As a teenager, I dreamed of owning a D50. I just recently bought a D-550 sound module (it's cousin) last week and I am loving it. I am disappointed about the preset piano sounds, but the analog and brass are second to none.
I also already own a technics digital piano, an Alesis QS7 keyboard, and a Roland U-220 sound module. My best guess tells me that I will spend most of my time playing the D-550.
Also, if anyone has any D50/D550 cards for sale, please email me at kevinr@iname.com.
Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Monday-Nov-02-9898 at 07:47
Chad Gould
a part-timer user
from USA
writes:
If you use the lame-o presets, you will hate it as they have been overused again and again. However, the D-50 to this day has not been replicated by any other "digital" synth. In many ways, the D-50 is the first virtual analog, with a distinctly analog paradigm in programming (aside from the sample sniplets that can be used for attack). What this synth has that not too many others do (I'd say almost none) is the ability to fit anywhere in the mix and add "air" without adding weight. Very few presets show this off (notable exception: Glass Voices) but delve into programming or even just explore the net patches and you'll find tons of synthetic sounds with air. Very few synths can even come close to these sounds, thanks to the unique architecture of the D-50. Great for mixing with analogs.
For dark ambient, the D-50 also shines. It has the ability to do low, aliasing waves that sound surreal through swirling FX boxes. Dark, nasty, grungy, and quite wonderful in that context. Get a D-50 and a MKS-70 (especially together - they compliment each other well) and you're in dark pad heaven.
Programming is not easy even with a PG-1000. But its rewarding.
Not for everyone (especially the PCM piano crowd) but I love mine.
Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Monday-Oct-26-9898 at 19:22
Sergey
a part-timer user
from Russia
writes:
D-50 not modern synth ,but i think it's very usefull. I have one and i like it.
Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Monday-Oct-12-9898 at 07:25
Eddie Herrera
a professional user
from USA
writes:
It is one of my most valued piece of gear in my collection( 4 Juno's 106, 303, etc..)
Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Thursday-Aug-06-9898 at 00:11
Alex Daniels
a professional user
from England
writes:
Totally unique. No matter what synth gear you have, this keyboard has sounds you can't emulate. The factory presets are classic, and worth the purchase price alone. We will never sell our D-50. When the keyboard breaks, we'll use it as a midi sound module!
Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Thursday-Aug-06-9898 at 00:11
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