Roland MKS-70 & MPG-70 Controller | The Perfect Match!

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

Great video Espen. Here's a few tips and tricks for using MPG-70: 1) Press SHIFT + ENTER in patch generator to generate a separate tone on both JX voice boards. 2) SHIFT+PATCHGEN when in the ASSIGN menu will route incoming BREATH, MODWHEEL, or AFTERTOUCH to the current assign. (Control any parameters on the JX with these) 3)Pressing SHIFT+ENTER (PATCH) in the main menu will let you edit all of the PATCH MENU parameters in real time from the panel. 4) To set an ASSIGN layer without doing any manual entry, hold shift and move the slider through the range you want and in the direction you want, and all of those settings will be transferred to the current assign layer. Hopefully these tricks are helpful!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks for the added info. I'll pin this to the top so other can find it easily. :)

[@deastman2]

I was perfectly happy with my stock MKS-70 and PG-800. I have a feeling this video is going to end up costing me a lot of money!

[@midimoog]

The MKS-70 is a seriously underrated synth. In many cases it exceeds the MKS-80 in my opinion (having both). The MPG-70 programmer reveals just how much this synth is capable of; visually and sonically. I really need to buy this.

[@cnfuzz]

Really smoother than an mks80 but as far as I know the mk80 had some filter revisions so it may depend on that stacking up against the mks70

[@BlezzBeats]

21:00 You get right at my heart with those sounds and chords Espen

[@EspenKraft]

I hope so, but thanks for saying! :)

[@BlezzBeats]

@@EspenKraft No seriously it really touched me

[@EspenKraft]

Then I'm just happy. Music is meant to touch hearts and if I can contribute in some small way, it's awesome. :-)

[@BlezzBeats]

@@EspenKraft I might not be able to keep my hands from sampling it!

[@EspenKraft]

Check out the other 8P vs MKS-70 right before this one as well. ;-)

[@jml19221]

“I have the Yamaha DX7 as the master controler”. The irony

[@emnigmamachine]

They keybed on the DX is amazing though

[@LordCritish]

@@emnigmamachine Hum, not in my opinion. The DX7II's key action is quite hard and the keys are noisy AF. I prefer the JD-800 key action.

[@emnigmamachine]

@@LordCritish I have a mk1 that feels great. Never got my hands on a II

[@cnfuzz]

@@emnigmamachine 30 ish years ago I saw Trent reznor trying to smash a DX 7 mk1 with his guitar , the guitar flew back in his face in pieces while the DX had a little dent in the chassis , it is virtually indestructible such is a d50, indeed the keys are great for a synth ,but the midi imp was extremely basic

[@Retrogamer71]

This thing really kicks out some beautiful sounds.

[@_P_M_]

Great stuff! Thank you. Love that JX and to see it's functionality extended. Keep up the good work!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! :)

[@cnfuzz]

A very useful synth mks70 , the controller shows how versatile , a cross between dx ,jp8 and a bit of ppg

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

Gawd! 1986! I was only 23 then, and I frequented a place where the resident keyboardist used a DX7, a JX8P, a Korg PolySix and an Arp Axxe. (As far as I know he still has all those).

[@dosgos]

Awesome video. Learned so much here. Sounds are incredible. And appreciate your concise explanations.

[@EspenKraft]

Sweet. Many thanks! :)

[@synthrodriguez7518]

If you have two MKS-70 units, there is a function in the Vecoven firmware where you can assign even midi notes to one synth and odd midi notes to the other synth, thereby doubling the polyphony to create a bi-timbral, 12-voice SuperMega-JX. The function only works with the rack mounted units however, not with the JX-10's.

[@MrAdrianloera]

One of the better synths of the 80’s for sure.

[@Stue007]

Great, thank you very much for showing us the MKS-70 together with the MPG-70!! Have got the MKS-70 myself, super synth!!

