PROMARS

Software Synthesizer

PROMARS
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Supersonic Compuphonic

A sibling of the legendary JUPITER-4, this rare and wonderful synthesizer from 1979 features an evocative voice with a thick, rich sound, and is increasingly sought after on the used market. Sonically accurate down to the circuit level, the versatile PROMARS plug-in cranks out big bass and lead tones with the unmistakable character of Roland synths from the era.

Big Little Brother

Initially designed as a "kid brother" to the JUPITER-4, the deceptively small PROMARS married the stability and flexibility of microprocessor control with the rich sound of analog, and was one of the first synths with onboard memory. This powerful monophonic instrument boasted fat buzzy leads and a powerful low end, proving big things often come in little packages.

Otherworldly Tones

While the JUPITER-4 featured one VCO and one sub-oscillator per voice, PROMARS had two of each. Users could detune them to produce a distinctive unison chorus effect, producing sounds like a four-VCO synthesizer. It sounded positively huge, making it a go-to synth for fat, growling basses and searing lead tones.

Plug In Your Own PROMARS

Our software version of PROMARS perfectly recreates the sound of this rare, vintage instrument using original design specs and a detailed, part-by-part analysis of each analog circuit. But it also features some new capabilities only found in the plug-in:

  • Each oscillator has extended range for more flexibility
  • The LFO includes a new Random waveform setting
  • Full user control of noise and pulse width
  • Advanced arpeggiator with tempo sync
  • Modern effects: reverb, bit-crusher, and tempo-syncing delay
PROMARS Sound Examples

Hardware Integration

PROMARS is also a PLUG-OUT synthesizer that can be hosted in Roland’s SYSTEM-8, SYSTEM-1, and SYSTEM-1m hardware synthesizers. This means you can work in your computer-based DAW or perform live without a computer using the exact same sounds. You can even send sounds back and forth between the hardware and software, and use the hardware as a hands-on controller.

An authentic ‘70s synth for contemporary studio and live settings. Experience PROMARS for yourself as part of your Roland Cloud membership—join today.

Specifications
Maximum Polyphony
1 voice
LFO DELAY/BEND
LFO Delay Time
LFO Bend
LFO
Waveform (SIN, SAW(Invert), SAW, SQR, RANDOM(S/H))
LFO Rate
LFO Key Trigger switch
VCO
Range (64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2)
Modulation Depth
PWM Mode switch (MANUAL, LFO, VCF ENV, VCA ENV)
Pulse Width
Waveform (SAW, SQR, SAW+SUB, SQR+SUB, SUB)
VCO-2
VCO-2 A-TUNE
VCO-2 B-TUNE
VCO-2 Select SWITCH (A-TUNE, OFF, B-TUNE)
MIXER
VCO-1
VCO-2
NOISE
VCF
High pass filter Cutoff Frequency
Low pass filter Cutoff Frequency
Low pass filter Resonance
Low pass filter Keyboard Follow
Low pass filter LFO Modulation Depth
Envelope Modulation Depth
Envelope Attack Time
Envelope Decay Time
Envelope Sustain Level
Envelope Release Time
VCA
Envelope Attack Time
Envelope Decay Time
Envelope Sustain Level
Envelope Release Time
Tone
Crusher Depth
Effect
Reverb Level
Delay Level
Delay Time
Controller
Volume
Bend Sensitivity
Portamento
Legato switch
Key Assign Mode
Tempo Sync switch
Arpeggio
Arpeggio Switch
Arpeggio Type (1 Oct Up, 1 Oct U+D, 1 Oct Down, 2 Oct Up, 2 Oct U+D, 2 Oct Down)
Arpeggio Step (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/4T, 1/8T, 1/16T)
Tune
430–450 Hz
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Patches per bank
64 patches
*User can make new user banks.
Plug-In Formats
VSTi 2.4 (64 bit) * Windows only
VSTi 3.6 (64 bit)
AU
AAX
Plug-Out Hardware
SYSTEM-1
SYSTEM-1m
SYSTEM-8
System Requirements (macOS™)
Minimum Operating System
macOS 10.14
Host Application
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: Audio Units V2 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5 or better
Apple M1 chip
RAM
4 GB or more
Hard Disk
100 MB or more
Display resolution and Colors
1280 x 800 dots or higher, 16.7 million colors or more
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
To use PLUG-OUT function, SYSTEM-1, SYSTEM-1m, or SYSTEM-8 driver installation is needed.
System Requirements (Windows®)
Minimum Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)

*This does not work with the Windows® RT.
*This does not work with the Windows® Phone.
*This does not work on the virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC, or Boot Camp.
Host Application
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 2.4/3.6 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5 or better
RAM
2 GB or more
Hard Disk
100 MB or more
Display resolution and Colors
1280 x 800 dots or higher, 24 bits Full Color or more
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
To use PLUG-OUT function, SYSTEM-1, SYSTEM-1m, or SYSTEM-8 driver installation is needed.
*Although Roland has tested numerous configurations and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the PLUG-OUT SOFTWARE SYNTHESIZER, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the PLUG-OUT SOFTWARE SYNTHESIZER based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements. This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved.
Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

Downloads

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals