Yesterday I went to a music store and checked out what the XV has to offer compared to my XP-30. And I must say it's been a relief. *sigh* IMHO the XV-88 sound quality was not shockingly higher then my XP unit. Most JV1080 sounds were comparable if not the same. The drumkits though were pretty spectacular. So much more realism and life in those... I always find the xp drumsets to be sort of shallow and use a Soundfont (software synthesized patches) on my SB live instead. The drums do work quite well trhough a PA system though 'cause there square enough to bite.
but the best part of the XV, I thought, was the effects processor. especially the new distortion and overdrive FX. Nonetheless I feel less disappointed then before. could anybody comment on the quality comparison of those xv drumkits and the Drum & Bass EXP. and tell me about things I overlooked.

Things you overlooked??!?!?! How about a weighted 88-key keyboard??!?!?!? Sorry if I sound a little confused, sure they may sound and function about the same, but for me (someone who NEEDS the weighted full-size board) I can't even see how you could begin to compare these two (I guess they may be almost the same board, besides the keys).... but, to me, it would be like comparing the Roland XP-30 to the Korg Triton, almost nothing alike seeing as the Triton has sequencing and sampling. If you do end up liking the sounds of the XV series more than your XP... there's always the modules. Just my $.02

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John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I'm sorry to have upset you, I was (ofcourse) just discussing sound. XV vs XP...
As far as the keyboard's concerned I absolutely agree. THe XV-88 is by far the better unit compared to XP-30. I meant to start a discussion on the differences of XV and XP

I'm sorry to have sounded upset..... I'm not upset, just confused..... sorry I don't have much to say about the sound of the XP, haven't ever REALLY sat down and played with it for awhile... however I own the XV-88 and I LOVE the sounds on it. IMHO they are better than just about every other synth out there... including the XP-30 I would imagine.
You did say, however, "checked out what the XV has to offer compared to my XP-30" I was just pointing out a few of the major things (like the keys) If you really don't need (or want, for weight reasons) the 88-keys or the effects or the new expansion board slots and you're just looking for new sounds...... the XV-88 probably isn't for you. A module (like the XV-3080) would be a better way to go, although with the XV module you'd probably have a very similar sound set to the XP (Am I getting off topic?? Are you looking to get some new gear???) Or was it just you had just bought the XP and then the new XV's came out??
Again.... sorry to have sounded upset, I'm not at all upset.

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John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

you're last guess is right. I'd just bought a xp-30 and a week or so later I hear Roland's releasing the new XV series. this has been my first oppurtunity to check out it's sound. I don't perform live or anything so I don't really need the keys. the 'polyphony' of 128 would be welcome though but the xp-30 has a way larger soundset. but the post was mainly done because I was most curious of it's sound.

Hey KF,

Seems like you're a fan of XV-88, much like myself. Interested to hear of your experiences with the keyboard, and have you trised out the piano and drums cards yet?

Well, most of thesounds on the new XV series are not that much better than the XP series. The effects are great. The new drums are very good. Most of all the guitar sounds aren't bad either.

I was very skeptical when it came to Roland's new XV series. A lot of tones and patches on the XV were already on my Roland SC880. While the amount of programming capability on the SC is far less than the XV, it becomes readily apparent that Roland recycles waveforms and sounds often. You have to put these two beasts side by side, all of the Rhodes on the XV series are in the Roland SC880.

The one thing that really puts the XV far ahead is not the 128 note polyphony, it's the stereo tone switching (well, the two actually work well together). For the first time you could have one tone using two waveforms to get the cross velocity feature to work the way it should have been intended to.

Yes the XVs have better DA convertors, but who the hell cares about this. The average user wouldn't be phased by this. The average user would be phased by the superior sound quality heard on the SRX Drum board.

For me, it would be the stero tone switching, SRX board and sample storage space (XV5080) that would convince me to get any XV. If you have the XP30, I would say to get the Bass & Drums board and you should be very happy. Of course, you could wait for the "XV1010"!!! - Lol

The only judge is the one who's judging. You should be the sole one who influences your purchase, remember, it's your money.

The Infamous EPU.

Hey Mark.... you're very observant, I LOVE the XV-88! And yes, as a matter of fact I own the SRX-02 "Concert Piano" expansion board..... never tried the drum one though. The piano board is awesome! The only thing though is that it sounds MUCH better in stereo, a couple of the patches sound really bad in mono, unfortunately I'm running in mono right now But I plugged a pair of headphones in........ WOW!!! I was shocked at what I was hearing, it's simply amazing. I don't know if I would have payed the full $300 for it (I got mine for $125, BRAND NEW!!Don't even ask where though, it wasn't a retailer) But I definitely am glad I have it.

"Experiences with the keyboard".......... Well, what I use mine for is mostly praise and worship music at church (I lug it around a LOT... and I haven't had any reliability problems yet) It does great for P&W, if that's your thing. I also use it a lot for classical and solo piano stuff (mostly for practice and personal enjoyment) The expansion boards pianos sound awesome for this..... however, like I said before, they sound MUCH better through headphones or a stereo setup. The onboard pianos tend to sound better IMHO in mono. So... I guess that's about it, do you own the XV-88?? Looking to buy??? ?????

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Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

where did you get the expansion board? and do they sell cheaper srjv expansions too?
if you REALLY dont want to tell us, can anybody recommend a European online shop?

[This message has been edited by Bungle (edited 03-19-2001).]

It wasn't a retailer of any kind, someone on this board had a music store close out near them and everything was half-price. He picked up a few things and offered them to the people on this board at the price he got them at..... it just so happened he had the concert piano board for $100, I paid $125 after shipping and just for a little extra for his generosity. So, nope..... sorry, don't know anywhere that'll give it to you that cheap.... good luck hunting though, you might try www.gearprice.com

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Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.