I bought the Jupiter X and promptly returned it and got the System-8. The ZenCore sounds is horrendously 1990's. The ACB tech in the System-8 sounds AMAZING.
@@prospectnyc i get it & realize Roland has been regurgitating versions of this soundset since 1997. The problem I have is that Roland is insanely overpriced across the board, yet they charge for dated expansions libraries (software & Zen Core) as though they are fresh new concepts. And, now they expect to trap their customers into some sort of subscription service for old content? Meanwhile, Korg has included all expansions for their superbly recreated synths & ROMplers in their legacy bundle. 😡 you've gotten the old guy all worked up... better take my nap
I have done over 100 gigs with my system 8! Its sturdy and it sounds great. I primarily used it as a juno 106. Because I don’t have the real deal. But if I would, it would still stay in the studio. I once compared the s8 vs a juno and to my ears there was a slight noticeable difference but most people wouldn’t hear it.
I’ve had the S8 and now own the full-sized Jupiter-X. I agree the ACB models are slightly better, but for me, the overall experience on the Jupiter-X is better. Note I didn’t say Xm, but X. The build quality, keyboard, and aesthetics all make it a much more enjoyable and playable instrument IMO. And the real power lies in the ability to layer multiple engines, combining analog engines with digital to get sounds not possible elsewhere. Not to mention a much more powerful FX section and as Starsky pointed out loads of production-ready drum sounds. I find the overall package much better. When I need the “perfect” J8 model I can still use the Cloud or Arturia but when I want to play and create the Jupiter-X is much more inspiring than the S8 was for me.
What a fantastic video and comparison, thanks so much. Despite having both, I’ve never made the space or time to sit down and do this. Great to see the places where ABM stands up well to ACB, and where it doesn’t do quite so well. I’ll continue holding onto both!
Glad to see, that my System 8 is not outdated - inspried me instantly to create some new patches - its a delicious Synthesizer - thanks for this effort!
@@jasonekratz do you really unterstand my comment? but my concern are not baseless, because of Rolands product policy’s- in 2016, as i buyed the S8, they said „ACB“ is the future, after only two years they canceld this technology and annoyed their customers worldwide. That’s why many of us thinking this way. Nevertheless, its still working and sound very well, but the computer integration for the future is very unsure.
ACB is not “cancelled”. They just released the TR-06 and TR-6S a couple months ago, and the JU-06A last year, all of which are based on ACB. It’s still their best emulation technology and isn’t going anywhere.
I own a System-8. And no I don’t understand your comment because the System-8 has a great VA engine plus the three emulations. None of that will stop working. Not to mention the S8 engine itself is pretty general purpose.
@@st0rmchild @Stormchild Why they did not use ACB in the new Jupiters? So they can have this cloud cross compatibility? I feel like we are always getting an incomplete product from Roland, mainly talking about analog emulations. Each of them is missing a thing to make it right. Too many products atm, two technologies... People are getting confused.
You got the same conclusion as me :-) Investing so much in the fantastic ACB technology I do not understand why Roland didn’t make the ultimate ACB synth following up the System-8. 61 keys, more plugouts, more patch memory, more OSC for the native engine, more faders instead of knobs, styling like the Jupiter 8 and multicolored leds like on other AIRA gear (orange instead of green as default). And they could have called it the Jupiter X. To me the System-8 is more a Jupiter X than the Jupiter X. Jupiter X and Xm they could have named Zen or something. (Naming them Jupiter is just a marketing trick playing on nostalgia). Fantastic as the Zenology is - it is way more complicated - so you end up tweaking preset instead of beginning from scratch. There is a reason subtractive still is popular.
Great points! ❤ Such a wasted opportunity that their latest synth, which you correctly prophesized would be called Jupiter-X, uses Zen-core instead of ACB. 😢😢😢
The JP x3 plugout is a beautiful thing and it's the reason I bought another S8. Second time round ownership has made me realise how good it is. Its a pleasure to use as an actual instrument rather than a device.
Mneu, menu, menu ... killing the workflow ! Thanks for the video ! :) For my needs and to have this Roland kind of sound, I've went for the deepmind 12 desktop version (600 euros) .. and I'm very happy with it ! :) (+ you can rack it ;) )
I never doubt about S8 when I bought it. I had that sensation... "oh man, don't know, it's very green... maybe not... you know what? whatever! Let's buy it! Couldn't be more happy!! Best Synth I had! simply because it's very fun to use it and you can never go wrong tweaking it!
fwiw, on the xm you can edit jupiter 8 model's osc 2 "wave gain" via sysex or the james k hiser midi designer pro ipad layout and that extends the xmod range range closer to the sys 8 - still not the same though. Sysex to set osc2's wave gain to +12dB is: F0 41 10 00 00 00 65 12 02 [00/01/02/03 parts 1-4] 21 28 05 00 F7 (change 05 to 03 to set it back to 0dB). Video to illustrate here: ruclips.net/video/KCfKeatKiDk/видео.html
Very usful, I bought a System 8 this year and wondered how the Jupiter xm would compare. I am very happy with the S8 and I also love the green lights )
Great review/comparison. I already have the system 8 and I was starting to consider a Jupiter XM for travelling. Your video reminded me why I sent the Jupiter X back for a refund and shook me back to reality (all that faffing, nothing to do with the sound). Thank you 😂
awesome thx. Been waiting for a direct comparison of the 2 technologies. From the onset I've been surmising that the acb is better and that the Xm cheaped out. Let's see...
Thanks Starsky, ! For quite a while, I’ve have been tossing up if the price difference between the Jupiter-x v system 8 is worth the price of ownership (I’m not interested in anything with mini keys) so this comparison is fantastically useful to me! Cheers.
I got the Xm because it let me move along some SRX cards to offset the cost (pulled from my Fantom X, I may sell that too now) but I wanted a fully portable battery & speakers do anything type synth. But building up VA style patches from Init on the Xm is really fun, I find myself enjoying the M(oog) and S(equential) filters more than the Roland ones. So I highly reccomend trying the other filters if you're looking at Jupiter X(m). Thanks for the comparison. There is no Jupiter 4 in the X(m) but I should nonetheless get out my Jupiter 4 and try recreating some of those sounds on the Xm.
Hi Starsky, thanks for a thorough comparing video :-) I was tempted for a while, to replace my System-8 with Jupiter X/Xm...Not any longer! Parameter resolution may be higher, but the right sound isn't there. And editing without ZenologyPro software looks like a nightmare :-/
@@MUFSpoiler Well, the small variations in sound, were missing compared to my System-8 Legendary version at the time. But the parameter editor was improved in the recent v2.0 of Zenology Pro... so it may be better sounding, now a days?
I bought the System 8... the Jupiter X was much more expensive and the Juno X wasn't out. I love the pullout system on the System 8 but the hardware isn't the best. Zencore is more flexible, I'm not one for being concerned with getting things to the nth degree (some say ACB is closer to the originals) But I do like the Jupiter 4 and sys 100 etc... I'd have been tempted by the Juno X if it was out at the time, but5 the S8 wins from the perspective of having the classic tones I think (albeit with very limited memory).
