I am new to recording. The extent of my knowledge is a class in Cubase in night school. I would really appreciate opinions on whether a sampler or Roland JV 1080 would be the best choice for authentic orchestral samples. I have heard the orch. card on the Roland, and like it. I have a fast computer, a Yamaha P-100, Boss 660 and a Tascom Portastudio 414.

I am soon getting the orchestral card for the Roland JV/XP series. I have heard many examples, and I say that if you are on a budget of some sort, that you purchase the roland synth. If you have about 7,000 dollars to spare--which I doubt you do--get a nice Kurzweil keyboard, because they use high quality samples.

*** - If you do decide to get a JV or XP series, dont rush into getting the orchestral card (unless you get an XP 30 which has it built in -- That's what I'm getting) because the Orchestral II card is coming out soon...the ROM sounds could be even better...

I never thought I would buy Roland, but yesterday I bought a JV1080 with both Orchestral cards, simply because they impressed me. Both sound wonderfully nice, given that they are not really expensive. Looking for good orchestral sounds, I have heard worse... a lot worse.

I own an XP50 expanded with the first Roland Orchestral Card and it sounds great. I can only add that I recently read an interview with Nathan McCree, the creator of all the music and sound FXs of Tomb Raider, in Computer Music magazine, and he says that all the soundtrack of the three games was made with a JV-1080 with an Orchestral Card. Programing good orchestral sounds with a sampler takes a lot of time.

I saw an article in the Roland catalog the the Orchestral 2 card is designed to complement the first one and not just to replace it - there are lots of new instrument types, especially many Celtic instruments (alla Riverdance).

Yes, the Orchestral II card sounds really, really good. If you like the first one, you better put your seat belt on for this one. I wouldn't spend your money on a sampler....I don't think you would be as happy with that. They can be more trouble than they are worth!