S-550

Roland S-550

Released: 1987

MSRP: $3295US

Synopsis:

16 bit rack version of S-50 with expanded memory and D family processing. Architecture Class: Sampler.

Ebay Description:

The Roland S-550 is a 2U rack (velocity and aftertouch sensitive), 16 voice (8 part multitimbral), 16 bit, sampler, featuring a digital resonant low-pass filter, dedicated filter and amp 8 stage envelopes, LFO (sine or peak-hold waveforms with delay, polarity and sync), 3.5" DSDD Disk drive, mic and line inputs, 8 individual outputs, CRT/composite video output, and MIDI. Up to 32 samples can be recorded at 15|30kHz (1MW memory) and combined into 32 presets. Sample editing includes auto-loop (forward/reverse), combine, mix, truncate, and resonant low|high pass filter.

Physical

Form Factor	Dimensions	Weight	Audio Input	Audio Output	Communication Port	Control Input	Control Output	Switch Input	Power
2U rack	W:482mm(19in) D:400mm(15.75in) H:88mm(3.4375in)	7.7kg(17lbs)	mic/line	stereo individual:8	MIDI IN/OUT/THRU	mouse-MU-1 (MSX Philips:SBC3810) RC-100 MIDI	MIDI	sample-trigger	32W AC (IEC C9 to NEMA 1-15P)

Interface

Compatibility	Multitimbral Memory	Program Memory	External Storage	External Programming	UI Input	UI Output
S-50:convert S-550	no	tones:64 patches:32	3.5" DSDD floppy drive MIDI	MIDI SysEx	menu	LCD display CRT or composite monitor

Architecture

Multitimbral	Polyphony	Unison	Architecture
8	16	no	Sample->DCF->DCA

Output

Effects	Pan Modulator	Volume Modulator	Headphone
no	no	aftertouch LFO TVA-EG MIDI-CC7 velocity	yes

Control

Arpeggiator	Arpeggiator External	Sequencer	Sequencer Memory	Sequencer External	Continuous	Program Change
no	no	No	N/A	N/A	MIDI-PitchBend MIDI-CC1 MIDI-CC7 MIDI-CC100 MIDI-CC101	MIDI

Keyboard

Key Pressure	Chord Memory	External Control	External Sustain	Key Scaling	Velocity Curves
yes	no	MIDI	MIDI	no	mix:9

Sample

Stereo	Sample Depth	Sample Rate	Sample RAM	Sample ROM	Sample Points	Sample Trigger	Sample Loop	Sample Edit
no	16bit	15kHz 30kHz	1MW	no	32	auto pedal	auto forward and/or reverse	combine mix resonant low\|high pass filter truncate

Source

Name	Signal Class	Waveform	Octave Range	Amplitude Modulator	Harmonics Modulator	Pitch Modulator	Wave Assign Modulator
Sample	digital	sample drawn waveform (32 sample points max)	-	no	no	aftertouch MIDI-PitchBend LFO	velocity

Filter

Name	Signal Class	IC	Resonant	Shape	Frequency Modulator	Resonance Modulator	Shape Modulator
TVF	digital	?	yes	low pass	key LFO TVF-EG	no	no

Envelope

Name	Level	Rate	Loop	Polarity	Trigger	Level Modulator	Rate Modulator
TVF-EG	8	8	no	yes	no	no	key velocity
TVA-EG	8	8	no	no	no	no	key velocity

LFO

Name	Waveform	Delay	Polarity	Sync	Delay Modulator	Level Modulator	Rate Modulator
LFO	sine peak-hold (with offset)	yes	yes	yes	no	aftertouch MIDI-CC1 velocity	no

Sampler Models

Synth Museum

"Synthesizer preservation via research and education."