Roland U-20

$40.00 Price Tier: Budget

3.5 (6)

3 Critic Reviews

1 Review

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Page last updated Jun 22, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 22, 2026.

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$40.00 3 available Used

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Average Price: $40

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

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In the Synthesizers category, Roland U-20 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Description

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The Roland U-20 synthesizer is a versatile and powerful tool for musicians and producers seeking a blend of classic and contemporary sounds. Known for its PCM-based sound engine, the U-20 offers a range of rich tones that cater to various musical styles, from lush pads and acoustic emulations to cutting-edge synth sounds. This synthesizer is perfect for both studio sessions and live performances, thanks to its intuitive interface and robust build quality.

With its 61 velocity-sensitive keys, the U-20 provides a responsive and expressive playing experience, allowing musicians to convey emotion and dynamics effortlessly. The built-in effects, including reverb and chorus, add depth and character to your sound, while the extensive library of onboard sounds ensures you have a wide palette to choose from.

Designed with connectivity in mind, the Roland U-20 includes MIDI capabilities, making it easy to integrate with other gear and digital audio workstations. Its user-friendly design and reliable performance make it a favorite among both seasoned professionals and aspiring musicians.

Key Features:

PCM-based sound engine for a wide variety of tones
61 velocity-sensitive keys for expressive performance
Built-in effects: Reverb and Chorus
Extensive onboard sound library
MIDI connectivity for integration with additional gear and DAWs
Intuitive interface for easy navigation and sound control

Product specs

Brand	Roland
Model	U-20 61-Key RS-PCM Synthesizer
Finish	Black
Year	1989 - 1992
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	30 Voices

FAQs

Is the Roland U-20 synthesizer polyphonic?: Yes, the Roland U-20 is a polyphonic synthesizer with 30 voices, allowing you to play multiple notes simultaneously.
What type of keyboard action does the Roland U-20 have?: The Roland U-20 features a synth action keyboard, which provides a smooth and responsive feel suitable for fast playing and synth-style performances.
Does the Roland U-20 have MIDI connectivity?: Yes, the Roland U-20 includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through connections, enabling integration with other MIDI-compatible devices and software.
How many keys does the Roland U-20 have?: The Roland U-20 is equipped with 61 full-size keys, providing a standard range for performing a wide variety of music.
What are some key sound features of the Roland U-20?: The Roland U-20 offers 128 patches with 1-6 oscillators per patch, ADSR envelope, LFO with multiple waveforms, and built-in reverb and chorus effects for versatile sound shaping.

Videos

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Midiverse - TV

Roland U-20 - Exploring the Presets - MIDIVERSE MONDAYS #5

Midiverse - TV

Bad Gear - Roland U-20 - Vintage Synthwave

AudioPilz

ROLAND U-20 - FACTORY PRESETS - (Teclado RS PCM (1989) - BY Tiago Mallen #roland #u20 #tiagomallen

Tiago Mallen

The Roland U-20 Demo Songs

The Music Tech Guy UK

Synth Stuff Ep. 71 - Roland U-20

tritonrecordings

ROLAND U-20 - RS-PCM Keyboard from 1988 (Scum Night)

Vulture Culture

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland U-20.

Setup and maintenance

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The U-20's red epoxy resin under the keys can degrade, turning into an acidic substance that may damage the circuit boards if not cleaned.
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The D-20 might require an internal battery change due to age, which is a common maintenance task for owners.
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Comparisons

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The RD-88 is noted as a modern equivalent with over 3000 sounds, but lacks deep synth parameter access, similar to the U-20's limitations.
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The U-20 lacks a filter, while the D-20 uses Linear Synthesis, combining sample snippets with digital synthesis, offering distinct sound design capabilities.
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Features and functionality

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The RD-88's UI is criticized for its small screen and reliance on Inc/Dec buttons, mirroring the U-20's cumbersome menu structure.
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The D-20 has a redundant floppy disk drive, which is often considered impractical for modern use.
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Use cases and applications

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The U-20's one-finger distortion guitar sound is highly sought after for its unique tonal qualities, particularly with pitch bend use.
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Users find the U-20's sounds adequate for mixing but suggest opting for a U220 rack module to save space.
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Software and compatibility

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Roland Cloud offers JV-1080 and XV-5080 modules as software instruments, but lacks the specific U-20 "Heavy Guitar" sample.
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User experience

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A user recreated layered sounds on the U-20 by assigning different patches across the keyboard range for live performance versatility.
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Build quality

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The U-20's keybed is noted for being better than the D-20, despite both suffering from deteriorating button functionality over time.
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Value and pricing

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Both the U-20 and D-20 are valued at 50-70€ in France, highlighting their affordability despite aging technology.
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Critic Reviews

Roland U-20 Synthesizer Review – Jim Atwood in Japan

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The Roland U-20 synthesizer presents a mixed bag of potential and frustration. While it offers powerful layering and splitting capabilities that can create complex performance patches, these features are obscured by a poorly written manual and difficult programming interface. The synth's ability to use six layers and split the keyboard into seven sections allows for creative soundscapes, but the bad contact keys and lack of intuitive guidance can deter users. Despite these drawbacks, if musicians can overcome the steep learning curve and fix the hardware issues, the U-20 can be a valuable, versatile instrument at an affordable price.

neutral

Full Review

Roland U20 (MT Aug 89)

muzines.co.uk

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Roland U-20 review on llamamusic.com

llamamusic.com

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3.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

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grit_neverlab

200

over 10 years ago

Are we ready yet?

This is the U-220 in keyboard form. Nice performance additions like chord buttons and arpeggio but the sounds are pretty dated. It's a matter of time to hear some of these rediscovered in contemporary music with a 90s touch.