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Average rating:
4.5 out of 5
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I've played with this synth many times at the local Mars and Guitar Center. It sounds like it would fit my needs very well. I am mostly a guitarist who does some recording. My setup includes VS-840, SP-202, MC-303, a crappy Yamaha keyboard I use as a controller for the 303, and a host of guitars. What I like about the XP-30 is the large assortment of sounds I can add, the quality of sounds, the affordability, the expansion options, and the keyboard quality (I swear if you wiggle a key from side to side it adds vibrato, but I could be wrong). If anyone has any better ideas for a first synth, given what I am looking for, please email me!
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I owned an XP-80 and an XP-30 I found NO apreciable difference sonically between the two boards. At the same time I had them both plugged into my Yamaha MD8 mini-disc recorder/mixer, a nice clean unit. I monitored them in stereo with 2 EV S122s and 2 Stewart 200w power amps. I also listened very carefully through AKG 240DF headphones. Just thought someone would like to know my experience. Thanks PH
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I checked out the XP30 in my local music shop. I was initially very impressed- I have no problems with the sounds (I own 2 JV1080's already!) but what immediatly turned my off this synthe was (ONLY 2 PISSY STEREO OUTPUTS). C'mon Roland- This synthe was designed to be used multi-timbrally. If you put in the 3 EFX units like the JV2080 has than I probably would complain so much- but there is only 1 EFX unit built in! It is an easy synthe to get around (like the JV1080). It also has a nice arpeggiator but I personally do not like the shallow action keyboard feel. My Korg synthes are alot nicer to play. Had the XP30 had at least 4 (or 6) outputs than I would consider buying it. BUt with only 2 outputs FORGET IT!!!!!! If this issue doesn't bother you than by all means, I can't recommend this synthe highly enough because of it's great sounds.
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Re: the Vintage Expansion Board. Yes, this board is great! I've got it in my XP-50. The quality of the sounds and waves is pretty good and there is a pretty good selection of waves to choose from. I would recommend it to anyone that has an XP/JV. The only synths I would liked to have seen included would have been the Elka Synthex, Chroma, Chroma Polaris. But overall, it's a great addition to your XP.
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I've had an XP-30 a couple months now and couldn't be happier. I've hardly even scratched the surface of what's possible with this thing. It has loads of good sounds and what i consider a pretty decent keyboard (admittedly i'm not really a keyboardist but i tinkle). The arpeggiator is fun especially when MIDI-synced to a sequencer.
I think some of the reviews have been missing the point a bit with the demo tunes and such. All you can really get from demos is an example of *some* of the sounds the device in question can produce. If the tunes themselves come across as being rather cheesy you can't blame the box they're coming out of.
...and while i'm at it here's my $0.02 on the 'can you produce an album with a single board' debate. I don't think the number of outputs is an issue because i would record each part down to a separate track anyway. And with the variety of sounds on this board i'd say of course you could produce a professional-sounding track using it alone...
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