wow D-110

[mztk]

the D110 has more parts and more outputs than a D-550, so if
you are faintly interested in 'LA' synthesis, it has some sort
of potential, and will only take up a discrete 1u - and is
controllable/editable via sysex/nrpn.
it is a machine for button-push synth masochists

[damoog]

wow-that brought back some memories...my school had a D-110 20 years ago when i was in my last year(im now 36)


not many people know this(not even the internet knows) but the prodigy's liam howlett's famous string sound(out of space intro) is on the d-110(also on the u220)

[tehlord]

ehem

[EepBeepPeep]

I've had one of these for ages and in that time, with hours and hours sat in front of that dinky little screen I got two sort of alright sounds out of it.

It might not be the worst synth ever made, but God damn it the poor thing sure is trying.

[damoog]

It might not be the worst synth ever made, but God damn it the poor thing sure is trying.

Haha the D-5 WAS WORSE!

[planetearth]

I still have a D-10, though I rarely use it. It wasn't the "worst synth ever made", but it also wasn't made to compete with high-end synths of the day.

It's a basic entry into LA synthesis, and it can make some interesting sounds (mostly bell-like timbres). You'll probably want to disable its on-board "effects", though. Blending it with VSTs for pads and plucked sounds works nicely, and it's good for adding a bit of "dirt" to otherwise pristine VST sounds.

The U-220 and the D-10/D-20/D-110 weren't the same, though, so I doubt you'd find the same sounds in both. The U-220 was more of a sample-playback machine, without much "synthesis", whereas the D- series machines had that whole LA synthesis thing going on--though again, not to the same depth as the D-50.

Programming is difficult at first, but as long as the buttons still work (many of mine are flaky), you'll get the hang of it quickly. And if you can get one of the 16-bit, Windows 3.1 editors to work in Windows XP, Vista, 7 or 8, you'll have little trouble at all.

As always, Vintage Synth Explorer is a great resource for these older synths, and to hear some of the "interesting" sounds they made.

Steve

[kritikon]

Then again, I quite dislike the Roland Juno 106 - probably the most over-rated keyboard of all time. And I stand by that. Now that synth was a true one-trick pony and the trick wasn't even very good. Had one in a studio at a mate's and used it for about a year or two. Total waste of space. Everyone seems to love them though. A Casio CZ-101 sounds better and is more versatile.

I concur wholeheartedly. I've still got one, but really only because I find it hard selling any h/w. 106s are mistaken as good mainly because it's one of the few affordable classic analogue polys that has halfway decent midi and sliders not silly dials or buttons. So naturally over the past couple of decades it got a reputation as "collectable" and thusly "good". Collectable is right, in that you don't have to mortgage your house to get one. Good is wrong though. I was exactly the same - first proper analogue, because it was the only one I could both find and afford. Even 20 odd years ago, there weren't that many that could afford the price of a Prophet etc - even a Jp6 would set you back double to triple what a 106 did. I wish I knew then what I know now - I would have saved for longer and got a Jp6 - I thought they were beautiful to use, great looking and lush sounding (and capable of noisy stuff too). Having used most other classic analogues since then, of course you quickly realise how basic and bland a 106 actually is.

Still - even a 106 is better than a D110...

I never used one of those U220s, but I got a sample set of a piano from it, and have to say it's a great piano sound - quite distinctive and bright. Similar to the M1 piano in that it just sits really well in a mix. Not what you'd call an expert piano sound etc but it just works.

[Kriminal]

Still - even a 106 is better than a D110...

i would glady spend £50 on a working D110, i'd use it, i love the sounds. I would not spend £50 on a 106, unless i was buying it to sell on to some mug who is happy to part with £400 for one of the most boring synths ever made.

[Kriminal]

hey i picked up a D-110 and it's a bit of a revelation.
and the prices of these things are seriously low for
what they are. (50eu??! upwards)

a proper PITA to program, its true, but you get used to
it and there are some great sounds in there if you look
beyond the mainly bland factory patches and use mostly
just the -primitive- V.A. synth (was this the first VA?).
there are a couple of free editors for it, plus a caged
artist editor that could probably run in Steem.
.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roland-PG10-p ... 4ac2b7865c

[codec_spurt]

Really didn't like the Roland JD-800, very flat sound and one trick pony. Though that was just my impression after trying to use one in a studio for a few days. It's probably a great keyboard really.

...er, yes it is. Much better than the D-5/10/20/110. I had a D-10 because I didn't want to take my JD-800 out live. The D-10 proved so crap that it remains the ONLY bit of kit I have ever sold, and I love old Roland kit.

The JD is certainly no one-trick pony and sounds leagues above those D models (not including the D-50 or D-70 here).

