These 90s and early 2000s roland rack modules are magical, I got an XV3080 and the first thing I thought when playing it was "I'm in a movie". Its instant soundtrack, right out of the box.
Great demo. Yesterday I rescued one of these synths from the trash of my workplace. I work at a second hand shop mostly for furniture and other stuff and no one knew what this thing is. So they threw it away. 😢 I was the lucky one why found it. Now this little gem is mine.
Great demo! I bought one new in 1992. It's in mint condition with the original box and everything. Kept it all these years, stored it when I switched to Yamaha and put it back in the studio few years ago. The JV-880 has lots of character and punch. It lacks of good effects except maybe some nice delays but added with a good external reverb, as you did, it's amazing. Modern effect pedals really emphasize its sound. Great to use, simple and very intuitive, one of the best Roland expander for that. So glad I kept it all these years!
Amazing how one song can paint such a vivid picture in the mind of the listener. I can see it now… right before the film’s climax, the hero watches a blood red sun setting over the ocean, as he mightily stands atop a cliff, swearing to avenge his fallen loved ones. Keep up the masterpieces, Espen.
Thanks so much for posting this video! I was recently gifted a JV-880. It wasn’t until I watched your video that I realize there was two more hidden banks of patches! In your video, you mentioned the Jupiter 8 pad in the B bank. Hey, search the bank in the user manual and realize that you have to push the selected object and turn it clockwise to access the different banks.
Well it WAS a well kept secret. It still goes into most of my scores and compositions. Glad you used those drums too. Guess I won't be picking up any more of these for $100 after this...
It’s been on my radar since a long time, as ”a poor man’s JD990”, that doesn’t take a lot of space. Also, I think that multi-timbral sound modules are under-rated nowadays. I don’t see JV880’s often though, guessing the owners are holding on to them. Samewise the Yamaha TG500. I have the JV1010 though, which is even smaller and cheaper and covers a bit of the same ground, if you can live without the editing.
Does Espen really make prices go up or down? This stuff is extremely niche and the JV line was very common last time I checked.. personally I hear no difference compared to the other models.
@@g_dub3456 Being one that until recently was in the "Vintage" business, I can tell you between Espen, Bad (and Better) Gear, and Techmoan, that without fail the units they feature ALWAYS goes up in price afterwards. It's gotten so cut throat that I've stepped away from it for a while.
The JV880 uses different DACs in Main and SUB outs (PCM69AP and UPD6376GS-E2 respectively), if you want to find the true about the influence of DAC in the timbre, the JV880 is a cheap way to make your research.
I only have small rack units that I can stack on top of my E-Mu modules. I don't have room for a JV-880. But I have two M-DC1 Dance modules. If you can handle some SysEx now and then, the 1995 Sound Expansion Series modules are pretty awesome. It's like a super cheap JV-880 that you can fit anywhere, and you can even route audio through it. I'm sure the M-VS1 Vintage Synth module is good, too. But the SR-JV80-06 Dance expansion has five SH-101 bass patches and a lot of good 808/909 kits/menus. Some dated cheesy samples, too. It's like Roland's version of the Planet Phatt! But the Planet Phatt doesn't have Cypress Hill drum loops like the M-DC1!
Thanks for this video. Yes I have one!! and compared to a JV-1010 (which is awesome) somehow the JV-880 has a special punch and presence... Different D/A converters I believe may be going on here
Hi. I bought a JV880 now. I could not resist to hear this magical bottom end myself. I confess. I did not expect to hear much of a difference. I was blown away. It was a real bass-monster. I had to check if I had turned on some EQ or bass boost. It was way overpowering for me on some patches. I could not find any EQ in the unit. Did you tame yours with EQ?
I would love to see a video about your drum processing, does such a thing already exist? Your percussion always sounds so beautiful. Anyway excellent content as always.
I'm fighting the same problem. Had only a C64 Wersi Sequencer, Korg DS-8, and an HR-16: no creativity issues. After a lot of pondering, I believe that the problem is not to be found in the rack, but in front of the keyboard.
Thanks! I thought all these early jv models were replaced by jv-1080+, but appearantly not! I'm guessing this one won't be released on Roland Cloud, which is a pity then.
@@EspenKraft Nice! I often do a sus2 with proper third in the bass. Very cheesy, if you're into the "add9 is the standard major chord"-kind of coloring :)
This was before they started to do that "Mix/ treble/ compression" friendly awfulnesses, one of thing, which I don't like on my Fantom XR, maybe that trend was requested by studio engineers, who know. :-D
@@retro-dademusic6403 Yes...I saw the full video. ;-) That was actually the reason why I told about the different patch name on the U20/220. In the meantime I found it: www.synthmania.com/Roland%20U-220/Audio/Factory%20Patches/21%20Syn.Vox%201.mp3
Hello Espen! 3:40 Is the po on the rack possible for cotton insulation? I recently discovered that cotton can get into the indoor air around ceiling spot lighting. Just an idea..so .. Hi
I have a JV-880 with a lot of expansion. I agree. It is marvellous. I bought it when it came out long ago. I use it with my D-50 to enrich the sound. Amazing sound.
