Help: First synth Roland Super JV 1080?

[bluegreengold]

I'm not sure of the used market in Italy, but I think that's too expensive. You should be able to find and xv-3080 or xv-5050 for same price.

[Oli]

I would pass.

What exactly do you want from hardware? Main things I might look for are interface I like to work with, immediacy, or unique sound/special character. I don't rate the 1080 particularly well in these regards, for current times.

I think bread and butter is an OK description. Perhaps conventional, too. It certainly has been used on a lot of records. I knew rap producers who built studios around one as an only synth, and then wanting to expand, just bought another.

For what I do, it would not be a main piece of gear at all. What kind of sounds are you looking for? What kind of music are you doing?

[Oli]

Originally Posted by bluegreengold

...I think that's too expensive.

I think so too.

[antwoneb]

Originally Posted by Oli

I would pass.

What exactly do you want from hardware? Main things I might look for are interface I like to work with, immediacy, or unique sound/special character. I don't rate the 1080 particularly well in these regards, for current times.

I think bread and butter is an OK description. Perhaps conventional, too. It certainly has been used on a lot of records. I knew rap producers who built studios around one as an only synth, and then wanting to expand, just bought another.

For what I do, it would not be a main piece of gear at all. What kind of sounds are you looking for? What kind of music are you doing?

It seems the price is ok depending on others offers on ebay etc....

By the way I'm doin classic house, deep & soulful...something like that.

I'm looking for inexpensive hardware synths with good patches (expecially basses, electric pianos and cool pads) that could stand up from the usual sounds I could get from a software synth.....

[Oli]

Originally Posted by antwoneb

By the way I'm doin classic house, deep & soulful...something like that.

Might be usable for that. It's a bit out of my experience though.

Originally Posted by antwoneb

I'm looking for inexpensive hardware synths with good patches (expecially basses, electric pianos and cool pads) that could stand up from the usual sounds I could get from a software synth.

Are the presets critical to you? The 1080 may sound a bit dated. Maybe that fits your classic house, not sure. I think they may be a bit on the simple/conventional/bland side though. I believe these boards were used by some house producers, but it's too long ago for me to remember much about that. They were pretty common at the time. Likely used with other gear though. I think you can find nice pad presets, though maybe not specially interesting. Pianos are there. I don't remember the basses being anything great. Synths too. Filter didn't do it for me.

Do you like FM synths? Can be cheap, and work well for house. Various presets have been made over the years, though you may not get what you like, initially included with such a synth purchase.

Do you like programming?

Are you interested in hardware sampling?

edit - you may like to look at the expansion options for JV-1080 too.

[tjporter]

Originally Posted by antwoneb

Hi guys,
in order to go progressively from ITB to OTB (in a hybrid way though) I was lookin for some second hand inexpensive hardware synths.

I just got into a Roland JV Super 1080, a digital romper actually but with a bread & butter attitude and an analoguish sound (that's what I read on few reviews on the net)....for 210 €.

It would be my first hardware synth (it's a rack but I have already a MIDI controller) and I mainly produce deep & soulful house.

Do you think I should go for it?

I got a 1080 w/ NO expansion cards for 250 USD here in Istanbul about 6 months ago, so the price sounds about right for this part of the world. Expansion cards are an option, but some of them sell for more than half of what you'll pay for the 1080. However, hundreds of patches can be found here:JV/XP Patches Download. The Change It editor available there is also quite useful.

I like its warmth and versatility (esp. performance / layering options), but then I'm into creating ambient Krautrock and mainly use the 1080 for pads & strings. Still, it built its dance reputation during the 90s so might be good for you. As always, YMMV.

