| Developer | Roland Corporation |
|---|---|
| Type | General MIDI, GS |
| Release date | 1991 |
| Platform | IBM PC, PC-88, PC-98, Sharp X68000 |
| Predecessor | Roland MT-32 |
| Successor | Roland SC-88 |
| Related | Roland SC-8850 |
The Roland SC-55 (Sound Canvas) is a GS MIDI sound module released in 1991 by Roland. The SC-55 was the first sound module to incorporate the new General MIDI standard. It was the first in the Roland Sound Canvas series.
Unlike its predecessor, the SC-55 only uses PCM synthesis, supporting up to 24-voice polyphony with 16-part multitimbrality.[1] It came preloaded with patches imitating the Roland MT-32's variation bank but lacked the MT-32's re-programmability. Aimed at PC music enthusiasts, the SC-55 featured 315[1] instrument patches, including the GS drum kits and additional controllers. The selection of effects includes reverb and chorus.
Alongside the SC-55, Roland released the SB-55 (Sound Brush), an inexpensive MIDI sequencer module the same size as the Sound Canvas. Both the Sound Canvas and Sound Brush could be rackmounted alongside each other.
Other models with comparable tone generators include Roland CM-300, Roland CM-500 and Roland SC-155 sound modules. CM-300 and CM-500 models lack the LCD screen and extended controls of SC-55. Both models have external appearance nearly identical to Roland's earlier CM-32/64-series modules. SC-155 adds additional slider controls for master and channel level and panning. Additionally, CM-500 includes fully SysEx compatible LA tone generator similar to CM-32Ls.[2]