[@roberthollander4522]

Great video! I got to play around with an MKS70 yesterday and thought about it but the shop just gave me weird vibes. Hopefully I’ll find one acceptable and at a good price so it can live next to my D50! 😀

[@rodmoyes80s]

Great stuff as always!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! :)

[@dailyraillive1492]

Love your videos

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! :D

[@infolla6769]

MKS 70 sounds so melancholic!

[@adamluck6439]

What a beautiful thing

[@samikalastaja]

9:56 - what is love? This, this is love!

[@aldeanblair9727]

I love you epsen karft

[@EspenKraft]

Many thanks!

[@JCooperAudioSystems]

Great video. I’m glad I got both the JX and MKS when they were cheap.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@glenesis]

Hi Espen! I had not heard about the alternative firmware. That explains why these units are so expensive these days. They have better functionality then they did back in the day. I was aware of the limited or lack of sysex. I will comment again after a full watch. Thank you! Edit: That upgrade is really cool!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@allanskovmand5217]

Those days I just loved Roland!

[@Hyper5nic]

Wonderful video Espen! Enjoyed this as much as the Top Ten Basslines vid! By the way.. at 8:40 I keep hearing the bassline from Billy Ocean's - 'When the Going Gets Tough' :-) Relistening it's actually played a little higher on the keys. Thanks again for sharing your insights and have a wonderful sunday!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks Mark! I never thought about that song when I played. Purely incidental.

[@oubrioko]

I must have seen _Fletch_ too many times, because the bass and clav riffs beginning at 9:37, sure sounds like the score used during numerous scenes of that movie.

[@wedream2]

It's nice to see 3rd party development to revitalize old gear forgotten by the original manufacturers.

[@alphabeets]

That thing sounds pretty damn good!

[@synthartist69]

Loved the video. I bought a Roland MKS 70 back in 1991. I remember having to scroll all through that module to create sounds for the cover band I was in. It was a nightmare! But that module sounded so good especially the Reverb Brass and the Soundtrack patches! I have owned several JX10's since then but all of them had some sort of keybed issue whether it was aftertouch not working or key triggering issues. I never liked the feel of that keybed either, too heavy and deep for my taste. I always liked fast keybeds like the ones in the JV and XP series. One thing that is really nice is when you midi a JX to a DX and use DX Bells or EP with JX strings or pads.... super nice.

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! :)

[@dr.greggeddins1723]

Your videos always intrigue me !!! Keep up the great channel !!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! :D

[@J._Campbell]

9:56 Great pad! It reminds me Sting Fields of gold. May be this pad was used in this song with Arco strings (from D50)?

[@EspenKraft]

I have no idea. ;-)

[@J._Campbell]

@@EspenKraft 😅😅👍

[@JoseVGavila]

Great one!. Thanks, Espen

[@funkysynths]

Hearing “the old A ROM chip, which is ready for the trash bin,” gave me a big internal laugh. Lmao love your style, Espen.

[@EspenKraft]

Aim to please... thanks! ;-)

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

@@EspenKraft That chip will come in handy to anybody wanting to handicap their MKS-70. ;)

[@toomuchtoofast4533]

Uh yeah may want to sell that to someone in need

[@muco007]

That MPG-70 Controller looks great, just wish it was 20% cheaper. I'll pay a premium for quality any day.

[@Sonikbytes]

Vecoven's firmware ARP feature is fun to play with too

[@lardosian]

wow that sounds lovely, i presume the super jx is quite rare now.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

I see them pop up fairly cheap quite often. It's the MKS-70 that seems to be getting rare and expensive. SJX has such poor midi implementation though, so the Vecoven 3.x is key if you want to do the kind of stuff Espen is showing us in the video.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

The module has greater appeal than the keyboard edition, since you can easily trigger it from anything. I can understand that, having owned a JX10 myself. Missing the sound engine(s) but not the keyboard. One time, I triggered the JX10 from my Minimoog Voyager, just to feel the aftertouch. I almost melted.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

@@Shred_The_Weapon Yeah, that keyboard on SJX is the pits. I have SJX with Vecoven, but the keyboard sits across the room from me. I just use my Kurzweil and MPG70 to control it. I despise that JX10 interface.

