incorporate the new [[General MIDI]] standard. It was the first in the [[Roland Sound Canvas]] series.


Unlike its predecessor, the SC-55 used solely PCM synthesis, supporting up to 24-voice polyphony with 16-part multitimbrality. It came preloaded with patches imitating the [[Roland MT-32]]'s variation bank, but lacked the MT-32's re-programmability. Aimed at PC music enthusiasts, the SC-55 featured 317 instrument patches, including the GS drum kits and additional controllers. The selection of effects includes [[Reverberation|reverb]] and [[Chorus effect|chorus]].
Unlike its predecessor, the SC-55 only uses PCM synthesis, supporting up to 24-voice polyphony with 16-part multitimbrality.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Sound Canvas SC-55 Owner's Manual |url=https://cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/SC-55_OM.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102003915/http://cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/SC-55_OM.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2018 |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> It came preloaded with patches imitating the [[Roland MT-32]]'s variation bank, but lacked the MT-32's re-programmability. Aimed at PC music enthusiasts, the SC-55 featured 317 instrument patches, including the GS drum kits and additional controllers. The selection of effects includes [[Reverberation|reverb]] and [[Chorus effect|chorus]].


Alongside the SC-55, Roland released the [[Roland SB-55|SB-55]] (Sound Brush), an inexpensive MIDI [[music sequencer|sequencer]] module the same size as the Sound Canvas. Both the Sound Canvas and Sound Brush could be rackmounted alongside each other.
Alongside the SC-55, Roland released the [[Roland SB-55|SB-55]] (Sound Brush), an inexpensive MIDI [[music sequencer|sequencer]] module the same size as the Sound Canvas. Both the Sound Canvas and Sound Brush could be rackmounted alongside each other.


Other models with comparable tone generators include Roland CM-300, Roland CM-500 and Roland SC-155 sound modules. CM-300 and CM-500 models lack the LCD screen and extended controls of SC-55. Both models have external appearance nearly identical to Roland's earlier CM-32/64-series modules. SC-155 adds additional slider controls for master and channel level and panning. Additionally, CM-500 includes fully SysEx compatible LA tone generator similar to CM-32Ls.
Other models with comparable tone generators include Roland CM-300, Roland CM-500 and Roland SC-155 sound modules. CM-300 and CM-500 models lack the LCD screen and extended controls of SC-55. Both models have external appearance nearly identical to Roland's earlier CM-32/64-series modules. SC-155 adds additional slider controls for master and channel level and panning. Additionally, CM-500 includes fully SysEx compatible LA tone generator similar to CM-32Ls.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CM-500 Owner's Manual |url=http://www.midimanuals.com/manuals/roland/cm-500/owners_manual/cm-500_om.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715051843/http://www.midimanuals.com/manuals/roland/cm-500/owners_manual/cm-500_om.pdf |archive-date=15 July 2024 |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref>


==The SC-55mkII==
==The SC-55mkII==
A minor upgrade to the original SC-55, the Roland SC-55mkII has increased polyphony (28 voices), more patches, raising the total number to 354 instruments and extended, and improved audio-circuitry in the form of 18-bit audio (versus 16-bit in the original SC 55.)
A minor upgrade to the original SC-55, the Roland SC-55mkII has increased polyphony (28 voices), more patches, raising the total number to 354 instruments and extended, and improved audio-circuitry in the form of 18-bit audio<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roland SC-55 Mk II |url=https://soundprogramming.net/synthesizers/roland/roland-sc-55-mk-ii/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625025148/https://soundprogramming.net/synthesizers/roland/roland-sc-55-mk-ii/ |archive-date=25 June 2016 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=}}</ref> (versus 16-bit in the original SC 55.)


The SC-55mkII added a serial port as an alternative interface to the MPU-401.
The SC-55mkII added a serial port as an alternative interface to the MPU-401.
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== CM-32P and MT-32 Emulation ==
== CM-32P and MT-32 Emulation ==
Since the SC-55 has no programmable memory, CM-32P and MT-32 emulation is done by providing the same sound arrangement as the preset sounds of actual devices. These variation banks are enabled by playing back special [[SysEx]] containing MIDI files, for example GS32.MID (included in the SCC-1 Utility Software), prior to loading a software title. These specially arranged tone tables contain the relevant GS sound mapped at either CM-32P or MT-32 program number. Pitch bend range is changed to 12 [[semitone]] from GS default 2 semitones. Master tuning and modulation depth are not altered by the emulation. Pan directions are reversed from actual CM-32P or MT-32 devices. CM-32P or MT-32 specific [[MIDI]] [[SysEx]] messages are also ignored by the SC-55.
Since the SC-55 has no programmable memory, CM-32P and MT-32 emulation is done by providing the same sound arrangement as the preset sounds of actual devices. These variation banks are enabled by playing back special [[SysEx]] containing MIDI files, for example GS32.MID (included in the SCC-1 Utility Software), prior to loading a software title. These specially arranged tone tables contain the relevant GS sound mapped at either CM-32P or MT-32 program number.<ref name=":0" /> Pitch bend range is changed to 12 [[semitone]] from GS default 2 semitones. Master tuning and modulation depth are not altered by the emulation. Pan directions are reversed from actual CM-32P or MT-32 devices.<ref name=":0" /> CM-32P or MT-32 specific [[MIDI]] [[SysEx]] messages are also ignored by the SC-55.


