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“Made in synth heaven.”
—SynthMania.com
Samples Meets Synthesis
The D-50 was Roland’s first fully digital synthesizer, and its unique sound combined subtractive synthesis with harmonically complex sampled waveforms and digital effects. This innovative marriage of samples and synthesis allowed for warm and dynamic analog tonality with the realism and flexibility of digital technology, opening up an entirely new world of sound creation possibilities.
New Wave, New Jack, New Age, and So On…
The 1980s were a dynamic period for pop music, and new genres were being forged at a furious pace. Name a famous track from the late ‘80s to early ‘90s and there’s a good chance it was built around one or more D-50 sounds. It’s the basis of classic tracks in a wide range of genres including synth pop, new wave, new jack swing, and R&B, plus new age music and countless film scores. In fact, some of the most influential recording artists in history have used the synth’s beautifully crafted presets as the cornerstone of huge international hits.
“A gamechanger. It had a whole different sound.”
—Jimmy Jam
Plug In Your Own D-50
The plug-in version of the D-50 is the only authentic software reproduction of the Roland hardware unit. It includes the same sampled waveform set, and our Digital Circuit Behavior modeling technology captures every nuance of the original, right down to the archetypal “overtone noise” that lends this synth its rich character. We’ve even included the proprietary joystick and original iconic presets. But this version of the D-50 also includes extra features that make it a unique and powerful tool for modern productions:
- Extra waveforms and tempo-syncing LFO enhance sound design capabilities and DAW integration
- A virtual PG-1000 controller (based on the optional hardware controller available for the original D-50) greatly simplifies sound design, allowing you to customize preset sounds and build unique voices from scratch
- All the original presets plus fresh new sounds and additional patch downloads
Hardware Integration
There are several ways to integrate the D-50 Software Synthesizer with other Roland hardware. Import SysEx files from an original D-50 or legacy third-party libraries and enjoy your favorite previously created patches. You can also swap patches and banks with your Roland Boutique D-05 synthesizer, and use its interface to control the plug-in.
Join Roland Cloud today to explore the distinctive appeal of the D-50. And if you like the D-50, check out our software version of the JV-1080 sound module and unlock more sounds used in some of the greatest songs of all time.
Join Roland Cloud
- Specifications
- Maximum Polyphony
- 16 voice
- Sound Generator
- D-50 Compatible LA (Linear Arithmetic) Synthesis
- Waveforms
- Synthesizer: 2, PCM: 128
- Tune
- 427 Hz–452 Hz
- Sampling Frequency
- 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz
- Tones
- 64 patches/1 bank
* User can make new user banks. - PlugIn Formats
- VSTi 2.4 (64 bit) * Windows only
VSTi 3.6 (64 bit)
AU
AAX - System Requirements (macOS™)
- Minimum Operating System
- macOS 10.14
- Host Application
- VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: Audio Units V2 compatible
AAX Compatible - CPU
- Intel® Core™ i5 or better
Apple M1 chip - RAM
- 4 GB or more
- Hard Disk
- 100 MB or more
- Display/Colors
- 1280 x 800 or higher/16.7 million colors or more
- Other
- You'll need Internet connectivity to activate this software.
- System Requirements (Windows®)
- Minimum Operating System
- Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)
*This does not work with the Windows® RT.
*This does not work with the Windows® Phone.
*This does not work on the virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC, or Boot Camp. - Host Application
- VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 2.4/3.6 compatible
AAX Compatible - CPU
- Intel® Core™ i5 or better
- RAM
- 2 GB or more
- Hard Disk
- 100 MB or more
- Display/Colors
- 1280 x 800 or higher/24 bit Full Color or more
- Other
- You’ll need Internet connectivity to authenticate this software.
- * Although Roland has tested numerous configurations and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the software synthesizer version of the D-50 Linear Synthesizer, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the D-50 Linear synthesizer based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements. This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved.
- Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
- VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
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Downloads
Support
If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.
Owner’s Manuals
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[English] D-50 Software Synthesizer Owner's Manual [PDF]