[@cnfuzz]

@@retroaktivsynthesizers5075 what is a mks70 going for, they always used to be less common than jx10 but didn't command much higher prices, typically around the 350 mark like a juno2

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I sincerely want to get my own MKS70 module this year! Missing my JX10 but not for its keyboard. But, is it really worth the current price tag of $1,000 USD, even if it has the firmware upgrades? Scratching my head.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

Only you can say what a thing is worth to you, but for me, the 4.x PWM upgrade was definitely worth it. I didn't use my Super JX much before because the midi implementation was so poor, and I only had an iPad editor, which I did not like. Now that I have a physical controller and the unit has great MIDI implementation, it's one of my favorite synths, and it outclasses other much more expensive synths I have.

[@cnfuzz]

No 1000usd for a synth that seen 34 years of use is to much , and that might require changing caps and vdu display on top , get a Juno 2 instead and double track sounds and you get similar albeit simpler sounds

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

@@cnfuzz It's just a matter of taste. I paid much more for my Chroma, but use it less than my SJX/8P combo. That said, I've been doing all of my own tech work on my stuff, so I guess I wasn't factoring in the tech cost. When you own a bunch of old synths, there's pretty much always at least one that needs something.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Both of you pose good points. In my own head, I remember that at the center of my choice to unload my JX10 was a pledge to get this module. I think this is my year to do it. Even if I do end up having to spend an arguably inappropriate sum, it would be worthwhile. Thinking of using the summer solstice as a date to meet the goal.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Nice video! Did you ever go with Vercoven version 4 for PWM since this video by any chance? I have an MKS-80 and original MPG-80 and just bought an MKS-70. Wondering if I really need to get PWM or not because what I’ve seen of it - it involves a lot of soldering new wires. I likely won’t get the controller for the MKS-70 (yet) as I’ll use the ipg app on my iPad.

[@EspenKraft]

No, I have no interest in the Vecoven mods at all. In fact I don't like synths mods except for the necessary evil of new displays or a firmware update to get rid of bugs. And maybe a floppy emulator although I love floppies.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

@@EspenKraft ah I understand. The only mod I’ve done so far was to my 727 - a little rom expansion by hka designs that Pete Gleadall (PSB MD) pointed out to me. That was a nice upgrade. I think I’ll go with the Vecoven 3.x module as it’s kind of required these days - I was just on the fence with PWM but I’m back off that fence now :)

[@amonster8mymother]

I like my Jx-10 for it's nice smooth filter sweep. 🇨🇦👍😷

[@Memory_Blanks]

Ooff this makes me want to get one....Did not know about the dual layer CTRL

[@DaraM73]

My ‘86 mind is blown!

[@samikalastaja]

12:03 "Ooh, baby, I feel right, the music sounds better with you"

[@BboySalamon]

Thanks! Oh yeah, DX7 rules the world👍

[@EspenKraft]

As longs as it's from the 80s it's good enough. ;-)

[@eancurtis9333]

Awesome 👍

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! :)

[@andreaschristodoulou4274]

Great things, its nice to hear from you, that old music gears are still useful, by the way to you use compressor/gate for your talking on this video??

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! I always compress my voice overs.

