Synths ⇝ Roland ⇝ Roland D-50

The D-50 introduced LA Synthesis (linear arithmetic), which is a method of synthesis that combines ROM samples of attack and sustain waveforms in order to build instrument sounds. Sounds are built using four tones, two "upper tones" and two "lower tones".

The PG-1000 editor can be used to make patch editing easier. Patches can be saved to an M-256D or M-256E RAM card and its patch memories are maintained with a standard CR2032 lithium battery.

The D-50 is monotimbral but can be expanded to 8-part multitimbral with the M.EX multimode expansion (which also adds 192 patch memories). Roland also released a series of 4 memory cards (PN-D50-01 through PN-D50-04) containing patches but no additional sound waveforms. Eye and I Productions has also produced six Voice Crystal expansion cards for the Roland D-50.

The rackmount version of the Roland D-50 is the Roland D-550. It was followed by the Roland D-5, D-10, D-20, and D-110.

The D-50 was also implemented as a plugin card for the Roland VariOS.

Specifications

Year Released: 1987

MSRP: 1995.00 USD

Keyboard: 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch

Polyphony: 16 notes

Multitimbral: 1 parts

User Patches: 64

ROM: 128 kb (100 waveforms)

Effects: reverb, delay, chorus, flanger, and 2-band EQ

Screen: 40 x 2 character backlit LCD

Dimensions: 974 mm x 332.5 mm x 94 mm

Weight: 10.7 kg

User Demo Videos

Rating

File Downloads

Roland D-50 Manual

Roland D-50 Service Notes

Roland PN-D50-00 SysEx Patch Data

Roland PN-D50-01 SysEx Patch Data

Roland PN-D50-02 SysEx Patch Data

Roland PN-D50-03 SysEx Patch Data

Roland PN-D50-04 SysEx Patch Data

Items for Sale on Reverb

Roland D-50 ROM card // PN-D50-01 ($144.14)

Roland D-50 JX-10 Juno-2 12-Note Rubber Keyboard Contact Strip. Made in Japan. Works Great ! ($9.99)

Roland D-50 JX-10 Juno-2 8-Note Rubber Keyboard Contact Strip. Made in Japan. Works Great ! ($8.95)

Custom padded cover for Roland D-50 Synthesizer D50 D 50 ($49)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer with Roland Gig Bag & Owners Manuals ($1,599.95)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer • Rare Almost Mint Condition • Serviced & Warranty • Memory Card and Roland Bag ($1,156.73)

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // PN-D50-04 // DECAY GROUP II // Rare! ($199.85)

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // Rittor Music // KV-501 Special Collection ($199.85)

1987 Roland D-50 Linear Synthesizer – 61-Key Digital Classic Keyboard / Synth ($1,099.99)

Roland D-50 Synthesizer WITH HARD CASE 1980's ($599)

1987 Roland D-50 Linear Synthesizer – 61-Key Digital Classic Keyboard / Synth ($1,099.99)

Roland D-50 + PG-1000 Programmer – Iconic Digital Synth & Programmer Bundle ($1,514.04)

Roland D-50 - Linear Synth Classic 1987 - PSU Included - Manual Included - Tested ($1,562.49)

Roland D-50 + Programmer - 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black- serial 874300 ($1,998.54)

Roland D-50 // Voice ROM Data Card // PD-D50-01 - SUSTAIN GROUP // BOXED ($199.85)

Roland D-50 Linear Synthesizer digital synth New battery & Display w/ case ($1,150)

ROLAND D-50 Linear Synthesizer Classic keyboard famous 80s vintage sounds ($1,452.27)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($908.43)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($490)

Roland D-50 Accessory : Manual and Card Only ($605.62)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer ($825)

Roland D-50 + PG1000 Programmer Jethro Tull / Andrew Giddings ($2,361.91)

Roland D-50 Synthesizer w/ bonus AMAZING shape ($1,350)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer with card PN-D50-00 and case ($955.54)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($1,050)

Roland D-50 Digital Polyphonic Synthesizer in Very Good Condition ($950)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($746.12)

Roland D50 - Legendary Synthesizer - Accessories - Excellent Condition - Revised ($1,574.61)

Greytsounds Roland D-50/D550 Synth Patches • 8 Bank Set • Digital Download ($30)

Roland V-Synth - (with ultra rare) D-50 Card - 2003-2007 - Black ($2,100)

Roland D-50 D-10 D-20 S-50 S-10 ALPHA JUNO 2 HS-80 Rubber Key Contact Strip 12 notes ($12.05)

Roland PN-D50-00 ROM Memory Card for D-50 ($60)

Roland D-50 PN-D50-00 Memory Card [USED] ($129)

Roland PN-D50-00 ROM Memory Card for D-50 [USED] ($129)

Roland PN-D50-00 ROM Memory Card for D-50 [USED] ($129)

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // PN-D50-02 // Decay Group // BOXED ($199.85)

Roland VariOs with D-50 card ($875)

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // PN-D50-00 // FACTORY PATCHES ($175.63)

Roland D-50 Owners Manual 1980’s - Grey ($50)

Book for Roland D-50 MIDI Implementation 1987 ($20.96)

ROLAND D-50 OWNERS MANUAL 80s synthesizer keyboard book VINTAGE SYNTH DEALER ($59.99)

Roland - D-50 - Contact strip 8-note ($7.99)

Roland D-50 OLED Display new white ($126.21)

Roland D-50 OLED Display new yellow ($126.21)

ROLAND D-50 Full set of 54 Pushbuttons Tact Switches New D50 Micro Switch ($15.99)

Roland PN-D50-02 Memory Card Patch Data ROM for D-50 ($60.56)

LED Display Upgrade - Roland D-50 D-550 (Super Enhanced Black) LUX PMVA LED Display ! ($132.77)

Roland D-20 Multi-Timbral Linear Synthesizer Multitrack Sequencer (Roland D-50 alternative) ($399.71)

ROLAND D-550 Linear Racksynthesizer Classic famous 80s vintage D-50 collector ($907.22)

Complete Set of Rubber Keyboard Contacts - Roland D-50 / D-20 / D-10 ($90.84)