[dr_Jezz]

The JV1080 is a great rack, but this 'hardware' thing that seems to be catching up with the 'analogue' thing is pretty misguided IMHO, of course . I got the 1080 back in the day (it used to sell for £1,080) because although it was a digital synth, it had nice filters and the sounds made up of four separate sources made it sound good, but nothing like an analogue. It's hardware, but it's not analogue (I know you recognise this BTW). It sounds no better than anything ITB, and inferior to many, if not most. All you're doing is heading for cable and no-recall nightmares to follow what I think is a rising new fetish, in that people want 'real synths' - OK, I get that, but they generally don't sound better (and certainly not in this case, although my JV 1080 is right in front of me and there are one or two patches I love to fire it up for occasionally). I think it's a great choice, but I don't think you should expect it to be better than ITB except in a very philosophical way, if it suits you. Plenty of people have made plenty of great releases with it, it has no real weakness except for lack of a realistic piano really - syncable LFO's and good fx with multiple outs and those nice filters, make it very flexible indeed.

[antwoneb]

Mmmm thanks guys....any alternatives? Not more than 500 € (also used)...?

[m.o]

The Korg M1R I guess would be somewhat equivalent and seems to be available alot.

[tehlord]

The JV1080 is a great classic synth, but probably not best for your desired use. It has a LOT of orchestral, filmscore and real instrument patches that sound a little dated now. There's a load of good stuff in there too, but I'm not sure how much use you'll get out of it.

For about €500 you could get a used Nord Rack 2 (or maybe Rack 2x) which is much, much better suited to your needs. It's also far easier to programme with it's conventional UI with all the knobs right on the front. It's a beautiful sounding instrument too.

[Yoozer]

I'd recommend a Triton rack (2U) over the M1R. Resonant filters and a great effects structure. There's also the TR (Trinity) rack (1U) but editing from the front panel is hell.

Still, the TR sounds great - a lot more hi-fi than the XP30 I have (which is sort of the keyboard version of the 1080 with 3 built-in expansions).

[FrankieP]

I still have my JV1080 fully loaded with expansion cards (Sessions, Techno, House, and Keyboards of the 60's/70's). I keep it around in case I need that 90's sound which is popular nowadays. Classic House? You should really go for a Korg M1 instead. But between hardware/software, I'd go software just because there's not much of a difference sound wise. Add FM8 and that should cover the bases for your classic and deep house productions. That'll be close to $200+ too.

[FrankieP]

Btw, somebody mentioned the Change It! editor. Wow, forgot all about that. I think I still have that around. Great li'l utility. That and the old Emagic Soundiver editor.

[dr_Jezz]

For just the nice Roland filter, the hidden gem for cheapness is the Roland D110 - I've got one of them here too loaded with just brassy type sounds, and I reckon it's good, too, but, again, it just sits in its rack! Great HW rack for super cheap though. Korg M1 can't match the JV for its filters - remember the M1 and related stuff had no resonant filters, so they made great sounds but were very much limited by this (I have one of those here too!).

[fooddude]

Im selling all my analogs...j60, m1000 (already sold) and esq1, because I am moving and don't feel like shipping too many huge things...also wanting to try out new sounds my synths can't do (realistic pianos, basses, rhodes, guitars, sax/horns, winds, and even other vintage synths)... planning to just re-buy after I move.

...so I am planning to get just one keyboard (for slim-down's sake) for my main sound source and nice controller and am planning either the XP30 + mks50 later on, or aj2 + jv2080/xv3080/5080 (just to have a little roland analog sound still in my life; which I love).

I am getting excited more and more as I research the jv/xv/xp samples online, and I know they will give me way more sounds I am looking for than my current/previous synths could ever give me, which all really just sound like everyone else's 80's analog synth set-ups.

BUT, I kinda get hesitant in a sad way, unsure and a bit worrisome when I read more than a few say things like "it's nothing special" or "daw/itb sound better/similar" or "they sound dated"...while some others say they sounds very very good.

Btw, I am all hardware, do not use daw, all mpc60 sequenced, and never used soft synths (and don't want to) so I never really had these type of "realistic sounds" before.

And...as for some saying they "sound dated"... aren't juno60s, j8's, 909s, 808s, p5, minimoogs, odysseys, etc., etc., etc dated as well? If you think of it like that, then almost all 80s/90s synths are pretty dated..but it doesn't necessary mean they sound bad... I like to think they're "dated" and over used for a reason..because they sound awesome....and hoping that my future jv/xv/xp were used a lot for the same reasons- they sound good.

