Tracey:

"I don't think I'll ever get to know every aspect of it like I wish I could"

Don't try to. Learn to use the functions you *need* to use to make your music. I don't use the whole instrument either.

"Have you owned one for a long time?"

I got a JV-1000 (the XP's predecessor) in 1993, then got the XP in 1997. But I've done a lot of sequencing on both instruments, a *lot*, from the very first day. I've worked out (gigged) with both instruments a lot (what we call "casuals" here; I work with a singer as a duo, but also play the XP in jazz groups just in patch mode), so had to learn. I've learned how to solve problems as they have arisen.

I've also read all I could find about the basic MIDI protocol. Instrument manuals rarely provide introductory information on that. And all the articles in Keyboard mag and elsewhere about tips and tricks.

And during the pre-forum years, I spent a lot of time on the phone with Roland tech support, about which I can't say enough good things despite all the people who dis them here and elsewhere. They can't perform miracles, they can't change the instruments, can't make them do things they weren't designed to do, but I have never had a single bad experience with them and never failed to get an answer or a problem solved. I still call them with questions, especially about the XP60.

And I haven't bounced around to different keyboards. I've stuck with these and have tried to get to know them well.

My turn:

(1) How long have you had yours?
(2) What kind of music are you making with it? Where are you playing that music?

Peace.