@moonwalker5058 The only Patches that are compatible would be from a D10, D20 or a Patch Librarian designed to work with these boards. The D5 and D110 can Share Tone data via cards or MIDI and the previously mentioned Patch Librarian. The Advanced Architecture of the D50 is NOT compatible in any way. Which is too bad really.
I'm about to put one up for sale near Chicago. All works perfect except floppy and the "value" slide switch goes from 0-100 if you barely move it. Fine "value" adjustments can be made still with the arrow keys easy enough. LEDS all work and the test feature says battery is O.K. as well as on board internal memory. Very nice shape but I'm upgrading to an XP and have a M-Audio Keystudio49i already. If you want more info. & pics. message me. Thanks.
hi, i bought a D-20 and I pressed something and now i can only play half of the keyborard? do you know how I can get it back so i can play all the keys again?
@greedyhips22 The board is most likely in Multitimbral mode. Push the Performance button (the LED will change) to play the whole board. The other option is to get a bit deep into the MIDI / upper /lower channel settings. I will email you a link for the owners manual.
@willrobinsonensoniq I got it yesterday! thanks for your reply, I had to change the Key on the thing called the point something.. any way I got it! thanks!
@24trivium24 Overall a seven. Sound programming initially a six, an eight after several years. Compared to today's gear? A soundcard on a 20+ year old computer would give this board a run for its money. Would I replace this if it was lost or stolen? Only if it was given to me. I have grown to love this board as I "cut my teeth on it." However I would not lament it's loss. The Korg Kronos looks good.
hello dude! can you please teach me how to edit a good piano sound and strings too. i just got my d-20 and i initialized but still some program are missing like. thnks much appreciated... email me bobdiaz98@yahoo.com
@sssyntax "formatted it" Initialized? If so, I remember all the patches go to Split by default. Load saved sounds off a card or disc or edit and write to memory for each Patch to get Dual or Whole back. In multi mode you need to set both upper and lower to the same MIDI channel. Do you have the Manual? If not I can send the link to you.
@cherryboysoda81 You will need a librarian / program software with sounds for the D series (D110/10/20/5) gear and a usb/midi device. Which program you choose/use is up to you. Any suggestions from fellow users are welcome.
@link0587 Hey, I see you haven't worked on you D-20 enough. Check this Hammond B3 clone I made myself (all synthesis, no samples here) with the D-20 L.A. engine: tindeck.com/listen/uobu
@willrobinsonensoniq Thank you! The Leslie simulator is a Line 6 Rotomachine pedal. It is responsible for the grittiness, through its overdrive and tone control. Its a great pedal.
@rattu123 As you see in the video, I was in a pad/effects sounds programming mood at the time. I have managed a cool organ sound run through the Digitech RP350 for that 70's feel. Are you familiar with Derek Wadsworth? His efforts with the second season of Space 1999? The was a really good phased/flanged organ I have duplicated fairly well on the D20, using external effects of course.
@willrobinsonensoniq I haven't heard about Derek Wadsworth before, but right now I'm researching about his music. Why don't you post that organ you made? I'd love to hear it, phaser/flanger on organs feels like pure late 70s Sci-Fi! I'll be waiting to hear it. By the way, lovely pads you have there, huh? I'll spend some time creating some inspired on yours.
Really need that scratch sound effect because I tested it as external synthesizer on one game for old Sharp x68000 called Castlevania.Really awesome MIDI musics in that game!
You can actually send those soundsets in your pc and share them with others somehow...It is called SysX(System Exclusive Message).It transmits it through midi cable on your pc.I have downloaded GM compatible soundset for this on Roland's US webpage(somewhere downloads,then general apps).You just need to go to data transfer then one-way bulk sel,load,display up,sound and then on your pc play that mid file and you are good to go!There is a way to do that vice-versa.I think with Midi Quest.
I have one of these machines myself, spent a long time tweaking every parameter of this synth, and I've discovered this synth can make huge 4 independent oscillators polyphonic sounds (I'm talking about 8 voices of polyphony), every single osc with its own filter, envelope and pitch parameters editable individually. Since this patch uses only 1 Tone, and a Patch takes 2, I can make it even bigger with 8 independent Oscillators at once! I can't remember a synth that could do this! I can prove it!
