It is a very interesting synth...the presets are bad but if you start programming you ll love it.I don't use the internal fx ,I run this through a fx unit and it sounds awesome!It is so similar to A d-50 and i can say it has more updated features:the waveforms structure,more samples and drum sounds:)Don't forget to mention it has AM and PWM.A major weak point is that it has only one LFO which can't affect the filter but only the pitch,bad :(...oh and is only polyphonic you can't make mono lead sounds on it (strange?)

This is, quite simply, the greatest synth ever made.

The presets are based on short PCM samples stored within the synth memory, but you don't have to use these.
You can base your sounds on 'structures' that only use synth waves as the oscillator sound sources.
This effectively gives you a 4-oscillator vitual analogue synth, which is 8-part multi-timbral (or 9-part if you include the excellent drum kit.)

There's a basic but useful 8-track linear sequencer, with a parallel pattern-based drum machine (storing 32 user patterns), and individual track buttons for selecting/muting tracks on the fly.
Coloured lights on the track buttons flash when they are triggered by sequencer notes or incoming MIDI information.

The disk-drive stores voices and sequences, and a card slot can be used to double the voice memory by using a RAM card.
Software voice editors are available online (if you can find them.)

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The reverb is basic but effective, and MIDI is well implemented.
The keyboard is velocity sensitive and the synth is very compact considering all the features it contains.

Above all, the sound-engine is superb - filter sweeps are particularly cool.
It may be difficult to program, but when you get it right the results are stunningly atmospheric.

It was released at the same time as the Korg M1 and people tend to praise the M1 while denigrating this machine.
But for pure sonic power and richness, the D-20/D-10/D-110 has no equal.

I too have had my D20 for about 20 years it is still brilliant. I also have a problem with the floppy disk drive not reading my disks so am waiting with breath held to see of anyone comes up with the answer.

What about the memory cards M256d could you record sequencer information to this or only sounds and rhythm sounds?

If I got a replacement floppy disk that uses HD floppy's do you think that it would work? Could do with a system to save and read the saved information onto a more modern memory card SD type or even better a USB flashdrive.

I have owned my D-20 for about 20 years. It was my first synth and I love it. I had to purchase a book written by a D-20 expert about how to use it (the manual was worthless - translated form japanese to bulgarian to yiddish...) but What a Keyboard! I still use it. QUESTION - Does anyone know what do to if the floppy disk writer/reader fails?
Let me know Stuff@GibGibson.com.