Roland D-20: The 8-track Sequencer

[@polbecca]

Still using my D-20 after all these years too! I have my PK-5 bass pedals plugged in for extra fun with those Rush and Yes tunes. I think the synth is rather overlooked because of the D-50 and M1. It sounds a bit gritty but has a decent amount of phatness with the right programming.

[@whatistau]

Thanks for the video. You made a lot things hella confusing past 19 minute mark lol

[@marcocosta76]

Nice video! I still own a D-20, bought in 1993. One of these days I'll try to fix a couple of dead keys :)

[@soundsolutions]

I have a dead key, A above middle C. Changed the rubber touch pad under key but still won't work. Any ideas to fix it?

[@RoshiAi]

Yeah...I (used to) do that trick too on the D-10 which does not have a sequencer at at all...using sounds in a drumkit and being able to make patterns. Only downside is that the drumpattern is only 8 notes polyphonic. Nevertheless a cool trick. Keep up your fun videos (en snor ;-) )

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

Hi you are nasty. I just sold mine. I packed it today and will send it to the new onwner. Now you come with this.

[@theMIDImaniac]

I love your comment but also I feel sorry... Amazing that you just packed it today for a new owner. The D-20 is a limited machine but with some effort you can do nice things with it. Back in the days this was my way to play at parties and to have a 'cheap' dance machine. Don't feel sad about it...just don't... ;-)

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

@@theMIDImaniac I don't feel sorry. I have to much synths and have to make some space. and those whom I didn't like much went to the auction. my JV1000 has much more capebilities.

[@whoopwhoop90]

Cool! Just bought a second hand d20. I find it very hard to time to record a loop that is on the grid, it seems almost impossible to time pressing the 'stop button' correctly. Any tips? Is there a ways to automatically place it on the grid, quantizing it after it has been recorded doesn't seem to do the job

[@cube206]

Very good video presentation..You are positive person, and I like this..also I have this great synth in my collection :) I hope you replaced the battery in the synthesizer and the diskette drive belt :)

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi! Thank you so much for your comment. Really appreciated. And yes, I’ve changed the CR- battery but not the drive yet. It has indeed some issues but I’m thinking to try the gotek usb solution. I’m planning to used upload another D-20 video soon. Thanks again! 💪🏽👌🏽✌🏽🤙🏽

[@cube206]

@@theMIDImaniac You're welcome! :) if you decide to get to the floppy disk drive and replace the drive belt..then you will keep the originality of this instrument.I have repaired the station. The drive belt cost me about 1$ :) Good luck and waiting patiently for another movie about this amazing instrument.

[@nickolamieczta2854]

Amazing tutorial. Thanks. I'm very surprised at the quality and the sounds you've managed to make. What is the name of sound that starts at 8:50?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi! Thanks for your comment and your positive feedback. A name for the sound? Hmmm...I consider it as a pluck sound, used in a lot of Progressive House music. I make this sound on all my synths :) It's really a basic sound, based on 1 SAW partial. I also was asked about the hard bass sound (also 1 SAW partial) so I will shoot a vid about creating this kind of sounds. Thanks again!

[@DevilTravels]

I miss my D-20 which I paired with my D-110 to get 16 midi channels. Keys not heavily weighted so easy to play.

[@leondustar]

very snappy & crystal-clear sounds, even when tracks are played together. I'd figured it would sound muddy pretty quickly, nice device!

[@FKU7777]

Hi there so glad to find this. Could you do a real in depth walkthough of how to use the D20 to step sequence an external piece of gear via MIDI? I'm really struggling to get anything recorded and not sure if my D20 is working correctly as the low battery indicator comes on too but i can't seem to record any steps, hence having a noddy guide on what buttons to press to start with. Hope that makes sense! cheers

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi! Thanks for dropping your question. Before I grab my camera I would like to point out that step sequencing is not possible. Only real-time recording is possible. Changing the internal battery is easy. It's a standard CR2032 button cell and can be swapped easily. (unless it's soldered to the holder) Be aware that you will loose all sounds but those can be loaded again through floppy or through midi. Do make a backup first ;-) Well, back to the question: What would you like to learn from a video regarding recording external gear with the D-20?

[@FKU7777]

@@theMIDImaniac hi mate, you are ledgend for replying so quickly. Yes, I would be very gratful if you could do a real time video! thanks again and appreciate your willingness to help.

[@dvamateur]

So basically you have to mute a track to trigger external sound module. Interesting.

[@anthonylee5834]

the media maniac may help me please , silly request but all i would like to know mate is to prepare for recording period then i,ll be ok . look forward to your assistance thank you from australia

[@MichaelSouhoka]

D-20/10/110, Father of Roland Sound Canvas series.

