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Description

The Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module builds on the power of the popular Super JV-1080 Synthesizer Module. This versatile 16-part multitimbral synthesizer module features 64-voices of polyphony and a total of 768 Patches including a bank for General MIDI. The JV-2080's eight expansion slots for SR-JV80 Expansion Boards provide a wide palette of sounds for any project. Five effect processors and cool sync features offer additional tools.

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model JV-2080 64-Voice Synthesizer Module
Finish Black
Year 1997 - 2000
Made In Japan
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Rackmount Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony 64 Voices

FAQs

What type of synthesis does the Roland JV-2080 use?

The Roland JV-2080 utilizes sample-based synthesis, allowing users to create sounds using a wide library of internal samples and a semi-modular synthesis engine for versatile sound shaping.

How many voices of polyphony does the Roland JV-2080 offer?

The Roland JV-2080 provides 64 voices of polyphony, which allows for complex, layered sounds and extensive multitimbral capabilities in performances and recordings.

Can the Roland JV-2080 be integrated into a MIDI setup?

Yes, the Roland JV-2080 features MIDI Input, MIDI Output, and MIDI Through connections, making it easy to integrate into any MIDI-based studio or live performance setup.

Is the Roland JV-2080 compatible with expansion boards?

The Roland JV-2080 is compatible with Roland's SR-JV80 expansion boards, which allows users to expand their sound palette significantly with additional samples and patches.

What are the primary sound characteristics of the Roland JV-2080?

The Roland JV-2080 is known for its rich and diverse sound library, offering high-quality digital sounds suitable for a wide range of genres, from orchestral to electronic music.

SynthMania

SynthMania

A few Roland JV-2080 soft pads

Video thumbnail for A few Roland JV-2080 soft pads by SynthMania

A few Roland JV-2080 soft pads

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for Comparison: Roland JV-2080 JV-1010 JV-1080 by The MIDI Maniac (Roger)

Comparison: Roland JV-2080 JV-1010 JV-1080

The MIDI Maniac (Roger)

The MIDI Maniac (Roger)

Video thumbnail for Roland JV-2080 Sound Module Putting in Multitimbral Mode by basicurbanmidi

Roland JV-2080 Sound Module Putting in Multitimbral Mode

basicurbanmidi

basicurbanmidi

Video thumbnail for Roland JV-2080  - Sound Demo 4K UHD by BB Squelch

Roland JV-2080 - Sound Demo 4K UHD

BB Squelch

BB Squelch

Video thumbnail for Roland | JV-2080 | Factory Patches (No Talking) by Simon Le Grec

Roland | JV-2080 | Factory Patches (No Talking)

Simon Le Grec

Simon Le Grec

Video thumbnail for Roland JV-2080 Demo Part 1 by Panu M Savolainen

Roland JV-2080 Demo Part 1

Panu M Savolainen

Panu M Savolainen

Reviews

PROS

  • Best alternative to the JD990 with similar quality for a better price

  • Expandable with SR-JV-04 Vintage Expansion for analog-like sounds

  • User-friendly interface with a nice big display for easier editing

  • Highly versatile: 64-voice, 16-part multitimbral, with onboard FX

  • Offers a wide range of sounds, especially with expansion cards

  • Punchy, well-defined tone suitable for diverse musical styles

  • Large waveform pool with expansions for increased creativity

  • Recognizable 90's sounds, making it a studio centerpiece

CONS

  • Limited programming capabilities for synth sounds

  • Effects are considered dated compared to modern standards

  • Requires resampling to sound current, especially in pop and R&B

  • Screen and sound editing can be tedious and feel outdated

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module.

Setup and maintenance

  • The display might need replacement due to wear, but it's easy to replace with guidance from available online videos.

    Source
  • Exploding capacitors in expansion boards can be a concern; replacing them is recommended to avoid issues and maintain sound quality.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Software is available for programming, though many users find programming from the front panel straightforward.

    Source
  • Ctrlr software panel and Patch Base on iOS enhance programming, but some users experience MIDI interface issues when routed through controllers.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The JV-1010 has a built-in Session expansion card but lacks external clock syncing from the front panel, unlike JV-2080.

