All user reviews for the Roland D-20

Workstation for 89 years ... One of the first
8-track sequencer with more battery. (Not failed),
sounds pcm Fully editable
The sounds were less realistic than the u20 but very good anyway
16 multitimbral, 32 voice polyphony but some sounds are four
Midi in out and thru
Headphone output
R / L outputs
Taken pedal
Pitch bend wheel roland
A floppy drive to save sequence, aff'd sounds .....
61 keys keyboard synthesizer great, good quality
Some effects reverb chorus. But overall if you're in multiplayer mode
Some embedded in a rhythm sequencer rhythms

Conccurent of the era who had a yamaha v50 seq step. But he flopped. It was less pro plasticky
Charlemie sewing was one with him to compose al era

UTILIZATION

ExtremeNet powerful and comprehensive. The edition of sounds and LA cfm allowed to return to the world of audio architect.
You could spend hours in a day to create its sound. Even if the small screen, ca al remained very modern era and accessible
The bank of sounds syssex were sold, very good quality
A very good big well done manual
Part twelve o'clock well detailed implementation, enabling enter the sysex from a ouil atari, mac and pc later

SOUNDS

Given in the context, sounds allowed to do good creations.
Not so realistic, but good water and electric piano strings, organ rock.
A soundtrack Terrile the airplane texas .... Full of sounds that are found on the first CD of the top 50
J had bought bank of sounds on disk that metamorphosed. The sounds were terrible!
Warm tones of saw and square

OVERALL OPINION

Over twenty years, the keyboard, sensors have deteriorated!
Back then it was costing about 2000 € new either 14000francs

Keyboard 61 keys with "a small velocity", 16 multitimbral parts.
2 Audio outputs L and R: 6.35
Midi In, Thru, out
Sustain pedal input, Stop / start sequencer: 6.35
32 voice polyphony
Type workstation that, for 1988, looks great with a full 8-track sequencer + 1 rhythm.
Backup songs, sounds etc.. by 720KB floppy disk.
Everything is explained on other opinions.

UTILIZATION

editing sound, in my opinion, is not very easy, because a small backlit screen 2X16 characters. setting seems complexe.
This kind of machine deserved at the time, to have an editor via computer.
LA synthesis is not so easy. I confess that I have not dwelt on the manual.

I rarely sought new sounds, the range is fairly complete.
I little or no rhythm part uses its having on hand, other ways to create patterns.

SOUNDS

At its commissioning, the first thing I did was listen to the demos: very successful, is it possible to recreate it yourself with the same D-20?.
All sounds including some fairly well known and all styles are fashionable late 80s. There is something for everyone.
I use D-20 performance rather than patch (more sound relief).
I appreciate the style sheets Warm pad, string, some organs.
To avoid acoustic pianos, acoustic and electric guitars.
the sounds of electric pianos are nice, pretty realistic.
I also remember some ethnic or exotic type sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

So I have since July 88, purchased by mail, attracted by its attractive price.
I did not have at the time the opportunity to try other models, the majority of my choice after the test benches were published in trade magazine (Keyboards mag, mag keyboard etc.).
Repeat this choice given the evolution of gear I do not think so.
But I keep this synth whose condition is impeccable.
Currently, he manages, in addition to its range of sounds, other expanders for even richer sound.

This synth has never left my house ..... except for playing organ part in a church for the wedding of my niece!

well, here
I will talk about my D20 negotiated 1989-9500 F of the time then it was worth 12000
This is a digital synthesizer 61 notes responsive to the velocity but not to aftertouch
64 sounds in internal memory and 128 editable presets editable
ability to play multitimbral 8 tracks + 1 drum track
sequencer step by step with the possibility of doubling the tracks and mixing balance and volume of each track automation
use performance in whole or dual mode split
pitch and modulation controller sustain pedal by
implemantation MIDI IN OUT throuth
32 voice polyphony separate battery fortunately

UTILIZATION

then only to play or use the sequencer it was very intuitive to me
once you understand the principle is beginning to take its songs quickly
the drum machine part works by up to 32 editable paterns and quantize function is monstrous and works in real time
can not save or not to punch in / punch out
The manual is well written but do not be afraid to spend time on
or where it gets complex is for editing sounds
a real gas plant but tamed fantastic opportunities

SOUNDS

obviously sounds sound very 80's but not that!
it is obviously far from sampled sounds and hyper realistic today
Zeus but not what I liked his recognizable sound between all
lead sounds of bass and synth sounds to Vangelis were among wishlist Tips
best of all the warm pad for tablecloths
there is no sound that I hate but some have paid the price to make room for my edited sound
keyboard that velocity but no aftertouch
I redid among others the Grand Blue on without expander nothing D20 only

OVERALL OPINION

So I've bought since 1989 it came out in competition with a Korg M1
may be a little worse in terms of sound, but with a great advantage
the first workstation or you could save all the pieces avce published on diskette thing sounds M1 was not
it allowed me to discover the world of synth and introduce me to MIDI
thereafter he was driven by my Casio MIDI guitar
it allowed me to make my guitar backtrack before the advent of the Internet
at negotiated price I think I got a bargain at the time
24 years and it works like the first day

Roland multi-timbral synth 61 keys. A workstation incorporating the synthesis PCM D-50 with an additional integrated sequencer and a drum machine (midi channel 10).
As an effects reverb and delay but alas no chorus. Keyboard touch agréable.Polyphonie 32 votes.

