Roland S-50

To use a vintage machine you need to understand just how easy things are these days.
The S50 has a flourecent screen, not an LCD and offers very limited information.
The manual assumes you have an RGB screen attached and thus you have to work out what is happening without the benefit of proper instructions. It took me 10 minutes to work out how to format a floppy and most of that was intuative guess work.
I will probaly write myself a "quick guide" for it very soon, as I think the manual is simply shocking.

Not one for the beginner.

80s technology, very limited in every way.
30K sampling, 750K ram, low density disk drive,
16 note poly.
No battery backed ram

To put notes into a sequencer or play a soft synth, it is grrrrreat, oh - and cheap.

Alot of folk are critical of 12bit samplers and they are far from perfect, but I have to say, in a mix you would not know.

Overall, the sheer quality of this machine puts others to shame.

19 years old and still perfect.

Floppys are dying slowly, so I recomend backups.

Swaps anyone ??

Roland Uk are generally very good, but with a machine this age, you can't be picky. It would be unfair to expect them to hold spares for a machine rapidly approaching 20years old.

Just got mine although I have known about it since the 80s. To me it is a great source of old sounds. Alot of the disks contain now-classic analogue synths from Roland's catalogue.
As samplers go, this is not my first choice ( I am an Akai man) but I bought it as a controller, with an interesting sampling section.

I like the syling and the keyboard action is better than most.

I build digital machines and write software for a living, so I took to the S-50 pretty easily. However, at the time I bought the S-50, I was still in college. Even still, pretty easy to use with practice.

Honestly, after getting the SYS-503 sequencer, I really felt like I could do anything with the S-50 EXCEPT load samples quickly! In grad school, I even wrote some software to upload and download samples via MIDI.

This was my first (and only) sampler, so I was totally enamored by the whole digital thing. But still, I performed with a D-50, JX-8P, and an Emu Proteus all networked together because there are just some things the S-50 wasn't so good at alone. Layering it with other sounds was the ticket.

I've used it A LOT! It has never let me down, through smokey bars, outdoor dust storms and rainstorms (under a tent, of course!), and even a small splash or two of beer and lime juice--it's road-worthy! A few times I'd get a very annoying and loud hiss when changing songs on the sequencer, but other than that, no problems. I always brought back-up disks to the gigs, too, and never needed them!

I have no idea! Does Roland still exist?

I don't know--I'm really thinking about overhauling my gear. I'm married now with 3 kids, so I don't play much anymore, but if I ever get back into it, I will likely upgrade to a single keyboard with a built-in sequencer. Nonetheless, I'll have a real hard time parting with it--it's like an old friend, much like my JX-3P that I cannot bear to imagine selling. You know, I still have my Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I in the attic! Ok, so I'm a sentimental sap...

It took me about 1 week to understand the layout of the patches and all that. I strongly recommend having a manual around if your trying to create your own patches.

I like the feal of the keys on the S-50. Nice big keys, love em. the polyphony is good too. I can run mutliple patches with many sounds at one time. I like the fact there is a disk drive and sounds are failrly easy to come by. I get sounds from http://www.midimark.com

I've heard about the director S software that allows onboard sequencing but I've never tried it.

I the velocity settings I've selected are good. But they just control loudness of the samples, thats it. Good for rock/rap drum programming. No onboard FX.

The keyboard is very dependable so far. but I've only had for a couple of months at this point. Yes, I've used on gigs without a back up. If you are on a long road trip, I would suggest something newer.

Roland doesnt seem to support the keyboard any more. I think the keyboard was originally designed in 1980 so the software is very dated on this unit.

This sampler is good for your 1st sampler or, you're not that heavy into sampling. If you plan on doing alot of sampling I would suggest something newer.

Version 2.0 - the only OS you should be using - is pretty reliable, my only problem being that it doesn't remember the setting for AUX controller. The S-550 rackmount version will remember if it has mouse, AUX controller or none. Editing the samples is very easy if you have the DT-100 tablet, you can draw waveforms.