[@cnfuzz]

That thing is probably more than twice what i payed for mks70 , i had pg800 sold it and reprogrammed sysex for a kenton spindoctor with more functions than a pg800, at a flick the kenton also edits a d50 , kawai etc on same footprint, does the firmware upgrade somewhat streamline tones storage , since that is always a pain on jx10/mks70

[@iSirTaki]

Legends say only the early versions of the JX-10 sound as lush as the JX-8P. The MKS-70 is sounding cleaner and more steril than the JX-8P

[@EspenKraft]

Legend tends to be untrue.. ;-)

[@cortical1]

Thanks, as always, Espen. Can't think of that year without thinking of Don't Stand So Close to Me '86 and the disastrous and disappointingly failed reunion attempt by The Police. I was crushed that they'd never again write songs together. Espen, what's the main difference between the MKS-50 and the MKS-70?

[@EspenKraft]

The MKS-50 and MKS-70 are two totally different synths. The MkS-50 is a Roland Alpha Juno 1/2 in module form, but the MKS-70 is (like I say in the beginning of this video) 2 JX-8Ps in a module. The Alpha Juno and JX-8P are completely different in sound, construction and functionality.

[@leepshin]

GODDAMMIT Espen, quit buyin new gear. I'm havin a hard job tryin to source the stuff you get never mind buy the same stuff you've got. LOL Keeping up with your equipment inventory is a humongous task so why do I try keeping up? Simple! The vids you do on your latest acquisitions are top notch and give me that warm and fuzzy "I want one" feeling.

[@EspenKraft]

I take full responsibility! ;-)

[@LordCritish]

Thanks for showing love for the MKS! Phew, that controller is over $800, almost the price I paid for a MKS-70 a couple years back so I guess I have to make do with the Kiwi Patch Editor which also costed me over $600. Long story short: Those dedicated controller are friggin expensive! One question: Does the MPG-70 has built-in patch/tone storage?

[@EspenKraft]

No, you can't store patches in that. That's why I use the MC-256 cartridge you see in my 8P. THAT has plenty of storage space,

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

There is an expansion card for MPG-70 coming out soon. This adds around 40 banks of sounds and user CC maps that can be stored. The storage format for the card is a little different than the MKS though. Because it is such a hassle to store TONE A, then TONE B, then reference those in the patch menu, THEN save the patch, the MPG-70 will simply take a snapshot of the whole sound (upper, lower voice boards and the patch menu), all assignable control settings (ASSIGN A, ASSIGN B, ASSIGN P (Expression Pedal), CHORD MODE settings, etc. on the MPG and save it as one object. If you are controlling 2 MKS70s, then you can store all 4 voiceboards and both patch menus in a single object. No more ever having to deal with that awful SJX/MKS70 patch management system. Once stored in the MPG, the objects can be exported as standard SJX/MKS70 objects or you can export the contents of the whole card (all banks stored on the card) in a single sysex file.

[@helisoma]

now it's over $1000 🙈

[@fakshen1973]

When Behringer made the Deep Mind 12, that's what I hoped for in the nee generation of DCO synths. It hails back to a famous synth sound, but overwrites the limits of the time period: more envelopes, LFOs, better user interface, built in patch recallable digital effects. The upgrade of a ROM chip and a modern controller does wonders for the MKS-70. They could create a Deepmind version of the MKS70. That would be awesome.

[@EspenKraft]

I still prefer the originals, but I have no objections to making new original synths. ;-)

[@staffansail2457]

Would like to switch my JX-10 for a MKS-70. I only use it as a module anyway. Cause it has the common aftertouch problem. So use my Deepmind 12 to play it.

[@javiceres]

Apart from the ATouch issue, how nice is the keybed? Compared to the DMind?

[@cnfuzz]

The mks is sysex transmit receive as well , the jx only if you switch the rom ,but the keys are nice on the jx

[@smilingbuddha2836]

Subscribed.

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! :)

[@annother3350]

I'm confused as to why you didnt buy the version 4 chip with the extra features?

[@EspenKraft]

Very simple answer, I have lots of other synths doing PWM and secondly, the install is much more work. The 3 is all I need to control the synth smoothly.

