From: lieblm@Informatik.TU-Muenchen.DE (Martin Liebl)
Subject: Re:      Re: Roland JV-80 Suggestions wanted...
Originator: lieblm@sunbode12.informatik.tu-muenchen.de
Organization: Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Germany
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 14:54:19 GMT


In article <9211161747.AA28677@chorus.chorus.fr>,         Adam MIROWSKI <mir@OPUS.CHORUS.FR> writes:
|> I have played with it a bit. What I dislike:
|> - only 8+1 parts, so no GM compatibility (think about
|>   games)
|> - external performances do not store Bank Changes so
|>   it cannot be used to properly control Roland GS devices

Right, if you got to have GM/GS, how about the JV-30 (keyboard 
version of Canvas) ? It's cheaper also

|> - small display

But very efficient and fast access to every parameter and page; editing
goes as easy as with my Wavestation (which has a display three times 
as big).

|> - presets cannot be wiped out

Yeah, I don't like this point, too; but with the 64 internal and the 64 card
patches which I can overwrite, it's not too bad.

|> - limited effects: reverb and chorus only

The same as ev'ry Roland unit

|> > I would prefer to keep my costs below $2000.  Would the Roland be the best
|> > buy?  Any reply would be appreciated.
|> 
|> Someone suggested recently that a used D-70 could be
|> a better deal. I didn't have the time to listen to
|> the D-70 much (they are only on display in used gear
|> stores now, although still in Roland's catalog), but
|> have studied the manual carefully and the architecture
|> seems the same, except for the "synthesis" mode where
|> the D-70 loops over variable portions of samples (DLM)
|> and the JV-80 adds harmonics to the samples (FXM).
|> The D-70 has also 5+1 parts but 30 voice generators
|> instead of 28.

Some words for the JV-80:
It was not developed as another GS/GM unit (SC55/Canvas or JV-30) or as another
workstation (W-30), therefore the lack of sequencer/GS standard/floppy drive
(personally: I didn't want to buy the third built-in sequencer because of my
MS win sequencer and the additional hardware seq I own);

Take the JV-80 for what it was made: A keyboard with multimode possibility
and one of the best sounding machines presently available; every single
sound/patch/part is made by up to four samples(out of up to 14 MB sample-ROM)
On some things there may be better units (like Wavestation/SY85/SY99), but
(on my opinion) none of them has the power like the JV-80 to beat its sounds
through a complex orchestration.

And if you have a MS win sequencer which uses Multimedia extensions (like WinJam),
you can make patchmaps and drummaps, so you're not having problems accessing GM/GS patch numbers; the only limitation is then the 8+1 tracks

A word for the D-70: (please no flames, this is personal opinion rather 
than Roland official news)
The D-70 is a not very satisfying mixture of the U20/U220 with D-50 and a little
masterkeyboard in it. If you're going to use it with a sequencer the 5+1 tracks
are maybe not satisfying. If you try to get e.g. a string as warm and powerful
as the JV-80, you'll use up the additional 2 voices.


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