Is the Roland JV-80 a classic? You be the judge

[@doordedeur]

I had the rack-version, the JV-880 for a long time. I used it for the bright sounds. It still would function well to make sounds of other synths richer and brigher, by layering it with a JV-(8)80.

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

The JV-80's little sister, the JV-35 was the first brand new synthesizer I ever purchased circa 1990. It's still sitting in front of my computer as my master MIDI keyboard and go-to source for GM sounds. The whole JV line are some of the best ROMplers from that era. Well-build with crisp, clean samples and some usable synth features. The filter on my JV-35 isn't great for live tweaks but works very well for crafting new sounds from preset patches.

[@MichaelSouhoka]

And the best thing of your JV-35 is, you can add it's big brother's brain into your synth's body. What I mean is, you can bring the JV-80 true sounds and patches into your JV-35. Get the VE-JV1 Voice Expansion Board! You can still search it whether someone sell it second hand in good quality.

[@mechanaxe1]

I was gifted one of these years ago with the red glue oozing out all over from the keys. I contacted Roland and, at that time, they were replacing the entire key assembly as long as the repair was performed by a "Roland approved" service center. Took it to a local service center in Southern California and paid the labor charge of $100.00 for the .RnR of the key assembly. Was like a new unit until the majority of the momentary switches started to fail. I just finished replacing all 56 of the switches (

[@gearfacts]

I'm impressed by your determination!

[@arfandroid6729]

Tge red stycky ooze was monstrous...I had to 'overhaul' it myself, finished in 3 days...and I swear I don't want to open another synth ever again!

[@gearfacts]

@@arfandroid6729 Yep, so messy and awful. And I'm not convinced that it the weights really add anything to the playing experience.

[@grahamkey8496]

I'm still gigging with mine. Only had a few buttons and the power transformer replaced.

[@LittleRichard1988]

I personally have a Roland JV-1080 and I still use it. I don't think these Roland JV sounds are outdated or cliche at all. You can also get SRJV plugin boards for these Roland JV synths to get more "slightly more realistic" sounds. I personally prefer Roland modules over keyboards partly because the keybeds are prone to degradation and find midi controllers to be more resilient.

[@MichaelSouhoka]

Absolutely. In fact the patch "Real Pizz" is a legendary Pizzicato patch used in many dance tracks.

[@greenmantis]

still using mine as a midi controller in studio . Acquired over 30 odd years ago and in that time the synth travelled thousands of Ks in planes trucks and vans , Australia to Europe , SE Asia and countless shows from pubs to concert halls around the country. The keys did get sticky years ago due to mentioned glue age but fortunately Roland had 1 keyboard left sitting in their warehouse which they installed in the JV80 for knock down price. It;s been fine since .

[@gearfacts]

Tried and tested quality then 👍

[@MichaelSouhoka]

JV-80 is a true classic, born in the same year as the legendary JD-800. If JV-80 had never invented, we would haven't meet JV-90, JV-1000, JV-1080, XP-50/60/80, XV series and Integra-7. JV-80 is a solid ground of them all, and it have released in various choices, the keyboard synth itself, the module version JV-880, and expansion board VE-JV1.

[@glenesis]

Sad about that sticky issue. I had not heard about it. Glad I opted for an 880 rack. They really still sound great, maybe the closest Roland digital ever came to that vintage analog feel. Cheers :)

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

I've never had a weighted keyboard do that. I did have a Yamaha with that type of glued-in weight and a couple of the weights simply fell out. I just epoxy'd them back in place.

[@MJamesIII]

I got this workstation with the pop expansion from Wonderland Music Store in Southfield, Mi. It was my very first line of credit…… lol

[@StefanBoeykens]

Mine is back into repair for the third time. Classic clean sounds. I personally prefer the pad sounds which are nice but a bit sterile, perhaps. Not too much glue in mine, but some keys stopped registering. And the buttons eventually break as well. Probably easier to edit with patch software.

[@gearfacts]

Good on you for keeping this old workhorse alive :-)

[@DF-eg8vl]

I had one, is not a friendly synth to create sound with. It has tons of parameters but you have to wrap your head around the navigation if you want to put something together, lots of menu diving. The sliders do not send midi and are not assignable. They are just sliders depending on the function the window is, pretty much like a toy. Same thing with the JV-90.

[@gearfacts]

Yep it didn't float my boat either. There's a lot of choice out there.

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

Gearfacts when you make videos you can tell me what sounds you picked

[@dawnr8511]

It's a classic for sure. We just bought another Casio CT-670, but it was no bargain cause the notes play fine but then crackle at the end of the notes. I dunno what's going on, maybe capacitors or just needs a good cleaning- was coated with dust. Another truly "wonderful" seller that did not mention any problem. Got to be more careful when I buy stuff. Now I just wound up with another time consuming "headache". :(

[@gearfacts]

So the crackle can't be used as some kind of degraded "I meant to do that" kind of effect?

[@dawnr8511]

@@gearfacts LOL Nope. Can't find any tech information on what would cause it either. I guess I have to disassemble it and clean all of the keyboard contacts, clean all of the wire plugs and hope it works - very very time consuming.

[@Hwral]

Maybe check if the crackle appears in every way, the speakers, phones and line out. Maybe this could narrow down the range of causes.

