The Roland S760 represented a significant advancement in Roland's 16-bit sampler lineup, offering professional-grade sampling capabilities in a compact 1U rack mount form factor. Released in 1993-1994, the S760 delivers the same exceptional sound quality and powerful filtering capabilities as its predecessors (the S770 and S750) but at a substantially lower price point. This competitive pricing positions it as the most affordable 16-bit stereo sampler on the market at the time of its release, even prompting Akai to reduce their S2800 to £1999 in response.

Sound Quality and Processing

The S760 maintains the outstanding audio fidelity that made the S770 series renowned, featuring what many consider to be the most faithful reproduction quality and sweetest sounding filters available in any sampler. The unit samples at industry standard rates of 44.1kHz and 48kHz (crucial for digital interfacing), with options for lower sampling rates to conserve memory when full bandwidth isn't required.

What truly sets the S760 apart is its extensive array of digital processing capabilities. Users can perform operations such as:

• Loop Smoothing (crossfade looping)
• Auto Truncate (removing silence before and after samples)
• Normalize (expanding sample data to use the full 16-bit dynamic range)
• Time Stretch (from 25% to 400% of original speed)
• Digital Filtering (Low Pass or High Pass)
• Compression/Expansion (with Threshold, Attack, and Release controls)
• Sample Rate Conversion (for retuning or preparing samples for digital transfer)
• Bit Conversion (down to anything from 15-bit to 1-bit for emulating vintage samplers)

Standard editing functions are also available, including various looping methods (forward, alternate, reverse, one-shot), manual truncate, cut and splice, insert, and zeroing. Advanced functions like sample mixing and combining round out the comprehensive editing toolkit.

Architecture and Programming

The S760 follows the hierarchical structure of its predecessors:

• Individual Samples form the foundation
• Four Samples can be combined into a Partial with filter/volume enveloping and LFO modulation
• Partials are mapped across the keyboard into Patches
• Patches are assigned MIDI channels, volume levels, and keyboard ranges to make up a Performance

A significant improvement in the S760 is the addition of "Q-Samp" (Quick Sampling) and "Q-Edit" functions, which streamline the previously tedious process of naming and configuring samples through the hierarchy. The Q-Samp function applies one name to Sample, Partial, Patch, and Performance levels simultaneously, while Q-Edit provides access to commonly used parameters without diving into the full parameter set.

For detailed programming, each mode (Sample, Partial, Patch, and Performance) offers extensive parameter control:

In Partial Mode, users can adjust:

• Sample level, panning, and output assignment
• Coarse and fine tuning
• Velocity sample mix
• Filter mode (Low, Band, or High Pass)
• Cutoff frequency and resonance (with modulation from key follow, velocity, and enveloping)
• Amplitude envelope
• LFO modulation (with eight waveforms available)
• Four velocity curves

Patch Mode provides control over:

• Level, panning, and output assignment for all partials
• Voice priority settings
• Octave shifting
• Coarse and fine tuning
• Offsets for filter cutoff, resonance, attack, release, and velocity sensitivity
• "Analog Feel" parameter that introduces subtle pitch modulations to emulate analog synthesizers

Performance Mode offers:

• MIDI channel assignments
• Level, pan position, and output routing
• Tuning controls
• Parameter offsets
• MIDI filtering and monitoring
• Polyphony monitoring
• Performance equalization

Hardware and Expandability

The S760 comes standard with 2MB of RAM but can be expanded internally to 32MB using industry-standard SIMM chips. Its 24-voice polyphony ensures adequate coverage for multi-timbral or layered patches. The unit features two stereo output pairs (configurable as four individual mono outputs) and standard line-level inputs.

While the front panel LCD display (160 x 64 pixels) is surprisingly informative for its size, capable of showing waveform data and keyboard maps, operation is significantly enhanced by the optional OP760-1 expansion board. This board adds:

• Multiple digital interfacing via SPDIF (one stereo input and two stereo outputs)
• RGB monitor output for enhanced visual programming
• Mouse control for precise editing

One notable drawback compared to Akai samplers is the lack of a ROM-resident operating system, requiring the system to be loaded from either floppy disk or hard drive on power-up.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The S760 includes a standard SCSI interface, allowing connection to external storage devices like hard drives, CD-ROM drives, Syquest cartridges, and optical drives. This enables access to Roland's comprehensive CD-ROM sound library, which was beginning to develop into one of the most extensive collections offered by any sampler manufacturer.

A particularly valuable feature is the S760's ability to read Akai S1000 format sounds via SCSI (though not from floppy disk), significantly expanding the available sound library. The Convert Load function handles this translation, generally with excellent results, though occasional issues may occur with samples containing large tuning offsets.

Value Proposition

At its price point, even with the optional expansion board, the S760 delivered in 1994 exceptional value. It offered sound quality, programmability, and professional features that match or exceed many more expensive competitors, in a most compact rackmount unit. The combination of affordable pricing, compact size, comprehensive processing capabilities, and broad sound library compatibility made the Roland S760 an outstanding package for both studio and live applications back in the day.

