All user reviews of 5/5 for the Roland XP-50

purchased at local music store for less than $3000 including stand and Peavy amp

I've been using my roland for several years now, both as a studio and teaching instrument and transporting to gigs. I've never had any problem with its performance - even though students and transportation can be rough on it! It's reliable and has more features than I could ever begin to use! I love it.

The program dial has worn - you need to apply pressure to activate the selection.

Sturdy and dependable even with the abuse of transportation in a soft case and daily use by students.

The XP-50 has a lot in it for the price. I know it's a bit outdated by now, but I would still pick Roland if I had to replace it.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The technical data are available on the General page as well as other notices. Nothing to add.

UTILIZATION

Workstation is an ideal first. I know something has been since my first workstation!
The general configuration is very simple, sound editing and effects acquired in a very intuitive, which noted a difficulty since the manual ... The aura often not been opened!
In terms of ergonomics, of course the screen is small, but well thought out and it fulfills its role. Uh ... If! Just one thing, it's true that the backlight is a little orange clenching, they could have put him green as its older brother XP-80!
The sequencer (MRC integrated Pro) is a real treat. The features are rich, nothing is missing, and most importantly, it can do things that even years later, the sequencer of my Triton still do not know how! Eg avoid erasing everything that comes after a given point of a track if you want to work again just recording a measure step! And pan on the mouthpiece for the Triton!

SOUNDS

I am of the variety, from classical, many things that sound very acoustic. In 7 years of use, the times he did not have to let me get what I wanted to have to count on the fingers of one hand ... Compared to the number of hours I spent on it, and they can always count fingers (... but thousands of hands !!!), bin is really not much.

The XP-50 will certainly not be the instrument of one who wants to make use of techno or equated sounds, but for those who want the sound, go for it with his eyes closed!

The keyboard is definitely a weak point. Not a success ... Quite noisy ... But ... With a good master keyboard, it must do so!

The pianos are excellent (even if they do not equal I think the piano sounds of the Triton Studio ... And I said Studio !!!), the sounds of electronic keyboards correct, guitars thunder , wood and brass very very good, the strings could have been a little more worked, but ... We can put together a small collection of very good patch "User" just correcting what does not sound perfectly into presets.

If you're like me and you love the bagpipes and accordions jazzy, there on the other hand ... At work! Edit! The original sounds are downright failures.

The bank's GM is almost disgusting, as is often the case.

OVERALL OPINION

First workstation ideal, excellent machine, whatever the opinion of some authors rather hard on the XP-50 ... He accompanied me for 7 years and I separated a bit with a twinge of regret. (Anyway ... back to more classical piano and modification of the general configuration of my equipment ...). However, I have just done to refurbish them for resale (there is also my ad on this site), and I am delighted to find it just as out of its package.
The value was unbeatable (10,500 francs bought new in 1996, 500 francs more than the equivalent of Korg time, the X3, which was a poor nameless ...).

If I had to equip myself for the first time today, I would not hesitate a single moment is a machine that can make music, the computer knows intelligently from disappearing, giving way to play music and much better in my opinion that the majority of current machines, which look more like PCs than black and white keys of musical instruments hardcore.

Novices, to the wise!

