I bought this to replace my 8 year old (archaic in keyboard years) Roland M-GS64. This one comes with 8 times more memory for samples than my old synth, and is expandable with 2 SRX expansion cards. While my old synth had about 5 parameters to tweak per sound, the XV has about 300 more. The old synth had some good samples, particularly string, choir and basses. The XV has those too, and a whole lot more.
By freeing myself from the GM sound set (and variations), it leaves open the possibility to create very dense, expansive sounds. The XV series can use stereo tones (4 per sound) and can import patches from the JV line. I used to have a JV-1010, and all the programming I did for that was transferable to the XV-5050. My basic programming starts with a sound that is close to what I want, and then I modify it.
The XV-5050 also has a great effects section, which it borrows from the Boss VF-1.
I use the XV-5050 mostly in performance mode, as I use another midi channel to trigger bass notes with my feet with my Behringer FCB1010. In performance mode, you have to share effects across patches, but I don’t generally get too wild with those- I reserve wacko effects for my straight guitar signal.
The XV-5050 has some great orchestral sounds, pads, basses (including a great Stick), and pulsating sounds. Such a huge update compared to my old synth. It also imports Roland JV patches, which is great because I have collected several thousand online which I am still going through.
The XV series comes with a USB port and a great software editor. All gear that requires programming should come with these- I am hooked. I record with the digital output on the back. I never use it for sequencing, but record the actual audio of what I play.
In conjunction with my GI-10, the XV-5050 tracks very well. Even very fast passages fly by with no problems. Listening to my old synth, it is amazing how far advanced this one is. My M-GS64 was recently sold on Ebay, but lives on in the many recordings I have done with it.
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