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Earl
Published on 12/01/02 at 03:00
The XV-2020 is the latest addition to the family of Roland XV, dj is in The models 5050 and 5080.
This is a case in half-rack (1U), with a 64-voice polyphony, 1083 waveforms (ie 64MB), and three gnrateurs effects paramtrables (Multi-effects: 40, chorus and rverb).
Cot extensions, it is possible to connect up to 2 SRX, bringing the total memory 192MB.
The case has 4 switches (volume, numro MIDI channel, value / mode CATEGORY / bank) and an on / off switch and a 3-digit 7-segment display.
In terms of connectivity, it has faade in a USB port and a headphone jack. At the rear, there are the usual three MIDI connectors and two RCA outputs to formats and jack.
Found in cardboard, in addition to the manual in French and a CDROM containing the software XV-Editor, a power supply and a set of rubber feet adhsifs.
UTILIZATION
APRS having removed the box of its box, you immediately want to listen to it in the stomach. The easiest way is now simply plug the power supply and connect a headset.
Roland prvu this dmonstration 4 pieces, relatively easy call, as indicated directly on the cover of the manual (they probably fear that the user does not even open it!) turning the button "bank" until the DEMO option, then select one of four tracks with the VALUE knob and pressing it (Value and Volume switches have indeed a switch Intgr and admarre.
The DMOS is good, but for the sounds in themselves, they bought the same machine, then see how the costs. Indeed, again, no need to connect the box immediately to a PC or a mixing desk, just choose a patch and hold the volume button to listen to a BMD of the patch. It's not super convenient, especially when kept pressed the volume button while changing the patch (you cramps if you try to watch all costs thereafter
, but it works.
To navigate DIFFERENT patches, there are two ways to CHAC or by CATEGORY (Piano, keyboard / organ, guitar / bass, orchestra / brass, synthpads, and ethnic percussion / effects) either bank. In the latter case, the 2020 has a bank USER (ditable), 4 presets (A D) and a bank GM (General Midi). Two banks supplmentaires (EXP-EXP-A and B) can accder for additional cards. Each bank contains 128 patches.
The 2020 can also select performances (associations of patches on several midi channels) and rhythm kits, via the button value / mode.
The display shows the numro patch and the active mode (patch, performance, GM, etc.).. When it costs a patch, it also prcise alternately numro if you preset your correspondent in "CATEGORY". It's a bit Drout to beginners (as a CATEGORY same can s'taler several presets) but you get done.
And effects in everything? L is complicated. Looking at the top of the box, we see a diagram REPRESENTATIVES functions associated with the button supplmentaires Category / bank. To accder must at the same time press the Volume and Value. Following is a bit obscure bone up without the manual ...
In fact, to change patches, performance, select the effects and settings, use the software XV-Editor that simplifies everything a.
To use this software, connect the XV-2020 a PC's USB port. The surprise: the cable is not provided. If you do not have one in stock, you will not go away ... Too bad.
The installation involves two steps: 1. you install the USB driver, 2. the soft XV-Editor. In principle, I no longer installs the software or drivers provided they are available on the net, to avoid installing an old version. So I rcupr XV-Editor on the website of Roland France (www.roland.fr) but did not find the driver for W2K. Fortunately, the US site.
Aprstlchargement, installation of two lments passes without problem. The XV-2020 as a ceremonial equipment (MIDI IN and OUT) in Windows. It can therefore be used with a conventional squenceur. I test without Cubase 5 bp. For PatchScript, we find on the Internet that seem workable, if not, you can always CRER / change with the list of patches in the manual.
Lanon the XV-Editor. Displayed a great interface with lots of buttons. At startup, the software config rcupre the active expander. Can not dcrire here all the functions but it can CRER patches based on up to four waveforms, add filters, effects of all kinds, etc.. We can even test the patch in real time on the keyboard reproduced at the bottom of the screen. Then, all records in the memory of the case and it is in the box!
Facing the complexity of soft, reading the manual is necessary. And it's not great. I must admit that this is the first Roland product that j'achte but the doc is not really teaching. It ydcrit on dozens of pages of each of the rle trs many buttons but that's it. Online help is not better (HTML file in English of the same type).
In résumé for use with a squenceur, not too much problem. For the edition of the patches is more complicated (almost impossible without the software) and 7-segment display is not IDAL (never easy to post messages in these conditions). But XV-Editor trs seems powerful for those who want / can it look srieusement.
SOUNDS
Never easy to give an opinion on the sounds, yet this is what is most important for this type of equipment ...
As stated above, this is my first contact with "the sound Roland." I compared several squence afternoon with my Yamaha arranger and have t pluttdu for wind instruments. The piano is correct I think the guitar pretty well made, the medium strings. The synths are pretty good. However, I particulirement AIM drum kit, which seem more ralistes what I have heard until now. In performance mode, there are combinations of sounds and trs INTERESTED rich, but it takes a little time to test all a.
In short, an APRS Journe grind the bte, generally positive.
OVERALL OPINION
One day of experience, is short but still allows same to give notice. I bought this expander because I wanted to have the "Roland's" in my home studio, and I am generally satisfied. Especially since it is possible to add expansion cards (ten available date).
The models suprieurs, 5050 and 5080, return to base my knowledge the same waveform but add effects (5050) and a sampler function (5080). Given the diffrence in price and size (racks), I choose the prfr 2020.
The software provided is complete and allows trs CRER its own patches, associations of several waveforms and effects / filters. There are surely good things to trs to this level, but it ncessite time to get there. And it's not the manual that helps a lot, too bad.