=== MT-32 Emulation Samples===
=== MT-32 Emulation Samples===
The Roland SC-55's CM-32P and MT-32 emulation is based on using preset sounds of the actual devices without utilizing programmable memory or actual device synthesis techniques. This results in poor emulation for software titles relying on custom programmable MT-32 sounds as demonstrated by the introduction of the [[Sierra On-Line]] game [[Space Quest III|Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon]].
The Roland SC-55's CM-32P and MT-32 emulation is based on using preset sounds of the actual devices without utilizing programmable memory or actual device synthesis techniques.<ref name=":0" /> This results in poor emulation for software titles relying on custom programmable MT-32 sounds as demonstrated by the introduction of the [[Sierra On-Line]] game [[Space Quest III|Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon]].


Software titles supporting the Roland MT-32 but not utilizing its memory are emulated with better results as demonstrated by the introduction song from [[Origin Systems]]' [[Ultima VI: The False Prophet]].
Software titles supporting the Roland MT-32 but not utilizing its memory are emulated with better results as demonstrated by the introduction song from [[Origin Systems]]' [[Ultima VI: The False Prophet]].

Revision as of 05:35, 15 July 2024

"Sc-55" redirects here. For the isotope of scandium (Sc-55 or 55Sc), see Scandium-55.
Roland SC-55
DeveloperRoland Corporation
TypeGeneral MIDI, GS
Release date1991 (1991)
PlatformIBM PC, PC-88, PC-98, Sharp X68000
PredecessorRoland MT-32
SuccessorRoland SC-88
RelatedRoland SC-8850

The Roland SC-55 (Sound Canvas) is a GS MIDI sound module released in 1991 by Roland. The SC-55 was the first sound module to incorporate the new General MIDI standard. It was the first in the Roland Sound Canvas series.

Unlike its predecessor, the SC-55 only uses PCM synthesis, supporting up to 24-voice polyphony with 16-part multitimbrality.[1] It came preloaded with patches imitating the Roland MT-32's variation bank, but lacked the MT-32's re-programmability. Aimed at PC music enthusiasts, the SC-55 featured 317 instrument patches, including the GS drum kits and additional controllers. The selection of effects includes reverb and chorus.

Alongside the SC-55, Roland released the SB-55 (Sound Brush), an inexpensive MIDI sequencer module the same size as the Sound Canvas. Both the Sound Canvas and Sound Brush could be rackmounted alongside each other.

Other models with comparable tone generators include Roland CM-300, Roland CM-500 and Roland SC-155 sound modules. CM-300 and CM-500 models lack the LCD screen and extended controls of SC-55. Both models have external appearance nearly identical to Roland's earlier CM-32/64-series modules. SC-155 adds additional slider controls for master and channel level and panning. Additionally, CM-500 includes fully SysEx compatible LA tone generator similar to CM-32Ls.[2]

The SC-55mkII

A minor upgrade to the original SC-55, the Roland SC-55mkII has increased polyphony (28 voices), more patches, raising the total number to 354 instruments and extended, and improved audio-circuitry in the form of 18-bit audio[3] (versus 16-bit in the original SC 55.)

The SC-55mkII added a serial port as an alternative interface to the MPU-401.

Roland SCC-1

Roland SCC-1

Roland also released the Roland SCC-1, an 8-bit ISA half-size card incarnation of the CM-300 sound module. The sound source is controlled by an on-board MIDI Processing Unit, a variant of the MPU-401 unit. An updated version featuring the SC-55mkII sound set was also released, known as SCC-1A. When bundled with the Band-in-a-Box and BalladeGS software, it's called SCC-1B.

Roland later replaced the SCC-1 with a combination of their MPU-401AT MIDI interface card and SCB-55 Wave Blaster-compatible daughterboard. Roland referred to this combination as the SCM-15AT. The SCC-1 was also sold as the GPPC-N for the NEC PC-98.

CM-32P and MT-32 Emulation

Since the SC-55 has no programmable memory, CM-32P and MT-32 emulation is done by providing the same sound arrangement as the preset sounds of actual devices. These variation banks are enabled by playing back special SysEx containing MIDI files, for example GS32.MID (included in the SCC-1 Utility Software), prior to loading a software title. These specially arranged tone tables contain the relevant GS sound mapped at either CM-32P or MT-32 program number.[1] Pitch bend range is changed to 12 semitone from GS default 2 semitones. Master tuning and modulation depth are not altered by the emulation. Pan directions are reversed from actual CM-32P or MT-32 devices.[1] CM-32P or MT-32 specific MIDI SysEx messages are also ignored by the SC-55.

MT-32 Emulation Samples

The Roland SC-55's CM-32P and MT-32 emulation is based on using preset sounds of the actual devices without utilizing programmable memory or actual device synthesis techniques.[1] This results in poor emulation for software titles relying on custom programmable MT-32 sounds as demonstrated by the introduction of the Sierra On-Line game Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon.

Software titles supporting the Roland MT-32 but not utilizing its memory are emulated with better results as demonstrated by the introduction song from Origin Systems' Ultima VI: The False Prophet.

Use in media

The sounds of the SC-55 (or any other similar Roland products) can be recognized in various television jingles and production music during the 1990s. It is also notable for its use in various episodes of British television series Mr. Bean.[citation needed]

Notable Users

See also

Further reading

  • "Roland Sound Canvas SC-55 MK2". The Amiga Buyer's Guide '94. No. 1. Winter 1994. p. 172.
  1. ^ a b c d "Sound Canvas SC-55 Owner's Manual" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  2. ^ "CM-500 Owner's Manual" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Roland SC-55 Mk II". Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
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