ROLAND JUPITER JX-8P
Roland JX-8P synthesizer, 1984
The synth engine in ROLAND JX-8P is a six-voice unit with each voice having two DCO's, a mixer, a VCF (high-pass and low pass), a VCA, a LFO, and two ADSR envelopes. The DCO's features sawtooth, fixed pulse, square and noise. Variable pule width is available by synchronizing (SYNC 1) the two DCO's and turning the volume off of DCO 1. Set both DCO's to square and the pulse width of the DCO2 is determined by the pitch of DCO1. The unit also feature cross modulation where DCO2 is the carrier and DCO 1 is the modulator, and SYNC 2 where SYNC 1 and cross modulation work together. Additionally SYNC 2 tracks the keyboard so a normal scale may be played. Both DCOs may be modulated by either or both the LFO or either ENV (note: the ENV may be inverted).
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth:
Diego "Walk In The Night"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJm3Xlfmfek
ROLAND JUNO-60
Roland JUNO-60 synthesizer
This is a classic analog synth. It's among the first in Roland's Juno family. It sounds just like the Juno-6, and better than Juno-106. Juno-60 is the best synth among all Junos, Alpha-Junos and JXs: chorus is perfect. You can store 56 patches, you can also back them up onto a tape or hard-disk.
80s pop artists who used this synth: Erasure, Juno, Depeche Mode,
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiuJfQB48vY
ROLAND JUNO-106
Roland Juno-106 synthesizer, 1984
Roland Juno-106 is a six voice polyphonic and programmable analogue synth with DCOs (digitally controlled oscillators) and comes with a 61-note keyboard without velocity or aftertouch. To get VCOs (warmer and fatter sound) you'll have to look for the far more expensive Jupiters.
The Juno-106 is one of the most popular and widely used analogue synths due to its great sound and easy sound editing. It is very similar to the Juno 60 but adds portamento, increased patch memory storage (128 patches) and extensive MIDI control. In fact all the sliders on the front panel (17) are sending MIDI sys-ex data which can be sequenced, a fantastic feature of its time (1984). For extra fat sounds stack all six voices and play in unison. Missing is however the arpeggiator from the Juno-60 which is a shame since it is very useful while programming sounds. Compare to Moog and Prophet filters this one is very smooth and does not add the grit like the other ones do.
An interesting “fact” is that an unusual lot of people which have sold their Juno-106 and seem to miss it a great deal afterwards, despite all its limitations. It could only mean that it sounds really nice and is a pleasure to handle. Overall it has a very smooth sound, almost feminine. It really sounds like the classic 80’s synthpop and new wave.
80s pop artists who used this synth: Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode,
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg3_w4l2KuE
YAMAHA DX7
YAMAHA DX7 synthesizer 1983-1987
If you have never heard of the Yamaha DX7, you have missed a very important chapter in synthesizer history. The DX7 is definitely one of the most influential digital synths ever produced. It's also one of the most used synthesizers ever. When the DX7 was originally introduced in 1983, Yamaha quickly found out that they had produced something beyond their wildest expectations: they simply couldn't make enough of them. Some 160,000 units were produced between 1983 and 1987.
So what makes the sounds of the DX7 so special? Well, the most typical FM sounds are vibrant electric pianos, snappy basses, cool vibes, hollow bells, mellow organs and various sharp "hitting things with metal" timbres. Most sounds are very expressive and well suited for a large number of musical styles. But I believe that one of the main success factors, was that the DX7 excels at creating sounds that the previous breed of analog synthesizers were totally incapable of producing. Thus the DX7 could be used to fill a large gap in the sonic landscape. The DX7 has only one output, no internal effects, and its sound is therefore totally dry. It is really not until you process the sounds with some chorus and reverb that you realize how great this machine really sounds!
Italo Disco artists used this synth: Savage
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth:
Diva "No More In Love", Savage "Only You"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-hML-I5RV0
ARP Odyssey
ARP Odyssey 1972-81
The Odyssey is first duophonic (ability to play two notes at the same time) synthesizer. This 37-note synthesizer was used as an educational tool in ARP's "Learning Music with Synthesizers" book. A very popular keyboard for ARP, it was almost as popular with musical groups as the Minimoog.