Finally some recognition for this awesome synth! I've had mine for years (only synth I ever sold and bought back actually), use it as a secret weapon on most of my tracks. Love the drums myself! You even use all my favourite patches (jp8, vento, analog brass) haha! Big fan of the deep bass patches for that late 80s dance sound as well. Nothing sounds more 80s than early 90s gear lol!
@@EspenKraft Arrrrhh Espen i wanted say Funk Machine is from the same era . I saw in your video's you are from 1969 ( my wife is also from 69 ;) . I'm build in 1972 looool
It's true early 90s gear often sounds more 80s than actual 1980s gear! I guess that was the time of the Rompler and Sampler, whereas earlier gear was more flexible and easy to edit, like the Juno 106 for example.
Early 90's digital is so good... Like the Kawai K4 (yes it came out in '89), Korg Wavestation, Yamaha SY77/99, etc. Get them cheap (relatively) while you can. Great video as always Espen!
K4 is really good, that would be perfect for Espens music. Also K1 pretty decent too on the bass and pads, SY77 perhaps a bit too cinematic and clean but the FM engine is an added bonus.
@@VladoT Agreed, I love the K4, I also have a K5 which was a radically strange instrument...mixing 128 sinewaves. I love it and hate it lol I designed a panel for the K5 in Midi Designer Pro which also has great editors for the K1 K5 - mididesigner.com/qa/7479/layout-kawai-k5-k5m K1 - mididesigner.com/qa/4524/layout-sound-programmer-for-kawai-k1?show=4524#q4524
I'm pretty sure this or the JV 80 were fixtures in every Italian recording studio as all electronic music from the 90s seemed to lean on the factory patches. And some of it was used so brilliantly. I'm watching other synth heads scratch their heads as to what the secret was.
as far as the arr1 sound goes. i think the U220 has the best representation of it. that being said, this is a very informative video. i didn't know too much about the 880.
I have a JV-1080 (w/ Vintage Synth expander card and 1 other card I don't recall), which I also heard was very common in studios for soundtrack recording. Never really heard it compared to the JV-880. I see the JV-880 now for US$300+ and I think I got my JV-1080 for $150-ish, but that was many years ago.
Great little box. I prefer this sound wise over the later JV. JV-80 and 90, also 1000, are also great and use the same engine. Do you know my video using the JV-880 “Analog sounds”? Thanks for sharing Espen!
Mine has a faulty display. It's very sad because I've produced hundred of pieces for commercials with it. But I don't throw it to the trash. Perhaps one day I manage to repair it.
The JV880 has something loveable that sets it apart from the bigger JV models. I used it on my last album, but i think i have to use it on my next album too. Thanks Espen!
The JV880 is a monster. Went to the seminar hosted by Roland’s Scott Wilkie in Detroit Mi, also demoed the JD990 and sound canvas. Still enjoy mine. Also have the other Roland modules that were related in the following years.
Nice module, might buy one if one comes up for sale locally. I like the sound + the analog feel setting to the max! I've heard nice things about the JV Orchestra expansion board too!
I got hold of a JV880 a little while ago. It needed a new display, which I've taken care of and now sits in my rack providing lots of low-end. I've programmed a couple of bass sounds in this beast and they do indeed "rattle the cones". It's a perfect compliment for my fully expanded XP-30 (it has the Vintage and Vocal boards added). I'm on the look out for an SR-JV80 board to add to the number of waveforms in the 880, though I'm undecided on what board at the moment...
I have one of these gems and love it. I always think about converting to all soft synths and plugins, but then I play some pads through the 880 and instantly change my mind. Recently bought a few packs of patches to add to it’s arsenal…great. Plays quite well with other synths too…complex layered sounds are very possible and impressive.
I bought a JV-880 way back in the late 90's. I used it for 4 or 5 years in my primitive home studio. Then I put it away mostly because I moved to a Linux system. I just, this week, pulled it out of moth balls and gave it a go. I compared it to my recently purchased Roland Integra-7. Well, to my ear the JV-880 will do just fine for my still primitive setup. I will give the Integra-7 to my granddaughter. She has her own simple studio she uses for sound tracks for video games.
Was a big fan of those sounds back then, had the JV1080,XV3080,XV5080,XP80,MVS1 and i think nearly all interesting expansions....in my hands.But i also loved the U220 it was like the JD880 so PSB.