Roland's sample libraries are good quality, but you will need a DOS machine to write the disks and many that you download will be S550 format and require conversion.

The sampler can play a good number of voices at once, but I find it best to use high quality long samples. In theory it doesn't make a difference if they fit in RAM, but it's a crude sampler and I wouldn't use it like a modern synth.

It cannot be expanded, which is a real shame. There appears to be a SCSI port that is blanked off, but it doesn't do anything and isn't a SCSI port. You can add a colour monitor (Atari models are popular, but you need an adapter) and a DT-100 tablet which is unique to the S-50. It supposedly supports aftertouch, but like most early Rolands it's very hard, I don't use it as a controller although the keyboard action is quite acceptable.

A now unavailable program, SYS-503 will turn it into a sequencer, including a new overlay for the front panel. SYS-503 requires a dongle which makes it hard to use with the DT-100, a real oversight on Roland's part, but for 1986 it was pretty impressive in conjunction with a colour monitor!

The instruments have a very warm feel to them, the sampler has aged well and can still reproduce sounds to a very acceptable standard. You can use it for any kind of music if you have the right samples! Velocity reaction is good, but many patches aren't programmed for aftertouch.

I baby all my instruments, so I can't comment about gigging it - if I wanted to gig I'd get newer kit! They're beautifully made and solid, but they can suffer failed disk drives and PSUs. Mine can sometimes be a little flaky when just turned on, so I suspect the PSU is dying.

I find Roland UK to be very good, but this synth is nearly 16 years old so parts are no longer available. I am trying to find the original disk box that hangs on the back for the sake of convenience, keeping my sample disks in it.

I love the way the keyboard looks, but if I were to have to replace it I'd probably get a more up-to-date model, or an S-550 since they are more common.

I've been playing for years, seriously for about 3, and this was the first sampler I owned. I also own an S-550, plus normal synths (Korg Trinity Pro X, M1, 2 Poly800s, Roland JD-800, D-50, SH-101, GR-700 and 300 with 707 controller, a couple of CX5MII/128s and a TR-505 drum machine),

I originally went for the S-50 because I'm a Roland guy at heart - all my Korgs were very cheap ;) I wish it had more RAM, and the ability to use the DT-100 by default and not have to plug in the dongle for the SYS-503 sequencer.

I like using it for sound effects and vocal snippets, but once my S-550 is repaired I suspect it will be redundant.

Version 2.0 - the only OS you should be using - is pretty reliable, my only problem being that it doesn't remember the setting for AUX controller. The S-550 rackmount version will remember if it has mouse, AUX controller or none. Editing the samples is very easy if you have the DT-100 tablet, you can draw waveforms.

Roland's sample libraries are good quality, but you will need a DOS machine to write the disks and many that you download will be S550 format and require conversion.

The sampler can play a good number of voices at once, but I find it best to use high quality long samples. In theory it doesn't make a difference if they fit in RAM, but it's a crude sampler and I wouldn't use it like a modern synth.

It cannot be expanded, which is a real shame. There appears to be a SCSI port that is blanked off, but it doesn't do anything and isn't a SCSI port. You can add a colour monitor (Atari models are popular, but you need an adapter) and a DT-100 tablet which is unique to the S-50. It supposedly supports aftertouch, but like most early Rolands it's very hard, I don't use it as a controller although the keyboard action is quite acceptable.

A now unavailable program, SYS-503 will turn it into a sequencer, including a new overlay for the front panel. SYS-503 requires a dongle which makes it hard to use with the DT-100, a real oversight on Roland's part, but for 1986 it was pretty impressive in conjunction with a colour monitor!

The instruments have a very warm feel to them, the sampler has aged well and can still reproduce sounds to a very acceptable standard. You can use it for any kind of music if you have the right samples! Velocity reaction is good, but many patches aren't programmed for aftertouch.

I baby all my instruments, so I can't comment about gigging it - if I wanted to gig I'd get newer kit! They're beautifully made and solid, but they can suffer failed disk drives and PSUs. Mine can sometimes be a little flaky when just turned on, so I suspect the PSU is dying.

