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Average Price: $630
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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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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
Ran with “’Keyboards of the ‘60s and ‘70s” expansion board for Vox and more Farfisa sounds. One main and one spare.
In this article, Kim mentions that he uses a few XV-5080s on tour with Elton John.
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.
A Roland XV5080 can be seen in Marty home video recording in his own personal studio in Bungie.
Kenji Kawai is confirmed to use two Roland XV-5080 sound modules, as stated on his official website in the "Profile" section.
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.
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.
Community setups
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