[@annother3350]

@@EspenKraft ok, cool

[@Laserdave68C]

@@annother3350 Yeah its a lot of work...You have to desolder a 40 pin chip from each voice board to install an upgraded CPU chip..replace the ROMS on both voice boards and after building the PWM control boards there are around 40 extra cables that need to be accuratly cut and soldered to the legs of power points and logic chips on the voice boards,,,,,not saying its impossible (I beta tested the software\Hardware and drafted the v1.0 install manual for Fred Vecoven with a Junker(ex rental badly abused near death JX10) but you need to be a competent solder/desolder person with plenty of patience to make it work........A decent tech should be able to do an install for you within 6 hours if you wanna pay someone

[@helisoma]

i just got a JX-10 with 3.xx and midi and so happy to hear all this functionality exists without the 4.xx mod...will definitely get the MPG-70 🤗 (also don't need PWM)

[@marcusjknight]

My MKs70 power supply is dead. Is there a modern upgrade option?

[@rickboring7165]

supersynthprojects.com/replacement-jx10-mks70-power-supply/

[@cnfuzz]

Have you checked capacitors ? It will not boot if those are worn , doesn't mean the psu is completely shot , also if so a different voltage regulator design is advised than the standard one that gets quite hot

[@neonvoid]

What is the difference between the Retroactive Retroaktiv MPG-70 and the PG800 programmer? Which one is preferred?

[@EspenKraft]

There's a ton of difference. Unless you want the original controller because you're a purist, the one from Retroaktiv is the one to get. By far. Check their website for details.

[@neonvoid]

@@EspenKraft thank you so much!

[@SeverityOne]

Ah, now that I found an EX-8000 at a very reasonable price, I need to consider on how to finish my 1980s raxk (the 1990s rack is pretty much full). The MKS-70 is on my shortlist, but asking prices these days are typically around the €2200 mark, which is just a lot of money. An MKS-50 can be found, with a bit of luck, for one third of that. What I'm trying to figure out from videos like these is which sound I like the most.

[@zsoltmati]

( 13:38 Billy Idol - Eyes Without A Face.. )

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Exactly :)

[@XPJV]

Today (in late 2023) I have Fantom EX! What else do I need?... - only creativity!

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

bit late but I like to add one important thing. At that is to use a proper keyboard to control any old Roland synth, one that let's you play the full range of 127 steps of velocity and aftertouch.

[@EspenKraft]

That would depend on if you actually care about going up to 127 coming out of the keyboard. I don't.

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

@@EspenKraft why would you miss one end of the dynamics of a given modulated sound.

[@troypol343]

I would love to add the JX-10/MKS-70 but unfortunately they are too expensive for me to acquire as most of these synths are now. I guess I'll have to stay a single oscillator Juno man I have the Juno-60, Juno-106. I have used Junos for 30 years. Wish I had gotten a JX-10 or MKS-70 in the 90s too. I have a JX-3p too but these go quite a bit further.

[@bhamadicharef]

ROMs should not be trashed to the bin ... people would pay for EPROM plus P&P to study and hack the original OS ! Just a remark. Nice video as always ... AAA

[@EspenKraft]

I never actually trash them. I joke about it. ;-)

[@helisoma]

wow @14:34 random pads 😍😍😍 and @21:01

[@100DollarHeadache]

I installed the Plus ROM for my Alesis Quadraverb and found a dead spider under the old ROM chip. Also, I mentioned the Kiwi Patch Editor in a previous video of yours about controllers - unfortunately they are now discontinued.

[@EspenKraft]

I too have found different things in old gear, luckily not very dangerous things... ;-)

[@venomslair137]

19:30 I can't tell you, but it lasts forever!

[@Bryn-w5z]

Do you think Retroaktiv will make a MPG-70 mk 4? I just missed out on these and and I can't buy them for love nor money. I have emailed him aswell but got no reply.. Only got my mks-70 a few months ago with vercoven upgrades on the way

[@EspenKraft]

I have no idea really.