Still I have mine and the JV-2080. Great synth, I love it. I would like the keyboard version too, but it's very rare to find one in good condition without the glue issue under the keys. Cheers!
Great video as always Espen...I’ve had my JV880 for a couple of years but just recently started to explore it’s beautiful patches and have been using it very often now.
I got another one of these nice little units today for 130€. It had the POP expansion board installed as well as the PCM1-01 piano collection sound card. I thought it was quite a good deal 🙂
Wow. This is amazing. I've just been doodling with FL Studio at a very amateur level since 2005 with a cheap midi board. Used FL Studio for a lot of years early on without a keyboard at all! I've always wondered what type of equipment goes into a full setup like THIS. What software is used, what other audio components are paired together to make this all work etc. I understand the sounds themselves are indeed all coming from the sound module of course. My audio setup involves a laptop with FL Studio on it, and a stereo receiver with Cerwin Vega VS 120s. Have debated trying to construct a better audio setup. I just play around at home, making pretty rudimentary songs etc. Love the drum sounds from this sound module! Always loved that old 80s/early90s drum soundtrack sound.
I am wearing a JV-880 hat I made myself do that people will start conversations about something good! The Orchestra 2 expansion card is amazing in this synth.
Haha.. I see you couldn't go without a little "I07 SLAP !!!"! It's all over most of my songs too. Punchy little wascal that cuts through most mixes and just sits there! :D You can hear it clearly in the middle slap section here for instance: th-cam.com/video/gVT55OoMXY4/w-d-xo.html Truly a great module I'll never get rid of myself. :D
The JV880 DAC is a Burr Brown PCM69AP. it's the only one in the JV/JX range that use this component as D/A output converter on the main out. I'm sure this is a part of the overall great sounding of the unit.
Much love for the elder JV romplers. The sound design done on the presets and the raw waveforms was top notch! Still very used machines today. Looking forward to hear the game soundtrack (when will the game be released?) and thanks again Espen for the review!
Great demo Espen!I used to have a jv-80 in the past years and I had a feeling that sounded better than a 1080 or XP-80 as well...The last month I bought a JV-880 but the display had no backlight.Do you know any new equivalent lcd display for replacement?
Hey Espen, nice demo. Looks like we have similar taste in 500 series modules... I have those SSL EQ's, two channels of Neve pre's, and also two SSL compressors. Also, the early JV modules are quite nice, and I've had the 880, and the 2080 in my rack since they came out. Sometimes it IS just the right sauce for the mix! Try mixing something like the MKS-80 with the JV-880 when you do pads - it's very nice once you dial in the ratios.
Oh finally!!! I have a module that Espen "didn't" already have. lol I think this was the first Roland module I got followed by the 1010 then the 1080. I went a stage further though and got both the "04" and "08" expansion modules which contain all the vintage and classic synth patches. Hey Espen, you really "need" to get yourself those expansion modules if you haven't got them already. They're well worth it. Just don't pay any more than €80 for either card.
I actually told a friend that I would get advice to get those cards once I uploaded this video. I'm not really interested in those cards. I only use a couple of sounds of this and I use the same sounds every time, for the same thing. ;-)
Greetings from Venezuela Thanks for this information, I have this module in digital format and I had not paid attention to it, I just discovered that I have a monster in my study ...
My JV-80 is not very well at the moment. 🤕 Main problem is membrane switches. If it's only switches then I can DIY but, if the faults go deeper, it will have to go to the 'Roland Doctor' along the coast. I'll need money for that though ... 🤞it's not too serious.
I own a JV-1080 and heard that this “sounds better” than it from a few sources now. Interesting! May have to pick one up. Is the factory sounds it ships with different enough that it’s worth owning? I suppose you can fill with different module/cards... but yeah, might be wise to throw in the orchestral sounds in this one and other sounds keep on the 1080...
Great video Espen - I do remember seeing the JV-880 (and JV-80) back in the early 90s so it's great to see this video and it still sounds great today. Just a question - is layering a synth brass sound with a synth bass a common trick to fatten up a bass sound, or just something you invented, and would you recommend it for us to try? I might experiment with that myself.
Thanks! Layering is and was always used for various reasons. Sometimes to fatten up parts, or to get the attack of one sound and the body of another. Pay attention to phasing and cancelled low end. You will almost always have to do some processing to each track to help them "glue".
I love mine! I’ve had the JV-80 since it came out. And a few 880’s too. Check my videos on youtube too where I demonstrate original patches. Love your videos Espen.👍
I love Roland , I own alot of the Roland Samplers, S550, S770, MV 8800, The jv880 puts me in the mindset of the S700 series. Very lush and thick sounding digital.
