I've been looking for a new fun synth to work with. As I am mostly into soundtracks and create music as if it was intended for a film I like lush sounds. Some thing that can give a great atmosphere to a scene.
So I've been looking and reading about Roland Super JX 10 and Roland JD 800 for this. They are quite cheap and seem to be great synths but I can afford just one. I know that many of you guys has got a lot greater knowledge about these than I do.
Wihich one should I go for? Please help!
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:52 pm
by GeeJee
They're two very different synths. I own a JD800 myself, and although it's interface may seem close to VA, it definately is not. It offers a wide variety of samples which can be processed trough 3 envelopes (1 for pitch, filter and amp) and 2 LFOs per layer, and up to 4 layers can be stacked for one sound. It offers a huge amount of programming options and is very hands-on, and thus will enable you to end up with very interesting sounds, specially a wide variety of pads, but also leads and basses.
As far as I know about the JX10, this is 'just' a digitally controlled analog synth, though with 4 oscs per voice, as well as cross modulation (amongst others) this may offer some very usefull analog sounds. As far as I know filters are not resonant. Programming is done by selecting the parameter and changing value with a data slider. This may be quite tedious. At least, it's not usefull when playing live. It's sound is said to be very suitable for disco/italo/synthpop, but should certainly be able to do some very good warm analog pads too.
Taking you use it for film/soundtrack purposes, I'd definately go with a JD.
Hope that helps
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:07 pm
by PHASEREFFECT
The JX10 is a double JX8-P. Forget it for "actual" sounds. The Filter isn´t that good too. Strenghts of those both Synths (JX10 and JX8P) are soft backrounds and hard leads (Final Countdown from Europe was made for example on JX8-P, afaik the Lead and "Piano"-Backround and the entire intro).
Greetings
Stef
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:06 am
by jeremy
PHASEREFFECT wrote:Final Countdown from Europe was made for example on JX8-P
I want one!!!
Seriously, if you can afford just one, I agree with GeeJee about the JD800. I had one not long ago and it's a great synth (sold it because my XP80 has the same kind of sounds, otherwise I'd have kept it).
If you use a sequencer, the JD800 is multitimbral (5 parts I think), which is quite useful.
Do you have other synths (if yes, which ones)?
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:56 am
by GeeJee
PHASEREFFECT wrote:Final Countdown from Europe was made for example on JX8-P
You sure? Thought this was OB-Xa...
Africa by Toto Brass sound is done on JX8P though...
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:50 am
by Jakob BC
GeeJee wrote:
PHASEREFFECT wrote:Final Countdown from Europe was made for example on JX8-P
You sure? Thought this was OB-Xa...
Africa by Toto Brass sound is done on JX8P though...
It was JX8P, some rumours says two were used to make that sound.
Like other synths with no parameter knobs or sliders, you can get the PG-800 to control the JX-10.
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:07 pm
by Mogwai
Thanks very much for your answers. Since my exploration in the synth-world has stayed away from the mid-80's due to the overused sounds at that time I need some help.
Yes, the JD-800 really seems to be my number 1 choice I guess. It sounds so warm even though it has digital filters.
Why I asked about the Super JX is that both the Super JX and it's little brother are pretty common and cheap here in Sweden, even with the PG800. The reviews of those two are also very positive in general. When reading about the Super JX it's easy to get a vision of some kind of super-synth. I don't mind about the non self oscillation because I usually work with soft sounds and for the price that they cost it's ok.
My setup now: Korg MS10, Logan String Melody II, Nord Modular, Yamaha CS15D, Roland CR-78 & Boss DR110
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:37 pm
by PHASEREFFECT
GeeJee wrote:
PHASEREFFECT wrote:Final Countdown from Europe was made for example on JX8-P
You sure? Thought this was OB-Xa...
Another "source". If you´ll be fast enough by hitting he play button you´ll able to catch both JX8-P. One at the top with attached programmer, one below. The backround is afair the choir-patch, the lead-don´t know. When i´ve got mine, i had a patch stored inside the internal section, somewhere around program I22-I27. Maybe it was I25 and also called "Final". Cannot say which one was it exactly, i´ve overwritten it a long time ago. But it was definitive JX8P.
Greetings
Stef
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:54 pm
by GeeJee
Oh right, my mistake. Didn't know JX8P could sound that powerfull...
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:06 pm
by PHASEREFFECT
GeeJee wrote:Oh right, my mistake. Didn't know JX8P could sound that powerfull...
The JX8P doesn´t have much strenghts. As i´ve said, it is good for leads and "low-end"- backrounds in combination with the activated Chous and XMOD, but not for complex sounds or basslines. Sure it is somehow -possible-, but there it is imo definitive not able of getting through the mix between other Synthesizers.
Greetings
Stef
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:43 pm
by Pete
PHASEREFFECT wrote:
GeeJee wrote:
PHASEREFFECT wrote:Final Countdown from Europe was made for example on JX8-P
You sure? Thought this was OB-Xa...
Another "source". If you´ll be fast enough by hitting he play button you´ll able to catch both JX8-P. One at the top with attached programmer, one below. The backround is afair the choir-patch, the lead-don´t know. When i´ve got mine, i had a patch stored inside the internal section, somewhere around program I22-I27. Maybe it was I25 and also called "Final". Cannot say which one was it exactly, i´ve overwritten it a long time ago. But it was definitive JX8P.
Greetings
Stef
Hi all,
I remember a discussin in a Yahoo group sometime ago about the brassy sound of "the final countdown" but nobody really spot what synth it was.
If you watch the video carefully you can notice that the upper keyboard with the programmer on top (where the lead sound is played) is a Yamaha KX-76 master keyboard and not a JX-8P. So that sound can be from any synth (a JX-8P via MIDI also possible). Someone rumored about an Elka Synthex.
According to a MIX article about recording Toto's "Africa" the powerful synth sound was from aYamaha CS-80 while the Kalimba sounds were from the GS1.
P.
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:51 am
by PHASEREFFECT
Ok, since it is only a master Keyboard, it is still possible, Maybe the KX has a better aftertouch/velocity action than the JX8-P.
Maybe because of that (it is a bit hard to explain): I know from my JX, that, if a sound has a too long amp-DSR envelope and you change immediate to another program, while the envelope of the "old" program isn´t "finished", it won´t "reset" the amp back to zero. The amp will play the remaining value combined with the -new- ADSR-Value and with the new program parameters. So you will hear after program change -immediate- the new sound, but without pressing any keys. If this happens, you´ll notice often a sort of "scratching", depending on the new program parameters. Me thinks that -this- is really not wanted on Stage.
I -would- make a example, but it is cueently not possible, since i am about leaving my dwelling and my entire equipment is "secured" in my friend´s cellar.
