Roland198916-bit / 30-33kHzWorkstation$Budget($50–250)
Roland W-30
Composers wanting an all-in-one late-80s sampling workstation with a built-in sequencer.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Strengths
- Combines a 16-bit sampler with Roland's LA-synthesis sound engine and a 16-track sequencer
- Weighted-feel keyboard and onboard sequencer make it a genuine standalone workstation
- Strong sound-shaping tools (filter, envelopes) go well beyond simple sample playback
Trade-offs
- Menu-diving UI and small screen make deep editing slow by modern standards
- Floppy drive and battery failures are common on surviving units
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | W-30 |
| Era | 1989 |
| Typical Price Tier | Budget ($50–250) |
| Sample Rate / Bit Depth | 16-bit / 30-33kHz |
| Max Sample Time | ~53s |
| Sequencer Tracks | 16 |
| Pads | None |
| Storage | Floppy disk |
| MIDI Equipped | Yes |
| Onboard Filter/Effects | Yes |
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Similar Workstation
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Roland W-30.
50
50
50
50
This deckRoland W-30
Match58
Audio Fidelity74
Flexibility78
Ease of Use35
Tonal Neutrality45
Ranked against 39 other decks
- Akai Z8Match67Audio Fidelity82Flexibility70Ease of Use48Tonal Neutrality68
- Akai S5000Match66Audio Fidelity80Flexibility68Ease of Use48Tonal Neutrality68
- Akai MPC5000Match66Audio Fidelity78Flexibility85Ease of Use45Tonal Neutrality55
- Akai MPC3000Match65Audio Fidelity85Flexibility85Ease of Use52Tonal Neutrality38
- Akai MPC2000Match65Audio Fidelity80Flexibility82Ease of Use58Tonal Neutrality40
- Akai S3000Match65Audio Fidelity84Flexibility76Ease of Use48Tonal Neutrality52
- Akai MPC2000XLMatch65Audio Fidelity78Flexibility82Ease of Use55Tonal Neutrality45
- Akai S1000Match64Audio Fidelity82Flexibility75Ease of Use50Tonal Neutrality50
- Akai MPC1000Match64Audio Fidelity68Flexibility78Ease of Use58Tonal Neutrality52
- Yamaha A4000Match64Audio Fidelity78Flexibility68Ease of Use45Tonal Neutrality65
- Roland SP-404Match63Audio Fidelity65Flexibility68Ease of Use75Tonal Neutrality42
- Akai MPC60Match61Audio Fidelity75Flexibility80Ease of Use55Tonal Neutrality35
- Ensoniq ASR-10Match61Audio Fidelity78Flexibility82Ease of Use38Tonal Neutrality45
- Akai S2000Match60Audio Fidelity74Flexibility65Ease of Use50Tonal Neutrality52
- Kurzweil K2000Match59Audio Fidelity76Flexibility78Ease of Use28Tonal Neutrality55
- Ensoniq ASR-XMatch58Audio Fidelity68Flexibility70Ease of Use55Tonal Neutrality40
- Yamaha SU700Match58Audio Fidelity70Flexibility68Ease of Use45Tonal Neutrality48
- E-mu ESI-32Match58Audio Fidelity70Flexibility62Ease of Use48Tonal Neutrality52
- Ensoniq EPS-16 PlusMatch58Audio Fidelity65Flexibility68Ease of Use45Tonal Neutrality52
- Ensoniq EPSMatch57Audio Fidelity72Flexibility74Ease of Use40Tonal Neutrality42
- Ensoniq ASR-88Match57Audio Fidelity68Flexibility68Ease of Use45Tonal Neutrality45
- Roland S-760Match56Audio Fidelity68Flexibility58Ease of Use45Tonal Neutrality52
- E-mu Emulator IIIMatch56Audio Fidelity68Flexibility72Ease of Use32Tonal Neutrality52
- Boss SP-303 Dr. SampleMatch55Audio Fidelity58Flexibility55Ease of Use78Tonal Neutrality30
- Roland S-550Match55Audio Fidelity62Flexibility55Ease of Use48Tonal Neutrality55
- Akai S900Match54Audio Fidelity68Flexibility55Ease of Use48Tonal Neutrality45
- Akai S20Match54Audio Fidelity62Flexibility45Ease of Use62Tonal Neutrality48
- Casio FZ-1Match53Audio Fidelity58Flexibility55Ease of Use58Tonal Neutrality42
- E-mu Systems Emulator IIMatch52Audio Fidelity70Flexibility72Ease of Use32Tonal Neutrality35
- Korg DSS-1Match52Audio Fidelity65Flexibility75Ease of Use30Tonal Neutrality38
- Yamaha SU10Match50Audio Fidelity45Flexibility35Ease of Use78Tonal Neutrality40
- Audio Fidelity55Flexibility70Ease of Use25Tonal Neutrality48
- Peavey SPMatch49Audio Fidelity55Flexibility40Ease of Use60Tonal Neutrality42
- Ensoniq Mirage (DSK-8)Match44Audio Fidelity52Flexibility60Ease of Use35Tonal Neutrality30
- Casio SK-1Match41Audio Fidelity25Flexibility20Ease of Use85Tonal Neutrality35
- Akai S612Match41Audio Fidelity38Flexibility35Ease of Use68Tonal Neutrality22
- Akai S01Match40Audio Fidelity30Flexibility42Ease of Use68Tonal Neutrality18
- Fairlight CMIMatch38Audio Fidelity35Flexibility55Ease of Use30Tonal Neutrality30
- Casio SK-5Match36Audio Fidelity20Flexibility25Ease of Use85Tonal Neutrality12
Maintenance & Supplies
As an Amazon Associate, Analog Specs earns from qualifying purchases.