Roland D-2

If you just use it by itself you are limited. You can play with the finger pad and play notes and arpeggios and manipulate the filters and turntable effects. You can mix the preset beats to make mixes.
The other way to use it is you can select parts to play out to midi to trigger other synths. If you go deeper you can create your own rythm patterns. You can do a better job with a keyboard to input the rythmes.
If you are new to this I think it would take a few weeks to figure it all out. I did have it freeze up on me when I am sending it midi info while it is playing.

I personally like the pads and organ sounds for all the other patches they are pretty standard Roland sounds. There are tons of effects in the rhythm patch banks and I think the drum sounds are really good and Roland is known for this. The effects are not scaled so you would probably want to resample them to make them sound good in your music. There is a nice variety of sounds plus lots of technoish sounds.

I mostly use it at home so have no opinion on using it on the road. It did freeze on me a few times when playing plus inputting midi data. Haven't changed the firmware. If you restart it it works fine again.

No experience.

This pretty much does what I bought it for to create beats. It has a nice programmable arpeggiator. The D-Pad is good for nice ad-lib effects. Some people think it is a toy and it is part that. When I decided to buy it I was looking at the MC units as well. I think I got a good deal I paid $150 for it on ebay it does what the MCs do plus it has the D-pad.

I have owned the Roland D2 for about 3 yrs now, and editing, perfoming and just about everything else works nearly seemlessly on this unit.
My experiences with MIDI and Synthesizers go back to my 10th birthday in 1978 when i got a second hand sears/silvertone electric guitar, and a weid AceTone "rhythm Ace" drum machine, one of the first models made by Roland's great leader.
So as you can imagine i have been ill with a Gear related disease for most of my life, and i can honestly say that this D2 offers a rather simple and open way to edit tones, patches, and program 8 part midi songs which is much more tedious than using Logic for midi, but if you grew up with the first digital midi sequencers from Roland like the MsQ100 then you would have no problem with these modern devices. Same thing goes for drum programming, you just work like programming the TR series, the D2 does have a wicked advantage since it has the 32 part Light display for knowing where you are in the measure you are working on.

I can honestly compare the D2's sound quality to that of the JV1080/2080 synthesizers, and of course the Waveform are taken straight from the MC-505.
The multiFX are slick, i also own and use the Roland CDX-1 DiscLab sampler/multiTrack workstation, and i cannot live without Rolands multiFX, and the D2's rank with the ones on my workstation.

It has yet to either crash, or cause a problem.
I originally thought it would be simply a live performance tool for me, but it has eventually found a spot of honor in my studio.

Roland is my favorite synth company, when i found a TR505 drum machine in a little pawn shop without manual for $60 i bought it, wrote a letter to Roland in Vancouver, and they photocopied the thick manual, and mailed it back to me with a stack of Roland UsersGroup magazine to boot. Now that is a super company, especially since the tr505 was over ten years on the discontinued product list and Roland still supported it!!!

when i am working on my own musical projects, i generally work outside of anything considered normal. I synthesize my own samples for use, most of them are originally tweaked with a Roland Analogue synth like my JX-3P or Juno106 which are two of my all time favorites, mostly because they helped break the price barrier and any freak could then own a pro quality synthesizer.

I got it used with a manual and haven't gotten too deep into yet, but it's got a overly-simple layout that makes even shallow editing a bit confusing to me, YMMV. I got it because I really like my MC-303 and the price was good, and supposedly the D2 has more and better sounds. I would've preferred the MC-303 control surface, but the similar-styled MC-505 goes for much more money, and figured I could use thsi D2 as a module if I have to. The D-Field is a novelty that I don't see myself using much, but it's nice to try new things. The squencer and arpeggiator are SUPPOSEDLY easy to edit but I haven't tried yet.

Its "simple" layout have made it "EASY" to play with, and I figured out a lot of it on my own just from pressing buttons, but I will need the manual and some time to figure out the rest. If you've mastered machines like this before, you'd probably be fine, but if you're like me and are more accustomed to synth modules with most knobs and buttons having dedicated functions and placed in front, you might be a little confused with the navigation, as I was.

