Roland D2 Groovebox

FOTO

First, there was the MC-303 Groovebox, followed by the more extensive MC-505 Groovebox with:
- a sequencer
- contemporary dance music samples
- a JV-1080 synth engine
- a drum machine
- and a D-Beam

The 505's sequencer, samples and synth engine is reused in other Roland synths:
- the D2 Groovebox, which is an orange MC-505 with a touch pad, but without the faders.
- the JX-305 Groovesynth, which is a 505 with a keyboard and the design of the JP-8000 / JP-8080.

OS Version check
(p 14, service manual) You can select any test item by pressing the [VELOCITY] button while holding down the [ENTER] button.
The 7-segment display on the left shows the version number of the program.
After checking is completed, turn off the machine.
(p 16) "Actions to be taken when normal startup of the D2 is disabled"
thanks synthxl.com

vintagesynth.com:
THIS ORANGE BOX ROCKS! It should, it's an MC-505 under that toyish looking case.

The Roland D2 is the perfect MC-505 + JX-305 (JV-1080) replacement tone generator AND IT SUPPORTS Aftertouch!! I apply it to LFO RATE, LFO DEPTH, PITCH, FILTER, or AMP. The real hidden gem of this machine that it lets you store 100 of your own combinations of 8 sounds and effects per "Pattern".

Absolutely brilliant hidden JV synth engine.

I build a CTRLR panel for the D2 with the midi CC list from the manual and sysex code from the MC505, now I have access to all the parameters the MC505 has knobs for on the interface. The MC505 editor (v2) is also very handy, and Sounddiver had an excellent MC505 environment for deep synthesis editing.

EVEN better as a Sound Module. I can play any sound slowly adding parts over it or solo over beats. Keys unlock a secret arsenal of preset sounds (that you can also alter through the PAD like Filter function) that go from low metallic sweeps to crying rich sustains.

All the synth parameters can be controlled by MIDI CC - which includes 3 ADSR envelopes!

I am a big fan of the "Hold" button because if you do it right, you can hold multiple sounds in a loop.

sonicstate.com
D-field is extreemly cool, you can "write" solos with your finger tip... and record that too.

i Love it, nice effects too. I make Christian Trance music, 1999 style! :D would recomend as part of a setup. if you wonna use the sequencer, its spot on in most cases when you're making patterns, but when you wanna string patterns together for a song, if u got a busy mix going on, it gets out of time when changing between patterns.

considering the price of the D2 I was hoping for a cut down version of the MC505. Instead, it has every single patch and drum kit that the MC505 has and more!

I also noticed that when I try to record 16th notes, etc. that it will not match up correctly and instead kind of round up to the next beat.

I am going to buy one for my grandmother of 90 years.. She was taken to heaven with the sounds and played with it untill I had to grab it back from her.. She looked like she lost a friend when I took it back to the studio..Get one for a loved one and teach them! Interactive junkbox at worst! The D2 is an inovative untapped spiritual creative force in it's own right.

It has the same sound engine as the MC505/jx305

You can with your finger insert snares on the d-field, which is a very nice thing to do live. I have experienced some lag on this feature, but only when I use every channel and ONLY the d2. To sum up: it's the same situation as with my girlfriend, if anything better and cheap (?) comes up, I'll change... ;-)

the thing about this Hare Krishna box is the insant gratification you get.
check out pattern 99!!

You either like the D-field, or you don't. I happen to like it... and once you dig into the manual, you see there's a long, long, list of functions that can be assigned to the pad (p22 manual).