Roland Jupiter-8 vs. System-8... Can you hear a difference?

[@davidsharp3110]

Great video. I bought the System 8 because I did my research and listened to it and Jupiter X. After working on a Jupiter 8 in the 1990s, I am so glad that Roland created the System 8. It does it for me. I tried to like the Jupiter X but it was so difficult to wrap my head around. Just found this video today, and it confirms my decison. Thank you Madman.

[@Manmademadman]

I had a Jupiter-X for about a year through some testing and feedback. Turns out, the sonic difference is that the Jupiter-X is Zen Core (samples) where the System-8 is ACB (mathematical models) and the math sounds better to me!

[@davidsharp3110]

@@Manmademadman I agree 100%! Have a Happy Holiday.

[@NickHowesAstro]

Excellent summary. I owned a JP-8/6 and 4 and a Juno 60 back in the 90s (and spent 20 years professionally programming synths for Yamaha's R&D). What you say is spot on. The System-8 is a modern classic. The emulations are indistinguishable in a mix, and I would say the only thing Roland need to do, is release a JP-XA with ACB and Zencore switchable, so you get the full ACB plug out compliment of 8/6 (hoping they're working on that right now!) an 4, 60/106/3P and all the mono synths you mentioned, plus all the poly count/greatness from their Zencore JD800 etc. models. The JP-X's build quality and aesthetic with the system-8's sound, would decimate everything... and if Roland ever opened up ACB's API to the outside world, you could get things like the Kiwi Mod and probably a ton of other simulations running on what would be something as revered as the JP-8 right is, for decades to come)

[@Manmademadman]

Correct! I think they should release a Jupiter-X mk2 which is all ACB with a quick panel redesign. That would be the greatest Roland ever made.

[@NickHowesAstro]

@@Manmademadman I would argue not pure ACB, but a combination of both. Imagine being able to run a D50/JD800/XV5080 in parallel with a JP8/4/3P/106/60/SH101 etc etc

[@Manmademadman]

@@NickHowesAstro Sure. I meant INCLUDE ACB instead of "only Zencore" like the Jupiter-X is. I owned one for about 15 months and sold it in frustration.

[@NickHowesAstro]

Thank you..and yes..there is "something" missing ..but as I say..in a mix ..I'd find it hard to find anyone who could tell

[@rentedwerewolf6159]

Amazing to hear a Jupiter 8 comparison! Thank you for making this video. It makes me appreciate the Jupiter 8 ACB even more. I hope the rumoured JX8P plugout comes out soon.

[@robertpernett9860]

I’ve had the System 8 since the beginning. It’s well supported, light on bugs. It’s probably the only “big-ticket” synth I would actually own 2-of. Jupiter 4 emulation is wonderful! The even emulate the respective arpeggiater behaviors of the various emulations.

[@paulfrank9047]

Lol there were actually some instances where the System 8 sounded more appealing than the Jupiter 8. The only downside of the System 8 is the 8 notes of polyphony; for a digital synth made decades after the original Jupiter 8, I'd expect Roland to add a few more voices to the System 8 synth and the plug-outs. Would've been cool to have 10+ polyphony for a Juno 106. Ah well, feels better spending $1,300 on the System 8 than the $35,000 for a real Jupiter 8/Juno 106, which is a pretty significant down payment on a house.

[@arthurcrime]

As a 40 year synthesist this was very well done, my first synth was a roland sh5, I too have used 100s of different synths over the years, your comment about them being hammers was insightful. The farewell I don't care was excellent. Subscribed.

[@Manmademadman]

Thank you @arthurcrime. I don't regret selling the Jupiter-8 at all, even if I temporarily cost myself $$,$$$ with this video.

[@Jobotubular]

Nice comparison, thanks. Bought the S8 three years ago, never hesitated, never regretted, never worried about the naysayers. If the S8 had been invented in the 80s, everyone would have used it.

