The D-50 is an all-time favorite digital synth that's still just as popular today as when it first came out in '87. Once Roland's hottest digital synth, it competed against the Yamaha DX7, and was much easier to use. By joining 8-bit PCM samples with "LAS" synth-generated sounds, the D-50 is capable of unique and complex sounds. The PCM samples contained the attack transients, while the rest of the sound came from the Linear Arithmatic Synth (LAS) section which sounds very analog, with subtractive-style synthesis and low-pass-resonant filters. Built-in chorus and (for the first time) digital reverb are also included for giving your sounds space and life! It also has a joystick controller for real-time timbre manipulation. The D-50 was great for new and non-acoustic, percussive, ethereal and beautiful pads & sounds.

Roland D-550 Rack Version

Both the D-50 and D-550 benefit from the PG-1000 external controller which gives you very plain and simple slider/fader type control of all adjustable parameters of the synth. The D-50 includes MIDI on all 16 channels but because it is monotimbral you can only use one channel at a time. There is an upgrade which will give the D-50 and its rackmount version a full 16 channels of simultaneous MIDI multitimbral data communication. This popular synth has been widely used in all forms of music. Eric Clapton, Enya, 808 State, Jean Michel Jarre, Vince Clarke, Apollo 440, Eat Static, LTJ Bukem, Fluke, Information Society, Lab-4, Gary Numan, Rick Wakeman, Kitaro, Rush, Vangelis, Richard Barbieri, Boston and Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran are just a few of the many satisfied users.

Gianni

February 12, 2012 @ 4:51 pm

There aren't any audible differences between d50 and its rackmount version, d550.
Both have the same mainboard, same components, and same pcm54hp d/a converter.

Chrissy

January 29, 2012 @ 1:34 pm

?1995 Bought Roland d-50 from man who played in local band, son composed for a levels on it. I am. Now learning to play piano. I used to hear him playing piano mode thought it would be easy. I really don't know where to start, any tips folks would be much appreciated .

peter

January 8, 2012 @ 12:39 pm

Are there any differences between the d50 and the d550, soundwise?

Raul

December 22, 2011 @ 10:32 am

I just picked up a mint D-50 also I would love a copy of that book. thats very generous of you mick also found the PG-1000 on ebay.. Cant wait to get started on the vintage D-50 journey.

Mick

December 21, 2011 @ 3:33 am

I just got one of these with the PG-1000 programmer, man it's nice! I got a nice 54 page book with this, it's official Roland, the title is "Linear digital synthesizer D-50 book, Roland creative book". Inside it says: "This book is designed to introduce and explain the elements of the D-50 and LA synthesis in plain English and provide insight into getting the most music from this exciting new technology". Is anybody interested in this book, in that case, I could scan it and make it available if Roland doesn't mind.

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