Synths ⇝ Roland ⇝ Roland U-220

The U-220 is a ROMpler. It can be expanded with the SN-U110 series of expansion cards, although the Guitar and Keyboards and Synthesizer card data is already included. It was released as a follow-up to the Roland U-110 and is the rackmount version of the Roland U-20.

The U-220 takes a standard CR2032 battery for patch memory. This battery is not optional and the device will behave strangely if it is low or not present. Replacing the battery will require a patch restore afterward.

In order to restore the factory patches on the Roland U-220, you will need to load them via a SysEx dump. The factory patch SysEx file is available for download below.

Specifications

Year Released: 1989

MSRP: 1295.00 USD

Polyphony: 30 notes

Multitimbral: 7 parts

User Patches: 128

User Performances: 64

User Drum Kits: 4

ROM: 4MB (128 waveforms at 16-bit resolution)

Effects: chorus, reverb

Screen: 24 x 2 character backlit LCD

Outputs: 1/4" stereo pair plus 4 individual 1/4" outputs

Power Consumption: 20 watts

Dimensions: 482 mm x 358 mm x 45 mm

Weight: 4.4 kg

This is a 1-space rack unit.

User Demo Videos

Rating

Sound Samples

WAV samples are available on freewavesamples.com.

File Downloads

Roland U-220 Manual

Roland U-220 Factory Patches SysEx

Ruland U-220 Demo #1: Highlander by Marvin Sanders (192 kbit mp3)

Roland U-220 Demo #2: U Might Be The 1 by Eric Persing (192 kbit mp3)

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Roland U-220, D-110, U-110, JV-880 Original Power Switch Arm Assembly.Works Great ! ($29)

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Roland U-220 parts - Firmware Eprom chip V1.02 ($14.99)

Roland U-220 RS-PCM Sound Module Synthesizer Owner's Manual #53752 ($25)

LED Display Upgrade - Roland JV-880 - U-220 (white on blue) ($125.85)

Replacement Backup Battery for Roland JD-800 U-20 U-220 [ Button Coin Cell ] ($9.49)

Roland Users Group Magazine - Vol 7 no 4 - Adrian Belew, D-50/550, U-220, S-550 - 1989 ($10)

Roland U-220 OS v1.02 EPROM Firmware Upgrade Update for U220 Rom ($16.53)

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Roland U - 220 with Orchestral Stings card ($254.24)

Roland - D-110 U-110 MT-32 JV-880 MC-303 U20 U220 R-70 E-20 - Battery ($5.47)

9V 2A Power Supply Charger Cable for Roland PSB-1U Adapter, for Boss PSA-120S ME-80 RC-30 RC-202 ME-70 Power Guitar Pedal, for DYMO LabelManager LM-160 500TS 100 150 220P 350 LM210D LM-200 ($31.04)

Roland SN-U110-05 Orchestra Strings Sound Card for U110/U220/U20 ($72.86)