[@Manmademadman]

Thats a great point. If Roland had somehow made the analog restructure based on models, it would be amazing. I am hoping they are going to put out a MK 2 with more keys, better build quality, and more plug out slots, or a Jupiter-X2

[@ohheyitskevinc]

@@Manmademadman and aftertouch. Roland really dropped the ball on that.. Amazes me our System 8s have things like CV out but forgot aftertouch. Interestingly, the green machine does have an aftertouch connector in it, but no ribbon 😂 it’s like they started going that way with it, then forgot 😂

[@ohheyitskevinc]

@@ChazSeamus28 in the menu, you can either turn the brightness down or turn it off. The demo lights are the worst part if you let it sit for a while, but again, you can turn that off in settings.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

It’s pretty awesome isn’t it? Use it for CV too and the integration with Omnisphere is pretty good. Just needs aftertouch.

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@ohheyitskevinc most classic synths did not have AT.

[@station2station544]

Wow Shane, scary video. Never knew they were that close.

[@Manmademadman]

Yup, I tried something besides "Hey heres a saw. And heres a square" with the tougher to reproduce patches, some with extreme settings. Whatever Roland did, they did it right. ACB should be continued and exploited for its greatness. Note that I feel the same about the TR-8 and TR-8S which use ACB to model drum sounds.

[@ecksdee7957]

Been waiting for a video like this from someone, just got my system 8 yesterday, so it's well timed :). I think your conclusion is spot on, and I would just add that the biggest thing the Jupiter 8 has going for it is it's cultural significance as one of the most advanced fully analog synths (and it's one of the best looking keyboards ever made!), but from a purely sound point of view the System 8 gets you so close, not to mention its own engine and the additional plug-outs. Still getting a feel for mine but so far it's my favorite poly synth that I've tried. The build quality is alright too, no wobbly knobs at the very least and the keys aren't as bad as other comments lead me to believe. I also think the green LEDs looks surprisingly better in person than it does on video, and I don't feel any need to switch them off.

[@Manmademadman]

I agree with all your points. Thanks for watching!

[@williamsonsam4420]

Awesome video! I love the Jupiter 8, System 8, and Jupiter X. They all have their own unique features and bring so much joy to playing. I remember being totally amazed the first time I played the Jupiter 8 on DUAL mode with preset patch 12 and 28 together. It felt like I was playing a pipe organ with all the stops out. The System 8 never sounded as grand as my Jupiter 8, but it sounded super awesome with the System 100 plug-out BASS patch. The Jupiter X is still new to me, but I love messing around with it and it's super nice to have all those extra synths inside. Thanks for the video and keep up the great work. Sam from the Machiwoomiapoo channel. Take care.

[@Manmademadman]

Yup, the System-8 is a great synth, destined to be a classic. Thanks for watching!

[@WINSTANLEYOBXa]

Hi I used to own a JP8 but foolishly sold it. I’ll never forget it’s Imposing aluminium side panels and when functioning it felt ‘Alive’! When I got it home it had ditched all its programs. I reloaded via laptop and watched it scroll up on the LCD display. All I can say is that It instantly reminded me of Tangerine Dream circa 1982. I own a S8 now and it is close enough minus the ‘alive’ feel…..

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Owned a real J8 for decades. Prophet X simply murders it sonically, seriously, much better sounding synth when you use good oscillator samples. People freak about the J8 because it’s beautiful looking. But you can’t hear that on a track.

[@paradoxstate5018]

@@sub-jec-tiv seriously you can't hear how beautiful the Jupiter 8 looks when you hear it? 😂😂😂😂 in all seriousness its true, in a mix you wouldnt be able to tell whether it was a System 8 or a Jupiter 8, but i do think you can tell the difference between a Jupiter 8 and a Prophet X in a mix, even now they have 2 distinct colours to their sounds, but I really think vintage gear no matter who built it is WAY over priced, even if I was a millionaire I would not buy a Jupiter 8, much better to go for the System 8.

[@kevinsturges6957]

Thanks so much for putting the work in to make this.

[@retro-dademusic6403]

I really enjoyed this video. I own a System-8 and I’ve played the Jupiter 8. I had virtually all the same opinions about the comparisons as you did before I watched this video. I still do, and always will. 😎

[@Manmademadman]

Excellent to hear.... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED then!

