All about the Roland Jupiter-series

-----Original Message-----
From: Royce Lee
Subject: [AH] Q: mks-80 vs. jp8: help me



I know this has been bandied about. . . maybe too much. But this question
is giving me an ulcer. I'm inbetween ordering an mks-80 or a jp8. I've
read the archive. . . and I'm not convinced that people liking one over
the other are fully informed. This makes sense. . . what person in their
right mind own both at the same time? But that's what I'm hoping for:
somebody who knows both synths very well. I have questions about envelope
speed, midi-lag, "warmth", "fizziness," "fuzziness," "buzziness,"
"bloopabiity," distortion, bass repsonse, midrange, etc. Maybe a
comparison of "standard" sounds: ie, square wave bass, pulsewidth lead,
sawtooth bass, string sounds, etc.

If you feel, and perhaps rightly so, this is too repetitive for the list,
please reply to my private email account: "rrooyyccee@...".
Thanks in advance, and sorry to bore you with this topic.

Royce

P.s.: I just got my peavey pc1600 and it's a real studio saver.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Moravansky
Subject: Re: [AH] Q: mks-80 vs. jp8: help me

> I know this has been bandied about. . . maybe too much. But this question
> is giving me an ulcer. I'm inbetween ordering an mks-80 or a jp8. I've
> read the archive. . . and I'm not convinced that people liking one over
> the other are fully informed. This makes sense. . . what person in their
> right mind own both at the same time? But that's what I'm hoping for:
> somebody who knows both synths very well. I have questions about envelope

Well, at the height of my gear addiction/excess I had 5 JP-8's
and 3 MKS-80's w. programmers. The low point of Jupiters was
2 JP-8's and 0 MKS-80's. Current is 3 and 2. Probable near
future is 3 and 1.

Here's a couple random comments first - (note that all
comments assume the MPG-80 w. the MKS-80. If not, it's
no contest. A PC-1600 is a pain to use compared to the MPG-80).

I could be a happy guy with a Jupiter-8 and a MiniMoog.

Whenever I have to sell something big to raise cash, the MKS-80 w.
MPG-80 is usually the first thing to go.

Even though the MKS-80 sounds great I reach for a lot of others
synths first.

If you have a reasonable amount of gear, the MKS-80 isn't really
essential. I think the JP-8 is essential.

Part of the issue is interfacing. It's easy to power up the JP-8,
grab some notes, hit HOLD, 2 octave random arpeggiation, and then
edit the front panel to your heart's content while periodically
wiggling the bender. :-)

I'd rather spend an extra $300 (actually 285) and add an Encore MIDI
kit if I felt I really needed MIDI on the JP-8.

I haven't set up the MKS-80/MPG-80 on top of a dedicated keyboard
and tried to use it like a regular synth. That may change the
frequency of useage, but we'll see.

If you don't need the arpeggiator and keyboard, or if space is a
consideration and you really need MIDI, the MKS-80 w. programmer is
the better bet.

> speed, midi-lag, "warmth", "fizziness," "fuzziness," "buzziness,"
> "bloopabiity," distortion, bass repsonse, midrange, etc. Maybe a
> comparison of "standard" sounds: ie, square wave bass, pulsewidth lead,
> sawtooth bass, string sounds, etc.
>

JP-8 is warmer than the MKS-80
JP-8 can be fuzzier than the MKS-80

MKS-80 can be fizzier than the JP-8
MKS-80 can be buzzier than the JP-8

The MKS-80 sounds more 'modern' than the JP-8. The JP-8 is like
drinking a brandy in a smoking jacket. The MKS-80 is like drinking
a martini in a suit.

The JP-8 is an instrument whereas the MKS-80 is a sound module.

--

___________________________________________________________
Tom Moravansky tmoravan@...

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Kent
Subject: Re: [AH] Q: mks-80 vs. jp8: help me



I've owned 3 MKS-80 (2 with programmers) and 3 Jupiter-8. I now own 1
excellent/mint JP-8 and 1 handyman's nightmare JP-8. MKS-80s are all gone.
Both are excellent synths, each with their own values. Tom's explanation
matches my own experience and opinions exactly.

