Omnisphere HW

Roland D-50 + PG-1000


Ratings



Control of Omnisphere
Panel Layout
Ease of Use
Keyboard Feel
Build Quality

The Roland D-50 was a true phenomenon when it came out in the 1980s. It was on the cutting edge and its sound was ubiquitous. It could be heard on every record, every TV show, and every film. Although compartmentalized a bit, today, this classic synth retains its popularity.

The PG-1000 was always the simplest way to program the D-50 and today, they’re available for a few hundred dollars on the used market. Although the panel is not the most intuitive, it gives you extensive control of all four of Omnisphere’s Layers.

For this profile, we’ve included classic D-50 patches as Soundsources in Omnisphere for you to take in new directions.

Roland D-50 + PG-1000 Strengths:

  • Extensive Control
  • Soundsource Browsing

Roland D-50 + PG-1000 Details:

Used Price D-50: Around $600
PG-1000: Around $700
Number of Keys 61
Keyboard Type Unweighted
Size of Controls Medium
Special Features Browse D-50 Soundsources
Independent Layer Control
Dimensions D-50 Keyboard: 38-3/8” × 13-1/16” × 3-11/16”
PG-1000: “12-1/12” × 10-9/16” x 2-1/16”
Weight D-50: 23 lb 10 oz
PG-1000: 3.53 lbs
USB Powered No
Pitch Bender Yes – Lever-style
Mod Wheel Yes – Roland Paddle
Sends Aftertouch Yes
Sustain Pedal Input Yes
Expression Pedal Input Yes
Ribbon No
Non-Functional Controls Volume
Bend Mode
L-Key Shift
L-Fine Shift
U-Key Shift
U-Fine Tune
Tone Bal
After Bend
Hold Mode
Output Mode
Arpeggiator No
Sequencer No
MIDI Messages Sysex

Omnisphere Sections Controlled by the Roland D-50 + PG-1000:

Independent Layer Control Yes
Number of Oscillators 4
Number of Wavetables 2
Number of Envelopes 10
Number of LFOs 8
Filter Types None
FX Units Analog Chorus
Analog Flanger
Analog Phaser
Chorus Echo
Innerspace
PRO-Verb
Retroflanger
Stompbox Modeler
Studio EQ
UltraChorus
Vintage Tremolo
Soundsources Yes
Mod Matrix No
FM No
Ring Mod Yes
Waveshaper No
Unison No
Harmonia Yes
Granular No
ORB No
Arpeggiator No