Advanced Software Synthesizer

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Be one with your sound.

Synthesizers are in just about every style of modern music, so you need something versatile, authentic, and forward-thinking. ZENOLOGY embodies over 50 years of synthesizer research and development. Its roots go back to the dawn of synthesis. Its future will reshape your relationship with sound.

+ Standard Features

  • ZEN-Core Synthesis System plug-in for Mac and Windows
  • Over 4000 tones and 200 drum kits, easily expandable to over 10,000 total selections
  • Compatible with Sound Packs and Wave Expansions available on Roland Cloud
  • Advanced tone browser to explore sounds, tag favorites, and create custom banks
  • Powerful synth architecture with up to four partials per tone, each with flexible oscillator, filter, amplifier, dual LFOs, and equalizer
  • Layer multiple synthesis types, including advanced virtual analog and modern PCM
  • Four oscillators with nine virtual analog waveforms, Supersaw, noise, PCM, and PCM SYNC
  • Includes 1840 PCM waveforms, easily expandable to over 7000
  • Ten filter types, including JUPITER and other iconic models
  • Eleven LFO shapes, including tempo-synced Step LFOs with 37 curves per step
  • Over 90 lush Roland effects, including pristine reverbs, JUNO-106 and CE-1 choruses, SDD-320 Dimension D, and DJ-FX Looper
  • Modern resizable user interface for smooth workflow in any production environment
  • Edit and share sounds between ZENOLOGY Pro and ZEN-Core hardware instruments like FANTOM, JUPITER-X, JUNO-X, RD-88, MC-101, MC707, and others
  • Choose from ZENOLOGY or ZENOLOGY Pro, or get ZENOLOGY Lite for free with a Roland Account
Zenology Pro Version 2.0

The power of ZEN.

For decades, Roland sounds have had a massive influence on music. Our legendary instruments have defined genres like techno, house, rap, trap, and hip hop, and deeply influenced pop, rock, and film music. This long legacy has culminated in the ZEN-Core Synthesis System. It's the most advanced sound engine we've ever made, powering our professional synthesizers like JUPITER-X and FANTOM, used on stages and in studios around the world.

Zenology Pro
Zenology Pro | Classic analog. Vintage digital. Modern hybrid.

Classic analog. Vintage digital. Modern hybrid.

ZENOLOGY Pro is an expandable plug-in version of the ZEN-Core Synthesis System. ZEN-Core is based on discrete synth voices—each containing a flexible oscillator, filter, amplifier, dual LFOs, and effects. It mixes multiple synthesis types, combining vintage Roland oscillators and filters with PCM waves capable of sync and cross modulation. Layer up to four voices in a single tone for rich, complex sounds, both classic and modern.

Zenology Pro | Highly effective

Highly effective.

Roland effects processors are as revered as their legendary instrument counterparts. Spacious reverbs and delays, sweeping JUNO-106 and CE-1 choruses, and unique effects like the SDD-320 Dimension D and DJ-FX Looper are just some of ZENOLOGY Pro's over 90 effects that can shape and color your sound.

Zenology Pro | Sound that knows no bounds.

Sound that knows no bounds.

ZENOLOGY Pro comes with thousands of patches, hundreds of drum kits, and all the tools you need to create nearly any sound from scratch. And you can go even further with the ever-expanding, always-evolving universe of creative options on Roland Cloud. Driven by the powerful ZEN-Core Synthesis System, a steady stream of new sounds and expansions focus on specific genres and instrument types or feature custom collections from leading artists.

Zenology Pro | Find your way

Find your way.

ZENOLOGY Pro's friendly and informative browser helps you find exactly what you're looking for. Filter and organize your sounds, rate favorites, and even create custom banks. No matter how you work, your sounds are never far away.

Zenology Pro

Model perfect.

From rare and sought-after classics to the designs of tomorrow, our growing collection of Model Expansions can instantly transform ZENOLOGY Pro into entirely different instruments, like the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, SH-101, JX-8P, and JD-800. Using advanced modeling techniques to capture the essence of our legendary instruments, every Model Expansion has its own sonic personality, features, and preset tones. And they're optimized for high polyphony with interfaces inspired by the original hardware—but reimagined for your DAW.