[@retro-dademusic6403]

@@Manmademadman 1. I’d love to have my S8 LEDs in multi colors (like the JP8). Do you know if that’s possible, or about what your guy would charge? 2. Check out my Crockett’s Theme demo sometime if you get a chance. 😎

[@Manmademadman]

@@retro-dademusic6403 No idea about multi color LED's, and I don't know if multi colored LED's light based on voltage level or require a separate voltage to change colors? My guy said that he would never do it again, so I'm thinking $500 would be a good offer.

[@retro-dademusic6403]

@@Manmademadman Okay thanks 😎

[@synthcollector]

Excellent video! I had one and sold not long time ago. Regrets? No. As you said, with a laptop you can achive very similar results! Please, continue to post videos. Regards from Italy

[@Manmademadman]

Roland did an amazing job with their modelling. Ciao from America!

[@SPAZZOID100]

Hardware offers a very different experience than vst’s.

[@m77studio64]

Roland made a good work with system-8, this model sound great also as a VST in Mainstage. Thank u for this video!

[@MingoSphere]

I was looking into getting the System-8 or potentially the new Fantom, so a couple weeks ago I started using the System-8 plug in as well as the Zenology Pro and all the other things the Roland cloud has to offer. My question is - Is there any advantage to getting the Plug-out vs the plug-in, keeping in mind I'm only going to use these in the studio?

[@Manmademadman]

Likely not an audible difference. It's the same plugin software which runs inside the plug out--- you HAVE to run the plug-in to put it into the System-8. The only difference would be the Digital to Analog conversion (D/A) in the System-8 hardware. The System-8 (as I failed to mention) works seamlessly with the plug-ins, so every knob automatically corresponds to the right slider/fader in the software. Totally worth about $1400 (used market right now) that they hold. Also, some people have mentioned that the plugins don't work well on some Apple OS versions and can be CPU hogs.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

@@Manmademadman one of the best features of the S8 for me is not having to run the cloud plug ins in the DAW. Even on my M1 max MacBook, they’re hitting the limit CPU wise. And the Jupiter 8 VST in particular is pretty much unusable even with nothing else running and all processes off except Logic or Live.

[@Wagoo]

It's frankly bizarre that Roland didn't use the ACB circuit emulations in the Jupiter X and Juno X

[@Manmademadman]

10000000% agree. I bought/used the Jp-X hoping they did use ACB, but they later said it was Zencore only, making the X effectively a ROMpler. If they had done that, I would have kept it.

[@mpichora]

Great video, thanks! So basically I'm wishing for a future system 8 with 5 octaves and a build quality like the jupiter X

[@Manmademadman]

This EXACTLY is what I was hoping for, yes! C'mon Roland, lets have it!

[@JackNance22]

Great comparison. The white LEDs look sooooo much better. If Roland released a five octave System 8 that wasn't a green LED nightmare, it would sell well. Between their cloud, putting Alexa in keyboards, and an anti-analog stance, I have a hard time wanting to spend money with Roland, they've embraced an agenda that doesn't jive with me.

[@soundsubs]

Agreed. After hopefully pre-buying a Jupiter-X--- which in its preliminary specs claimed ACB--- sent Roland a long email filled with about 40 bullet points for improvements. They read it, thanked me profusely, but had nothing else to say. They ended up fixing about 25 of those reported issues over the next year, but still the sound wasn't as good as the System-8 because it didn't use ACB, although they abruptly changed their marketing about modelled filters, VCO's, etc. I WILL go on record to say that the Jupiter-X is the best BUILT Roland synth possibly ever, exactly how it should be. Here's hoping they'll listen!

