The lineup is a series of General MIDI (GM) based pulse-code modulation (PCM) sound modules and sound cards, primarily intended for computer music usage, created by Japanese manufacturer Roland Corporation. Some models include a serial or USB connection to a personal computer.
Products Sound Canvas The first Sound Canvas units (SC-55 and SB-55) were pre-sold in December 1990 with the SC-55 only, and were finally sold in March 1991 with the SC-55 and later in the winter of 1991 with the SB-55. In some cases, the Sound Canvas series models are also sold as "Edirol" rather than "Roland" as the brand name (e.g. mainly with the SC-88VL). Roland sold GM/GS technology and samples under entertainment products like the MT-90s (Japan only licensed version: Suzuki SMT-1) and boombox MT-80s.
Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Output resolution Notes ReferencesRoland SC-551990GM GS16 24317916-bit @ 32 kHzHalf Rack unit, first product of the line, units without GM logo and with firmware <v1.20 technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset, capital tone arrangement not fully consistent with GM spec, Patch #122 is "Fl. Key Click" instead of "Breath Noise").Roland SB-55 (Sound Brush)1991Half Rack unit. Floppy disk-based MIDI file player that was bundled with a remote control (Also works on the SC-55, 155, and 55mkII). Supports SMF types 0 & 1. A blank disk can be inserted for recording purposes, but only records in type 0 (A whole performance merged into one track). Playback starts automatically when a disk is inserted.Roland SC-71992GM1628128616-bit @ 32 kHzNo display, introduced serial port for PC/Mac connectivity.Roland SC-331992GM GS16282268 16-bit @ 32 kHzTable top version of SC-50, rebranded as BOSS Dr. Synth DS-330 (fewer tones). Discontinued in 1996.Roland SC-1551992GM GS1624317916-bit @ 32 kHzTable top version of SC-55.Sound on Sound - The History of Roland Part 4Roland SC-55mkII1993GM GS16 28354918-bit @ 32 kHz Half Rack unit. A minor upgrade to the original SC-55. ALL of them uses the very same DAC from NEC model μPD63200GS, the ONLY change is the BIT parameter, it can be 16-bit or 18-bit, selected by pin 3 on NEC. Configuration as follow: LOW/OPEN for 16-bit, or HIGH (+5V) for 18-bit.Roland SC-55ST1993GM GS16 28354916-bit @ 32 kHzHalf Rack unit. Lower cost version of SC-55mkII. No display and only one MIDI input. 16 bit DAC (UPD6379)Roland SC-55K1993GM GS1628354916-bit @ 32 kHzHalf Rack unit. Japan-exclusive karaoke model based on the SC-55ST. No display or front panel operation but features dual mic inputs and built-in echo effects, all of which can be individually adjusted by the knobs at the front of the unit. Retains rear I/O from the SC-55mkII.Roland P-551993328 320 Piano module, with a limited set of instruments. Can be used in tandem with other GS/GM compatible synthesizers via their MIDI THRU ports to override certain instruments.Roland SC-501993GM GS1628 226918-bit @ 32 kHzSC-55mkII without the Roland MT-32 patches, only one MIDI input.Sound on Sound - Review of SC-50Roland SD-351993GM GS1628223816-bit @ 32 kHzSC-50 with integrated MIDI sequencer.Roland SC-881994GM GS32 646542218-bit @ 32 kHzHalf Rack unit, additional height for more controls, introduced multiple triggering and EQ, SC-55 map support (with differences). Sound on Sound - Review of SC-88Roland M-GS641995GM GS32 646542218-bit @ 32 kHzA 1U rackmount version of the SC-88.Roland SC-88VL1996GM GS3264 654 2218-bit @ 32 kHzSmaller sized version of SC-88, with a same size and panel layout as the SC-55. Some units are marketed as an "Edirol" product and have a distinct beige finish.Roland SC-88ST1996GM GS3264 6542218-bit @ 32 kHzHalf-rack unit with LEDs for MIDI activity. 