D-50

Name: D-50
Price: 149 USD
Author: Roland

by Roland · Synth · D-50 LA synth emulation

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D-50 is Roland's software version of the 1987 D-50, recreating its LA synthesis with PCM attacks and synth waveforms, 16 voices, and built-in chorus, reverb and EQ.

It adds a virtual PG-1000 programmer, SysEx import and D-05 integration; it comes with Roland Cloud membership.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Ambient & Cinematic.

Keywords: 80s, hardware emulation, polyphonic, pads, sample-based, textures, classic, digital classic, sound design, subtractive, tempo-synced.

What it does

D-50 is Roland's software recreation of its 1987 Linear Arithmetic (LA) synthesizer, the instrument that put sampled attacks and synthesized tones together in one patch. Roland calls it "a perfect sonic recreation of the original in every way", modeled with its Digital Circuit Behavior technology.

LA synthesis: 128 PCM waveforms combined with two synth waveforms, then shaped with subtractive filtering, compatible with the original D-50 engine.
Polyphony and effects: up to 16 voices, with integrated chorus, reverb and EQ.
PG-1000 programmer: a virtual version of the optional hardware programmer, so the deep LA parameters can be edited directly instead of through menus.
Joystick: a modeled version of the original's joystick.
Sounds and SysEx: a bank of 64 patches plus user banks, patch downloads, and SysEx import for original D-50 banks.
Hardware link: patches and banks can be swapped with Roland's Boutique D-05.
Extras: a tempo-syncing LFO, extra waveforms and tuning from 427 to 452 Hz.

It runs at 44.1 to 192 kHz. Roland offers it through Roland Cloud membership with a 30-day free trial.

Source: Roland product page

When to use it

D-50 is the choice when you want the actual late-80s LA sound: breathy pads, glassy bells and digital textures with a sampled attack. Compared with Omnisphere 3 and Pigments 7 it is a much smaller engine, but it reproduces one specific, famous palette exactly and can load original D-50 SysEx banks. Unlike Diva or JUPITER-8, it is digital in character, so it fits airy, bright layers better than warm analog basses. Compared with Roland's JD-800, it is softer and more atmospheric, with LA partials instead of four filtered PCM tones. The virtual PG-1000 makes it easier to program than the original, though the LA structure still takes some learning.

Best for: late-80s digital pads, bells, breathy textures and classic presets, and anyone with old D-50 SysEx banks.
Genres: pop, synth-pop, ambient, new age and film.
Look elsewhere if: you want analog sounds (JUPITER-8 or Diva) or a modern, open-ended engine (Pigments 7, Serum 2).

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $149
Roland: see store

Tutorials and reviews

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