Just played a beat up JV-90 at the local guitar shop. And wow, it really has some vibe... lovely sounding synth, very relevant for pads and basses. Chorus sounds lovely. But also has those campy vox patches to blow Gen X minds. Hahah
Picked up a JV-1080 this week for the ease of programming new patches vs the JV-880; haven't been disappointed so far. Getting the physical unit vs subscribing to Roland Cloud was a no-brainer at current pricing levels. I fully understand why these boxes were the work horses for many producers and still are hard to say goodbye to.
Great video as always! I must tell you this though. I was watching this while sitting in my home office, all alone, having a bite to eat, with headphones. When you showed the settings on your outboard gear and started changing switches, I was looking down, and just heard the clicking of the switches. It actually made me look up and around in a slightly paranoid state, because I thought there was someone else with me, of fiddling with the outside door...
These 90s and early 2000s roland rack modules are magical, I got an XV3080 and the first thing I thought when playing it was "I'm in a movie". Its instant soundtrack, right out of the box.
I also had an XV3080 along with 3 JV1080s all stuffed with SRJV expansion boards. Them were golden times!!!!
I have XV-3080 too. It sounds magical indeed.
Great demo. Yesterday I rescued one of these synths from the trash of my workplace. I work at a second hand shop mostly for furniture and other stuff and no one knew what this thing is. So they threw it away. 😢
I was the lucky one why found it. Now this little gem is mine.
Nice catch. Cheers :)
I own a jv-80 and i have a jv-880 on the way! That beat is so nostalgic sounding Espen. Reminds me of Kung Fu the Legend Continues!
Cheers!
Great demo! I bought one new in 1992. It's in mint condition with the original box and everything. Kept it all these years, stored it when I switched to Yamaha and put it back in the studio few years ago. The JV-880 has lots of character and punch. It lacks of good effects except maybe some nice delays but added with a good external reverb, as you did, it's amazing. Modern effect pedals really emphasize its sound. Great to use, simple and very intuitive, one of the best Roland expander for that. So glad I kept it all these years!
Cheers!
Amazing how one song can paint such a vivid picture in the mind of the listener.
I can see it now… right before the film’s climax, the hero watches a blood red sun setting over the ocean, as he mightily stands atop a cliff, swearing to avenge his fallen loved ones.
Keep up the masterpieces, Espen.
Cheers!
Thanks so much for posting this video! I was recently gifted a JV-880. It wasn’t until I watched your video that I realize there was two more hidden banks of patches!
In your video, you mentioned the Jupiter 8 pad in the B bank.
Hey, search the bank in the user manual and realize that you have to push the selected object and turn it clockwise to access the different banks.
Cheers!
Own two JV-880's and will never let them go.
Can I have one?
The only Jv/Xp that dont sound compressed to my ears. love it!
Cheers!
Well it WAS a well kept secret. It still goes into most of my scores and compositions. Glad you used those drums too. Guess I won't be picking up any more of these for $100 after this...
We'll see.. ;-)
It’s been on my radar since a long time, as ”a poor man’s JD990”, that doesn’t take a lot of space. Also, I think that multi-timbral sound modules are under-rated nowadays. I don’t see JV880’s often though, guessing the owners are holding on to them. Samewise the Yamaha TG500. I have the JV1010 though, which is even smaller and cheaper and covers a bit of the same ground, if you can live without the editing.
with youtube there is no such thing as a well kept secret anymore...
Does Espen really make prices go up or down? This stuff is extremely niche and the JV line was very common last time I checked.. personally I hear no difference compared to the other models.
@@g_dub3456 Being one that until recently was in the "Vintage" business, I can tell you between Espen, Bad (and Better) Gear, and Techmoan, that without fail the units they feature ALWAYS goes up in price afterwards. It's gotten so cut throat that I've stepped away from it for a while.
The JV880 uses different DACs in Main and SUB outs (PCM69AP and UPD6376GS-E2 respectively), if you want to find the true about the influence of DAC in the timbre, the JV880 is a cheap way to make your research.
Still love my JV-880. Somehow it just sounds great. Thanks for the review.
I only have small rack units that I can stack on top of my E-Mu modules. I don't have room for a JV-880. But I have two M-DC1 Dance modules. If you can handle some SysEx now and then, the 1995 Sound Expansion Series modules are pretty awesome. It's like a super cheap JV-880 that you can fit anywhere, and you can even route audio through it. I'm sure the M-VS1 Vintage Synth module is good, too. But the SR-JV80-06 Dance expansion has five SH-101 bass patches and a lot of good 808/909 kits/menus. Some dated cheesy samples, too. It's like Roland's version of the Planet Phatt! But the Planet Phatt doesn't have Cypress Hill drum loops like the M-DC1!