Actually sounds really cool, much better than I expected, I was a little worried it would have too much overlap with my mc-303 and be a bit unnecessary, but the sounds are richer to my ear, demonstrating a fidelity upgrade from the mc-303 to the mc-505 I guess. The preset patterns are also more contempory and impressive.

Trying to 'play' the synth with the D-Field doesn't translate as well. I'd just rather have keys, but no worries I'll get something running into it for that. Playing the D-Field may get easier with practice I guess, but it's definitely a clumsy way to control sound for those not used to it, like me.

The manual has LONG and attractive lists of stored sounds, so I look forward to learning how to get to them all correctly. So far I can get some really nice sounds called up but, having not yet read the rather lengthy manual, I feel like I've barely scratched the surface. The drum sounds are also very impressive, loads better than other older drum machines that I've had. I'll definitely be trying it with a MIDI trigger pad attached.

Lots of features, especially for the simple layout, but I don't think I've gotten to know it well enough to say for sure, other than to say I've taken similar "groove box" products right out of the box and been able to get farther with those like the electribes (super simple) and the mc-303 (more convoluted than electribes, but still kind of simple). Patience will be required for anyone who doesn't use this type of thing every day.

I wish it also had a key pad for striking notes, even if it were very basic, which I guess the D-Field is, sort of, just a pretty unusual one at that. I got the manual from the Roland website, which shows you all the bells and whistles under the hood, and there are many, so I'm hoping the somewhat limited D-Field may be quickly forgiven!

Roland stuff has always done well, but I read somewhere (and here) that this thing can get confused while editing, so compaints yet but "No Opinion" though I will say I'm not worried.

Never dealt with them.

It's very cool and I'm glad I got it, if can unlock all the sounds inside and if I can master the drum machine squencing I will be happy. I wish these simple features were as dead simple as some other products, but a learning curve isn't the end of the world.

The additional features, like the arppegiator, filters, D-Field etc. are nice and I look forward to trying it all out with time, even if it does take a couple nights with the manual. The sound quality is impressive enough to suck me in though!

This unit does not have the most user-friendly interface, if treated as a mini-workstation unto itself. Careful while programming and editing; if you give it too much to do too fast, it will freeze. You'll feel most comfortable with a keyboard midi controller, though it can be made to work via the various Assign 1 functions for the D-Pad.
Editing patches is a bit dodgy but you can get some fine results. One note, which the manual doesn't cover: When editing a patch, before you hit "Write", be sure you've specified that the unit is STILL in "patch" mode (just press twice, or once past BPM).
Many of the presets are usable and have BPM-sensitive features and pulsations. The arpeggiators are very editable as well. You get 10 user arpeggiators and 20 user drum kits, in addition to 256 user synth patches, some of which are drum kits you can "sneak" around the database.
The Manual spreads some of its more vital data over several chapters, which I find confusing, but... be patient and attentive, and you should be able to get what you need out of it.

As a midi-controller, it's far better than its inspirations, the Kaoss Pad series. If you're thinking of going Kaoss for midi control or a new kind of synth-lead, FORGET IT. This is your baby. Not so surreal as the V-Synth's presets, and much more portable. I've spent many an hour in the bistros, just programming and playing away.

I'm still getting used to Roland sound quality but the D2 is a good example of it. I've used this with a Hartke B90, and also a set of Aiwa headphones (such an underrated brand!), against my Roland Sh-32. Some of the drum kits come out a bit scratchier than the MC505 but you can still do amazing things. The effects are very juicy and customizable. All have done well for me.

Without a doubt. I use my SH-32 with midi controllers to back it up, but so long as I don't overload too many tracks or measures, it's fine.

yes, I needed help with some of the fuzzy areas left by the manual. It took 7 minutes to get someone knowledgable, but he was very patient, polite and thorough.

I used to do gothic industrial, now I'm into techno-jazz/synth punk, a la Stereolab, the Faint, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ladytron, pre-80's Devo. You may be hearing about my group "Modern Error" very soon (plug plug)!