[@Matt-zp1jn]

I think both ACB, and Zencore have different purposes. One is meant to be the “Analog” warmer authentic type tone, and the other is meant to be the “Future Digital” more brighter an accurate type tone. In the similiar spirit of a natural warmer Marantz Amplifier receiver sound, verses an accurate brighter Denon Amplifier receiver type sound. Both have their place which gives Roland options online to cater to both sides of synth sound aficionado’s. The ACB engine & the Zencore engine and Zenology Pro online will have their uses in DJ booth’s shows, edm remixes, online albums etc, DIY basement producers sequencing of mostly samples, presets, an loops, solo live performances etc, further professional studio production (192kHz + etc), and so on…. The FUTURE decade and beyond will be ONLINE mostly in the digital metaverse where digital audio will be a major player over analog purist type synthesizer lovers etc. They both have a place and will sit well in mixes, productions, solos, piano performances etc, but the next generation of millennials and Gen Z will gravitate more online than past generations. Roland is getting BOTH the warmer analog tones with ACB, and the brighter digital tones with Zencore onto platforms and software, hardware that will transition them well into the next decade!

[@michaeltwiz8477]

lol😂😂😂

[@JackNance22]

@@michaeltwiz8477 Enjoy your digital Roland toys.

[@michaelhonormusic]

So far I think system-8 is Rolands best synthesizer until a replacement will come. Its my favorite synth from Roland.

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

@ghost mall they refuse to acknowledge the desire is real and will probably never go back to analog.

[@MIDERA]

Man, the white LEDs on your System 8 makes it look way nicer. The Jupiter 8 and the System 8 sound very close.

[@Manmademadman]

It's weird how the LED's, and double end panels make it look different and less plasticky? Even weirder that the visual appeal of a synth makes me use it more. Getting rid of the green was the biggest difference.

[@loringmsuess]

I thought green was the only option

[@jarikoskenniska299]

Thx madman, great rev

[@travymoto1]

Silly question but how do you change the LED color on the System 8 ?

[@Manmademadman]

Not a silly question. First, you trick a tech with $$$... then said tech spends about 3 hours on a snowy Saturday desoldering around 300 micro LED's....

[@payt01]

It'd be interesting to see a new comparison of the JP8 vs the new V2 of the plugout, which now also has something akin to a vintage knob,so you can bring in somedetuning of individual oscs, as well as some more random stuff done to the envelopes etc. When applied tastefully it sould bring it that bit closer to the real thing, as it's never really 100% in tune. Of course there was always the Condition setting, which was so subtle that I can hardly tell the difference between settings. With the circuit mod function you can now bring in much more of a distinct effect.

[@Manmademadman]

That's an excellent idea, and now I need to hit up Roland Cloud and update my Jupiter-8 plugout!

[@thesrabbit]

Damn, I just rebought an AN1x. You’re gonna make me rebuy a System-8!

[@simccaffrey]

Hey this was really great thanks! There was some things I was hearing in the plugin that were really annoying me, and since I've never played a real Jupiter 8 I thought hmmm maybe it's just how it sounds (the cloud ACB one, which should be identical, or maybe better if you're using a higher sample rate?)...but no, it's totally there, this really confirmed it...and I did a few blind tests where I scrolled down just to try catch myself out...anyway thanks for doing such an extensive/in-depth test, best on youtube!

[@Manmademadman]

Thanks for watching and testing yourself. It's a REALLY good plugin, and I HATE plugins!

[@100DollarHeadache]

I bought my Jupiter-8 nine years ago, but it had issues and life got in the way of getting it serviced until now. The System-8's ACB sounds great and better than the ABM based emulations. Too bad about the 49 key form factor and the lack of band-pass on the System-8 native mode. If they would make a System-8M, I'd go for that for if I ever start playing live.

[@Manmademadman]

100000% what this guy said!

[@jansonrawlings8169]

I usually record my system-8 to an otari tape deck. It’s ridiculous how old and vibey it is doing it that way, on top of it already being such a stunning emulation of classic Roland polysynths

[@Manmademadman]

Thats a GREAT idea!

[@BOB_T]

Thanks for the comparaison, i just want to point out that i listened to this video thru a pair of studio monitor with a great calibrated sub woofer. I like the real one the better, it's just that everything sounds good at any point. You need to work hard to make the vst sounds like the real thing. But i think that we are closing the gap with the cloud version. i think most of your preset were clearer compare to the real thing that sounded bassier (darker) but could you done better not sure. Really great video thanks.