Thanks for this video. Yes I have one!! and compared to a JV-1010 (which is awesome) somehow the JV-880 has a special punch and presence... Different D/A converters I believe may be going on here
It sure is.
Wow, Beauty is in the hands of the beholder...
Hi. I bought a JV880 now. I could not resist to hear this magical bottom end myself. I confess. I did not expect to hear much of a difference. I was blown away. It was a real bass-monster. I had to check if I had turned on some EQ or bass boost. It was way overpowering for me on some patches. I could not find any EQ in the unit. Did you tame yours with EQ?
I worked that thing to the bone.
I would love to see a video about your drum processing, does such a thing already exist? Your percussion always sounds so beautiful. Anyway excellent content as always.
Thanks! I have many videos on my channel showing my mixing techniques. How I mix my drums has been covered more than once. ;-)
I made more music 30 years ago when all I had was a JV-80 and MMT-8 than I have since, with waaaayyy more options available to me.
Heard that before. ;-)
I'm fighting the same problem. Had only a C64 Wersi Sequencer, Korg DS-8, and an HR-16: no creativity issues. After a lot of pondering, I believe that the problem is not to be found in the rack, but in front of the keyboard.
Thanks! I thought all these early jv models were replaced by jv-1080+, but appearantly not! I'm guessing this one won't be released on Roland Cloud, which is a pity then.
What is the bach-esque chord at 7:57? A slash chord with the third as bass? Love it in this context.
Thanks! Yes, I use that all the time. I did listen a lot to Bach in my earlier years. ;-)
@@EspenKraft Nice! I often do a sus2 with proper third in the bass. Very cheesy, if you're into the "add9 is the standard major chord"-kind of coloring :)
This was before they started to do that "Mix/ treble/ compression" friendly awfulnesses, one of thing, which I don't like on my Fantom XR, maybe that trend was requested by studio engineers, who know. :-D
Good point!
I just noticed his gamer statues. gamer
So this unit comes with the ubiquitous Fairlight “SARRAR”??
It would seem so. ;-)
Yes. I recall that the U-20/220 also had that sound (called "Syn.Vox1" or something).
@@sauermusicDE @7:25
@@retro-dademusic6403 Yes...I saw the full video. ;-) That was actually the reason why I told about the different patch name on the U20/220. In the meantime I found it: www.synthmania.com/Roland%20U-220/Audio/Factory%20Patches/21%20Syn.Vox%201.mp3
@@sauermusicDE ahh I see. I read your comment wrong. 🙏
Where in the hell are the drums on this thing. I’ve tried everything.
Hello Espen!
3:40 Is the po on the rack possible for cotton insulation? I recently discovered that cotton can get into the indoor air around ceiling spot lighting. Just an idea..so .. Hi
I'm afraid I don't understand what you're talking about?
@@EspenKraft Nothing special, just maybe getting into the air with mineral wool insulation .. (if any)
I have no idea what your talking about. This is a music channel, not house building. ;-)
I just picked one up today for $100. They can still be found if you're lucky
Congrats!
With no cards.. you better buy a Integra with all cards. Save you 2000 dollar.
😮😎🤙
I am down from the 'Fantasia' Preset on ANy of these rack Modules - Recenlty Saw Dayglow show off some similar sounds in his latest tracks
I have a JV-880 with a lot of expansion. I agree. It is marvellous. I bought it when it came out long ago. I use it with my D-50 to enrich the sound. Amazing sound.
Finally some recognition for this awesome synth! I've had mine for years (only synth I ever sold and bought back actually), use it as a secret weapon on most of my tracks. Love the drums myself! You even use all my favourite patches (jp8, vento, analog brass) haha! Big fan of the deep bass patches for that late 80s dance sound as well.
Nothing sounds more 80s than early 90s gear lol!
Cheers! :D
We are from the same era i see ;) first the R5 and now the jv880
@@NTRSN-Archive Even if I did a lot of music in the 90s, I only review the occasional 90s gear. I'm definitely from the 80s. I AM the 80s. ;-)
@@EspenKraft Arrrrhh Espen i wanted say Funk Machine is from the same era
. I saw in your video's you are from 1969 ( my wife is also from 69 ;) . I'm build in 1972 looool
It's true early 90s gear often sounds more 80s than actual 1980s gear! I guess that was the time of the Rompler and Sampler, whereas earlier gear was more flexible and easy to edit, like the Juno 106 for example.
Early 90's digital is so good... Like the Kawai K4 (yes it came out in '89), Korg Wavestation, Yamaha SY77/99, etc. Get them cheap (relatively) while you can. Great video as always Espen!
