Roland DS-330

I use this unit with Cakewalk sequencing software. Most presets sound fine and patch editing is pretty easy. The manual is pretty straight forward.

Covers most music genres and for the money is a good all-around sound module. I originally purchased it solely for the piano sounds for live gigging, but over the last 10 years I've used it for midi sequencing in my studio.

I use this unit for recording and primarily rely on the piano, strings, electric piano and organ sounds. I generally process the sounds on separate tracks in my computer (reverb, eq, compression, etc.) and end up with something that actually sounds pretty good.

I do wish the fingered bass sound was more authentic, though. I can eq it to death and get by in a pinch, but it's the weak link for a standard 5 piece band sound, so I end up having to record with a live Fender bass.

I've used this unit for over 10 years and it's never failed to work. Great reliability!

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For the money and familiarality, I may opt to replace it with another just like it. Other than the fingered bass sound, it works for me.

Preset are very good, patches editing is limited, but functional, the manual is good.

28 voices of polyphony, I don't know if it's sensible to aftertouch. Chorus Very Good, Reverb metallic, not professional.

Piano is the best sound of this unit. The GM sounds are good, and pads are very good. Chorus Very Good, Reverb bad. Velocity is Ok, I don't know if the machine receive aftertouch.

I use this unit from 1994, today I buy another DS330 to be sure....

No comment...

Now I got two DS330. With this unit I make many sondtracks for CD roms in the middle of the 90's and many live performances, I got many Synth and modules (Roland U110, Yamaha TG55,Yamaha SY55, Yamaha TX81Z, Wavestation EX, Roland D20, Korg DSS1, Korg DW8000), but DS330 is in every my production from 1994.

The use of the machine is not as easy as of more expensive machines. Most of the features, especially in the multi-mode, can only be reached with SysEx-Programming. But if you like programming bitmaps you can create very interesting sounds with the machine, because the SysEx-Commands are listed in a table at the end of the manual.

Great features when using SysEx-Programming, especially filter-sweeps. For "normal" use a little bit boring I think.

Most of the sounds are throwaways. Only 5 or 6 sounds are usable in the form they're presented. I think the piano is OK (Roland-like), the strings are pretty good (also Roland-like, can be boring), most of the drums are forgettable, but this is a general GM-problem. The SynthBass1 and its variation (SynthBass3) are GREAT! The machine would not be worth the half for me without these 2 samples!!! I think the Dr.Synth is a better TB-303-Emulation than many analogue clones of the bassline. Try using SynthBass3 with a distortion effect and sweeping filters!!! It sounds really 303-like!

It is a solid worker. No timing problems or sth. similar at all (like E-Mu Morpheus...)

I have never tried to get support.

Used as a GM-module it is OK but not excellent. Really interesting is the simulation of a TB-303 on it.

This module is quite easy to use. It is very easy to access the General MIDI presets via the front panel buttons. Parameters are easily reached by repeatedly pressing front panel menu keys. Shareware and commercial programs are available to edit parameters hidden at the front panel level. The manual is pretty good (for Roland.)

The DS-330 is 28 voice polyphonic and is 16 channel multitimbral. The effects are reverb and chorus -- basic, but a good implementation. The DS-330 cannot be expanded. MIDI capabilities are comparable to other members of the Sound Canvas family. The DS-330 can be set up to use a wind controller without an external mapper.

The sounds are typical early 90's Sound Canvas. The DS-330 is actually an SC-33 minus the sound effects (which are usually worthless anyway.) The DS-330 responds to velocity and aftertouch. For General MIDI play, the DS-330 does the job competently.

I have not had any reliability problems with the DS-330. I have no qualms about using it at a gig. It`s quite transportable, too!

Roland has always been very helpful. I had one question on MIDI programming which was answered quickly and accurately.

This module is a hidden gem, especially for people looking for low cost, Sound Canvas (almost complete GS) compatibility. It is my workhorse for previewing GM files and sounds pretty good when it has been competently programmed (try TUNE 1000 Traffic or B.B. King -- you`ll be surprised!) It`s being closed out at $250.