Roland XP-10 Multitimbral Synthesizer

Roland Updated: 2009-02-10 RSS
Roland XP-10 Multitimbral Synthesizer

With a collection of advanced features for live performers and MIDI studios, the XP-10 packages outstanding performance in an affordable instrument. The XP-10 features an arpeggiator that syncs to MIDI and a special "X-Dual" function which allows radical sound variations and brand new tone possibilities by blending upper and lower Tones.

The XP-10 was an entry-level Workstation synthesizer. It's a digital synthesizer that uses sampled sounds and waveforms stored on ROM chips. Basic envelope and filter settings can be manipulated to tweak the sounds, but that's it. The sounds themselves are preset and not very tweakable. Though its filter is digital, it is resonant and sounds ok. There is also basic reverb and chorus effects. However, the LCD display is narrow and programming can become tedious, if not boring and the interface is often reported as being 'buggy'.

However, its sounds can be anything but boring at times! Standard GM-set and SR-JV80 type sounds include great acoustic instruments (pianos, strings, winds, percussion and brass) and a lot of nice synth-type sounds (303 lines, sub bass, noise, leads, pads). It is quite capable of creating dance music or symphonic performances.

As a workstation, the XP-10 provides at least a starting point. It has an arpeggiator with several preset patterns (but no user patterns). There are two programmable sliders for real-time control of some of the editable parameters like the filter cutoff. Another feature called "X-Dual" mode layers two sounds which can be panned and mixed independently to create a new sound. Today, the XP-10 makes an ok back-up synth for quality but basic sounds, but it still leaves much to be desired.

* 28-voice polyphonic, 16-part multitimbral synthesizer
* 594 sounds: 338 Tones and 16 rhythm sets, 256 User Tones and 20 User rhythm sets
* GM/GS compatible
* Arpeggiator and X-Dual functions
* Built-in serial computer interface
* Redesigned modulation lever
* Note that this product is no longer in production. Similar capabilties can be found in the RS-5 64-Voice Synthesizer.