[@djdigital3806]

Just found one in a pawn shop today. Happy happy joy joy🎹 Subscribed ✅

[@theMIDImaniac]

DJ Digital superrrrrr!!!! Congrats 👏🏽 I’ve just installed mine. Soon more vids about this machine. And thanks for subbing.

[@djdigital3806]

The MIDI Maniac #hardwareonly You have a cool channel. I like vintage hardware also @ (dj.digital01) Instagram

[@samsonb6788]

Love it , I am still using mine after 22 year :)

[@theMIDImaniac]

Great! I’m actually busy with a new video of the D-20. Will be launched this week! Thanks for your great comment.

[@carlmeyer6840]

I still have one in mint condition.

[@theMIDImaniac]

After all those years that's just awesome!

[@paolopiergentili3839]

i just could get my old D-20 repaired. it's the keyboard my parents gifted me when a teenager. Still having fun in programming sounds, i was wondering about using again its internal sequencer. Thanks for the video!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thank you for passing by. Great to read that you still enjoy this machine. That must have been an awesome gift! :D

[@PRODUCEDBYLILDOUG]

Can someone help me out? Whenever I try to record something there is always a drum pattern playing in the background. I clear the pattern 51 and yet it's always playing in the background when I start recording... please help

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi! Which patterns are showing in the rhythm track?

[@PRODUCEDBYLILDOUG]

@@theMIDImaniac My patterns 51-88 are cleared. No info on them. I hit sequencer + int/card then select the pattern I want. Using 51 that is cleared. I hit start and it starts record but the drum loop is continous and I cannot get rid of it. For instance if I have a synth pad I want to use to record that drum loop somehow is always playing

[@renownedoutlaw]

I cant find this keyboard in my country, but its perfect for what im looking for, are there any widely available alternatives?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Yes, there are alternatives. MC-303, MC-50, MC-500mkII, MC-300, MC-80, JV-1000 and more. Good luck!

[@TheHeat55]

I had a brand new one around 1990 I believe. Nice keyboard. The sequencing was a little difficult but it was a good quality, very playable keyboard. :-)

[@theMIDImaniac]

That's right about the keyboard. It still plays very nice!

[@asdifasi]

How to sync d20 with a groovebox !? Where is the external sync of d20

[@theMIDImaniac]

ASDI FASI press and hold Tempo. Press now Display Up. Now you see Clock Mode. Change to midi and your good to go’

[@thomasmatthews5732]

I had the D-10 (1992-2004) wore it out. It was my #1 board

[@theMIDImaniac]

:D Good to know that you wore it out. That means you loved it!

[@axisofficial265]

you are a genius! u just unlocked in my mind infinite possibilities with my shitty old d20

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hahaha thanks a lot for your comment. Yeah, sometimes we don’t know what we really have in front of us. The D-20 is a limited machine and because of that you search for possibilities. Good luck on making the D-20 less shitty 😂💪🏽👌🏽✌🏽🤙🏽

[@mardeyseixas8713]

Verrygood man

[@joserpds]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@joserpds]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@AiGenerationMagic]

You just saved me $350

[@theMIDImaniac]

That's always good!

[@pizzagogo6151]

Interesting I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one of these, ever. Didn’t realise there was a sequencer version in that series ( have had a u220 in past) - seems similar to the mv30 sequencer ( I think) but definitely seems pretty challenging to program with that little display- but, as always, you really know how to get the best out of this old stuff!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi! Just mailed you ;-) It was indeed the first synth with a built-in sequencer. The M1 followed very rapidly (with better sounds IMO). I'm not familiar with the MV-30 but I just read and SOS-article about it. Interest is triggered :) Have a good weekend, my musical friend! Grtzzz, Roger

[@madness8556]

The MV30 is a U220 with a D70 filter and large LCD display coupled with an MC50 sequencer in a box.

[@chikusobox]

Very nice demo! Thank you for posting!

[@theMIDImaniac]

And thank you for commenting!

[@squishmusic]

Does the sequencer need the FDD to be working (ie saving seq data)?

[@squishmusic]

and that Q. goes for the user presets/patterns too...

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi! The FDD is indeed for saving all work: Songs, sequences, sounds and settings. The Data Card can be used to save sounds only. My drive is broken but I'm thinking to try a Gotek solution.

[@squishmusic]

@@theMIDImaniac yeah thats one solution or record and master before turning off D20 :D

[@muzixco]

When everything becomes a mess, jajajaja. 80's music tech, still going strong in 2020 bravo Roger! Conoces a Jose Maria aka DX5? Creo que vive en Eapaña pero no se en cual parte.