System-8 hands down one of the best synths of the last 20 years. If they add the JP-6 to the ACB, and add a SHIFT+PLUG OUT option to permit three more models (either fast load over SD or 3 more if memory/DSP permits) then it's a killer. Got side panels for mine made up (UK - £30) too and they're lush
@@StarskyCarr Agreed 100%. JP-X build and for the (cough) JPX-A... logical... Everything in Zencore as it is, but add ACB too, and make that the "analogue" pathway, with 6 slots... that would be the Jupiter 8 of the 21st Century
8:41 re: plug out version numbering and whether they update on the green beast - per Roland “the updates to the plug-ins subsequent to the versions you already have only affect their use within a DAW, not on the System-8 hardware”. So no but it does make sense. The updates are likely just fixing bugs or to support new operating systems and nothing on the hardware. Looking back at System 8, Jupiter and Juno versions up to the latest version 1.30 (which added the JX-3P to plug out 3), firmware hasn’t updated the original plug outs since June 2018 when they added FM. Good review cheers. I looked at both and honestly went straight for the System-8. CV/gate out (I have it connected to a Moog Matriarch at the moment, making weird sounds 🤷🏻♂️😂), nice hands on controls of the original synths, full size keys, one more octave, felt less of a toy. I know the System 8 is a few years old now, but I didn’t mind paying the original msrp in 2020. Nice to also not have to rely on Roland Cloud too as the Jupiter VST kills my CPU. As for the furniture comment - Roland make wood side panels :)
I just can’t with Rolands NEW synths and user interface. The Prophet 5, 6, OBxA, OB6, Junos, and Minimoog are by far the friendliest synths to program.
I had an xm and returned it. I'm in love with my used Juno 106, got it for 1600. If I ever need a jupiter etc. Roland cloud is there for $20 for a month.
Would love to see you do some more vintage emulation comparisons, specifically the Jupiter X/Xm and some of the new boutiques. I cannot for the life of me tell if the Jupiter X's version of the JX-8P is as good as the newer JX-08 boutique
Thanks for this video, two great digital, I love my Jupiter X. Just a clarification about the polyphony. Jupiter X / XM (and also Fantom) have "up to" 256 voices, but for example with model expansion this is ABOUT the polyphony we have: Jupiter 8 29 voices Juno 106 15 voices JX-8P - 19 voices SH-101 15 voices have fun! Alfredo
Arturia did a great job on their new Jupiter and Juno plugins. IMO they’re now about as good as Roland’s ACB emulations. Still prefer my System-8 for the hands on control, but anyone looking for a software-only solution should definitely consider Arturia’s.
Love your comparisons, mr Starsky.. I love my system 8 since it's analog modelling just sounds sooo good... Was wondering what kind of music creation you recommend for s8... And are you keeping your s8 or swapping it for something better in which case, which one? I'm considering swapping it out for a Polybrute.. Love my s8 though..
Also keep in mind the Jupiter and Juno AND Jx3P come hardwired into the S8. They are not the same as the cloud plugins. And sound much better. Even if you put the SH101 over a slot, if you delete it, the Firmware vintage synths reappear.
@Luke dude it’s not a controller For a VST lol. They’re hardwired in the synth utilizing the built in DSP chip. The S8 is it’s own thing. There’s so much slander about it and misinformation online, and as an owner who bought it without much info on Google, it pains me. It’s not LIKE the Jupiter. it IS the Jupiter. Only with 2 more voices for polyphony, onboard effects, and velocity sensitivity for the amp and filter 😉
@Luke it totally is. I had a 106. Never had any issues. I sold it because the S8 made it turn into decor. Their ACB tech is the only VA that perfectly redoes the vintage analog sound. You can adjust the condition setting to dial in your own amount of fried capacitor goodness.
Saying the hardware came before the plugout doesn't mean they're necessarily different. That was just savvy business from Roland. It wouldn't make business sense for Roland to rewrite the algos. Have you actually done side by side tests?
Bardzo dziękuję. Wspaniała robota tym bardziej, że właśnie się zastanawiałem co mam wybrać . Teraz już wiem co będzie dla mnie leprze. Jeszcze raz bardzo dziękuję i pozdrawiam....
I love your videos. This one may have had unintended consequences however, further enforcing my leeriness of Roland’s endless and needless overcomplication of their architecture. Is the Jupiter X any easier to live with than the Xm?
I love the System-8, and only have a few criticisms (should have been 5 Octave k/b, the condition parameter does not introduce as much slop as I'd like, the arp and chord memory don't seem to work when playing from my sequencer/master keyboard, and the unison function is not too good). Otherwise it sounds very 'analog' to me, almost on par with my old JX-8P, and more organic than the DSI Mopho x4 (that I ended up selling because Repro-5 sounded more vintage) :) Thanks for another fantastic video!
Yeah, the unison is really kind of bland. You basically need to go into performance mode and stack the same patch on both layers, and then detune one of the patches in the menu. I think the condition knob is ok, but if they added a separate detune function it would be killer. It's still a great synth.
I’ve had my System-8 for two years and agree with everything you said. There’s a way to properly use the arp and chord memory with another keyboard using the “Remote Kbd” setting, but it’s a hassle to set up and not really worth the effort.
Hi there, i see you've mentioned that you have your system 8 controlled by a master sequencer / keybord. I have been trying to control my system 8 with a sequencer from a korg microstation, specifically for sequencer recording purposes. As you know the system 8 has no metronome click track for recording, and i have been trying to monitor the click track from the the microstation while it's sequencer controls the system 8. Without successe. I'm a complete novis with midi set up. I was wondering if you can give me any pointers on achiveing this
@@digitaria6574 There could be a bunch of things here, but the first things I would do are : (1) Test the basics - that you can play a note on your microstation that makes a sound on your S8 - so check midi channels etc. Then (2) Get the midi sync working - S8 needs to receive midi sync (menu - system - SYNC/TEMPO to MIDI) and the microstation needs to be set to transmit Midi sync (don't know the device so check the manual). When you stat the sequencer on the microstation it should start the sequencer on the S8.
Think I prefer the System 8 as well, cosmetics aside it just crushes the XM IMO. But I like the addition of the XV-5080 in the XM, such a classic module! Like the XM's high voice count with multitimbrality as well, but ACB it almost spot on where as Zen Core feels like a step backwards IMO. Many thanks for the vid and Merry Xmas to you!
@@pcuimac Def good advice! However, I'm already rockin an original XV-5080 and an Integra. Main point for me with the X/XM was the core sound engine, ZenCore.. sad to say though that the ACB emulations in the System 8 are more authentic to the originals. Too bad it's hideous though lol. Still I'll probably pick up a nice used one eventually when prices dip some and their under 1K USD.
I don’t think it’s something they’ll ever ‘fix’ as the differences are due to the CPU load replicating x mod requires. The zencore tech or the ABB as the jp8 models are is designed to be close but CPU lite.
I know there are cost considerations and I do not have the details on code licensing costs, inefficient designs and so forth, but the idea that we still have voice stealing, something I used to compensate for in my live performances in the 80's-90's is still a factor is simple ridiculous. I understand how voice allocation architecture works on a basic level and that polyphony is CPU intensive, but this is 2022-2023. I'm playing back 150 audio tracks with plugins on a $1,800 pc. Yet, Cobalt has only 8 voice, Deepmind only 6-12 voice, etc. What am I missing? Lastly, this idea that we create songs on keyboards with less than 61 keys is ridiculous. If your doing just Hip/Hop crap or EDM, then OK, your just stealing loops and playing single notes over them, but for for actual composing, forget it. I know, I'm old school.
