Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

I've owned each of those instruments at some point, so here are my thoughts on each of them. As Jambo has pointed out - each of them have similar user interfaces with their digital parameter access, which isn't as 'hands-on' or as quick to program.

Poly 800 - a lot of people don't like it, but I found it to be pleasant enough in a cheesy kind of way. 8 voice polyphony, but the best sounds from it use 2 oscillators per voice and reduce the polyphony to just 4.

Synth Mania has posted demos of each of the presets, which will give you an idea of how it can sound:

http://www.synthmania.com/poly-800.htm

Alpha Juno 1 - I really liked this. 6 voices of polyphony. True, it's no Juno 6/60/106, but it does have that lovely Roland analogue chorus, and the bonus of being able to control the amount of it used. I used mine for strings and pads mainly, and found it adequate for basses.

Check out Synth Mania's demos of the MKS-50, the rackmount version of the Alpha Juno:

http://www.synthmania.com/mks-50.htm

Yamaha DX7 - I used to hate the sound of it, but I succumbed to its charms. I really wanted to learn how to understand FM synthesis, but with the sheer volume of great patches that can be download for nothing on the net, there seemed no point. If I find Howard Massey's book, I'll give it another whirl though. A great keyboard action on it too but it weighs a bloody tonne, especially in a flightcase! In the hands of someone who knows what they're doing, the DX7 can sound rather burly and in some cases rather warm indeed. However, if you like your 80's sounds, it does have that EP and thatbass[/i] patch, love it or hate 'em!

Demos of the presets, courtesy of Synth Mania:

http://www.synthmania.com/dx7.htm

Roland JX-8P - Out of the synths you've listed, I'd say this was the pad machine. The 'soundrack' preset on this one is absolutely lovely - very warm. There are enough modulation options to make things interesting, but it's envelopes have been criticised as being too slow for snappy basses, which I would agree with, but it's certainly capable of some beefy low-end.

Check out Synth Mania's MKS-70 (rackmount JX-10), which is is like two JX-8Ps in one synth. The 'soundtrack' preset is demoed.

http://www.synthmania.com/mks-70_super_jx.htm

Of the above synths, I'd go with the JX-8P, as it isn't difficult to get to grips with and will more than satisfy most 80's sounds you could wish for. Next on the list would be the DX7.

Thanks everyone, I'm steering towards the JX-8P. This guy does have the PG800, but he will sell it seperately. How much do they normally sell for?

OriginalJambo wrote:I must say that none of those synths are good for learning subtractive or even FM synthesis. Not knobby enough for a newbie really.

I don't like this idea that synths for people not familiar with synthesis have to have to be covered in knobs. Subtractive synths really aren't that hard to figure out, you just have to occasionally read a few pages of the manual. Also, though people complain about manuals, I've read manuals from Yamaha, Korg, and Roland, and they were all sensible.

Really, what a newbie needs is an effects unit for their synthesizer. You're much less likely to lose faith if you can hear your sounds through some delay or reverb. Also, don't use a guitar amp. Those will also make your sound bad.

Paul00 wrote:Thanks everyone, I'm steering towards the JX-8P. This guy does have the PG800, but he will sell it seperately. How much do they normally sell for?

If you can get a PG-800 the JX-8P will be the best choice by far for learning subtractive synthesis. See if you can get a good deal when you buy both together.

portland wrote:I don't like this idea that synths for people not familiar with synthesis have to have to be covered in knobs. Subtractive synths really aren't that hard to figure out, you just have to occasionally read a few pages of the manual. Also, though people complain about manuals, I've read manuals from Yamaha, Korg, and Roland, and they were all sensible.

Trust me, it really helps to have a hands on experience to familiarise yourself with what all the terms mean. When you can turn a knob and hear a change instantly it's much more apparent what's happened to the sound and therefore what that knob "does" than flicking the data slider without any clue what you've selected.

I'm not saying it's impossible but it'll slow down many beginners and might put them off. I know that without the Ion it would have been harder for me to grasp the basics as quickly.

OriginalJambo wrote:

portland wrote:I don't like this idea that synths for people not familiar with synthesis have to have to be covered in knobs. Subtractive synths really aren't that hard to figure out, you just have to occasionally read a few pages of the manual. Also, though people complain about manuals, I've read manuals from Yamaha, Korg, and Roland, and they were all sensible.

Trust me, it really helps to have a hands on experience to familiarise yourself with what all the terms mean. When you can turn a knob and hear a change instantly it's much more apparent what's happened to the sound and therefore what that knob "does" than flicking the data slider without any clue what you've selected.

I'm not saying it's impossible but it'll slow down many beginners and might put them off. I know that without the Ion it would have been harder for me to grasp the basics as quickly.

Yup, the MS2000 was my first subtractive synth and it taught me *very* well. I agree, I'd go for that or the Ion, keep things interesting in the crucial early learning curve. And get Fred Welsh's cookbook.

If you're willing to buy it seperately (I think that's how they were sold in the 80's), you might consider paying $100 - 200 dollars for it. And, you won't be sorry about the purchase, unless every other key doesn't work.

I've actually had another change of mind, (lost count how many times). I have decided to spend a little extra and bid for an AN1x Yamaha on Ebay, it will be alot easier to connect to the computer and has an appegiator and good sequencer. It got a great review on this site and I also think it would be alot more reliable considering it's only 10 years old.