Roland U20 Vst

The U-20 features 6 part multitimbrality with a 7th drum part, plus 2 direct outputs and 2 stereo outputs. The 30 note polyphony helps if you take advantage of this synths multitimbrality for creating entire performances and ensembles. Digital reverb, chorus and delay effects liven up your sounds. Editing is simple, but there are no filters. A stunning sounding VST version of the superb Roland U20 RS-PCM Synthesizer. All 64 factory presets have been meticulously sampled across the keyboard to emulate the U20's superb and classic tone as closely as possible. You can manipulate the sound envelope, pan and control gain like on the actual synth. Reverb is also included. The famous U-20/220 piano. At the time of the release of this synth, the piano sound was considered one of the best for a mid-price ROMpler. Compared to the Korg M1, this was much more realistic and expressive. It still holds its own! 02 Chorus Piano: Classic pop piano: 03 E.Piano: Very nice, sparkly, polished Fender Rhodes: 04 Bright EP.

Roland U20 Vst Download


U-220
RS-PCM Sound Module


 And here's one of the classic early ROMplers, the Roland U-220. The U-220 is the successor to the original Roland U-110, and it's the rack version of the U-20 synthesizer. Both instruments came out right after the world-famous Korg M1 had raised the bar quite a bit for sample-based synthesizers, and, like the E-mu Proteus/1 (that came out at around the same time), were meant to provide the users with a solid base of 'bread and butter' sounds for pop, rock and dance music.

The U-series uses a type of synthesis called RS-PCM - which stands for ReSynthesized Pulse Code Modulation, and it's Roland's 2nd generation sampling technique. It is based on high-quality samples.

The structure of this synth reminds of the D-50 and its tones, partials and patches. Here we have 128 basic components called 'tones', that can be used to build 'timbres'. Timbres can then be combined in various ways to build 'patches'. This is a fairly elaborate process which seems daunting at the beginning, but fairly easy once you are used to the way the U-220's OS works.

Besides instrument waveforms/tones, the U-220 also features drum samples. They are fairly punchy and typically with an 80s feel. You can certainly use these percussion tones to form patches - indeed, some of the more creative factory patches use drum sounds as starting points.

One drawback of the U-series is that there are no filters. The editing options are few and limited to choosing tone, setting level, pitch, vibrato, and effects parameters - so clearly the U-series is not the best option if you want a full-fledged synthesizer that you can edit to the max.

This is definitely a plug 'n' play, performance synth: this module responds beautifully to velocity messages, and also the aftertouch is incredibly responsive and guarantees 'felt' performances. It's also 6+1 (for rhythm) polytimbric, so you can use it to compose full songs.

The U-series can also be expanded thanks to two slots for the SN-U110-series of PCM cards, which really open up all kinds of possibilities for this machine.

It's also interesting to note that - from what I can hear - many of the waveforms in the U-series ROM ended up in the hugely successful Sound Canvas series - which largely contributed to the success of the GM (General MIDI) standard in the early 90s.

Let's listen to the two on-board factory Roland U-220 demo songs:

HIGHLANDER by Marvin Sanders - probably inspired by the movie 'Highlander' that came out a couple of years before, this is a very nice cinematic tune that represents well the U-series' versatility.

U20

U MIGHT BE THE 1by Eric Persing - A classic late 80s/early 90s number. I love the bass line on this song. This is a nice insight on the U-220's more exotic sounds.

Let's now go ahead and take a listen to the 64 preset patches on the U-220:

