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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

What synthesis method does the Roland D-550 use?

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.

How many voices of polyphony does the Roland D-550 support?

The Roland D-550 supports 16 voices of polyphony, enabling it to play multiple notes simultaneously, which is ideal for creating rich, layered sounds.

Is the Roland D-550 suitable for live performances?

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.

What are the MIDI connectivity options for the Roland D-550?

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.

Can the Roland D-550 be used without a keyboard?

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.

RetroSound

RetroSound

Roland D-550 (D-50 module) Linear Synthesizer (1987) no D-05

Video thumbnail for Roland D-550 (D-50 module) Linear Synthesizer (1987) no D-05 by RetroSound

Roland D-550 (D-50 module) Linear Synthesizer (1987) no D-05

RetroSound

RetroSound

Video thumbnail for Man In The Mirror(Intro) with Roland D-550 by S T

Man In The Mirror(Intro) with Roland D-550

S T

S T

Video thumbnail for Sounds of the Roland D-550 (D-50 Module) by CGMAGIK

Sounds of the Roland D-550 (D-50 Module)

CGMAGIK

CGMAGIK

Video thumbnail for ROLAND D-550/D-50 VOICE CRYSTAL 4 CARD Sounds (JONATHAN CAIN) JOURNEY/ BAD ENGLISH by Eaglechild

ROLAND D-550/D-50 VOICE CRYSTAL 4 CARD Sounds (JONATHAN CAIN) JOURNEY/ BAD ENGLISH

Eaglechild

Eaglechild

Video thumbnail for ROLAND D-550/D-50 - HOW TO LOAD FACTORY PATCHES/SOUNDS TUTORIAL(SYSEX format) by Eaglechild

ROLAND D-550/D-50 - HOW TO LOAD FACTORY PATCHES/SOUNDS TUTORIAL(SYSEX format)

Eaglechild

Eaglechild

Video thumbnail for ROLAND D-550/D-50  Sound Demo VALHALA CARD (Only Playing/No Talking) by Eaglechild

ROLAND D-550/D-50 Sound Demo VALHALA CARD (Only Playing/No Talking)

Eaglechild

Eaglechild

Reviews

PROS

  • Classic, always in demand

  • Rich and unique sound

  • Useful with PG1000 editor for deep programming

  • Capable of evolving soundscapes

  • Distinctive 80s sound, still relevant

  • Complements a rack of Roland synths aesthetically

CONS

  • Programming interface is arcane and tedious

  • Requires external programmer (PG1000 or DT01) for easier use

  • Limited by presets without deep programming effort

  • 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

  • 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

  • Cult of D50 is a recommended resource for downloading sounds and accessing software programmers compatible with the D-550.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A MIDI controller is essential for interfacing with the D-550, as it does not feature a built-in keyboard.

    Source
  • For a unique look, primer grey with red Dymo tape labels has been humorously suggested, offering a personalized, albeit unconventional, aesthetic.

    Source

Comparisons

  • 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

  • A power cord is necessary for operation, and exploring software options for sending sysex data can enhance programming capabilities.

    Source
  • Some users consider using vinyl wraps or creating custom screen prints for panel restoration, highlighting DIY approaches for aesthetic rejuvenation.

    Source

Build quality

  • Owners have noted that original front panels for the D-550 are rare, making custom restorations or wraps viable options for aesthetic repairs.

    Source

Other

  • Sourcing high-resolution images for panel graphics is essential for accurate DIY restoration, emphasizing the importance of access to quality resources for owners.

    Source
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 28 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
jimmarchi1

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!"

pkennethk

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!

pkennethk

...and yet... I still want one. ::facepalm::

jimmarchi1

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

jimmarchi1

if I don't sell my dx7 1 locally I'll let you know... I have friends interested in town but who knows...

jimmarchi1

also, I own a muse receptor, so I have 'hardwareized ' plugins, but I've been loaning it to my best friend to try out

pkennethk

Exactly.

mikefiction

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.

jimmarchi1

best review ever.

peter_schips

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.

deepsignalstudios

Quintessential late 80's sound

Great for when you want to sound like 1986-88 pop cheese.

From Gear Setup
federicovaona

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
See how Teddy Riley uses Roland D-550

Teddy Riley

Singer, Keyboardist

Guy

...
Verified via YouTube

He uses 5 D-550 racks on Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" album. Here's a picture of him on Timbaland's Masterclass at 1:26.

See how Howard Jones uses Roland D-550

Howard Jones

Singer, Keyboardist

The Conspirators

...
Verified via Muzines

As if this isn't enough, Jones' collection of sound sources is breathtaking. Inhale deeply for an (incomplete) overview: Fairlight Series III; Yamaha TX816 rack; Akai S1000; Roland Super JX, MKS50, D50, Jupiter 8, Juno 60, D550, and MKS20 digital piano; Korg Wavestation; Prophet T8; MiniMoog; Vocoder VP330; Yamaha KX88 and TG77; and somewhere in a corner his old 808 drum machine. Still there?

See how Jan Hammer uses Roland D-550

Jan Hammer

Keyboardist

The Mahavishnu Orchestra

...
Verified via Muzines

"I bought the new D550 rack unit because it does have great potential for new sounds in the future, although, funnily enough, a lot of the current sounds remind me of my Series II."

