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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

What type of synthesis does the Roland XV-5080 use?

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.

How many voices of polyphony does the Roland XV-5080 support?

The Roland XV-5080 supports 128 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex and layered soundscapes without voice dropout.

Can the Roland XV-5080 be integrated with modern MIDI setups?

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.

Is the Roland XV-5080 suitable for live performances?

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.

What are the standout features of the Roland XV-5080's sound engine?

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.

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Roland XV-5080 VST (Roland Cloud) TEST SOUNDS by TIAGO MALLEN #ROLAND

Video thumbnail for Roland XV-5080 VST (Roland Cloud) TEST SOUNDS by TIAGO MALLEN #ROLAND by Tiago Mallen

Roland XV-5080 VST (Roland Cloud) TEST SOUNDS by TIAGO MALLEN #ROLAND

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Video thumbnail for Roland XV-5080 - the Sample Playback feature by SynthMania

Roland XV-5080 - the Sample Playback feature

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for Roland XV-5080 soft pads by SynthMania

Roland XV-5080 soft pads

SynthMania

SynthMania

Video thumbnail for Roland | XV-5080 | Factory Presets (No Talking) by Simon Le Grec

Roland | XV-5080 | Factory Presets (No Talking)

Simon Le Grec

Simon Le Grec

Video thumbnail for Comparison: XV 5080 High End & JV 1010 Low End by The MIDI Maniac (Roger)

Comparison: XV 5080 High End & JV 1010 Low End

The MIDI Maniac (Roger)

The MIDI Maniac (Roger)

Video thumbnail for Roland XV-5080: Is It Worth It? by Alamo Music Sound Lab

Roland XV-5080: Is It Worth It?

Alamo Music Sound Lab

Alamo Music Sound Lab

Video thumbnail for Roland XV-5080 Original Factory Demos - 3 Songs by WayneJoness

Roland XV-5080 Original Factory Demos - 3 Songs

WayneJoness

WayneJoness

Video thumbnail for ROLAND XV-5080 (FACTORY SOUNDS AND EDITED EPS) by TIAGO MALLEN EDIÇÃO POR RICHARDSON #roland #mallen by Tiago Mallen

ROLAND XV-5080 (FACTORY SOUNDS AND EDITED EPS) by TIAGO MALLEN EDIÇÃO POR RICHARDSON #roland #mallen

Tiago Mallen

Tiago Mallen

Video thumbnail for Roland XV-5080/3080 Synthesizer Sound Demo Video by M. Schmied (Mike Vintagemusic)

Roland XV-5080/3080 Synthesizer Sound Demo Video

M. Schmied (Mike Vintagemusic)

M. Schmied (Mike Vintagemusic)

Reviews

PROS

  • Combines JV and JD series with JD-990 waveforms at 44.1 kHz

  • Can play samples up to 16 bit 48 kHz

  • Nearly 3000 patches with four SRX cards inserted

  • Upgradeable to 128 meg of sample memory

  • Replicates JV1080 sound quality with additional sound banks

  • Authentic plugin version praised

  • Versatile for 90s sound and modern production

  • Extremely stable software

  • Huge palette of sounds for live and studio use

  • 128 voices, 32 MIDI channels, durable build

CONS

  • Customs issues and extra fees reported

  • Headphone output may have major audio issues

  • Factory presets described as average and boring

  • 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

  • The XV-5080 boasts a higher audio fidelity than the JV-2080 and avoids the JD-990's filter resonance distortion issue.

    Source
  • Expansion cards add additional waveforms and presets, significantly enhancing the unit's sound palette beyond its base capabilities.

    Source
  • The unit's encoder is prone to failure, with no replacement parts available, prompting users to rely on software alternatives.

    Source
  • The XV-5080 can interface with ZuluSCSI devices, but without functioning RAM, this capability is limited.

    Source

Comparisons

  • 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

  • Larger screens on the XV-5080 facilitate easier programming compared to the smaller screens on the JV-1080 and XV-5050, enhancing user experience.

    Source
  • The Roland 5080 app on Windows allows configuration with installed cards, displaying all patch names for easier navigation.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners report frequent capacitor failures, especially surface mount ones, necessitating a full replacement for longevity.

    Source
  • Deoxit is recommended for cleaning contacts over WD-40, which leaves a film, potentially affecting connection reliability.