I find Roland UK to be very good, but this synth is nearly 16 years old so parts are no longer available. I am trying to find the original disk box that hangs on the back for the sake of convenience, keeping my sample disks in it.

I love the way the keyboard looks, but if I were to have to replace it I'd probably get a more up-to-date model, or an S-550 since they are more common.

I've been playing for years, seriously for about 3, and this was the first sampler I owned. I also own an S-550, plus normal synths (Korg Trinity Pro X, M1, 2 Poly800s, Roland JD-800, D-50, SH-101, GR-700 and 300 with 707 controller, a couple of CX5MII/128s and a TR-505 drum machine),

I originally went for the S-50 because I'm a Roland guy at heart - all my Korgs were very cheap ;) I wish it had more RAM, and the ability to use the DT-100 by default and not have to plug in the dongle for the SYS-503 sequencer.

I like using it for sound effects and vocal snippets, but once my S-550 is repaired I suspect it will be redundant.

I'm using Version 2.0, and the sequencing software. I think the presets sound phenominal. Editing patches is easy; I've had it since 1988, so... they should be for me. And yes, it would be totally gay without the patch editor. It does work well.

I only used the manual when I was desparate. I'm one of those people who doesn't like to read, but the manual was good.

Polyphony. I was limited since the first day I got it. If you play a large chord, sustain it, and play another one, you'll lose notes right there. And when I sequence; I use 8(poly) for chorded strings, etc, 4(poly)for drums, and 2(poly) for left channel, the last 2(poly) for right channel; totaling 16.

Again, for effects, but like another S-50 user said, it's a sampler. Sample it with effects and say, "How do you like me now?"

Expandability? Roland is lucky they're in Japan, because I would have slapped someone for lieing!!!!! They make they're equipment so proprietary and they say since it's software driven, to upgrade, you just buy the next version. NEWSFLASH! After 2.0, you'd be lucky to call Roland, in 1989, and have them admit they even made the S-50. Nice support. NOT! You want a hard drive? You got $2200 for the new third party flash PROM, cables, and drive? And your load time is only cut in half. BFD! Ya it's the year 2G, but I would have written the same thing in 1989. Besides that, I love the S-50. Seriously, I would not sell it that easily.

MIDI is fine. But if you're sequencing, don't make your patterns too big, and God forbid, do NOT USE THE PITCH BEND while recording!! You'll run out of memory quicker than Roland dropped the support on the sampler itself. Nothing personal, Roland. And they wonder why the cold war lasted to long.

The sequencer, it's enough to keep me satisfied. It's so simple.

This is all up to the user. It has the tools, you just have to know how to sample and know how to loop. Does anyone remember the SK-1 by Casio? $89 dollars(American) at Target. Now that thing could loop. Press the "Loop" button, and the loop was seemless. I dare anyone to use the automatic loop feature on the S-50. I guarantee that keyboard will be wrapped in Sushi paper and served at Roland's next company party. I'll personally be involved if anyone wants to go.

Yes. It voltage regulation is stable. However, this is my second S-50 and my keys and buttons are getting intermittent on this one too. I sold the last one because I had all the sensors/switched replaced and it was only months before it started doing this again. Note: There were no beers spilt on it either.

I called them it California before. I got good support for my JX-3P, an anolog synth, but they never heard of the S-50(just kidding). As far as repairs go. 3.5 inch drives ar $6 dollars now. Try to buy one from Roland for your S-50. They're $170. Not to be confused with the Tokyo handshake.

I will always have my S-50. The 12-bit sound is awesome. And the 30K sampling rate is fine too. As for it being low fi, maybe. But as the Japanese figured out, There's something about 44.1Khz @ 16bit that our brain doesn't like. Go above this sample rate, or below it and you're OK. Moral of the story, I'd rather be stuck with the S-50, than something fixed at 44.1/16. P.S. I do have 48K/16 sampling on my Ensoniq, so it's not just sour grapes.

