How is this synth. Is it a good all-purpose, analog synth? Would you suggest it over an Alesis Ion? Any opinions would be appreciated. Thank you.
"K. Shaman" <> wrote in message news:2006051200010375249-kshaman@justusfewcom... > How is this synth. Is it a good all-purpose, analog synth? Would you > suggest it over an Alesis Ion? Any opinions would be appreciated. > Thank you. > Hey! I've got a Roland JX-8P. It's old (in case you weren't aware). It's only a 6 voice poly synth, with dual DCO's (Triangle, Pulse, Square & Noise - no PWM, which is a shame), Low Pass filter with resonance, dual envelopes & you can cross-modulate the DCO's. Programming is difficult (but not impossible) without a PG-800. The VCA can, at times, distort. There are only 32 programmable patches, so if you're into programming, then you're going to run out of program space. Not sure if you can get the MC-16 program cartridges any more, but that'll give you another 32 programs. MIDI is quite usable. Each patch is only 87 bytes long, so an individual patch dump won't take you forever. Mind you, considering that there are only 87 bytes of data (10 of which are the Patch Name), it shows you that you may get bored with it's sound making ability quickly. There is no way to do an automatic dump via MIDI (i.e. get the computer to do an automatic backup of your data), you need to manually capture each patch by pressing the patch you want to save. There's a HPF, but it's almost useless. It only has three settings - as opposed to the LPF which is a slider. You can't sync the LFO with MIDI, which is a bit-of-a-drag. There is a built-in Chorus, but there are only two settings (slow & fast) - however the chorus must be BBD based, as it's noisy as hell! So, with all the things that I've said are wrong with the 8P, why do I have one? There's some sentimental attachment (my first _real_ synth - first was a Roland JX-3P, which wasn't worth it), it's easy to program, solid as a rock (never had a problem with it - apart from me mistakenly removing the battery & losing my patch data) & I like the feel. Whilst it's not a "weighted" keyboard, each key has a metal weight underneath each key, giving it some "inertia". Also, even with this 'weight', it's a light synth (about 8Kg, ~18lb), compared with a Yamaha DX (about 12Kg, ~26lb). However, if I'm ever to get another synth, I'd be on the lookout for an Access Virus KB, Waldorf Wave (dreamin'), or Kawai K5000W. - Mi. "Perception is 9/10ths of Reality" - Me. http://www.mp3.com.au/nuMInous [Existance] [Impulse] [Patterns]
