The Roland XV-5050 represents the most affordable entry point into Roland's acclaimed XV soundset, offering the same high-quality sounds as its more expensive siblings while making some calculated compromises to achieve its lower price point. Priced much less than the XV-5080 and even the XV-3080 - the XV-5050 delivers Roland's industry-standard synthesis in a compact 1U rack unit with a distinctive brushed chrome finish.
Overview
The XV-5050 continues Roland's tradition of repackaging successful synthesizer designs across multiple platforms. Following the popular JV/XP-series and the higher-end XV-5080 and XV-3080 modules, the XV-5050 maintains the core sound engine while reducing certain features to meet a more accessible price point.
Despite its streamlined interface, the XV-5050 houses an impressive sonic arsenal with 1024 preset patches drawn from Roland's extensive 1083-waveform library. The module delivers the same inspirational, high-quality samples that have made the XV series a studio standard, with excellent tonal consistency and playability across multi-sample sets.
Design and Interface
The XV-5050's sleek 1U front panel makes an immediate visual impact with its shiny brushed chrome finish and colorful illumination - including a vermilion display, green/orange/red LED buttons, and blue/red legending. The interface has been significantly simplified compared to its siblings, with fewer buttons requiring more navigation for deep editing tasks.
The control layout includes:
- Value dial (multi-purpose for patch selection, menu scrolling, and value adjustment)
- Six rectangular function buttons (cursor control, mode access, etc.)
- Patch Finder button for category-based sound searching
- Ten round buttons for bank selection, part selection, and system settings
While this streamlined interface is a remarkable achievement for condensing the XV's extensive parameter set, it does present challenges for users wanting to delve deeply into sound design and editing.
Sound Quality and Features
Sonically, the XV-5050 delivers the full XV experience with no compromises in sound quality compared to the flagship XV5080. The module offers an extensive preset library covering virtually every sound category a musician might need, with the raw materials and sound-shaping tools necessary for custom sound design.
The XV-5050 does introduce some notable specification changes compared to its siblings:
Reduced Polyphony: Perhaps the most significant limitation is the reduction to 64-voice polyphony (compared to 128 voices in other XV models). Given that XV patches can utilize stereo samples on each tone (potentially using up to 8 voices per note), complex performances can quickly strain this polyphony limit, resulting in voice stealing.
Enhanced MFX Effects: Unlike the XV-3080 which had only one multi-effects processor, the XV-5050 features three MFX sections like the flagship XV-5080. However, there are some DSP power restrictions - certain effect types only allow one MFX to be used in a Performance, suggesting reduced DSP capabilities compared to higher models.
Digital Outputs: Improving upon the XV-3080, the XV-5050 includes both co-axial and optical S/PDIF digital outputs, allowing for pristine signal transfer to digital recording systems.
USB Connectivity: The XV-5050 introduces a front-panel USB socket for direct computer connection, with included driver software supporting both PC and Mac platforms.
Expansion Capabilities: Two expansion slots accommodate Roland's SRX-type sound cards. However, the SmartMedia card slot found on other XV models is absent, limiting storage options for user patches.
Editing Experience
The XV-5050's editing experience is significantly impacted by its small 2×20 character display, which presents information for only one parameter at a time - a stark contrast to the XV-5080's large 320×80-pixel graphic display. In comparative testing, setting up an identical multitimbral Performance took nearly twice longer on the XV-5050 than on the XV-5080, with more opportunities for error.
The editing workflow also presents some challenges. When editing Patches within a Performance, users must save these Patches individually before saving the Performance - a procedure not clearly explained in the accompanying manual. Additionally, the XV-5050 lacks an edit Undo feature, which could have been implemented without additional front-panel controls.
Conclusion
The Roland XV-5050 delivers the exceptional sound quality and versatility that has made the XV series legendary, albeit with some operational compromises. Its extensive preset library, high-quality effects, digital outputs, and USB connectivity make it a compelling option for musicians seeking Roland's premier sound palette at a more accessible price point.
However, prospective buyers should carefully consider whether the 64-voice polyphony will be sufficient for their needs, particularly for complex arrangements. The limited display and editing interface may also be challenging for users intending to do extensive sound design or frequent editing of complex Performances.
For those requiring deeper editing capabilities, higher polyphony, or expanded storage options, the higher-priced XV-5080 might better serve their needs despite its significantly higher cost.
Technical Specifications
Sound Engine
- Maximum Polyphony: 64 voices
- Parts: 16
- Wave Memory: 64 MB (16-bit linear equivalent)
- Waveforms: 1083
- Expansion: 2 SRX-series Wave Expansion Board slots
Memory
- Preset Patches: 1024 (128 × 8 banks) + 256 (General MIDI 2)
- Preset Rhythm Sets: 16 (2 × 8 banks) + 9 (General MIDI 2)
- Preset Performances: 64 (32 × 2 banks)
- User Patches: 128
- User Rhythm Sets: 4
- User Performances: 64
Effects
- Multi-effects: 90 types (three different multi-effects can be used simultaneously in Performance mode, limited to 50 types)
- Chorus: 3 types
- Reverb: 5 types
- System Equalizer: 2 bands per each 4 outputs
Connectors
- Headphones Jack
- USB Connector
- A (MIX) Output Jack (L/MONO, R)
- B Output Jack (L, R) (or Individual Jacks 1-4)
- MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT, THRU)
- Digital Audio Outputs: S/P DIF (COAXIAL, OPTICAL) (24-bit, 44.1 kHz)
- AC Inlet
Display
- 20 characters, 2 lines (backlit LCD)
Dimensions
- 1U rackmount size
- 482(W) × 220(D) × 44(H) mm / 19(W) × 8-11/16(D) × 1-3/4(H) inches
Weight
Power Consumption
- 9W (AC 117V) / 11W (AC 230V, AC 240V)
Factory Included Accessories
- Owner's Manual Set
- AC Cord (various regional versions)
- CD-ROM with drivers
- Rackmount washer set
