This demo video showcases the sounds of the Roland JV-880 Multi Timbral Synthesizer Module.
via zibbybone:
Songs 1-1 through 1-5 by Marvin Sanders, Copyright 1992, Marvester Music
Song 2 “Lost Weekend” by Mitsuru Sakaue, Copyright 1992, Roland
Song 3 “The Race” by Chas Smith, Copyright 1992, Roland UK
Composer Profiles: Marvin Sanders – As Keyboard Product manager for Rolannd US, Sanders has performed at clinics all over the world. In between his involvement with their marketing and promotional afforts, he has created sounds for products from the JV-80 to the JD-800, factory patterns for the JW-50 and ROM plays found in the SC-155, U-220 and Model 760. Sanders also maintainers an active freelance career in Los Angeles composing and consulting for a variety of clients from Toyota, Acura, and Alpine to Max Factor and Michael Jackson.
Mitsuru Sakaue began composings and doing arrangemennts for commercials and videos whiel still in school. In particular, his studio work earned for him a solid reputation. Currently (1992), as a chief producer within Idecs, Inc., he produces commercial musics and jingles for FM stations. His range of activity is broad, and includes his work as an instructor and expert on music intruments/computer music for the Roland Learning Center (Japan), as well as for other schools. In addtion, he has had numerous other opprotunities for displaying his talents wll while serving as demonstrator/product specialist for Roland.
Chas Smith – Roland UK’s Senior Product Specialist/Demonstrator joined the company in 1987, after a freelance career playing in rock bands. he is an active composer, principally for the jingle market. His particular interests lin in the use of the latest sampling technology and in programming synthesizers.
Synthhead, I adore how you’re bringing up these now-considered “retro” devices I remember marveling over when they were new. I remember the first time I heard of the Roland W-30 (I later learned they were famously used by Liam Howlett of Prodigy), and drooled over the fact it could store samples… on a floppy drive!
The JV/XP series certainly left a strong legacy. I once borrowed a good friend’s XP-50 and a really heavy amp and proceeded to wail out some sweet, distorted tones.
I hope I don’t sound like an old fogie but understanding what came before helps current electronic musicians succeed further at their craft — it’s why I also treasure soft synths that are done as anthologies and museums, making it easy to learn about the sounds of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s… even if you can’t afford or find the original gear they came from.
This was/is my first and only hardware synth. I got it when I was 16 years old (1991) with a Roland A30 MIDI controller keyboard. If I remember correctly it was $1800 (AUD) for both. My Grandparents had been putting a few dollars a week away in a bank account since I was born and gave it to me on my 16th birthday which (with a few extra dollars from myself) was how I could afford such a massive purchase. Roddy Bottum from Faith No More was my hero at the time.
For my taste the sounds are a bit hit and miss, “Orch Strings” is still one of the most awesome, full and rich string sounds I have ever used. “Mighty Pad” and “Reso Pad” were also regular favourites.
Pretty much all of the electric guitar sounds and drum sounds are terrible, well they were for my usage anyway. I don’t like to use the word gay, but it is so apt in this case.
My JV-880 still sits on my desk on top of my computer, all plugged in and ready to go, though I am using it less and less now mainly due to the quantum leap in convenience offered by plug-ins.
It still works 100% too, though the LCD backlight is a bit dim. I did have to have the data knob replaced after only having it for about 2 years (still under warranty IIRC) but I haven’t had a single problem since.
The A30 is still in full service too and is still my main keyboard. It was also in 100% operational condition until just this last year the CC slider control has developed a pretty large dead spot. But I am incredibly impressed that both items have soldiered on through a lot of travel and abuse in my garage band days. They are easily the two most reliable and long lived pieces of technology I have ever owned.
how are the instrument sounds such as the strings(violin), flute and grand piano
I got my JW-50 workstation in 1993. I traded in my SH – 101 Red w/ pistol grip and an Akai 8 bit sampler, plus $1000. I guess it wasn't popular or supported by the company. The floppy disk drive is cool. I wanted a M1 cause Joe Z. Played one. Our rich friend had a Roland JD-880? With all the sliders. That was cool.