Roland MKS-80

Very good analog synth with poly MIDI keyboard original and dynamic. It is absolutely not the rack Jupiter8 as is sometimes read. This is another synth, powerful, rich in possibilities and with a real personality.
It should be noted that there are two versions of MKS80: the rev4 and rev5 and 2 do not sound like ...

- REV 5:
Compared with the rev 4, 5 MKS rev sounds more like MKS70/JX10, meaning that its skins are slower than the 4 rev. Texture "thick" as the rev 4 and therefore ideal for pads and strings in general and especially Roland. VCOs "softer" than the 4 rev.

- REV 4:
The rev 4 has envelloppes faster, more biting and filter sounds more SH101 and JUP 6. More likely to tekno.

MKS-vs JUP8
MKS = keyboard so dynamic game more lively and expressive possibility that the JUP 8, better MIDI implementation (original), more possibilities in terms of creation / research.

UTILIZATION

Interest has with its 80 MPG Program for online access to parameters.

SOUNDS

Very good analog synth with poly MIDI keyboard original and dynamic. It is absolutely not the rack Jupiter8 as is sometimes read. This is another synth, powerful, rich in possibilities and with a real personality.
It should be noted that there are two versions of MKS80: the rev4 and rev5 and 2 do not sound like ...

- REV 5:
Compared with the rev 4, 5 MKS rev sounds more like MKS70/JX10, meaning that its skins are slower than the 4 rev. Texture "thick" as the rev 4 and therefore ideal for pads and strings in general and especially Roland. VCOs "softer" than the 4 rev.

- REV 4:
The rev 4 has envelloppes faster, more biting and filter sounds more SH101 and JUP 6. More likely to tekno.

MKS-vs JUP8
MKS = keyboard so dynamic game more lively and expressive possibility that the JUP 8, better MIDI implementation (original), more possibilities in terms of creation / research.

OVERALL OPINION

Very good analog synth with poly MIDI keyboard original and dynamic. It is absolutely not the rack Jupiter8 as is sometimes read. This is another synth, powerful, rich in possibilities and with a real personality.
It should be noted that there are two versions of MKS80: the rev4 and rev5 and 2 do not sound like ...

- REV 5:
Compared with the rev 4, 5 MKS rev sounds more like MKS70/JX10, meaning that its skins are slower than the 4 rev. Texture "thick" as the rev 4 and therefore ideal for pads and strings in general and especially Roland. VCOs "softer" than the 4 rev.

- REV 4:
The rev 4 has envelloppes faster, more biting and filter sounds more SH101 and JUP 6. More likely to tekno.

MKS-vs JUP8
MKS = keyboard so dynamic game more lively and expressive possibility that the JUP 8, better MIDI implementation (original), more possibilities in terms of creation / research.

A rack in a not nice setup, but weighs like an ass, very deep (deeper than it is to say large!)
The MKS-80 is a great 8-voice polyphonic (2 CSO by 16 votes so CSOs) with identical characteristics to the legendary Jupiter 8.
We can add a memory card that store messages and nicknames MC64 64 sounds which favors its use on stage.
It's a heavy beast and shielded so it can be carried on tour, because it is also very stable for an analog.
It is noon, making it a great synth.

UTILIZATION

Using zero. You need a separate editor or command. There are free editors on the net ... but otherwise it is very difficult to program.

SOUNDS

This synth is very much under rated! For 800 EUR you can find MS20 monophonic or other kind of SH-101!
The MKS-80 POLYPHONIC is, it can be very powerful keyboards, tablecloths typical fat roland, synth brass style 80 years, but also tons of original sounds.
The MKS-80 with a great sound, and other than that it is ugly, it sounds like a JP8 (only the purists are aware of the difference in a mix is ​​identical).
As there are few pure analog synth, stable, with MIDI and more polyphonic, the MKS-80 for a very reasonable price is a special place in a studio-based vintage!

OVERALL OPINION

Synth indispensable for those seeking a polyphonic analog for less than 1000 EUR, except with the programmer is found no less than 1400 EUR which changes quite a price, a price that can be a voice of Andromeda 16 poly analog effects, full of buttons, a keyboard and sequencer.
Roland is inimitable sound, the strings, brass and other keyboard sounds a great deal provided by a compressor and effects.

Rack Monophonic, Polyphonic noon, stereo, with two DCO per voice, resonant lowpass filter with LFO controls & Env
Ability to stack two sounds

UTILIZATION

Configuration clear enough, except as regards the south (dump sysex etc. ...) but it is never easy.

Editing sounds a bit labored through mini screen. The remote is a definite plus but I did not ...

SOUNDS

Excellent for electronic music, bass, pad, keyboard, everything is possible and everything is really way, with a richness and a very special character.

Rather, as often with Roland in the lower midrange in the bass.


OVERALL OPINION

I love is one of the few synths that I never thought I'd separate

Everything was written

UTILIZATION

I had no PGM, so editing is not easy without.
To circumvent the problem of its prohibitive price, I turned to a master keyboard perfect for me: the novation remote 25 then 61. At the time, information on the Internet were in their infancy is wonderful tool. So to find the sysex of each parameter (there are many), I plugged it in and midi out to QBASE moved them one by one (boring) then reprogrammed the remote peak of the data.
This was the beginning of a long and rich history.

SOUNDS

Rev 3 is a rare apparently close to the rev 4, but very little info about this subject.
The expression is perfect for me, it can be done meowing, chirping, roaring, bellowing: it's a real zoo. A distortion, wah wah and it multiplies its organic side already strengthened.
What is certain is that you can go through all the states: hovering on some pads, its fucking wicked bass or leads, giggles on other sounds, frozen by some pads, there are even " emulations "of structural Baschet, it all basically sound. I made a small analog kit pretty unique in its kind.
Good afternoon it is not without flaws, the opening of the filter can sometimes aggressive (but hey that a wild animal must be tamed what).

In any case its multiple parameters are sufficient to customize to their liking.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought around 1996 (500 Swiss francs) to the controller without time I missed, then came the remote, which gave him its full meaning.
Very organic for my taste, thick, expressive and playful with a beautiful and strong personality.
I could never get rid of it as it melts well in my set.
By the way thank you for your opinion Coyotte14 detailed and informative. Perfect