The U-20 is nothing special. It is a digital synthesizer that uses ROM samples of pianos, brass, strings, bass, drums, etc. However it is built for professional use and is truly a quality instrument, even though its sounds may seem like dated-eighties synth pop cheese. It's got nice piano sounds, but they're not the real thing.

The U-20 features 6 part multitimbrality with a 7th drum part, plus 2 direct outputs and 2 stereo outputs. The 30 note polyphony helps if you take advantage of this synths multitimbrality for creating entire performances and ensembles. Digital reverb, chorus and delay effects liven up your sounds. Editing is simple, but there are no filters. With several performance features, the U-20 has a full 61 note keyboard with velocity and aftertouch. There's an on-board arpeggiator, a chord-memory feature and the U-20 accepts Roland SNU-110 sound library cards. It has been used by Prodigy and Astral Projection.

The Roland U-220 (pictured above) is simply a rack-mount version of the U-20. It has all the same sounds and features packaged in a compact single-space sound module.

JR

June 30, 2012 @ 2:35 pm

My U-20 took a dive and my G22 key broke in half. Does anyone know of a source for a replacement? I haven't found this particular key on eBay. Thanks.

Andrew

June 18, 2012 @ 4:02 pm

@hannibal you can't backup entire ROM. The 4MB of sampleas are stored in ROM, and you don't have to worry about losing it. What you want to backup is RAM, which is no bigger than 32Kb. And of course you can't send the ROM to PC and use it. That would be considered piracy.

Hannibal

June 14, 2012 @ 3:47 am

Hey, " f e r " - Thank for your help, but this url: http://www.rolandus.com/support/downloads_updates/general_apps.php, is only for Factory Default Patches.

I have different question: Is possible create backup content of internal RAM in Roland U220? (approximate 4MB samples - Pianos, Bass, Guitars, Organ, Drums ... etc) - on backup RAM card (eg. via card slot in U220) / or send content of internal RAM to PC?

If internal battery has be discharged - content of internal RAM in Roland U-220 is lost..!

(sorry, my english is bad) :-))

erik berg

June 9, 2012 @ 4:18 am

I will try to get m Roland u 220 connect MIDI to my Roland Discover 5. But have to find the way to connect this two brijant instruments ???? For reason I don't know anything about MIDI..

Fer

June 9, 2012 @ 3:48 am

To solve the problem of strange characters when you replace the battery:
http://www.rolandus.com/support/downloads_updates/general_apps.php

Here you have the original presets.
I hope that helps. It has the instructions into the zip file.

To know your version:
http://www.rolandus.com/corporate/press_media_resources/assets/SystemVer sionGuide.pdf

<121110987654>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (Required.)

Email Address: (Required, not published.)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.