Most YT vids focus on the plug-outs, which are all great, but I haven't seen many that show off the Sys8 engine itself and all the crazy good sounds you can get out of it. GeoSynths has made sound banks for all the engines, including some banks that are entirely focused on the FM part of the Sys8 engine. I keep rewatching his patch demos to remind myself that the Sys8 is so much more than just a great digital recreation of classics. My gripes with it are pretty minor. I would love just one more LFO and then a little mod matrix, even if that means programming via the the LCD screen. If it had a mod matrix, you could do things like have external aftertouch effect different parameters. Doesn't even have to be that complex, as even having just a few destinations like amp, pitch, filter, and the color knob would be amazing. I don't care about the looks as much as others. I think it's fine. I put the optional wood panels on the sides and it makes a big difference. The green space alien vibes are there to remind you once again that there is a killer digital VA/FM engine inside. :)
@@thesrabbit dude I know a lot of me learning it is self discovery because so much is devoted to other things about it online. The main engine is KILLER. It’s so futuristic and every time I go to use it, I never know what I’m gonna make out of it, but it always turns out good. Honestly go to settings, turn down the LED brightness to 1. It literally changes from the garish green to a darker reserved forest green as a result. Makes it look beautiful 😉
@@s.fleming2441 that’s because you have a connection to the physical hardware itself, can’t fault you there. I A/B’d them side by side blindfolded. My Juno is on the market now so I can get a DSI lol
Great content as usual Starsky. Happy holidays and stay safe. The System 8 has one of the best UI's on any synth ever. I briefly owned one and made over 25 complex patches on it. My main issue is that there is a somewhat harsh, almost tinny timbre to the 8. You can adjust the tone in the vca but this basically just muddies the sound. I also feel like the resolution on the knobs, specifically filter and ADSR could have been more nuanced, I could never quite dial in specifically what I wanted. And, last but not least, it would be been so nice to have stereo width controls before the fx. Not really keen on the fx as well. But for 99.9% of the population I'm sure it's fine. Maybe I'm too picky!
5:19 - I’m seeing quite an elaborate recreation of the Roland System-100 and elsewhere in this video I recall I saw a great recreation of the Jupiter-8. Can anybody in the know please tell me if those images are what I would actually get as the VST plugins of those synths if I spend the money on them? Cheers!
One place the System 8 is inferior, imho, even to some Boutiques - is its sequencer. Yes the real time is nice, but it's difficult to compose anything complex with the System 8. It won't wait until the end of the current sequence to switch to another one when you do that using the knobs or patch button (please correct me if I am wrong) and the saved sequences are strangely tied to the tones, making it quirky to have any arrangement of sequences with the same patch. You basically have to use a DAW such as Ableton to do this with the System 8. I'd really love it if my System 8 were able to have an expanded Performance/Patch mode where you could select a sequence of sequences to play back - like the song mode on the SE-02 sequencer, or like Pocket Operators. A System 8 with a basic song capability would be a monster. Please, Roland? :)
@@StarskyCarr Thanks for being so quick to respond. I really appreciate it. So I suppose Roland sells two products, actually: the hardware version is basically more useful on the road (I've found the menu really difficult to dive in) and the software version is quicker on the PC.
It’s like the chorus rate on the system-8 is slower than the 106 and the Xm is faster and just sounds kind of weird, like too much stereo width. Maybe the mod depth is too high?
@@StarskyCarr Okay, thanks. I guess I'll just give the cloud a try, they have a trial and a free version. I have AnalogueLab and it definitely does not sound as good as hardware, even my VA synths.
I remember checking out the system 8 in the store and being very undwhelmed by the sound. Sounded kind of dull and uninspiring. The Jupiter however I remember sounding fantastic and very inspiring. I think this demo also shows that the jupiter is more detailed and yes brighter than the system 8. So much talk about how much better the older acb tech is but I think the new zen/abm sounds better. Part of the roland signature sound wether old or new has always been that the sound is jumping out of the speakers. The system 8 sound reminds me more of yamaha synths with a more closed off kind of sound where the jupiter is jumping out at you.
Cool to have different perspective on things. I really like the ACB of the 106 compared to my Juno, but can’t comment on the others. But you’re right in that the zenology stuff sounds great. I did, however, but the System 8 and not the Xm. Maybe the form factor played a major part - although I wish the System 8 was housed in a more attractive case and had better keys - can’t have everything g I suppose (then they released the JunoX!) 😂😂
@@StarskyCarr So I was checking the jupiter 8 acb vs abm plugins (from roland cloud) in the studio, same patch, level matched and I was actually much preferring the acb. Perhaps youtube compression is making the acb sound more closed off than it really is. And perhaps the headphone amp is superior on the jupiter x which I suspect is the case since they upgraded the keybed. My own experience with the system 8 and jupiter x has only been with headphones in separate stores. But hearing the plugin incarnations side by side I have to say I much prefer the acb one (from their legendary series) over the zenology jupiter 8.
I want a system-8 just so i can leave it powered up in the background of my future music videos but never actually use it, like all the cool kids on u-toob. lol. edit: On the serious side, i am not comfortable with this new zen business. I have a used JV-2080 with 5 expansion cards that covers a stupid amount of sounds (best $200US i EVER spent in my life) and that's a lot of what i'm hearing here. I love the roland rompler sounds. Also, to me, romplers sound less digital than new digital synths. edit2: HEY, i have a ghetto system 8...a little roland VT-4 vocoder box. after it goes to sleep, the green LEDS fade on and off. edit3: i did an ambient piece using a JV-2080 oboe as the main solo you might want to check out for old times' sake. details in case you wonder: the beginning bass is from a vintage kawaii K4R run from a mcmillan12step, spacey stuff is from an old korg x-50 and the piano is yamaha motif on an MX-88. this song is live 1-take 1-track, all romplers and a delay pedal. ruclips.net/video/QOPF95pkAjc/видео.html
I think both synths are great. ACB vs Zencore reminded me of the Korg CMT vs XMT debate. I have the JXM and use it without heavy menu diving and it just blew me away. Here is what the JXM can do : ruclips.net/video/Srgwzs-0Oek/видео.html
Great review & Demos, I think i prefer the Jupiter X, the big boy, but I already own(ed) the original Junos, SH101, and still have XP80 (JV style sounds) and a Juno stage, Roland seem to be going down this renta-synth route, whilst regurgitating the same old sounds using "cloud" gimmicks and the like.I don't like that :-( I nearly bought a System 8 to replace my 101 and 106, and so I could get a JP8 as well, but I will wait see what Uncle Uli comes up with lol. Love your videos keep it up Starsky..and Happy Christmas :-)
@@agrichmusic yes I did, at synth fest when it came out. I like it.. Would get one at the right price. Funny the guy who wrote the Dr Who theme tried it after me 😁👍
Brill info & on the strength of your vids I've just purchased the Jupiter XM (included with it free sound packs and 1 year of Roland Cloud Pro membership) so am super excited yet I know I have my work cut out... .I am just wondering when in XV-5080 mode does the stand alone unit become 16 part multi-timbral (separate patches on midi channels 1-16) as I used to own the XV's little brother the JV 1080 which had that feature ... Also re the sequencer can the step sequencer patterns be saved like with the JD-XA with a patch/scene.. any feedback much appreciated :)
Thanks. It can’t go 16 voice polyphonic as far as I can work out. There are 4 parts only plus the rhythm. And yes you can save the step sequence per scene. It’s not an xv5080 ‘mode’ but you can use the xv5080 engine on each of the 4 voices.
11:50 that's why I don't like the Xm. Convoluted interface and "scene" concept. One year later: After the 1.5 and 2.0 Update the Xm seems to be a much better and may replace my JD-Xi?
The XM is not easy to learn, had for about 3 weeks and said nope. Way too steep learning curve for me. Waiting on the System 8 but playing on the Behringer Odyssey for now
@@StarskyCarr if I wanted one to gig . Something lightweight . I play bass , but do synth parts here or there on a song. Would this scenario change what you kept ?
