Roland - ZENOLOGY | Software Synthesizer

One instrument.
A universe of sound.

Explore thousands of genre-defining Roland sounds in one powerful instrument. From vintage synth tones to modern hybrid sounds, ZENOLOGY puts it all at your fingertips.

+ 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 and ZEN-Core hardware like FANTOM, JUPITER-X, JUNO-X, RD-88, MC-101, MC-707, and others
Upgrade to ZENOLOGY Pro or use ZENOLOGY Lite for free with a Roland Account

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.

Classic analog. Vintage digital. Modern hybrid.

ZENOLOGY 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.

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's over 90 effects that can shape and color your sound.

Sound that knows no bounds.

ZENOLOGY comes with thousands of patches, hundreds of drum kits, and access to an 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.

Find your way.

ZENOLOGY'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.

Model perfect.

From rare and sought-after classics to the designs of tomorrow, our growing collection of Model Expansions can instantly transform ZENOLOGY 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 Version 2.0 | Design your sound

Design your sound with ZENOLOGY Pro.

Ready to dive into the world of custom sound design? Upgrade to ZENOLOGY Pro to harness the vast power of the ZEN-Core Synthesis System on your computer with an expansive interface and multiple editing views to tweak existing sounds or craft all-new sounds that inspire your music.

ZENOLOGY PRO

Hardware and software in harmony.

ZENOLOGY 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 and compatible ZEN-Core hardware.

Explore ZEN-Core

Experience the power of ZENOLOGY today.

ZENOLOGY comes in multiple versions to suit your musical needs. Get started using ZENOLOGY Lite for free with just a Roland Account. Or get the standard version of ZENOLOGY plus thousands of extra sounds included with Roland Cloud Core membership. And when you're ready, you can upgrade to the full power of ZENOLOGY Pro with Roland Cloud Pro and Ultimate memberships that also include all Model Expansions, Wave Expansions, and Sound Packs. Or own ZENOLOGY Pro forever with a Lifetime Key purchase.

Download Roland Cloud Manager

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
Minimum Operating System: macOS 11
Host Application: VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.7 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: V2 Audio Units compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU: Intel® Core™ 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
Minimum Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)*

*This does not work with Windows® RT.
*This does not work with Windows® Phone.
*This does not work on 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® Core™ 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.

Video Library

ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer

Expandable ZEN-Core Synthesis System plug-in for your DAW.

Tips and Tricks: Widescreen GALAXIAS Sound Design

Take your sound design into widescreen territory with the GALAXIAS Super Instrument, and learn to craft massive pads for electronic genres.Read more…

Sound Design: The Art of Layering with the Roland JD-800

The JD-800 dominated the '90s with massive textures and a front panel that pushed limits. Learn to create immense layers with the instrument.Read more…

Nothing Sounds Quite Like an 808: Analyzing the Sound That Changed Music

Few modern electronic musical instruments have had as wide and deep an impact as the TR-808. Learn how it changed what bass can be.Read more…

Mastering the Roland Cloud ZENOLOGY FX Plug-in

Explore this guide to the 90+ processing tools in ZENOLOGY FX, covering various processors, effects, and beyond.Read more…

A Few Minutes with Todd Terry

A legend of house music’s second wave, Roland instruments have been fundamental to Todd Terry’s genre-hopping career for the past 35 years.Read more…

Sound Design: JUPITER-8 Model Expansion Poly Presets

Explore five iconic poly presets ranging from smooth pads to punchy brass to silky analog strings using the JUPITER-8 Model Expansion.Read more…

Production Hacks: Creating Amapiano Tracks

Amapiano music is synonymous with modern-day South African dance and electronic music. Learn to create tracks in this dynamic style.Read more…

Capturing Synth Sounds with ZENOLOGY: “Every Summertime” by NIKI

Utilize ZENOLOGY to recreate the retro summer sounds of "Every Summertime” by NIKI from Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.Read more…

Capturing Synth Sounds with ZENOLOGY: “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo

Utilize ZENOLOGY to recreate the mellow tones and lush soundscapes of Olivia Rodrigo’s heart-wrenching ballad, “drivers license.”Read more…

Capturing Synth Sounds with ZENOLOGY: “Roses” by SAINt JHN

SAINt JHN and Imanbek won a Grammy award for “Roses." Using ZENOLOGY, explore how to recreate sounds from this multi-platinum record.Read more…

Production Hacks: Melody Day

Music producers create melodies that inspire artists to write amazing songs. Discover some fresh tricks to level up your melodic game.Read more…

Capturing Synth Sounds with ZENOLOGY: “What’s Next” by Drake

Drake has kept his finger on the pulse of hip-hop for over a decade. Learn to use ZENOLOGY to recreate the synth tones of “What’s Next.”Read more…

Capturing Synth Sounds with ZENOLOGY: “Peaches” by Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber's latest is an infectious slice of smooth R&B. Capture the tones from "Peaches" with the ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer.Read more…

ZEN-Core Model ExpansionsAuthentic Roland Synthesizers. Ready When You Are.

Model Expansions transform ZENOLOGY and ZEN-Core hardware into entirely different instruments with their own sonic personalities, features, and preset tones. From rare and sought-after classics to the designs of tomorrow, Model Expansions give you unprecedented access to the historic and ever evolving world of Roland synthesizers.Read more…

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

[English] ZENOLOGY Owner’s Manual [PDF]

Support Documents

Compatible Model List Information

One instrument.A universe of sound.