S-50 / S-550 ZONE



UPDATES ARCHIVE


July 2024

INFO
     ZuluSCSI / SCSI2SD / CD-ROM Benchmarks ‑ I compiled some tests when loading ISO's on the S-760. The results are surprising

May 2024

INFO
     S-50 Hidden Modes ‑ S‑50 designer Akira Matsui has hidden some very special test modes inside the system software

October 2023

DIY
     Roland RGB-25N Monitor Cable DIY ‑ Instructions and part numbers for building this hard to find RGB monitor cable
     Atari SC1224 / SC1435 Monitor Cable DIY ‑ Instructions and part numbers for building an Atari RGB monitor adapter cable


August 2023

UTILITY
  • * * * SPECIAL UPDATE * * * Sample Disk Image Reader Utility Updated To v1.7 ‑ A major update which adds the ability to show a directory listing of all floppies stored in S‑550/W‑30 80MB Hard Drive, CD‑ROM, 100MB/250MB ZIP, SCSI2SD or ZuluSCSI disk image formats (i.e., *.IMG, *.HDA and *.ISO)
SAMPLES
     S-50/S-550/S-330/W-30 Disk Image File Error ‑ Download link added for RSB_505-07.OUT / RSB_505-08.OUT duplicate file error


May 2023

INFO
     Reverse Sample Looping For The S‑50 And S‑550 ‑ Breaking some of the sampler menu rules to create some very weird samples


April 2023

SAMPLES
     Disk Collections For CDROM, SCSI2SD. ZuluSCSI, etc... ‑ Converted L701-L711 & David Marshall sets into S‑760 *.ISO format


March 2023

3.5" FDD and GOTEK *.OUT/*.IMG FILE SUPPORT
     SDiskW, OmniFlop and "dd" ‑ Additional links and support added for creating floppy disks and/or *.OUT/*.IMG files


February 2023

S-760 AND SP-700 *.ISO UTILITY
     AKAI S1000/S1100 or S3000 *.ISO? ‑ A utility for weeding out AKAI S3000 CD-ROM *.ISO files


January 2023

S-760 AND SP-700 "CONVERT LOAD" PROCEDURE
     Using "Convert Load" ‑ A separate webpage was added for AKAI CD-ROM support


December 2022

SAMPLER BOOT CONFIGURATION PAGE
     S-760 Boot Sequence ‑ Added support for booting the O/S from a Hard Drive, ZIP Drive or a SCSI2SD device

SAMPLES
     50 Disk Collection For SCSI2SD, Hard Drive Or ZIP Drive ‑ Converted the David Marshall Collection into *.IMG format (700 MB)


September 2022

SAMPLES
     Sample Disk Image Reader Utility Updated To v1.5 ‑ Added support for Director-S System Disks (SYS‑503, SYS‑333 and SYS‑553)


July 2022

INFO
     DA-400 4-Channel D/A Converter - Info about the rare and hard to find external Digital/Audio expansion box for the S-760
     S-330 Freezing, Locking Up & Strange Behavior - A fix for this common problem with the S‑330


February 2022

INFO
     Disk Formats Shared Between The Various Samplers - A useful chart to see sampler disk cross‑compatibility


January 2022

SAMPLES
     Andreas Sandberg Collection #2 - This 225+ collection adds another large set of S-330 Sound Disks to the sample archives


December 2021

DIY
     W‑30 LCD Replacement DIY (Update) - There Are Two Options Now
          Option #1 (Easy Method) Re-uses the original Hirose cable assembly
          Option #2 ("Patience Of A Watchmaker" Method) Uses a new Hirose connector assembly

INFO
     S-760 Reviews - Added some more magazine articles from 1994 about the S-760


November 2021

INFO
     SP-700 Support - Added some preliminary support including an LCD replacement DIY

DIY
     Troubleshooting Video Output Problems - Descriptions for video circuit problems on the S-550, S-330, S-750, S-760 & S-770