Ebay lists the D20 at $300 USD or less. I recommend visiting Vintagesynth to get a variety of opinions on this board. If you keep your expectations in check, this 21 yr old keyboard will not disappoint. I run mine into a guitar effects pedal (Digitech RP350) which transforms this board into whatever I need it to sound like. Built in effects did not make or break a board until the Korg M1 showed up a year after the D20. Good luck on your purchase.
why you need a roland d-20? it is an outdated digital "synth", with no real synthesis capabilities - all the best sounding patches are made from samples. if you like the "feel", look at the D-50, which at least has a filter usable on the samples. the other instruments are crap too, except the organs, but any cheap casio keyboard sounds better for $150...
With all due respect, od8086, I'd say you're joking! In case you're not, well... here is goes:
If you take a look at my video, you'll easily recognise a Casio on top of a Yamaha SY-55 on my right side, altough I'm only using a Roland E-86 and also have a Technics KN3000 (not on that video). The closest thing I have to this D20 is an Oberheim Matrix-1000 (behind me on the same video) which I like to define as a "sound processor"... (cont.)
My point is, when it comes to Casio... come on, I only consider the keyboard as "decoration". It just can't be compared to a D20, eheh... the Oberheim, on the other hand, it's not so simple to use, mostly 'cause you need an extra keyboard for the midi connection and some of the controls may get a bit confusing (if you know what I mean).
This is the main reason why I said that but, no doubt, a D50 would be much better...
ok, I haven't seen your vid before. I just read your comment about getting a D-20, and I tried to warn you: this is a 20 years old synth, and in 2009 there is really no reason to buy one.
Dude, you're totally wrong. This synth has the Linear Arithmetics engine, which means it has both non editable PCM and editable oscillators, with filter, envelopes and more. More than this, the D-20 can use 8 independent oscillators (filter, envelopes, pitch, fine pitch, lfo for each one) at once! This is a great synth for tweakers and a total crap for preset guys. I'll post vids with the patches I made myself to show you its capabilites. About Casio, look for CZ series vids and change yr mind
No, it's a crap nowadays. The osc's are a piece of shit, particularly the "triangle" . the filter is a child's toy, with no real resonance, and only LP response. but the worst thing is, that there is no way to filter the PCM samples. and the LFO is only for pitch too. Crap. Is there a reason to use a D-50 nowadays, but no one should tinker with D-20 in 2010. I'm using it as a master kbd, for that it's perfect... But I'm really interested in your patches, I'll search for them.
Hey, dude, take it easy! Everyone knows its not VCF, its a digital emulation of it, so no point comparing it A/B with VCF. Yamahas DXs doesn't has filters too, and nobody hates it for that lack. And, why the hell would I use these horrible PCMs (I hate PCM anyway), if my interest is in synth sounds? I'll make and post some videos, maybe you change your mind about your board. Just don't think about it like an analog, think "warm digital".
Ok, I'm taking it easy, sorry if my comment was rude or smtg, I'm not very well in English. Yamaha DX is an additive synth, so there isn't any reason to include a filter in it.You're right, the D-20's samples are not to good, except the two "analogue" leads (I guess it was sampled from a Jupiter).And you're right about the warm digital thing too :) But I'm into psy, and I need a resonant HP filter, with LFO on cutoff, and 24 or 48 dB/octave rolloff. So, for me, the D-20 remains THE master kbd :)
Every Casio CZ or VZ series are worth a listen. CZ-101, CZ-1000, CZ-3000, CZ-5000, CZ-1, VZ-1... long list here. Great synths, little money. Even cheaper and underrated than CZ and VZ series are the HT series. Think 4 oscillators at the same time with 8 polyphony (a Minimoog has 3) with REAL Resonant VCF and you have a HT-6000. A steal for its price.
Great sounds! I am a big fan of Roland D series. I remember the D-20 came out at about the same time as the M1. Well, everybody gravitated towards the M1 because it had 16-bit samples. I still think though that the roland D series was brilliant. I used to have a D-70, but the main board fried, so it quit working. However, I don't consider the D-70 to be a D series synth. It was more of a U-20 with filters and all. The D-70 was actually supposed to be called U-50. Anyway, thanks for post
i always have a different kind of voice sound thing like strings but how do i do regular piano ? please help.
