All user reviews for the Roland U-20

Some very realistic Piano sounds with the default Patches. Can also create some great Sound FX. Wide selection of accessory PCM Cards to add new sounds

PROS: Excellent PCM samples. Nothing beats the SN-U110-12 Saxophone & Trombone PCM Card. http://llamamusic.com/u20/u-20.html

CONS: Cryptic interface and the WORST Owner's Manual I have EVER read. Poor aftertouch response

I have been using the same U-20 in my studio since 1990. I also took it on the road for about 125 live gigs over a five year period and it held up without the need for any repairs other than replacing the internal battery. I kept it housed in a padded carry case when transporting and I keep it covered while in the studio to prevent dust accumulation, one of the U-20's worst enemies. The C1 and C2 sliders provide a useful way to quickly step through menu selections, send Control Changes internally and also send Control Changes to external MIDI devices. I was lucky to purchase one of the later production models which has the v3.03 ROM IC. It improves MIDI and keyboard lag-time response, a problem noticed with the older v2.00 ROM's. The U-20's technology is almost 25 years old and obviously can't compete with the whizbang features on the synths of today, but it's still a workhorse and will always have a spot in my studio

I recently acquired a second U-20 on eBay for $50. It was sold as "broken". The fix was to replace the battery and reload the Factory Patches. Gotta love eBay :^)

I give a personal opinion in relation to the time of the keyboard and not a current opinion ... because apart from a few sounds still usable (sheets / piano / bass), the U-20 is completely overwhelmed.
64 factory patches + 64 card RAM, with 128 stamps.

Typical characteristics of 80/90 years, chorus reverb and delay effects are good.

UTILIZATION

How to work with this rompleur is quite different synthesizers of the time, you can "remodel" the sounds but can not create them from A to Z. The way to access the editing functions is not more logical but we made it. For example, to access the PCM cards must go through several menus and sub menus, simply by pressing the "card" button is not enough ...

SOUNDS

The sonorities are excellent, were very successful samples (I always speak in terms of its time).
The best are:
-nappes
-bells
-pianos
-Voice

Very good effects too.

OVERALL OPINION

A very solid and reliable machine with good sound, the only downside is the key contacts that oxidize quickly, too bad.

It's actually a reader sample. We can complter those Intgr in the machine with cards insrer the rear of the unit.
Connection ok: 2 Stereo pairs of outputs, one with the effects, a direct effects, MIDI In, Through and Out
6-way multi-timbral + Battery
5 octave keyboard with after touch (which silent rare in this price range the era)

UTILIZATION

Sounds to change (not ditables) on the small screen. With a little practice, you arrive empty accder what one seeks.
I well exploit the era since my Atari 1040 ST. Some samples are trs polyphony and applicants must pay attention to number of channels used for some dumb because if too much polyphony request.
There is software to edit but I've never used.

SOUNDS

The sounds are well on Roland trs typs but some are really good trs: acoustic piano, some low fat and ground of course!
The presets are usable in that state (these are the samples I RPET).

OVERALL OPINION

I do not regret buying this machine I possde more ... although it does serve me much anymore.
It's been two times that I do rpar keyboard and media programming buttons, a disease seems to be rcurrente.
Buy Now? If low prices and good state, why not?

It's been 15 years since I have this machine!
My first synth that makes not a synth but a sample player RS-PCM.
I mean the machine has no oscillators, but sounds just sampled.
So fans will be disappointed filters because this machine does not.
The feel of the machine is good, neither too hard nor too soft.
There aftertouch, and a controller called pitch bender that allows the sound to vibrate or to deuce and sliders.
Level connections, the top: 3 MIDI: in, out, thru, two pairs of stereo outputs, enough to connect a foot switch, headphone jack etc ...
The multi effects processor is great for quality and
The reverbs excellent and there is also a flanger a cross delay, but no distortion.
Bank of 128 sounds.
Machine away from what we can do for techno, nice to make new age music style.
Polyphony: 24 voices.

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is very simple because we can edit on this machine is only the ADSR.
Then we add the effects, and it plays!
on the other hand I would point out that this machine is very good as a master keyboard.
The MIDI menu is very complete.
The U20 has a very nice chord button that allows you to tackle a key agreement that there will be scheduled in advance.
The arpeggiator is light enough ... but can operate in line with the key chord
The manual is very thick and full of memory (it's been 14 years since I have not opened!)

SOUNDS

- The sounds they are suitable to your style of music?
So the right question because I'm the techno trance and dance on the occasion!
Well yes, because for the dance we have to die for piano, choir super friendly and sheets of old analog synths Roland
The effects are nice, but again quite limited
The term is simply excellent
- What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?
Some sounds are really viellots, but the strings are great, the choir also amazing slap bass, not many sounds bad if not electric guitars that sound like harpsichords (I really know what they masturbated on this one!)
Expansion cards are worth their weight in gold.
I have three myself: FX drums, guitars and chéplu!

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it: 15 years!
- What is so special that you like most: great master keyboard, piano in many of my compos
- The least: no filtering of sounds
- Have you tried many other models before buying it at the time?
No, actually yes a Yamaha SY99 that I preferred to forget as soon as I almost die because it was so huge ... like sounds and the price!
- How would you rate the quality / price ratio: it is currently listed cheaper than any master keyboard plastic mold while it is all steel with an ultra right touch and aftertouch!
It has piano sounds, strings and choirs which alone justifies its purchase, not to mention the excellent drum set for everything except techno!
- With experience, you do again this choice: bein, I have always this sentimental es doctor?

Synth PCMM

UTILIZATION

Config trs simple, short Settings, just shuffled PCM sound.
the manual is clear trs.

SOUNDS

The sounds are a little dsuets today, even if any of nice (piano, new age tablecloths).
good effects too.
the keyboard is a little ballast so pretty, with good and even a rponse aftertouch.
Against it by a big problem: some keys have stopped working APRS two years. I sent the Repair Tool: return ok APRS three months. But again the pbs anne APRS ... So I took another master keyboard.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 15 years.
I like it for certain sounds, and then it was my first synth ...

TOC connectivity There's nothing to say whatever it takes. the number of his? not the slightest ide, but not difficult munuel c koi ke, I have another synth for which I had the manual much later and I could draw better I could know the resultat.et number of sounds.

UTILIZATION

I have no manual so I can not judge, but then what's to travaiiler a gallery. we lost in the menu and sub menu, I also have a qs 300 which must be a bit older: it is much easier to find the parameters and even to modify the QS300 than the 20 u .
Two effects. but quite complicated to resolve.
and transposes the setting of a horror.

SOUNDS

It's the only thing that saves u 20; sound samples as I understand it. who loves me tweak the top of the c not the way in which the menu are prepared.
some merit to be able to have a panel of greater effect in order to grind a little more. correct answer to the swift.

OVERALL OPINION

I have the synth for a month and I feel I have already managed to go around. without any doubt that this is a synth that offers sound quality but there is not indispensable to my senses to extract the marrow.
if I were to compare a MS2000 or NOVA I would say it's pretty bland, with little more possibilite.de, mine had problems with rubber-contact I managed to bring in gently clean the contact surface. it is a disease in the family u 20
I ahet because I know who had a relationship and was happy. I think I'll part with it for the benefit of a JD 800 if I find one.