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Description
Step into the world of classic digital synthesis with the Roland D-550, a revered sound module that is a staple in the arsenal of many professional musicians. Introduced in the late '80s, this rack-mountable version of the iconic D-50 synthesizer delivers the same Linear Arithmetic (LA) synthesis technology that defined an era. LA synthesis combines traditional subtractive synthesis with PCM samples, allowing you to create rich, complex textures that were groundbreaking at the time and remain unique today.
The D-550 shines with its capability to produce lush pads, shimmering bells, and punchy bass sounds that have graced countless records across genres. It features a user-friendly interface, despite its vintage pedigree, making it accessible for both new users and those looking to revisit the sounds of the past. Equipped with a vast array of sounds, the D-550 is perfect for studio production or live performances where classic tones are desired.
Key Features:
- Linear Arithmetic (LA) synthesis for diverse and rich sound creation
- Rack-mountable design, ideal for studio setups
- Compatible with Roland PG-1000 Programmer for hands-on sound editing
- Over 100 preset tones, including iconic pads, bells, and basses
- MIDI compatibility for easy integration with modern setups
- Built-in reverb and chorus effects for added depth
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | D-550 Digital Piano Sound Module |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1987 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Rackmount Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Polyphony | 16 Voices |
FAQs
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What synthesis method does the Roland D-550 use?
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The Roland D-550 utilizes Linear Arithmetic (LA) Synthesis, which combines subtractive synthesis with sampled PCM waveforms, allowing for a wide range of complex and unique sounds.
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How many voices of polyphony does the Roland D-550 support?
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The Roland D-550 supports 16 voices of polyphony, enabling it to play multiple notes simultaneously, which is ideal for creating rich, layered sounds.
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Is the Roland D-550 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Roland D-550 is suitable for live performances, especially when used with a MIDI controller, as it provides a wide array of sounds and can be easily integrated into a live rig.
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What are the MIDI connectivity options for the Roland D-550?
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The Roland D-550 features MIDI Input, MIDI Output, and MIDI Through ports, allowing it to be connected with other MIDI-compatible devices for versatile performance and recording setups.
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Can the Roland D-550 be used without a keyboard?
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Yes, the Roland D-550 is a rackmount sound module and can be used without a keyboard. It requires a separate MIDI controller for playing and controlling its sounds.
Videos
RetroSound
Roland D-550 (D-50 module) Linear Synthesizer (1987) no D-05
Roland D-550 (D-50 module) Linear Synthesizer (1987) no D-05
RetroSound
Man In The Mirror(Intro) with Roland D-550
S T
Sounds of the Roland D-550 (D-50 Module)
CGMAGIK
ROLAND D-550/D-50 VOICE CRYSTAL 4 CARD Sounds (JONATHAN CAIN) JOURNEY/ BAD ENGLISH
Eaglechild
ROLAND D-550/D-50 - HOW TO LOAD FACTORY PATCHES/SOUNDS TUTORIAL(SYSEX format)
Eaglechild
ROLAND D-550/D-50 Sound Demo VALHALA CARD (Only Playing/No Talking)
Eaglechild
Reviews
PROS
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Classic, always in demand
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Rich and unique sound
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Useful with PG1000 editor for deep programming
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Capable of evolving soundscapes
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Distinctive 80s sound, still relevant
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Complements a rack of Roland synths aesthetically
CONS
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Programming interface is arcane and tedious
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Requires external programmer (PG1000 or DT01) for easier use
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Limited by presets without deep programming effort
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Unintuitive for users accustomed to other synthesizers
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland D-550.
Features and functionality
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The D-550 lacks the joystick function present in the D-50 and D-05 models, limiting hands-on control options for certain sound manipulations.
Source
Software and compatibility
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Cult of D50 is a recommended resource for downloading sounds and accessing software programmers compatible with the D-550.
Source
Setup and maintenance
Comparisons
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The D-550 is noted as being significantly more challenging to program compared to the D-50, due to its rack-mounted design and lack of a programming board.