Limitations

• Reduced number of outputs (four) compared to its predecessors
• No ROM-resident operating system
• Unable to read Akai S1000 sounds from floppy disk
• Cannot read sounds from the newer Akai 3000 Series samplers

Roland S760 Technical Specifications

General

• Format: 1U rack mount 16-bit stereo sampler
• Release Date: 1994

Audio Specifications

• Bit Depth: 16-bit
• Sampling Rates: 48kHz, 44.1kHz (standard), plus lower rates (32 kHz, 24 kHz, 22.05 kHz, 16 kHz)
• Polyphony: 24 voices
• Sound Quality: Equal to S770/S750 with high-fidelity reproduction and advanced filtering

Memory

• Standard RAM: 2MB
• Maximum RAM: 32MB (via industry standard SIMM chips)

Inputs/Outputs

• Audio Inputs: Line level (no XLR/mic inputs)
• Audio Outputs: 4 outputs (configurable as two stereo L/R pairs or four separate mono outs)
• SCSI: Standard (for connection to external storage)
• Optional Digital I/O (with OP760-1): SPDIF format with one stereo input and two stereo outputs

Display & Control

• Display: Backlit 160 x 64 pixel LCD (capable of showing waveform data and keyboard maps)
• Front Panel Controls: Function buttons, value knob (pushable), S1/S2 switches
• Optional Control (with OP760-1): RGB monitor output and mouse

Architecture

• Hierarchical Structure: Samples → Partials → Patches → Performances
• Sample Capacity: Limited only by available RAM
• Multi-timbral Capability: Yes, via Performance mode

Programs/ Patches/ Performances

• Programs: Patches can be created by setting parameters for up to 88 partials assigned to keyboard keys.
• Patch Editing: Includes parameters like level, panning, output assign, priority, octave shift, coarse tune, fine tune, analog feel, cutoff offset, resonance offset, attack time offset, release time offset, velocity sense offset.
• Performance Mode: Allows playing and editing of multiple patches as a performance.

Digital Processing Functions/ Sample Editing

Sample editing includes operations like sampling, looping, smoothing, auto truncate/normalize, time stretch, digital filter, compress/expand, rate convert, bit convert, truncate, cut & splice, area erase, insert, mixing, combine, wave graph display.

• Loop Functions: Forward, forward and release, one-shot forward, alternate, reverse one-shot, plain reverse
• Loop Smoothing: Yes (crossfade looping)
• Truncate: Both automatic and manual options
• Normalize: Yes (expands sample data to use full 16-bit dynamic range)
• Time Stretch: 25% to 400% (1/4 to 4x playback speed)
• Digital Filtering: Low Pass and High Pass
• Compression/Expansion: Yes, with Threshold, Attack and Release controls
• Sample Rate Conversion: Yes (can be used for retuning and preparation for digital transfers)
• Bit Conversion: Yes (down to 15-bit through 1-bit for vintage emulation)
• Additional Editing: Cut & Splice, Insert, Zeroing, Sample Mixing, and Combining

Filters

• Filter Types: Low Pass Filter (LPF), Band Pass Filter (BPF), High Pass Filter (HPF), Off.
• Cutoff Frequency: Adjustable from 0 to 127.
• Resonance: Adjustable from 0 to 127.
• Cutoff Key Follow: Adjusts the cutoff frequency relative to the key played.
• Envelope Depth: Determines the depth of the envelope in changing the TVF cutoff frequency.
• Velocity Curve Sense: 4 types, determines the depth and polarity of the velocity curve affecting the cutoff frequency.

Envelopes

• TVF Envelope: Controls the cutoff frequency over time with parameters for Time 1 to Time 4 and corresponding levels.
• TVA Envelope: Controls the amplitude over time with parameters for Time 1 to Time 4 and corresponding levels.
• Velocity Sensitivity: Affects the envelope times based on playing velocity.
• Key Follow: Changes envelope times relative to the key played.

LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)

• Waveforms: 8 waveforms available - Sine, Triangle, Saw Up, Saw Down, Square, Random, Bend Up, Bend Down.
• Rate: Adjustable from 0 to 127.
• Rate Detune: Introduces subtle changes to the LFO rate each time a key is played.
• Delay: Sets the time from key press to LFO effect application.
• Delay Key Follow: Shortens the LFO delay time for higher keys.
• Key Sync: Starts the LFO phase from 0 at key on.

Compatibility

• Native Format: Roland S700 series
• Compatible Formats:
  • Roland S550/W30 via Convert Load
  • Akai S1000 format via SCSI (not floppy disk)
  • Cannot read Akai S3000 series or S1000 floppy disks

Storage

• Internal Memory: Allows storage of sound data, which is lost when power is turned off unless saved.
• Built-in Storage: 3.5" floppy disk drive
  Disk Operations: Disk Load, Disk Save, Disk Copy, Disk Delete, Disk Utility.
• External Storage: SCSI interface for hard drives, CD-ROM drives, Syquest cartridges, optical drives
• Boot Method: Requires operating system to be loaded from floppy or hard drive (no ROM-resident OS)

Optional Expansion

OP-760-1 Expansion Board:

• SPDIF digital interface (1 stereo input, 2 stereo outputs)
• RGB video output for external monitor
• Mouse interface with included mouse

Other Features

• Quick Sampling ("Q-Samp"): Single-name assignment across all hierarchical levels
• Quick Edit ("Q-Edit"): Streamlined access to common parameters
• Performance Monitoring: MIDI filtering and monitoring, polyphony monitoring
• EQ: Performance equalization functions