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Originally posted by mef I am currently thinking about my upgrades to my studio equipment and I would like a hardware synth. Mainly for good pad and bass sounds but a good all-rounder would do. The Virus C looks good but I was looking at getting a second hand JP8000 too. Any good recommendations in terms of sound quality / availability in the UK I will look at prices after I have explored all avenues. I am going to the PLASA show at Earls Court tomorrow too so what should I particularly look out for? Thanks in advance people Martin

Both The Virus and the JP-8080 are only Analog modeling.. but im asumming you already know and ment that when you said "hardware"

you could pikc up a 2nd hand JP-8080 and a virus B for just a hundred or so pounds more than a C on its own.. people keep saying with the Ti comming out the C's will drop.. but I havn't seen that happening..

Anyway.. those two synths should give you a huge raange of leads and pads.. and some great basslines from the virus..

you could also further down the track look at the juno 106 or the SB101 for big analog basses...

Hey. I've compiled a list of some of the best synths in my own opinion. Someday I'll put more shit on there but for now, you might have a look at it to help you decide .

Official Hardware Synth Thread (compiled by DarkSword)

Honestly, while they sound good for several different elements, I think the JP80x0 and the Virus x are always getting a bit too much freaking attention. Get some damn different synths . You'll be more YOUNEEK that way :P.

Cheers,
Zac

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Originally posted by Analog Artisan Both The Virus and the JP-8080 are only Analog modeling.. but im asumming you already know and ment that when you said "hardware" you could pikc up a 2nd hand JP-8080 and a virus B for just a hundred or so pounds more than a C on its own.. people keep saying with the Ti comming out the C's will drop.. but I havn't seen that happening.. Anyway.. those two synths should give you a huge raange of leads and pads.. and some great basslines from the virus.. you could also further down the track look at the juno 106 or the SB101 for big analog basses...

cool thanks for that. It is mainly pads i am trying to improve so I will have a look at those in more depth i think. thanks for the suggestions though

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Originally posted by IDarkISwordI Hey. I've compiled a list of some of the best synths in my own opinion. Someday I'll put more shit on there but for now, you might have a look at it to help you decide . Official Hardware Synth Thread (compiled by DarkSword) Honestly, while they sound good for several different elements, I think the JP80x0 and the Virus x are always getting a bit too much freaking attention. Get some damn different synths . You'll be more YOUNEEK that way :P. Cheers, Zac

heheh thanks for that man. I did remember reading that thread a while ago but forgot about it. Comes in very handy doesnt it!

Thanks for the advice matey

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in all honesty...and I cant believe I'm saying this but I would go software for pads...a lot of the vstis are more versitile now than almost any other HD synth....Absynth can do some crazy stuff...also Atmosphere is one amazing pad monster...and it was made using like 100 different synths.

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Originally posted by Analog Artisan Both The Virus and the JP-8080 are only Analog modeling.. but im asumming you already know and ment that when you said "hardware" you could pikc up a 2nd hand JP-8080 and a virus B for just a hundred or so pounds more than a C on its own.. people keep saying with the Ti comming out the C's will drop.. but I havn't seen that happening.. Anyway.. those two synths should give you a huge raange of leads and pads.. and some great basslines from the virus.. you could also further down the track look at the juno 106 or the SB101 for big analog basses...

JP8080 for teh win. It makes gorgeous pads, definitely the cream of the crop.

As for the Juno 106.. those things are so difficult to find in decent condition, since they were made so cheaply and tend to be on the verge of disintigration these days!

The Vanguard softsynth is a modern equivalent of the 106 (well, it is based off of the JunoX2 synth engine, which was an attempted emulation of the 106). Both vanguard and the junox2 are great depending on what you're looking for (that is to say, the vanguard for leads, basses, and pads... the juno for hovers, stabs, fx).

Oops, I got off topic. Sorry.

Oberheim Matrix 1000 - for around $200 can't beat it! And it's Analog! Pads, Basses, leads and really weird sounds!

Another suggestion:
Korg EX-8000
Roland Juno-106 or HS60 (same sound, different casing)
Roland MKS-80 (Super Jupiter)

Stay away from wack JP8080 or other "beaten path" synths, IMHO.

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Im going to have to disagree on the Matrix-1000. Its essentially a Matrix 6R, but without any programming ability with it. It defeats a large portion of the purpose of having hardware, the controls! If you go with a Matrix, spend the extra $100-$150 for the freakin controls on the Matrix 6R . I'd have to agree on the other synths you suggested though .

Cheers,
Zac

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well i have had a go on a nord rack and also a moog and they were class but i still think i would go for a JP. call me old fashioned ut I still think it has a classy sound

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Originally posted by emc^2 Oberheim Matrix 1000 - for around $200 can't beat it! And it's Analog! Pads, Basses, leads and really weird sounds! Another suggestion: Korg EX-8000 Roland Juno-106 or HS60 (same sound, different casing) Roland MKS-80 (Super Jupiter) Stay away from wack JP8080 or other "beaten path" synths, IMHO.

I also disagree for different reasons... You can edit it via a editor. But the envelopes are slow and the wrong shape for a really punchy bass...

The mks80 is a good choice but the sound also depends on what Rev you get because there are no revs. both having different filters...

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Originally posted by IDarkISwordI Im going to have to disagree on the Matrix-1000. Its essentially a Matrix 6R, but without any programming ability with it.

In that case...track down a cheetah ms6, which is essentially a matrix 1000 but fully editiable from the unit itself .
Cheaper too- but rather rare.
Good though!
My own personal cheetah has a bit of history to it- I bought it from Liam Howlett....yes....the Liam from The Prodigy! It has a tendedncy to give me a 240 volt shock from time to time, but thats a minor problem
Although- for some reason, they decided to make it 6 part multitimbral, but give it a single mono output .... fantastic.
It is true analogue though, but they arent without their quirks and problems.

As for others- junos are great, and loads of other stuff I cant be btohered to list. Think oyutside the box and stray away from the all too familiar JP whatever and try something different. Even the most hideous synths from the 70s and 80s are capable of some interesting and very usable sounds if you know how.

Analogue synths are like classic cars- great most of the time, but can be a real pain in the ass when they start misbehaving