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)

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 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // Rittor Music // KV-501 Special Collection ($201.47)

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

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 ($914.55)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer with Memory Card ($899)

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

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($600)

Roland D-50 LA Synthesis Classic 80's Synthesizer ($979.65)

Roland D-50 + PG1000 Programmer Jethro Tull / Andrew Giddings ($2,381)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer with card PN-D50-00 and case ($963.27)

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

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // PN-D50-04 // DECAY GROUP II // Rare! ($201.47)

Roland D-50 // Voice ROM Data Card // PD-D50-01 - SUSTAIN GROUP // BOXED ($201.47)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer FREE SHIPPING ($1,025)

Roland D-50 + Programmer - 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black- serial 874300 ($2,014.70)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer ($689.99)

Roland D-50 – Serviced – Excellent Condition ($975.60)

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

Roland D-50 Accessory : Manual and Card Only ($366.31)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($704.78)

Roland D-50 - Linear Synth Classic 1987 - PSU Included - Manual Included - Tested ($1,575.13)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Local Pickup Only ($899)

Roland D-50 ($699)

Roland D-50 Digital Keyboard Synthesizer ($999)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - Bundle ($1,162.89)

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($266)

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

Roland D-50 61-Key Linear Synthesizer 1987 - 1992 - Black ($732.62)

Roland D50 - Legendary Synthesizer - Accessories - Excellent Condition - Revised ($1,343.13)

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 ($12.15)

Roland PN-D50-02 Synth Memory Card for D-50 1980's ($160.08)

Roland D-50 / D-550 Voice ROM Data Card // PN-D50-00 // FACTORY PATCHES ($177.05)

ROLAND D-50 Full set of 54 Pushbuttons Tact Switches New D50 Micro Switch ($16.12)

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

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

Roland D-50 OLED Display new yellow ($127.23)

Book for Roland D-50 MIDI Implementation 1987 ($21.14)

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

Roland D-50 OLED Display new white ($127.23)

LED Display Upgrade - Roland D-50 D-550 (Super Enhanced Black) LUX PMVA LED Display ! ($133.91)

Complete Set of Rubber Keyboard Contacts - Roland D-50 / D-20 / D-10 ($91.58)

Roland D-50 Manual de Usuario en español (castellano) copia digital ($6.11)

DUST COVER for Roland D-50 ($33.58)

Dtronics DT-1000 Roland D-50 Programmer ($499.99)

Graphic Display Upgrade - Roland W-30 A-50 A-80 D-70 JW-50 E-96 G-600 G-800 RA-800 ($183.24)

Roland PG-1000 Linear Synthesizer Programmer w/ power supply D-50 D-550 ($750)