[@emilyschmanks]

what is the name of the record on the right of 'mama'?

[@EspenKraft]

Madonna - "Crazy for You".

[@emilyschmanks]

@@EspenKraft ty !!

[@JoelBouchillon]

What were the improvements made on the new Firmware ROM chip?

[@EspenKraft]

Vastly improved midi specs.

[@Laserdave68C]

Even the base software brings you Midi CC proper Sysex Patch/Tone dumping a more responsive synth in general MIDI and the front panel controls on both the rack mks70 and the OG JX10 plus the lacklustre sequencer which requres you to have an MC16/MC64 Ram cart is replaced by a MIDI syncable Arpegiator based on the classic options of the Junos and Jupiters of the day.....oh and you can use those edit sliders that would only affect performance parameters to ANY Voice\Tone\Patch\Arp parameter and send out CC data that your DAW\Sequencer can use during playback ...No Brainer upgrade

[@AllenMichael]

Help me find your video of the mks 70 vs jx8p?

[@EspenKraft]

That video has been deleted from my channel.

[@AllenMichael]

@@EspenKraft oh okay. Thanks

[@1soulblues]

Hi Espen, would you give me some advice on a midi keyboard that can make me do these split / layering of the 2 modules that I purchased ??

[@EspenKraft]

I don't use master keyboards like that so I don't know exactly what model you should go for. Try asking in a Facebook synth group or other forums like Gearslutz. There's plenty of people there that can help you out in a flash. Roland, M-Audio, Native Instruments, Novation, they all have master keyboards. Go to a local music shop and try out some stuff. :)

[@1soulblues]

@@EspenKraft thanks espen

[@RiggiMediaInt]

Vecoven or Kiwi... Espen... which would you recommend? 🤔

[@EspenKraft]

I'm sure you saw my "warning" video in regards to Kiwi...In general I don't like mods at all, but forced to chose one I'd go for Vecoven.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

Vecoven 3.x is identical to the stock firmware, with the exception that the MIDI implementation works flawlessly. The envelopes, control curves, etc are 100% identical. If you do not want to change the synth by adding parameters (Vecoven 4.x PWM mod), I still recommend that you update to Vecoven 3.x, as it is going to fix the problems with the original firmware (Can't edit lower tone with editor, MIDI causes hung notes and can freeze, Chase Mode params not sent correctly in bulk dumps, and much more). Vecoven 3.x can be considered a master "bug fix" for the Super JX/MKS-70. Vecoven 4.x adds all of the PWM params, extra envelopes, and extra LFOs/LFO waveforms, but the things like the ADSR envelopes and control curves still remain 100% identical when compared to the original. In my opinion (And like Espen, I generally dislike firmware mods), the Vecoven firmware is top-notch, transparent and bug-free. It remains true to the original while providing much needed updates to the MIDI implementation.

[@1soulblues]

HELLO ESPEN, my name is Massimo and I am writing to you from Italy. I wanted to ask you for information (I'm not an expert, I'm a neophyte) to you who understand it: I would intend to buy 2 sound modules (a korg plus a roland), my intention and to want to play them in layering at the same time and also create split mode, playing a part with roland and another part of the keyboard with korg. the bottom line of my question: is it possible to do all this with a single midi keyboard? if it is possible, how to make the wiring ?? waiting for your welcome reply, I offer cordial greetings from Italy

[@EspenKraft]

Every MIDI master keyboard can set up multiple split points addressing different MIDI channels and store those settings into different setups you can recall at the touch of a button, so you have plenty of options.

[@standingpineapple6651]

Aesthetic 100

[@davidfix9840]

Hi Espen, where did you get the Vecoven chip?