I have a Sequencial Multi-Traks synth, JX-3P, Alesis D4, Quardraverb, 3630 compressors, Peavy Mark IV 24 channel mixer, Fostex 8-Track, Magnapan electro-static speakers, RCA theater mono-block tube amps, and Triphazers(the most important pieces).

I love the S-50 because of the ext monitor display. Otherwise, I would not have kept it. Well, maybe I would; my disk library.

I wish it you could hook up hard drves.

It helps make music. Its good.

If anyone hook up a hard drive to this for less than one million dollars, please email me. digitalparty@yahoo.com

Why are all our CD's sampled at 44.1k/16bit, good question!

The s-50 was always very easy to use especially the sampling features. The Director-S sequencer package takes a little time to master (couple days) but is fairly easy to use. The S-50 can be used with a PC although i never did it, but have seen it in use.

I never ran up against the need for more polyphony on the unit, and there is no onboard effects (it's a sampler!). Expansion capabilites are unlimited for sounds, if you can sample it you can play it. I was always amazed at the uses of everyday sounds. The sampler function is awesome. the MIDI is as good as it gets. The Director-S sequencer package is more than adequate for all kinds of reocrding. I like the sample loop feature, looping a guitar riff and such....

Sounds are great. period. I always played rock, dance type music and the sounds were always awesome. it takes some tricks to master your own sampling but when you do, you can make equally impressive sounds on your own (drum kits, guitars and trash cans and stuff).

Mine was never in the shop. I volunteered it back to Roland for a cleaning in 1994 but it didn't need it although they did replace the disk drive at no charge. The buttons always stuck a little, but after blowing compressed air through the unit always fixed that problem.

Roland always was great. The best in the biz.

I loved owning the Roland S-50 and i still use it once and while (although i don't do much music anymore after getting married). It always was fun, and i used it in conjunction with a Roland D-50, and that combo is awesome.

The S-50 is a great sampler to pick up for those who can find them. Although it's older it still is quite functional. Any monitor or television with a composite signal input will work fine.

16 voice polyphone. Keyboard action is decent. No built in effects. Any 'expansions' available will be in the form of software on 3.5" disk. For example, the SYS-503 sequencer or the library converter to convert from S-550 samples to S-50. Another user said it didn't have a built in sequencer which is technically true. However, Roland has the SYS-503 sequencing software for the S-50. It turns the machine into a nice four track, sixteen channel sequencer. Most editing features (and the sequencer) require the external monitor.

Some of the samples are great. The S-50 has a maximum sampling rate of 30Khz but this isn't too much of a limitation. I've used it for a lot of dance and new age types of music. I think it's a pretty responsive unit.

The S-50 have been great! The only problems I've had have been with the key pads. They've been picky from time to time. A good cleaning and conditioning helps.

The only support I've used is the web page with the factory sounds for download.

The S-50 is obviously out of production so I couldn't replace it. I've been using it for seven years now and have been playing for almost twenty. I also have gear from Yamaha, Korg, Alesis, JBL, Mackie, and Cakewalk software.

Impossible to do any editing without an external monitor. But if its hooked up to a t.v. it only takes a few hours to master. Has multiple methods for looping samples, and even an autoloop feature.

16 voice polyphony, 4 part multitimbral. Nice big keyboard. Has standard MIDI in/out, velocity sensitive. All samples are loaded to and 3 1/4" disks. No sequencer built in, but a PC works easily with it. 4 programmable outputs, plus mix out and headphone out, all 1/4" mono

Some of the samples I have are weak, some are great. But since this is a sampler, you're only limited by what you can record

Haven't had any trouble with it. Yet. The disk drive is probably the fisrt thing that might die

To old to really expect much customer support. Some sites on Internet give you backup software, etc. but otherwise you're on your own

I personally love it, since you aren't limited by preset (and permanent) patches and tones. However, my keyboard experiance is fairly limited, so I may be impressed by most anything...