Mike.

"The NDA is another weapon the fat cat uses to keep the secrets
so he can continue to eat strawberries from a young orifice."
- The legendary infallible Muzikin - 06/00

_________________________________===========___............................
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| oo|-.||o||-|-|oo--oooo.|.||-|-|||.||||.||||.|HOME PAGE: ................
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|_______|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||_|............................

>> I know this has been bandied about. . . maybe too much. But this

question

>> is giving me an ulcer. I'm inbetween ordering an mks-80 or a jp8. I've
>> read the archive. . . and I'm not convinced that people liking one over
>> the other are fully informed. This makes sense. . . what person in their
>> right mind own both at the same time? But that's what I'm hoping for:
>> somebody who knows both synths very well. I have questions about

envelope

>
> Well, at the height of my gear addiction/excess I had 5 JP-8's
> and 3 MKS-80's w. programmers. The low point of Jupiters was
> 2 JP-8's and 0 MKS-80's. Current is 3 and 2. Probable near
> future is 3 and 1.
>
> Here's a couple random comments first - (note that all
> comments assume the MPG-80 w. the MKS-80. If not, it's
> no contest. A PC-1600 is a pain to use compared to the MPG-80).
>
> I could be a happy guy with a Jupiter-8 and a MiniMoog.
>
> Whenever I have to sell something big to raise cash, the MKS-80 w.
> MPG-80 is usually the first thing to go.
>
> Even though the MKS-80 sounds great I reach for a lot of others
> synths first.
>
> If you have a reasonable amount of gear, the MKS-80 isn't really
> essential. I think the JP-8 is essential.
>
> Part of the issue is interfacing. It's easy to power up the JP-8,
> grab some notes, hit HOLD, 2 octave random arpeggiation, and then
> edit the front panel to your heart's content while periodically
> wiggling the bender. :-)
>
> I'd rather spend an extra $300 (actually 285) and add an Encore MIDI
> kit if I felt I really needed MIDI on the JP-8.
>
> I haven't set up the MKS-80/MPG-80 on top of a dedicated keyboard
> and tried to use it like a regular synth. That may change the
> frequency of useage, but we'll see.
>
> If you don't need the arpeggiator and keyboard, or if space is a
> consideration and you really need MIDI, the MKS-80 w. programmer is
> the better bet.
>
>
>> speed, midi-lag, "warmth", "fizziness," "fuzziness," "buzziness,"
>> "bloopabiity," distortion, bass repsonse, midrange, etc. Maybe a
>> comparison of "standard" sounds: ie, square wave bass, pulsewidth lead,
>> sawtooth bass, string sounds, etc.
>>
> JP-8 is warmer than the MKS-80
> JP-8 can be fuzzier than the MKS-80
>
> MKS-80 can be fizzier than the JP-8
> MKS-80 can be buzzier than the JP-8
>
> The MKS-80 sounds more 'modern' than the JP-8. The JP-8 is like
> drinking a brandy in a smoking jacket. The MKS-80 is like drinking
> a martini in a suit.
>
> The JP-8 is an instrument whereas the MKS-80 is a sound module.
>
> --
>
> ___________________________________________________________
> Tom Moravansky tmoravan@...
>

-----Original Message-----
From: cat
Subject: Re: [AH] Q: mks-80 vs. jp8: help me


on 6/26/00 11:51 AM, Tom Moravansky at tmoravan@... wrote:

> JP-8 is warmer than the MKS-80
> JP-8 can be fuzzier than the MKS-80
>
> MKS-80 can be fizzier than the JP-8
> MKS-80 can be buzzier than the JP-8
>
> The MKS-80 sounds more 'modern' than the JP-8. The JP-8 is like
> drinking a brandy in a smoking jacket. The MKS-80 is like drinking
> a martini in a suit.
>
> The JP-8 is an instrument whereas the MKS-80 is a sound module.