    Source
  • Users find the JV-2080's DAC and FX engine offer a unique character not fully replicated in the Integra-7.

    Source
  • Some users perceive the JV-1080 as having a warmer, richer bottom end and more balanced sound compared to the JV-2080's more "HD" attempt at high mids.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The JV-2080 allows routing all three effects in series with one patch, unlike the Integra-7, which restricts to one effect per channel.

    Source
  • FX layering is possible on the JV-2080, though there are limitations when operating in multitimbral mode.

    Source
  • The JV-2080 can be used as a versatile multitimbral synthesizer and drum module without needing expansion cards, thanks to its rewritable user bank and preset banks.

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  • Avoid turning filter resonance beyond 80% to maintain optimal sound quality; the polyphony and oscillator brightness are ideal for trance and psytrance.

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User experience

  • The JV-2080's larger screen is appreciated by users who want to create their own patches, despite the smaller screen of the JV-1080 being functional for preset use.

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  • Expansion boards for the JV-2080 can be expensive, and some users prefer the Integra-7 for its software-loaded expansions to avoid these costs.

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  • Owners report the JV-2080's presets, such as "Silicon Strings," remain highly usable and versatile decades after purchase.

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Use cases and applications

  • The internal engine of the JV-1080 is praised for its broad range of sounds and textures, making it a workhorse synth even without effects.

    Source
  • The JV-2080 is praised for its ability to create complex drones and supersaw sounds through effective use of filters, LFO control, and modulation.

    Source
  • Excellent for late '90s trance, jungle, and drum & bass; expansion boards can enhance its versatility.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland JV2080

soundonsound.com

The Roland JV-2080 synthesizer module impresses with enhanced features over its predecessor, the JV-1080, offering a large display, streamlined editing, and the ability to host eight sound expansion boards. With its 64-note polyphony and superb effects, it remains a top choice for those seeking a powerful sample-based synth. However, its similarity to the JV-1080 and the lack of substantial new features, such as increased multitimbrality or more outputs, might leave some questioning the price jump. Still, it stands as a sophisticated, expandable module that excels in sound quality and ease of use.

positive

Python Blue - 404

python-blue.com
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 33 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
droneswarm

Crap synth...

...amazing sound module! I use this for 'normal' instrumentation, such as strings, pianos and percussion. It does have some great synth sounds, but there's not a lot you can do with them as programming is rather limited. It does sound absolutely fantastic, and you get access to a lot of sounds, especially with the expansion cards. I have 3 cards and have over a thousand presets to play with.

T

Good

Like every 90's rompler, it needs a lot of resampling to stay a current sounding synth. Good for basic pop rock sounds. Still pretty usable even for todays R&B (with heavy filtered ambient sounds). Effects are dated. Not a must have, but you can keep it and use a lot.

paddywatermountain

Children Of Bodom sounds

I had this one because of the great Children Of Bodom sounds ;)

wavesequence

Notes

Equipped with: SR-JV80-01 Pop SR-JV80-02 Orchestral 1 SR-JV80-04 Vintage Synth SR-JV80-07 Super Sound Set SR-JV80-09 Session SR-JV80-10 Bass&Drum SR-JV80-11 Techno SR-JV80-16 Orchestral 2

enorthby

Classic Powerhouse

So many recognizable sounds from the 90's. this rack is a true center piece for most studios.

malcolm_x

Great sounds

Of course you have many classic sounds in the rack, but the screen is dated, and editing sounds can be very tedious.

federicovaona

Great digital synth

I used it a lot and still using it if I want a particular hybrid sound. I have two of it and many times I combine. One of the best.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Om Unit uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Om Unit

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

This photo, uploaded to his instagram shows a closeup from a JV-2080 display.

