80s synth module!!

[Yoozer]

Also i should add i want a module with 80s sounds

E-mu Vintage Keys might help.

Anyway, any synth module is just that synth and no other. It's not like you get a "best selection of the 80's".

none of the new electronica/techno sounds: bells, electro sounds, strings, effects, etc.

If we're not talking about a sample-based synth, just throw those presets out and build your own.

If ya could could someone type a list of modules that fit what i said and ill check em out

When you refer to bands or certain sounds, link to Youtube demos - saves us the work of finding out what you mean, especially when a band has wildly different songs.

Furthermore, synth-wise the 80's can be chopped up in 3 parts: early (analog synths), FM (Yamaha DX etc.) and late (sample-based). The 80's sound is much more in using certain sounds (for instance, the gated snare with reverb or the DX7 E-Piano or the Juno-60 arpeggios) and mixing it in a certain way.

[Jack Spider]

Here are some analogue suggestions for you to look into, which should fall within your budget (going from UK prices, which are more expensive than the US).

Roland MKS-70 - the rack JX-10 (Super JX)12-voices, can be split/layered for two different sounds.
Roland MKS-50 - the rack Alpha Juno. Six voices but isn't multitimbral.
Roland MKS-30 - the rack JX3P. Six voices but isn't multitimbral.

Digital suggestions:

Yamaha TX81Z - similar to the DX11. FM synthesis is quite excellent for organs.
Yamaha TX802 - the rack DX7II, which is 8-part multitimbral, but reduces the polyphony from 16 as more parts are used
Roland D-550 - the rackmount D-50. Capable of excellent analogue sounds and much, much more.

Check out www.synthmania.com and listen to the preset demos on there - might help your research.

[urgetoplay]

Excellent suggestions Spider. The only module from the 80s with an arpeggiator ( actually 2 )that I know of is the voyetra eight. Amazing sounds, analog, but way out of budget and a nightmare to maintain. Chairman Spider's selections are definitely where it's at 8)



You can stop pointing the gun at me now Jack......

[braincandy]

Well Mystery Jets have some 80s synth, Van She they use some vintage synths thats all i can think of right now.

"80s" isn't a genre or style. It's a decade. There were a lot of genres and styles within it and there isn't one defining sound. I looked on YouTube for Mystery Jets and there are a lot of videos listed. If you're going mention them, at least mention the actual songs and where those sounds occur. People here don't mind helping you out, but you need to be more specific.

If you want a module that covers a lot of ground and gives you a little bit of everything, than I agree with Yoozer that the Emu Vintage Keys module would be a good place to start. It has a wide range of synth sounds, plus organs and electric pianos. They go for around $300 USD, I believe.

[Jack Spider]

You can stop pointing the gun at me now Jack......

It's not a gun, it's just the way I'm sitting.

[Spadz]

I agree the 80's was "sound". I don't make same sounds today that I did in the 80's, yet I use synths I've had or programmed in those days.

Do your research and look for demos here and there on the web. That will help you knowing the synths. And this site has a huge list of descriptions of synths.


Read.

[Gianni]

Wasn't there a Micron preset called "The80's"?


Anyways, it is a good synth for 80's stuff. I think VA + FM can cover a lot of that 80's sound.

[braincandy]

Wasn't there a Micron preset called "The80's"?

Yes, as it was also on my Ion. Somehow Alesis was able to capture the essence of an entire decade into 1 single preset. People are still wondering how they were able to accomplish such a herculean task.

[Spadz]

Wasn't there a Micron preset called "The80's"?

Yes, as it was also on my Ion. Somehow Alesis was able to capture the essence of an entire decade into 1 single preset. People are still wondering how they were able to accomplish such a herculean task.

This is extraordinary! Is it monophonic or polyphonic?

[Gianni]

Wasn't there a Micron preset called "The80's"?

Yes, as it was also on my Ion. Somehow Alesis was able to capture the essence of an entire decade into 1 single preset. People are still wondering how they were able to accomplish such a herculean task.

This is extraordinary! Is it monophonic or polyphonic?

Polyphonic of course.
Unfortunately I didn't record any demos or tracks with that patch but it was a bit of a resonant sawish 80ish sound.

[V301H]

The Roland D-110 is a low-cost rack module with D-50-like sounds, 32 voices, 9-part multi-timbral, and 6 outputs. Older Samplers like the Roland S-760 are relatively cheap, sound great, and can be loaded with any sounds you want. Very few modules have arpeggiators, but some stand-alone units to consider are the Oberheim Cyclone, Waldorf Gecko, and MAM Map 1.