Roland D-BASS 210 Combo

Bought mine factory refurbished back in the summer of '06. I seldom submit reviews on this site, and I definitely wanted to put this amp thru the paces before I did. As a result, this review is probably going to be incredibly thorough (read: long winded) so bare with me.
Considering how straight forward this amp is, its incredibly versatile.
400W total output thru neodymium 2x10s and a tweeter (320w + 80w)
Feed Forward Processing and Active Speaker Control in order to make sure the signal coming out of the preamp is matched to what is coming out of the speakers... fantastic idea. It's the reason why i bought this amp after my DB700 1x15 was stolen.
50 lbs total weight, side handles and top mounted handle too. 4 casters too, which I removed.
Two inputs, one for piezo level inputs. Passive/Active input pad. 3 different pre-amp modes with 3 alternative 'shapes' that are modifications of those pre-sets.
Super-Flat...what it sounds like. Shape accentuates the highs and low mids a tad to make it more 'lively'
Vintage...cuts the highs, boosts low mids. shape boosts the mids even more.
Modern...slightly scooped sound, upper-upper mids (prob 2 khz+) and lows accented. Shape scoops out even more, definitely more low rumble there.
Compressor - 1 knob, switch for tube simulator
3 band eq w freq control for mids.
Tweeter level - On the front panel...best. idea. ever.
Effects Blend - counter clockwise for dry bass, clockwise for effects
Master Volume w/mute switch

On the back, there's a DI which can be pre/post EQ, ground lift, tuner out, effects loop, foot switch for mute, 1/4" line out, subwoofer output. Also posts to wrap up your power cord.

Lots of features, but very meat-and-potatoes straight forward.

The reason for the 9 rating is that I wish you could use a footswitch to cycle thru the 6 different pre-amp types. Also, I would've liked to see a detachable power cable and the ability to switch the effects loop levels between +4 dbU and -10 dbV would be nice but I'm really nit-picking here.

I'm using a Tune 5 string bass w 18v active electronics and a Lakland 4-94 Deluxe (I always run it in passive mode tho. I used to play in a rock/funk setting and I'm currently in a cover/wedding band. The sound is so 'lively.' I feel like the notes are quick, but never harsh or aggressive unless I want it to be. The biggest plus for me is the glorious amounts of lows/low mids that come out of this thing. It's always deep and clear.
I never touch the EQ on this thing - if anything I rarely adjust the tweeter level. When I first got the amp, I went right to the Modern setting and hit the shape switch and used that for a while. While that sounds great for rock, there wasn't enough mids for my taste (obviously...b/c it's scooped). Nowadays my go-to setting is Super-Flat with the shape switch engaged. It adds a nice top end 'toothiness' that really makes the notes jump. Good for rock, back-pickup jazz and slap/finger funk. For the 60s rock and motown tunes, I just twist the knob to Vintage, turn off the shape switch and get that Jamerson vibe goin quick. Old school Stevie, Beatles and Temptations tunes sound great.
I keep the compressor around 10 o'clock and I switch between the tube and solid-state depending on my mood. With Vintage mode engaged s/Shape on and the tube compressor cranked it gets pretty damn wooly - but not quite full blown distortion.
This amp is loud. I seldom take it over 4-5 on the master volume. Never sounds like its distressed either while you're playing. It takes a sonic beating with class. It just laughs at all the frequency peaks that any envelope filters, synths, flanges and octave pedals can throw at it.
Btw, in regards to versatility, I changed my setup so that I am not using the effects loop anymore. Although this is a great feature (and enables you to get a GREAT distortion sound), I started plugging my keyboards into the effects return (its a line level input...makes sense to me) and just use the Effects Blend knob as a volume control. So blammo, I've got a killer bass amp AND a high powered keys amp.
Additionally, it's an awesome acoustic amp, I let a guy from another band use it before my old band's set once. I just plugged him into the piezo input, put it on superflat and killed the compression (to avoid feedback). Sounded killer.

The only issue I've ever really had in regards to performance was once it didn't power on b/c there was too much tension on the power cord when I wrapped it around the posts. I kinda pushed it in a little bit and it turned on no prob and hasn't been an issue since. Makes me leery tho - which is why I would have preferred a detachable power cable.
Also, I've lost two of the top plastic corner guards already just putting it in and out of my car. That's purely cosmetic, but it's noteworthy that the screws just stripped right out.

I've contacted Roland in the past in regards to getting service for my keyboards and old bass amp. They were quick in their response. Website has all of their product manuals in .pdf format too which is great.

