XV-2020 Synthesizer Module

By Doug Hanson

Earlier this year, Roland released the power-packed XV-5050 64-Voice Synthesizer Module as a little brother to the flagship XV-5080 128-Voice Synthesizer/Sample Playback Module. Well, now there’s yet another addition to the XV family - �the new half-rack XV-2020 64-Voice Synthesizer Module. This cool silver beast features Roland’s acclaimed XV sounds, two SRX expansion slots, a USB MIDI port for easy connection to your computer, and XV Editor software for visual editing of the powerful XV synth engine - �all in portable and affordable module.

The compact XV-2020 has a lot in common with its larger sibling, the popular XV-5050, including the same 64-voice, 16-part XV synth engine; dual SRX slots; and 24-bit D/A converters on the outputs. As detailed in the XV Editor, the XV-2020’s 768 Patches feature plenty of synth power: up to four stereo, velocity-switchable Tones; four multimode resonant filters; eight MIDI-clocked LFOs; and extensive Matrix Control per Patch. This provides the XV-2020 with expressive acoustic instruments, a wide collection of dynamic synth sounds, and 17 drum kits to cover virtually any musical style you’re into. The XV-2020 also has three effect processors: reverb, chorus, and a multi-effect with 40 algorithms to complete its sounds.

As you might guess, due to its compact size, there aren’t too many physical controls on the XV-2020’s front. Nonetheless, its four knobs make procedures such as finding sounds quite simple. Just rotate the Part/Rx Ch knob to the appropriate channel, set the Category knob to the sound family you’re looking for (Piano, Gtr/Bs, Syn/Pad, etc.) and use the Value knob to dial through the sounds in that category. From those front panel knobs, you can also do some basic editing of parameters such as level, pan, attack time, reverb send, etc. But these edits and much, much more will be even more of a snap with the included XV Editor software.

For some highlights of the XV-2020’s sounds, just set the Category knob to “User” and dial through the vast collection. Of course, you’ll find standard Patches like “XV Grand” and “XV Strings”, but you’ll also come across some great new sounds: “808 Synbass”, like its namesake, will add some serious low-end energy to your track, and it’s just one of many new synth basses in the XV-2020; “SmoothRhodes” has a lovely warm pad behind the Rhodes, and adding modulation will give you a nice variation; “JUNO Keys” is a great comping sound that brings back memories of those yesteryear synths. Basically the XV-2020 simply sounds great like all Roland pro synthesizers.

Of course, when you need more sounds, Roland has you covered with the incredible SRX expansion library. The current nine SRX boards feature over 2,000 Patches, and represent the highest quality sounds available. From the incredible playability of SRX-01 “Dynamic Drum Kits,” to the authentic SRX-04 “Symphonique Strings,” or the radio—ready sounds of SRX-05 “Supreme Dance,” you’ll find the sounds to take your XV-2020, and your music, to the next level. Having access to these awesome SRX-Series sounds is worth the price of admission alone!

The XV-2020’s back panel comes with both standard 1/4-inch and RCA stereo outputs, and a full complement of MIDI In, Out and Thru jacks. There’s also a 1/4-inch headphone jack on the front panel and a new USB port, which provides a simple, single-cable connection to any USB-equipped Mac or PC. Combined with the MIDI connectors on the back panel, the USB port allows the XV-2020 to function as a complete MIDI interface: Plug a MIDI keyboard into the XV-2020’s MIDI In, and it will pass that data through USB to your favorite sequencing program. If “software thru” is enabled, the MIDI data will be echoed back to the XV-2020, and out its MIDI output, if you like. The XV-2020 comes with drivers for Windows XP/2000/98/ME, as well as OMS and FreeMIDI for the Mac.

Of course, the USB port also provides easy access to the XV Editor software that comes with the XV-2020. This nicely styled software provides a multitude of windows into the XV’s synthesizer soul (it also works for the XV-5050). Every parameter within the synth is graphically depicted and ready to be tweaked. Patch editing lets you experiment with creating your own sounds, or customizing the presets to fit your playing style or particular track on which you’re working. And the Editor makes it easy to set up and manage your Performances for multitimbral sequencing.

If you’re new to synths, the XV Editor is a great way to learn about all those synthesizer parameters you may have been wondering about, and just how they affect the sound. For experienced sound-tweakers, the XV Editor will give you access to all the sound shaping tools you need with an intuitive graphical interface. As a quick example, the Patch “LFO Trance” has pulsing LFOs set to 145BPM. With just a couple clicks, the XV Editor lets you set the System Clock and Patch Clock to “MIDI” so the LFOs will follow your sequencer’s tempo - edits that are not possible from the front panel knobs.

With its great sounds and small footprint, the XV-2020 will fit into virtually any studio. It’s an extremely affordable way to add great new sounds, more polyphony, or additional SRX expansion slots to your setup. Combine two XV-2020s, and you’ve got 128 voices and 32 parts in a single rack space with room for four SRX boards! Or combine it with a laptop and a USB controller keyboard (like Edirol’s PC-300) for a lightweight, portable workstation. Either way, you’ll have an arsenal of killer sounds without having to empty your wallet.

Buy an XV-2020 today!