[@EspenKraft]

You can get it directly from Vecoven himself. ;-)

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Both Roland and Yamaha have been recycling their own sounds since the 80's, and with each recycling the instruments actually sounded worse. Korg went a step further by introducing a mini-pc inside a keyboard housing, which is essentially the same as running an emulator on your pc, but in a compact version. I long for the days when both keyboards and synthesizers had simple number pads allowing you to punch in a 3-digit number for any sort of instrument or sound. Today they only have rotary knobs which get broken after 5 years or so, and dozens of menus to go through to change a setting. Whatever comes on the market today is all about flashing LED's in various colours and rotary knobs. Just toys that make a sophisticated beat, but which don't seem meant for making real music. OK, we can admire your fantastic collection of gear from the 80's or 90's, and thanks for sharing that with us, but how about the average Joe who walks into a music shop today. What can he buy that is similar to the old gear? Or would it be easier to just do everything via software?

[@cnfuzz]

The answer is simple , you cant buy anything similar qualitywise , roland 80s gear was quality so was yamaha , in the early 90s cheap enclosures ,buttons started to creep in , but same could be said for vcr's ... , i would be surprised if todays studio gear will hold 20 / 30 years

[@SyntheticFuture]

That's a bleak picture... I'd argue that synths have rarely been as expressive as they are now. Many of the late 80s and 90s keyboards had horrible hand on controls. Try doing a filter sweep with those knobs you mentioned. Won't work. Try quickly editing sounds on a D-50 / Jv-1080 / korg M1 without a dedicated controller (while midway through a solo). You won't have a fun time. Meanwhile the System 8, Hydrasynth, Summit, Motiv and the list goes on and on have so many front panel controls that you can play with while playing notes. I don't mind people being nostalgic but this is just a nonsense reason to be nostalgic.

[@informativt]

@@cnfuzz I do worry about the prevalence of smd-mounted controls and ports. Breaks easy and hard to fix

[@EspenKraft]

Just to balance the debate.. I for one has never cared about a real-time filter sweep. Don't need it. I make sounds that goes into a pop music production. Editing sounds on a D-50 without a controller is second nature to me, I grew up with this way of working with thses synths. Sure a controller can make things go faster, and I enjoy that, but it's not necessary. ;-)

[@SyntheticFuture]

In still a bit confused by the "for making real music". What makes something "real music". I'm assuming an element of live playing / tweaking? Might be different things we are talking about.

[@foljs5858]

Off topic, but doesn't the name "Espen Kraft" itself sound 80s and furutistic?

[@EspenKraft]

Hard for me to answer that.. ;-)

[@mrkeeny]

It’s an anagram of his real name, Frank Steep

[@marcusjknight]

What was the bass patch you used please?

[@EspenKraft]

The factory split bass/clav patch.

[@NinoCotonato]

I miss my jx10...

[@ryankm48]

i broke my super jx back in 2015 trying to do this :( pwm boards and all. i think i slopped to much solder and crossed some pins and fried the cpu,s because all the chips heated up, but i was to busy to debug and dumped it on ebay Still have pg 800 and 2 prong power chord

[@electrowayne2918]

sell me the pg 800 please :)

[@ryankm48]

@@electrowayne2918 lol. I held on to it and bought another Super JX. Just recently accually.

[@electrowayne2918]

@@ryankm48 Smart man! lol! I've got one I am watching as well +Vecoven upgrade. BUT I have an JX8P so not sure if I need it.. Thoughts?

[@ryankm48]

@@electrowayne2918 I dont want to fry another one. It might have been a power supply issue because of the extra hardware. So of you are good at power supplys and want to do a lot of wiring.... This new one I got... I have to replace all the tactile buttons. Theyve all gine bad. But i can still use the pg 800, got a few patches in before all the buttons quit working.

[@ryankm48]

new one: with 16 voice prophet rev2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZmZZalsir2CqKc

[@xnonsuchx]

Trash bin??? I would at least hold onto it in case you ever get rid of it and someone wants the original firmware. Or it could be reprogrammed, as it seems to be reprogrammable, for other devices that use the same type of EEPROM.