October 2021

SAMPLES
     Strange FX W‑30 Sound Disk Collection - 18 disks featuring Ring Mods, Percussion, Sci-Fi FX, Glitches & Other Strange Sounds
     Mellotron W‑30 Sound Disk Collection - 4 disks featuring samples from a vintage Mellotron M400S (1973)
     Tangerine Dream Mellotron Sound FX W‑30 Sound Disk Collection - 2 disks with rare samples found in a Mellotron warehouse


September 2021

CD-5 REFERENCE INFO
     CD-5 External SCSI CD-ROM - Tech Info, Reference Photos & A Look Under The Hood At This Rare Device


August 2021

SAMPLES
     Alternate L-CD1 CD-ROM Listing - A Recently Found PDF Showing All 165 Samples Arranged By Instrument Groups


July 2021

INFO
     W-30 Full Spread Magazine Ad - 300DPI Scan from Keyboard Magazine June 1989


April 2021

SAMPLES
     Streetwise 104 Disk Collection - Large private collection of S‑50 & W‑30 samples courtesy of musician Steve Titchiner


March 2021

GOTEK USB/FDD
  • * * * SPECIAL UPDATE * * *
    Due to recent shortages of STM Cortex M‑3 IC's which are used in the manufacture of GOTEK's, some models sold on or after April 2021 may contain the newer AT Cortex M‑4 IC. This newer IC version might not work with the instructions shown on the GOTEK FlashFloppy Firmware & GOTEK Factory Firmware webpages. Check with your vendor to ensure your GOTEK contains the STM Cortex M‑3 IC

February 2021

SAMPLES
     S‑750, S‑760, S‑770 & DJ‑70 Sample Disk Image Reader Utility v1.0 ‑ Volume, Performance, Patch, Partial & Sample Name Utility


January 2021

SAMPLE LIBRARY
     RSB‑50x, RSB‑55xx, & L‑Series Listings ‑ Added Detailed Patch & Tone Listings For All Roland Sample Libraries (As Many As I Could Find)


October 2020

SAMPLES
L-701 Through L-711 Series Disks ‑ The 55 Disk Set For S‑700, S‑750, S‑760, S‑770 & DJ‑70 Samplers (However... Missing 2 Disks)


September 2020

DIY
Mac OS/X + Roland Sampler 3.5" Floppy Disk Support ‑ Creating & Archiving 3.5" Floppy Disks


August 2020

SAMPLES
WAV2W30 & WAV2DJ70 WAV/AIFF/AIF Conversion Utilities ‑ Two amazing & FREE utilities for the W‑30 & DJ‑70
    1200+ Drum Machine Samples ‑ Added weblinks to very large collections of miscellaneous drum machine samples (In *.WAV Format)

SCSI CD‑ROM Compatibility Matrix
    New CD‑ROM's Tested & Verified ‑ Added four new external SCSI CD‑ROM's models that work with the S‑760


June 2020

DIY
    SCSI2SD Device Update ‑ Added some miscellaneous troubleshooting ideas Re: power issues with the S‑760 internal SCSI cable

INFO
    S‑760 Encoder Replacement ‑ Two methods for replacing an intermittent or defective S‑760 encoder


April 2020

SAMPLES
     S‑50, S‑330, S‑550 & W‑30 Sample Disk Image Reader Utility v1.2 ‑ Added new fonts, eMail contact + more


February 2020

DIY
    Fuse Reference For Roland Synths/Samplers ‑ A useful page for locating, testing & replacing fuses


December 2019

Sub Tones
    Creating Sub Tones On The S-50 ‑ Instructions for creating Sub Tones in all Roland manuals is WRONG. Here's the correct way


September 2019

FlashFloppy
    GOTEK FlashFloppy Firmware ‑ Instructions for updating a GOTEK with free FlashFloppy firmware specific to Roland gear

Standard GOTEK
    GOTEK Factory Default Firmware ‑ Instructions for using a GOTEK w/Factory Default Firmware specific to Roland gear


