A1A2 Posted November 18, 2001 Share Posted November 18, 2001 hey, guys: I am very new to synthsizers, however, I do want to buy a synth so I can use it as a MIDI controller and also make music with it alone with my guitar. Now, I have looked thru many sources on synthsite.com regarding to their ratings, pics, specifications, and etc. and XP 30 and XP 80 are looking real good so far. I just wanted to hear some opinions from you guys, who sure know alot more about synth than I do. Since I am real new to this, I wonder if the XP's are user-friendly. And, what other synthesizer would you recommend with the price rang from 300-500 (i mean used price you would find on ebay and etc. Thank you guys for viewing. Thanks AL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlsy Posted November 18, 2001 Share Posted November 18, 2001 Well, the XP-80 is designated at such target buyers: someone who's primarily a keyboardist/pianist that needs long octave range (76 keys); someone prefer to do sequencing and editing on the keyboard; (no 'to-host' cable for you to connect the Roland with your PC) someone looking for a all-in-one workstation; The 30 is newer and has got a 'to-host' jack to serve your computer-centered music production station. (No sequencer onboard). If you ask me, I think the 30 is probably a better buy for you. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris c Posted November 18, 2001 Share Posted November 18, 2001 Hi, I can't vouch for the XP-80, but I recently purchased an XP-30 and (a) its got a ton of useable sounds, especially for the money (I also threw in a kybds of the 60's and 70's expandsion board in mine), but (b) to more directly answer your question, its very user friendly. Mine was out of the box at the dealer and he couldn't locate manual/bundled software (he's ordered it for me c), and with no manual I've easily figured out how to locate patches .. different methods of selecting, browsing through them ... tweak basic parameters, change some system settings (like disabling effects, changing setting of the modulation wheel)... I think the interface is very intuitive and easy to get around. If you don't need onboard sequencing, xp-30 is reommended. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted November 18, 2001 Share Posted November 18, 2001 You will not find a used XP-80 for $500 in decent condition. It will be hard to find an XP-30 that cheap. If you want a variety of sounds look for an Alesis QS-6.1 or maybe a Roland XP-10. I cannot remember what Yamaha has that would be in that price range when used. This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1A2 Posted November 19, 2001 Author Share Posted November 19, 2001 Thanks for all the helpful replies. I was wondering what you guys think about XP50? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted November 19, 2001 Share Posted November 19, 2001 Do you need the onboard sequencer? If not, stick with the XP30 - it has the most ROM out of the box of any of them anyway, IIRC... dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted November 19, 2001 Share Posted November 19, 2001 I had an XP-50 and traded it in on my XV-5080. One thing that it is missing that is on the XP-60 is the dedicated sliders for filter effects. Otherwise it is a nice keyboard with sequencer and floppy drive. I never buy a workstation anymore unless it has a floppy drive or a direct connect to the computer that does not rely on MIDI. Above all get a keyboard that you like to play physically, even if you have to sacrifice a bit on sound. You can always add a module later and use the keyboard as a controller. This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1A2 Posted November 19, 2001 Author Share Posted November 19, 2001 Dave: When you said on-board sequencer, did you mean like built-in sequencer? If so, my answer would be no, I prefer working with Sonic Fondry Vegas or Cakewalk as my sequencer. What I am mainly looking for in a synth would be nice sound, flexiability of programing sound,and user-friendly. By the way, what is "to-host" mean? Does that mean I can not use the synth as a MIDI controller if x30 doesn't have to host function? again, Thanks for all the replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bryce Posted November 20, 2001 Share Posted November 20, 2001 Originally posted by A1A2: Dave: When you said on-board sequencer, did you mean like built-in sequencer?. Correct. The XP50, 60 and 80 all have built-in sequencers, and you pay for them. Too much, if you ask me... If you're gonna use the computer and you're locked into the Roland XP series, I think the XP30 is the way to go. Just my opinion, dB ==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <== Professional Affiliations: Royer Labs • Music Player Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1A2 Posted November 20, 2001 Author Share Posted November 20, 2001 what if I can get XP50 or even XP80 with the same price that I can get XP 30 with? Should I choose XP50 and 80 over XP30? About sequencer, how do you feel about the built-in sequencer in XP's? Are they easy to use? I haven't seen any sequencers other than software based ones, so, please tell me the good and bads about each of them if you could, Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusker Posted November 20, 2001 Share Posted November 20, 2001 I have an xp50 and I play a xp30 weekly in my church. I don't like the sequencer. I would rather use software. It's easy to get lost in the hardware and it's easy to go over its limits. The additional sound rom in the XP30 puts it above it's larger brethren. They put more sounds into it because it came later in the life cycle. Upgrading a 50 or 80 to be equal in sound rom to the 30 will cost you $600 or so.And at least two of the additional expansion boards in the xp30 (orchestral and session) are pretty useful to anyone. If you don't need a sequencer, 61 keys are sufficient and (I assume) two stereo outs are sufficient, get the xp30.... if you can get it for the same price. What David said. Jerry [ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: Tusker ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix_dup1 Posted November 20, 2001 Share Posted November 20, 2001 what if I can get XP50 or even XP80 with the same price that I can get XP 30 with? Should I choose XP50 and 80 over XP30? No, you shouldn't. Since you don't want or need an on-board sequencer, then you're comparing them on their sounds (unless the fact that the XP80 has 76 keys as opposed to the XP30's 61 is also a factor for you). The XP30 has all of the sounds of an XP80, along with the sounds of three Roland sound expansion boards (Orchestral, Session, and Techno). That means it has over 1,400 presets. If you had to purchase them separately, these expansion boards would set you back about $600. That's why the XP30 is such a great value. If you want to expand it further, it has room for two additional sound expansion boards. This one's a no-brainer - go for the XP30! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted November 21, 2001 Share Posted November 21, 2001 A point that I think nobody made until now: The XP-80 and 60 are MUCH easier to use and program, because they have a *big* display. This is one of the reasons I sold my XP-50 two weeks after having bought it - the small display, and the horrible keyboard. The 80 and 60 both have nice big displays ans a decent, playable keyboard. The 30 has the same two-line display of the 50, IIRC. I don't know about the keyboard - I would just try to play one before buying. Carlo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlahib.no Posted November 21, 2001 Share Posted November 21, 2001 XP-30. I was in a very similar situation to yours, and i decided for the xp-30... and I'm very happy with my decision For me it already had some of the most useful expansion board built in (the session and the orchestra card) and it also had enough space for the other two cards i really wanted (asia and vintage synths). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlsy Posted November 21, 2001 Share Posted November 21, 2001 Though a happy XP-80 owner, I strongly recommend you to go with the XP-30 since it suits you best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris c Posted November 21, 2001 Share Posted November 21, 2001 Originally posted by A1A2: Dave: By the way, what is "to-host" mean? Does that mean I can not use the synth as a MIDI controller if x30 doesn't have to host function? again, Thanks for all the replies. No, "to host" is an alternative way to hook your keyboard to your computer (a serial port on back of your keyboard along with regular midi in/out/thru ports that is specifically designed for connection with computer). Its a feature that's being offered on many newer synths and is included on the xp-30. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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