@@mastermachetier5594 for gigging the Xm would be a good choice. You can now edit sounds on your computer without having Roland Cloud (the menu diving when editing was a put off). There is now an app although I’ve not tried it. Both would be fine but the portability of the Xm and the fact it’s not your main instrument make a difference.
Regarding looks, many people are forming their impression toward a keyboard by looking at review videos. It has to look good and professional. System 8 green light annoy me every time I see them in a review, and it harms the product. Why that design? Jupiter X kills it with the looks, but S8 is sonically better, IMO. So, which one are you getting? It's a mess.
agreed. Spent four hours and swapped all green leds to white. Sooo much better. You can always change the leds but you can’t change the sound engine. System 8 rocks.
@@agrichmusic I guess it is. I believe it looks better IRL, but when I watch it on video reviews, it reminds of gamer RGB setups. Not that I want to influence other's opinion, that's just how I feel.
@@agrichmusic so... would that mean that the zen-core models of the classic synths (jp8,juno,etc) sound different (not as good) as the specific Roland Cloud vst models?
such a shame they downplayed the system 8 and threw it into the aria range. If it was designed with a nicer body, maybe vintage looks like the Jupiter/Juno X it would've flew off the shelves.
@@StarskyCarr For me, the dream would be a 5 octave 16 voice verison with aftertouch. Something akin to the Novation Summit (which I also own). That would be an absolute beast of a synth and I would trade up in a heartbeat. I gig my System 8 regularly (2 or 3 times a month) paired with a Fantom 07 and they make a great combo. We do a cover of The Vopice by Ultravox and the system 8 absolutley rips that ARP Odyssey sound. The Mark III Odyssey was my very first synth back in the late 80s. I sold it for 200 quid in UK in the mid 90s (Doh!). Now (living in Australia) I regualarly look for used deals on the Behringer Odyssey. Haven't taken the plunge yet though...
Oh dear, you lost me at "Function", "Performance", "Tone", "Scene", "Part"... I am totally confused and it looks really long-winded to get anything out of the System-8 or the Xm just like that... Yes, they sound quite nice. But it feels quite demotivating having to dive through all those menus and button pushes... I guess, I'll just stick to my excellent Juno 60 emulation from TAL software. ;)
The Sys8 is actually a breeze to program. It's well laid out, and no matter which engine you're using, the workflow is always the same from left to right: LFO, oscillators, mixer, filter, envelope, effects. When working on a single sound, you really only need to use the menu system for things like tweaking additional FX params, like low or hi cut for the reverb. The "condition" setting is the one other parameter in the menu that I care about, and it's a top-level function, so you don't have to dive to get at it. The only other time you'll be in the menus is for creating multi-timbral patches. In that case you'll need to use the menu to set your keyboard split point (or to stack them without a split) and control things like the panning, EQ, and tuning of each layer. I'm with you on the Xm though. I think that's the cost of having so much flexibility in a small box. I have the MC-707 and that's way less knobs, but at least you get a screen that has graphical representations of the synth architecture and 4 encoders that line up with the parameters you see on the screen, Elektron style. For more complex editing it gets harder and harder to read what's on the screen. But the "scene" stuff on the 707 is way easier to understand and know where you are because it's a groove box. Watching this video I think I would struggle with the Xm like Starsky does.
@@thesrabbit yup, I have the system 1m and it's a vastly underrated synth. Those green lights killed the line I think. But otherwise it's a joy to use. To put it bluntly: all those people who bought into the boutique line (myself included) rather threw their money away (gratifying as the boutique line is). I'm not claiming that the system 1m is my favorite synth of all, but as a virtual analogue, it doesn't get much better (except for maybe my JP-8080 which doesn't sound as good, but has way more hands on controls). But the JP has much steeper learning curve whereas the System line is truly as close to analogue in every respect as a general purpose virtual analogue can possibly get.
never touch a roland product me again just not for me just fed up with nostalgia products that aren't very good and no innovation and had enough of it had a go on the jupiter x and xm and pretty fair to say it has some of the worst presets ever put on a synth the only synth that was worse was the jd-xa and that synth was terrible got the vst system 8 and its another underwhelming rubbishy nostalia product how synths do ya need a jupiter 8 engine on or a juno 106 or any other of the synths they produced its just come on roland surely you can do better then just telease endless synths built on nostalgia therea company out of ideas and their gonna go bust if they don't sort it actually they prob won't cause another hedge fund will prob buy it and be yet another endless run of nostalgia
I bought the Jupiter X and promptly returned it and got the System-8. The ZenCore sounds is horrendously 1990's. The ACB tech in the System-8 sounds AMAZING.
They did that for old guys like me who live for the pads from the XV-5080, which I've held on to this day an even layer with RD-88's Zen Core patches.
@@dare2win215 That's fair. I'm just cranky because I wanted an "evolved" System-8. Same sound engine but better hardware and a few more features.
@@prospectnyc i get it & realize Roland has been regurgitating versions of this soundset since 1997. The problem I have is that Roland is insanely overpriced across the board, yet they charge for dated expansions libraries (software & Zen Core) as though they are fresh new concepts. And, now they expect to trap their customers into some sort of subscription service for old content? Meanwhile, Korg has included all expansions for their superbly recreated synths & ROMplers in their legacy bundle. 😡 you've gotten the old guy all worked up... better take my nap
@@dare2win215 but Korg is only Korg. Not Roland
There’s a lot of ways to get Roland sounds: TAL, Cherry Audio, Arturia, Behringer…
I was going to get the XM but wasn’t keen on all the menu diving so I went for the System 8 and absolutely love it.
Much less menu diving on the Jupiter-X. And probably the best keyboard I’ve ever touched.
Hell yes. System-8 is awesome.
I have done over 100 gigs with my system 8! Its sturdy and it sounds great. I primarily used it as a juno 106. Because I don’t have the real deal. But if I would, it would still stay in the studio. I once compared the s8 vs a juno and to my ears there was a slight noticeable difference but most people wouldn’t hear it.
I’ve had the S8 and now own the full-sized Jupiter-X. I agree the ACB models are slightly better, but for me, the overall experience on the Jupiter-X is better. Note I didn’t say Xm, but X. The build quality, keyboard, and aesthetics all make it a much more enjoyable and playable instrument IMO. And the real power lies in the ability to layer multiple engines, combining analog engines with digital to get sounds not possible elsewhere. Not to mention a much more powerful FX section and as Starsky pointed out loads of production-ready drum sounds. I find the overall package much better. When I need the “perfect” J8 model I can still use the Cloud or Arturia but when I want to play and create the Jupiter-X is much more inspiring than the S8 was for me.
thanks. I will get the Jupiter-X then
why use the cloud for Jupiter 8 while is is already included in the X?
What a fantastic video and comparison, thanks so much. Despite having both, I’ve never made the space or time to sit down and do this. Great to see the places where ABM stands up well to ACB, and where it doesn’t do quite so well. I’ll continue holding onto both!
maybe its just a good investment!
I’ve been dying for you to do this comparison!
Glad to see, that my System 8 is not outdated - inspried me instantly to create some new patches - its a delicious Synthesizer - thanks for this effort!
How the hell does something like the System-8 get outdated? Its a VA synth engine with 3 analog emulations onboard.
@@jasonekratz do you really unterstand my comment? but my concern are not baseless, because of Rolands product policy’s- in 2016, as i buyed the S8, they said „ACB“ is the future, after only two years they canceld this technology and annoyed their customers worldwide. That’s why many of us thinking this way. Nevertheless, its still working and sound very well, but the computer integration for the future is very unsure.