Patch name
with audio demo		My comments
01 Acoust PianoThe famous U-20/220 piano. At the time of the release of this synth, the piano sound was considered one of the best for a mid-price ROMpler. Compared to the Korg M1, this was much more realistic and expressive. It still holds its own!
02 Chorus Piano Classic pop piano
03 E.PianoVery nice, sparkly, polished Fender Rhodes
04 Bright EP Classic FM e. piano
05 Vibraphone Beautiful sampled vibraphone - with excellent pan pot/tremolo effect
06 Marimba Superbly sampled
07 Bell Classic sampled bell
08 Fanta BellA nod to the D-50, this was one component (partials in one of the tones) of the classic 'Fantasia' patch.
09 A.Guitar Short samples and all, still a very good tone for this steel acoustic guitar.
10 E.GuitarNice picked electric guitar.
11 Heavy Guitar Still very much an '80s sound, with digital distortion, chorus and delay.
12 E.Organ 1 Very nice electric organ
13 E.Organ 3 Classic B-3, with excellent slow Leslie sim.
14 E.Organ 7 Woody jazz B-3.
15 E.Organ 9 Incredible electronic organ!!! Reminds of certain Wurlitzer 'cinema' organs of the past.
16 Mad Organ Nicely tube distorted.
17 Strings Beautiful, full and expressive string ensemble
18 Syn.Strings Still a bit digital sounding.
19 JP8.StringsMuch better: good analog strings sampled from Roland's own Jupiter-8.
20 Choir Very good sampled choir - I remember being very impressed with this sound when the U-20 came out!
21 Syn.Vox 1 FAIRLIGHT!!!!!!! The classic vox patch.
22 Syn.Vox 2 Variation of the patch above, very hypnotic...
23 Syn.Choir 1 Probably sampled from the D-50, it's very similar to a few of the vox patches on the PN-D50-xx cards.
24 Syn.Choir 2 Charming analog vox - this could come from the JX/MKS series.
25 FlangingSlapMore 80s. Typical slapped bass with a hint of chorus/flanger.
26 FretlessBassNice fretless bass.
27 Synth Bass 7A little too thin but certainly has some of the Minimoog bite.
28 SynB-BellPad Fantastic combo!!! Perfect for rock pop of that era (late 80s/early 90s)
29 A.Bass-PIano Very realistic jazz ensemble.
30 SingingPianoNice edit on the main piano sound.
31 SplitsCool moving patch with some classic D-50 waveforms on show.
32 Velo Trumpet While the regular trumpet sound is good, the muted one leaves a bit to be desired...
33 Soft Trumpet Very nice and expressive trumpet sound.
34 TrombornA little dark but this sampled trombone can work in the mix.
35 BrassSection Distant brass section.
36 Saxophone Perfectly respectable for an older ROMpler unit.
37 JP8.Brass After the classic Jupiter-8 strings, here we have a brass patch from that unit.
38 Power Brass That's what this is.
39 Flute Good flute patch, with natural vibrato.
40 Shakuhachi Classic patch that was very much in vogue in the '80s.
41 FantasiaHere we start with a long set of sounds inspired from the D-50, which was Roland's most successful synth at the time... - it compares pretty well to the original.
42 Calliope Another classic D-50 breathy sound.
43 SoundtrackI'm afraid this doesn't quite stack up to the original, classic 'Soundtrack' patch.
44 AtmosphereMore D-50-influenced patches.
45 Future Pad Beautiful. Quite different from the original D-50 patch.
46 PomonaA vaguely Asian sound for this Californian town.
47 Melodigan Great! Reminds of the street musicians' calliope sound.
48 Photogene Cool sound, reminds of the 70s Tomita.
49 EndymionA nice patch that reminds of Yellow Magic Orchestra.
50 PrelusionNice digital pad.
51 JupitersMore Jupiter-8 brassy sounds.
52 Selene Inspired synth.
53 Sacred Tree Excellent Fairlight-style patch.
54 Macho Lead Powerful analog lead.
55 Lunar Lead Variation on the above.
56 HarmonicLead Nice. The aftertouch introduces the harmonic to each note.
57 Native Dance Another D-50 emulation.
58 Percs Hit Classic early sampled percussion.
59 Velo Combi Charming patch - velocity changes from piano to Fairlight vox.
60 Split CombiNice waveform showcase.
61 Rotor CraftCool helicopter sound effect.
62 Emergency Video game fx.
63 DeepseaMore digital wonders.
64 Catastrophe Powerful synth
R-1 Standard Set Classic punchy, produced 80s set.