August 2019

DIY
    W‑30 SCSI IC Test ‑ Instructions for checking your W‑30 to see if it has the optional SCSI IC installed... without opening the case


July 2019

FDD PAGE
    Inexpensive After‑Market Floppy Disk Drive Replacements ‑ DIY info for replacing an unreliable or broken FDD

INFO PAGE
    S-760 LCD Replacement & Mouse+CRT Settings ‑ Can't read your LCD? Blind settings -or- a new NOS LCD does the trick

DIY
    W‑30 LCD Contrast Potentiometer Replacement ‑ An easy & inexpensive fix for this common problem


June 2019

DIY
    S‑50 Relay Coil Sounds ‑ Added Before & After comparisons of the noise, static & distorted audio fix by Open Mirror


March 2019

DIY
    W‑30 LCD Replacement DIY - A $30 (USD) LCD replacement. Stop that whining banshee from Hell !!!

SAMPLES
     S‑50 RSB Sample Library Converted To *.wav & Akai *.akp Formats ‑ Yep! All 80 disks. Lots of data ;^)


December 2018

DIY
    W‑30 Wheel & Encoder Replacement/Repair - Several quality options available to fix or upgrade
    Real‑Time Filter Control For Your W‑30 - Take Your W‑30 To The Next Level


November 2018

SAMPLES
    S-330 Samples - A custom set of 27 S‑330 disks


September 2018

How To Burn *.MDX, *.ISO, *.BIN & *.CUE Files To CD‑ROM
    Quick Tutorial - Extra section added with instructions for burning the Roland L‑CD1 & other Roland CD‑ROM's

DIY
    HD5‑IF & KW‑30 SCSI Info - Additional SCSI reference images added for the S‑550 & W‑30 here


June 2018

DIY / Multi‑Partitioning A MicroSD Card (S‑750 / S‑760 / S‑770)
    SCSI2SD Configuration Files - Add up to four virtual CD‑ROM's (or four virtual Hard Drives)


May 2018

DIY
     IMPORTANT SCSI2SD CORRECTIONS If, in the past you used the SCSI2SD setup info from the DIY
     webpage, I have updated it to correct a few items;

          1)   If you use the Hot Swap feature to plug/unplug microSD cards on the fly, be sure to turn "Enable
                Unit Attention" ON & then SAVE the configuration

          2)   It turns out that removing the two on-board SIP terminators is not necessary. Regardless of which
                SCSI numbers are set on the SCSI2SD card, it will always be the last item physically plugged into
                the SCSI chain. Keeping these terminators in place is recommended

          3)   Various configurations shown at the SCSI2SD ‑ Example Setups page have been corrected to
                 match‑up with SIP termination schemes


April 2018

DIY
    S‑50 Control Jack Templates ‑ Control & Audio Jack locators in PDF format
    S‑50 Relay Coil PCB ‑ Two solutions for solving noise, static & distorted audio issues

SAMPLES
     S‑760 Freeware Sample CD-ROM ‑ 10 volumes - 93 patches - 562 samples in *.ISO format


February 2018

SAMPLES
     Roland U‑220 / U‑20 Drum & FX Collection - More than 270 high quality *.WAV files from Martin78


December 2017

INFO
     'Sampler Special Issue' - 37 Page article from 1989 Keyboard Magazine featuring several sampler comparisons
     'S‑50 Keyboard Report' - In‑Depth Article from 1986 Keyboard Magazine


October 2017

INFO
     Updated All Roland Support File Links ‑ Roland Corp U.S. perpetually changes their download links. BLAH!