You know. You are probably right. Maybe my memory is tainted. My previous synth was a DX-100, so the D-20 was kind of a major step up. I programmed that DX-100 black and blue. Used to use it for bass. People would scoff: No no no, you don't use that for bass, you use it for a weak Rhodes impersonation, tsk tsk. It was good for bass, but pretty shit for anything else other than ultra Aphex Twin weirdness, which I also used it for.

As for the JD, it was probably because I didn't know how to program it. I used the same method I employ today: Er, what does that knob (slider) do? I'm quite sure in the right hands it could sing. Stand by what I said about that Juno though. When it was fat it was too bassy, when it was warm it was too spongy. Really, I don't think it even does the most basic of sounds well. Then again someone will come along and prove me wrong.

I used to really really dislike Reprazent, just could not find anything good in them. Total insipid wishy washy wank, to be overly generous. I was at a party, someone was playing some records. I was listening intently. This track is class, the production is a cut above, the musical movements are out of this world, and they way it is all put together is totally original. "Who is this?" I ask. Reprazent! I smiled.


If I heard a D-20 now, I'd probably not be as impressed with it as I was then. I think it was the fact that it sounded analogue and digital and had a nice reverb and decent drum sounds. 8 part multi-timbrality was a nice move too, plus the extra track for drums if using the internal sequencer. I do remember being totally gutted and floored though when some keyboard bod brought in this gray oblong slab that just had M1 written on it. Silently he plugged it in to our p.a. for band rehearsal. Then he stepped back, reached out a finger like e.t. and hit 'play'. I'm still picking my jaw up off of the floor. Really.


I'd get a D-20 to be able to finish some of the tracks I started on it all those years ago. Most would be crap, but there were a few gems. It would be nostalgia value if nothing else. For the money they go for, it is a very decent master keyboard, bit spongey like a lot of Roland boards I've tried, but decent enough.
I doubt you could get a better keyboard for the money. Maybe a Kawai, not many people know about them and it is a very under-rated synth. Additive synthesis before it became a buzzword. And most 61 key controller keyboards would cost twice as much and not be any better. It is a good size too, not too big and heavy.

Come on, for 50 quid or less you could plug it into your Korg Kaoss that cost you at least three times as much and make sweet music! I'd better stop talking about fight club. Soon you won't be able to buy one for love or money. People will be pawning and hocking their 808s and 909s for a little taste of that magical L.A. goodness.


cheers.

[codec_spurt]

Oh, and Future Sound of London used a D-20 as well.

Not sure what they used it for, but...





Er, does anyone want to buy a used keyboard?

Roland something or other, can't tell, someone's scratched the numbers off it in a rage. I give you very good price!

[Numanoid]

a proper PITA to program, its true, but you get used to it

Can it be used with the D50 programmer PG-1000?

[tehlord]

Still - even a 106 is better than a D110...

i would glady spend £50 on a working D110, i'd use it, i love the sounds. I would not spend £50 on a 106, unless i was buying it to sell on to some mug who is happy to part with £400 for one of the most boring synths ever made.

I'd buy it off you for £400 and then sell it on for £600-700, which is what they actually go for.

[codec_spurt]

Still - even a 106 is better than a D110...

indeed. You had me, right up to the punchline. Good one!

I never used one of those U220s, but I got a sample set of a piano from it, and have to say it's a great piano sound - quite distinctive and bright. Similar to the M1 piano in that it just sits really well in a mix. Not what you'd call an expert piano sound etc but it just works.

I did, and I can honestly say it is the worst piece of plastic I have ever seen. You can't call it a keyboard, because it's not. It doesn't have any sounds. Worth listening too. Wholeheartedly, unreservedly the worst keyboard of ALL time goes to this piece of trash. Can you tell I'm not a fan?


And talking of Dave Smith and under-rated synths. I picked up a Sequential Circuits Multitrak for between one and two hundred quid, can't remember now, but it was a blindingly good synth, though people still slag it off:
http://www.vintagesynth.com/sci/multitrack.php

Love to get one of those again as well. The keyboard player in my old band used to use a Pro One. Now that was a bass machine! Wouldn't mind one of them too.

(Damn, if I could only palm this D-20 off on some unsuspecting noob)

[Kriminal]

Still - even a 106 is better than a D110...

i would glady spend £50 on a working D110, i'd use it, i love the sounds. I would not spend £50 on a 106, unless i was buying it to sell on to some mug who is happy to part with £400 for one of the most boring synths ever made.

I'd buy it off you for £400 and then sell it on for £600-700, which is what they actually go for.

Havent seen them for that much, even on ebay. Ppl are obviously getting stupiderer