Roland GAIA 2 Synthesizer - The Shape of Sound
Advanced synthesizer with wavetable and virtual analog engines, intuitive sound design workflow, expressive hands-on controls, Model Expansion support, and more.
GAIA 2 opens the door to an infinite universe of inspired sound creation. Armed with a powerful hybrid engine that combines wavetable and virtual analog synthesis, you can quickly learn the basics before rocketing into uncharted sonic territory. The friendly panel layout logically outlines the synthesis workflow for speedy sound design, while full-size keys provide exceptional playability when you’re ready to perform. And with the sequencer and Motional Pad, it’s easy to generate complex sounds and phrases full of dynamic movement and alter them on the fly. Discover the shape of sound with GAIA 2 and bring all your musical visions to life.
- Powerful Roland synthesizer with advanced sonic capabilities
- Intuitive panel layout and hands-on workflow make it easy to learn synthesis and sound design
- Newly developed hybrid sound engine with one wavetable oscillator and two virtual analog oscillators
- Attractive aluminum panel filled with high-quality knobs and sliders
- Freely assignable modulation routings for fast sound creation
- Motional Pad for adding real-time movement and expression to sounds
- Sequencer with real-time and step-recording options
- MFX section with 53 unique effect types
- Dedicated Chorus and Delay/Reverb sections with multiple types, including JUNO Chorus effects, Shimmer Reverb, Modulation Reverb, and more
- Informative high-contrast OLED display
- USB Type-A port for connecting a USB flash drive or external USB MIDI controller
- Class-compliant USB-C port for communicating with music software on computers and mobile devices
- USB-C port also supports AIRA Link for communication with Roland AIRA devices
- Support for Model Expansions and other content on Roland Cloud (SH-101 Model Expansion pre-installed)
- Wirelessly audition and download Model Expansions and Sound Packs with Roland Cloud Connect and the WC-1 Wireless Adapter (optional)
Do You Speak Synth?
GAIA 2’s newly developed sound engine puts a never-ending realm of tonal exploration under your fingers. Build familiar sounds inspired by past and present synth icons. Then dive into unique phase and shape modulation tools to unleash cutting-edge textures with complex overtones that can’t be expressed with traditional analog synths. Need something more extreme? Just crank the Drive knob in the multimode filter section for even more grit and power. Whatever you desire—from smooth tones reminiscent of vintage synths to edgy, biting leads to sci-fi soundscapes—GAIA 2 can do it.
Wavetable
Complementing the basic shapes we all know and love, the wavetable oscillator section in GAIA 2 offers multiple waveforms, and you can jump or morph between them for everything from dramatic shifts to slowly evolving textures. Adding the wavetable oscillator introduces contrasting textures into the mix, leading to unforeseen and exciting results.
Virtual Analog
GAIA 2 gives you the tools to recreate the most famous analog synths of all time—or craft all-new voices never heard before. Twin virtual analog oscillators provide the building blocks of synthesis, enabling you to conjure past classics with complete authenticity. Or head in the opposite direction and sculpt the tones of the future. Just think about the sound you want and start tweaking to make it come alive.
Touch the Sound
GAIA 2’s logical workflow makes sound creation fast, easy, and fun. The one-control-per-function panel layout enables instant programming without having to resort to creativity-killing menu diving. And with the streamlined knobs and white anodized aluminum panel, even the look is inspiring. Wait until you see how it glows under stage lighting!
See the Sound
Positioned front and center, the informative display shows the output audio waveform as well as the path of the Motional Pad’s recorded movement. With just a glance, you’ll instantly grasp what’s happening within the most complex of sounds.
Classical Education
GAIA 2 supports Roland Model Expansions, which faithfully recreate iconic synthesizers from our long history. Instantly swap between the built-in sound engine and classics like the SH-101,* JUPITER-8, or JUNO-106 with a dedicated button. Each Model Expansion is fully compatible with the GAIA 2 workflow, letting you re-imagine vintage sounds with the panel controls and develop new music using the sequencer.
SH-101 On Board
With GAIA 2’s pre-installed SH-101 Model Expansion, the monophonic legend is reborn as a polysynth with new and exciting possibilities. Since its release in 1982, the small-but-mighty SH-101 has been a key ingredient in shaping electronic music and remains a favorite for its intuitive interface and head-turning sounds.
