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Average Price: $295

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$1501+

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Description

Discover the Roland RS-5, a versatile synthesizer designed for musicians who crave a blend of classic sounds and modern flexibility. This 61-key instrument combines Roland's signature sound engine with an intuitive interface, making it an excellent choice for both live performances and studio recordings. The RS-5 stands out with its SuperNATURAL sound engine, delivering a rich array of tones ranging from lush strings to punchy basses.

Equipped with an array of high-quality presets, the RS-5 gives musicians instant access to a diverse sonic palette. It features a user-friendly layout with backlit buttons and a clear LCD screen, ensuring seamless navigation even in low-light settings. The onboard effects processor provides the tools to sculpt and refine your sound with ease, offering a selection of reverb, delay, chorus, and more.

Connectivity is a breeze with MIDI and USB outputs, making integration with other instruments and software straightforward. The RS-5 also includes a D-Beam controller for expressive real-time modulation, adding a dynamic edge to your performances. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Roland RS-5 offers the flexibility and quality needed to elevate your music.

Key Features:

  • 61 velocity-sensitive keys
  • SuperNATURAL sound engine for authentic tones
  • 640 ready-to-play preset patches
  • User-friendly interface with backlit buttons and LCD display
  • Onboard effects including reverb, delay, and chorus
  • D-Beam controller for expressive modulation
  • MIDI and USB connectivity for seamless integration with other gear

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model RS-5 61-Key 64-Voice Synthesizer
Finish Brushed Aluminum
Year 2000 - 2003
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 64 Voices

FAQs

Is the Roland RS-5 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Roland RS-5 is designed for live performances with its 61 full-size keys and 64-voice polyphony, providing a wide range of sounds and flexibility on stage.

What type of sounds can I expect from the Roland RS-5?

The Roland RS-5 offers a variety of digital sounds, including pianos, strings, and synth leads, making it versatile for different musical genres.

Does the Roland RS-5 have MIDI connectivity?

Yes, the Roland RS-5 includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing for easy integration with other MIDI-compatible devices.

How portable is the Roland RS-5 for gigs?

The Roland RS-5 is relatively lightweight and compact, making it a practical choice for musicians who need a portable synthesizer for gigs.

What is the keyboard action like on the Roland RS-5?

The Roland RS-5 features synth action keys, which provide a fast and responsive feel suitable for playing a wide range of musical styles.

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Roland RS5 - (Test Presets) Factory Sounds by TIAGO MALLEN. ANO DE FABRICAÇÃO: 2000

Video thumbnail for Roland RS5 - (Test Presets) Factory Sounds by TIAGO MALLEN. ANO DE FABRICAÇÃO: 2000 by Tiago Mallen

Roland RS5 - (Test Presets) Factory Sounds by TIAGO MALLEN. ANO DE FABRICAÇÃO: 2000

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Video thumbnail for Ambient Synth Pads with the Roland RS5 by JediSid

Ambient Synth Pads with the Roland RS5

JediSid

JediSid

Video thumbnail for Roland RS-5 64 voice synth demo and direct recording by Gearfacts

Roland RS-5 64 voice synth demo and direct recording

Gearfacts

Gearfacts

Video thumbnail for Roland RS-5 + Pedais - BossDD7 / Bluesky | Vídeo Review - Reverse e Reverb Ambiente - Fundo Musical by Ronaldo Tavares keyboards

Roland RS-5 + Pedais - BossDD7 / Bluesky | Vídeo Review - Reverse e Reverb Ambiente - Fundo Musical

Ronaldo Tavares keyboards

Ronaldo Tavares keyboards

Video thumbnail for Mystical Ambient Pads With Roland RS5 + Strymon  ElCapistan and BlueSky by JediSid

Mystical Ambient Pads With Roland RS5 + Strymon ElCapistan and BlueSky

JediSid

JediSid

Reviews

PROS

  • Dual mode enhances sound richness with octave and tuning adjustments

  • High-quality samples and effects for versatile sound creation

  • Durable knobs and reliable build quality for long-term use

  • User-friendly interface with easy navigation and minimal menu diving

  • Good keyboard feel, superior to budget options

  • Versatile arpeggiator with a range of patterns

  • Effective MIDI controller with comprehensive connectivity

  • Lightweight and easy to transport

  • Attractive design that looks professional

CONS

  • Concerns over the longevity of clicky buttons

  • Lacks USB connectivity for direct DAW recording

  • Non-expandable ROM limits sound modeling capabilities

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland RS-5.

Comparisons

  • Roland RS-5 is suggested to draw from the JV-1080 series, noted for its resonant filters, enhancing its suitability for dance music compared to Korg's N5EX.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Korg N5EX lacks resonant filters, limiting its capacity for creating certain electronic sounds, whereas Roland RS-5 includes these, offering more versatility.

    Source

Build quality

  • Owners report that the buttons on the Korg N5EX are not very responsive, highlighting a potential durability issue.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Korg N5EX is appreciated for its retro sound, making it suitable for those seeking a nostalgic 90s music vibe.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings

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1 star
U

Great sounds to be discovered within.

So I owned this synth 2002-2011 but it died when it was dropped down some stairs by a friend.

Just recently I picked one up in mint condition for a song on eBay,

Okay, no usb for recording direct to a DAW, but okay for MIDI users, personally I use it in stereo into my interface with a pair of instrument cables.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

RS Strings is my fav patch.

hisham

A beautiful and performance-oriented rompler

Considering the limitations of a non-expandable rompler (you can't really model sounds, only combine and apply effects to the sample-based sounds stored in its ROM), this is the keyboard I'm most comfortable with. Perfomance-oriented: lots of buttons for tweaking attack, release, cutoff and resonance, and the Roland X/Y pitch/mod bender which I've grown dependent to. Beautiful: even though more recent models are way more feature-packed, I don't think Roland has made a better looking keyboard ever since. This is a keyboard that manages to look as good as a guitar.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Dean Ween uses Roland RS-5

Dean Ween

Guitarist

Ween

...
Verified via Consequence of Sound

In the Consequence of Sound article by Drew Fortune, Dean Ween is seen using the Roland RS-5 synthesizer in his music video for "Exercise Man."

See how Benmont Tench uses Roland RS-5

Benmont Tench

Keyboardist

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

...
Verified via Photo
See how Marti Fischer uses Roland RS-5

Marti Fischer

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In 2:44 in this video you can see Marti Fischer using a Roland RS-5.

See how Neil Cicierega uses Roland RS-5

Neil Cicierega

Singer, Keyboardist

Lemon Demon

...
Verified via Photo

In the provided photo, Neil is using the Roland RS-5

See how Marco Sneck uses Roland RS-5

Marco Sneck

Keyboardist

Kalmah

...
Verified via Photo

Marco Sneck, a keyboardist known for his contributions across various metal genres, is confirmed to have used a Roland RS-5 synthesizer. This is evidenced by a photograph of him performing with the instrument at the Summerstorm Fest in 2012.

See how Christian Pulkkinen uses Roland RS-5

Christian Pulkkinen

Keyboardist, Music Producer

James LaBrie

...
Verified via Photo

Christian Pulkkinen is confirmed to use a Roland RS-5 synthesizer, as demonstrated by a photo showing him with the instrument.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland RS-5, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1
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Roland V-Drums Electronic Drum Sets
1
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Roland RE-201 Space Echo Effects Processors
1

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  • Added to Equipboard on by

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    hisham

    Gear IQ 62