Roland Introduces the Zenology Software Synthesizer

Zenology is an expandable plug-in version of Roland’s Zen-Core Synthesis System.

Built on nearly five decades of creating legendary synthesizers, Zen-Core is the most advanced sound engine that Roland has ever designed and built. It will allow musicians and producers to explore, create, and share tones with other users and across compatible Roland hardware.

Zenology for Windows and the macOS takes things one step further, allowing music makers to create with Zen-Core directly in their DAWs. It also introduces seamless sound compatibility between software and a range of hardware that has not been possible until now. 

With thousands of sounds available, Zenology’s friendly and informative browser is easy to navigate. It allows users to filter and organize their sounds, rate favorites, create custom banks, share with friends and collaborators, and use sounds from artists and professional sound designers right from their computer.

Zenology can import and export the Zen-Core single tone with compatible Roland hardware like the Fantom, Jupiter-X, RD-88, and more. As a result, owners can import, edit sounds, create, and organize patch banks ready for transfer to their hardware instruments.

Here’s what both professionals and consumers can expect with Zenology:

• 3,597 sounds, tones (classic analog, vintage digital, and modern hybrid) and engine-expansions focused on specific genres and instrument type, with contributions by leading-artists and sound-designers
• Roland’s acclaimed Zen-Core sound engine available in your DAW
• Access to the virtual version of the Roland Zen-Core Synthesis System from instruments including the Fantom, Jumpier, RD-88, and Grooveboxes
• 100 Sound Packs coming in 2020 
• An advanced tone browser to explore sounds, find favorites, and create custom banks 

Zeniology will be available exclusively to Roland Cloud members. If you sign up for a free Roland Account, however, you can access the new Zenology Lite for free. You can gain access through the newly updated Roland Cloud Manager app, one of many new Roland Cloud membership enhancements.

The Evolution of Zen

In the coming months, Zenology will evolve into a sound designer’s dream, with deep editing capabilities and new synth engine expansions. Zenology will soon support Model Expansions for perfect recreations of classic Roland synthesizers like the Jupiter-8, Juno-106, SH-101, and JX-8P. Model Expansions use Analog Behavior Modeling to capture the essence of these legendary instruments. They’re optimized for high polyphony with an interface inspired by the original—but re-imagined for use in modern DAWs.

For creators looking for the deepest editing of Zen-Core’s synthesis capabilities, the soon-to-be-released Zenology Pro will prove to be a game-changer. Sound design will be quick and easy with an optimized interface and logical layout. Plus, multiple synthesis types, a deep modulation matrix, and eight tempo-syncing step-LFOs will be able to handle everything from classic tones to animated textures and beyond.