i was at a poetry event last nite, and dive deeply into those waters. let
me tell youy all, this man is a poet :)


__________________________________________________
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http://im.yahoo.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Peake
Subject: Re: [AH] Q: mks-80 vs. jp8: help me


At 8:06 PM -0000 6/26/00, Mike Kent wrote:

>I've owned 3 MKS-80 (2 with programmers) and 3 Jupiter-8. I now own 1
>excellent/mint JP-8 and 1 handyman's nightmare JP-8. MKS-80s are all gone.
>Both are excellent synths, each with their own values. Tom's explanation
>matches my own experience and opinions exactly.
>
>Mike.

I also agree on very nearly everything that's been said, having once
placed an 8 against an MKS in battle.

>>> speed, midi-lag, "warmth", "fizziness," "fuzziness," "buzziness,"
>>> "bloopabiity," distortion, bass repsonse, midrange, etc. Maybe a
>>> comparison of "standard" sounds: ie, square wave bass, pulsewidth lead,
>>> sawtooth bass, string sounds, etc.
>>>
>> JP-8 is warmer than the MKS-80
>> JP-8 can be fuzzier than the MKS-80
>>
>> MKS-80 can be fizzier than the JP-8
>> MKS-80 can be buzzier than the JP-8

The MKS sounds a tad deeper than the JP8 due to it's bass boost circuitry.
It 'speaks' at a lower frequency than the 8 (which is nice and firm in the
bass region around 120Hz).

I've never owned a JP8, but have had several MKS80s as I find them
very convenient (MIDI etc. for program change, volume, etc. and that
awesome Unison Detune). Don't own one now as they are usually the
first thing to go when the money's low. They're not too hard to find.


Mike Peake, Your Psychic Friend
___________________
Specifications:

>while i have your ear, i've always been intrigued by your moniker
>(your psychic friend). how did you come up with that? does it have
>any hidden meaning? :)

It's only about the sudden appearance of 'psychic hotlines' where you
pay $4.00 a minute or more for 'psychic advice'. I figure, if they can
be psychic, then so can I :) Only problem is, I'm not making that kind
of money!

It's also about being a Babylon 5 fan, where telepaths on Earth are
genetically engineered by an alien race to help fight a war against
their ancient foes (of course, they don't tell anyone about any of
this.) Suddenly, there are verifiable telepaths on Earth, and the
planet changes significantly as a result. I like to joke that it's
happening to us now, but instead of creating a paramilitary "PsiCorp"
as in B5, they go into the cheezy pay-phone advice business :)

-----Original Message-----
From: Royce Lee
Subject: Re: [AH] Q: mks-80 vs. jp8: help me



Analogue list,

Thank you everybody for your replies. The instant, VALIS-like response of
the internet is still a wierd thing.

I think I'm buying the mks80 simply because the guy on the other end is
being so cool about it, while the jupiter deals I've been working on have
been plagued by the profit motive.

That might speak well for the 8, I suppose. But I guess I have a lifetime
of dayjobs to make the 8 attainable someday.

Royce

On Mon, 26 Jun 2000, Mike Peake wrote:

> At 8:06 PM -0000 6/26/00, Mike Kent wrote:
> >I've owned 3 MKS-80 (2 with programmers) and 3 Jupiter-8. I now own 1
> >excellent/mint JP-8 and 1 handyman's nightmare JP-8. MKS-80s are all
gone.
> >Both are excellent synths, each with their own values. Tom's explanation
> >matches my own experience and opinions exactly.
> >
> >Mike.
>
> I also agree on very nearly everything that's been said, having once
> placed an 8 against an MKS in battle.
>
> >>> speed, midi-lag, "warmth", "fizziness," "fuzziness," "buzziness,"
> >>> "bloopabiity," distortion, bass repsonse, midrange, etc. Maybe a
> >>> comparison of "standard" sounds: ie, square wave bass, pulsewidth
lead,
> >>> sawtooth bass, string sounds, etc.
> >>>
> >> JP-8 is warmer than the MKS-80
> >> JP-8 can be fuzzier than the MKS-80
> >>
> >> MKS-80 can be fizzier than the JP-8
> >> MKS-80 can be buzzier than the JP-8
>
> The MKS sounds a tad deeper than the JP8 due to it's bass boost circuitry.
> It 'speaks' at a lower frequency than the 8 (which is nice and firm in the
> bass region around 120Hz).
>
> I've never owned a JP8, but have had several MKS80s as I find them
> very convenient (MIDI etc. for program change, volume, etc. and that
> awesome Unison Detune). Don't own one now as they are usually the
> first thing to go when the money's low. They're not too hard to find.
>
>
> Mike Peake, Your Psychic Friend
> ___________________
> Specifications:
>
> >while i have your ear, i've always been intrigued by your moniker
> >(your psychic friend). how did you come up with that? does it have
> >any hidden meaning? :)
>
> It's only about the sudden appearance of 'psychic hotlines' where you
> pay $4.00 a minute or more for 'psychic advice'. I figure, if they can
> be psychic, then so can I :) Only problem is, I'm not making that kind
> of money!
>
> It's also about being a Babylon 5 fan, where telepaths on Earth are
> genetically engineered by an alien race to help fight a war against
> their ancient foes (of course, they don't tell anyone about any of
> this.) Suddenly, there are verifiable telepaths on Earth, and the
> planet changes significantly as a result. I like to joke that it's
> happening to us now, but instead of creating a paramilitary "PsiCorp"
> as in B5, they go into the cheezy pay-phone advice business :)
>
>
>

-----Original Message-----
From: Mueller, Cord MED/ATL [mailto:cord.mueller@...]
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 2:48 PM
To: 'analog heaven'
Subject: Re: [AH] Q: mks-80 vs. jp8: help me


I would burn it down to a very simple comparison:

JP-8 has the more vintage sound, exponential envelopes, real sinus in the
LFO, very smooth sounding instrument. The filter is liquid. All modulation
depths are set to the save side, that means e.g. that the envelope can only
control 1/3 of the whole cutoff range of the filter, the crossmodulation
sounds nice rather than wild and so on. I saw it rather as a preset machine
with balls. You also get the famous arpeggiator. Downsides, midi is
optional, no velocity, heavy and mine had to get fixed every now and than.
Plus, vintage sound, high quality instrument,

The MKS is more modern in almost every way. It uses software envelopes and
LFOs, that means linear envelopes and no more sinus in the LFO section
(replaced by triangle). You might wonder why I am stating that, but when you
hear A vs. B you will hear the different. Anyway, instead of keyboard and
ARP you have now additional features like envelope control of
crossmodulation. Also the modulation depth has improved and the MKS has a
wider spectrum of sounds. The best thing will be the addition of velocity
and aftertouch.

Another problem is the userinterface. I like the sound engine combined with
the keyboard. Some people like stuff in the rack. My JP8 is gone. That would
be a long story but there were several reasons:
1. Nord2 covers most of my favorite JP8 sounds.
2. Money bought me a JP-6 with multimode filter and incredible modulation
depths!
3. Liked my T8 more than the JP8 because of keyboard, velocity, poly mod,
reliability.

Just my 0.2 cents.

Cord



Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2000 11:51:32 -0700 (PDT)
To: rlee@... <mailto:rlee@...> (Royce Lee)
From: Tom Moravansky <tmoravan@...
<mailto:tmoravan@...> >
Cc: analogue@... <mailto:analogue@...>
(analogue heaven)
Subject: Re: [AH] Q: mks-80 vs. jp8: help me
Message-Id: <200006261851.LAA10853@...
<mailto:200006261851.LAA10853@...> >

The MKS-80 sounds more 'modern' than the JP-8. The JP-8 is like
drinking a brandy in a smoking jacket. The MKS-80 is like drinking a
martini in a suit.
The JP-8 is an instrument whereas the MKS-80 is a sound module.

--

___________________________________________________________
Tom Moravansky tmoravan@...
<mailto:tmoravan@...>