2 MIDI ins, 1 out. There is one single button on the front panel for switching between SC-55 and SC-88 modes.Roland SC-88 Pro1996GM GS32 64 111742 18-bit @ 32 kHzSC-55 and SC-88 map support, introduced Insertion EFX and unofficial XG compatibility.Sound on Sound - Review of SC-88 Pro Roland SC-88ST Pro1997GM GS3264 1117 4218-bit @ 32 kHzHalf-rack unit with LEDs for MIDI activity. 2 MIDI ins, 1 out. There is one single button on the front panel for SC-55/SC-88/SC-88 Pro modes.Roland SC-8801998GM GS326411174218-bit @ 32 kHzA 1U rackmount unit similar to the SC-88 Pro, but with an enhanced "patch mode" and a newer DAC.Sound on Sound - Review of SC-880Roland ED SC-88501999GM GS GM26412816406320-bit @ 32 kHzDesktop module that can connect via USB. Contains a new native map as well as SC-55, SC-88, and SC-88 Pro maps for backwards compatibility. However, compatibility with these units is flawed due to modifications made to the synthesis engine as well as improper mapping of older instruments.Sound on Sound - Review of SC-8850Roland ED SC-88201999GM GS GM2326416086320-bit @ 32 kHzMobile MIDI device with no LCD, successor of the SC-88ST Pro. USB-powered, but does not act as a full USB audio device. A software editor such as GS Advanced Editor is required to edit sounds. Despite similarities, patches and effects occasionally play differently from the 8850 - some samples on the 8850 are stereo while the 8820 versions are mono and vice versa.Roland ED SC-D702001GM GS GM2326416086320-bit @ 32 kHz for INST, 24-bit @ 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz for WAVEDigital audio-oriented desktop module version of the SC-8820. Contains A/D inputs as well as USB audio functionality when connected to a host system. This is also the only Sound Canvas module to have digital audio ports built in. The output can be selected either 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.
Sound Canvas Personal Computer Products
Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Output resolution Notes ReferencesRoland SCC-11992GM GS16 24 317 / 354916-bit @ 32 kHzPC based ISA card (8-bit). The SCC-1A and SCC-1B (different software packed with card) revision upgraded the board to 354 tones. First model technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset).Roland RAP-101993GM16 26 128 6 16-bit @ 32 kHz PC based ISA high-end Soundcard. Includes two-channel 16-bit digital audio support.Roland GPPC-N1993GM GS1628 354916-bit @ 32 kHz NEC PC-9801 card to insert in computerRoland SCB-71995GM16 28 128 6 16-bit @ 32 kHz Daughter board to attach to a Soundcard Waveblaster port. Also sold as SCD-10 and SCM-10 in bundle with MPU-401/AT.Roland SCB-551995GM GS1628 354918-bit @ 32 kHz Daughter board to attach to a Soundcard Waveblaster port. Also sold as SCD-15 and SCM-15 in bundle with MPU-401/AT. Internally 18-bit resolution, will be limited to 16-bit because of daughterboard connector, unless a hardware modification is performed (L/R external connectors or as an external unit). The SCD-15 was installed in Charlie Lab Megabeat One MIDI devices as well. Charlie Lab was very popular in southern Europe back in the 1990s/2000s.Roland SCP-551995GM GS1628 354918-bit @ 32 kHz PCMCIA card to insert in notebook/laptop computer
Computer Music Products
Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Output resolution NotesRoland CM-3001991GM GS16 24317916-bit @ 32 kHz"Computer music" version of the SC-55, no screen. A beige box with a volume knob and two LEDs on the front, technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset).Roland CM-5001991GM GS MT-3216 24317916-bit @ 32 kHzA beige box with a volume knob and two LEDs on the front, technically not GM compatible (GM reset interpreted as GS reset), combines the CM-300 with a CM-64.