Explore ZENOLOGY Model Expansions

Zenology Pro | Model Expansions
Zenology Pro | GDesign your sound

Design your sound.

Ready to dive into the world of custom sound design? ZENOLOGY Pro lets you harness the full power of the ZEN-Core Synthesis System on your computer. With the expansive interface and vast array of parameters, you can tweak existing sounds or craft all-new sounds that inspire your music.

Zenology Pro | Go deep

Go deep.

ZEN-Core is ultra-flexible and based on discrete synth voices called partials—each containing an oscillator, filter, amplifier, and dual LFOs. You can use up to four partials simultaneously, choosing from thousands of waveforms, ten modeled filter types, and more. Combining multiple synthesis types, lush effects, and deep modulation capabilities, you're able to develop big, complex sounds that demand attention.

Zenology Pro
Zenology Pro | Get moving

Get moving.

Low-frequency oscillators add movement to static sounds—and more LFOs mean more modulation possibilities. ZENOLOGY Pro has two LFOs per partial with 11 different LFO shapes. With four partials per tone, that's eight simultaneous LFOs in a patch! And the Step LFOs have 16 steps of beat-synced automation with 37 curve choices per step, perfect for creating evolving passages, modular-style animated textures, and sounds with deeply intricate motion.

Zenology Pro | Designer drums

Designer drums.

ZENOLOGY Pro has a huge selection of drum sounds and hundreds of ready-to-go kits, including famous Roland rhythm machines, natural acoustic kits, authentic electronic sounds, and exotic hybrid kits that use layers and combinations. Use them in your tracks as is, or mix and match to build dreamy custom kits. You get multiple edit views for precise control over each drum instrument, plus six dedicated drum compressors for maximum punch and impact.

Zenology Pro | Hardware and software in harmony

Hardware and software in harmony.

ZENOLOGY Pro works seamlessly with compatible Roland hardware like FANTOM, JUPITER-X, JUNO-X, and the RD-88. Use the same sounds in your DAW and hardware instruments, create custom banks, share with friends and collaborators, and tap into fresh inspiration with sounds from top artists and professional sound designers. You can even share Model Expansion sounds between ZENOLOGY Pro and compatible ZEN-Core hardware.

Explore ZEN-Core

Zenology Pro | Experience the power of ZENOLOGY Pro today

Experience the power of ZENOLOGY Pro today.

Get instant access to ZENOLOGY Pro, all Model Expansions, and thousands of extra sounds—all included as part of a Roland Cloud Pro or Ultimate membership. Or make a one-time purchase and get ZENOLOGY Pro for life.

Get ZENOLOGY PRO

Zenology Pro | Get Zenology

Not ready for the full power of ZENOLOGY Pro?

The ZENOLOGY universe also includes two streamlined versions to suit your musical needs. Get started using ZENOLOGY Lite for free with just a Roland Account. Or use the standard version of ZENOLOGY included with Roland Cloud Core membership.

Get ZENOLOGY

Specifications
Part
1 part
Tone Memory Type
2 Types (Tone/Drum Kit)
Effects
Multi Effects: 93
Reverb: 8
Tones (ZENOLOGY Pro / ZENOLOGY)
4,106 Tones
109 Drum kits
Tones (ZENOLOGY Lite)
240 Tones
10 Drum kits
*ZENOLOGY Lite cannot save or write user data
*ZENOLOGY Lite cannot Import or Export User Tone/Drum Kit data
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Tones per bank
2,048 tones or less
* User can make new user banks.
Plug-In Formats
VSTi 3.7 (64 bits)
AU
AAX
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS MAC OS
Operating System
macOS 11
macOS 12
macOS 13
Host Application
VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.7 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: V2 Audio Units compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 or better
Apple Silicon
RAM
2 GB or greater
Storage Space
1 GB or greater
Display resolution and Colors
1,280 x 900 dots or higher, 16.7 million colors or greater
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS WINDOWS
Operating System
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 10 (64-bit)
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 11
* This does not work with the Windows(R) RT.
* This does not work with the Windows(R) 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 3.7 compatible
AAX compatible
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 or better
RAM
2 GB or greater
Storage Space
1 GB or greater
Display resolution and Colors
1,280 x 900 dots or higher, 24 bits Full Color or greater
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
* 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 ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer 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.

Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
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Downloads

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 through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals

Support Documents