I dunno.... I guess I am just trying to justify my soon future plan after I move and settle in, on getting only an jv/xv/xp for my main keyboard/sound-source and just trying to be optimistic about it all.

...I'd like to hear the positive comments and reviews on the xp/jv/xv gear is what I'm asking I guess :]

[Yoozer]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Im selling all my analogs...

I'm seeing double

Btw, I am all hardware, do not use daw

Then something like Kontakt is not in your list of things you should be comparing with anyway.

And...as for some saying they "sound dated"...

"Dated" on a rompler is not the same as "dated" on an analog synthesizer.

A good example is MT-32
It's dated if you're looking for realistic sounds, because in terms of realism we've made giant leaps. It's dated if you're looking for sounds free from artifacts imposed on it by a limited amount of memory.

An XP30/JV1080 is from 1994 - a giant leap from the MT32, and already much better, offering more in the way of synthesis and a bigger set of multisamples to start with. I was however very pleasantly surprised on how much better the JD800 sounded than the XP did - the JD's 44kHz, the XP30 only 32kHz. The XV5050 is 44kHz again but can't use JV expansions, only SRX expansions; then again, some SRX expansions consist of the samples on several JV expansions combined.

You will need a computer for the editor if you want to stay somewhat sane, though. Small tweaks are doable, but for hardcore synthesizing the menus suck.

[AnalogGuy]

Originally Posted by Yoozer

You will need a computer for the editor if you want to stay somewhat sane, though. Small tweaks are doable, but for hardcore synthesizing the menus suck.

Get JV-2080 and the problem is solved! There's no better 2U user interface than Roland's JD-990, JV-2080 and perhaps XV-5080.

It's so fast to use that there's really no need for external editor.

[fooddude]

So...

JD800, JD990, XV5050, XV5080 = 44kHz
and
XP's, JV's (?), XV3080 = 32kHz

Woundn't lower kHz be warmer at times? ...since the highs might get rolled off? Kinda like an old akai/emu 12bit sampler?

What's the kHz's on the JV1080/2080?

My closest contenders are the XP30, JV2080, XV3080 and XV5080.. due to them having either many patches and/or many exp board slots, and also 64-128 voices (the JD990 voice count is too low for me)

[blinky909]

2080 is probably a better option. i am looking to sell my 1080 and get a 990.

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by blinky909

2080 is probably a better option. i am looking to sell my 1080 and get a 990.

What makes the 990 so much more desirable and usually sell for double than the JVs, besides it being 44khz???

They almost go for the same price, if not the same price, as the more advanced XV 3080/5080. What makes the 990 more desirable, or as desirable, as the XV5080/3080 too?

Id the 990 really that great?? I kinda took it out of my bucket-list of which Roland rompler to get, only because it has 24 voices and one 1 expansion slot. Does its' sound really that much better to justify and settle for only 1 exp board slot and only 24 voices?

If yes, maybe I'll put it on my bucket list, because sound is more important to me as well over features/voices/etc (sound > convenience) ...afterall, I am and have been using an mpc60, s950, j60, m1000 and other older, non-feuture-packed gear already, lol. I prefer the classics. So should I consider the 990 instead of the 2080/xv5080/xp30, if I prefer classic gear and better sound?

[blinky909]

the 990 has a great sound (you know, the point of synths) and it is far easier to edit than the 1080. i don't use the 1080 in multi-timbral mode, so using the 990 as a single synth with 24 voices is not an issue for me.

there is only one card i need in the 990, the vintage card, which i already own.

[fooddude]

Ya, I see your point and I am fine with that too - just using 1 rack/synth as only one instrument..just like all my other 80s synths/gears.

Is it true, that when using the jv80 exp boards inside the JD990 that you get 512 patches, instead of just/only 256 patches when using the same board inside a JV1080/2080/XV3080/5080/Xp's???