Giovanni097 6 days ago
Is it possible for patches from a different keyboard to be installed on this one by midi or by a disk?
moonwalker5058 1 month ago
@moonwalker5058 The only Patches that are compatible would be from a D10, D20 or a Patch Librarian designed to work with these boards. The D5 and D110 can Share Tone data via cards or MIDI and the previously mentioned Patch Librarian. The Advanced Architecture of the D50 is NOT compatible in any way. Which is too bad really.
willrobinsonensoniq 1 month ago
the sounds are crap!
metallerium 2 months ago
make a demo of pianos, brass, strings and leads :)
Ulizz009 5 months ago
For sentimental reasons I gotta get one someday when I have a job.
jonnda 6 months ago
2:27 Information Society
thiagotecnico 6 months ago
I'm about to put one up for sale near Chicago. All works perfect except floppy and the "value" slide switch goes from 0-100 if you barely move it. Fine "value" adjustments can be made still with the arrow keys easy enough. LEDS all work and the test feature says battery is O.K. as well as on board internal memory. Very nice shape but I'm upgrading to an XP and have a M-Audio Keystudio49i already. If you want more info. & pics. message me. Thanks.
Dapeaceofjesus 8 months ago
hi, i bought a D-20 and I pressed something and now i can only play half of the keyborard? do you know how I can get it back so i can play all the keys again?
greedyhips22 10 months ago
@greedyhips22 The board is most likely in Multitimbral mode. Push the Performance button (the LED will change) to play the whole board. The other option is to get a bit deep into the MIDI / upper /lower channel settings. I will email you a link for the owners manual.
willrobinsonensoniq 10 months ago
@willrobinsonensoniq I got it yesterday! thanks for your reply, I had to change the Key on the thing called the point something.. any way I got it! thanks!
greedyhips22 10 months ago
On Scale 1-10, i would say 7. I have D-20 too. Very Basic synth. M1 and D-50 is much better.
Montin83 11 months ago
how good would you say this thing is, on a scale of 1 - 10?
24trivium24 11 months ago
@24trivium24 Overall a seven. Sound programming initially a six, an eight after several years. Compared to today's gear? A soundcard on a 20+ year old computer would give this board a run for its money. Would I replace this if it was lost or stolen? Only if it was given to me. I have grown to love this board as I "cut my teeth on it." However I would not lament it's loss. The Korg Kronos looks good.
willrobinsonensoniq 11 months ago
how do you get the phaser noise?
IndustrialGlitch 11 months ago
@IndustrialGlitch Quadraverb GT
willrobinsonensoniq 11 months ago
hello dude! can you please teach me how to edit a good piano sound and strings too. i just got my d-20 and i initialized but still some program are missing like. thnks much appreciated... email me bobdiaz98@yahoo.com
bobbassify 1 year ago
@bobbassify I sent you a message via YouTube.
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
Great vid man!
Ive had one of these for a while but havnt really used it.
Hey, can I ask, mine is stuck in split mode and even after changing the settings it goes straight back again.
It wasnt like that till I formatted it.
Any ideas on how to make it right again?
Cheers dude, and once again, great sounds!
sssyntax 1 year ago
@sssyntax "formatted it" Initialized? If so, I remember all the patches go to Split by default. Load saved sounds off a card or disc or edit and write to memory for each Patch to get Dual or Whole back. In multi mode you need to set both upper and lower to the same MIDI channel. Do you have the Manual? If not I can send the link to you.
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
Osaamaton ääliö. Kuka tahansa osaa painaa nappulaa, mutta teeppä musiikkia.
silve821 1 year ago
Is it possible to connect this keyboard to your computer and import he sounds into a software like fl studio If u can. Can u please tell how ??
cherryboysoda81 1 year ago
@cherryboysoda81 You will need a librarian / program software with sounds for the D series (D110/10/20/5) gear and a usb/midi device. Which program you choose/use is up to you. Any suggestions from fellow users are welcome.
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
The 'Warm Pad' preset sounds very Rendez-Vous. Reminds me of Ron's Piece.
Stoney3K 1 year ago
@Stoney3K The pad is similar, indeed.