Synth Workstation that can not find the gal in the jungle of synths in the same catgories especially when the price (used Obviously as it no longer produced!).
The evolution of synths and computer music fact that the acquisition of a gear (Home-studio) requires a different approach than last over several decades (release date of the XP50! And even more !!!).
The strength of this synth to be as objective as possible, is a combination keyboard-sequencer (disquette!).
- The sequencer is complete and can put together easily. It can record an INTERPRETATION steals or assists Manir (quantize) up to edit the notes (microscope mode) or MIDI clock vnements clock prs and this, with a little practice, in a manner comfortable. One can start the recording of patterns and to mount this song. Obviously the work is saved on disk format or Owner 'Roland XP50, SMF 0 or 1 Go find a synth that makes for a price now (GRRRRRRRRRRRR )!!!!!! Forget the Real-time Phrase Sequencing for assigning patterns you do with a keyboard for your orchestration apperu rappide CHRIE !!!!!! The possibility to noon CONTRL external device is complte (Transmission rception twelve o'clock, noon Through) ...
- The polyphony is sufficient, in ten years of practice I rarely t gn by 64-voice polyphony, except accidentally by RPS jou two batteries I pressed pasque a button at the wrong time !!!!!!!!.
- The sounds are the sound Roland found in all branded products up slightly (JV-1080, JV-2080, Groove-box )!!!! They are widely ditable (approx. PITCH, TVA, TVF, two LFOs per patch, 4 sounds (tones) by PATCH, 10 STRUCTURES combinations of sounds (tones), by layering or VLOC sharing the keyboard .. ...).
- Asked style of music passable with XP50: style electro, ambient, Drum & Bass, Tekno, Acid-Jazz, R & B. .... All with a certain color and a little adaptation sounds. Note that the sounds can be saved on disk (I put in the DFI to find a synth of this price being the same thing (GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR )!!!!!!!
I put 10 (in note) because this machine, I think is an example of intgration because with it alone, you can make REPRESENTATIVES compltes (scnes, jazz bars, restaurants, etc. ....)

UTILIZATION

Configuration, well you have to dive a bit in the manual but everything is accessible via buttons under the screen that are organized by dj menu-submenus (well, okay there are still some sub- the screen menus accessible through the navigation m'enfin ....).
In terms of paramtrage of the machine, it's the same, we must delve a little compartment in the manual but on the other, which has the MRIT of being clear and effective ... .
I note that you can enter to give diffrent fawn: either the wheel round, either by the keyboard numrique (very practical!) Or, for the blind Increase by-DECREASE keys! I say as a Paske in a state o I saw some XP50, even younger than mine (I sell for that matter) 'was better to purchase the expander !!!!!

SOUNDS

- The sounds are a bit but everything is relative viellot !!!!! There's no long branch in a bar I could still hear the instrument of Grand Master Flash (80&#39.... I still sounds like me!
- The effects section is of good quality, there are m ^ me radical effects (Distortions. ...). The possibility mode Multi-stamps is limited compare what comes out now, m'enfin is not not mean that there were good things that came out on the air until then ...
- Good expressiveness (VLOC aftertouch curves VLOC ...) according to the paramtrage, it provides original things, does it still immerse themselves in the edition of the sounds (filter, ground , velocity cross fade, etc. .....), which is not the sport of the majority of those whose opinions I read GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR !!!!!. It may also, paramtrant the modulation wheel on the vomume two tones of a pacth (or as paramtrage) RALIS a "morphing "....
Question sounds, with the purchase of some expansion cards (SR-JVxx) can cover the majority of musical styles. The XP50 can hold 4 boards.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 8 years (prs qqes days!). I am much used (scnes, studios, home studios, rpt ....).
The + is the sequencer, that can be composed with an autonomous Manir (at least for a dgrossissage composting, see ....). For sounds, I really like (the potential for the edition sounds! Tablecloths, comps, leads, low fat good, electric keyboards, piano ...).
I possd (4 5 years) the D50, D110, SY77, DX7, Korg M1, SY85 (I still have!) VK7 roland (orgues!!) And XP50, and now MC 307 (recently !!!), RM1x, Motif Rack ES and CS6R (yamaha).
I tried (as I live not far from Pigalle) many devices (synth expander).
Among the stuff I owns and proved (for I am not content to run that sounds presets), the XP50 has contributed much to my music (jazz, funk, electro mainly). My two brands are prfres Roland and Yamaha, I think they compltent well. I also second bine a DJ with a set XP50/CS6R (the fire god !!!!!! 9a-d Chire serious, high-volume !!!!!).
I think the argus is declining (the law of market forces!). However, I remind the new acqureur Machine condition given the age of synth playing for many (and maintenance !!!). But know that it's a good p. .. ain bcanne (especially the price the 550 Euros for mine!).
I spare to buy a MC50-MKII (to replace my XP50 sequencer and a MIDI controller (such EDIROL), mainly because I am guitarist and I aged and I return to my love Premire .....
I advise young keyboardist, composer and lover of synthse, thus by the time course, people want to dial in the genre Groove, R & B, tekno, dance (electro what kind ...).

