Roland D-70 Synthesizer - Possible upgrades



Firmware
It is possible to change the Eproms of the D-70 (latest system 1.19). Note that most of these system versions only have bug fixes or hardware change support for later production models. Updating the firmware does most of the time not give you new functions. See the D-70 Firmware list here to see the changes (not complete, if someone has information about 1.16 or 1.18 changes, let me know, thanks).

WARNING
I've seen some D70 becoming broken when people trying to upgrade to the latest firmware. Be sure to put both the Eproms in the right direction. I hesitated a long time before doing the upgrade, but it was quite easy to do.
Only motherboards version 0.3 seem to be able to go to the latest firmware. See more info on the D-70 Firmware page.

Firmware mods
How great it would be if some rather simple things could be added as the other modules of the family can do things the D-70 doesn't.
- All characters available for text input (by the dial button)
- Additional LFO shapes: like Saw down (the U-20 has)
- The auto pan function of the U-220

As it is already available in other firmware of the Roland family (U-220 and MV-30) it seems to me that it can be done but it would be hard work probably. It is not just a copy and paste thing.

I looked into the firmware myself. There is room for some additional content on the roms. Biggest issue is that the info of the firmware should be converted to some programming language will it be possible to add things. Adding a thing will make addresses change for example and that will result in errors or break the system totally.
The only thing which seams to work without much problems is adding some of the characters the D-70 can use for text input. These can only be added by using an editor (see the info about the special characters). Adding these to the dial button is ideal but can’t be easily added to the firmware. What did work, is using the Caps button to add some of the characters. Because buttons 2-8 have the same info with or without caps there is room to give these buttons other characters when using Caps for example. So it is possible to add maximum 14 additional characters to the set (of the 23 missing). Because some other characters can be accessed by using the dial when an additional character is put on the screen, it could be possible to acces them all without the need of a computer.

Update
The modified Firmware loads and displays banks fine. Test with input of characters with and without caps, loaded without problems in the new firmware. Older firmware could load the bank with the new special characters.
There are only 4 different character set groups that can be accessed by the dial after selecting one, and there is one character “ that had no acces with the dial to other new characters. So I only replace the special characters of buttons 2-8 (/ + * # . , ! ) and access these with Caps. See the working in this youtube video.
This 2nd beta is working great. The characters are handful for a programmer, and compatible with older firmware (tested 1.14)

Roland_D-70_Firmware_1.20_Work

Processor upgrade
There is also an upgrade method by installing a slightly faster processor. I was going to try this, but this may also be risky. For the moment I just keep it the way it is.
While the processor in the D70 was limited by regulations at that time, I don't know if the faster processor will give some benefit. For example fixing the famous slowing down LFO on the D70 would be a great thing...

Interesting remark of Mr. Noriyasu (Roland) in Sound of Sound April 1990, about regulations limiting the processor and memory capacity of the Roland synths at the time the D70 was to be previewed in Frankfurt:
"It seems like a strange place to raise this issue, but even if we had faster processors, we couldn't export them due to a regulation set by COCOM (Coordinating Committee for Export Control). We are already facing the COCOM limitation with our fastest processor speeds and largest memory capacities. We must receive government approval before being allowed to export, due to the COCOM rules. These obstacles are quite a burden to deal with, so we must sell large quantities to justify the trouble. It's unfortunate that regulations such as these, which have nothing to do with music, force us to place limitations on the level of musical instruments we can develop. The concern of COCOM is that the CPUs and memory devices of high-end musical instruments could be easily removed and used in Soviet submarines. Although I think this would be unlikely, we must comply with the law."

Polyphony upgrade
The designers of the D-70 made it possible to link more D-70's in one chain. This is a way to double the polyphony by buying a second D-70. The performances/patches need to be reprogrammed to reallocate the tones on the 2 synths.

Effects upgrade
The effects are an important factor of the sound of the D-70. It is easy to alter the sound to the synth and make it sounding more like todays standards with using the dry outputs and use effects from your DAW for example. Or you can connect an effect module to the synth, if the module has midi you can switch the sounds automatically with the Performance (by sending an program change). I used an Yamaha REV500 module (1996 sound) with the basic factory for example, see this simple youtube audio demo.