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
como cuantos osciladores tiene, como 6. un kurzweil pc3x tiene 192. K pedo ahi pues
gerardo9402manuel 1 year ago
I used to have this synth, and hated it. I was spoiled by my ensoniqs on both sound quality and interface
link0587 1 year ago
@link0587 This was my 1st "Pro" synth so it will always have a place in my music. No argument from me on the Ensoniq sound quality and interface. ; )
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
@link0587 Hey, I see you haven't worked on you D-20 enough. Check this Hammond B3 clone I made myself (all synthesis, no samples here) with the D-20 L.A. engine: tindeck.com/listen/uobu
rattu123 1 year ago
@rattu123 Nice timbre on the Organ. Which effect/ leslie simulator did you use with it? Just the right amount of grit too.
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
@willrobinsonensoniq Thank you! The Leslie simulator is a Line 6 Rotomachine pedal. It is responsible for the grittiness, through its overdrive and tone control. Its a great pedal.
rattu123 1 year ago
@rattu123 As you see in the video, I was in a pad/effects sounds programming mood at the time. I have managed a cool organ sound run through the Digitech RP350 for that 70's feel. Are you familiar with Derek Wadsworth? His efforts with the second season of Space 1999? The was a really good phased/flanged organ I have duplicated fairly well on the D20, using external effects of course.
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
@willrobinsonensoniq I haven't heard about Derek Wadsworth before, but right now I'm researching about his music. Why don't you post that organ you made? I'd love to hear it, phaser/flanger on organs feels like pure late 70s Sci-Fi! I'll be waiting to hear it. By the way, lovely pads you have there, huh? I'll spend some time creating some inspired on yours.
rattu123 1 year ago
@rattu123 I will upload some more D20 sounds soon, may be a while though.
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
Unfair!! I want the PG10 programmer!!
subtexthiphop 2 years ago
You have D series gear? Cool. These sell at the $80-$150 price range though. Not cool. ; )
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
Really need that scratch sound effect because I tested it as external synthesizer on one game for old Sharp x68000 called Castlevania.Really awesome MIDI musics in that game!
xan1242 2 years ago
You can actually send those soundsets in your pc and share them with others somehow...It is called SysX(System Exclusive Message).It transmits it through midi cable on your pc.I have downloaded GM compatible soundset for this on Roland's US webpage(somewhere downloads,then general apps).You just need to go to data transfer then one-way bulk sel,load,display up,sound and then on your pc play that mid file and you are good to go!There is a way to do that vice-versa.I think with Midi Quest.
xan1242 2 years ago
Still have this synth!
But with few dead keys...
xan1242 2 years ago
I lost some keys also. The top 3 are gone. That leaves me 58 functional keys. I'll use them all if my muse sees fit to inspire me more. ; )
willrobinsonensoniq 2 years ago
I have one of these machines myself, spent a long time tweaking every parameter of this synth, and I've discovered this synth can make huge 4 independent oscillators polyphonic sounds (I'm talking about 8 voices of polyphony), every single osc with its own filter, envelope and pitch parameters editable individually. Since this patch uses only 1 Tone, and a Patch takes 2, I can make it even bigger with 8 independent Oscillators at once! I can't remember a synth that could do this! I can prove it!
rattu123 2 years ago
@rattu123 I always feel I have barely scratched the surface of this sound engine. I would enjoy you're sound demos when time allows. Take care.
willrobinsonensoniq 2 years ago
I have a d20 sat beside me... and it broke :(
slammy102 2 years ago
Sorry...
willrobinsonensoniq 2 years ago
@willrobinsonensoniq I since fixed it, and damn fine it was too! sold it on and got a D50 now
slammy102 1 year ago
@slammy102 If I find a deal on one, I will scoop up a D50 too. Have fun...
willrobinsonensoniq 1 year ago
I definately need one of those!
How much (roughly) does it cost, Will? I'm really looking for a good synth and... no doubt, that's a fine option!
Regards =)
JOSEENUNO 2 years ago
Ebay lists the D20 at $300 USD or less. I recommend visiting Vintagesynth to get a variety of opinions on this board. If you keep your expectations in check, this 21 yr old keyboard will not disappoint. I run mine into a guitar effects pedal (Digitech RP350) which transforms this board into whatever I need it to sound like. Built in effects did not make or break a board until the Korg M1 showed up a year after the D20. Good luck on your purchase.
willrobinsonensoniq 2 years ago
why you need a roland d-20? it is an outdated digital "synth", with no real synthesis capabilities - all the best sounding patches are made from samples. if you like the "feel", look at the D-50, which at least has a filter usable on the samples. the other instruments are crap too, except the organs, but any cheap casio keyboard sounds better for $150...
od8086 2 years ago
With all due respect, od8086, I'd say you're joking! In case you're not, well... here is goes:
If you take a look at my video, you'll easily recognise a Casio on top of a Yamaha SY-55 on my right side, altough I'm only using a Roland E-86 and also have a Technics KN3000 (not on that video). The closest thing I have to this D20 is an Oberheim Matrix-1000 (behind me on the same video) which I like to define as a "sound processor"... (cont.)
