October 2006 – SynthMania

Multi Timbral Sound Module

image source: eBay#7422594884

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.

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.

Roland D-110 audio demos

Roland D-110 factory demo songs

Roland D-110 factory patch audio demos

Roland D-110 rhythm set audio demo

Roland D-110 factory patches in .mid and sysex

D110 ORIG Download

D10 fac Download

Roland D-110 manual

D-110_OM Download

Roland D-110 specs

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

Roland D-110 photos

Roland D-110 links

www.roland.com

Sonic Reality American Heartland

Sample CD-ROM library in Akai Universal format

American Heartland is another fine offering from the Sonic Reality team, this time focusing on traditional, classic instruments of North America.

Here’s the introduction on the CD-ROM’s booklet:

“American Heartland is a respectful nod to America’s past. Its guitars, harmonicas, dusty keyboards and beefy drums help us recall the beginnings of what would eventually become popular Rock, Blues, Country and Folk styles. These soulful instruments have a way of grounding us and helping us relate musically. Regardless of what kind of music you do, they will add a touch of authenticity to your work, and give you a well-laid path to follow your muse.”

The sound quality on this CD-ROM is really good. They used some top notch recording equipment, and it shows.

The instruments presented in this collection include beautiful acoustic guitars (Taylor and Martin), dobro, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and other classic American instruments. They are all very expressive and with a bit of sequencer work, you could make them sound very, very authentic.

Check out the following demos of individual patches from American Heartland:

Sonic Reality American Heartland audio demos

All examples were played from Propellerhead Reason 3’s NN-XT sampler, going through the RV7000 reverb (running programs matched to the nature of the samples), then the default Mastering Suite.