ACB is not “cancelled”. They just released the TR-06 and TR-6S a couple months ago, and the JU-06A last year, all of which are based on ACB. It’s still their best emulation technology and isn’t going anywhere.
I own a System-8. And no I don’t understand your comment because the System-8 has a great VA engine plus the three emulations. None of that will stop working. Not to mention the S8 engine itself is pretty general purpose.
@@st0rmchild @Stormchild Why they did not use ACB in the new Jupiters? So they can have this cloud cross compatibility? I feel like we are always getting an incomplete product from Roland, mainly talking about analog emulations. Each of them is missing a thing to make it right. Too many products atm, two technologies... People are getting confused.
You got the same conclusion as me :-) Investing so much in the fantastic ACB technology I do not understand why Roland didn’t make the ultimate ACB synth following up the System-8. 61 keys, more plugouts, more patch memory, more OSC for the native engine, more faders instead of knobs, styling like the Jupiter 8 and multicolored leds like on other AIRA gear (orange instead of green as default). And they could have called it the Jupiter X. To me the System-8 is more a Jupiter X than the Jupiter X. Jupiter X and Xm they could have named Zen or something. (Naming them Jupiter is just a marketing trick playing on nostalgia). Fantastic as the Zenology is - it is way more complicated - so you end up tweaking preset instead of beginning from scratch. There is a reason subtractive still is popular.
Great points! ❤ Such a wasted opportunity that their latest synth, which you correctly prophesized would be called Jupiter-X, uses Zen-core instead of ACB. 😢😢😢
The JP x3 plugout is a beautiful thing and it's the reason I bought another S8. Second time round ownership has made me realise how good it is. Its a pleasure to use as an actual instrument rather than a device.
Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate you taking the time.
Mneu, menu, menu ... killing the workflow ! Thanks for the video ! :) For my needs and to have this Roland kind of sound, I've went for the deepmind 12 desktop version (600 euros) .. and I'm very happy with it ! :) (+ you can rack it ;) )
I never doubt about S8 when I bought it. I had that sensation... "oh man, don't know, it's very green... maybe not... you know what? whatever! Let's buy it!
Couldn't be more happy!! Best Synth I had! simply because it's very fun to use it and you can never go wrong tweaking it!
The System 8 is wonderful. The XM is tasty and I imagine more future proof.
fwiw, on the xm you can edit jupiter 8 model's osc 2 "wave gain" via sysex or the james k hiser midi designer pro ipad layout and that extends the xmod range range closer to the sys 8 - still not the same though. Sysex to set osc2's wave gain to +12dB is: F0 41 10 00 00 00 65 12 02 [00/01/02/03 parts 1-4] 21 28 05 00 F7 (change 05 to 03 to set it back to 0dB). Video to illustrate here: ruclips.net/video/KCfKeatKiDk/видео.html
Very usful, I bought a System 8 this year and wondered how the Jupiter xm would compare. I am very happy with the S8 and I also love the green lights )
Once I hit a key on the System 8 and hear how beautiful it sounds, I quit caring about the looks.
Great review/comparison. I already have the system 8 and I was starting to consider a Jupiter XM for travelling. Your video reminded me why I sent the Jupiter X back for a refund and shook me back to reality (all that faffing, nothing to do with the sound). Thank you 😂
I tHink the 101 is the piece to get if you just want it as a preset box. Add that to the system 8 and a tr-8s and you’ve got a bang on setup.
awesome thx. Been waiting for a direct comparison of the 2 technologies. From the onset I've been surmising that the acb is better and that the Xm cheaped out. Let's see...
Love to see you do an updated Juno vst and Jupiter vst shootout! Especially with the new Arturia Jun-6 and Jup-8 releases (which sound amazing)
Don't forget the TAL J-8!
Thanks Starsky, ! For quite a while, I’ve have been tossing up if the price difference between the Jupiter-x v system 8 is worth the price of ownership (I’m not interested in anything with mini keys) so this comparison is fantastically useful to me! Cheers.
If you carry on like this, you'll end up working for Roland!! :)
I got the Xm because it let me move along some SRX cards to offset the cost (pulled from my Fantom X, I may sell that too now) but I wanted a fully portable battery & speakers do anything type synth. But building up VA style patches from Init on the Xm is really fun, I find myself enjoying the M(oog) and S(equential) filters more than the Roland ones. So I highly reccomend trying the other filters if you're looking at Jupiter X(m). Thanks for the comparison. There is no Jupiter 4 in the X(m) but I should nonetheless get out my Jupiter 4 and try recreating some of those sounds on the Xm.
Hi Starsky, thanks for a thorough comparing video :-) I was tempted for a while, to replace my System-8 with Jupiter X/Xm...Not any longer! Parameter resolution may be higher, but the right sound isn't there. And editing without ZenologyPro software looks like a nightmare :-/
Glad I could help!
the right sound isn't where ?
@@MUFSpoiler Well, the small variations in sound, were missing compared to my System-8 Legendary version at the time. But the parameter editor was improved in the recent v2.0 of Zenology Pro... so it may be better sounding, now a days?
Right now I am in the process of choosing between the system 8, Juno x or Jupiter X. Which do you prefer if I may ask?
I bought the System 8... the Jupiter X was much more expensive and the Juno X wasn't out. I love the pullout system on the System 8 but the hardware isn't the best. Zencore is more flexible, I'm not one for being concerned with getting things to the nth degree (some say ACB is closer to the originals) But I do like the Jupiter 4 and sys 100 etc... I'd have been tempted by the Juno X if it was out at the time, but5 the S8 wins from the perspective of having the classic tones I think (albeit with very limited memory).
System-8 hands down one of the best synths of the last 20 years. If they add the JP-6 to the ACB, and add a SHIFT+PLUG OUT option to permit three more models (either fast load over SD or 3 more if memory/DSP permits) then it's a killer. Got side panels for mine made up (UK - £30) too and they're lush
I love the synth engine, just wish the build was a bit better. If this looked and felt like the Jupiter X it's have been an amazingly popular synth.
@@StarskyCarr Agreed 100%. JP-X build and for the (cough) JPX-A... logical... Everything in Zencore as it is, but add ACB too, and make that the "analogue" pathway, with 6 slots... that would be the Jupiter 8 of the 21st Century
Well, that's killed off any remaining GAS I had for the XM. Too many menus, too little time. Thanks, Mr Carr! 😁
Just an FYI there is now an editor for it - but it doesn't increase the number of knobs on the front panel :)
8:41 re: plug out version numbering and whether they update on the green beast - per Roland “the updates to the plug-ins subsequent to the versions you already have only affect their use within a DAW, not on the System-8 hardware”. So no but it does make sense. The updates are likely just fixing bugs or to support new operating systems and nothing on the hardware. Looking back at System 8, Jupiter and Juno versions up to the latest version 1.30 (which added the JX-3P to plug out 3), firmware hasn’t updated the original plug outs since June 2018 when they added FM.
Good review cheers. I looked at both and honestly went straight for the System-8. CV/gate out (I have it connected to a Moog Matriarch at the moment, making weird sounds 🤷🏻♂️😂), nice hands on controls of the original synths, full size keys, one more octave, felt less of a toy. I know the System 8 is a few years old now, but I didn’t mind paying the original msrp in 2020. Nice to also not have to rely on Roland Cloud too as the Jupiter VST kills my CPU.