August 2017

DIY
     Distorted S-550 Audio Out ‑ Non-grounded mixers or other equipment may have fried the Audio Out transistors


May 2017

DIY
     S-550 EXT CTRL Port ‑ Problems with Mouse & RC-100 control... A "must-read" for all S-550 owners!
     S-50 & S-550 3.5" FDD Replacements ‑ A low cost 3.5" floppy disk dive mod for Drive #0 + 720KB density


April 2017

INFO
     W-30 Floppy Disk Drive Replacements ‑ Support info & diagrams for Teac 3.5" FDD replacement
     S-760 Floppy Disk Drive Replacements ‑ Support info & diagrams for Chinon 3.5" FDD replacement


March 2017

DIY
     EPROM's & OTP EPROM's ‑ Detailed info about S‑550 & W‑30 firmware
     Tact Switch Replacements ‑ Part Numbers, Pics, Repair Tips & Vendor Info
     VGA Video Converter Board ‑ For wiring clarity, reworked images & added Letters vs. Numbers
     Expanded Topics List ‑ Quick navigation links added for "hidden" webpages

INFO
     W-30 Hidden Patches ‑ "Easter Eggs" are concealed on the boot disks
     'W‑30 Keyboard Report' - In‑Depth Article from 1989 Keyboard Magazine

SAMPLES
     New S-7xx & S-50 Disks Added - 65 Disks! Roland UK Synths & 16th Century Instruments Collections


February 2017

INFO
     W-30 Tips & Tricks ‑ W‑30 Menu Navigation & Useful Links To W‑30 Tech Websites

DIY
     Power Switch Replacements ‑ Part Numbers, Pics, Repair Tips & Vendor Info


January 2017

INFO
     'The Roland S-760 Demystified' - In‑Depth Article from 1996 Keyboard Magazine

DIY
     SCSI2SD: Example Setups ‑ New page w/different SCSI2SD configurations for S‑550 / W‑30


December 2016

INFO
     'Keyboard Clinic: Roland S‑50 / S‑550 / S‑330' In‑Depth Article from 1991 Keyboard Magazine


October 2016

DIY
     Spare Parts Cross Reference Chart ‑ The SEARCH is on!
     W‑30 SCSI ‑ Additional info about SCSI & the Fujitsu MB89352AP IC chip

INFO
     DT‑100 Digitizer Tablet Owner's Manual ‑ The most boring manual Roland ever printed


August 2016

DIY
     S‑50 Service Information Sheets For Roland Engineers ‑ Fresh from the factory


July 2016

SAMPLES
     SysEx File Verification Utility v1.(1b) - Great utility for synth/sampler SysEx file matching


June 2016

SAMPLES
     S-550 & W-30 ZIP Disk & Hard Drive Image File - Added the first 64 floppies of the S‑50 RSB Library
     Sample Disk Image Reader Utility v1.1(c) ‑ A minor revision to recognize Legacy O/S disks

DIY
     W-30 Hard Drive Boot Configuration - Booting a W‑30 O/S from the hard drive with or without a Gotek
     S-550 & W-30 UltraSCSI - Connecting inexpensive 80‑pin hard drives to save big bucks


May 2016

ZIP-A-Dee-Doo-Dah!
     Tutorial For Cloning/Restoring/Archiving 80MB Sample ZIP Disks & Hard Drives - Lot's‑O‑Stuff here

SAMPLES
     Sample Disk Image Reader Utility v1.1(b) - Added support for W‑30 Sound & Song disk image files
     S-550 & W-30 ZIP Disk & Hard Drive Image Files - Added *.img files to create your own ZIP or HD
     W-30 Sample CD's - Added two W‑30 *.iso files. Burn your own sample CD's with 64 floppies on each

DIY
     S-550 Hard Drive Boot Configuration - Setting up the S‑550 hard drive boot sequence
     S-550 & W-30 External CD-ROM Compatibility Matrix - Choices are few. Help complete the list
     USB Floppy Drive Toggle Switch - This DIY makes the USB Floppy Emulator much easier to operate


April 2016

SAMPLES
     The Hard To Find L-Series Set ‑ These 45 disks, L‑501 through L‑509, are finally available
     Burn Your Own L‑CD1 CD-ROM The Easy Way ‑ Detailed instructions for people who don't own Nero
     Giant Listing Of The RSB, L‑Series & L‑CD1 CD‑ROM Disks ‑ It's all here

