Back in 1989, this keyboard brought Roland's innovative RS-PCM synthesis to a compact 61-note stage, letting you reshape PCM samples into fresh harmonics without needing traditional filters—perfect for that era's blend of realism and experimentation.
Its RS-PCM engine delivers 30-voice polyphony across 128 onboard tones, layered into timbres and up to 6-part multitimbral patches plus a highly programmable rhythm section covering B1 to D7. You get hands-on editing with ADSR envelopes, LFO modulation (triangle, sine, square, saw, trill, random), detune, auto-bend, and velocity/aftertouch sensitivity, all tweaked via a 2-line backlit display, 42 buttons, 3 sliders, pitch/mod joystick, and two assignable sliders. Effects include versatile chorus (standard to flanger/short delay) and reverb/delay (room, hall, gate), with routing options to mix/direct outs; expand with M-256E RAM for 128 patches or SN-U110 PCM cards for more sounds. The slim 10kg body packs MIDI I/O/T, phones, stereo mix/direct outs, and pedal inputs, powered by external AC.
Players have long praised its standout piano and vibraphone tones, plus the clever Chord Play and arpeggiator for instant inspiration, though some note the stiff aftertouch action and limited 7-part multitimbrality by modern standards. It's a vintage gem that still sparks creativity in setups craving '80s Roland character.