As for the furniture comment - Roland make wood side panels :)
The latest Juno 106 and Jupiter 8 plug outs add an additional function to the color knob to add "vintage" sound - with really remarkable results!
I just can’t with Rolands NEW synths and user interface. The Prophet 5, 6, OBxA, OB6, Junos, and Minimoog are by far the friendliest synths to program.
Yes that's what turned me off the xm and x.
I had an xm and returned it. I'm in love with my used Juno 106, got it for 1600. If I ever need a jupiter etc. Roland cloud is there for $20 for a month.
Would love to see you do some more vintage emulation comparisons, specifically the Jupiter X/Xm and some of the new boutiques. I cannot for the life of me tell if the Jupiter X's version of the JX-8P is as good as the newer JX-08 boutique
Thanks for this video, two great digital, I love my Jupiter X.
Just a clarification about the polyphony. Jupiter X / XM (and also Fantom) have "up to" 256 voices, but for example with model expansion this is ABOUT the polyphony we have:
Jupiter 8 29 voices
Juno 106 15 voices
JX-8P - 19 voices
SH-101 15 voices
have fun!
Alfredo
Thanks for the info!
Those pad chords you were playing, kept waiting for you to burst into Still Got The Fever by Ian McNabb :-)
Man I love my pair of XV-5080’s w/ a bunch of SR-JV80 and SRX boards. Interesting that’s included in the Jupiter, did not know.
I don't know what to buy? X-m or System-8. Anyway I want the SH-2 plugout !!! Thanks for your work 🙂👍🏻
If it’s any use… I went for the System8
The Arturia Jup-8 V 4 the synth engine has been totaly redesinged you should check it for a shoot out
True it sounds great, Arturia nailed it with that one
@Luke Arturia vst Instruments get better all the time V collection 8 is amazing
Arturia did a great job on their new Jupiter and Juno plugins. IMO they’re now about as good as Roland’s ACB emulations. Still prefer my System-8 for the hands on control, but anyone looking for a software-only solution should definitely consider Arturia’s.
Love your comparisons, mr Starsky.. I love my system 8 since it's analog modelling just sounds sooo good... Was wondering what kind of music creation you recommend for s8... And are you keeping your s8 or swapping it for something better in which case, which one? I'm considering swapping it out for a Polybrute.. Love my s8 though..
I'm keeping the S8.. I love it.
Also keep in mind the Jupiter and Juno AND Jx3P come hardwired into the S8. They are not the same as the cloud plugins. And sound much better. Even if you put the SH101 over a slot, if you delete it, the Firmware vintage synths reappear.
"not the same as the cloud plugins" are you sure? Is there a source for that?
@@kiko1935 they were released before the cloud plugins came out
@Luke dude it’s not a controller
For a VST lol. They’re hardwired in the synth utilizing the built in DSP chip. The S8 is it’s own thing. There’s so much slander about it and misinformation online, and as an owner who bought it without much info on Google, it pains me. It’s not LIKE the Jupiter. it IS the Jupiter. Only with 2 more voices for polyphony, onboard effects, and velocity sensitivity for the amp and filter 😉
@Luke it totally is. I had a 106. Never had any issues. I sold it because the S8 made it turn into decor. Their ACB tech is the only VA that perfectly redoes the vintage analog sound. You can adjust the condition setting to dial in your own amount of fried capacitor goodness.
Saying the hardware came before the plugout doesn't mean they're necessarily different. That was just savvy business from Roland. It wouldn't make business sense for Roland to rewrite the algos. Have you actually done side by side tests?
Bardzo dziękuję. Wspaniała robota tym bardziej, że właśnie się zastanawiałem co mam wybrać . Teraz już wiem co będzie dla mnie leprze. Jeszcze raz bardzo dziękuję i pozdrawiam....
I love your videos. This one may have had unintended consequences however, further enforcing my leeriness of Roland’s endless and needless overcomplication of their architecture.
Is the Jupiter X any easier to live with than the Xm?
I love the System-8, and only have a few criticisms (should have been 5 Octave k/b, the condition parameter does not introduce as much slop as I'd like, the arp and chord memory don't seem to work when playing from my sequencer/master keyboard, and the unison function is not too good). Otherwise it sounds very 'analog' to me, almost on par with my old JX-8P, and more organic than the DSI Mopho x4 (that I ended up selling because Repro-5 sounded more vintage) :) Thanks for another fantastic video!
Yeah, the unison is really kind of bland. You basically need to go into performance mode and stack the same patch on both layers, and then detune one of the patches in the menu. I think the condition knob is ok, but if they added a separate detune function it would be killer. It's still a great synth.
I’ve had my System-8 for two years and agree with everything you said. There’s a way to properly use the arp and chord memory with another keyboard using the “Remote Kbd” setting, but it’s a hassle to set up and not really worth the effort.
Hi there, i see you've mentioned that you have your system 8 controlled by a master sequencer / keybord. I have been trying to control my system 8 with a sequencer from a korg microstation, specifically for sequencer recording purposes. As you know the system 8 has no metronome click track for recording, and i have been trying to monitor the click track from the the microstation while it's sequencer controls the system 8. Without successe. I'm a complete novis with midi set up. I was wondering if you can give me any pointers on achiveing this
@@digitaria6574 There could be a bunch of things here, but the first things I would do are : (1) Test the basics - that you can play a note on your microstation that makes a sound on your S8 - so check midi channels etc. Then (2) Get the midi sync working - S8 needs to receive midi sync (menu - system - SYNC/TEMPO to MIDI) and the microstation needs to be set to transmit Midi sync (don't know the device so check the manual). When you stat the sequencer on the microstation it should start the sequencer on the S8.
@@cosmicaddress7851 Thanks a million
Think I prefer the System 8 as well, cosmetics aside it just crushes the XM IMO. But I like the addition of the XV-5080 in the XM, such a classic module! Like the XM's high voice count with multitimbrality as well, but ACB it almost spot on where as Zen Core feels like a step backwards IMO. Many thanks for the vid and Merry Xmas to you!
Buy an Integra instead of the XM. Much more usefull and has all the old XV sounds.
@@pcuimac Def good advice! However, I'm already rockin an original XV-5080 and an Integra. Main point for me with the X/XM was the core sound engine, ZenCore.. sad to say though that the ACB emulations in the System 8 are more authentic to the originals. Too bad it's hideous though lol. Still I'll probably pick up a nice used one eventually when prices dip some and their under 1K USD.
Have they fixed the cross modulation on the Jupiter X and XM yet?
I don’t think it’s something they’ll ever ‘fix’ as the differences are due to the CPU load replicating x mod requires. The zencore tech or the ABB as the jp8 models are is designed to be close but CPU lite.
Merry Christmas
I know there are cost considerations and I do not have the details on code licensing costs, inefficient designs and so forth, but the idea that we still have voice stealing, something I used to compensate for in my live performances in the 80's-90's is still a factor is simple ridiculous. I understand how voice allocation architecture works on a basic level and that polyphony is CPU intensive, but this is 2022-2023. I'm playing back 150 audio tracks with plugins on a $1,800 pc. Yet, Cobalt has only 8 voice, Deepmind only 6-12 voice, etc. What am I missing?
Lastly, this idea that we create songs on keyboards with less than 61 keys is ridiculous. If your doing just Hip/Hop crap or EDM, then OK, your just stealing loops and playing single notes over them, but for for actual composing, forget it. I know, I'm old school.
System-8 is the only VA that makes getting the originals not worth it whatsoever. That’s not including the HydraSynth-like modern killer engine.