Source
Mods and upgrades
Build quality
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Owners have noted that original front panels for the D-550 are rare, making custom restorations or wraps viable options for aesthetic repairs.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 28 Ratings
40997
Roland's answer to the DX7 was a totally new thing and drove yamaha to create the SY series
I got this rack version awhile ago but forgot about until now when i was redoing the studio. Why? Well its unique sounding and super cool, right? A unique take on digital synthesis for the time that informed all the stuff that came after and not just from roland. Capable of crazy evolving soundscapes. I mean, you know what this is and that it has quite a famous sound... but like the dx7 its arcane itnerface (worse on the rack) turned it into a preset box. Unlike the years I spent learning the dx7 with the d550 I plugged it in, tested it out, discovered all the Enya presets and then never used it again because my patience for the UI had gone way down from when I was a teenager. At 40 I just don't have the time or inclination to learn this thing properly. Its prodigiously tedious. I've dug in a little lately during coronavirus, but I gotta get a bellyfulla wine! I think I need a PG1000 programmer or a DT01 programmer to get anything out of this. As it stands when i clear time for music I tend to go with something easier or at least familiar. I an squeak a lot of similar stuff out of say my SY35 with a lot more ease because I'm sued to the DX and SY yamahas. For more traditional sounds, well, I have a Juno! And there's a lot of stuff this does I can do with my modern stuff like the modal or summit. But there's those attack samples man, I need to explore this more because it does thigns all its own and apart from the D05 boutique or a Vsynth with the D50 cartridge no other synth seems to replicate it. I find these roland units to be particularly irritating though. Being a yamaha man I've just never gotten into anything mroe complex than the mks50 unless I have a programmer.
I gotta be honest I think part of my motivation in purchasing this is that it still looks the part against MKS synths and I've been trying to make a big rack of roland synths for the home studio. And this looked the part... I knew it would be frustrating, but I was like "but it'll look cool whenever I get some more MKS synths!"
26711
I've been tempted by these now and again, and I'm sure the value will keep climbing... but for the D50, M1, and (hear me out) the DX7... there are software alternatives that are legitimately more fun and easier to use than their hardware counterparts... I know the mk1 DX7 is the new Nord Lead 1 of the 2010s/2020s... and all the cool kids want the brow one with the click keys or the TX7 because the mk2 was cleaner and more sterile... but that doesn't make the mk1 a freakin' CS-80, it still sounds like a damn DX synth! software emulation of analog will always be a compromise of sorts, but for these synths that didn't have a great interface to begin with... give me the fakes!
26711
...and yet... I still want one. ::facepalm::
40997
dude, let me tell you a little story about a sound design and mix project I'm working on for a talented organist with no clue what an oscillator is... so I wanted to add a layer of like bowing noise to layered analog and hybrid strings. I needed full 6 op FM, some filtering, noise or a wave memory shape and maybe digital chorus to save plugging up a lexicon or soemthing. I thought SY series. The 22 has no fitler. The 35 is only 4 op and more for space soundscapes.... 77 or 99, don't have one anymore. Got an EX5. Which is 3x as arcane to program although tis more of a synth than a workstation so there's less extraneous bullshit. But mine has been ahving some midi timing issues and this is apparently common I'm hearing. QC was not great on the EX5 sadly. So I open stock fruityloops sytrus. YUP Build a scratch patch with sines and saws and the right modulations between them, do some keyboard scaling of all that, highpassing, lw passing, scale that, run the part through it and its pretty cool. Chrus built right in. In this giant mix of coveted synthesizers there's a huge layer of plugin FM/subtractive with built in FX. It made the sound and the GUI made it fast and intuitive. Woudla taken forever on the EX5
40997
if I don't sell my dx7 1 locally I'll let you know... I have friends interested in town but who knows...
40997
also, I own a muse receptor, so I have 'hardwareized ' plugins, but I've been loaning it to my best friend to try out
26711
Exactly.
1264
1980 called and wants it's synth back
It sounds like Enya. It sounds like Duran Duran. It's terrible to program. I love it.