R-2 Dry Set without effects
R-3 Electric Set Classic Simmons
R-4 F.X. Set Impressive what you can achieve just by using the basic editing means on the U-series.
Roland U-220 Factory Timbres
Timbre name with audio demoMy comments
001 A.Piano 2Classy grand piano.
002 A.Piano 4Very cool ragtime piano.
003 A.Piano 10Old, detuned grand.
004 E.Piano 1Beautiful, expressive Rhodes electric piano - with just the right amount of bite when pressed hard.
005 E.Piano 5Wurlitzer-like.
006 Bright EPTypical FM electric piano.
007 Vib 1Nice, clean vibraphone.
008 MarimbaGreat base samples.
009 BellNice
010 Fanta BellBell with long release
011 A.Guitar 1Clean steel guitar.
012 E.Guitar 1Cool accompaniment, muted electric guitar.
013 Heavy GuitarDistorted guitar sampled in 'power chords'.
014 E.Organ 1Classic electric church organ.
015 E.Organ 3Classic electro-mechanical organ.
016 E.Organ 5Killer jazz Hammond organ - just the right amount of percussion.
017 E.Organ 7Very woody jazz organ.
018 E.Organ 9Theater organ.
019 R.Organ 2Fantastic rock organ - with overdrive and fast Leslie - very Deep Purple.
020 Strings 1Solid string ensemble.
021 Strings 3Same as above, with added low octave.
022 String Pad 2Nice synth string pad.
023 JP.StringsThe classic Jupiter-8 strings.
024 Choir 1Realistic choir.
025 Choir 3Same as above, with added low octave.
026 Syn.Vox 1The classic Fairlight vox sample, heard all over in the 80s.
027 Syn.Vox 2A gentler syn vox.
028 Syn.ChoirClassic D-50 sound.
029 Syn.Choir 2Muted variation of the above.
030 Slap 1Excellent slapped electric bass.
031 Slap 7Compressed version of the above.
032 Fingered 1Excellent fingered bass.
033 Picked 1Metallic sounding bass.
034 Fretless 2Warm fretless.
035 Ac.BassVery realistic jazz contrabass.
036 Syn.Bass 4Killer Moog bass.
037 Syn.Bass 5Nice rubbery synth bass.
038 Syn.Bass 6Classic Moog with key-click.
039 Syn.Bass 7Classic reso bass.
040 Soft TP 1Hyper realistic trumpet!
041 TP / TRB 1The trombone works very well in the lower register.
042 Brass 1Honest brass ensemble.
043 Sax 1Realistic tenor saxophone.
044 Synth Brs 1Classic 80s polysynth - a la Oberheim
045 Synth Brs 2Variation of the above - the 'Jump' OB-Xa sound.
046 PowerBrass 1Powerful indeed.
047 PowerBrass 2Filtered version of the above.
048 JP.Brass 2Nice, full Jupiter synth brass!
049 Flute 1Very realistic concert flute.
050 Shaku 1The classic Japanese instrument.
051 Bell PadClassic D-50 bell pad.
052 Breath VoxAnother classic D-50 sound.
053 PizzagogoYet another classic D-50 sound, but it badly sampled/recreated.
054 Spect BellSpectrum Bell - another great sound inspired by the D-50.
055 Bell DrumPowerful synth sound
056 Synth HarpClassic synth harp.
057 Pulse Wave 1Cool pulse waveform with filter open.
058 Pulse Wave 2Same as above with filter half-closed.
059 Pulse Wave 3Same as above with filter more closed and shorter decay.
060 Saw Wave 1Classic saw waveform with filter open.
061 Saw Wave 2Same as above with filter half-closed.
062 MetalAnother D-50 classic sample.
063 SingingPianoInteresting sound.
064 Syn.MarimbaWith nice pitched attack.
065 FantasiaThe classic D-50 first patch.
066 Calliope 1Like a clarinet.
067 Calliope 2More like a looped tambourine.
068 Soundtrack 1Thin synth sound.
069 Soundtrack 2Same as above, one octave higher.
070 Soundtrack 3Same as above, in a different pitch.
071 Atmosphere 1Nice acoustic sound.
072 Atmosphere 2Powerful polysynth that also works as a pad.
073 Future 1Version with long envelopes of the Fairlight vox sample.
074 Future 2Beautiful glassy Rhodes.
075 Pomona 1Cool pizzicato synth sound.
076 Pomona 2Same as above, filtered.
077 Melodigan 1Strange digital conception!
078 Melodigan 2Like an FM organ.
079 Photogene 1Cool, high-pitched digital eerie sound.
080 Photogene 2Same as above, filtered.
081 Endymion 1Waveform with pitch raising up fast at the start.
082 Endymion 2Similar to Atmosphere 2.
083 Prelusion 1Another variation of the Fairlight vox.
084 Prelusion 2Variation on the bell pad.
085 JP8.Brasswith fast rising pitch.
086 JP8.StringsThe quintessential analog strings.