Most YT vids focus on the plug-outs, which are all great, but I haven't seen many that show off the Sys8 engine itself and all the crazy good sounds you can get out of it. GeoSynths has made sound banks for all the engines, including some banks that are entirely focused on the FM part of the Sys8 engine. I keep rewatching his patch demos to remind myself that the Sys8 is so much more than just a great digital recreation of classics. My gripes with it are pretty minor. I would love just one more LFO and then a little mod matrix, even if that means programming via the the LCD screen. If it had a mod matrix, you could do things like have external aftertouch effect different parameters. Doesn't even have to be that complex, as even having just a few destinations like amp, pitch, filter, and the color knob would be amazing. I don't care about the looks as much as others. I think it's fine. I put the optional wood panels on the sides and it makes a big difference. The green space alien vibes are there to remind you once again that there is a killer digital VA/FM engine inside. :)
@@thesrabbit dude I know a lot of me learning it is self discovery because so much is devoted to other things about it online. The main engine is KILLER. It’s so futuristic and every time I go to use it, I never know what I’m gonna make out of it, but it always turns out good. Honestly go to settings, turn down the LED brightness to 1. It literally changes from the garish green to a darker reserved forest green as a result. Makes it look beautiful 😉
for me, the system8 does not replace a Juno106. It just isn't the same. But I will never buy a Jupiter 8 and this is pretty close.
@@s.fleming2441 that’s because you have a connection to the physical hardware itself, can’t fault you there. I A/B’d them side by side blindfolded. My Juno is on the market now so I can get a DSI lol
Great content as usual Starsky. Happy holidays and stay safe. The System 8 has one of the best UI's on any synth ever. I briefly owned one and made over 25 complex patches on it. My main issue is that there is a somewhat harsh, almost tinny timbre to the 8. You can adjust the tone in the vca but this basically just muddies the sound. I also feel like the resolution on the knobs, specifically filter and ADSR could have been more nuanced, I could never quite dial in specifically what I wanted. And, last but not least, it would be been so nice to have stereo width controls before the fx. Not really keen on the fx as well.
But for 99.9% of the population I'm sure it's fine. Maybe I'm too picky!
5:19 - I’m seeing quite an elaborate recreation of the Roland System-100 and elsewhere in this video I recall I saw a great recreation of the Jupiter-8. Can anybody in the know please tell me if those images are what I would actually get as the VST plugins of those synths if I spend the money on them? Cheers!
take a look at Roland Cloud - I think there's a 30 day free subscription. Yes, they look like the GUIs I show here.
One place the System 8 is inferior, imho, even to some Boutiques - is its sequencer. Yes the real time is nice, but it's difficult to compose anything complex with the System 8. It won't wait until the end of the current sequence to switch to another one when you do that using the knobs or patch button (please correct me if I am wrong) and the saved sequences are strangely tied to the tones, making it quirky to have any arrangement of sequences with the same patch. You basically have to use a DAW such as Ableton to do this with the System 8. I'd really love it if my System 8 were able to have an expanded Performance/Patch mode where you could select a sequence of sequences to play back - like the song mode on the SE-02 sequencer, or like Pocket Operators. A System 8 with a basic song capability would be a monster. Please, Roland? :)
I have a question: When you move a knob (e.g. cutoff knob) on the Xm, does it also move in Zenology Pro?
Yes you have midi control of parameters, but it’s not a direct editor for the synth, like for example the sub37 editor.
@@StarskyCarr Thanks for being so quick to respond. I really appreciate it. So I suppose Roland sells two products, actually: the hardware version is basically more useful on the road (I've found the menu really difficult to dive in) and the software version is quicker on the PC.
@@DragoshHits that’s the way I see it.
It’s like the chorus rate on the system-8 is slower than the 106 and the Xm is faster and just sounds kind of weird, like too much stereo width. Maybe the mod depth is too high?
Is Roland willing to expand the plug out palette or have they already abandoned the system 8 project?
The Jupiter 4 plug out just came out, apparently!
How do you think the cloud Zencore compares to the XM? My experience has been hardware always sounds better to my ears.
I don't think there's a difference tbh. Maybe minor things due to the sound card in the computer etc.. but the algorithms are the same.
@@StarskyCarr Okay, thanks. I guess I'll just give the cloud a try, they have a trial and a free version. I have AnalogueLab and it definitely does not sound as good as hardware, even my VA synths.
The System 8 is a great synth, but not a fan of the way it looks!
I remember checking out the system 8 in the store and being very undwhelmed by the sound. Sounded kind of dull and uninspiring. The Jupiter however I remember sounding fantastic and very inspiring. I think this demo also shows that the jupiter is more detailed and yes brighter than the system 8. So much talk about how much better the older acb tech is but I think the new zen/abm sounds better. Part of the roland signature sound wether old or new has always been that the sound is jumping out of the speakers. The system 8 sound reminds me more of yamaha synths with a more closed off kind of sound where the jupiter is jumping out at you.
Cool to have different perspective on things. I really like the ACB of the 106 compared to my Juno, but can’t comment on the others. But you’re right in that the zenology stuff sounds great. I did, however, but the System 8 and not the Xm. Maybe the form factor played a major part - although I wish the System 8 was housed in a more attractive case and had better keys - can’t have everything g I suppose (then they released the JunoX!) 😂😂
@@StarskyCarr So I was checking the jupiter 8 acb vs abm plugins (from roland cloud) in the studio, same patch, level matched and I was actually much preferring the acb. Perhaps youtube compression is making the acb sound more closed off than it really is. And perhaps the headphone amp is superior on the jupiter x which I suspect is the case since they upgraded the keybed. My own experience with the system 8 and jupiter x has only been with headphones in separate stores. But hearing the plugin incarnations side by side I have to say I much prefer the acb one (from their legendary series) over the zenology jupiter 8.
I want a system-8 just so i can leave it powered up in the background of my future music videos but never actually use it, like all the cool kids on u-toob. lol.
edit: On the serious side, i am not comfortable with this new zen business. I have a used JV-2080 with 5 expansion cards that covers a stupid amount of sounds (best $200US i EVER spent in my life) and that's a lot of what i'm hearing here. I love the roland rompler sounds. Also, to me, romplers sound less digital than new digital synths.
edit2: HEY, i have a ghetto system 8...a little roland VT-4 vocoder box. after it goes to sleep, the green LEDS fade on and off.
edit3: i did an ambient piece using a JV-2080 oboe as the main solo you might want to check out for old times' sake. details in case you wonder: the beginning bass is from a vintage kawaii K4R run from a mcmillan12step, spacey stuff is from an old korg x-50 and the piano is yamaha motif on an MX-88. this song is live 1-take 1-track, all romplers and a delay pedal. ruclips.net/video/QOPF95pkAjc/видео.html
I think both synths are great. ACB vs Zencore reminded me of the Korg CMT vs XMT debate. I have the JXM and use it without heavy menu diving and it just blew me away. Here is what the JXM can do :
ruclips.net/video/Srgwzs-0Oek/видео.html
It was not playing the RD piano beacuse you have to load it on part 1 always ( it does not work when you put it on any other part)
Great review & Demos, I think i prefer the Jupiter X, the big boy, but I already own(ed) the original Junos, SH101, and still have XP80 (JV style sounds) and a Juno stage, Roland seem to be going down this renta-synth route, whilst regurgitating the same old sounds using "cloud" gimmicks and the like.I don't like that :-( I nearly bought a System 8 to replace my 101 and 106, and so I could get a JP8 as well, but I will wait see what Uncle Uli comes up with lol. Love your videos keep it up Starsky..and Happy Christmas :-)
@@agrichmusic yes I did, at synth fest when it came out. I like it.. Would get one at the right price. Funny the guy who wrote the Dr Who theme tried it after me 😁👍
whats the name of 20 usd 106 plugin? tnkssss
Cherry Audio
Brill info & on the strength of your vids I've just purchased the Jupiter XM (included with it free sound packs and 1 year of Roland Cloud Pro membership) so am super excited yet I know I have my work cut out... .I am just wondering when in XV-5080 mode does the stand alone unit become 16 part multi-timbral (separate patches on midi channels 1-16) as I used to own the XV's little brother the JV 1080 which had that feature ... Also re the sequencer can the step sequencer patterns be saved like with the JD-XA with a patch/scene.. any feedback much appreciated :)
Thanks. It can’t go 16 voice polyphonic as far as I can work out. There are 4 parts only plus the rhythm. And yes you can save the step sequence per scene. It’s not an xv5080 ‘mode’ but you can use the xv5080 engine on each of the 4 voices.
