The core sounds on this module are pretty decent. The Guitars and Synths are the best, and the Pianos are the worst. For those who want very high quality sounds the SRX expansions, of course, have the best sound quality. If your into Pianos try getting the SRX-11 Ultimate Grand Piano Expansion and install it into the 2020.

Pretty awsome features, more than enough to work with. The problem is in the software, though. It's really buggy and took me a couple weeks to get working on my Windows XP Laptop. Another problem is that you can only really control the synth sounds with a computer. Great for laptops if the software works.

Onboard effects are just superb as well as some great instruments. There's not much to break on this unit. I had some trouble installing an SRX card at first, but after the second try it worked fine. Overall wonderful quality.

The next product on the Roland line is $1400. This is less than half that price, and you can install 2 SRX expansions. It's the most "worth it" product in it's price range. If you can afford to buy this and an expansion, you won't regret it.

Here's a tip, don't let the XV-2020 break. You'll regret contacting the horrible Roland service. The Roland manuals, especially the XV-2020s' are just horrible, but most will be able to work around problems with the module without having to consult the 2020's manual.

The unit itself appeals very nicely to my studio and I'm sure it will to others ranging from beginning performer to professional composer. If your a composer thinking of getting a product like Gigastudio, which is the same price as the XV-2020, for movie scoring and classical work I'd say go with the XV-2020 and get the orchestral SRX expansion. If you like to compose or perform Pop/Rock or Ballad tunes go with the XV-2020.

Composer

Rock

Sound is ok.not great not bad. I'm sure roland waveforms are excellent, the issue here is with the xv-2020 hardware converters. Best suited for home/recording use instead on stage live. Outputs are low for a $600 unit. My keyboard amps sumo 300 and crate kxb100(both 100 watts)weren't enough for this little sound module. I tested with a roland kc-550 and it worked fine. outputs should be better. Overall sound quality is good. SRX expansion cards are outstanding, if you want to get the most of your xv-2020 you won't believe how much sound gets improve with those expansion SRX cards.

good menus, lcd has a support for just 3 digits. you need either to memorize your patch number or print them all, you can't do it from the roland editor or just program your midi controller before the playing. Anyway you have to keep the patch listing closer to you. menus are arranged by category which is nice and expansions(2) are categorized separate as well. RCA and 1/4" output are great however they are shared not independent ones, meaning both work with just one signal. midi in,out,thru is good.timing response is excellent in most cases. honestly I've never got a delay and you are just limited because of the polyphony which is 64 and each effect takes 4 voices(polyphony). It's a math thing. If your voice/performace have 4 effects your polyphony goes down to 16. Comes with 2 SRX expansion slots.

pretty easy, one of the easies I've seen.

looks well made. yes it appropiate for using on the road. everything is made from aluminum except the buttons.

expensive.

Haven't dealt with them

pretty

active musician

gospel, afro-caribbean

Pianos are excellent. Orchestral guitar is quite good. Steel drums are so-so. Accordians are very fine. Overall sounds are great especially when played through a Motion Sound KBR-3D using the Stationary 'Stereo' channel.

Features = buttons and controls. Am not a 'synth guy', so the simplicity of the unit works well for me. Wish it had a regular power cord without the wall wart.

Fit and finish are fine. It's a rugged unit that can withstand some abuse (intentional or not). The selector knobs do not always 'click' into place and the main 'square'power button seems a bit flimsy.

Certain select sounds are so realistic they can move you to tears. It is hard to place a value on equipment this good, so yes, this unit is worth the typically selling price.

Had a few questions for Roland regarding how the module would interface with a non-Roland combo organ(midi capable)...they couldn't be bothered to discuss and kept referring to the fact that, "hey it's midi-capable so what else do you want to do with it?". On more than one occasion, the Roland customer service person was a bit arrogant...should be extremely helpful to new and first-time customers.

I wanted it before and I purchased one....have had it for over 1-1/2 years now....no problems...if the need arose, would definitely purchase it again.

Pop and Standards

The sounds are beautiful in such a little package. The piano is superb, and the crchestra is very good. Overall sounds are all exellent

I really do not use any feautures on this unit so I can't really comment, but the feautures in the unit itself seems good.

Everything is fine. If you are going to be controlling the unit manually than I suggest that you don't do it in the dark, but the lighted numbers on the front. That is my only gripe. I wish they would have made the unit more recognizeable in the dark enviroment.

I think the price is fair, but it could be a little cheaper.

If customer support is a must. I would not recommend roland to anyone. I still want to choke the guy out at roland that didn't help me with anything, but attitude and debating.

producer

hip hop