    Source
  • When using a single RAM module, it must be placed in slot A for the XV-5080 to recognize it.

    Source
  • Cleaning the motherboard with a fine dry paintbrush, cotton swabs, and rubbing alcohol may help resolve memory recognition issues.

    Source
  • It's suggested to inspect the motherboard for dust, corrosion, or foreign objects, as these can impact functionality.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing power supply and system board capacitors can extend unit life by up to 25 years, despite the original design's shortcomings.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The XV-5080 is ideal for creating icy pads, strings, and evolving textures, fitting well within electronic and ambient music genres.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland XV5080

soundonsound.com

The Roland XV-5080 impresses with its sound quality and versatility, making it a flagship synthesizer that integrates the best of Roland's JV sound engines and S-series sampling technologies. With 128-voice polyphony, extensive sample playback capabilities, and multiple expansion slots, it caters to a wide range of sonic needs. However, its sample management and disk operating systems require improvement, and it lacks a numeric keypad and sampling input. Despite these drawbacks, the XV-5080's powerful synthesis and sample replay capabilities make it a top choice for those seeking rich, expressive sounds in a digital synthesizer.

positive
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 19 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
studiostriver

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.

From Gear Setup
lfradkin

A great live performance synth

A great live performance synth. I use this in studio and on stage. 128 voices, 32 MIDI Channels and built to last.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Paul 'Wix' Wickens uses Roland XV-5080

Paul 'Wix' Wickens

Singer, Keyboardist

Paul McCartney (Live Band)

...
Verified via KeyboardMag

I got rid of the U-110, but I’ve got some of the old JV-5080s and 1080s, and I’ve got cards for them.

See how Lawrence Gowan uses Roland XV-5080

Lawrence Gowan

Singer, Keyboardist

Styx

...
Verified via Vintagerock

Gowan stated he had "thousands of sounds in multiple XV-5080 units." in https://vintagerock.com/crashing-the-crown-with-styx-the-lawrence-gowan-interview-2021/ and various local music interview mags.

Also on YouTube in Roland advertisement

See how Danny Federici uses Roland XV-5080

Danny Federici

Keyboardist

E Street Band

...
Verified via Tumblr

Ran with “’Keyboards of the ‘60s and ‘70s” expansion board for Vox and more Farfisa sounds. One main and one spare.

See how Kim Bullard uses Roland XV-5080

Kim Bullard

Keyboardist, Composer

Poco

...
Verified via MusicRadar

In this article, Kim mentions that he uses a few XV-5080s on tour with Elton John.

See how Eric Persing uses Roland XV-5080

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 Martin Buttrich uses Roland XV-5080

Martin Buttrich

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

Martin Buttrich talks to Slices about his studio and gear

See how Martin O’Donnell uses Roland XV-5080

Martin O’Donnell

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

A Roland XV5080 can be seen in Marty home video recording in his own personal studio in Bungie.

See how Robin Beanland uses Roland XV-5080

Robin Beanland

Composer

...
Verified via Twitter

#RareFromHome which displays synthesizers in his office at rare.

See how Kenji Kawai uses Roland XV-5080

Kenji Kawai

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified

Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use two Roland XV-5080 sound modules, as stated on his official website in the "Profile" section.

See how David Newman uses Roland XV-5080

David Newman

Composer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

David Newman's main workstation in the composition room, with no fewer than three computer screens and two video displays. Visible in the rack are (from left), Korg Triton Rack and TR-Rack modules, Yamaha CS6R module, Mackie line mixer, Emu Proteus 2000, Audity 2000 and Planet Earth modules, Roland XV5080 module and VP9000 processor.

See how Brad Cole uses Roland XV-5080

Brad Cole

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, one can see the 5080 on the left side.

See how Máni Svavarsson uses Roland XV-5080

Máni Svavarsson

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

Can see XV-5080 in his racks along with a Kurzweil K25000R and a Nord Rack.

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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E-Mu Proteus 2000
E-Mu Proteus 2000 Synthesizers & Sound Modules
6
E-Mu E4XT Ultra
E-Mu E4XT Ultra Audio Samplers
4
Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module
Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module Synthesizers & Sound Modules
4
Korg TR-Rack
Korg TR-Rack Synthesizers & Sound Modules
4
Roland S-760
Roland S-760 Audio Samplers
4
Roland Fantom XR Synth Module
Roland Fantom XR Synth Module Synthesizers & Sound Modules
4

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