UTILIZATION

The manual was pretty clear and well done. I did not have a computer at the time so I developed all internal sounds in the synth.

SOUNDS

I pulled the abilities of D-20 maximum. I know this synth really by heart. Let's be honest: This machine is less dynamic in terms of capacity and its big brother the D-50. However, I programmed sounds of hundreds of pads, synth bass, Rhodes piano, fx etc ... Unlike presets provided, the D-20 is capable of going the distance with some synths premium even if a chorus would been welcome to expand tablecloths or bass sounds.
Music purchased from Italy to the big time, great workstation that allowed the joys of the composition, save to disk or his arrangements sound just before the Atari ST only landed two or three years later with Cubase .. .

OVERALL OPINION

I can not really be objective about my opinion on this synth has a huge capital sympathy in my heart. That was when I discovered the sound synthesis, the magazine Keyboards proposed small paintings presets for DX7, D-50 ... Pop Music in France and England used the samples at all-will constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and dreamed in future Alan Wilder or Eric Serra ... The good old days when Roland has influenced a whole generation of guys like me ptits with synthesizers.

Sythétiseur with a 5-octave keyboard unballasted, especially dedicated to the creation of sounds (waveforms and / or PCM samples) and composition (drum machine and sequencer), dating from the late 80s.

With time (lack of use, dust), the keyboard may have contact problems at the keys (no response or no sensitivity to the contrary), it is then necessary to disassemble and clean the contacts with a suitable product (very tedious ).

UTILIZATION

Configuration seemed pretty affordable at the time, mainly thanks to the support of the manual, although it is true that the navigation through the tiny screen requires some practice .

SOUNDS

The acoustic piano sound factory should be avoided completely unrealistic (too bright and metallic), the sounds of electric piano and organ are quite interesting and a lot of synthetic sounds have a real interest in particular in terms of heat.

No after touch, many good reverbs sufficiently configurable delays several quite basic, it's all for the effects themselves (no chorus) but the setting of several sounds associated achieves "effects" interesting.

The sequencer was very interesting in the pre-computer music and included all the necessary functions.

Traditional backup disks (with special formatting I think) method very slow loading and saving in comparison to the current rate, it is now possible to transfer data from computer via MIDI D20.

OVERALL OPINION

I used a lot in the 90s, then replaced as needed better piano sounds but I do not exclude the restart.

It is a device attaching whose forte seems its many sound editing.

is a multi timbre synth keyboard / sequencer and recording to disk or card (at the time was now also a good keyboard.

UTILIZATION

For my part I have been in conjunction with a MIDI micro korg and I get a tit of the best D-20, ca 'a few years now I have this keyboard, it must be the same first I had and I learned it and for me who knows what keyboard can tell you that can in time it will pass in vintage category. I look for another and it's true that I can not find even on Ebay and I know not why. If someone said to me why this keyboard is not found in a stomach.
Thank you.

SOUNDS

Audible and the good overall.

OVERALL OPINION

Good. that is why I sought an!.

61-key keyboard trs trs flexible, with a trend it is true "m.erd.r" after a few years (Be careful the OCCAZ "even if any boyfriend just bricoluer can change the "RUMBERs" in 1 hour 3 times for nothing ...)

UTILIZATION

The use of D20 is easy, except that the squenceur .... but uses it again?

SOUNDS

The sounds are those of the D10, and D5 of synthse THE trs so while remaining far from a D50 ...
Overall, I must say ... the vrit presets have a lot older! But it must be noted that the D20
is able to produce beautiful analog sounds that should delight Technofil ... For the rest, spend most current MODELS

OVERALL OPINION

For the little hispanic, the first album of ZAZIE t model has a D20!

Frankly, there is no great advantage to possess this type of material in the home studio.
mine is running in master keyboard for years, and rare are the moments I venture o br /> make him sound out ...

But I love mr Roland Dvin C'tait ... my first synth!

61-key classic quip connections (Midi Output + headphone). Multi-timbral 8 tracks + batteries, the keyboard includes a while (the era rvolutionnaire) squenceur + box + a gnrateur rhythms of analog waves (like Juno) + a g nrateur wave PCM + HD floppy drive.
On leaving, c'tait a monster!