[@gmm1904]

Can the glued keys can be fixed opening the keyboard and replacing the strip that support they keys when they hit?

[@tyanite1]

Great video. Thanks. I just got a JV-80. Three keys work, and some are stuck together. But all other controls seem to work. I don't have the skills to repair it, even if the repair is easy. That is a shame. I will have to sell it.

[@gearfacts]

You could always just connect a midi controller keyboard. They start from about $20 second hand, and then you’ll have full playability for your JV

[@marcusholder495]

Stay blessed brother this is a classic

[@pianokeyjoe]

I had the JV880 and I recorded great songs with it. I now have the JV90 which is a step up from the JV80 and it too has the same issues as the JV80 you have there. Works great remotely but none of the controls really work and I removed the completely useless keybed.

[@MJamesIII]

I purchased the JV-90 as an upgrade from the JV-80…. The JV-90s keybed sucked in comparison, as well as the patches.

[@bestrickie2]

A fantastic instrument. I bet you’ll repair it like new. Is it easy to set midi using arpeggios?

[@gearfacts]

Too much work for me to fix, but it's found a keen new owner now :)

[@bestrickie2]

@@gearfacts oh they might get him up and running again soon. I’m looking for an old vintage stunning Roland E-30 arranger keyboard featuring the stunning linear arithmetic sounds. I’ve a classic Roland Pro-E which is excellent. However, the Roland E-30 hosts an extra 64 sounds giving a total of 128 and other extra stuff..

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

Hi gearfacts I really like the organ sound on the Roland jv 80

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

The JV line had excellent organ and piano sounds for the day.

[@LittleRichard1988]

I like the Roland JV-80 and I also like the Roland D-70 and Roland U-20 which are also really good Roland keyboards.

[@LittleRichard1988]

@@lo-firobotboy7112 I think the JV 64 Voice piano is still a usable piano sound even today. But some of the SRJV boards also have really good sounds.

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

@@LittleRichard1988 True

[@JanKowalski-vh1rg]

I don't know what keybord to buy KORG X5 or JV80?

[@gearfacts]

Korg if you want to do far-out stuff, Yamaha is you are making music with the classic sounds.

[@JanKowalski-vh1rg]

@@gearfacts i bought X5D bcs with aftermarket presets it sound AMAZING

[@realnotes]

I have a Korg X-3. Looking forward to diving into what it can do.

[@angeljorgeofficial]

What was the arpeggiator used in 3:33??

[@gearfacts]

Something form my PMA-5 probably

[@endlesspresident]

It’s a diamond in the rough with the revered (jv80/880) lofi grit and the hands on control of those sliders. I look at this as a damsel in distress, cant help but want to restore it to its former glory, or do you think the cosmetic damage has gone too far? BTW, you sure know how to sail a shipwreck back to shore, great demo!

[@gearfacts]

haha thanks man, it did indeed barely limp over the finish line :)

[@pcuimac]

Another dream synth I couldn't afford back then. You make me sad. :D

[@LittleRichard1988]

It's never "too late" to buy one. The JV-80 was also made as a JV-880 sound module which might be a better choice because of the problems with the weighted keys. Or there is the Roland Cloud JV-1080 and Cloud XV-5080 VST instruments.

[@rolandjosef7961]

I was in my teens when JV-80 came out. I had one but only a clipping from a magazine that featured this synth. I had this picture hanging on my wall. My parents couldn't afford to get me one. This brings back memories when I walk-in to the store just to look at them.

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

On the Roland jv 80 I really liked the orgen sound on it

[@LittleRichard1988]

I agree they are still really good organ sounds. I personally have a Roland JV-1080 which is the module version of the XP-50.

[@marcinm.4196]

I still have one :) IMO classic :)

[@simonbrown7501]

I gigged with a JV-80 and an o1/w through most of the nineties.

[@gearfacts]

So that’s a vote for ‘classic’?

[@davidmartin123]

Somebody call the ISPCS (International Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Keyboards). MIDI to the rescue!

[@gearfacts]

Sold it to a tech student, hopefully it'll get a second life :)

[@ZenithMusicNet]

The JV-80 is the classic with which it all started. Even today in 2023 you will find these sounds back in the Fantom and FA-series. And that fact alone is quite remarkable! I would strongly suggest to fix the keybed and broken buttons and bring this classic to its full glory.

[@gearfacts]

Done and sold ;)

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

Hi gearfacts do you know what I want to see for my birthday

[@gearfacts]

A JV80?

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

@@gearfacts did you find the Roland e 30

[@gearfacts]

@@ilovekeyboards7830 Not yet

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

@@gearfacts can you please send me a link of the website you find keyboards at

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

@@gearfacts can you please make a video of the Casio wk 245 you haven't done that one yet

[@tracyephraim]

One of these piano sounds are Like the Korg m1 3:33

[@gearfacts]

Amazingly, after all these reviews, I've never sat down with a Korg M1 :/

[@bestrickie2]

A fantastic instrument. I get you’ll repair it like new.

[@angeljorgeofficial]

it TOTALLY IS a classic!! My teacher had one of these during the heyday of his band

[@angeljorgeofficial]

the arpeggiator plugged into the jv 80 makes it sound even more groovy 90s.

[@gearfacts]

Yeah I enjoyed it :)