Keys, Synths & Samplers

[AJP]

I've narrowed my VA choices down to these two. Been listening to lots of demos, and sound-wise, the AN1X sounds soooooo fat and juicy to me. The JP sounds good to me, but lacks the fat, the level of grit, of the AN1X. Just wanted to throw out a thread for any concurring or opposing opinions. Watching a YouTube demo of the AN1X right now, and it seems like the fat is just dripping out of the speakers. That said, I don't think you could design an uglier synth if you tried (IMO). Well, maybe the ION (again, IMO!). Let the cage match begin :wave:

EDIT: I should add that the JP does seem to beat the AN in the arena of hands-on panel control....

[gordonwiebe]

I think you've got a good handle on the situation. I've owned most VA's at one time or another (korg z1, prophecy, ms2000, microkorg, yamaha an1x, an200, novation nova, x-station, alesis micron, roland jp8000, sh32, waldorf microq, access virus B + C - but no nord yet!) The 2 I have left? The an1x and the jp8000. The an1x just sounds great - the best VA I've heard in my opinion. The interface is pretty intelligently designed for an 8 knob synth once you get used to it. The jp8000 has a great interface - you can dial in what you want fast and fun. The jp does sound good - but, not as rich and flavourful as the an1x - plus it's a lot more limited in the sound sculpting department. keys wise the an1x feels a lot better/more responsive than the jp8000 - and, has aftertouch (as does the touchstrip). I originally sold my an1x to fund the jp8000 because I enjoyed the hands on programming - but, after a few months I just had to have some yamaha AN back in my life. conclusion: get both!

[Caligvla]

I think you've got a good handle on the situation. I've owned most VA's at one time or another (korg z1, prophecy, ms2000, microkorg, yamaha an1x, an200, novation nova, x-station, alesis micron, roland jp8000, sh32, waldorf microq, access virus B + C - but no nord yet!) The 2 I have left? The an1x and the jp8000. The an1x just sounds great - the best VA I've heard in my opinion. The interface is pretty intelligently designed for an 8 knob synth once you get used to it. The jp8000 has a great interface - you can dial in what you want fast and fun. The jp does sound good - but, not as rich and flavourful as the an1x - plus it's a lot more limited in the sound sculpting department. keys wise the an1x feels a lot better/more responsive than the jp8000 - and, has aftertouch (as does the touchstrip). I originally sold my an1x to fund the jp8000 because I enjoyed the hands on programming - but, after a few months I just had to have some yamaha AN back in my life. conclusion: get both!

So much for the cage match lol ...

[AJP]

So much for the cage match lol ...

Well, that certainly puts it in perspective! :eek:

Maybe both someday... got a 15-year-old coming up on :facepalm: driving and :facepalm: wanting a car.

I think the AN1X is out front based on sound character...

[Meatball Fulton]

The AN1x also has an insane step sequencer. Each program gets it's own sequence plus there are 128 "free" locations that can be assigned to any program...lots of real time control transposing and selecting step patterns in real time. Each step can control pitch, velocity, gate time and a single CC. If you enjoy step sequencing you will love it.

[wwwjd]

Personally, I went JP8000 specifically FOR the amount of controls. Love it. An1x probably sounds better but lacked lots of knobs for me. If sound is your TOP criteria, sounds like the An1x is it.

[ChristianRock]

They're kinda cheap. Get both. :lol: If you only have money for one, then sell the MicroKorg, you won't miss it :lol: One thing not to be overlooked is the arpeggiator on the AN1x - not only does it rock, it also drives external devices very well.

[AJP]

If you only have money for one, then sell the MicroKorg, you won't miss it :lol:

I like the MKXL for the simple fact that I can bring it to work and noodle at my desk at lunchtime. Unfortunately it's suffering a volume issue right now, which, looking at korgforums, is apparently common... the volume pot has no effect until it's almost all the way up. Both phones and line outs. Gotta take it in for repair :cry:

[zzzxtreme]

AN1X with aftertouch and more rare
JP80xx you'll have no problem finding

[mildbill]

AN1X = wool JP8000 = polyester Never had the JP, but I had an AN1X for a while. Don't miss it too much, but it had some nice features.

[DJ RAZZ]

My question is this why are new hardware VA's not wiping the floor with these original pioneers. I remember even back then people complaining that the Roland JP8000 sounded thin and digital and was not as good as the Nordlead 1, which mine you only had 4 voices of polyphony on the stock model. Why aren't VA's like video game systems just getting better and better. Sorry did not mean to change course of course...... Oh by the way just pure aesthetic reasons but I prefer the Roland.

[evildragon]

There's a software VA that's wiping the floor with any hardware VA available on market. It also eats your CPU for breakfast. It's u-he Diva.

[mildbill]

But it's software -eeewwwww!








:lol:

[wwwjd]

My question is this why are new hardware VA not wiping the floor with these original pioneers.

good point. I see these "work stations" etc with 64+ polyphony, and yet new VA's have 8 voices???? I suppose a Virus is a VA but it is priced too high compared to JP8000 etc. And Gaia seems too cheap - but at least it has a lot of voices so that is something. And.... if they can make great sounding Software Synths now (Diva etc), that means they can be put into hardware WITH KNOBS. GOSH

[ChristianRock]

And.... if they can make great sounding Software Synths now (Diva etc), that means they can be put into hardware WITH KNOBS. GOSH

You mean like these guys?

[DJ RAZZ]

You mean like these guys?

Is that just a controller or is it actually a new VA piece with software inside like the Arturia board.

[ChristianRock]

It's just a dedicated controller for IMPOscar 2. The software still runs on your computer. I was being facetious I guess.

[evildragon]

But it's software -eeewwwww!

Listen with your ears, then judge

[liliththekitten]

My question is this why are new hardware VA's not wiping the floor with these original pioneers. I remember even back then people complaining that the Roland JP8000 sounded thin and digital and was not as good as the Nordlead 1, which mine you only had 4 voices of polyphony on the stock model. Why aren't VA's like video game systems just getting better and better.

Sorry did not mean to change course of course......

Oh by the way just pure aesthetic reasons but I prefer the Roland.

I think the old VAs sounded really good for whatever reason and now they are mostly kinda boring. One exception is the UltraNova, sounds awesome, just wish it had more controls... with enough holiday money I might get one to control with my RemoteSL that would rule.

I would so buy Massive if it came in a hardware synth.

An1x for sound def, JP8000 for control and bec it looks so cool, I want one.

[realtrance]

I really stretched financially at this point to get an Ultranova, haven't regretted it since; it's a lovely instrument, and just plain lots of fun! Love the touch-controller knobs, combined with a massively flexible modulation matrix.