I've been using Roland products for about 16 years, and I'm only 27...so that's a testament to their company and the products they make. When my Roland DB-700 was stolen, I was borderline suicidal b/c I loved that amp so much. When I started shopping around I tried out every combo out there, and even more expensive SWRs and Edens couldn't tough the clarity and depth of my old Roland. I read a lot about the (at the time) new D-Bass series and bought this amp sight unseen off of E-bay. I have zero regrets about it. I would purchase again in a heartbeat if stolen. Although it can be quite transparent, it is a vital component of my sound because it enables my notes to come across clear and deep.
I am giving a 10 only because I was able to get such a good price for it. Brand new they go for around 1000-1200, which I think is still a great value, but is out of the reach of many players.

Not as many as the smaller Rolands, but much more than any other amp of this sound quality.

Compression is superb, as is the superflat mode on the COSM (y). Very versitile, I play an Ibanez EDA900 through it, which isn't an amazing sounding bass but it sounds fantastic through this amp. Very tight with nice low end. Tweeter is very nice.
Loud!!

Can't comment, it's built like a fort though.

Had to get spare parts, company was helpful

I have only been playing 3 years, but im quite experienced in jazz playing as i'm an upright player aswell.
But I do know what i'm talking about when I say this is a truely brilliant amp! Try one out, I love mine

The D-210 has some nice features for an amp in this class. Amp models, two inputs, multiple outs, mute, etc.

This thing sounds great! Versatile amp models let me cover just about any sound I need (gospel, jazz, R&B, pop, hip hop). I play an Ibanez SR1005NTF five string with both pickups open and bass boosted all the way. I set the amp on Super Flat, standard compression at 9 o'clock. Bass, mids, and treble are at 12 o'clock with the tweeter at 9 o'clock. Man, talk about punch, depth and presence! Seriously, every note is alive. Chords have breadth with even overtones. I love it.

Relatively new (three months). No problems so far.

This amp wasn't a big seller when it was introduced so I called Roland to see what level of support they were giving it. They were seemingly forthright and even told me what local stores had the most current inventory of the units (very cool).

Fellow bass players please don't overlook this amp. If you have the opportunity to try one you will be surprised. Loud and light, with rich, deep tone. Over the past 25 years I've played Ampeg, SWR, Hartke, Peavey, Aguilar, Crate, Avatar (my former favorite and still great), Fender, Eden, Genz Benz and Gallien. I waited to hear the new Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 T112 and MarkBass Mini Mark II combos for comparison with the D-210. Believe me when I say there was no comparison. The D-210 just sounded better in every way with more versatility.

* Piezo and Regular inputs, very handy for acoustic instruments.
* "SuperFlat" Vintage and Modern eq modes... all have very usable tone.
* Studio and Tube Compression, well implemented without being too intrusive or over-processed sounding
* 160 Watts to each of the 2 10" drivers, 80 watts to the tweeter

It gets loud and deep. I have used it in medium sized venues (300-500 seats) and it kept up easily.
I have also used it as a keyboard and acoustic guitar amp. It really shines as an acoustic amp, easily as good sounding as my dedicated acoustic amp.
The SuperFlat mode switching and the piezo input makes it easy to unplug your bass and plug in an acoustic guitar and get your settings right without any stalling between songs.
The Tube Compression mode does a fair job of replicating tube breakup, sounds like to Grand Funk Railroad.

No problems in 2 years.

never tried

I've used it for alot of varied purposes, including as an open mic amp, where alot of different people playing different instruments are using it. It always seems to deliver a good sound.

This combo has a lot of intelligent features built into it. The inputs are Piezo and Regular and the regular has an Active (-10db) switch, so you can plug any bass you own into the amp and expect good results. The amp models are all very well done. I prefer the Super Flat, as it faithfully reproduces the sound of my bass without any coloring to it, but the Vintage tends to suck out some treble and add some mids, and the Modern sucks out some mids and goes pretty deep. To top it all off, each COSM modeling mode has an additional mode accessible by an "expander" switch. The Super Flat with the switch down will pick up a lot more frequency range, the Vintage will get really deep and and ballsy, and the Modern will get super lows and super highs. The 4-band EQ is tastefully done with only 4db of cut/boost. Given the super high fidelity of this amp, slight adjustments to the EQ are all that is needed. The Tweeter EQ actually controls the volume of the tweeter that is fed frequencies higher then that which the Treble knob controls. The Sweepable mids are just icing on the cake.