Sound Canvas and Keyboard The following combine a sound canvas module with a built in MIDI keyboard
Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Output resolution Notes ReferencesRoland SK-501994GM GS1628226816-bit @ 32 kHzSC-50 with 61 key MIDI keyboard. Only SK unit with integrated speakers.Roland SK-50 IV1997GM GS1628226816-bit @ 32 kHzSimilar to above, but in a beige finish.Roland SK-88 Pro1999GM GS326411174218-bit @ 32 kHzSC-88 Pro with 37 key MIDI keyboardSound on Sound - Review of SK-88 ProRoland SK-5002000GM GS GM2326416086324-bit @ 32 kHzSC-8820 with 49 Key MIDI keyboard
Studio Canvas
Studio Canvas was a series of PCM sound modules with built in audio interfaces (some models only) sold under both Edirol and Roland branding. The samples contained in the ROMs of these units do not in all cases mirror the original SC-7 / SC-55 GM/GS samples. GM2 is downward compatible with GM. Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Output resolution Notes ReferencesEdirol SD-202002GM2 GS XGlite326466023 24-bit @ 44.1 kHzA MIDI device with no LCD designed for laptops and computers, and has a very similar design to the SC-8820. USB-powered, but does not come with its own built-in audio interface. Has 3 analog output (2 RCA L/R) (1 3.5mm phones front pannel), one digital output (TOSLINK), and one input (1 3.5mm LINE IN) Has different presets than SD-80/90/50Edirol Studio Canvas SD-20 Owner's Manual roland.comEdirol SD-802002GM2 GS XGlite3212810503024-bit @ 44.1 kHzA 1U half-rack version of the Edirol SD-90 with 144 user patch slots (128Inst/16Rhythm) and without a built-in audio interface. Has five analog outputs (4 ¼"TS) (1 ¼"phones front pannel) and two digital outputs (1 S/PDIF) (1 TOSLINK). Digital outs locked at 44.1KHz sample rate.Edirol Studio Canvas SD-80 Owner's Manual roland.comEdirol SD-902001GM2 GS XGlite3212810503024-bit @ 44.1 or 48 kHzHas a built in WDM/ASIO 2.0 compatible audio interface with inbuilt effects. Does not support saving of user patches. Has five analog outputs (4 RCA L/R) (1 3.5mm stereo front pannel), three analog inputs (2 RCA L/R) (¼"TRS front pannel), three digital outputs (1 S/PDIF) (1 TOSLINK) (1 USB), and three digital inputs (1 S/PDIF) (1 TOSLINK) (1 USB)Edirol Studio Canvas SD-90 Owner's Manual roland.comRoland SD-502009GM2 GS1612811253216 or 24-bit @ 44.1 kHzMobile Studio Canvas. Has a built in WDM/ASIO compatible audio interface. Has three analog outputs (2 RCA L/R)(1 3.5mm Stereo), one digital (USB), three analog inputs (1 stereo 3.5mm LINE IN) (1 XLR 48V available) (1 ¼"TRS Hi-Z available), one digital (USB). Has different presets than SD-20/80/90. Does not support XGlite.Roland Mobile Studio Canvas SD-50 Owner's Manual roland.com
Virtual Sound Canvas
There is also the VSC, Virtual Sound Canvas, range of PC software which provide GM and GS synthesis on Windows PCs. Many versions of Cakewalk's Sonar software came bundled with a copy of VSC, though from Sonar 4 onwards they ship with the improved TTS-1 softsynth, which Roland has sold previously through its Edirol subsidiary as the HyperCanvas.
Model Year Standards Parts Voices Tones Drumsets Notes ReferencesVSC-551996GM GS161282269VSC-88H32000GM GS GM21612890226With SC-55, SC-88 and SC-88 Pro compatible instrument mappings. Most of the instrument samples are from the SC-55.Roland - VSC-88H3 detailsVSC-MP12001GM GS GM21612890226With SC-55, SC-88 and SC-88 Pro compatible instrument mappings. Most of the instrument samples are from the SC-55. A multipack containing the standalone MIDI synthesizer, a DXi plugin and a VSTi plugin. This is the only Windows NT OS family compatible version (Windows 2000/XP).Roland - VSC-MP1 detailsSOUND Canvas for iOS2015GM GS GM216160063iOS MIDI player app without patch editing.Sound canvas for IOS iTunes Sound Canvas VA2015GM GS GM21664160063VSTi/AU plugin based on the SC-8820. Discontinued on September 1, 2024.
Discontinuation of Sound Canvas VA In July 2024 Roland announced that it would not longer be supporting the Sound Canvas VA software from the Roland Cloud service. The Software would no longer be freely available starting September 1, of 2024.
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