JP-6 or MKS-80

[Urs]

I'm thinking of either

- Jupiter 6 with Europa
- MKS-80 with MPG-80

Which generations, serial numbers are the ones to go for? - I'm seeing a lot of contradicting stuff about Rev.4 vs. Rev.5 for the MKS-80. It seems to me, Rev.5 has slower envelopes but a filter closer to Jupiter-8, without the 12/24 dB mode selection? Are there similar differences in batches of JP-6s?

Note: Jupiter 8 is too far beyond my pocket money (I could get both of the above and a Minimoog for the current price of a JP-8). Is it really that much of a difference?

Thanks,

Urs

[hakey]

I've never played a JP6, but I did for short time own a MKS80. I must have had the not so good revision, with the supposedly inferior filter, because I have to say I was really unimpressed with it. I found it a rather 'dry' synth with none of the juice, or 'fat-greasiness' that I associate with good analog synths (if it makes any difference over the years I've owned half a dozen vintage and not so vintage analogs). I ended up selling the MKS80 within a couple of weeks of buying it.

(This probably won't help much, but I seem to recall that the JP4, with fully discrete everything, is considered by many to be the 'phatest' sounding Jupiter of them all.)

If you don't mind me asking, why the sudden interest in buying vintage analogs - research, curiosity, or have the 'you'll never properly emulate analog' crew finally got to you?

[Urs]

If you don't mind me asking, why the sudden interest in buying vintage analogs - research, curiosity, or have the 'you'll never properly emulate analog' crew finally got to you?

All of that.

It isn't quiet that sudden though. I've been looking at classifieds and stuff for years, but was reluctant to shell out the bucks. I also have a space problem because all of u-he is currently located in a 15 sqm room that also houses my Lego collection and the guest sofa. Thus almost all of my gear is either lent to people or stored in cupboards and flightcases. Hence plans are getting serious about moving into a spacious studio/office this year. That's also important because I need a sparate room for my breeding boards and parts for my own electronic experiments. Can't have the smell of soldering and circuit board acids in my development room.

The main trigger however was probably the Memorymoog I recently got which needs to be refurbished at Lintronics. They have a 1+ years waiting list, so I guess I want to cheer myself up with some alternative gear.

And then, I think I always had a thing for Rolands. My aural memory is totally pre-occupied by playing with a Juno 6 for a week and a System 100M for 2-3 years back in school during the mid-80ies, and by having owned a MKS-50 till, hmm, 1989 or so. But I havn't had any Roland around since 20 years. Hence my first Ebay purchase is a Juno 60 which should arrive in a few days.

However, I'm kind of hoping to get a Roland synth of each vintage era, so a Jupiter and a Sh wouldn't be sniffed at. In fact I'm hoping for an Sh-7 at some point... or the SH-3 before the 'a' maybe.

In parallel I'm thinking Yamaha CS-15 or CS-30. That's because the very first synth I ever played was a CS-01 that I was lucky enough to borrow for a day when I was 12 years old.

I'm certain these memories are highly idealised. Good thing is, most of that gear sells for the same price as one buys it, so it's not a tradegy if I don't like a certain item.

Urs

[Glyn Darby]

I had a JP6 back in the mid 80's that i swapped for a DX9(a underated synth i think) and what a beast the JP6 was,sonically and in weight.Like a fool i got rid of it to via a friend to a member of the moody blues and got a JX8P in return(brand new so i thought it was a good trade)how wrong i was.Wish i still had it now.If you are thinking of making an emu of it,that would be great as it is a very neglected synth in my opion.cheers glyn.

[ghettosynth]

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[ghettosynth]

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[hakey]

Good thing is, most of that gear sells for the same price as one buys it, so it's not a tradegy if I don't like a certain item.

True enough. That said, if you're selling through Ebay, you'll lose a hefty chunk, 10% , in seller's fees.

[Shy]

I'm certain these memories are highly idealised.

After using a Roland SH-5 which literally brought tears to my eyes, I would say no. Some of those synths simply sound absolutely astonishing, no matter what kind of idiotic sounds you make them emit. If I had enough money and time to spend on a synth that demands constant maintenance, I would get an SH-5 and would never bother with synths that sound like crap next to it (which is by far most of them). If there could be a synth with similar features and sound that is polyphonic and doesn't require constant, enraging maintenance, it would be a dream come true. I guess what I'm saying is I don't see a reason to bother with lesser synths if it's only the sound you're after.

[living sounds]

I personally wouldn't bother with a Rev 5 unless I was going to rip out the filters and replace them with something else.

Can you? Without modifications to the circuit?

[tomg]

I personally wouldn't bother with a Rev 5 unless I was going to rip out the filters and replace them with something else.

Can you? Without modifications to the circuit?

No.

[paladium]

stay away from the yamaha cs series (with exception of the cs80 of course)
they all have very weak filters (the 1979 to 82 series) no real bass end,
no selfoscillation , they are remarkeably unstable in vco tuning stability
(uncommon for linear voltage designs) , they do cut in a mix and have audiorate lfo's however, so generally tied as fx /leadvoices type of synth

[living sounds]

stay away from the yamaha cs series (with exception of the cs80 of course)
they all have very weak filters (the 1979 to 82 series) no real bass end,
no selfoscillation , they are remarkeably unstable in vco tuning stability
(uncommon for linear voltage designs) , they do cut in a mix and have audiorate lfo's however, so generally tied as fx /leadvoices type of synth

But they have a great, alive, quirky sound, too. Perfect for psytrance etc.

[ghettosynth]

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[Overflow]

stay away from the yamaha cs series (with exception of the cs80 of course)
they all have very weak filters (the 1979 to 82 series) no real bass end,
no selfoscillation , they are remarkeably unstable in vco tuning stability
(uncommon for linear voltage designs) , they do cut in a mix and have audiorate lfo's however, so generally tied as fx /leadvoices type of synth

Completely agree. CS-15 is here...it's weak sounding synth. Without any character I would say.

[Overflow]

BTW, in this price category consider Oberheim Xpander as well...