[@Manmademadman]

Thanks for watching! I failed to mention that I listen through Barefoot MicroMain27's in a balanced room. The ACB models sound identical... ESPECIALLY the Juno-60, Juno-106, and SH-101

[@scriabinbartok3465]

Great video! Ho did you change the led colors of the System 8 from green to blue?

[@Manmademadman]

I had a tech friend do it, and he is STILL mad at me to this day. It took about 6 hrs to change them all to white.

[@brobocop8293]

could you give us the contact info for Tyler Thompson... id love to get my system 8 modded as well.. the green is burning my retinas.

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

Is there an outboard analog pedal/gear that can further analog the signal? Maybe analog heat?

[@Manmademadman]

An Analog Heat would be great! I picked up an Overstayer Modular Channel for such duties, which is completely and utterly overkill; thus I love it!

[@danmaduff8919]

Absolutely indistinguishable between the 2 sound-wise. It totally kills me that people can listen to comparisons like this where the original sounds are processed 2 and 3 more times through KZbin's platform, their own computer and whatever headphone or monitors they have and still make claims like "The Jupiter 8 is warmer and... the System-8 has more of a digital buzz" or whatever. Once you record music from the wonderful System-8 into a mix among other tracks, there is no way on Earth even the best ears in the industry are going to be able to hear a difference from an original Jupiter 8, much less care! Nice review!!

[@Manmademadman]

Agreed. Looking back now, I should have done this as a blind test. No one would have been able to hear which was which.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

You have great taste in synths. I love the Pro 2 muchly.

[@Manmademadman]

Yup agreed. It's a sleeper, even I slept on it for about a year.

[@ZZKJ396]

Nice, subbed!

[@masterlabstudio]

hi what are you using to rack your Synths on the wall? awesome! any links? thank you!

[@Manmademadman]

LOVE them! They are the StandTastic with the 100TK arms. They are expensive, but worth it, and each can hold about 300lbs.

[@Berus7777]

I absolutely... can not hear a $30,000.00 difference. There are a few spots where the J8 has a bit more "oomph" or presence, but there are other spots where the J8 sounds less musical and just flat out worse than the S8. The only way to really, really compare the J8 and S8 is to have 2 or 3 J8's so that they're being compared to each other as well as an S8, so that we can determine if the differences between an S8 and a given J8 is greater than the differences between one copy of an analogue instrument and another copy of the same instrument. Some J8's sound better than others. If you put 3 J8's against an S8, and do a blind "which sounds better and/or more authentic (not necessarily the same thing), comparison, then you'll get a real answer, assuming you have a panel of 3 or 4 real experts doing the blind listening and judging it.

[@Manmademadman]

Agreed. I could have spent more time with the "Condition" setting in the S8 to see if it put it closer to the slightly analog detuned oscillator/filters.. Maybe next time!

[@Sonikbytes]

Of course the synth isn't worth 30k but is collector's market who set their own prices for rarities and we are unfortunately way out of that category of people by now. I could have this synth back in the 90's when they were in a few thousands dollars but I was stupid back then not to get.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

​@@Sonikbytes I'm sure it would cost less to clone one too. Even if you were to bring back all the original and obsolete ics used . There's nothing special in the JP8 circuitry. It's just the way it's put together .

[@Curious_Skeptic]

Lol. Exactly! I hear a two thousand dollars difference, not a 30k difference. Looking at Jupiter X. Hard to spring 3k on it vs Fantom 6 EX which is about same price!

[@derekbaker3279]

@@AdamTheAd-vanc3d Check out the ISE-NIN from Black Corporation (in Japan). It's expensive, but 6 times less expensive than an original Jupiter 8. Also check out Alex Ball's comparison of the ISE-NIN with a real Jupiter 8....they're darn close!

[@MJ-tg6wb]

How did you get your System-8 white/blue lights?!! I hate those stock green lights.

[@Manmademadman]

I had a tech do the change to white for me. It took him about 4 hours altogether and he refuses to do it ever again!

