I was considering getting one of these lovely machines, just curious as to what everyone thought about the differences between them. I heard that the Jupiter 6 has slightly scaled down programming, but what do they mean exactly? And how easy/difficult is it to install/upgrade midi capabilities (especially on the jp-8)? Any replies would be beautiful!

Well, if you can choose, pick the JP-8. It's bigger and better in every way. What they mean is that the cheaper, smaller and excellent Jupiter-6 doesn't have all or as much of the features of the JP-8.

Another option is the rackmounted MKS-80 with the programmer control panel. It's a rackmount JP-8. It's not as much fun without the programmer though. The programmer is called PG-80.

-tek

[This message has been edited by tekminus (edited 06-10-2002).]

The JP-8 is an 8 voice and the JP-6 is a 6 voice . Also the JP-8 has a slightly better modulation section . But ! The JP-6 has MIDI ! You can't go wrong either way , also the JP-8 is not quite as stable in tuning as the JP-6 . Don't let that scare you though , the Japanese synthesizers are NO WHERE near as bad in tuning as the american synths like MOOG , ARP , and OBERHEIM . But , if it's an actual recomendation you are looking for , get the JP-6 , it already has MIDI , and it's cheaper than a JP-8 .

MIDI doesn't concern me, Admiral! I want that synth, no excuses!

I didn't hear both, but the Jupiter 8 just looks even more awesome than the 6. It's some kind of dream, owning one of those fantastic instruments. I do not use MIDI very often, so You may understand my little "Vader-Like"-quotation.... .

But but..the JP-8 was designed with the help of Chris Franke! That alone should be enough.

-tek

Tangerine Dream is everywhere . They helped producing the PPG Wave, too, didn't they?
I did not know that Franke was involved in the Jupiter..... .

Too bad they're so shitty now and have been for the past 20+ years. I've got 'Rubycon', it's awesome. I also listened alot to 'Phaedra' in the 70's when I was a lil tekling.

-tek

I like TD at the time with Johannes Schmoelling. "Maedchen auf der Treppe" ("Girl on the stairs", the title song is an edit of "White Eagle" for a german tv-film), "Logos", "Poland", "Legend", "White Eagle" and "Tangram" are good LP's. But Rubycon is very good, too. After Franke left the band there were not too many real good works, I think.

That's good to hear . It's just so rare that someone would not be concered about MIDI . Most people get there panties in a wad if it does not have MIDI . I don't use it that much either , I never have . I own 77 analog synthesizers - bought over 19 years mind you . Now I do alot of computer music but I still don't use MIDI that much . The JP-8 is the one , but the JP-6 ain't bad either .

77 synths? damn that's a lot of machines. midi doesn't concern me overly either, it would just be nice as an additional convenient feature. actually playing the synth is infinitely more expressive (not to mention enjoyable). i think i am sold on the jp-8, i had the opportunity to play one the other day and it is incredible!! really retro, vintage sounding but in a completely non-cheesy way, very quality sounds, rich, present. i finally lost my analog virginity! now i just have to get the money together...

Believe me , it took a long time to get 77 synthesizers . As for me though , analog is practically over ( god I thought I would never say that ) . I've been doing it since 1983 , there is no nostalgia for those machine in me , I was there . There just not cutting edge enough anymore . I'm mainly into SUPER COLLIDER now , with all the new computer programs out , music is more fun now . After all , I'm an electronic musician , there is NO excuse for not pushing new horizons , I'm done looking back .

true true i can see your perspective. i find computer programs to be a little sterile for my liking though, from my (limited) experience. i prefer something you can get your hands on, it feels like a better musical experience to me. what kind of programs are you using?

its also refreshing to see someone who has been using electronic gear for a while and who isn't completely analog-obsessed. so many of these people seem to have a complete digital-is-crap attitude.

(when i say these people i don't any of you wonderful people btw...)

I use software synths like VIBRA-9000 , MODEL - E , REAKTOR , META SYNTH , RETRO AS1 , REASON , and REBIRTH . I also use SUPER COLLIDER which is a prgram that uses prgramming language to build modules much like a modular synthesizer but you can also mangle samples realtime . My main recording software is CUBASE 5 . Another good program is SOUND HACK which can mangle samples in a way that most software and hardware samplers can not do . I used analog synthesizers because I didn't like the way things were going starting with the YAMAHA DX-7 . When the sample playback junk came out , it was equally boring if not more so . Synthesizers were not created in the begining to rehash acoustic instruments . The sample playback stuff was a step in the wrong direction ( for me atleast ) . Sounding warm or being an analog snob is not what electronic music is about . It's about pushing new horizons . Analog synthesizers can not do that anymore . They are too limited compared to computer programs . Not to mention they are far more stable . As an owner of some MOOG and ARP products , having something that is reliable will spoil you . Digital is not cold , since it's so precise it lets you know that if you put junk in - you get junk out . It's nowhere near as difficult to make digital sound good , most people are just simply affraid of it . Electronic intruments are mass produced and the technology will keep getting better and better . There is no reason to have emotional attachments to this or older gear . I just keep the stuff I have because I keep it as a collection , I will not buy anymore though .

Get a Jupiter 8. Don't get me wrong, the JP6 is nice and all, but it can't touch the JP8. I can't think of a single thing that I don't like about it.

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