That's what it says on vintage synth.com.

If yes, so it's like having TWO exp board in it then since it's doubled?? (even though you're truly only using 1 board)

...OR, is the only jv80 board with "512" patches in the JD990 only/just the Vintage board????? ...and not the other 18 boards, like the House, Bass Drums, 60s/70s, etc., etc???

Edit:

After extensive hours-on-end research, to the point of obsession, for the last several days/weeks, on which rompler to get, my first ever rompler, I finally ended my final decision on the JD-990. And, I just won one on ebay for $261 (good deal? I think so?)

It will be my main/only/sole sound source, along with a new controller (which will be an AJ2 perhaps, for extra sounds), and a TX81Z on the side. This will be teamed up with my current set-up - MPC60, S950 (which I can sample the JD990 into to make it kinda pseudo-multi-timbral, since the 990 has low voices - at 24; but 4 tones are used per note for some patches, so it's really 6 voices in reality), 1 reverb- MV2, 1 delay- SDE1000, 1 duck compressor- 3630, and 1 mixer- Mackie. Nice simple, future set-up. Basically slimming down my setup bigtime, from my old set-up, because I am moving and don't feel like shipping soo/too many big things coast to coast. I already sold the J60 and the M1000, and selling my Otari, ESQ, FF, DP2.

Back to the point...the JD990. At first, I wanted 1 keyboard, 1 soundsource; for ease of moving and/or apt bouncing and subletting. So the plan was to sell most of my stuff and just use 1 keyboard/soundsource. At first, I looked into the XP30. Then after a lot of research, I read and read it is basically a JV1080/2080; good, but nothing special. Then, many suggested the XV5050/3080/5080. I was then highly considering them, as the offer massive expansions, high polyphony, etc., etc.

But, as I kept reading and researching comparisons between the XV, and JV, and JD, it always kept coming back to the JD-990 as being the best, #1 roland rompler; for pure sound quality, character, warmth and thickness. Even when compared to the monster XV5080, I still read that the XV5080 could be too clean at times and still not quite as "Magical" or warm as the JD990. And, seeing how all my gear is older, grittier, thicker, punchier and stuff (mpc60, s950, tx, dirty fx, etc.), I thought the JD990 would match my set-up much better. Yes, the XV5080/5050/3080 have much much much more features; but I read all too often they are bright, precise, clean, colder, Modern; especially compared to the JD990. From what I've read, the JD990 is warmer, nicer filters, thicker, more lush, more analog sounding, etc., etc., than the XV5080.

Even though the JD990 has only 1 expansion slot and much less polyphony than the XV/JV, I bet the sound will be much better matched to my mpc60, s960, tx81z and future-panned aj2/or other; even the eras/years will be better matched than the XV, as they arent that far apart either- JD990 is from 1993, not far behind my late 80s stuff. Additionally, seeing how I am used to and actually prefer "sound quality > convenience/features", being that I am used to using an mpc60, s950, tx81z, floppy disks (and my other old ex-synths- j60, esq, m1000), the feature/expansion/polyphony-Lacking JD-990 should fit right in and feel at home with my current old gear set-up, hahaha. I can always sample the JD-990 into my akais when I need more from it.

Of course, I plan to buy the much touted/loved Vintage expansion card. But, I also plan to buy a few other cards- the 60s/70s for sure, and maybe the Bass&Drums, House, Techno, Session, Orchestral, World and Dance (is the Dance one rare or good too? I notice it's expensive like the Vintage and 60s//70s boards), etc. Not all these cards, just a few of them..since that can get pricey, lol. But, if any of you have suggestions/recommendations which are the Best, feel free to give your insight.

