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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Sound Canvas VA, a powerhouse in the world of synth plugins. This digital reincarnation of Roland's legendary Sound Canvas series brings over 1,600 high-quality sounds and 63 drum kits straight to your DAW, all while maintaining compatibility with GS, GM2, and GM MIDI formats. Whether you're crafting intricate soundscapes or laying down the perfect groove, the Sound Canvas VA offers a rich spectrum of sonic possibilities.

Dive deeper into your compositions with its advanced tone editor, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision using filters, envelopes, and various GS sound parameters. The intuitive graphic interface makes tweaking and saving your custom tones a breeze. Plus, with 64 types of insert effects and global effects like reverb and EQ, your tracks will always sound polished and professional.

Designed for both Mac and Windows, the Sound Canvas VA supports VST2 and AU formats, ensuring seamless integration with your existing setup. The inclusion of legacy sound maps from the SC-8820, SC-88 Pro, SC-88, and SC-55 ensures that even your oldest MIDI files can be given a fresh, modern twist.

Key Features:

  • GS-compatible virtual instrument for Mac and PC
  • Over 1,600 preset instruments and 63 drum kits
  • Tone Editor and Effect Editor for detailed sound customization
  • Supports DAW automation for various parameters
  • 64 different insert effects plus global reverb, chorus, delay, and EQ
  • Includes sound maps for SC-8820, SC-88 Pro, SC-88, and SC-55
  • 64-note polyphony across 16 parts per plugin instance
  • Requires MacOS X 10.11+ or Windows 8.1/10 with Intel® Core i5™ or better

Product specs

VST instruments (VSTi) version VST 2.4 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version V2 Audio Units compatible

FAQs

What platforms is the Sound Canvas VA compatible with?

The Sound Canvas VA is compatible with VST 2.4 and Audio Units (AU) formats, making it suitable for both Windows and macOS users.

How many sounds and drum sets does the Sound Canvas VA offer?

The Sound Canvas VA provides 1,600 preset instrument tones and 63 drum sets, offering a wide range of sounds for music production.

Can I use Sound Canvas VA for General MIDI (GM) music playback?

Yes, the Sound Canvas VA conforms to GS, GM2, and GM MIDI formats, making it ideal for General MIDI music playback and production.

What are the sound map options available in Sound Canvas VA?

Sound Canvas VA includes four sound maps: SC-8820, SC-88Pro, SC-88, and SC-55, allowing users to select different sound character profiles.

Does the Sound Canvas VA support polyphony, and if so, how many voices?

The Sound Canvas VA supports a maximum polyphony of 64 voices, enabling complex and rich musical arrangements.

What types of effects are included in the Sound Canvas VA?

Sound Canvas VA includes various effects such as reverb (8 types), chorus (8 types), delay (10 types), a 2-band equalizer, and 64 types of insertion effects.

PhilsComputerLab

PhilsComputerLab

Roland Sound Canvas VA Software Synthesizer with DOSBox and ScummVM

Video thumbnail for Roland Sound Canvas VA Software Synthesizer with DOSBox and ScummVM by PhilsComputerLab

Roland Sound Canvas VA Software Synthesizer with DOSBox and ScummVM

PhilsComputerLab

PhilsComputerLab

Video thumbnail for Castlevania: Rondo of Blood Medley - Sound Canvas VA (SC-88 Pro Map) by Luna477

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood Medley - Sound Canvas VA (SC-88 Pro Map)

Luna477

Luna477

Video thumbnail for KORG TRITON  | ROLAND SOUND CANVAS VA  | COMPARISON by Echay Official

KORG TRITON | ROLAND SOUND CANVAS VA | COMPARISON

Echay Official

Echay Official

Video thumbnail for Roland SC-8850 vs Roland SC-8820 (SOUND Canvas VA) by Maven P. Kim

Roland SC-8850 vs Roland SC-8820 (SOUND Canvas VA)

Maven P. Kim

Maven P. Kim

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sound Canvas VA.

Features and functionality

  • Sound Canvas VA has been discontinued, leading users to seek alternative ways to access its sounds, including looking for soundfonts from older models like the SC-880 or SC-88 Pro.

    Source
  • The "midiConverter3" plugin can effectively block program change messages, preventing unwanted instrument changes mid-session, a common issue with the Sound Canvas VA.

    Source
  • The Event List in Reaper's MIDI editor allows users to view and delete unwanted MIDI events, like program changes, which helps maintain consistent instrument settings.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Users have successfully used SC-55 based soundfonts with FL Studio's stock SF2 player, but compatibility can vary depending on the DAW's ability to handle SF2 files.

    Source
  • A VPN is recommended when downloading the Sound Canvas VA from torrent sites to avoid potential legal issues, highlighting the challenges of accessing this discontinued software.

    Source
  • The Piz MIDI plugin pack, specifically "midiConverter3," is recommended for managing MIDI commands, though availability issues have been noted.

    Source
  • Viewing raw MIDI data can reveal unexpected changes, like automatic program resets, providing insights into MIDI functionality and troubleshooting in Reaper.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners find that the church choir sounds from available soundfonts do not match the quality of the original Sound Canvas VA, indicating possible discrepancies in sound reproduction.

    Source
  • Deleting program change events from MIDI files, especially those imported from other software like Musescore, is a recurring task to maintain desired instrument sounds.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Enthusiasts interested in JRPG music find Sound Canvas VA particularly appealing, as it plays a significant role in recreating sounds associated with that genre.

    Source
  • The Roland SC-88 Soundfont is praised for its high-quality samples, making it a solid alternative for those who find the Sound Canvas VA cumbersome.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users experience instrument resetting issues due to MIDI program changes; blocking these changes can be managed with the "midiConverter3" plugin or JS: Midi Note Filter in Reaper.

    Source
  • Users suggest using ReaControlMIDI with the stock GM.reabank file to manage specific patch selections and avoid unwanted instrument resets in Reaper.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users suggest alternatives like Xpand! 2 for similar sound profiles, noting its affordability during sales, often priced between $10-$30.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland Sound Canvas VA review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Sound Canvas VA is a nostalgic nod to Roland's past, but it struggles to resonate with modern producers. While it offers a light resource footprint and a decent sound library, its clunky interface and frustrating preset management make it a chore to use. Awkward navigation and outdated editing methods hinder creativity, while its limitations could leave users feeling boxed in. Despite some redeeming effects, many of its sounds feel outdated and lack the polish that today’s musicians expect. Ultimately, it’s a retro piece that may appeal to die-hard fans but falls short for those seeking a robust, contemporary tool.

negative

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
mikantsumikiwi

A great emulation of the Sound Canvas.

I been using this thing for a while, it really have that video game 90s sound i wanted to have for it.

Overall it have almost all of the Sound Canvas presets, but it don't have the ED series presets sadly.

I still enjoy using it what ever i need extra drums.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

I really enjoy the sound canvas percussion sounds in this one, if i pick a favorite setting it be sc 88 pro.

While the patches i enjoy is Ice Rain, also brass section.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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