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Average Price: $550
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$200
$801+
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Description
Released in 2000, the Roland XV-5080 stepped onto the scene, leaving a mighty footprint. Described for years as “Roland's ultimate sound module,” the XV-5080 boasted immense PCM-based multitimbral synthesis power, sophisticated modulation, an array of pro-quality DSP effects, and compatibility with the popular SRX Expansion Board series.
Its fidelity and technological adaptability were unmatched at the time and embraced heavily by composers and producers spanning a wide range of genres.
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | XV-5080 128-Voice Synthesizer Module |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2000 - 2004 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Rackmount Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Polyphony | 128 Voices |
FAQs
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What type of synthesis does the Roland XV-5080 use?
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The Roland XV-5080 is a digital synthesizer that utilizes sample-based synthesis, offering a wide range of sounds and textures suitable for various musical genres.
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How many voices of polyphony does the Roland XV-5080 support?
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The Roland XV-5080 supports 128 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex and layered soundscapes without voice dropout.
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Can the Roland XV-5080 be integrated with modern MIDI setups?
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Yes, the Roland XV-5080 features MIDI Input, Output, and Through, making it compatible with modern MIDI setups and allowing seamless integration into existing gear configurations.
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Is the Roland XV-5080 suitable for live performances?
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The Roland XV-5080 is well-suited for live performances, offering a robust sound engine, extensive patch memory, and reliable MIDI connectivity, ensuring flexibility and reliability on stage.
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What are the standout features of the Roland XV-5080's sound engine?
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The Roland XV-5080's sound engine is renowned for its high-quality sample playback, extensive patch editing capabilities, and the ability to expand with SRX expansion boards for additional sounds.
Videos
Tiago Mallen
Roland XV-5080 VST (Roland Cloud) TEST SOUNDS by TIAGO MALLEN #ROLAND
Roland XV-5080 VST (Roland Cloud) TEST SOUNDS by TIAGO MALLEN #ROLAND
Tiago Mallen
Roland XV-5080 - the Sample Playback feature
SynthMania
Roland XV-5080 soft pads
SynthMania
Roland | XV-5080 | Factory Presets (No Talking)
Simon Le Grec
Comparison: XV 5080 High End & JV 1010 Low End
The MIDI Maniac (Roger)
Roland XV-5080: Is It Worth It?
Alamo Music Sound Lab
Roland XV-5080 Original Factory Demos - 3 Songs
WayneJoness
ROLAND XV-5080 (FACTORY SOUNDS AND EDITED EPS) by TIAGO MALLEN EDIÇÃO POR RICHARDSON #roland #mallen
Tiago Mallen
Roland XV-5080/3080 Synthesizer Sound Demo Video
M. Schmied (Mike Vintagemusic)
Reviews
PROS
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Combines JV and JD series with JD-990 waveforms at 44.1 kHz
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Can play samples up to 16 bit 48 kHz
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Nearly 3000 patches with four SRX cards inserted
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Upgradeable to 128 meg of sample memory
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Replicates JV1080 sound quality with additional sound banks
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Authentic plugin version praised
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Versatile for 90s sound and modern production
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Extremely stable software
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Huge palette of sounds for live and studio use
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128 voices, 32 MIDI channels, durable build
CONS
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Customs issues and extra fees reported
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Headphone output may have major audio issues
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Factory presets described as average and boring
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Learning curve to fully utilize features
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland XV-5080.
Features and functionality
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The XV-5080 boasts a higher audio fidelity than the JV-2080 and avoids the JD-990's filter resonance distortion issue.
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Expansion cards add additional waveforms and presets, significantly enhancing the unit's sound palette beyond its base capabilities.
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The unit's encoder is prone to failure, with no replacement parts available, prompting users to rely on software alternatives.
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The XV-5080 can interface with ZuluSCSI devices, but without functioning RAM, this capability is limited.
Source
Comparisons
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The XV-5080 offers roughly 3-4 times the "real world" polyphony of the JD-990, making it more versatile for complex textures.
Source
Software and compatibility
Setup and maintenance
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Owners report frequent capacitor failures, especially surface mount ones, necessitating a full replacement for longevity.
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Deoxit is recommended for cleaning contacts over WD-40, which leaves a film, potentially affecting connection reliability.
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When using a single RAM module, it must be placed in slot A for the XV-5080 to recognize it.
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Cleaning the motherboard with a fine dry paintbrush, cotton swabs, and rubbing alcohol may help resolve memory recognition issues.
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It's suggested to inspect the motherboard for dust, corrosion, or foreign objects, as these can impact functionality.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Replacing power supply and system board capacitors can extend unit life by up to 25 years, despite the original design's shortcomings.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 19 Ratings
436
Incredible!
I using this module more then 5 years, and cant say enough good things about it. Its rompler workhorse, and you can get very deep with programming if you want to. Sound quallity is amazing 24bit/48khz. Downsides are that factory presets sounds average and boring, once you figure out how to do your own it open up wide range of possibilities, and believe it or not it can do almost all type of sounds good.
It has more pros and cons, that is that due to enormous present high end lots of patches sounds bright,but also some sounds form previous machine sound amazingly clear like never before, since you can load sysex from any JV/XP/XV machine. Its also has sample playback, and imported samples due to clear sound engine sounds HD then on any machine i ever heard so far.
It does takes a lot of time to learn all its features properly, but once you understand all its features you realize how much endless variety of tones you can get out of it that you never want to let it go.
I will probbably never sell this stuff. Its just too good.
Artist usage
Add artist
Geddy Lee is associated with the Roland XV-5080, as indicated on his Wikipedia page.
"Back in his own home studio (equipped with Steinberg Cubase running on an Apple Mac G4), Sumner then imported those ideas and generated new ones using either a Roland XV-5080 or Doepfer MS-404 synth to create string parts, additional bass lines or background atmospherics."
In a user-uploaded photo from Futurecdn, Moby can be seen with a Roland XV-5080 sound module, highlighting its role in his setup.
In this interview Dj Quik talks with Complex on the making and production of some of his past records "I was playing with the new Roland XV 5080 with all the little aftermarket chips with the extra sounds in it created by Jupiter, and playing with those sample horns. And that's where that came from, that's the sample horn collection."
"The electronic drums where done with [...] XV5080"
In this picture of Kondo's sound studio from 2006, the XV-5080 sits in the left space in the middle of the rack.
Fred Durst reveals that he uses a Roland XV-5080 in this interview with Guitar Center.
In this blog post, Shimomura writes about a strange dream in which she opened her suitcase on a sea voyage and found a lot of musical equipment inside. She links to a picture of her sound modules to show how it looked like, where the XV-5080 appears.
In Mark Jenkins' book on analog synthesizers, Martyn Ware discusses his use of the Roland XV-5080 sound module.
"Since then, I’ve had most of the Roland keyboards and modules like the XP-80, Fantom, JV-1080, XV-5080 and even the M-GS64. Back in the ’80s, I was programming with the MC-4 for The Moody Blues and others."
Christopher Franke lists the Roland XV-5080 as part of his equipment on his official website.
Album Usage
The Roland XV-5080 has been featured on the following albums:
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 XV-5080, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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