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image source: eBay#7422594884
D-110
Multi Timbral Sound Module
image source: eBay#7422594884
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The rack version of the popular D-10. Useful because of the separate
outputs. As I remember, the D-110 was a very popular module at the
time it came out. One of the main reasons was the fact
that it was multi-timbral.
This 1-U rack synthesizer is based on the proven L.A. (Linear Arithmetic) synthesis employed in the classic D-50, although the synthesis structure is not as complete and versatile as its big brother. It is much more similar to the D-10, D-5 and D-20, and even sports a front slot for a memory card, like those keyboards also had. It is not the easiest module to use, in
comparison with other modules from the day (the E-mu Proteus
comes to mind), because there is a small two-line display, and
an intricate system of button-pushing and sub-menus to edit it.
Even then, if you are a bit familiar with Roland's "partial"
structure, this follows the same lines. |
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One thing that it takes from its cousin MT-32 and I'm
puzzled about: the unit, when reset to factory settings (by loading the
sysex presets), sets its eight channels starting from MIDI channel 2,
not 1. This could lead to frustration (hey, this thing doesn't
play!) when all you need to do is call up the parts, and renumber the
MIDI channels according to each part: 1 to 1, 2 to 2 and so forth. The sounds on the D-110 are typical L.A. synthesis, and there are a lot of those "usual suspects" heard in other instruments that belong to this line. |
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Stream all the patch examples below as an .m3u playlist
| Patch name with audio demo | My comments |
| A11 AcouPiano1 | Nice piano that improves on the classic "Piano-Fifty" patch on the D-50. |
| A15 ElecPiano1 | Very nice electric piano that reminds of the piano used by Simply Red in the '80s. |
| A22 ElecOrgan2 | Very cool electric organ, very '60s |
| A24 ElecOrgan4 | The classic "Green Onions" sound |
| A27 PipeOrgan3 | Solid church organ. Would benefit from a decent outboard reverb. |
| A32 Harpsi 2 | Realistic |
| A34 Clav 1 | Very good Clavinet! |
| A37 Celesta 1 | Beautiful, dreamy patch. |
| A44 Cello 2 | Nice and warm sounding. |
| A46 Pizzicato | Nice |
| A54 Strings 4 | The L.A. character is all there. Analog. |
| A58 Brass 4 | Surprisingly realistic :-) |
| A63 Trombone 1 | ;-) |
| A72 Flute 2 | Happy |
| A76 Bottleblow | Another typical L.A. sound |
| A84 Clarinet 1 | Charming. |
| B11 Fantasy | The D-series' most famous sound - the D-50's opener. |
| B12 Harmo Pan | Fantastic program, perfect for New Age |
| B13 Chorale | Moving choir. |
| B15 Soundtrack | Stacks up quite well with the original D-50 preset. |
| B31 Syn Lead 1 | POWERFUL synth!!! |
| B36 Syn Bass 2 | Standard synthe-bass |
| B37 Syn Bass 3 | Typically Roland bass flavor. |
| B46 SlapBass 2 | Works |
| B63 Jamisen | Nice |
| B64 Sho | far |
| B66 WadaikoSet | Cool. |
| B68 Steel Drum | One can always use a good set of steel drums ;-) |
| B83 OneNoteJam | One of the loops in ROM. |
| B86 Insect | Sci-fi |
| B87 WaterBells | Cool synth effect |
| B88 JungleTune | Short loops but effective. |
Rhythm Set --- a typical "produced", '80s drum set. Includes percussion samples.
| Year of release: | 1990 |
| Polyphony: | 32 partials |
| Sound generation method: | Linear Arithmetic (LA) |
| Preset memories | 2 banks of 64 patches; tones; partials. |
| MIDI: | in, out, thru |
| Sound expansion capabilities: | cards |
| Sequencer | no |
| Arpeggiator | no |
| Effects | Reverb, Chorus |
| Velocity | yes |
| Aftertouch |
image source: eBay#3751528216
available at www.rolandus.com
| SITE | Type of resource | DESCRIPTION |
Roland D-110 review with audio demo