I can't edit so I will just add here. I can also get a JV-2080 for the same price. Is it a better option in some way?

While JV-1080 is a professional sound module and used by a lot of composers in professional recordings, it likely wasn't used specifically for General MIDI composing. Reason being is that the SC-55 and other more consumer level devices were what people were more likely to actually have, therefore it made more sense to compose General MIDI tracks with those devices.

There is also a big issue with the JV line of synths when used for GM playback. If too many program changes occur at the same time as musical note playback, it causes a delay in the playback of the notes.

While I don't have a JV-1080, I do have a JV-1010 (which has both JV-1080 and 2080 samples) and this issue is noticeable on various soundtracks. And I have read that this issue is present on the JV-1080 as well. It's also present on the later XV-series of modules, albeit the delay is much shorter.

This issue does unfortunately mar what otherwise could be one of the best GM playback devices. The particular Roland GM samples used in the JV-1010 is among my favorite in all sound modules.

The other thing to be aware of is the JV-1080 is kinda big compared to desktop sound modules. While it can be sat upon a desk, it's really designed to mounted in a 19" rack. Smaller desktop modules are much more convenient.

If you can get this particular JV-1080 for cheap, you could always try it out. If you didn't like it, it would readily resell.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a sound module that is more suited to General MIDI playback, nothing beats the SC-55 (and variants).

Here is a video of each playing Doom music, as Shponglefan says, while not the original device sometimes other devices can sound just as good or maybe even better, comes down to personal taste.

1080
https://youtu.be/nD2ZNESH1oo?si=3PHrvDu5Kps_-L1M

2080
https://youtu.be/ImL3ig5q7-w?si=IKCKHQDLX61wq9lp

Other more popular General Midi devices that don't cost quite as much as a Roland are:
Yamaha XG Midi devices
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XG
This included their external MU MIDI devices
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_MU-series

or for modern alternatives you have the Dreamblaster
https://www.serdashop.com/MIDI

chinny22 wrote on 2024-10-27, 23:27:

Here is a video of each playing Doom music, as Shponglefan says, while not the original device sometimes other devices can sound just as good or maybe even better, comes down to personal taste.

1080
https://youtu.be/nD2ZNESH1oo?si=3PHrvDu5Kps_-L1M

You can really hear those note delay effects in the Doom and Doom 2 sound tracks caused by the program changes. Any track that begins with a percussive hit really emphasizes that issue.

For example, the Barrels of Fun (Bye Bye American Pie) song at 57:52, you can hear how the bass and drum sounds aren't in sync at the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD2ZNESH1oo&t=3472s

Same issue with the JV-2020.

In this playback of Doom soundtrack at 3:54 (E1M1), you can hear the same issue with the drum delayed compared to the bass guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNozgB3W144&t=234s

nimruil wrote on 2024-10-27, 21:42:

I managed to gather a lot of info from this forum and phil's videos.

i guess this is part of the problem. apparently, the suggested list price for the JV-1080 was $1695. videos like that probably make it seem like it was commonplace to use this professional grade hardware for games back in the day. meanwhile, CD drives were just becoming standard at the time. so common sense would really suggest it's better to put a soundtrack on CD instead of supplying MIDIs intended for a $1695 device.

not to mention, the GS standard had been established for 3 years, came with game-oriented SFX that were actually used in a few titles, and was simply superior for the purpose of sharing MIDI files.

I have a JV-2080, and whilst the patches on it are excellent, I've found GM playback to be iffy at best. I'd recommend a Sound Canvas first and foremost (Japanese auction sites, are your friend, or a proxy site if not in Japan), followed by a YAMAHA MU or TG series module.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It explains a lot and things make much more sense to me now.

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-10-27, 21:57:

The other thing to be aware of is the JV-1080 is kinda big compared to desktop sound modules. While it can be sat upon a desk, it's really designed to mounted in a 19" rack. Smaller desktop modules are much more convenient.

This is actually a deal breaker for me. Honestly i was too excited and didn't think it's that big but it's indeed huge and not practical for home use!

chinny22 wrote on 2024-10-27, 23:27:

Here is a video of each playing Doom music, as Shponglefan says, while not the original device sometimes other devices can sound […]
Show full quote

Here is a video of each playing Doom music, as Shponglefan says, while not the original device sometimes other devices can sound just as good or maybe even better, comes down to personal taste.

1080
https://youtu.be/nD2ZNESH1oo?si=3PHrvDu5Kps_-L1M

2080
https://youtu.be/ImL3ig5q7-w?si=IKCKHQDLX61wq9lp

Other more popular General Midi devices that don't cost quite as much as a Roland are:
Yamaha XG Midi devices
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_XG
This included their external MU MIDI devices
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_MU-series

or for modern alternatives you have the Dreamblaster
https://www.serdashop.com/MIDI

I'll surely check serdashop out. Thanks.

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-10-27, 23:52:

You can really hear those note delay effects in the Doom and Doom 2 sound tracks caused by the program changes. Any track that b […]
Show full quote

You can really hear those note delay effects in the Doom and Doom 2 sound tracks caused by the program changes. Any track that begins with a percussive hit really emphasizes that issue.

For example, the Barrels of Fun (Bye Bye American Pie) song at 57:52, you can hear how the bass and drum sounds aren't in sync at the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD2ZNESH1oo&t=3472s

Same issue with the JV-2020.

In this playback of Doom soundtrack at 3:54 (E1M1), you can hear the same issue with the drum delayed compared to the bass guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNozgB3W144&t=234s

To be fair i wouldn't notice this difference if you haven't pointed it out. I didn't expect pro devices such as JV series would have these issues, but it seems GM is not their strong point and these songs were not written for these devices.

auron wrote on 2024-10-27, 23:57:

i guess this is part of the problem. apparently, the suggested list price for the JV-1080 was $1695. videos like that probably make it seem like it was commonplace to use this professional grade hardware for games back in the day. meanwhile, CD drives were just becoming standard at the time. so common sense would really suggest it's better to put a soundtrack on CD instead of supplying MIDIs intended for a $1695 device.

Actually this made me realize why exactly game companies didn't use more professional equipment. GM works best on the devices they were made, and consumers mostly wouldn't have a JV, so it would be pointless. Thank you for making that clear.

RichB93 wrote on 2024-10-28, 22:36:

I have a JV-2080, and whilst the patches on it are excellent, I've found GM playback to be iffy at best. I'd recommend a Sound Canvas first and foremost (Japanese auction sites, are your friend, or a proxy site if not in Japan), followed by a YAMAHA MU or TG series module.

These are really great tips. Thank you.

nimruil wrote on 2024-10-29, 00:49:

To be fair i wouldn't notice this difference if you haven't pointed it out. I didn't expect pro devices such as JV series would have these issues, but it seems GM is not their strong point and these songs were not written for these devices.

It tends to be more noticeable in-game when the soundtrack loops.

I remember noticing it with my JV-1010 when playing Doom 2. Whenever the sound track looped, the delayed notes stood out like a sore thumb.