XP-30 History — Roland

XP-30

TheRoland XP-30is a 61-key, 64-voice expandablesynthesizer. Released in 1999, it was produced until 2002. Based on the acclaimed mid-90s JV sound engine built around a 32-bitRISCprocessor, it is considered to be the best value-for-money of all of theRolandJV and XP series synthesizers. Designed for live performance, the XP-30 is relatively small and lightweight but with full-sized keys and a large set of sounds (2078 when fully expanded). The keyboard is semi-weighted, with a metal weight glued under each key in order to improve key press dynamics. The XP-30 also includes a powerful arpeggiator with multiple patterns that can be timed by an external MIDI clock (such as a sequencer or drum machine) and nine built-in drum kits. The XP-30 provides expansion capability in the form of two physical slots for adding cards from Roland's SR-JV80 expansion card series.

OverviewThe Roland XP-30, released in 1998, was a 64-voice expander module based on the JV-2080 engine. This 1U rackmount module offered over 1,000 sounds, comprehensive effects, and expansion slots for SR-JV80 cards.
The XP-30 provided professional Roland sounds in a compact, affordable format. The 128-part multitimbrality made it suitable for MIDI sequencing and composition. The instrument competed with the JV-1080 and JV-2080 in Roland's expander lineup.
The XP-30 has become an affordable way to access Roland's 1990s sound palette. It remains useful for producers seeking vintage Roland PCM sounds.