DIY
     W‑30 SCSI Upgrade IC Chip Info for adding "dirt cheap" SCSI connectivity
     W‑30 External CD-ROM Connecting an external CD‑ROM. Wow! Endless Menus! NICE!!!
     W‑30 & S‑550 SCSI Hard Drive Info for connecting an external SCSI hard drive
     USB Floppy Drive Emulator Mods Make USB I/O tasks easier + black color scheme


February 2016

DIY
     W‑30 LCD Backlight Replacement New "Cool Blue" Electroluminescent Panels less than $10


January 2016

INFO
     W‑30 Support I just bought two W‑30's!!! More support files & samples to be added over time
     W‑30 Control Jack Templates Control & Audio Jack locators in PDF format

LINKS
     W‑30 Links New Webpages Added For W‑30 Tech Support


December 2015

SAMPLES
     Sample Disk Image Reader Utility v1.1(a) ‑ Added S‑50 & S‑330 Disk Image File Support


November 2015

INFO
     S‑50 Sales Brochure Gatefold From 1986 8 Pages of the S‑50 in all it's glory @600 dpi


October 2015

DIY
     SCSI ZIP Drive Installing & using an external SCSI ZIP drive with the S‑550 & W‑30

SAMPLES
     Sample Disk Image Reader Utility v1.0(a) ‑ Patch, Tone, Disk Label & System Version Info Utility
     Complete 80‑Disk S‑50 RSB Library ‑ The S‑50 RSB library in S‑50 *.OUT disk image format
     Complete 80‑Disk S‑50 RSB Library In USB Format ‑ For use with an SFRM72‑FU‑DL Emulator & S‑50
     S‑50 Miscellaneous Collection #2 ‑ Collection of converted W‑30 disks in S‑50 *.OUT disk image format
     S‑50 Miscellaneous Collection #2 In USB Format ‑ For use with an SFRM72‑FU‑DL Emulator & S‑50
     S‑550 RSB Sample Library Converted To *.wav & Akai *.akp Formats ‑ Yep! All 60 disks. Lots of data ;^)

September 2015

INFO
     Current System & Utility Versions For Various Samplers - Disk headers, dates, info & more

DIY
     USB Floppy Disk Drive Emulator A low cost solution to replace the 3.5" disk drive on an S‑50 / S‑550 / W‑30

SAMPLES
     Complete 80‑Disk S‑50 RSB Library Converted To S-550 USB Format For use with an SFRM72‑FU‑DL Emulator
     Complete 60‑Disk S‑550 RSB Library In USB Format ‑ For use with an SFRM72‑FU‑DL Emulator & S‑550
     Complete LSeries 15Disk Library ‑ The L‑501 through L‑503 sets released in 1987 for S‑50 / S‑550
     Complete 80‑Disk S‑50 RSB Library ‑ The S‑50 RSB library in S‑550 *.OUT disk image format

LINKS
     Added A New LINKS Page

August 2015

SAMPLES
     S‑550 RSB Sample Library The complete 60‑disk collection in S‑550 *.OUT disk image format

INFO
     S‑50 & S‑550 Front Panel Display Issues - Using replacement FIP coils from other synthesizers

July 2015

DIY
     S‑50 / S‑330 / S‑550 Monitor Sharing Project - Inexpensive DIY if you use 2 or more S‑Series samplers
     Freudelheim - A link to a webpage with some good S‑550 reference material

May 2015

INFO
     S‑550 Startup Sequence - Process for booting the S‑550

DIY
     Omniflop Installation Notes - Support page for installing compatible 3.5" floppy disk drives in a computer

SAMPLES
     Unusual Samples - 20 unusual sample disks in S‑50 & S‑550 *.OUT disk image formats
April 2015

The S‑50 / S330 / S‑550 / S760 / W30 Homepage Goes Live!

                                                                                                                            

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S-50 / S-550 ZONE

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