Just got a D-50 and I have some questions

[Analog Prophet]

Congratulations to a classic and nice synth.

I should use the PG-1000 instead of software.

[Pro5]

>>> D50 Librarian <<< is the best editor. Two types of editor - a virtual pg-1000 (which has it's uses) or a far more suitable computer style editor. Yes it does bulk load/save of banks/patches.

There are loads of sites out there with thousands of d-50 patches including all the factory originals. I have them here but I think google should find you what you want quick enough! if not try joining the D-50 yahoo group - think it had a whole directory of banks there.

ANd.. the price for the PG-1000? rip off! and isn't as great as people say due to the multi function sliders and how they don't update themselves (not motorised or endless encoders) between patches/partials.

Congrats on the D-50. I've had 2 still got one. Love it

BTW the factory patches aren't amazing, very of their time. Famous but??? Seek out the great custom banks that make it sound so warm, analog-esque. There's a great bank posted on vintage synth forums (search) which all use structure mode 1/2 -i.e NO PCM/SAMPLES (which is why the D-50 is so great, it doesn't need to use those dated/tiny PCM bits)

Here are some GREAT patches for this synth: http://www.vintagesynth.com/forum/vi...58933&start=60

[Don Solaris]

Originally Posted by kpsiegel

It didn't come with the factory patches card. I have looked but I can't seem to find a link that is not dead for the factory sound set. I want to reload it. Anyone have a file or link to it with the original factory patches?

I used Google and found this.

[sizzlemeister]

Home - D50 Librarian is by far one of the best editors for a piece of hardware...ever.

[projectwoofer]

Originally Posted by Pro5

>>> D50 Librarian <<< is the best editor. Two types of editor - a virtual pg-1000 (which has it's uses) or a far more suitable computer style editor. Yes it does bulk load/save of banks/patches.

This one I'm using too!

[kpsiegel]

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

I used Google and found this.

Thanks Don. I had found that thread and worked through a bunch of entries but I guess I should have been a little more patient to find the entry you pointed out.

I appreciate all the feedback and help people have given me so far. Part of the reason I wanted to start with the factory patches is just because a few of them are classics and it is just sort of fun to revisit this stuff.

As far as the PG-1000, that came with the synth and a flight case and sustain pedal for a good deal. The PG-1000 looks like it was never used. It was in the original box with original paper manual. The guy also had all the original manuals for the D-50 as well as a few extra things including an absolutely mint original sales brochure for the D-50. It is pretty cool actually. Interesting to read the 1987 perspective on how digital is so much better than analog ;-)

[Don Solaris]

Originally Posted by kpsiegel

As far as the PG-1000, that came with the synth and a flight case and sustain pedal for a good deal.

I sold the PG-1000 as soon as i started using software editor. The two function per knob was way way too much for my nerves....

[kpsiegel]

Originally Posted by Don Solaris

I sold the PG-1000 as soon as i started using software editor. The two function per knob was way way too much for my nerves....

I think the PG-1000 might be good for real time tweaking and recording the parameter changes into my DAW. I saw some of the things you wrote on the other thread and that certainly does seem like good information to keep in mind.

The D-50 editor works great and I loaded a few of the patch banks you pointed me to. You are right about the factory default set. Not too impressive. The D-50 sure does have a ton of balls though. Good stuff.

[Pro5]

the presets are a large part of the reason so many under-rate the D-50 these days! in their day they were 'amazing' (and prob some of the best presets ever on a synth) but it can do so much more and doesn't have to sound quite so late 80s once you dig in

As for realtime control? some of the things like cut off wont respond until you repress a key so that's out. And also it's quite sluggish to update edits/changes over midi so timing wouldn't be great for real time playback of edits (even the ones that do work without a retrigger)

[kpsiegel]

Thanks for all the info so far.

Does anyone have any experience with the M.EX expansion board for the D-50? I like the idea of more on board patch storage as well as being able to have real multi's. Hardly an essential upgrade but the price didn't seem too prohibitive if it actually works well.

[projectwoofer]

Originally Posted by Pro5

As for realtime control? some of the things like cut off wont respond until you repress a key so that's out. And also it's quite sluggish to update edits/changes over midi so timing wouldn't be great for real time playback of edits (even the ones that do work without a retrigger)

One can always map aftertouch to mod wheel and control the cutoff...

[kpsiegel]

Well I have had a few days to play with the synth and the D-50 editor recommended. I have to say that the editor is absolutely great and makes the PG-1000 pretty irrelevant for my needs. I downloaded about 3000 patches from the net and really appreciate the features of the editor librarian combo. The synth really is so much more useful with that editor. Still did like the stock pizzagogo patch to get in touch with my inner Orinoco Flow

Looks like getting any memory cards for the D-50 is unnecessary given that I can make up any soundbanks that I want and dump them in to the D-50 from the editor/librarian with no stress at all. I also think that the M.EK expansion would be a waste of time/money for me cause I just don't see a need to have the extra patches for extended multis for this synth.

All in all the D-50 with that editor turned out to be a great purchase. Thanks for all the help everyone. Now all I need to do is sell that mint condition PG-1000 to someone that wants it.