Circuit Bending
Circuitbenders have a device, the “ROLAND AUDIO DESTRUCTION PATCH BOX’ that could work with the D-70 as it works on the U-110 and U-220. Intended for the R-8, this patch box which acces the instrument by using a PCM card slot, gives like it seems the possibility to add DLM to these machines: link to the Circuitbenders site.

I must say I hesitated with getting this expansion. Price wise this Destruction Box seams reasonable, but with the conversion form GBP to Euro and the added VAT because of the Brexit and shipping there is about 50% to add to the amount. Still, couldn’t resist to get my hands on this cute red box and supporting those who took the time and effort to create new things for our beloved classic synth.
Shipping went smoothly, and with no waiting time at the customs it took 5 days to arrive.

Quality
The build quality (handmade!) is good. The box looks great, with a nice design and the cable attached to the card makes it easy to pull the card out of the synth again. No worries of damaging the circuit board.
The package is well taken care off, with 9 patch cables included also. Everything is in the box to get you going.

Roland_Destruction_Box


Roland_Destruction_Box2



D-70
The Roland Destruction Box was designed for use with the R-8 drum computer. And as the creator found out it also did work with the U-220 and U-110, it seemed to me this box could also be used with a D-70. But as untested, it was the question and it was a bit exciting if it worked.
The D-70 powers the box when powering the synth. There are red lights on the patch box and on the PCB that goes in the card slot. All seems to go well, but the sound of the synth is now a bit strange….

…oh wait, it’s a DESTRUCTION BOX
Main use is to get a distorted sound.
Sound wise it can be compared with the DLM function that was unique to the D-70. Now, some of this sound can also created by this destruction box, and added to other synths like the U-20, U-220.
Like DLM it is not very predictable what will happen if you patch the signal to one of the slots on the box.

The destruction box takes over the control of the total sound of the synth. So unlike PCM cards, where card tones will sound only with an assigned tone in a patch, the destruction is for the total patch or performance.

Testing
I tried to make some single tone patches, and did write down the patching of the Destruction Box.
Of course the destruction works good on percussive sounds. Shorter VCA settings will make it easier to find a new usable sound, just like with DLM. Also I did some patches with DLM on and the patching on the destruction box would make these more playable, less digital distorted.
Some connections make the sound scroll through the internal rom (so hearing different PCM sounds).

Programming difficulties
Ok, I thought I created 14 patches with settings that were good for demonstrating what this box can do with the synth. But recreate these sounds is a problem (even that I did write down patch connections). I didn’t manage to get the same sound again.
The problem is for sure that the internal sounds are being affected by the Destruction Box. As you can see on the following picture, the internal PCM slots are available but names are corrupted (like the sound). You get different results leaving the destruction box connected and then selecting an internal tone wave.
Without the card selecting an internal wave (patch) and then inserting the card will get different sound than selecting a patch with the card inserted.
Internal_Sound_Distorted

It is still possible to use the 2nd card slot with a PCM sound card for more sources to build up sounds.

Use
When you are looking for audio experiments and digital sounds never heard of before this box is a nice addition. The unit will not give you the 1 million dollar hit sound (probably), you must like harsh sounds, beeps, distorted, pops and more…
It may take some time to find a good combination of sound and patch connections. After that recording/sampling is a good option because reconstruction of the sound can be difficult.

DLM and Destruction Box differences
The use of the Destruction box has things in common with DLM, this ‘loop modulation’ that is build in with the D-70. DLM has the advantage that it can be used on one of the 4 tones, so you can mix digital distorted sound with normal PCM sounds. Also DLM patches are often used with 2 of the same tones which are being detuned for making fat sounds.
This is not possible with the Destruction Box. Internal PCM sounds can be more normal sounding with some additional distortion when selecting a patch on the synth and after that connection the box to the synth. With DLM the soundscape is always radically different.

Use at your own risk
After disconnecting the box the D-70 every time returns to it’s normal state. So the box can be used without affecting the working your D-70. Still as with any of the upgrades, I say, ‘use at your own risk’.
Roland_Destruction_Box3