I know the JD990 only takes 1 board; and, I am planning to mainly use it with the Vintage card. But, once in a while, I don't mind switching it out at times to get different sounds out of her, and maybe sampling them into my akai or just straight up playing them during song. Even though it only has 1 slot; it is still very versatile I would imagine, since there so many offerings with so many diff boards. I may even get an extra JD990 in the future, depending on how fantastic it sounds and if I love it. No need for suggestions on getting an extra JV/XV for the extra expansion slots, since I am sure I don't want their sound after I have owned the JD990 (JVs doesn't sound as good, and the newer XVs sound too clean/bright I read)...I'd rather just get an extra JD990 and don't mind the hassle of switching out expansion boards when the time arises where I am looking for different sounds; to me sound-quality > expansions/features/polyphony ....otherwise, I wouldn't be using the gear I have (my mpc60, s950, 80s analog synths, etc) that's super-limited-in-features and I would be using MPC1000/2500/4000, S5000, etc. in the first place.

So yeah... just sayin that I am excited to get my first ever rompler! hahaha

I have a few questions tho:

- Would an AJ2 "overlap" a JD990+Vintage-board? Or no, since it's a real analog?

- Besides the Vintage-board (which is already well known to sound better in a JD990 than JV/XV, along with having extra patches), do the other exp-boards sound better too and is also a significant improvement in the JD990 over/than using those same boards in a JV/XV??????????????? (ie: 60s/70s, bass&drums, house, dance, orchestral, etc., etc)

[antwoneb]

What about the TX81Z then?
I found one for about 100 €...

[antwoneb]

Originally Posted by antwoneb

What about the TX81Z then?
I found one for about 100 €...

Actually I would be goin to spend 100 € for just the "Lately bass" preset

[bluegreengold]

Originally Posted by antwoneb

Actually I would be goin to spend 100 € for just the "Lately bass" preset

It'll do a lot more. Even if you just stick with bass sounds, and patches that are derived from "lately" you'll get a lot out of that module.

[SWAN808]

Originally Posted by antwoneb

By the way I'm doin classic house, deep & soulful...something like that.

I'm looking for inexpensive hardware synths with good patches (expecially basses, electric pianos and cool pads) that could stand up from the usual sounds I could get from a software synth.....

maybe you should consider buying a couple of hardware samplers and getting hold of some classic sample CDs...they were the driving force behind older house music...Akai S1100 and EMU 6400...with a collection of sample CDs and old records to sample...

Maybe consider the Roland Alpha Juno or MKS50...some pads and analogue bass...both of those are all cheap now...

Roland JV1080 is cool if you want some House pianos but Im not sure you can say it has an analogue style sound...

[kcearl]

I love my JV1080...but without the expansion cards I doubt Id use at that much...and with the price of expansions like vintage synths, keyboards of the 60 & 70s (both awesome), plus a choice of two others it can add up to $500-600+...and that starts to open up other options at that price point

though for the OPs purposes cards like techno, house, and dance, can be quite a bit cheaper...in fact I think I picked up the house card for around $30??


I have the sounddiver editor and making your own patches from scratch is easy...the FX are OK, the filters sound great to my ear...I use it a lot still


EDIT: Compared to some software the JV really cuts through the mix and still sounds quality...I use its pianos and organs over my NI software, sounds more 3D, to use a cliche

[CelloJP]

First question here so be gentle with me

I found myself drawn to the JV-1080 with the Orchestral card. Reason being is that I know that some of the sounds (including percussion) from both are on tracks/albums I like (Vangelis mostly).

Here's the thing. I have a JP-80, V-Synth GTv2 and an OASYS - so I could develop the sounds myself. I have tried and strangely my sounds end up more like a CS-80 than anything else (not necessarily a bad thing lol).

My question then is this - is the JV-1080 a good bit of kit that I'd enjoy or will I be frustrated with it given the kit I already have? (and yes, I do like to create my own sounds too!)

(I know it's not going to have Roland SN capability so I know that much!)

Edited to add - my music style is film score/electro classical

Addendum second question - maybe get it to sample on either the V-Synth/OASYS?

[Hazmatic]

The biggest appeal, IMO, of the JV-1080 is the fact that you can expand it with the expansion cards. If you can pick one up for cheap, I say go for it. It will still be a good tool to have in your arsenal.