Roland D-5

What type of keyboard (synth, piano...)? How many octaves?
This is a synth board.  It does have piano patches but they in no way sound like real piano's.
What controlers (pitch, modulation, sustain...)?

It has a single axis pitch controller.  Comes in handy for synth leads and horns, but thats about it
What connection types are there (Audio, MIDI, pedals...)?
The connections are Midi in/out, "Hold" which is the same as sustain and it also has a card slot for Library Roms
How many sounds, effects? What styles? Can they be edited?
There are qute a few sounds on here, I believe somewhere around 60 or more.  I also have two expansion cards so all together, I get around 200 i think.
through a Mac/PC utility program?

There is some software out there that says it can do this, but I haven't tried it yet.  I believe Soundquest Midiquest has compatibility.
What's the polyphony?...
I believe its only around 20 even though I have heard claims that it has 32



UTILIZATION

Is the sound or effects editing easy?
Unfortunately, the buttons on my D5 are very hard to push and don't always work, so right off the bat, editing sucks.  Beyond that though, I still have to say its quite difficult.  I am so use to computer based synths that I forgot how to quickly run over a hardware board and be efficient.  I am sure practice will help me improve, but I do plan on getting the midi software, seems to be the way to go.

Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
NO, every manual that I have ever had from Roland usually bites the big one.  The one that I got with this looks handwritten as is a lot of technical info that I will have to decipher.

Is the general configuration/setup simple?
well, its pretty easy to turn on and select patches, so yes I guess.



SOUNDS

Are they realistic?
NO, not even close.  But thats not why I got it anyway.  I like the thin, harsh sounds that this baby can scream out.  I run it through a host of effects including some MoogerFooger pedals and I get some great lead,pads and piano patches.
What do you think about the effects?
The effects are nothing to go crazy for, the chase is a limited delay, the arpeggiator is Ok, and the other two aren't even worth talking about.

Is the expressiveness acceptable? (touch sensitivity, aftertouch)?
In comparison to todays standards, the expressiveness is really weak.  The range of touch sensitivity is very small and I don't think this unit has aftertouch, even though some say it does.

What sounds do you like or hate?
I love the pads and leads, the piano's are ok, the basses are pretty sweet, some of the horns are ok, and the organs are pretty sweet too.  I pretty much love all the patches but keep in mind that I want them to sound "bad" so I am fairly biased.

Are the A/D and D/A convertors transparent?
Not really sure how to answer this one.  This thing clean sounds like it came right out of a cheezy 80's/90's pop band, but effected and gritted up, it sounds right out of Bjork, Beck or Portishead.  I love it.

OVERALL OPINION

What thing do you like most/least about it?
I love the "awful" sounds.  It is great for people writing electronica or just scary/dark rock stuff.  What I don't like is the buttons need to be mashed in order to function, but that might just be mine.

Did you try many other models before getting this one?
Yes, I have lots of synths, but one that is closer that I had is a Casio CZ5000.  The Casio did not have touch sensitivity so it had to go in the end.  That feature alone makes the D5 a way better synth.

What is your opinion about the value for the price?
I paid $100 for the board and two expansion cards and I am very very happy.

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
Yes, instantly, I love this thing.

Precision and quality of the sound?
Again, not very realistic at all, but thats not the point in having an old digital synth these days, right?

5 octave keyboard synthe with velocity and aftertouch not
Quite suitable as keyboard
Standart controller Pitch bend + Mod + Sustain Pedal
Connectors MIDI IN OUT THROUGH
No effect
Multitimbral

UTILIZATION

Config simple after you understand the basic principles
Light Edition
Manual well

SOUNDS

It's a synth just go anywhere but still effective on the water table for example.
This is a synthe LA (D50/D20/D10/D5 .....)
Good to see the pads for strings and organ
For the pianos and electric pianos blah blah blah

OVERALL OPINION

Uses roughly 5 years
Synthe entry-level AT THE TIME
I think for a lower price 150euros is a good quality / price

Now playing among other synths in:

-----------------[ Url] http://ma-musique.rendez-vous-blog.com/ -------------- ----
http://gilleslacaud.free.fr/

5 octave synth with the option of "move" the tone of an octave lower octave to a more acute.

controller "bend".

Audio jack connector, MIDI connectors (not used yet), sustain pedal jack.
How many sounds? As I recall, it must be in the 160, something like that. There is a little bit of everything, it'll instruments "traditional" things to room often unusable ... Polyphony, I know, but it's not a catamaran at that level.

As for his sound editing, for against, you will find a compatible card, and it is no small task, given the age of the machine ...

I went to 5 but I put 6 for exceptional strength of this synth. This is a rock metal!

UTILIZATION

Because the sounds are not models will without the card, and I did not, the general config for me is very simple! So, I do not even know what to say ... The manual? So it must be even more rare that the cards!

SOUNDS

I'm not a keyboardist, and my style is going often synth. But when I use them, and ben ... Let's say it goes quite a bit in the mix, and only in the mix. That said, I tone right away: I sometimes felt that way also with a Korg Trinity, however, much more expensive (and much better, needless to say), and even with Oasys! I have trouble with the sounds a little cold, and yet I know that we should not rely on what the instrument by itself. Only all day, and there he is doing a little better. The sensitivity of the keyboard is of course limited. I did some piano and I love when it vibrates when it reacts specifically for the musician (or his mistake ...).

In the mix, the sounds of strings not go too badly, pianos are a little light, must try and wait for surprises. Afterwards, these should be recorded in a notebook, and here.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it sparingly for two years. I like its sturdiness, it's plug and play is something practical. It can act as a master keyboard for the day of retirement because he will not let you go ...

Of course I like less the absence of effects, some sounds are not really compelling at the same time it's low-end there is a long time.

For a hundred euros is a bargain because strength issue, the new prices that are just ridiculous for sound quality not necessarily superior.

Warning: if necessary to say, it's a synth without integrated speakers! If you have nothing to connect it, do not buy it, it will cost you too much. Unless you want to play with headphones, which is always possible, of course.

A funny thing that D5 ... When we bought it (several!), We had no choice. Now I prefer to wait a little home studio use it to see what he can give. My provisional rating is 6. Because hey, it's a weird synths entry-level ...

Edit: after use for models, I remain cautious ... I do not change my rating for the moment, for lack of arguments to present in one way or the other.