Onboard compression is very good, and the Tube compression is a very very good tube emulator. I compare it with my SansAmp BDDI and they're both versatile and useful.

The effects loop blend is a great option as well. The mute switch has a handy flashing LED so you can't mistake it for being on, and the Tuner Out functions while muted.

There are side carrying handles and a top carrying handle. The weight is very reasonable and all of these are comfortable options for moving the amp.

400 watts (180 per speaker and 40 for the tweeter) puts out a great deal of volume. I use it for band practice and practice at home, and I will be using it to gig with when I get the 115x extension cabinet.

I use a G&L 2500, which is a supremely "hot" bass as far as output goes. As long as the Gain is set around 35%, I get no distortion at high volumes. I also have a SR506, an Aria IGB-50 P/J, a Fernendes P with flats, and a Turser Beatle Bass. All of them sound great through this amp, but you do have to alter the settings a good amount to accommodate each separate bass.

This is an incredibly high fidelity amp and the sound quality is phenomenal. The nuances and true character of your bass come through easily. The best part about this combo is the responsiveness. I have never felt the notes come out of an amp after I hit the strings as quickly as the Roland does, it is instantaneous, and it really helps me keep the groove.

Since it's a high fi combo, any noise generated by shielding on your bass is amplified pretty noticeably. You have to keep the Gain at a reasonable level or you will get distortion at high volume. The TubeLogic compression has a very nice tube overdrive effect if you intentionally pump the Gain though.

This is a sturdy little combo, and I've never had a problem with it.

N/A

Been playing 10 years, and this is the best sounding amp I've ever heard. When I get the 115x in a few days, I'll have a light and powerful mini-stack that I will be using on gigs and my back will be saved the horror of hauling around my GK cabinets. The Roland is not hot air, this thing does all it says that it does, has a good amount of power and sounds incredible. I highly recommend it. It gets a 9 overall because they are rather pricey new, but worth it.

New Roland 400 Watt digital bass amp, issued in 2005. Two 10 inch woofers and one tweeter. COSM (Composite Object Sound Modelling) amp. Very versatile, because of different poweramp types (super flat, vintage and modern) and preamp types (tube logic and standard) that can be chosen. The Roland D-BASS 210 is lightweight for a 400 Watt bass amp: 24 kg / 52 lbs. Neodymium speakermagnets, the digital amplifiersection and a lightweight cabinet account for this. The features on this amp are more than enough for me. The 400 Watt and relative small size and weight make this amp ideal for both practicing and gigging.

The bass I use is a Yamaha BB bass (adler body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard) with Basslines Classic Jazz Stack pickups. I play mainly rock and pop. The two preamp types and three poweramp types give a lot of flexibility in sound. The combination of the standard preamp setting and the super flat poweramp setting sounds exactly how my bass sounds unamplified. The other end of the scope is using the tube logic preamp setting in combination with the vintage poweramp setting, producing the sound of a slightly overdriven tube bass amp. Of course, there is a lot of tonal ground in between. The D-BASS 210 has a lot of possibilities to further shape the sound. One of the great qualities of the amp is the really deep and clear low end it produces. Long sustaining bass notes..... At higher volume settings the amp is not noisy. No distortion at higher volumes. But take care that the gain isn?t set too high, otherwise some distortion will occur in the amplifier section.

Looks sturdy and reliable, but I can't judge because the amp is new and hasn't seen much of the road.....

No experience.

Before buying the Roland, I spent quite some time to hear a lot of amps (Ampeg, Peavey, SWR, et cetera). I looked for both used and new amps. I really liked the sound of the Mesa Boogie Bass Buster, but I was not sure that I wanted a tube bass amp with very expensive tubes positioned next to the speakers. Some other amps were nice, but not completely convincing. During this period of trying things out I also played on a Roland DB-900. I loved the deep low end of the DB-900, but I found the amp far too heavy. So when I read about the new Roland D-BASS 210, I thought it might be a good choice for me. I like the combination of 400 Watt power and the convenient size and weight. The sound is very good, and can be changed fundamentally because it is a digital COSM amp. When using the tube logic preamp setting in combination with the modern poweramp setting, I get a clear, well defined and deep sound that I like very much. Some bassplayers want the sound of a highly overdriven tube amplifier. The Roland does not provide this; the sound of the vintage poweramp setting is that of a slightly overdriven tube amp. This sounds very natural, just like the other settings.