40997
best review ever.
618
Roland D-550
The legendary Roland D-50/550 is still a top tool for all sound fans of the 80s with a distinctive and distinctive sound.
Quintessential late 80's sound
Great for when you want to sound like 1986-88 pop cheese.
424
Famous and beautiful
The rack version of D50, I used it a lot. Beautiful sounds from the 80ties and 90ties, still very useful for particular ambience.
Artist usage
Add artist
the Roland D-550 is listed in this blog
Also present on the extensive official Syro gear list is the Roland D550 Linear Synthesizer.
In the Rush "Hold Your Fire" tour book, Geddy Lee is documented using the Roland D-550 synthesizer.
There is a list of the used instruments on the "Revolutions" album by Jean-Michel Jarre. Its inside the front cover. The text contains the following instruments (and two choirs): "Roland D50, Roland D550, Fairlight CMI II, Fairlight CMI III, Synthex, AKS, Oscar, EMS Vocoder, Dynacord ADDI, Cristal Baschet, AKAI MPC-60, Emulator, Ensoniq ESQ1, ARP 2600, Kawai K5, Geiss Matrisequencer, Cavagnolo MIDY 20, Elka, AMK 800, Drums, Simmons SDX, Bass, Trumpet, Megaphone, Guitar, Choir." Cd cover can bee seen at http://www.45worlds.com/cdalbum/cd/8370982
DJ Premier's use of the Roland D-550 sound module is confirmed through the equipment list from D&D Studios, as discussed on Gearslutz.
The Roland D550 is featured in the "Studio Equipment List" on Vince Clarke's website.
In this video Teddy Riley is seen talking about a specific patch from the D-550 he had used producing Michael Jackson's 'Remember The Time'. Michael Jackson does not directly interact with this gear as he was not a producer- But it's attributed to one of his released works through Teddy Riley.
Used extensively in his Metal Rhythm/New Anger album and used every so often for the next several albums.
Studio buffs tend to forget that modern recording studios are imposing and disorientating places for the average lay person. The technology seems to be surpassed in complexity only by military and space hardware, and Mark King's 'home' studio is certainly state of the art, as the above listing indicates. There's also a Macintosh SE30 with Performer software, an SRC SMPTE-to-MIDI convertor, Adams Smith Zeta 3, NS 10 and Tannoy DTM8 monitors, and two Otari MTR90 24-track recorders with 48 tracks of Dolby SR. Sound sources include a DX7, Roland D110 and 550, Yamaha TX816, Juno 60, Emu III and Emax, Casio CZ101, plus an Akai-Linn MPC60 workstation and a DDrum 2 drum sampler.
The Body Bags score was composed using Digital Performer software running on a Macintosh Iicx computer. Sampling was done with an Emulator IIIxp and a Forat F16. Other electronic instruments include Hammond B3, Wurlitzer electric piano, MicroMoog, Roland MKS80, D550, Prophet VS, Yamaha DX and TX series, EMU Proteus 1 and 2, Korg M1r and M1rex, and an AKAI 612.
The score was digitally recorded using Alesis ADATs and BRC and John Hardy microphone preamps. Microphones included AKG414, Shure VP88 and SM57. The music was mixed on a custom Speck Electronics model 62 console. Signal processors used include: Behringer MDX 2000, SNR 802, DBX165a, B&B and Troisi cq, Dyna-Mite, Aphex expander gates, Lexicon and Yamaha Reverbs, Zoom, TC and Korg delays. Additional DSP and editing done in Sound Designer/Sound Tools. -John Carpenter
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Album Usage
The Roland D-550 has been featured on the following albums:
The Unreleased Remastered Demos
Giuffria (2025)
Universal
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1996)
New Anger
Gary Numan (1989)
Ghost (Live - 2025 Remaster)
Gary Numan (1988)
Revolutions
Jean Michel Jarre (1988)
Hold Your Fire
Rush (1987)
Strange Charm (2024 Remaster)
Gary Numan (1986)
Silk + Steel
Giuffria (1986)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland D-550, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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