[@SacSynths_Jack_Z]

It's in the high harmoncs that you can heard the clearest differences. The Systems 8's high harmonics sound more like noise. I also hear a difference in the lowest octave (like the stabs @ 16:45). But I think the System 8 pretty close! Nice comparison!

[@Manmademadman]

Because I'M DUMB, I failed to stack the System-8 to make it stereo at 16:45... once you do this, it's the same.

[@artofwebdesign]

With my eyes closed I could often guess the difference. A lot of sounds do not make much difference in feeling, but some do. I hear the Jupiter 8 sometimes being a littlebit more unpredictable, rude, subtle, alive.

[@Manmademadman]

This is a great, honest comment. Sometimes it sounds more "analog" in the tone (usually with 2 oscillator patches?) but the differences are subtle.

[@AynsleyGreen]

Kinda regret selling my System 8, but the 49 keys and the 8 poly were it's Achilles Heel. The Juno X should have been a 'System 16' with all of the ACB plugouts in one box, what a missed opportunity

[@kangaroosekcie]

Who did the led replacement? Can i get a link?

[@Manmademadman]

Answer: a good synth tech near me. His exact words were "I don't ever want to do this again"

[@lab-by-the-sea]

Thanks! i think for the raw sound they come close, an old amplifier brings something to the sound, the system 8 can not bring with its cheaper parts. but if you run the output of the system8 through an eq/amplifier of your choice they are much closer. sadly for me the price of the system 8 went up a lot and i totally hate the roland clound. otherwise i would have two system8 or a system 16! ;-)

[@Manmademadman]

I also dislike the Roland Cloud, and only use it when Plug Out updates come out, then I zap them over to the System-8 and shut off Roland Cloud.

[@ChazSeamus28]

I use Roland Cloud. Got it a few years ago. Should I be embarrassed? Lol it has gotta better as far as cpu usage and they do add alot of sounds, effects and patches and I now own the Jupiter and Juno from the loyalty program. Still I think about canceling it quite a bit. Any recommendations as far as a replacement? Arturia V collection? Cool video by the way.

[@simccaffrey]

​@@ChazSeamus28 Take a look at Uhe's stuff...probably the best sounding soft synths out there imo...Dark Zebra in particular sounds phenomenal (not quite analog, but almost better in some ways...but some learning curve to make your own sounds...it's basically Zebra 2 with the Diva filters and some other mods not sure, looks nicer also)...Diva has some emulation patches, one for Jupiter 8 also, Starsky Carr used that in a video vs. Roland...

[@Utentone]

System 8 sounds looks more quality defined rather than the Jupiter 8. I'd go for the System 8!

[@Producer4Realz]

Thanks for this video However, I wish you did chord to chord and line to line when comparing sounds You did "dual mode" on the Jupiter-8 but compared it to mono/whole mode on rhe system 8. That's wrong my friend. You wrote on top of that segment that the System-8 was not in dual mode so why didn't you correct it? I've owned 2 totally restored (by Kent) Jupiter-8's back during the 1990's and a Jupiter-6 but I kept only the MKS-80 Rev4 and I love the System 8. Love it. Btw, my JX3P on the system 8 is awsome. I did own during the 80's JX3P and later the Mks30 but now ive got 2 of the boutique JX03 and the System 8. They are so much flexible and can imitate the original easily. You also forgot to mention the System 8 itself lol. There's one thing I do love about the Jupiter-8 and its the Random arp. The progression is so cool and I never heard any random arp on any other instrument. Also the response time in the arp when in lets say dial mode bass is simply unbeatable. I'm still trying to capture it. I also love the JP08. Very underestimated synth

[@VincentPresley]

I think the original Jupiter 8 is the most overpriced synth out there. When I first got a System 8 I found it incredibly dull and thought there was no way that's what the 20K original sounded like. Then I played an original and thought.... Oh it really is just that sort of thing. I mean for a couple grand it would be very nice poly. 20K? Foolish. The original has a bit more beef but you can get that elsewhere. I also searched for an original Minimoog for 25 years. Found one that I could have bought for 3K. 10 minutes of demoing it I said "I have other Moogs and other mono synths that do that" and walked away. Never regretted it.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Other Moogs don’t sound like a minimoog.

