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The super-classic Prophet-5 rev. 2, from the late 1970s / early 1980s.
Used by so many famous acts of the late ’70s up until the mid ’80s and beyond (check out for example the famous oscillator sync sound used by “The Cars”).
Super warm sounds, beautiful strings, pads, bass etc. but also incredibly good for special FX, thanks to the strong modulation capabilities on board.
The slightly improved successor to the original Alpha Juno. Great analog sound and one of the most famous Techno sounds ever, the “hoover” sound.
Roland Alpha Juno-2 audio demos
Original Sound Chart Factory Programs (the “mythical” bank found in the earlier production Alpha Junos – thank you http://www.llamamusic.com/mks50/mks-50_patches.html for the information and data!)
Factory Programs A (same as Alpha Juno and MKS-50)
Factory Programs B (same as Alpha Juno and MKS-50)
The Roland JX-8P is a six-voice polyphonic synthesizer that came out in 1985. It is a typical “hybrid” synth of that era, featuring DCOs but VCFs and VCAs.
The sound is – like its relatives JX-10 and MKS-70, very “lush”, classy and full. The keyboard is dynamic and has aftertouch. There are many editing parameters available, and also they typical Roland on-board chorus, and portamento.
Since the synth was built at a time when digital technology had exploded and all synths started looking like the DX7, the JX-8P has no knobs – but relies on multi-functions, buttons and a slider to edit the sounds. The PG-800 programmer can be used to program the synth with a more traditional “analog style” interface. The Roland JX-8P features full MIDI, and also accepts a cartridge to store 32 additional patches.
The SIEL DK 80 is a nice mid-level synth from 1985. It features:
12 voices
Double sound generation
Dynamic keyboard
Advanced MIDI functions
87 programmable parameters
Up to 150 programs on line
2-track real time polyphonic MIDI sequencer.
The “sonic character” of the DK 80 is very nice and interesting, and it’s a classic “hybrid” with DCOs and VCFs/VCAs. Still, it’s capable of very powerful and “fat & gluey” sounds.
The DK 80 can also have an optional pedalboard, called “PD 80” which features two pedals: the one on the left is programmable, and the one on the right is dedicated to Sustain. A great setting for the left pedal is to “scroll” the patch programs, because – in pure mid-80s style – one needs to select the program with the keypad and then press “Enter”. With the left pedal, it’s much quicker to go through the programs to play / check them out. It’s also great for live use.
This black beauty is one of the many semi-unknown Italian synthesizers of the ’80s. It is a typical digital/analog hybrid, sporting two DCOs, VCF, VCA, and two LFOs. The programming on this synth can be a little cumbersome – it was the era of knob-gone digital after all… so programming is similar to other synths of the time: a keypad to change the parameter, and two up-down buttons to alter the value of the parameter dialed. The parameter list and flow diagram are stenciled on a large graphic in the middle of the front panel.
Several keyboard modes are provided; you can split the keyboard, or layer two sounds (double). There’s even a very cool Unison button that makes for some excellent, fat sounds. The pitch and mod wheels are above the keyboard, and on top of each other, as opposed to a more traditional side-by-side – for this reason, the Bit One is a nice, compact five-octave synthesizer.
The Bit One is a “stereo” synth, providing Upper (left) and Lower (right) separate outputs. The notes will come out of each channel at random. I’m not sure if it is a problem with my machine in particular or if all Bit Ones are like this. Best to stay in mono (Upper) if you don’t like the resulting effect.
There are four two-character displays: (parameter) value, address (the parameter selected), Lower Prg and Upper Prg. A compare button is also provided.
Crumar Bit One audio demos
Crumar Bit One photos
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Crumar Bit One specs
great analog sound;
dynamic keyboard allows for nice expression;
unison mode;
two LFOs
Bottom line: If you want the “Sound of the ’80s”, this is a good choice.
Here’s a .pdf of the original Factory Preset Name List, kindly provided by Don Turnock – who used to sell Crumar synths in the ’80s- thank you very much, Don, for providing all of us with precious, rare information on this synth!
And here’s a .pdf of the original Factory Preset Name List of Version II and III of the Bit One, plus MIDI information on the Bit 01, also provided by Don Turnock – thank you, Don!
The Cruise is what was once referred to a “multi-instrument” keyboard, that is a synth having two or more sections designed to emulate a particular instrument, i.e., brass, strings, bass, organ, piano and so on.
They were popular in the early 80s, and other examples of this breed are the Crumar Orchestrator, the ARP Quadra, and the Korg Trident.
