Want a Roland D50 - Dilemma!

[MitchT]

During and ever since being a spotty teenager I have lusted after the Roland D50. I still think it sounds wonderful and I think I owe it to myself to own one, in much the same way as I owe it to myself to own a Ferrari Testarossa one day... to make sure that the itch has been scratched. Anyway... I've decided to find myself a D50, or a D550 (the rack-mount version of the D50) and I'd also like a PG1000 to go with it. The PG1000, for those who don't know, is a desktop pallet that connects to the D50/D550 and provides a dedicated slider for every function, so you have pseudo-classic analogue type control over every parameter. Alas, the course of true Roland D50 love never runs smooth, and my initial search has provided a choice of a D50 keyboard, or a D550 with a PG1000. The pros and cons are as follows...

D50 Pros:
Sexy keyboard version
Located nearby so I can try before I buy and take it home in the car
D50 cons:
No PG1000
Not really room in my studio for another keyboard

D550 Pros:
Seller is bundling it with a PG1000
Small 2U rack module will easily fit in my studio
D550 Cons:
Located miles away so can't try first and it will have to go through post
Not as sexy as the keyboard

I suppose what I'd love, ideally, is a D50 keyboard with a PG1000. I could make room for the keyboard if I needed to, the attraction of the keyboard being its gorgeous appearance and the useful little joystick on the front that you can use to adjust the balance between the four tones that make up a patch... but this ideal option isn't available right now, and I want a D50 before I start recording my new album as I know the D50 can produce sounds that will suit my new work perfectly... so I don't really want to wait.

Help!

Edited by MitchT on Monday 26th November 18:10

[TheMighty]

After owning a D50 for quite a while way back when which I sold to fund my music degree, I'd love one too so you're not the only with a craving. I remember mine played very well and as synth actions go I really liked it, the only down side to this was that as it got older the sensetivity became all or nothing. I seem to remember loads of people stripping them down and cleaning the rubber pads far too regularly to try and cure this.

The D550 had better midi implementation too I think, and obviously none of the keyboard problems to live with. so I'd probably plump for the rack-mount unit depending on what you're planning to control it with. Make sure the joystick is ok though if you do as they were well known for breaking.

Edited by TheMighty on Monday 26th November 19:07

[GnuBee]

Buy both and sell the D550 on eBay or through Sound on Sound?

[MitchT]

GnuBee said:

Buy both and sell the D550 on eBay or through Sound on Sound?

I was thinking of buying both and keeping both They hardly cost a King's ransom these days and I could easily make use of them.

[MitchT]

Well, the D550+PG1000 auction went beyond my price limit, but I was successful in securing the D50. The auction ended this morning and as the seller is only about 15 minutes drive away I'm off over to his house this evening to pay cash and collect my new toy. When I get it home it'll get a brief test and then OH will then be refunding me the price and confiscating it to send off to Santa!

Now to find myself a PG1000