Roland XP-80 Music Workstation
January 18, 1996
Following the overwhelming success of the XP-50 Music Workstation, Roland has introduced the new XP-80 Music Workstation. The XP-80 features the same standard-setting synth engine found in the XP-50 and the JV-1080 Super JV Synthesizer Module. With a massive 64-voice polyphony, 16-part multitimbral capabilities and Roland's acclaimed 32-bit RISC chip processor, the XP-80 provides flexible sequencing, arrangement and layering possibilities. The new XP-80 has four expansion slots for use with any of the SR-JV80 series expansion boards. It also offers a powerful MRC-Pro sequencer with enhanced functions as well as a collection of new and improved performance capabilities.
As with all of the Roland expandable synths, the XP-80 provides expansion capabilities beyond your wildest dreams. Utilizing the four expansion slots and the SR-JV80 series expansion boards, the sound, tone and patch possibilities are virtually limitless. With 8 Mbytes of waveform per expansion board and the built-in 8 Mbytes of ROM sounds, you can pump the XP-80's onboard memory all the way up to an unparalleled 40 Mbytes. This kind of sonic power means you have instant access to more than 1500 sounds.
The XP-80 spotlights a number of exciting new innovations, the most apparent being its extended 76-note keyboard. This beautiful weighted synth-action keyboard provides the kind of smooth and natural performance interaction that uncompromising keyboardists demand. Unlike many of the synthesizers on the market which utilize plastic keyboard chassis, the XP-80's superb keyboard incorporates a solid metal chassis.
The XP-80's extra large display window is optimized for at-a-glance indication of the various parameters. The 320 x 80 full-dot backlit LCD provides a comprehensive graphic display including envelopes, signal flow, multiple tone parameters and it allows for onscreen confirmation of all editing functions. Directly below the display is a collection of dedicated function buttons for increased operational ease and intuitive editing.
The refined MRC Pro sequencer offers a number of recently augmented features. This powerful onboard sequencer has 16 primary tracks and each of those is capable of sending on 16 MIDI channels. There is a separate tempo track. The onboard memory will hold 100 patterns or one song. The internal song may contain up to 60,000 notes or you can save up to 180,000 notes to disk using the built-in 3.5" disk drive.
The new "nonstop" recording function allows parts to be changed without exiting the record mode. The disk drive reads MRC Pro, S-MRC and Standard MIDI Files (SMF). For live performance, the sequencer will read songs directly off the disk in realtime. This avoids the wait usually associated with loading songs into RAM. Loop recording, shuffle and grid quantize, General MIDI (GM) compatibility and Roland's acclaimed Realtime Phrase Sequencing (RPS) combine to provide unprecedented operational ease and playability. RPS allows assignment of full blown 16-part patterns to individual keys, for spontaneous phrase mixing or "flying-in" parts during live performance.
Other special new performance features include a sophisticated onboard arpeggiator and a pair of independent stereo outs for improved flexibility and mixing capabilities. For added performance/sequencing opportunities, the XP-80 has a dedicated Click Out with its own volume control. This affords direct communication with a drummer for playing live. There is a Quick Palette, with four assignable sliders for simplified sound editing on the fly and there are even four assignable pedal jacks. Forty-two insert effects including reverb, chorus, dual pitch shift, distortion, ring modulation and more add the finishing touches to this powerful new workstation. The XP-80 even supports MIDI Machine Control (MMC), making it the ideal controller for the new Roland VS-880 Digital Studio Workstation. The XP-80 is the discerning professional keyboardist's first choice in music workstations. For more information, visit their web site at www.rolandus.com. | 