[@EspenKraft]

I've been known to crack a joke once in a while.. ;-)

[@javiceres]

Espen Kraft Oh, thank God

[@diywarmchannel9090]

Волшебные звуки))

[@composersgarage]

but how do i get the pac-man?!

[@EspenKraft]

You buy it. ;-)

[@composersgarage]

@@EspenKraft from where! Lol

[@EspenKraft]

They're all available on Ebay. One quick search. Takes you 10 seconds. ;-)

[@AndrewAHayes]

For a second I thought it was an Arduino Nano

[@smartti1970]

dx7 doesn't send up to 120 velocity

[@EspenKraft]

I never use full velocity on ANY sound. ;-)

[@smartti1970]

@@EspenKraft okay , are you sure the patch doesn't use very subtil use of velocity for the filter ? i didn'lt see it is a dx7S :-)

[@toomuchtoofast4533]

That puke in your mouth moment when you discover that the MPG 70 costs a grand

[@EspenKraft]

Or more...

[@toomuchtoofast4533]

@@EspenKraft hehe I’ve seen people control it w the bcr 2000 - what do u think ?

[@neanalog]

@@toomuchtoofast4533 It only works for some parameters. Most patch menu parameters require sending 2 separate sysex strings, making BCR2000 a fairly clunky machine to control MKS70 with. It'll do the job, just like I can ride my bike from Maine to California, or I can take a plane and get the job done in about 1/20th the time.

[@danalexpiano]

Definitely overpriced controller. Many people would buy it at $450-500, but it’s hard to imagine big sales at current $875.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

If it were $450 or $500, yes, many people would buy it, until supplies ran out, and there was no more money to produce more, because at that price, Retroaktiv would be operating at a loss. The Stereoping synth controller goes for more than MPG-70, and has much less hardware. Perhaps someday Behringer can rip off my design, pop it in a 6" x 10" plastic box, and sell it to the masses for $300.

[@danalexpiano]

Retroaktiv Synthesizers you’re right, this is just today’s reality. You can produce cheap and sell more, or you can produce good gear and sell some. Anyway, it will go out of production if the price remains at this rate. You can get original pg800 at 350-450 if you spend some time searching. It is not a problem. And a/b balance is not what you’re ready to pay extra $400 for. I have both jx10 and mks70 and can easily control them from the front panel. I paid $400 for jx10 4 months ago in absolutely perfect condition. How can I make myself buy a controller twice as more expensive? I hope your product will be in production long. I believe this is a really good piece of gear. But I would never pay almost 1k for that. Neither did Espen, I am sure. He got this for free, everyone knows he never buys overpriced gear (really clever approach anyway). But this video might push your sales at a certain degree. Good luck.

[@retroaktivsynthesizers5075]

@@danalexpiano It won't go out of production unless I decide to stop making them. As is, I cannot keep up with the demand. I also make a much less expensive controller for the JX series, and those sell well too. I'm not sure where your calculations are coming from, but I am not having difficulties selling units. You clearly haven't read the manual if you think all the product offers is AB balance. There's a LOT under the hood. Patch generator, midi data filtering, channel mapping, support for JX8P, SJX, MKS70, with MIDI and PG-800 dialect, ability to route mod wheel, aftertouch, breath to any 15 parameters simultaneously, ability to function as a generic CC controller, ability to support 2 synths (4 voice boards independently), ability to crossfade between two synths, all patch menu (not tone menu) parameters editable from front panel), and many other things. IF you don't need all the features, you shouldn't pay for them, but this is not just a souped up PG-800 with AB balance. Not even close. I can cross the ocean in a canoe if I want. It gets the job done.

[@danalexpiano]

Retroaktiv Synthesizers glad you sell it good! Cheers.

[@cnfuzz]

@@retroaktivsynthesizers5075 young don't need fear behringer ripping off this , the mks jx target market is just to small, maybe a different story if they would do a mks clone !