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 61-Key Linear Synthesizer ($1,180.70)

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

VALHALA MUSIC, Inc. Roland D-50 / D-550 Studio Series Digital Card mid-70s ($299)

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 1987 - 1992 - Black ($698.64)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($930)

Vintage Roland D-50 Linear Synthesizer - Legendary 61 Key Keyboard ($698.64)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer ($1,095)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($500)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 ($892)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($750)

Roland D-50 // Voice ROM Data Card // PD-D50-01 - SUSTAIN GROUP // BOXED ($196.50)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($691.65)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer ($624.99)

Roland D-50 Serviced ($833.65)

Roland D-50 – Serviced ($939.64)

ROLAND D-50 Linear Synthesizer Classic keyboard famous 80s vintage sounds ($1,427.92)

Roland D-50 Linear Synthesizer digital synth New battery & Display w/ case ($890)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer - Black ($949)

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // Rittor Music // KV-501 Special Collection ($196.50)

Roland D-50 - Linear Synth Classic 1987 - PSU Included - Manual Included - Tested ($1,179.01)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($650)

Roland D-50 Digital Keyboard Synthesizer ($999)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - Bundle ($836.97)

Roland D-50 1987 ($809.83)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($700)

Roland D-50 w/ HCard-750 MkII ($1,100)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer with card PN-D50-00 and case ($939.52)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer ($774)

Roland D-50 + PG1000 Programmer Jethro Tull / Andrew Giddings ($2,322.30)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($550)

VALHALA Music International Gold Rom Card for Roland D-50 & D-550 ($225)

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

Roland D-50 D-10 D-20 S-50 S-10 ALPHA JUNO 2 HS-80 Rubber Key Contact Strip 12 notes ($11.85)

Roland PN-D50-02 Synth Memory Card for D-50 1980's ($125.86)

Roland D-50 PN-D50-00 Memory Card – Warranty ($119.09)

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

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

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // PN-D50-00 // FACTORY PATCHES ($172.68)

Roland D-50 ROM Bo Tomlyns Top 40, Pro ii cards. ($89.99)

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice Data ROM Card // LIVE SOUND VOL. 3 // Source by ARK ($220.32)

Roland D-50 Memory ROM card. ($99)

Roland D-50 LA Synthesis Classic 80's Synthesizer + PG-1000 Programmer ($1,488.10)

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

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

Book for Roland D-50 MIDI Implementation 1987 ($19.56)

Roland D-50 Factory Presets Memory Card ($88.32)

Roland D-50 OLED Display new white ($124.09)

Roland D-50 OLED Display new yellow ($124.09)