Quote:
Originally Posted by soundsubs
DS--- wondering how you think the Andromeda stands up to your new beast. I love the Roland sound and have had one of almost every model, the JP8 being an exception. So what are your thoughts about the Jp8 vs. the A6 ?
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Soundsub -
Before I answer that, let me give you a bit of synth background info on me - this may help to put matters into context.
I first got into synths back in the summer of 2000. I was working on a building site (as a labourer), trying to save money before heading off to university. One, hot sunny day, I decided to head off site for lunch....and I stumbled across a music shop. I intuitively headed towards the keyboard section and started to have a tinker around. I instantly knew I wasnt playing a keyboard as such...but a synth. In fact, the first synth I ever had a play with was a Nord 2 (they had just come down in price to £1299 back then - wow i remember!). I was impressed by the way it sounded.....even more so by the MS2000 and SNII. But that day was to mark my destiny in more ways than one - it was the first time I discovered synths....but also the first time I discovered true analog (SCI Pro-One). Whilst playing around on the MS2000 and getting an earful from the sales guy about how fat its bass was etc etc...unknown to me...some random guy off the street had set up a Pro-One behind me. All of a sudden I was floored by the most dirty, rude bass sound I have ever heard....I turned my head...I saw that it was coming from this plastic thing with wooden side cheeks. I was immediately impressed, much to the sales guy's annoyance. There ws nothing in that room which could compete with the Pro-One. The guy told me it was analog.....a concept I had no real understanding of at the time. All I knew was that it sounded amazing....I bought it.
Since that moment, I went on to buy a Juno 60, Jupiter 8, Prophet 5, Mono-Poly and DX7. You see, I love the sound of 80's music...and these we're the sort of synths used during that period. I was in heaven. But then something happened to my JP8 which immediately made me think I had alot of ticking time bombs on my hands. I sold the lot off (to a few mates).
Around 2003, I had convinced myself to move onto VA. Virus KC, TI, Nord 2 and JP8000. Initially, they intrigued me, but ultimately they bored me. In hindsight I now realise that spending the best part of 3 years with nothing but the best analogs had raised my expectations of what VA could offer beyond reasonable levels. For all the gadgets and features of VA...I just could never get satisfied with their tone. Remember, when i first played the Nord 2, MS2000 and SNII back in 2000....I *was* impressed - just goes to show how perceptions/opinions can change.
So, from the middle of 2003 to 2007, I grappled with VA. Unsatisfied, I turned to the Andromeda A6. Now, with all the mystique surrounding this board.....the unavailability and prospects of it going out of production... it kinda sent me into a frenzy to buy it. The reality was very very different....
In my opinion, the Andromeda is one of the single biggest let downs I've ever experienced. I was totally shocked at how shite its build quality was - and totally disapointed by its tone. I sat for 5 hours programming my own sounds (its pretty straightforward really)...and I thought it sounded dry, harsh and quite thin (I dont like sub oscilators on anything put bass and drones). Its very hard to explain, but it just sounded vanilla.....I actually hated the experience. I kept on feeling...why oh why have you tried to give it so many features....when the fundemental sound should have been the priority. I went back to the shop two days running and spent a total of 8 hours demoing it...and I did everything I could to try and enjoy it....to try and understand why some people rave about it. I just didnt see it personally. I will say one thing....having played the Andromeda made me realise just how much better a Virus is...particularly the KC and TI versions. I now appreaciate the Virus as having alot more character and musical results.
Comparing the Andromeda to a JP8 is a simple task. The JP8 is one of the best built synths ever made. Its probably the sexiest synth to look at and it sounds....well....faultless. The JP8 is everything the Andromeda is not. The JP8 is wet, warm and fat. Discreet oscilators and a musical filter that cannot be bettered. To me, the JP8 has been and always will be the pinnacle of analog synthesis. Its simple design is inspiring, its build quality is timeless and its sound is classic. You have to play/use one to believe it.
Check out Felix Da Housecat. JP8 exclusive tracks...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZbBu9R-RFw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaLvP74R9kk
Whodini
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzg7H8CYeT4
Buy a JP8 if you want to create a vibe....
DS
DS