UTILIZATION

Operation is super simple in all areas: using simple keyboard spliter or not as the edition of the sounds, rhythms, etc ... In short, everything is easy and the instructions are clear trs.
The only lack the flexibility squenceur mode: you can not really touch and polyphony is too small to grate 8 tracks.

SOUNDS

Ben, c'tait of the era synths so over now, there is a bad. Many of the sounds lack ism and especially some PCM samples are filled with breath sounds (c'tait The beginning of synthses PCM). That said, all sounds are analog. The editor allows the sound of Fast Fashion trs complex loops up to 4 samples per sound. In short, for those who love the sound Fast Fashion, c'tait a treat (it happened when same-breath and remove the noise by filtering).

OVERALL OPINION

For beginners, it's a great synth. The floppy disk drive allows you to customize the sounds, rhythms. Thus, on disk, you can have several banks of sounds or rhythms.
Besides a, a keyboard is super strong. If the keys are a little tired, you just have to disassemble (beware of electronic tracks, the Casing is mtallique) and leave the keys a one, then you change all the rubber marks (a set of 61 notes sells for about 20 Euros) and you with a keyboard with a touch like new!
In short, I have used for over 10 years, I know 100%. It can really make a lot of things this type of synth (the synths of today, it is + or - D20 with more polyphony and an improved sound synthse).

5 octave keyboard with a control wheel and pedals made, sustain, and for the control of the sequencer. Not to mention the MIDI in, out, thru.
Stereo Output
Two banks of 127 sounds, double capacity by adding card (with 127 users)
32 voice polyphony, a little trick to couple two d20, d10 or MT32 or for more polyphony.
squenceur 8 votes Intgr with a rhythm track, the whole backup disk.
Making it probably the Premire worstation affordable.
Note the effect is felt the era, especially gard to the price!

UTILIZATION

Machine trs enjoyable to use, for programming against some pnible silent because of course it was the ballad of all your checks order, fortunately srigraphi Shma on the machine allowed to navigate. I used an editor on the Atari to program in its time.
The manual silent a marvel of clarity and c'tait really a pleasure to find the information sought in

SOUNDS

This cot I find that the machine has not aged trs! But in its time it made me great service, especially when I was short of polyphony.
The D50 is probably an exploitable machine today for synthetic sounds
For cons for acoustic sounds said do not talk about even more ...

OVERALL OPINION

The machine remained in my set for 15 years can prs, without any failure!
In his time the squenceur Intgr had really made me happy
When it was released this machine silent and unique in this price range, then returned to the CONTEXT of the era I would do well on this choice.
Today I would frankly it does not ide buy it.

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UTILIZATION

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SOUNDS

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OVERALL OPINION

So unlike my collgues above, I think if it was redone, I recheterais p'tit of a D20! and yet, I used to play with ranges as high joujours Korg Triton or Roland XP-50 or S5000 Aka!
But ..... r-costing in my compound Premire fates thanks to the D20 (ah the sequencer was the era the top!), I fall more in love with the synth sounds ticks: the grain of the water, leads, Strings is INNIMITABLE, a heat that it is hard to find on new BCAN ... besides, I can not find this grain, the heat on today's playthings .... careful! I did not say that today's synths taient bad littralement I fall in love with the sounds of a Triton dmentiels, but ..... small D20 color inimitable sound ..... and this is still, for me, its charm ...... Try, try a D20 for its ground, you will understand .....
For cons, I'm ok for acoustic sounds ..... forget it!! is a p at all .... but its usefulness is the most ..... it will fill a home studio already well supplied with sounds that are no longer and That said keep an incredible heat!

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UTILIZATION

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SOUNDS

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OVERALL OPINION

Ah! Nostalgia when you hold us ...

I will not dwell on technical aspects of the d20 so they are known and described here and there. In fact I think just intended to write a few lines on what was my first real synth. Now some will say it is outdated, that the sounds are ugly, it's breath, etc.. All this is true, but hey, a few treatments and the breath disappears, as the sounds, the D20 has enormous potential for editions that ultimately have little to envy the current synths. The realism of the sounds is not on the agenda, but they can bring a personal touch is between the "big" analog sounds, and sounds more neutral and the Triton consors. It is ultimately a question of balance and number of composition would benefit from a D20 to the extent that for once we hear a different sound ...

The sequencer is now ridiculous modes menus, submenus, sub-sub menus, etc.. accessible by a single button, are boring to be, but in the 90's and it was so good and it was not until the release of JD800 to feel that the trend was reversed.

I sold mine in 93, I still do not know why, and suddenly, I found one for 150 € and even if it is more a quirk than a real need, I do not regret my purchase because I know I will use it soon even though initially it will serve as master control I will emphasize to the sounds outside the box ...