[@theMIDImaniac]

muzixco jejeje! Gracias, amigo! Just quick and messy but to get an idea. Man, I still know how to control this unit. It was my life back in 1987. And no, I don’t know this guy. I will search for him.

[@johnnydekock]

Awesome Roger. Great sounds that you have made here. What effects where you using on this? Well done!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thanks a lot my musical friend! The effect is an internal effect. Reverb 8, which is a stereo delay and is 'on sync' when the BPM = 120.

[@johnnydekock]

The MIDI Maniac wow man you really know how to get the most out of this unit. I thought the effects may have been external. Love your informative videos and your creativity. Your channel definitely deserves more recognition. Thank you 🙏

[@theMIDImaniac]

@@johnnydekock Comments like yours do help growing the channel. So thanks a lot for that! And imagine yourself, in 1987 when I was 15...when I got this unit...Together with my DX-100. In 1988 House music in the Netherlands started to gain audience. The sequencer was gold in that time when you had no Atari. In 1991 I played together with a saxophone player, Chew Fu. Then I got Pfifer-illnes (kissing disease) and I was unable to perform anymore for months due to fatigue. The saxophone player said that he had to search for another keyboard player because our plan was to go to a contest for young musicians. Found a new player and then they won the contest. The song was released on a 'Turn Up The Bass' CD. To make a long story short. They went into music for profession. Really a great job what they have done and reached. The saxophone player toured over the world and is located nowadays in NY. The keyboard player, Patrick, played in famous Dutch groups like Van Dik Hout :). It's amazing to see what enthusiasm can do. We stay in touch and stay safe!

[@johnnydekock]

The MIDI Maniac wow that is an amazing story. Always wanted the D20 as a youngster I loved the fact that it had a sequencer and storage via floppy disk. I have the D-110 again as I sold mine many years ago and acquired another one recently. With talent that you have I am sure you would have won the competition if you were not sick. Great story Roger. Take care and be safe my friend.

[@KidMrRemixes]

That kick drum on i03 sounds good. How have you made it?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thanks! It's indeed a deep kick drum and using only 1 partial. I will grab a video about that these days. A less messy video hahaha. This one was made with uncontrolled enthusiasm :D

[@KidMrRemixes]

The MIDI Maniac did you use a PCM or waveform? I’m intrigued to know how you got it sounding so good. I still have my D-20, since 1990. I don’t use it much but it’s got so many good memories I could never sell it.

[@theMIDImaniac]

@@KidMrRemixes ​@@KidMrRemixes It's a PCM-sound(SAW) and the trick is to adjust the Pitch Envelope in the right way. Also setting the Keyfollow of the Cut-off and sufficient Resonance is important. I don't use mine either but I was triggered by a viewer yesterday to take the lady out to walk ;) All the sounds (but the organ bass stab) were created yesterday. That's why I didn't adjust the names of the sounds. As you can see at 01:40 you see the name of the original sound LowTomTom3. When you edit that sound (take out the PCM) you already have some attacking bass drum. Adjusting some parameters and then you got a bass like I had. Anyway, I think more people are interested in how to create those kind of sounds. yeah, never sell it. It's worth nothing so you won't win anything. Now you can enjoy the old times from time to time :D

[@mixedsignalspresets]

Thanks, good job!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thanks a lot! :D

[@felipe-samura]

Hey Roger, great Tutorial! I can't find my House Stab in the part of Edit of the keyboard how can i solve this ?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi Felipe! Thanks for asking. Here is a tutorial to create that sound because it’s not a stock sound. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i33GfJ2hjKp9hck Good luck.

[@felipe-samura]

@@theMIDImaniac but i saw this video too and i follow all of these steps, but in the sequencer i can't find the house stab than i made, only in the synth section

[@theMIDImaniac]

@@felipe-samura Ah, okay! So, you've created this sound and saved it in the internal memory, right? For example I-01. Now you have to select that I-01 to a patch, let's say A-01. Normally A-01 is a piano sound and you can change that sound to I-01. Sounds complicated? I will search in the manual for you.

[@theMIDImaniac]

@@felipe-samura cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/D-20_OM.pdf Page 146 is for saving a created patch to the internal memory.

[@theMIDImaniac]

@@felipe-samura And Page 96: Setting the timbre in Multitimbral mode where you can select your created tone.

[@adekoyote]

Brilliant

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thanks a lot, my friend in musical isolation! Take care!

[@TMSBRANDA]

Thank you for upload .. the D-20 was my first workstation .. later I added a M1R to it. I remember to great times 💞

[@theMIDImaniac]

The M1R! Wonderful!!! Thanks for passing by!