Roland • XV-3080
Roland XV-3080
The XV-3080 is a 128-voice professional synthesizer that picks up where the classic JV-series synthesizers left off. With a massive 128 voices, the XV-3080 is capable of extensive layering and multitimbral applications! There are true stereo waveforms per tone, expressive Matrix Control, expandability via new 64MB SRX (when converted into 16-bit linear format). The sounds include those from the JV-2080 plus many more new sounds and waveforms from the JD-990 and Super JD.
The XV-3080 has plenty of quality built-in digital effects including reverb and effects derived from Roland SRV-3030, V-Studios, and RSS technology. Programming the XV-3080 is in-depth but intuitive and well documented. There's a Patch Finder for quickly finding sounds sorted by type, as found on the JV-2080. Programming the new Matrix Control gives sounds an unprecedented level of nuance! It is apparent that Roland has packed the most professional features from their hottest synthesizers into a new and improved workhorse module - their "most expressive instrument ever"!
Roland XV-88
The XV-88 is essentially a professional keyboard version of the XV-3080. It has 88-note precision hammer-action keyboard with velocity and aftertouch sensitivity. It has 4 real-time control/tone palette sliders, D-Beam technology, and all of the advanced sounds, effects and Matrix Control found in the 3080. The XV-88 has been used by Rick Wakeman and Yes. The XV-5080 has an enhanced front panel with a giant JV-2080 style LCD display. The XV-5080 can also load and playback S-700 and Akai sample libraries via SCSI, can hold up to 128 SIMM RAM memory, eight channels of 24-bit R-Bus digital output, S/PDIF digital output and enhanced COSM effects processing.
I'm very impressed with this synth and after I first bought it for a tremendously good price, I picked up an exp board of Celtic sounds. I believe this is a very versatile keyboard. And I've many of the geat analog synths. I play out from time to time and altough it may have some weight to it. It's not nearly as heavey as my Hammond C3. So, I'd gig with it!