Chat with the Roland D-50 Manual
Get instant answers about your Roland Roland D-50. Ask questions like "how do I set up MIDI?" or "how do I save patterns?"
📖Chatting with Roland D-50 Manual
Common Roland D-50 Questions
How do I connect my Roland D-50 to my computer via MIDI and configure it to send and receive MIDI data?
Connect a MIDI cable from your computer's MIDI output to the D-50's MIDI IN, and another from the D-50's MIDI OUT to your computer's MIDI input; then in your DAW, select the appropriate MIDI ports and ensure the D-50's MIDI channel is set to the same channel in both the D-50's System settings and your DAW to enable sending/receiving.
How do I save my custom D-50 patches/presets and combinations so I don't lose them when I power off the unit?
Use a M-256E Memory Card or a compatible external MIDI sysex librarian on your computer to back up and restore patch data; the D-50's internal memory is volatile and needs external saving.
What are the primary sound creation elements of the D-50's architecture, and how do I use them to build a sound from scratch?
The D-50 uses a combination of sampled attack transients (partials) and synthesized sustained waveforms (partials) layered in a structure called a 'tone,' which are then combined into 'patches'; experiment with the parameters for both the LAS (Linear Arithmetic Synthesis) synthesis and the PCM samples to create new sounds, manipulating parameters such as pitch, filter, and amplitude for each partial.
My D-50's display is very dim and hard to read. Is there anything I can do to fix it?
Unfortunately, dim displays are a common issue due to aging components; replacement display kits or professional repair services specializing in vintage synths are usually required to restore the brightness.
How do I access and use the D-50's unique 'Structure' parameter, and what does it do to the sound?
The 'Structure' parameter determines how the two partials (Upper and Lower) in a Tone are combined; it offers different routing configurations such as 'Mix,' 'Ring,' and 'Env-Filter', drastically altering the sound's timbre and dynamic response, and is edited via the Tone Edit section of the D-50.