I've been at it for four years. I've owned a Zoom RT-123, a Yamaha cs2x, a Zoom st-224 Sampler, a Roland MS-1, a Casio DG-20, a KP-1 Kaoss Pad, a Korg EM-1, a Yamaha YS200 and a PC300 Edirol controller. Now it's just the Casio DG-20, the Roland SH-32 (sweeeeet!!!), and the Roland D2. I will never look at a Kaoss Pad again, nor anything by Korg besides a KARMA workstation. Roland sound quality has expanded my horizons... (though their pitch/mod control sticks suck arse)

The D2 was apparently created to seduce DJ's into the world of synthesis. Since I'm already there, it gives me a lot of mixing/editing options along with everything an X/Y control pad should do, both for itself and as a midi controller. I used to hate the color orange, until a few hours after this baby came in the mail. Do yourself a favor and get one of these now, while you still can. Very few were produced and these will become a rarity and a collector's item in three years or less.

WOW! I am surprised at all the bad press this little box is getting! I've got rack gear that is IMPOSSIBLE to use compared to this little gem! The manual is written so a third grader could follow it...simplicity at it's finest. The sounds are clean and fat, especially the synth sounds. If your looking for that retro sound this has them all (808, 909 kits! YEAH!).

WOW again! I've got some late model rack gear that doesn't come close to the sounds in this thing. There are about 600 sounds here including full kits and synths and pads(which dont sound that bad), not to mention clean pianos and strings. This is geared twards dance/electronica, but I've used it on a few rock songs also. The D-Beam is an incredibly cool feature also.

This is no one trick pony! 64 voice polyphony, and has three onboard effects (reverb, delay and mfx). This is not expandable. The midi imputs are in and out (no thru), and has an onboard 8 part sequencer (that I still haven't used, I've got a stand alone 16). Still the coolest feature is the D-Field. I use it to direct record with a M-Audio Radium 61 key midi controller, and each song sounds fresh and different; my rack may be out of a job! Seriously, though, if your looking for that retro style and sound, this thing has it, and can still sound fresh and new. It's no analog modeler, but with some creative tweaking, it can make some great sounds for just about any artist.

Here is the only downfall of this unit: if it were to fall more than a foot, it would probably crack open. The plastic "saftey orange" casing seems cheap, and damn ugly. Other than fear of dropping it, it seems reliable.

I've never had the pleasure of dealing with Roland on anything they manufacture.

I would search the world over for a replacement if this item disappeared...better than any other drum machine or module I've ever owned. This little beast is a center peice for any electronic musician, from hip hop to breakbeat, it's worth the money to check it out.

Groovebox in orange desktop-box with D-Field controller (like touchscreen), typical Roland PCM-soundquality, synth engine similar to MC-505, many many analog sounding patches (over 500, but only sample stuff), great drums sounds for all electronic styles,
sound programming only with (free!!)MC-505 Soundeditor via PC,
manual is short but readable.

typical Roland PCM-soundquality, mainly all samples are from analog sound sources but they sound more sample like, not much modulation, filters are ok but not great, some basses are good, also some leads e-pianos organs and soundeffects, but the pads are mostly bad, very good drums sounds

64 voices, 3 effect engines (Reverb, delay, MFX) with O.K sound quality, not expandable, Midi IN and OUT, 2 x Cinch LINEOUT

the best part of the D2 is the tight 8-part pattern sequencer with RPS and Arpeggios, over 400 instant patterns (most are crap, made from artists nobody knows and probably never will known)

the D-field is more a toy, not really usable

I use the D2 as a drumcomputer/midi-controller/sequencer for my Cubase-PC-System with Virtual synths and therefore it works great.

typical good Roland quality

No experience.

I say: the D2 is the best all-in-one-dance-workstation you can get for 150 Euro (used). For this price you get a HQ Roland Synthesizer with lots of usable dance-sounds and effects, a great pattern sequencer and a usable controller/drumcomputer for your computer system.

