Hi, I'm looking into maybe getting a JV-1010 soon, basically because I'm looking for a module with some great sounding string patches and of course within my low budget I currently own an XP-10 and a Yamaha CS1x. I use the XP mainly for string sounds now, and I'm pretty content with patch #50, so if the JV-1010 has some really nice, lush, thick string sounds, please let me know. Also how are the piano patches? And is there a list of the tones on the net somewhere? Or better yet just a webpage other than a ROLAND site? Thanks for any info.

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Eric
gold@netrox.net
http://www.tonematrix.com
http://www.mp3.com/tonematrix

The JV-1010 has all the patches from the XP-30/60/80 and JV2080/1080. In addition it has the "Session" expansion-board included.

The included Session-board should give you the pianos and strings you need. Especially the pianos on this board are considered to be among Roland's best. (Better than the dedicated piano-expansion) There is an audio demo of the session-board on rolandus.com

Lists of the patches are available both at Roland US and other pages. Check the patch-listings for XP-80 or JV2080, and for the Session-expansion. I don't think there exists a dedicated patch-list for the JV1010

Check out the pages below. One is the Roland support-documents page, and the other is the page of Geir Kilsti. Both contain patch- and waveform-listings for the XP's, JV's and the expansion boards.
http://home.sol.no/~gkilsti/sjv_list.html http://www.rolandus.com/SUPPORT/DOCS/PATCH.HTM

Stig

I really like the XP/JV strings sounds, especially the ones from the Session board (built into the 1010). They are kind of darker, gentler, and purer than the strings sounds of others I've heard. Have a listen to them and see if you like them (compare to Korg, Yamaha, and others who make inexpensive ROMplers)!

I have a JV-1010, and I really like the stringssound, but I also bought the Orchestral-II expansionboard, and that one really kicks some ass! It contains the best strings I'v ever heard from a synthesizer. The sound is so realistic, natural and warm. I cannot do without it anymore! But the strings from the sessionboard are very good too.

The xp/jv string sounds tend to sound very mushy, and actualy come off more as "string-pads" than anything else.

The strings on a TRITON and kurz 2500 simply blow away the xp/jv strings. You can actually hear the strings cutting on some of the patches. For cinematic strings, I would definately go the Kurz 2500,2000 or TRITON route.

The TR-rack also has some great string sounds for a bit cheaper.

What about considering selling your XP-10 and purchasing an XP-30? A JV-1010 plus the Orchestral board (just mention it because it has great orchestral strings samples among its numerous terrific orchestral instrument patches) will cost over $600; XP-30, which has the Orchestral and Session (plus Techno) boards "built-in" costs about $300 more. Selling your XP-10 could cover that difference. With the 30, you'd get a far superior interface (compared to 1010), a keyboard with great action (I like it; seems a bit stiffer than the one XP10 I played), room for 2 more expansion boards, and portability of a great synth. Getting the 1010 gives you the ADDITIONAL polyphony, though, if you need it.
Just a thought...

As Arvon mentioned, there are non-Roland options. Why not go to a shop and listen to the strings sounds of the different makers of synths? It really does "come down to" liking what you hear. You mentioned that have a "low budget"...the Triton and K2x00 synths might be a bit pricey for you (though you get many more features with these), but Korg and Yamaha both make inexpensive modules similar to the JV1010 that are worth a listen...



[This message has been edited by Wilkes (edited 04-02-2000).]

Wilkes is right. You get way mor bang for your buck with the xp-30. It's basically the 1010 with 3 expansion boards built in!

If you like the sounds on the xp-30 and are on a low budget, definately get it.