D20 I love you

The memories of my, D20 is that I could take her when I went on vacation, the sequencer super convenient, I have in memory function really top that was able to instantly remove the reverb on a particular drum sound, or give more, we could even have the space of stereo percu a tom left and gradually all the other toms that was green to the right providing a stereo effect difficult to setup on many of today without reading the synthe doc 15 times, the sound was of epoch depasss now, but the brass was correct, warms too, so I used a good synthe early 1992 with Cubase, Cubase SX now Sampletank XL2 and Edirol Orchestral with HQ replace my expanders and synthetic

UTILIZATION

Synthe simple, use hyper logical screen ideal

SOUNDS

Sounds for the time was right, I used it for many model, it sounded too much even when "MIDI"

OVERALL OPINION

I keep 2 years, sold for a Korg M1 (something) very promptly disappointed with the low

Ha is the derrire me I bought it in September 90 for my birthday javais 16 years I have made pti jobs to me bought. 10,000 frs napprouvais not my parents.
I alpoque rvais D-50, DX7, VFX ....
For its sound, although h is what it is. With this machine you can have a beautiful trs. Llectronique means from time to time. It has its rawest coarser than the D-50 and may have their samples diffrent fat low diffrent. Grasse has a better part of architecture that made the D-50, part 3 envelopes which gives the posibilit to have a less monotonous than the D50!

A floppy drive for any backup is gnial; for a super low-budget machine EST

the squence silent lpoque not bad for it lacks the step by step

it is on this machine that I learned music, I played a JM Jarre. Anne regardless of the purchase of the APRS-20 I bought a D-50 chances.
There is what one dixanne Danne in trying to get back to music I bought a D-70 and SY 77, a mouth for a A90ex bread. from a sampler has joined all these people a K4 Akai given by a colleague, I never utilisbr /> The D20 was the first workstation Cheap
I would sell the legendary I hope not ...

UTILIZATION

Pretty simple on any plans gnrateur sound squenceur and drum machines.

SOUNDS

It is the height of its price

This is the EHJV audio quality but trs possibility of interest and passes the point of d50 (more denveloppe)

OVERALL OPINION

Very good first synth

Synth keyboard 5 octaves. Pitch bend / modulation. Sustain pedals / sequencer start-stop / bypass (as it is between what branch).
Sounds compltement ditables except for PCM, which can only tinker with the pitch and ADSR.
I believe that there are publishers PC / Mac, but I never used.
MIDI In / Out / Thru
No spares outlets. Just a Stereo output.

UTILIZATION

This is a synth workstation. include: edition of sounds, rhythms bote, squenceur, and you can save the whole disk.
I have mine since 1988 and believe me that the era, the report qualitprix silent beat, given the features.

The big problem is that the sequencer is recording all the flies. No step function. But bizzare, given that just as rgler Prior to Quantize function of each note entry or percussion, it is much more in tune with the same groove that clicking the song b ment of blocks to make patterns. It is certainly more physical but also your exact suffers in the right way!

There are some internal effects trs basic delay and reverb but unfortunately we can not apply on the entire song (except, on the slopes sr Reverb OFF mode, which will remain dry). Clearly, a reverb on a track and a delay on the other simultanment is impossible (except, sr manually recreating the delay effect with changing volumes, pans, etc ... hh ... ancient!)

I can be no objectively on the ease of use, since with the usual, I am become as natural as if he had t transplant birth. I guess some ADVANCED USERS will find that some functions are a little empty priori hideouts (such as for example rverbs ...)

I remember that the manual is clear and plutt in French.

SOUNDS

So immediately, we must forget the factory sounds that do not really a good glimpse of the capabilities of the machine, especially in terms of purely electronic sounds. Nanmoins must reconnatre do that juggling between Sawtooth and Square, you do not go very far either. The 4 by its partial is not sufficient to give a lot of EHJV or relief ... but when properly combined two sounds in the Performance mode, can be reached about the results that do carrment!
Presets such as Warm Pad arrive DGIG heat my Kurzweil K2500 would be unable to re-create, but it remains all the same distance derrire a Juno-106. A much greater diversity of sounds nanmoins!
Note that the original percussion have such personality that I can reconnatre no problem in any song. If so ... even a kick or a closed hi-hat ...
And despite all the care you may make - the sounds of percussions do not slam! Clearly, an external compressor is an absolute NCESS - but remember that there is no output spares ...

OVERALL OPINION

J'espre never have me Spar my D-20 - mostly for nostalgic reasons - in DPIT that certain areas of the LCD screen no longer appear ...

I do not see the nanmoins not too useful to recommend it, except those STRP really spend time on it to Chernobyl to exploit opportunities. But for beginners on a workstation at 21me century, both jump on anything with your exact is immediately usable. That said, I'm sure a few D-20 sounds well put together can give any piece cr primarily with other machines a warm color, especially diffrent unique!