I've owned the 303 and the 505 and found this equally easy to use. Inputting notes from the d-field is a hassle, but with an external controller it's cake. The manual is brief compared to the 505 and is easier reading.

The output on this box is actually cleaner than the 505. I love the d-field for effects and works far more predictably than the d-beam in my opinion. The presets are of excellent quality and with 4 tones per patch, sounds can be very thick when edited using Norsez MC-505 PC editor.

No crashes except during dumping of corrupted files....to be expected.

Have not needed to call.

For around $100 used on eBay there is no better value in all-in-one dance machines. The light weight is very welcome, the design is intuitive, and with a good controller like the Edirol PCR-30, you can have close to the same performance functionality of the 505. Buy this box! You won't be disappointed.

a real bitch...the whole operating system make no sense...the manual is useless. you just have to play with it for a few months until you figure it out. a real weird orange box that was made for the japanese market.

this is where this box shines...i swear to god for the price (under 200...i ve seen then for 130 canadian! you can find these for nothing) the sounds are great..nice leads pads..drums...use this box as a dirt cheap sound source!! for electronica only!

meh....effects are ok..pretty good really...but seem to be applied globally, MIDI response only seems to be omni...which mean it always responds to all channels (or in theis case 1-7 + 8 for drums) so you have to dedicate 1-8 on you sequencer to the D2..(no way to shut channels off)

probably its fine

n/a

a real weird pice of gear..but for some great sounds cheap..go for it..but if you want to use it alone as a groove box..you'll probably end up thowing it out a window..becuse its just real hard to figure out.

The D2 is very easy to use.. its a very basic unit, there are no faders or pots to control yr sound. The D2 uses a D-filed controller wich work quite allright. I dont use it much because I control the unit with a Yamaha Rm1x.. I use the knobs and sequencer of the yamaha..
Editting patches is not very in depth on the unit itself.. if you want to edit yr patches you're better off using the mc-505 editor I heard.. I didnt tried it becuase I use it standalone, I work without a PC.

Sounds are okay. I expected them to be better as I read that the D2 usues the same jv-quality sound engine as the mc-505.

Polyphony is 64 voice.. effects are good. The delay is excelent. I use long delays when I produce progressive/tech-house stuff and it sounds great (tempo-delay)
Filters a quite okay, you can choose 1 of the 4 filter types per sounds...
The unit has no data card slot or other storage capability. I dump my memory over midi in my rm1x and then save it to floppy disk.

I have the D2 only for 3 months but I think its quite reliable. I havent gigged with it tough.. I would take a back-up disk with me if I ever had the chance to gig. Just in case...

Didnt need customer support

Its a very cheap unit wich is capable of a lot.. I bought it as a souns expansion mudule and I made the right choice. I dont think I can buy anaything better for this price.. I looks great too..

This box takes a lot of time to get familiar with. I do not edit patches (too time consuming) but I imagine that it will be difficult with the extremely simple calculator-style display.

The sound bank is enormous for such a little box. I think there are 600 or so decent patches which make this box a much better value than the half rack sound modules (XV1010 and such).

The included sounds lean toward dance and techno styles but you can still find some of your basics (like piano, strings, horns, etc.)

My favorite feature of this box is the ability to create a pattern (or song) and use the D-beam like a DJ uses a turn table to speed up/slow down, play in reverse, etc.

The features of this little groove box come pretty close to Roland's XP line of synths. It's just harder to get at all of the features. There is an on-board sequencer. One of the nicest things is the D-field. It is a touch pad that can be used to simulate a record player, tweak filter and modulation parameters and play like a fingertip keyboard.

If you need some additional, just plug in a midi keyboard and away you go. I use an Oxygen controller.

Seems solid. I only use in my home studio.

Never called so I give Roland a 10 in this category for making something that is reliable and can be figured out given enough attention.

I love this box. Maybe I am biased because I really like the Yamaha DX200 too. But, it does a few things that the big keyboards just don't. So, to me, the D-beam feature makes it a great piece to add to your collection - especially when the stores are running closeout prices right now.