[@VincentPresley]

@@SPAZZOID100 I heard nothing special about it. At least with the sounds I like to use Moogs for. I have zero interest in some subtle difference in tone while playing a cheesy Mini lead patch or something. It's definitely not worth an extra 5-8K no matter what. I've had most Moogs and there are definitely cheaper Moogs I like a lot more than the Mini.

[@Unison_Detune]

Very clearly a big difference in a acoustically treated studio with good monitors. The synced patch was the closest - which you would expect. Mere mortals like me stick to the MKS-80. Not a total match for the Jupiter 8 but it sounds authentically analog and is still affordable. The System 8 uses a more authentic imitation system than the Jupiter and Juno X. Roland won't be getting my money. Give the customer what they desire and they will come Roland. regards from Blighty.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

But whose to stay the original sound is best? It sounds more dated and I don't want to make music with a dated keyboard sound. The slightly smoother sound with after touch, built in speakers and more polyphony is more important to me.

[@XanderEwald]

If you need good monitors in an acoustically treated room to hear it, the difference can’t be that big ;)

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@revelationsoundstudio dated??

[@revelationsoundstudio]

@NYC Records Yes, sterile electronic sound. The more modern sound is a little smoother, and ambient while still maintaining the sound of the original

[@HornetBojan]

The original Jupiter 8 has a "soul" ..., there is some kind of emptiness at the "lower end" of system 8. The sounds are the same, but one is alive and the other (system 8) is "artificial zombie", haha. The difference is maybe 1%, but this 1% is why you buy the original and what makes a difference in the mix.

[@Manmademadman]

@ghost mall INTERESTING! I have found the opposite, sticking the S8 106 plugout up against 5 vintage (calibrated and with new chips) Juno-106's. Make sure you update to the latest 106 model because they got better from the 1.00 release. With the SH-101 plugout, they changed the filter model as versions went on.

[@alieustiansamateh6401]

Bass and punch is way thicker and felt more on the original, just felt! You know what i mean that juice ✌🏽😂 More liquid and more punchy and fatter bottom👌🏽💫

[@Manmademadman]

I respectfully disagree, and I think this video proves it. There is no difference in the sound in the end. That said, I cannot argue that the physical build quality or what that may inspire (or bias due to the high value) but in the studio running loud with Barefoot MicroMain27's, I couldn't tell which was which. The spectrogram RTA also agreed with me.

[@alieustiansamateh6401]

@@Manmademadman That is youre opinion, what you hear and what you feel, which is fine. Wish you all the best 🤠👌🏽

[@alieustiansamateh6401]

@@Manmademadman Check bass and pluck sounds and tell me that you dont feel or even hear the diffrence, its easy ✌🏽😉

[@elmosexwhistle]

⁠@@ManmademadmanI wonder if we listen with our eyes some times, and if the synths were switched, would our perceptions be different?

[@Manmademadman]

@@elmosexwhistle Absolutely true. And one could argue that the System-8 doesn't inspire like the Jupiter does, but if the System-8 was a $10k synth, would that change perceptions of its look and feel?

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

You can buy 20 system 8's for the price of Jupiter 8

[@tonyhill8963]

I don’t really think they sound that close. Jupiter has a sizzle, the system 8 reminds me more of my mini nova...a bit icy.

[@Fallingoverbackwards]

I do not hear that, and my ears are so picky. I think V2 of the system 8 jupiter is even better

[@harveyspecter1653]

Honestly the Jup 8 still sounds phatter; Don't know why these digital recreations cannot stand their ground against these 40 year old buckets but it speaks for Roland engineers from back then just how insanely good they were. I wouldn't pay 30k or more for a Jup8 these days. That's just laughable but it is a beast of a synth.

[@Manmademadman]

I appreciate your take on it!