Thanks Jack! Sometimes some early 90s gear is exactly the right stuff for a song or track. ;-)
K4 is really good, that would be perfect for Espens music. Also K1 pretty decent too on the bass and pads, SY77 perhaps a bit too cinematic and clean but the FM engine is an added bonus.
K4 has very unique sound. I have 2 of them just to have 2 sets of sounds at any time in my studio 🙂 I hope Espen gets one and reviews it.
@@VladoT Agreed, I love the K4, I also have a K5 which was a radically strange instrument...mixing 128 sinewaves.
I love it and hate it lol
I designed a panel for the K5 in Midi Designer Pro which also has great editors for the K1
K5 - mididesigner.com/qa/7479/layout-kawai-k5-k5m
K1 - mididesigner.com/qa/4524/layout-sound-programmer-for-kawai-k1?show=4524#q4524
JX8P + Wavestation = pure Heaven
I'm pretty sure this or the JV 80 were fixtures in every Italian recording studio as all electronic music from the 90s seemed to lean on the factory patches. And some of it was used so brilliantly. I'm watching other synth heads scratch their heads as to what the secret was.
as far as the arr1 sound goes. i think the U220 has the best representation of it. that being said, this is a very informative video. i didn't know too much about the 880.
1:35 literally a fucking sararr. Best sampled audio ever.
I miss the sound of the 90s.
In an era when every companies and everyone was trying to sound different from each other, and not trying to emulate anything...
I will never retire my JV880/Peavey DPM C8 set up. It is just too perfect IMO
I have a JV-1080 (w/ Vintage Synth expander card and 1 other card I don't recall), which I also heard was very common in studios for soundtrack recording. Never really heard it compared to the JV-880. I see the JV-880 now for US$300+ and I think I got my JV-1080 for $150-ish, but that was many years ago.
Espen Kraft, you influencer! I've bought a JV-880, for cheap!
Congrats!
Great little box. I prefer this sound wise over the later JV. JV-80 and 90, also 1000, are also great and use the same engine. Do you know my video using the JV-880 “Analog sounds”? Thanks for sharing Espen!
Cheers man! Great stuff you have on your channel as well!
Mine has a faulty display. It's very sad because I've produced hundred of pieces for commercials with it. But I don't throw it to the trash. Perhaps one day I manage to repair it.
The JV880 has something loveable that sets it apart from the bigger JV models. I used it on my last album, but i think i have to use it on my next album too. Thanks Espen!
Cheers!
The JV880 is a monster. Went to the seminar hosted by Roland’s Scott Wilkie in Detroit Mi, also demoed the JD990 and sound canvas. Still enjoy mine. Also have the other Roland modules that were related in the following years.
Today, I got my JV-80 in brand-new like condition :)
So beautyfull synth!
Congrats!
I can imagine Nicholas Cage on a motor bike....under this track.
I got mine for 80 bucks, didnt know how good it is!
Sounds wonderful, like a proper 1992 movie!
Cheers! :D
I had the jv2080 and jd990 at the same time. Very good for ambient music
Nice module, might buy one if one comes up for sale locally.
I like the sound + the analog feel setting to the max! I've heard nice things about the JV Orchestra expansion board too!
I have one for sale
I got hold of a JV880 a little while ago. It needed a new display, which I've taken care of and now sits in my rack providing lots of low-end. I've programmed a couple of bass sounds in this beast and they do indeed "rattle the cones". It's a perfect compliment for my fully expanded XP-30 (it has the Vintage and Vocal boards added). I'm on the look out for an SR-JV80 board to add to the number of waveforms in the 880, though I'm undecided on what board at the moment...
You totally captured that late 80’s Roland synth track sound!! I love it! Thanks for breaking it down for a new learner like me.
Many thanks Dan!
I have one of these gems and love it. I always think about converting to all soft synths and plugins, but then I play some pads through the 880 and instantly change my mind. Recently bought a few packs of patches to add to it’s arsenal…great. Plays quite well with other synths too…complex layered sounds are very possible and impressive.
I bought a JV-880 way back in the late 90's. I used it for 4 or 5 years in my primitive home studio. Then I put it away mostly because I moved to a Linux system. I just, this week, pulled it out of moth balls and gave it a go. I compared it to my recently purchased Roland Integra-7. Well, to my ear the JV-880 will do just fine for my still primitive setup. I will give the Integra-7 to my granddaughter. She has her own simple studio she uses for sound tracks for video games.
Was a big fan of those sounds back then, had the JV1080,XV3080,XV5080,XP80,MVS1 and i think nearly all interesting expansions....in my hands.But i also loved the U220 it was like the JD880 so PSB.
The U-220 is great.
