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

Roland D50 D-50 Linear synth état proche neuf Live ORGAN EP Pianos STRINGS PADS ($1,098.01)

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

Roland D-50 Synthesizer ($1,000)

Roland D-50 Synthesizer 32-Note Key Contact Board(Low). Works Great !... ($49)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($601.50)

Roland D-50 Synthesizer (Serviced, US Seller) with PN-D50-02 Patch Memory Card. Best Deal On Reverb. ($675)

Roland D-50 Card ($99)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($800)

Roland D-50 ($698.82)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer (Serviced / Warranty) ($877.31)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black (Serviced / Warranty) ($965.59)

Roland D-50 + PG1000 Programmer Jethro Tull / Andrew Giddings ($2,151.88)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer • Serviced & Warranty ($711.78)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer ($707.65)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($965.59)

Roland D-50 ROM card // PN-D50-00 Factory Presets ($132.42)

Roland D-50 Synthesizer 29-Note Key Contact Board(High). Works Great !... ($49)

Roland D-50 1987 ($139.47)

Roland D-50 + PG-1000 Controller ($1,117.34)

Roland D-50 ($599)

Roland D50 - Legendary Synthesizer - Accessories - Excellent Condition/Revised ($1,103.53)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($881.72)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($633.16)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($849.72)

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

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($881.72)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($826.54)

Roland D-50 Synthesizer LA-Synthese Bj. ca. 1989 - inkl. roadtauglichem Case ($772.47)

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 ($2,300)

Roland D-50 D-10 D-20 S-50 S-10 Rubber Key Contact Strip 12 ($12.08)

Roland PN-D50-02 Decay Group For D-50 ($120)

Roland D-50 left top end cap (repaired) ($50)

Replacement Backup Battery for Roland D-10 D-20 D-50 D-550 [ Button Coin Cell ] ($9.49)

Roland D-50 Left End Cap (repaired) ($50)

Maartists Music Pack RAM Card for Roland D-50 with 64 Super R&B sounds ($199)

Roland D-50 right end cap (repaired) ($50)

ROLAND D-50 Full set of 54 Pushbuttons Tact Switches New D50 Micro Switch ($14.57)

Ultimate Manual Bundle for Roland D-50 - Excellent Condition ($441.41)

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

ROLAND D-50 JX-10 JX-8P Alpha JUNO-2 Synthesizer Original Keyboard Key ($7.95)

Roland VariOs with D-50 card ($875)

LED Display Upgrade - Roland D-50 D-550 (Super Enhanced Black) LUX PMVA LED Display ! ($126.19)

Roland D-110 Multitimbral Sound Module Rackmount MIDI Synthesizer - Classic D-50 Sounds in a Compact Package ($249.99)

Sound Source Unlimited D507R Roland D-50 Artist Series Soundscapes ($59.99)

Hypersynth Hcard-750 MkII Preset Memory Cartridge for Roland D-50 ($199.99)

DUST COVER for ROLAND D-50 ($30.35)

Complete Set of Rubber Keyboard Contacts - Roland D-50 / D-20 / D-10 ($82.76)

Graphic Display Upgrade - Roland W-30 A-50 A-80 D-70 JW-50 E-96 G-600 G-800 RA-800 ($172.68)