Sound Canvas VA

Software Synthesizer

Sound Canvas VA
Buy Now Trial

The Legendary Sound Canvas, Reborn as a DAW Plug-In for Windows and Mac.

First introduced in 1991, the Roland Sound Canvas series has long been the de-facto standard in GS sound modules. With the Sound Canvas VA, you can now use this classic sound source with your DAW music productions as a VSTi or AU plug-in. It comes with over 1,600 high-quality sounds, plus 64 different insert effects, global effects like reverb and EQ, and extensive sound editing capabilities. Also included are sound maps to perfectly play MIDI music files created on the SC-88 Pro and other hardware Sound Canvas sound modules. Combining classic sounds with current technology, the Sound Canvas VA is the modern evolution of a long-running benchmark.

The Gold Standard in GS Sound Modules

Based on the Roland SC-series hardware modules, the Sound Canvas VA is a GS-compatible software synth with support for VSTi (Windows and Mac) and AU (Mac) plug-in formats. Included are 1,600 popular sounds and 63 drum sets that are ready to play, and a single plug-in instance supports 16 parts with up to 64 notes of polyphony. Multiple instances can be used, with the only limit being your computer’s processing power. The plug-in also comes with SC-8820, SC-88 Pro, SC-88, and SC-55 sound maps, allowing you to replay files that were originally created with those Sound Canvas hardware modules.*

* The Sound Canvas VA is not designed to play Standard MIDI Files (SMF). Depending on the data in your music files and how it’s processed with the host application, the mix balance, tone, and timing may vary slightly from the sound of the original hardware.

Tone Editor for Customizing Sounds

Included with the Sound Canvas VA is a powerful Tone Editor for adjusting sounds in fine detail. The graphical interface makes it simple to create original tones using filters, envelopes, and numerous GS sound parameters. You can also store the sounds you create and quickly load favorites from your custom library when you begin a new project.

A Wide Selection of Built-In Effects

To enhance your sounds, the Sound Canvas VA comes with 64 types of insert effects, plus global reverb, chorus, delay, and EQ. With the Effect Editor, you can easily adjust them all via an intuitive interface. Many effects parameters support automation through your DAW, and it’s possible to save and recall effects settings in your projects. Each plug-in supports one insert effect , and you can open multiple plug-in instances to use additional insert effects on different tracks as needed.

Reminders

Depending on your host application, system exclusive messages contained in MIDI tracks might not be supported with VSTi or AU plug-ins.

The Sound Canvas VA plug-in must initialize its parameters and read various settings when it loads, and this may take about 15 seconds for each plug-in instance. For example, if you’re using four Sound Canvas VA plug-in instances in a project, it may take approximately one minute to load all the plug-ins when you open the file (four plug-ins at 15 seconds each). The actual times may vary depending on your computer’s performance and setup.

No plugin bridge will enable to run 32bit SOUND Canvas VA on 64bit OS/DAW environment.

Supported Host Applications

The following host applications (DAW) have been verified to work properly with the plug-in version SOUND Canvas VA Ver.1.0.0.

[Windows]
Windows® 7 SP1/Windows® 8/Windows® 8.1/Windows® 10
- Steinberg Cubase 8 Series (32-bit Edition/64-bit Edition)
- Steinberg Cubase 7 Series (32-bit Edition/64-bit Edition)

[Mac]
OS X 10.8.5 or later/OS X 10.9/OS X 10.10
- Steinberg Cubase 8 Series (64bit Edition)
- Steinberg Cubase 7 Series (64bit Edition)
- MOTU Digital Performer 9 *Only AU Plug−in

Due to host application specifications, system exclusive messages cannot be sent from tracks to SOUND Canvas VA in the following hosts.

[Windows]
Windows® 7 SP1/Windows® 8/Windows® 8.1/Windows® 10
- Cakewalk SONAR PLATINUM/Professional/Artist(32-bit Edition/64-bit Edition)
- Ableton Live9 (32-bit Edition/64-bit Edition)
- Ableton Live9 Lite (32-bit Edition)
- Presonus Studio One 3 Professional (32-bit Edition/64-bit Edition)

[Mac]
OS X 10.8.5 or later/OS X 10.9/OS X 10.10
- Apple Logic Pro X (64-bit Edition)
- Apple GarageBand (64-bit Edition)
- Ableton Live9 (32-bit Edition/64-bit Edition)
- Ableton Live9 Lite (32-bit Edition)
- Presonus Studio One 3 Professional (64-bit Edition)
- MOTU Digital Performer 9 *Only VST Plug−in

Due to host application specifications, you cannot use control changes to make correct bank selections and program changes in the following host application.

[Windows]
Windows® 7 SP1/Windows® 8/Windows® 8.1/Windows® 10
- Cakewalk SONAR PLATINUM/Professional/Artist(32-bit Edition/64-bit Edition)

Due to host application specifications, there is a limit to the parameter that can use automation in the following host application.

[Windows]
Windows® 7 SP1/Windows® 8/Windows® 8.1/Windows® 10
*Compatible with only parameters that knob is attached.
- Ableton Live9 (32-bit/64-bit Edition)
- Ableton Live9 Lite (32-bit Edition)

[Mac]
OS X 10.8.5 or later/OS X 10.9/OS X 10.10
*Compatible with only parameters that knob is attached.
- Ableton Live9 (32-bit/64-bit Edition)
- Ableton Live9 Lite (32-bit Edition)

The SOUND Canvas is not normally recognized as a plug-in in the following host application.

[Windows]
Windows® 7 SP1/Windows® 8/Windows® 8.1/Windows® 10
- MOTU Digital Performer 9 (32-bit Edition/64-bit Edition)

We do not confirm compatible with SOUND Canvas VA other than that above the DAW software.

A trial version of SOUND Canvas VA is available. Use this trial to verify how the plug-in operates in your setup before purchasing it.
*For questions regarding your host application, please contact the vendor of your application.

Sound Generator
Number of parts
16 parts
Maximum Polyphony
64 voices
MIDI Format
Conforms to GS, GM2, GM
Sound Maps
4 types (SC-8820, SC-88Pro, SC-88, SC-55)
Preset Instruments
1,600 tones
Drum sound sets
63 drum sets
Effects
Reverb (8 types)
Chorus (8 types)
Delay (10 types)
2 Band Equalizer
Insertion Effect (64 types)
Plug-In Formats
VSTi 2.4 (32 bits, 64 bits)
AU
System Requirements (Mac OS)
Operating System
Mac OS X 10.8.5 or later
Host Application
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 2.4 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: V2 Audio Units compatible
CPU
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo or better
RAM
4 GB or more
Hard Disk
250 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 activate this software.
System Requirements (Windows)
Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® 7 SP1
Microsoft® Windows® 8/8.1
Microsoft® Windows® 10
* 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 compatible
CPU
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo or better
RAM
4 GB or more
Hard Disk
250 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 activate this software.
You'll need a PDF viewer in order to read the online help.
ASIO compatible Audio Interface is recommended.
ASIO
ASIO is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
* 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 SOUND Canvas VA, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the SOUND Canvas VA 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.

Downloads

Updates & Drivers

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 department by phone or email.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Support Documents