I just came up on one for free!
Just bought one of these for 200USD after shipping. Can't wait to try it and compare it to my XV5050.
Still I have mine and the JV-2080. Great synth, I love it. I would like the keyboard version too, but it's very rare to find one in good condition without the glue issue under the keys. Cheers!
Cheers!
@eagle As a 2080 owner I would like to know what the main differences are for you in sound between those synths? thanks :-)
Great talent, everything sounds amazing. Composing without knowing how to play the piano is very difficult, I think I should start with that first. 😢🚀
Cheers!
Great video as always Espen...I’ve had my JV880 for a couple of years but just recently started to explore it’s beautiful patches and have been using it very often now.
Many thanks! :D
Such a beautiful demo/synth rack ! That melody is dreamy and nostalgic, reminds me of Tangerine Dream/Vangelis.
Cheers!
Is that Miku Nakano from The Quintessential Quintuplets? I didn’t know you were into modern anime Espen?
That's her. I collect some modern stuff as well. ;-)
I actually got a JV-880, but didn't used it since a while. 😅
I got another one of these nice little units today for 130€. It had the POP expansion board installed as well as the PCM1-01 piano collection sound card. I thought it was quite a good deal 🙂
Wow. This is amazing. I've just been doodling with FL Studio at a very amateur level since 2005 with a cheap midi board. Used FL Studio for a lot of years early on without a keyboard at all! I've always wondered what type of equipment goes into a full setup like THIS. What software is used, what other audio components are paired together to make this all work etc. I understand the sounds themselves are indeed all coming from the sound module of course. My audio setup involves a laptop with FL Studio on it, and a stereo receiver with Cerwin Vega VS 120s. Have debated trying to construct a better audio setup. I just play around at home, making pretty rudimentary songs etc. Love the drum sounds from this sound module! Always loved that old 80s/early90s drum soundtrack sound.
The Roland JV-880 was heard on the show The Critic.
well they were the cheapest of the bunch. that will probably change after this video
JV-880 is the only Roland hardware I kept around after going to software synths~^^
I am wearing a JV-880 hat I made myself do that people will start conversations about something good! The Orchestra 2 expansion card is amazing in this synth.
Haha.. I see you couldn't go without a little "I07 SLAP !!!"! It's all over most of my songs too. Punchy little wascal that cuts through most mixes and just sits there! :D You can hear it clearly in the middle slap section here for instance: th-cam.com/video/gVT55OoMXY4/w-d-xo.html
Truly a great module I'll never get rid of myself. :D
I like to use those slaps for the first 2-3 ms of sound. The rest I mask out. ;-)
The JV880 DAC is a Burr Brown PCM69AP. it's the only one in the JV/JX range that use this component as D/A output converter on the main out. I'm sure this is a part of the overall great sounding of the unit.
That's true. I believe so too.
What's special about that component as opposed to the ones used in the others in the range? Aside from just being "higher quality"?
What about the JV-90? does it also use that DAC as it's the same engine?
With a suitable extension and together with the Sound Canvas SC55 I made some (MIDI-based) classical compositions some years ago
Hi Espen! Have you ever used the Korg X3 or X3R? It would be great if you could do a video on them sometime
Yes I have, but I don't own them anymore.
I appreciate it for what it brought over to the Sound Canvas series especially.
Sounds similar to the studio canvas sd80 and 90.
Much love for the elder JV romplers. The sound design done on the presets and the raw waveforms was top notch! Still very used machines today. Looking forward to hear the game soundtrack (when will the game be released?) and thanks again Espen for the review!
Can't say nothing about that game. Cheers! :D
to me, this is not a rompler neither. Agree ?
I have the JV-1010 with the expansion pack boards and it's still awesome.
Great demo Espen!I used to have a jv-80 in the past years and I had a feeling that sounded better than a 1080 or XP-80 as well...The last month I bought a JV-880 but the display had no backlight.Do you know any new equivalent lcd display for replacement?
Thanks! I have no clue where to get a replacement for this though.
Yes it was the best module ever! I have this modul and Roland Pop Card. This is a beautiful combination!👍🤝
The Pop expansion board was basically everything that should have also been in the JV80/880 but wasn't.
I love your watch I have the same one
Hey Espen, nice demo. Looks like we have similar taste in 500 series modules... I have those SSL EQ's, two channels of Neve pre's, and also two SSL compressors. Also, the early JV modules are quite nice, and I've had the 880, and the 2080 in my rack since they came out. Sometimes it IS just the right sauce for the mix! Try mixing something like the MKS-80 with the JV-880 when you do pads - it's very nice once you dial in the ratios.
