Vintage Synth Explorer

Roland • S-10

The Roland S-10 is a very limited consumer-grade keyboard sampler. Its sampling specs are limited to a 12-bit, 30kHz sample-rate. With only 256k of internal memory spread over 4 banks (64k per bank) you get a maximum sample time of 4.4 seconds (1.1 seconds per bank). That's hardly enough for any serious music production. Samples can be stored and loaded on a built-in 2.8" floppy disk system called the Quick Disk drive (which isn't very quick by today's standards). Fortunately the 4 sample banks translate to 4-part multitimbrality in which the 4 banks can be played simultaneously, split and layered across the keyboard and so on.

Roland has created some nice libraries for the S-10 which are on disk. If you find yourself looking for a very cheap sampling keyboard for general fun and use, make sure you get these sample libraries with the S-10. To create your own samples, although the S-10 has its limits, sampling is pretty easy and was designed for any novice to intermediate player. 30kHz or 15kHz sampling is available, and the S-10 has a pretty good auto-loop feature. The 12-bit resolution and 30-15kHz sample-rates mean lo-fi quality (which you might find desirable). Further edit parameters include sample trimming, looping, reverse, tuning, envelope editing, filtering, velocity effects and hi-pass or low-pass filtering. All this editing is achieved by assigning the parameters to a dial or wheel just like the Alpha Juno series.

The MKS-100 is a rackmount version of the S-10, but the S-220 is an upgraded and enhanced rackmount version of the S-10 / MKS-100 that appeared in 1987. Both the S-10, MKS-100 and S-220 make ideal entry-level instruments for anyone interested in keyboard samplers. The S-10 has been used by D:ream.

VISITOR COMMENTS (11)

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Marvin78

Posted 46 days ago

MidiOx also works great sending samples as sysex

LagrangeAudio

Posted 101 days ago

The S10 Manager is a good bet for S series with non-working QD's. I use it on an S220 and it works really well:

http://members.lycos.nl/s10manager/

Curtis

Posted 220 days ago

The problem with your disk drive is most likely the belt. The QD disk system has a weak link; the rubber drive belt. If you are up for the repair, or want to take it in, you need a 9 inch by 2 mm replacement belt. Try and track one down at you local electronics repair store or this place says they will have some in January.
Rising Stuff The disc drives were also used in an ancient ninetendo console called the Famicom system.

Here is a link that shows how to change/ install the new belt once you get the drive out of your S-10.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJbWPVS0Suk

Good Luck and email me if you need more info.
curtisandheidi (at) netscape (dot) net

Dan

Posted 259 days ago

My QD drive went bad on my OLD S10. Purchased it in 1989, was a great unit......Any Ideas on how to get it working again? HELP...........

Bluelight

Posted 510 days ago

It should not be a vegetable even if the diskdrive i broken

Check this:

http://members.lycos.nl/s10manager/

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