087 Selene 1Nice synth vox.
088 Selene 2High pitched digital synth.
089 Sacred 1Variation on the Jupiter strings.
090 Sacred 2Another variation of the Farlight syn vox.
091 Macho 1Open saw wave.
092 Macho 2Same as above, with raising pitch on attack.
093 Lunar 1Filtered pulse waveform.
094 Lunar 2Similar to the above.
095 Harmonic 1Another pulse waveform.
096 Harmonic 2Filtered version of the above.
097 Harmonic 3Very high-pitched synth harp.
098 Native 1Based on the spectrum wave. Aftertouch acts on the pitch lowering one octave - very effective!
099 Native 2Weird bird based on the acoustic guitar sample.
100 Native 3The classic DigitalNativeDance loop of the D-50. Aftertouch changes the pitch.
101 Native 4Crazy sound with lots of vibrato.
102 Native 5Similar to the above.
103 Percs Hit 1Simple short metal samples.
104 Percs Hit 2Simple short marimba samples.
105 Percs Hit 3Simple short nails samples.
106 Rotor 1The metal sample made into a helicopter.
107 Rotor 2The acoustic guitar made into a helicopter.
108 Rotor 3Acoustic guitar becomes a bird.
109 Emergency 1Classic alarm sound.
110 Emergency 2Variation on the above.
111 Emergency 3Nice jet/spaceship taking off.
112 Emergency 4Similar to the above.
113 Emergency 5Similar to the above with heavy vibrato effect.
114 Deep 1Again the DigitalNativeDance loop.
115 Deep 2Dancing fairies.
116 Deep 3Cool fx.
117 Catastrophe1Nice fx with extreme rhythmic vibrato.
118 Catastrophe2Similar to the above.
119 Catastrophe3Cool spectrum fx.
120 Catastrophe4Another syn vox.
121 Catastrophe5Full strings.
122 PizzSmall pizzicato samples.
123 BreathClassic D-50 samples.
124 NailsAnd another classic D-50 sample set.
125 Spectrum 1And yet another classic D-50 sample set.
126 Spectrum 2Cool variation with high-pitched harmonic.
127 N.DanceThe classic D-50 loop.
128 DrumsNice and clean amalgam of drum/percussion.
001 A.PIANO 1
002 A.PIANO 2
003 A.PIANO 3
004 A.PIANO 4
005 A.PIANO 5
006 A.PIANO 6
007 A.PIANO 7
008 A.PIANO 8
009 A.PIANO 9
010 A.PIANO 10
011 E.PIANO 1
012 E.PIANO 2
013 E.PIANO 3
014 E.PIANO 4
015 E.PIANO 5
016 BRIGHT EP1
017 BRIGHT EP2
018 VIB 1
019 VIB 2
020 VIB 3
021 BELL 1
022 BELL 2
023 MARIMBA
024 A.GUITAR 1
025 A.GUITAR 2
026 A.GUITAR 3
027 A.GUITAR 4
028 A.GUITAR 5
029 E.GUITAR 1
030 E.GUITAR 2
031 E.GUITAR 3
032 E.GUITAR 4
033 HEAVY.EG 1
034 HEAVY.EG 2
035 SLAP 1
036 SLAP 2
037 SLAP 3
038 SLAP 4
039 SLAP 5
040 SLAP 6
041 SLAP 7
042 SLAP 8
043 SLAP 9
044 SLAP 10
045 SLAP 11
046 SLAP 12
047 FINGERED 1
048 FINGERED 2
049 PICKED 1
050 PICKED 2
051 FRETLESS 1
052 FRETLESS 2
053 AC.BASS
054 SYN.BASS 1
055 SYN.BASS 2
056 SYN.BASS 3
057 SYN.BASS 4
058 SYN.BASS 5
059 SYN.BASS 6
060 SYN.BASS 7
061 SYN.BASS 8
062 CHOIR 1
063 CHOIR 2
064 CHOIR 3
065 CHOIR 4
066 STRINGS 1
067 STRINGS 2
068 STRINGS 3
069 STRINGS 4
070 E.ORGAN 1
071 E.ORGAN 2
072 E.ORGAN 3
073 E.ORGAN 4
074 E.ORGAN 5
075 E.ORGAN 6
076 E.ORGAN 7
077 E.ORGAN 8
078 E.ORGAN 9
079 R.ORGAN 1
080 R.ORGAN 2
081 SOFT TP 1
082 SOFT TP 2
083 TP / TRB 1
084 TP / TRB 2
085 TP / TRB 3
086 SAX 1
087 SAX 2
088 SAX 3
089 SAX 4
090 SAX 5
091 BRASS 1
092 FLUTE 1
093 SHAKU 1
094 SHAKU 2
095 FANTASIA
096 BELL PAD
097 SYN CHOIR
098 BREATH VOX
099 SYN.VOX 1
100 SYN.VOX 2
101 L.CALLIOPE
102 CALLIOPE
103 METAL HIT
104 RICH BRASS
105 JP.BRASS 1
106 JP.BRASS 2
107 BRASTRINGS
108 STRINGPAD1
109 STRINGPAD2
110 JP.STRINGS
111 PIZZAGOGO
112 FANTA BELL
113 SPECT BELL
114 BELL DRUM
115 SYNTH HARP
116 PULSEWAVE1
117 PULSEWAVE2
118 PULSEWAVE3
119 SAW WAVE 1
120 SAW WAVE 2
121 PIZZ
122 METAL
123 BREATH
124 NAILS
125 SPECTRUM 1
126 SPECTRUM 2
127 N.DANCE
128 DRUMS
Roland U-220 specifications
Features at a glance
Year of release:1990 (or 1989?)
Polyphony:30-voice
Presets:64 patches, 128 tones, 128
Rhythms:4 rhythm sets
Keyboard:n/a
Responds to velocity:yes
Sound generation method:RS-PCM
MIDI:in,out, thru
Sound expansion capabilities:pcm cards
Effects:yes
Controls:knob, buttons
Outputs:stereo outs, sep. outputs
Display:yes
Misc:
Roland U-220 pictures (click on thumbnails to enlarge)

available at www.rolandus.com

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