Yes, layering is key to so much. ;-)
Oh finally!!! I have a module that Espen "didn't" already have. lol
I think this was the first Roland module I got followed by the 1010 then the 1080. I went a stage further though and got both the "04" and "08" expansion modules which contain all the vintage and classic synth patches. Hey Espen, you really "need" to get yourself those expansion modules if you haven't got them already. They're well worth it. Just don't pay any more than €80 for either card.
I actually told a friend that I would get advice to get those cards once I uploaded this video. I'm not really interested in those cards. I only use a couple of sounds of this and I use the same sounds every time, for the same thing. ;-)
Greetings from Venezuela Thanks for this information, I have this module in digital format and I had not paid attention to it, I just discovered that I have a monster in my study ...
Cheers!
aaaah! So cool! I forgot my Rack full of JV 880 and X3R and D110 ...
Now i pull it out!! Thank you!!
Cheers! :D
My JV-80 is not very well at the moment. 🤕
Main problem is membrane switches.
If it's only switches then I can DIY but, if the faults go deeper, it will have to go to the 'Roland Doctor' along the coast.
I'll need money for that though ...
🤞it's not too serious.
I own a JV-1080 and heard that this “sounds better” than it from a few sources now. Interesting! May have to pick one up. Is the factory sounds it ships with different enough that it’s worth owning? I suppose you can fill with different module/cards... but yeah, might be wise to throw in the orchestral sounds in this one and other sounds keep on the 1080...
I only use factory sounds here and these are the sounds I only ever needed. ;-)
@@EspenKraft Very interesting! I’ll have to pick one up!
I have a JV-880 that I haven't used in a while. Had no idea about the analog feel function. Thanks for the tip!
Cheers!
Great video Espen - I do remember seeing the JV-880 (and JV-80) back in the early 90s so it's great to see this video and it still sounds great today. Just a question - is layering a synth brass sound with a synth bass a common trick to fatten up a bass sound, or just something you invented, and would you recommend it for us to try? I might experiment with that myself.
Thanks! Layering is and was always used for various reasons. Sometimes to fatten up parts, or to get the attack of one sound and the body of another. Pay attention to phasing and cancelled low end. You will almost always have to do some processing to each track to help them "glue".
I love mine! I’ve had the JV-80 since it came out. And a few 880’s too. Check my videos on youtube too where I demonstrate original patches. Love your videos Espen.👍
I love Roland , I own alot of the Roland Samplers, S550, S770, MV 8800, The jv880 puts me in the mindset of the S700 series. Very lush and thick sounding digital.
Thank you for making this video right after I bought one!
Cheers!
Just played a beat up JV-90 at the local guitar shop. And wow, it really has some vibe... lovely sounding synth, very relevant for pads and basses. Chorus sounds lovely. But also has those campy vox patches to blow Gen X minds. Hahah
Wow.... Crazy warmth! Thanks for the heads up! The 990 was always my all time fav. Module. Going hunting! 😉
Cheers!
Picked up a JV-1080 this week for the ease of programming new patches vs the JV-880; haven't been disappointed so far. Getting the physical unit vs subscribing to Roland Cloud was a no-brainer at current pricing levels. I fully understand why these boxes were the work horses for many producers and still are hard to say goodbye to.
Im not sure I would say "with ease", got the xp50, it's a dog to program, but I imagine jv880 even more??
Thanks for breaking down a great synth. Used a JV80 in the 90s. Loved the bell type patches. Crystal clear attacks with some bottom end.
Cheers!
Great video as always! I must tell you this though. I was watching this while sitting in my home office, all alone, having a bite to eat, with headphones. When you showed the settings on your outboard gear and started changing switches, I was looking down, and just heard the clicking of the switches. It actually made me look up and around in a slightly paranoid state, because I thought there was someone else with me, of fiddling with the outside door...
Spooky. ;-)
What a great sounding module. Really love the arrangement you came up with.
Many thanks my friend! :D
I was 18 back and soo wanted that one but so poor I could only afford a second hand U-110... ;) Awesome demo as always!
Cheers! :D
Hey Espen, bought one and it arrived yesterday. As you sayd amazing strings and really deep. Love it and now looking for some further soundpatches.
Congrats!
What a beautiful track! That beat! I might just steal that drum pattern one day for a song ;-)
Cheers!
2 hours ago? That's 6:30am? How early do you wake up!? :-)
(Yes I know you scheduled it, it's a joke).
I do get up around that time though. ;-)
@@EspenKraft I wish I was a morning person. It would make my life a lot easier. :-)
I have to get up to get my kids off to school so I do all my work before noon. ;-)
Powerful sounds and crazy analoge feel knob - sorry, I only have the D-110 :( ;-)
That the JV1080 sounds hollow? I think that's not the case. I disagree with that observation.