[@muco007]

Good vid Thanks..Please show us those sexy Oberheim's next, maybe compared to the new OB-X8 :)

[@Manmademadman]

Point noted. Oberheim OTW, Moog Taurus video incoming!

[@andyanderson6455]

Great Vid, but the SYS 8 doesn't trigger the voices as poly as the JP8 does- it's still sounds better to me than SYS8

[@lbsincro]

System 8 is more "clean" & "bright" ... Good digital version

[@b2zap665]

Play any 2 Jupiter 8s and they will sound slightly different from eachother. Blind fold some analog purists up and play both the J8 and S8 side by side asking which is which. They will have absolutely no clue 90% of the time😂. The S8 absolutely shreds. 3 vintage synths in 1 for 1.5k? Sign me up!😎

[@ironinquisitor3656]

ACB emulations sound really dang good in general.

[@thesrabbit]

3 vintage plus the excellent native engine. It’s a great synth. I’m hoping for a mk ii.

[@lassel1644]

I would never go for any analog vintage gear making music. Why complicating stuff?... As a collectors item ? yes of course

[@Manmademadman]

Its a fair point for sure, and SOME actually do matter. But in this case I think Roland hit a home run with the modelling and I wish they would embrace it more.

[@lassel1644]

@@Manmademadman Yes i am really into that machine...dunno where to put it though. I have decided not to sell any gear anymore. Done that too much and lost so much money

[@aquaticborealis4877]

After buying various hardware synths over the past couple of years, as well as various software synths, it’s become clear to me that software can sound as good as hardware, with far more power, at a fraction of the cost. The real issue is the physical interface. A knob/button/slider per function is desirable, which a lot of hardware can do. If you can do this with midi + software, then hardware is not really that desirable. So a well thought out extensive midi device that can map to various synths/DAW functions is more desirable to me. I will probably always have a couple of hardware synths, but more for the “feel” than for practicality.

[@Manmademadman]

I agree. This is really important: manufacturers should note this... we WANT good hardware connected to GREAT software. I believe Roland came very close with the System-8... but the hardware could be improved in a better build quality like Jupiter-X

[@andyanderson398]

no comparison at all, the vintage JP8 sound much more real and live. The Sys8 sounds like software...

[@robertpernett9860]

I have Sys 8 and a Jupiter X… It’s the Jupiter X that is disappointing as a Jupiter. Cross mod is pants and you can’t ring mod at the same time on the JP-X

[@Manmademadman]

Yup, agreed. When I had all 3 together, the JP-X was my least favorite.

[@Sonikbytes]

Probably the best emulation yet, but the original's have more warmth, more charm to the sound. The emulation has a bit more bright harshness, and the voices dont randomly phase in the same way as the original, aged VCO's.

[@alainthiry3965]

take time to adjust sounds more equivalent before recording...

[@kierenmoore3236]

“SATAN”? lol

[@Manmademadman]

...well, of synthesizers maybe?

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@Manmademadman … well, that’s what it looks like is on your t-shirt ?

[@Manmademadman]

@@kierenmoore3236 yup, you see it!

[@lqr824]

For better or worse, on KZbin no-one gives a crap "who you are." Spend the time instead actually balancing levels and doing apples-to-apples comparisons. You should limit your phrases to like 3 seconds max, too; that's enough for some complexity to hear how notes trail off and combine, without becoming totally uncomparable or in your case not even repeatable much of the time. Thanks for trying but no surprise you only got 125 likes.

[@jansonrawlings8169]

Would you like your money back Karen?

[@lqr824]

@@jansonrawlings8169 I'd like my TIME back if you could arrange that, many thanks!

[@magicalsynthadventure3216]

My guess is Antisocial Personality Disorder 👌🏻

[@duncanjackson4170]

They sound the same.

[@Manmademadman]

100% agreed! I couldn't believe it myself, even blind tested it myself.

[@quantumeseboy]

System-8 is a terrible sounding synth, one of the worst sounding(and looking) VA synths I can think of.

[@SPAZZOID100]

It sounds like the originals. That means the J8 & 106 sound terrible?

[@synthetic24]

You are a real joker 😂😂