Fernando- To me the XV series are an evolutionery rather than a revolutionery step up from the JV modules. The sounds/waveforms etc IMHO were starting to get a bit long in the tooth (been around since 1994!) just like with the Korg AI2 synthes.

However, after playing and XV3080 today, I must say that these definetly sound BETTER than the JV1080 or JV2080. I sold one of my 1080's to put money towards an XV3080 and after today I'm sure glad I didn't save a few hundred quid and get the JV2080. The new waveforms are much better (such as the pianos, drums, guitars etc). The acoustic guitars are the most REALISTIC I've heard in any synthe with the slides that you can bring in with velocity or aftertouch. The drums are much improved (the JV's suffered in the drum sounds department from day 1 IMHO). These sounds whilst much better still don't rival the Korg Triton for variety- guess I'll be buying the new drum board when I can afford it. The new piano patches are miles ahead of the JV patches (and I've never been a fan of factory acoustic piano sounds in synthes). It's nice to find some straight rhodes and wurlitzer patches rather than the processed ones available in the older JV units. The strings are of the same quality as those in the orchestral boards IMHO as is the brass.

I love the sound search function and the screen is also easy to read (for someone who is vision impaired such as myself!!!!).

I would have loved at least a couple of real time controller knobs on the front panel (like the Korg N1R, Alesis S4plus, Yamaha FS1R etc), but still I'll assign parameters to my Triton's controllers anyway!

Me personally, I'm glad I sold one of my 1080's to get the XV. I don't need the extra features of the 5080 (and I'm particularly dissapointed that they didn't deck it out with full on sampling facilities!). However, if the JV's do it for you, don't think you are missing out a huge amount by not owning an XV! Besides some better waveforms, new effects, more patches, sound search function and slightly improved user interface, the biggest advantage is the doubled polyphony!

To be brutally honest, I could get by very happily with just this module hooked up to my Triton! I will put the techno and hip hop boards from my sold JV into this module and add 2 more boards (most probably the orchestral 11 and I'll make a choice out of the session, country or latin boards when I can afford them). The drum card is definetly coming and I'll check out the 64MB piano board also. Lets hope Roland bring out heaps more 64MB expansion boards.

Some titles this I suggest could be-

Orchestral 111.
Dance/techno/hiphop.
World/ethnic.
Guitar/bass.
Vintage keyboards/synthes 11 (this would be a real goer!).


Anyway, I will certainly be making the XV3080 a major part of my set up!