See how Noriyuki Iwadare uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Noriyuki Iwadare

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via ALBORADA DEL GRACIOSO

"Almost all songs used to be made with this before, and there's a large amount of timbres in it, so it's a reliable instrument that anyone could manage to understand"

See how Timo Maas uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Timo Maas

Music Producer

...
Verified via DJMag.com

"Synth-wise and for our sounds, we’ve got a Moog Voyager, Yamaha CS10, Korg MS20, Access Virus, Roland Juno106, JD 800, JV2080, Novation Supernova and a Korg MS2000.”

See how Paul Hardcastle uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Paul Hardcastle

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"I love the old TX802 FM module because it can create all those classic FM sounds, and of course, I have a JV2080 which has its own character and is expandable. I have the World card in there for the ethnic instruments, but I buy expander cards and then forget what I've got — it's terrible really! There's also the Roland Super JV, which is great for vocal Oohs and Aahs, and below that is an R8 that I don't think I've used for years."

See how Eric Persing uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Eric Persing

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Spectrasonics

Persing is the founder of Spectrasonics, a company specializing in developing World Class software 'virtual instruments' since 1994. He has produced dozens of the sampling industry's top selling titles and gone on to create the award-winning Omnisphere, Keyscape, Stylus RMX, Trilian, Atmosphere and Trilogy software virtual instruments. Eric's ground-breaking instruments and sound libraries are the best selling and most widely used in the world. Spectrasonics products are in constant use on thousands of major film, television, music, game and multimedia productions.

In addition to being the Creative Director of Spectrasonics, Eric was a longtime consultant and the Chief Sound Designer for Roland Corporation Japan from 1984-2005, creating the key sounds for many popular Roland synthesizers, samplers, CD-ROMs, expansion boards, processors and groove devices - from the vintage Jupiter and JX series, to the legendary D-50, D-70, JD-800/990, R8, S-series samplers, JV-880/1080/2080, the Sound Canvas, JP-8000/8080, MC-505/909, The V-Drums, XV-5080, Fantom series, the V-Synth and many more.

See how Todd Edwards uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Todd Edwards

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Studio Tour with Todd Edwards Producer - Scion Musicless Music Conference 2011 Scion AV (Reupload)" by SetrkiUno on YouTube, Todd Edwards shows a Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module at the 1:05 mark.

See how Marius de Vries uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Marius de Vries

Composer, Music Producer

The Blow Monkeys

...
Verified via Soundonsound

While the demands of the filming process forced the chopping and changing of the songs, Marius was in contact with London‑based composer Chris Elliott, who had the job of arranging many of the orchestral parts. "We were emailing back and forth," explains Marius. "This was before the Rocket Networks thing really happened, otherwise I'm sure we'd have been using that. But for a long time I sent him MP3s of the backing tracks and pencil sketches on score paper suggesting where I wanted to go, and he'd send MIDI files back to me which I printed out from Emagic Logic and fed into my JV2080 and S6000s to listen to what he'd done. We built up the orchestrations that way until he came out to Sidney. Alexis Smith was working over here in the UK as my programmer while I was in Sidney, and he would sending over grooves and ideas for drum beats and sound design. By the time we got to the shoot, we had everything developed up to a stage where the orchestrations were coming in a relatively realistic manner out of the JV2080, our rhythm tracks were pretty realised and our vocals were recorded to a stage where they were ready for lip‑sync."

See how Graeme Norgate uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Graeme Norgate

Composer

...
Verified via archive.ph

"I still only stuck with 4 for the 2080. They were probably quite expensive. I swapped the Pop for the Voice one though, which was disappointing."

See how Rick J. Jordan uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Rick J. Jordan

Keyboardist, Composer

Scooter

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video at 3:13 minutes Rick shows Roland JV-2080 in racks

See how Kurt Ader KApro uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Kurt Ader KApro

...
Verified via Facebook

Kurt Ader, known for his work with KApro, utilizes the Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module. This information is referenced on his Facebook page.

See how Kenji Kawai uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Kenji Kawai

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use three Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Modules, as listed on his official website.

See how Don Preston uses Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module

Don Preston

Keyboardist

The Plastic Ono Band

...
Verified via Stevemoorebooks

Don Preston mentions using a Roland JV-1080 onstage in this 2002 interview.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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