Roland XP-60

Hi, Note: this is just an update to my previous review. What I'm referring to is the decay noise problem that is common to new Roland keyboard and module products. I have contacted Roland on this problem and they told me: "This problem is inherent of the machine you are using. The XP-60, 80, & JV-2080 all use 18-bit converters so they have a brighter and clearer sound thus exposing noise on the decay of notes in some patches. The JV-1080 and XP-50 use 16-bit converters and have a darker sound so you don't hear the noise." This is the explanation Roland gave but, I think it's just an excuse for inferior sounding converters on supposedly superior keyboards and modules. I then asked if Roland saw this decay noise issue as a problem and if so, were they currently working on a fix. Here's what I got: "We've contacted Japan on this subject but, we haven't heard a response yet." I asked what do they suggest I do in the mean time (I already told the tech I have a 1080 and didn't notice the problem there). Another quote folks: "Use your 1080 for intro parts and quieter passages." I tested another r XP-60 in another state and city (I was just on a business trip), same problem. Here are a few patches that can be auditioned which have a louder noise problem than most. PR-A 072 Fantasia JV, 084 Wave Bells, 086 Beauty Bells. PR-B 112 Alto Sax. Note: Be sure to have all the internal effects on and listen through quality headsets - preferably some place quiet. I think I should let everyone know that I am not a Roland basher and I have been a Roland and Boss user since 1989 (D-20). I guess I am more disappointed than anything. I use to look forward to new Roland products knowing that they would be the standards by which all others would be judged. I hope Roland doesn't incorporate these same "brighter & clearer 18-bit converters" into new products. For now I still use the XP-60 along with the JV-1080 for all of my synth sounds. I returned the E-MU Proteus 2000 for another JV-1080. I have plans to expand it with the newest cards. I hope this clears up any confusion. Tyrone Oliver

I am using an XP-60 with ROM ver. 1.10. The presets sound pretty good (standard Roland sound set - 1080, 2080, XP-50 & 80). Editing the pathches is not too hard because of the excellent graphic display. The manual is very general and too "formal" - It reads like Airforce Tech Data (very dry). Roland should hire an american company to write a better manual, ala "XP-60 for Dummies" ect...

64 voice polyphony with standard keyboard action (nothing to brag on). Good effects, very easy to use. Excellent expansion capabilties. I have the Orchestral, Vintage synth, 60's & 70's, & Hip-Hop cards - love them all! Sequencer is pretty good but I use an Akai MPC2000 to sequence so I never bother it and it never bothers me. This is basically a 61 key ver. of the XP-80.

Sounds are generally good for all types of music. Very responsive to aftertouch. Effects are good and very programmable. Now here's what's wrong with it. IT HAS A TERRIBLE DECAY NOISE PROBLEM THAT IS VERY AUDIBLE ON PATCHES WITH ALOT OF SUSTAIN. THIS IS AUGMENTED IF THE PATCH USES ONBOARD REVERB. I DIDN'T NOTICE THIS IN THE STORE BECAUSE MUSIC STORES ARE LOUD AND I WAS ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH THE SOUND SET FROM USING A JV-1080. I PRIMARILY MONITOR WITH HEADSETS (SONY MDR-7506) AND FOUND THIS TERRIBLE PROBLEM WHILE SEQUENCING A HARP SOLO. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE INTERNAL EFFECTS UNIT SO I CUT IT OFF AND THE DECAY NOISE IS STILL THERE. IT SOUNDS LIKE A CHEAP 8-BIT SOUND CARD - VERY FUZZY AND STATICY AND THE END OF NOTES WITH LONG SUSTAIN. I INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM BY TESTING ANOTHER XP-60 - SAME PROBLEM. I TESTED A JV-1080 AND NO PROBLEM - VERY CLEAN. I TESTED A JV-2080 AND THERE IS A DECAY NOISE PROBLEM, BUT NOT AS LOUD AS THE XP-60. THE XP-80 I CHECKED DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM - SOUNDED AS GOOD AS THE JV-1080. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS SYNTH TO ANYONE TO USE AS A PRO. SYNTH. BUT AT THE STREET PRICE OF $1,500, ITS COST IS CERTAINLY PRO. THIS NOISE PROBLEM HAS FORCED ME TO LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR SYNTH SOUNDS, SO INSTEAD OF BUYING A 1080 I GOT A PROTEUS 2000 WITH VERY GOOD AND CLEAN (NO DECAY NOISE) SOUNDS. I JUST USE THE XP-60 AS A CONTROLLER AND BACKING SOUNDS. IT'S A DAMN SHAME A KEYBOARD WITH SO MUCH POTENTIAL COULD FAIL IN AN AREA AS CRITICAL SOUND QUALITY. NOT RECOMMENDED, GET A JV-1080 OR PROTEUS 2000!

I think it will hold up. I do notice how newer Roland keyboards feel cheaper then say a D-50 or a D-20. Gotta cut costs somehow I guess. Too bad Roland decided to go with cheaper D/A converters on it's flagship Modual and Mid-priced workstations :(

On my attempt to reach Roland to adress this problem I looked in the back of the manual and called 213-685-5141. The area code change to 323 - no problem... o.k. 323-685-5141.... "The number you have dailed is disconnected" It figuers, i'm sure no one at Roland will admit to this problem and probably just blow me off.

This would have been the workstation to end all workstations as far as price and features go. But the bottom line is this; how good does it sound. Most competing synth companies can't compare with Rolands sound set and features but with Shitty D/A converters your beautiful Roland sounds end up sounding like they were played though an 8-bit computer sound card. Everything was in the right place on this workstation except Roland dropped the ball and went with cheap D/A converters. Hint, Roland: YOU DON'T CUT CORNERS BY DEGRADING THE SOUND QUALITY, YOU DO IT BY CUTTING THE FEATURES. THIS SYNTH IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE PROFFESIONAL/STUDIO MUSICIAN.