@@StarskyCarr Ok, thanks so much.
11:50 that's why I don't like the Xm. Convoluted interface and "scene" concept.
One year later: After the 1.5 and 2.0 Update the Xm seems to be a much better and may replace my JD-Xi?
T'Pau at 13:07.
Haha, you made me scroll back. Indeed, it is! I can somewhat hear the bass underneath in my head. :)
For analog type of sound the System 8 beat the XM
On that pad sound, the XM had more artifacts than an egyptian dig site. The system 8 sounded head and shoulders better.
That was indeed drastic.
system 8 rocks...but its plasic with one computer chip inside.
The sound is basically no different from analog. Aliasing basically doesn't exist.
The XM is not easy to learn, had for about 3 weeks and said nope. Way too steep learning curve for me. Waiting on the System 8 but playing on the Behringer Odyssey for now
I kept the S8 over the Xm. I've got Roland Cloud, so have access to those sounds anyway. But the S8 really grew on me. I Love it.
@@StarskyCarr if I wanted one to gig . Something lightweight . I play bass , but do synth parts here or there on a song. Would this scenario change what you kept ?
@@mastermachetier5594 for gigging the Xm would be a good choice. You can now edit sounds on your computer without having Roland Cloud (the menu diving when editing was a put off). There is now an app although I’ve not tried it. Both would be fine but the portability of the Xm and the fact it’s not your main instrument make a difference.
Regarding looks, many people are forming their impression toward a keyboard by looking at review videos. It has to look good and professional. System 8 green light annoy me every time I see them in a review, and it harms the product. Why that design? Jupiter X kills it with the looks, but S8 is sonically better, IMO. So, which one are you getting? It's a mess.
The lead designer for aira line really should be fired lol
agreed. Spent four hours and swapped all green leds to white. Sooo much better. You can always change the leds but you can’t change the sound engine. System 8 rocks.
@@duperdude25 Thats cool! Did you have to use soldering iron? Can you show a picture maybe?
@@agrichmusic I guess it is. I believe it looks better IRL, but when I watch it on video reviews, it reminds of gamer RGB setups. Not that I want to influence other's opinion, that's just how I feel.
Pwm on xm sounds pretty weird
Digital Vs Digital I don’t heard any difference, only 01010101
am I crazy for prefering the sound of the System-8 here?
@@agrichmusic so... would that mean that the zen-core models of the classic synths (jp8,juno,etc) sound different (not as good) as the specific Roland Cloud vst models?
@@agrichmusic oh ya I remember that in the press release. I'm just so shocked how different they are
sound of system 8 is better, the keyboard is plastic, short keys, noisiy, like toy, i use the system8 with other keyboard in midi
such a shame they downplayed the system 8 and threw it into the aria range. If it was designed with a nicer body, maybe vintage looks like the Jupiter/Juno X it would've flew off the shelves.
@@StarskyCarr exactly
@@StarskyCarr For me, the dream would be a 5 octave 16 voice verison with aftertouch. Something akin to the Novation Summit (which I also own).
That would be an absolute beast of a synth and I would trade up in a heartbeat. I gig my System 8 regularly (2 or 3 times a month) paired with a Fantom 07 and they make a great combo. We do a cover of The Vopice by Ultravox and the system 8 absolutley rips that ARP Odyssey sound. The Mark III Odyssey was my very first synth back in the late 80s. I sold it for 200 quid in UK in the mid 90s (Doh!). Now (living in Australia) I regualarly look for used deals on the Behringer Odyssey. Haven't taken the plunge yet though...
Oh dear, you lost me at "Function", "Performance", "Tone", "Scene", "Part"... I am totally confused and it looks really long-winded to get anything out of the System-8 or the Xm just like that... Yes, they sound quite nice. But it feels quite demotivating having to dive through all those menus and button pushes... I guess, I'll just stick to my excellent Juno 60 emulation from TAL software. ;)
The system synths are not menu-diving machines by any measure. XM, yes, System, no.
The Sys8 is actually a breeze to program. It's well laid out, and no matter which engine you're using, the workflow is always the same from left to right: LFO, oscillators, mixer, filter, envelope, effects. When working on a single sound, you really only need to use the menu system for things like tweaking additional FX params, like low or hi cut for the reverb. The "condition" setting is the one other parameter in the menu that I care about, and it's a top-level function, so you don't have to dive to get at it. The only other time you'll be in the menus is for creating multi-timbral patches. In that case you'll need to use the menu to set your keyboard split point (or to stack them without a split) and control things like the panning, EQ, and tuning of each layer. I'm with you on the Xm though. I think that's the cost of having so much flexibility in a small box. I have the MC-707 and that's way less knobs, but at least you get a screen that has graphical representations of the synth architecture and 4 encoders that line up with the parameters you see on the screen, Elektron style. For more complex editing it gets harder and harder to read what's on the screen. But the "scene" stuff on the 707 is way easier to understand and know where you are because it's a groove box. Watching this video I think I would struggle with the Xm like Starsky does.
@@thesrabbit yup, I have the system 1m and it's a vastly underrated synth. Those green lights killed the line I think. But otherwise it's a joy to use. To put it bluntly: all those people who bought into the boutique line (myself included) rather threw their money away (gratifying as the boutique line is). I'm not claiming that the system 1m is my favorite synth of all, but as a virtual analogue, it doesn't get much better (except for maybe my JP-8080 which doesn't sound as good, but has way more hands on controls). But the JP has much steeper learning curve whereas the System line is truly as close to analogue in every respect as a general purpose virtual analogue can possibly get.
@@alexwestconsulting love my 1m. , use it with euro rack modules in a rack.
Jupiter XM is a laughable piece of shit .... genuinely.
Why Roland synths are so ugly?
never touch a roland product me again just not for me just fed up with nostalgia products that aren't very good and no innovation and had enough of it had a go on the jupiter x and xm and pretty fair to say it has some of the worst presets ever put on a synth the only synth that was worse was the jd-xa and that synth was terrible got the vst system 8 and its another underwhelming rubbishy nostalia product how synths do ya need a jupiter 8 engine on or a juno 106 or any other of the synths they produced its just come on roland surely you can do better then just telease endless synths built on nostalgia therea company out of ideas and their gonna go bust if they don't sort it actually they prob won't cause another hedge fund will prob buy it and be yet another endless run of nostalgia
dont agree at all, the whole zencore soundcloud concept is fantastic.
different people like different things
@@wout123100 yep znd roland can blow for me never touch another rolsndnprodyct again they geg some things right but a lot they don't