In conclusion, for about 650 euros, I think it's a good entry-level expander that lets the user an important part of crativit if he has the desire and ... the persvrance!
This is a case in half-rack (1U), with a 64-voice polyphony, 1083 waveforms (ie 64MB), and three gnrateurs effects paramtrables (Multi-effects: 40, chorus and rverb).
Cot extensions, it is possible to connect up to 2 SRX, bringing the total memory 192MB.
The case has 4 switches (volume, numro MIDI channel, value / mode CATEGORY / bank) and an on / off switch and a 3-digit 7-segment display.
In terms of connectivity, it has faade in a USB port and a headphone jack. At the rear, there are the usual three MIDI connectors and two RCA outputs to formats and jack.
Found in cardboard, in addition to the manual in French and a CDROM containing the software XV-Editor, a power supply and a set of rubber feet adhsifs.
UTILIZATION
APRS having removed the box of its box, you immediately want to listen to it in the stomach. The easiest way is now simply plug the power supply and connect a headset.
Roland prvu this dmonstration 4 pieces, relatively easy call, as indicated directly on the cover of the manual (they probably fear that the user does not even open it!) turning the button "bank" until the DEMO option, then select one of four tracks with the VALUE knob and pressing it (Value and Volume switches have indeed a switch Intgr and admarre.
The DMOS is good, but for the sounds in themselves, they bought the same machine, then see how the costs. Indeed, again, no need to connect the box immediately to a PC or a mixing desk, just choose a patch and hold the volume button to listen to a BMD of the patch. It's not super convenient, especially when kept pressed the volume button while changing the patch (you cramps if you try to watch all costs thereafter
, but it works. To navigate DIFFERENT patches, there are two ways to CHAC or by CATEGORY (Piano, keyboard / organ, guitar / bass, orchestra / brass, synthpads, and ethnic percussion / effects) either bank. In the latter case, the 2020 has a bank USER (ditable), 4 presets (A D) and a bank GM (General Midi). Two banks supplmentaires (EXP-EXP-A and B) can accder for additional cards. Each bank contains 128 patches.
The 2020 can also select performances (associations of patches on several midi channels) and rhythm kits, via the button value / mode.
The display shows the numro patch and the active mode (patch, performance, GM, etc.).. When it costs a patch, it also prcise alternately numro if you preset your correspondent in "CATEGORY". It's a bit Drout to beginners (as a CATEGORY same can s'taler several presets) but you get done.
And effects in everything? L is complicated. Looking at the top of the box, we see a diagram REPRESENTATIVES functions associated with the button supplmentaires Category / bank. To accder must at the same time press the Volume and Value. Following is a bit obscure bone up without the manual ...
In fact, to change patches, performance, select the effects and settings, use the software XV-Editor that simplifies everything a.
To use this software, connect the XV-2020 a PC's USB port. The surprise: the cable is not provided. If you do not have one in stock, you will not go away ... Too bad.
The installation involves two steps: 1. you install the USB driver, 2. the soft XV-Editor. In principle, I no longer installs the software or drivers provided they are available on the net, to avoid installing an old version. So I rcupr XV-Editor on the website of Roland France (www.roland.fr) but did not find the driver for W2K. Fortunately, the US site.
Aprstlchargement, installation of two lments passes without problem. The XV-2020 as a ceremonial equipment (MIDI IN and OUT) in Windows. It can therefore be used with a conventional squenceur. I test without Cubase 5 bp. For PatchScript, we find on the Internet that seem workable, if not, you can always CRER / change with the list of patches in the manual.
Lanon the XV-Editor. Displayed a great interface with lots of buttons. At startup, the software config rcupre the active expander. Can not dcrire here all the functions but it can CRER patches based on up to four waveforms, add filters, effects of all kinds, etc.. We can even test the patch in real time on the keyboard reproduced at the bottom of the screen. Then, all records in the memory of the case and it is in the box!
Facing the complexity of soft, reading the manual is necessary. And it's not great. I must admit that this is the first Roland product that j'achte but the doc is not really teaching. It ydcrit on dozens of pages of each of the rle trs many buttons but that's it. Online help is not better (HTML file in English of the same type).
In résumé for use with a squenceur, not too much problem. For the edition of the patches is more complicated (almost impossible without the software) and 7-segment display is not IDAL (never easy to post messages in these conditions). But XV-Editor trs seems powerful for those who want / can it look srieusement.
SOUNDS
Never easy to give an opinion on the sounds, yet this is what is most important for this type of equipment ...
As stated above, this is my first contact with "the sound Roland." I compared several squence afternoon with my Yamaha arranger and have t pluttdu for wind instruments. The piano is correct I think the guitar pretty well made, the medium strings. The synths are pretty good. However, I particulirement AIM drum kit, which seem more ralistes what I have heard until now. In performance mode, there are combinations of sounds and trs INTERESTED rich, but it takes a little time to test all a.
In short, an APRS Journe grind the bte, generally positive.
OVERALL OPINION
One day of experience, is short but still allows same to give notice. I bought this expander because I wanted to have the "Roland's" in my home studio, and I am generally satisfied. Especially since it is possible to add expansion cards (ten available date).
The models suprieurs, 5050 and 5080, return to base my knowledge the same waveform but add effects (5050) and a sampler function (5080). Given the diffrence in price and size (racks), I choose the prfr 2020.
The software provided is complete and allows trs CRER its own patches, associations of several waveforms and effects / filters. There are surely good things to trs to this level, but it ncessite time to get there. And it's not the manual that helps a lot, too bad.
In conclusion, for about 650 euros, I think it's a good entry-level expander that lets the user an important part of crativit if he has the desire and ... the persvrance!