trade my JX-10 for a JX-8P?

[CfNorENa]

I like my JX-10 quite a bit (esp. after having acquired the PG-800 programmer). But I don't really need 76 keys, and I don't really like the whole "tone" and "patch" architecture. As a result, I'm thinking about offering it in a straight-up trade for a JX-8P (if I can find someone interested). Is this crazy? It is true that you can get some really interesting sounds on the JX-10 in dual mode, and I'd lose that on the JX-8P, but as I say, the whole problem of editing tones on one patch, and then inadvertently transforming other patches that use the same tones, is starting to bug me. I don't think the reduction in polyphony from 12 to 6 would be a big problem (in any case, polyphony in dual mode on the JX-10 is still normally 6).

So, are there compelling reasons why I should NOT trade my JX-10 for a JX-8P? Any insights would be much appreciated.

[braincandy]

I'm not criticizing your desire for an 8P, but money should be a compelling reason not to do a straight-up trade, unless you have it to burn. The 10 is worth more for the extra capabilities (even though some 8P owners here prefer their 8Ps over the 10). If you're going to do this, you should be getting some cash, along with the 8P. You're keeping your PG-800, correct?

I understand the frustration in dealing with the tone/patch setup. It's a stupid, tedious system. Another VSEer (stillearning) has a JX-10 and he keeps a notepad with the names/locations of all of the tones so that he knows what he's changing when he edits a tone. That might help.

[CfNorENa]

Good points. If I were to pull the trigger on this, it would probably make more sense to sell the JX-10, then buy a JX-8P and, ideally, have some money left over. In any case, I will definitely hang on to the PG-800. And, truth be told, I'll probably end up hanging on to the JX-10, too. I would probably end up missing the layered sounds of dual mode...

[Pro5]

Personally I prefer the JX-8P.. one reason is size, another is the more 'immediate nature' of patching/programming , another again is it's earlier op-amps are warmer (this part causes debates and is mostly irrelevent I guess) and importantly the midi/sysex handling on a JX-8P is clean and workable (esp with a BCR programmer - plugs in and does what it needs without having to source a pg-800). JX10 has some quirks/flaws on the midi (a custom upgrade fixes that as you prob know).

If I layer, I like to 'layer' with other synths (with the 'simplistic' DCOs that are the JX-3P and JX-8P), rather against it's self (ie, I prob wouldn't particularly want to layer 2 JX-8Ps but add something diff in there)... layering is a big part of my other synths (the digital ones) of course, but if you take into account the fiddly JX10 patch handling, the whole 'layering thing' seems more of a chore than a joy. I'm sure I could make some very epic/smooth/gorgeous layered patches on the JX-10, just not sure how often I'd want to program it for fear of loosing the relation between tones/patches etc.. with the 8P you just program > store > dump all day long

I would get an 8P over the JX10, but would STILL like a JX-10 to 'complete the set' if I ever found one at a very good price.

Regardless of your reasons though, I wouldn't advise a straight swap. SELL the JX10 for a nice sum (EBAY) then buy a JX-8P at a lower price, you could prob pick up an 8P for half of what you sell a JX10 for if you 'play the game' right


*if I actually had a JX-10 I'm sure I'd be bigging it up over a JX-8P such is human nature, however in this case I would still 'wish' for the more direct nature of an 8P (or a 3P - which Is my favourite JX) - you could prob buy a 3P/8P combo with the money you sold the JX10 for.. and the 3P has it's own sound (different to the 8P) and layers lovely with the DX7 etc..