Roland is offering a free version of the Zenology software synthesizer to everyone who signs up for a free Roland Cloud user account.
Zenology is an expandable virtual instrument plugin based on the ZEN-Core synthesis system from Roland. The base version of Zenology comes for free with a Roland Cloud user account. It includes the 182 presets, covering a range of synthesizer sounds and several drum kits with additional drum sounds.
See also: Free Kontakt Player LibrariesAlthough the free version of Zenology is more of a preset player than a synthesizer, each presets does come with a set of editable parameters. The user can adjust the filter cutoff and resonance, along with the attack time, release time, and vibrato amount. The drum kit presets are far more flexible. The user can fully customize the drum kit by assigning any of the 710 drum sounds to the selected drum pad. It is also possible to adjust the attack, decay, release, and stereo pan parameters for each drum pad.
Another tweakable aspect of Zenology is the FX section. The user can access any of the included effect modules and fully customize their settings. Only one FX module can be used, though. There are, however, several “Combination” modules that do offer multiple types of FX.
Roland is also offering paid Roland Cloud subscriptions, which unlock premium ZEN-Core sound packs and offer additional instruments. It is also possible to purchase lifetime access keys if you prefer that over the subscription model. The subscription prices range from $29.99 per year for Core to $199 per year for the Ultimate membership. All free Roland Cloud user accounts include an optional 30-day free trial of the Ultimate subscription package. See the full details on the Roland Cloud page.
To download your free copy of Zenology, sign up for a Roland Cloud user account (valid email address required) and install the Roland Cloud Manager software. Sign in to Roland Cloud Manager and install the free version of Zenology from the Library tab (scroll all the way down that page to locate the installation button).
So, the big question is whether or not the free version of Zenology is worth installing? If you’re just starting out with music production and you don’t already own a collection of high-quality synthesizer sounds, this free plugin is a good place to start. Software platforms like Zenology and Komplete Start are a great way to access some great-sounding presets for free. Also, if you plan on upgrading to a paid Roland Cloud subscription, the free account is an excellent way to feel how Roland’s cloud software works.
Zenology is available as a VST3, AU, and AAX plugin for compatible digital audio workstations on PC and Mac. Only 64-bit plugin hosts are supported.
More info: Roland Zenology (requires Roland Cloud Manager, 96.7 MB download size, EXE installer, 64-bit VST3/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & macOS)
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Last Updated on May 14, 2020 by Tomislav Zlatic.