JOSEENUNO 2 years ago
(cont.)
In fact, it's an analog synthesizer.
My point is, when it comes to Casio... come on, I only consider the keyboard as "decoration". It just can't be compared to a D20, eheh... the Oberheim, on the other hand, it's not so simple to use, mostly 'cause you need an extra keyboard for the midi connection and some of the controls may get a bit confusing (if you know what I mean).
This is the main reason why I said that but, no doubt, a D50 would be much better...
JOSEENUNO 2 years ago
ok, I haven't seen your vid before. I just read your comment about getting a D-20, and I tried to warn you: this is a 20 years old synth, and in 2009 there is really no reason to buy one.
od8086 2 years ago
Thanks anyway, od8086 : )
Take care!
JOSEENUNO 2 years ago
Dude, you're totally wrong. This synth has the Linear Arithmetics engine, which means it has both non editable PCM and editable oscillators, with filter, envelopes and more. More than this, the D-20 can use 8 independent oscillators (filter, envelopes, pitch, fine pitch, lfo for each one) at once! This is a great synth for tweakers and a total crap for preset guys. I'll post vids with the patches I made myself to show you its capabilites. About Casio, look for CZ series vids and change yr mind
rattu123 2 years ago
No, it's a crap nowadays. The osc's are a piece of shit, particularly the "triangle" . the filter is a child's toy, with no real resonance, and only LP response. but the worst thing is, that there is no way to filter the PCM samples. and the LFO is only for pitch too. Crap. Is there a reason to use a D-50 nowadays, but no one should tinker with D-20 in 2010. I'm using it as a master kbd, for that it's perfect... But I'm really interested in your patches, I'll search for them.
od8086 2 years ago
Hey, dude, take it easy! Everyone knows its not VCF, its a digital emulation of it, so no point comparing it A/B with VCF. Yamahas DXs doesn't has filters too, and nobody hates it for that lack. And, why the hell would I use these horrible PCMs (I hate PCM anyway), if my interest is in synth sounds? I'll make and post some videos, maybe you change your mind about your board. Just don't think about it like an analog, think "warm digital".
rattu123 2 years ago
Ok, I'm taking it easy, sorry if my comment was rude or smtg, I'm not very well in English. Yamaha DX is an additive synth, so there isn't any reason to include a filter in it.You're right, the D-20's samples are not to good, except the two "analogue" leads (I guess it was sampled from a Jupiter).And you're right about the warm digital thing too :) But I'm into psy, and I need a resonant HP filter, with LFO on cutoff, and 24 or 48 dB/octave rolloff. So, for me, the D-20 remains THE master kbd :)
od8086 2 years ago
what kind of cz?,the 230????
tonijn1969 2 years ago
Every Casio CZ or VZ series are worth a listen. CZ-101, CZ-1000, CZ-3000, CZ-5000, CZ-1, VZ-1... long list here. Great synths, little money. Even cheaper and underrated than CZ and VZ series are the HT series. Think 4 oscillators at the same time with 8 polyphony (a Minimoog has 3) with REAL Resonant VCF and you have a HT-6000. A steal for its price.
rattu123 2 years ago
Great sounds! I am a big fan of Roland D series. I remember the D-20 came out at about the same time as the M1. Well, everybody gravitated towards the M1 because it had 16-bit samples. I still think though that the roland D series was brilliant. I used to have a D-70, but the main board fried, so it quit working. However, I don't consider the D-70 to be a D series synth. It was more of a U-20 with filters and all. The D-70 was actually supposed to be called U-50. Anyway, thanks for post
dvamateur 2 years ago
wow, some great effect sounds there, wouldn't mind one of those! :)
mik300z 2 years ago
Finding a use for them in a composition will be a challenge... another side project of mine. ; )
willrobinsonensoniq 2 years ago