See how Jerry Harrison uses Roland D-550

Jerry Harrison

Singer, Guitarist

Talking Heads

...
Verified via EMusician

This article states that Jerry's studio includes "Clavia Nord Electro 2, Clavia Nord Lead, E-mu ESI-32, E-mu Proteus 1, E-mu XP, Korg Wavestation, Roland D-550, Sequential Circuits Prophet T8, Voce V3, Waldorf Microwave, Yamaha DX7, and Yamaha TX-816."

See how Andy McCluskey uses Roland D-550

Andy McCluskey

Singer, Guitarist

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

...
Verified via Archive

List of equipment used on the album Universal:

SYNTHS • Emu Proteus 1 (x2) • Emu Proteus 2 (x2) • Emu Proteus World • Emu Classic Keys • Korg M1R • Korg O3R/W • Oberheim Matrix 6R • Oberheim Matrix 1000 • Quasimidi Quasar • Roland Alpha Juno 2 • Roland D550 • Roland JD800 • Roland JV1080 (with Orchestral, Vintage Synth, Piano, and World expansion boards) • Roland JX8P • Roland MKS30 • Yamaha DX7S • Yamaha TX81Z (x2)

SAMPLERS • Akai S1100 • Akai S1100EX

RECORDING • Alesis Quadraverb • Digitech Vocalist (hired) • Fairchild compressors • Focusrite EQ • Opcode Studio 4 MIDI interface • Pultec EQP1A EQ • Urei 1176 compressors

COMPUTERS & SOFTWARE • Apple Macintosh Quadra 650 • Digidesign Pro Tools II & 442 interface • Digidesign Sound Tools II • Emagic Logic Audio v2.5.3

See how Larry Heard uses Roland D-550

Larry Heard

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Muzines

As cited in the gear list of this May '92 feature in Music Tech magazine

See how Billy Currie uses Roland D-550

Billy Currie

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Ultravox

...
Verified via Muzines

"I used a Korg T3 which belonged to Dead Or Alive, and that has a lot of good string sounds. Cubase was the main software package, although it wasn't used throughout, as there's not even timecode on some tracks. The Yamaha grand piano was there, and a Korg M1. I had a Fishman pickup on the viola, which is a fantastic English design, and a Barcus-Berry violin. I used my old Oberheim polysynth, and an Akai S900 sampler with a lot of 8-bit violin samples done for the first solo album, which were still perfectly good thank you very much! Then there's a D550 module, an Oberheim Matrix 1000, a lot of drum samples on an Akai S1000, some from an Alesis drum machine, some Prophet VS, a few bits from a Yamaha TX816 rack, and an OSCar solo on 'Ukraine'. I still use the Yamaha KX88 as the master keyboard because I like the touch, but it could do with more splits and it's not very easy to program. But there's less equipment here than on my first solo album — I hadn't really rushed out to buy any new equipment."

See how Tom Lord-Alge uses Roland D-550

Tom Lord-Alge

Music Producer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

In a Sound On Sound article, Tom Lord-Alge is listed as using the Roland D-550 synthesizer in his gear collection.

See how Susan Ciani uses Roland D-550

Susan Ciani

Music Producer

...
Verified via Roland

"Ciani is no newcomer to synthesis, or to Roland instruments. “I have used Roland gear for about 25 years now,” she says, “going back to the MC-4 and the MC-8 used on my first recording, Seven Waves. In fact, I love ‘vintage’ synths. and used the Roland D-550 extensively on Silver Ship as well.”"

See how Roddy Frame uses Roland D-550

Roddy Frame

Singer, Guitarist

Aztec Camera

...
Verified via Killermontstreet

Aztec Camera's Slow Build from Musician, November 1990 by Scott Isler

At home he has a Yamaha DX7 and Akai S-900; on this tour he has access to a D-550 module and Korg piano, all of which he plays badly. He's also been singing ideas into a Sony microcassette recorder.

See how Jerome Froese uses Roland D-550

Jerome Froese

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via Jeromefroese

Jerome Froese lists the Roland D-550 synthesizer as part of his gear collection on his official website, Jerome Froese / Moonpop - Gear Studio.

See how David Sancious uses Roland D-550

David Sancious

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Santana

...
Verified via KeyboardMag

In an article by KeyboardMag, David Sancious mentions using a Roland D-550 in his 19-inch rack setup.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland D-550, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Yamaha TX802
Yamaha TX802 Synthesizers & Sound Modules
9
Korg M1
Korg M1 Synthesizers
8
Akai S1000
Akai S1000 Audio Samplers
8
Yamaha DX7
Yamaha DX7 Synthesizers
7
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Synthesizers & Sound Modules
7
Korg M1R
Korg M1R Synthesizers & Sound Modules
7
Waldorf Microwave
Waldorf Microwave Synthesizers & Sound Modules
6
Roland JD-990
Roland JD-990 Synthesizers & Sound Modules
6
Roland MKS-70
Roland MKS-70 Sound Modules
6

Community setups

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rettervondunkel

rettervondunkel

Gear IQ 770

deepsignalstudios

deepsignalstudios

Gear IQ 493

dkdivedude

dkdivedude

Gear IQ 199

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