Roland VC-1 D-50 owner manual What is the digital synthesizer D-50?

Introduction

What is the digital synthesizer: D-50?

The D-50, released in 1987, was Roland’s first fully digital synthesizer. Equipped with an LA (Linear Arithmetic Synthesis) format sound generator that combined PCM and subtractive synthesis, it opened the door to countless new sounds for levels of creativity surpassing anything up to that point. The D-50 is a renowned, historically significant synthesizer that Roland, the company that laid the foundation for digital synthesizers, is proud to have created.

The D-550, also released in 1987, shrank the D-50's powerful synthesizer engine into a mere two rack spaces.

Now, more than fifteen years after it came on the scene, the D-50 continues to be used by creative artists around the world. There are numerous sound libraries stocked with many original patches. In the course of time, however, keyboards and buttons age and wear out. It looked like the day would come when the D-50’s sounds would no longer be heard.

In taking up the challenge of realizing new possibilities for the synthesizer, Roland has created a revolution in technology. At the same time, we want you to continue to using your treasured D-50 with peace of mind. Hence, the VC-1, which transforms your V-Synth XT into a D-50, not only sweeps away any worries about your D-50 growing old, but also offers new potential that goes beyond the original instrument.

We hope that you will discover and enjoy the unrealized potential that the D-50 still offers. And if you have never played the D-50, you definitely need to check out its vintage sounds.

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