Thank you, @ +

Already said.

UTILIZATION

General configuration not complicated, hence the ease of editing sounds.
French manual and clear.

SOUNDS

Sounds quite suitable to my style of music. Sounds realistic level, it is on that today we did better, but hey, I did not ask him to sound "realistic" but sounded good and like I want. It's a synthesizer and there are a thousand and one ways to make it sound. By grinding a little can create sounds really nice and custom.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for about 10 years.
Before him I tried Korg X5, Roland D10 and ... er ... well that's all.
What I like most is: the sequencer and more generally the ergonomics of the machine. In the least I would put the lack of connectivity. A stereo output is a bit tight. The quality / price (especially nowadays) in my humble opinion, and given the infinite number of sounds you can get out: excellent.
With the experience I would do without hesitation that choice.

As a sound module nothing is missing, there are some filters, effects, etc. on it, but you have to go thu menues and mess with numerical values, which takes a lot of time, so that would b nice to have it made easyer. Sequencer on it is a bit*h to use, i had it for 8 months and i still havent figuerd out how to compose a song of more than one part, but i dont use the sequencer at all.

Price paid

$430 used

UTILIZATION

Sequencer very hard to use, (compared to cubase) effects are hard to tweak, its hard to sequence, because it can only play one sound at a time, so u better have some vst's or other sound modules if you want to play your full song out. Not the most user friendly (maybe because it came out in 95) but sound quality is excelent

SOUNDS

I use it as a sound module, and as a midi controller. Sounds on it are the best in its price range (under $1000) and its expandable to your taste. I love the sounds on it high quality

OVERALL OPINION

Excelent, metal case. Mine sometimes messes up and sustains notes, and i have to do a memore reset, and then its fine for couple of weeks, but i bought it used, and it came out in 1995, better than i expecte.

I LOVE the sounds, and expandability, its also good as a midi controller. Other than that i cant recoment it for any other features.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Sarajevo (January 1-, 2004)

A 16 track midi sequencer is usually adequate for most situations. However the XP is best when used as a soundsource...or even a scratch pad that is sync'ed up to a more capable sequencer...whether that be one of many capable DAW/software program combo out today (Fruity Loops, Reason, Pro-Tools)or a hardware sequencer/sampler (MPC series, MV, even the slept on MC-909) One helpful feature is the RPS function, which allows you to trigger a created phrase on the fly at the touch of a key. With no sampler...this function is essential to creating "hybrid" sounding track...in other words a track that sounds sample...and has many of the "chopped" feature of one ...but is actually a 100% original

$1,300.00 (back in the day)

UTILIZATION

Its a miracle I still have my eyes after 8 years of peeing a the tiny orange rectangular screen. To access many of other more complex features of the XP such as patch(sound)editing, track edit..etc involves many searches through various screens. The manual is your best friend....however it is a Roland manual......be advised

it is a tank....can go above ground, underground, on the road...wherever. users who have either been longtime users like myself or others who are picking up one from somewhere else need to keep a careful eye on the ancient floppy disk drive for perfornamce however.

SOUNDS

The XP-50 has many good stock sounds right out the box for professional/aspiring composers, media scorers, and techno/ambiant/rave sound designers.. ah yes well that's nice. BUT, what about the aspiring beatmaker..or the grizzled pro?? If you be patient with the somehat unforgiving learning curve...you can craft out stunning compositions without having to reach to any other piece of gear(and thanks to current situation..I know that as well as anybody, these days. EFX processors, diffrent sets of filters and amplifiers allow you to customize your own sound.

OVERALL OPINION

I started from the instrumental side of music first then graduated to beatmaking. So I have yet to purchase those celebrated pieces of gear your 'favorite' producer has..(MPC, ASR-10,Motif....or my favorite..Fantom X7)this is my brainchild. Even when it is replaced...it will be kept for sentiment for a long time

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: cloudism ( 7-, 2005)