Roland JV-80

I can't believe that no one has submitted a review on this popular little synth from the early 90's, so here goes. I used one live for 5 years and my and my thoughts will take into account the machine's age and features according to its current price range (500 to 800 dollars used). If you are reading this because you are considering buying one, read the "Reliability" section. The JV80 has the sound engine of the JV880, a 5 octave keyboard, and no sequencer. The keys have Roland's weighted synth action- if you flip the machine over, you'll see the metal weights attached to the keys. The factory sounds are bright, transparent, loaded with effects, and voiced for the studio. Editing the patches is easier than on the XP Rolands because there are 8 sliders that adjust everything on the screen. This makes it as easy to set things like filter and amplifier envelopes- as easy as on the new virtual analogs. This makes rolling your own sounds much more practical than other machines of this type. Everyone gripes about Roland manuals, but to be fair all the stuff you need is there and fairly easy to find- it's just not written in in a cool happening style. Check out reviews of the JV880, JV90, and JV1000 for other opinions on sound.

Practical polyphony is 7- 14 notes and if you layer 3 or more tones you'll get note- on delays. The effects are a rather metallic and warbly reverb (the same one used in the XP synths), better delay, and good chorus. Korg and Yamaha synths from this period have a definite advantage here. The JV80 will take only one expansion board but will also take those cool little 1 and 2 meg data cards that you can sometimes pick up for next to nothing.

The JV80 only has stereo outs. Combine this with limited polyphony and it doesn't add up to a very good studio axe. Its great keyboard, steel chasis, and decent sound make it great for gigs (especially at its current used price). I urge anyone gigging with this to edit those bright reverberent patches or create your own. Here's my opinion of a few meat-and-potatoes categories:
PIANO: good with a bright attack and neutral decay that doesn't honk through PA horns. ORGAN: no leslie simulator makes this a weak category unless you get the 60's and 70's expension board which has sampled B3-leslie combos. STRINGS AND PADS: typical Roland...great. LEADS: Fantastic!!! Everything you need for great leads are here: pragrammable keyboard modes, resonant lowpass filters, a slider to crossfade between tones, aftertouch, and yeah, I like the Roland bender- mod lever. My favorite leads with this machine used portamento when I played legato only. The fast staccato stuff came out normal but when I held two notes down...WWEEEEEEOOOOO!!! Really turns heads. ANYTHING THAT USES FAST ENVELOPE TIMES: not good. The JV80's envelopes have a stepped grainy sound to them that is not noticable if you are using it live but can really stick out in a studio.

Electronically, the JV80 is as stable as these things get but there are problems with the hardware, especially now that they are getting a little old. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT BUYING ONE WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THE FRONT PANEL SWITCHES. They are not robust and to get at them the whole machine has to be disassembled. And if you think you can do the job yourself, think again (unless you're REALLY good). If you buy one I suggest keeping it covered whenever it is not being used, and if you play live, taping clear plastic wrap over the front panel. I played mine live for 5 years, and never had a problem with anything else. Incidentally, the tech I use said that those rectangular lighted switches can be a problem on anything Roland puts them on (they are also used on the XP series.)

I am currently using an XP50 because it has a sequencer and leslie simulator (things the JV80 lacks) but the JV80 has a better keyboard and a metal case. If I needed a gigging keyboard today and had only 500-700 dollars to spend, this would be my first choice.