Italo Disco artists used this synth: Roberto Onofri
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RdPftsBrLU
ROLAND TR 808 RHYTHM COMPOSER
ROLAND TR 808, 1980
Roland were always pioneers of the rhythm box. From their early attempts as Ace Tone right through to their (semi-programmable) CR78, they were always pushing the boundaries of what a drum machine should be. It was the TR 808, however, that made people sit down and listen. For the first time, here was totally programmable drum machine that allowed you to create your own rhythms almost without restriction. However, there was a problem - the sounds. They were distinctly 'electronic' and whilst many marveled at the advanced programming possibilities, the same people also scoffed at the quality of the sounds on offer. Of course, some artists embraced the technology and used it for what it was... a source of programmable electronic rhythms. The 808 enjoyed marginal success on the occasional record (...) but it wasn't a runaway success for Roland when it was released. What didn't help the TR 808's fortunes at the time was that it wasn't cheap. Only a few people could justify the expense of $1,000 for artificial, synthetic drum sounds. The TR 808's fate was decided, however, with the release of the LinnDrum two years later in 1982... a programmable drum machine with 'real' drum sounds.... how could the 808 compete? It just couldn't and the TR 808 all but sank without trace, only resurrected with the birth of Techno.
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_coVK7QgjE
LINNDRUM
Linn Drum, 1982
The LinnDrum was the second machine from Linn Electronics. It's basically an upgraded version of the original LM-1 with added crash and ride cymbals to the kit. The LinnDrum uses samples of acoustic drum sounds. They sounded great and much more realistic and they were a fresh alternative to the analog drum sounds of the '80's drum machines. The LinnDrum also had a handy upgrade option, a well designed layout and interface, and live drum trigger inputs. The LinnDrum had beefed up the sampled sounds from 28 to a 35 kHz sample rate. It features 15 sounds including bass, snare, rimshot, hi hat, crash, ride, three toms, cabasa, tambourine, high and low congas, cowbell, and clap. Up to 12 sounds are available simultaneously. Individual controls are available to tune, pan, and mix each drum sound via dedicated knobs and sliders. An Accent is available for the kick, snare and hats. The handy upgrade options involve inserting new chips containing new sets of sampled drum sounds created by many session drummers of the time.
The sequencer had some innovative features (for the time) such as swing, quantizing and memory storage! Two-bar patterns can be recorded in real or step time, with or without quantizing. There are 56 user patterns for storing your drum patterns. There are also 42 preset drum patterns. Patterns can be arranged into Songs for which there are 49 memory locations. Old songs and patterns can be backed up to cassette tape for storage. The LinnDrum's features made it the most professional drum machine of its time. It was widely used throughout the 1980s and there are about 5,000 of them which have been used by 80's pop artists such as Sting, Prince, Jean-Michel Jarre, Peter Gabriel and the others.
Italo Disco artists used this synth: Kirlian Kamera
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhsM0dFtvE8
MINI MOOG
MiniMoog, 1970-1981
The most popular Moog synth, the Minimoog is a monophonic-synth designed for musician and performance. His main characteristic is the 24 dB Filter that is very stable with high resonance and that sounds really particular when the sound is getting overdrive. This was definitely a lead and bass synth.
Italo Disco artists used this synth: Kirlian Kamera
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth: Brando "Rainy Day"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY2AeD0Tn4Y
OBERHEIM OB-Xa
Oberheim OB-Xa, 1981
The OB-Xa is an updated version of the OB-X which was originally released in June 1978. The OB-X and OB-Xa definitely sound different and the OB-Xa offers musicians more features. The OB-Xa was available as both a six-voice and eight-voice unit. Each voice consists of two voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) , two Voltage Controlled Filters (VCF’s - a 2 pole filter and a 4 pole filter), a Voltage Control Amplifier (VCA) and two Envelope Generators (ENV). The voices are located on two on two separate voice cards with each card containing four voices and a low frequency oscillator (LFO). The cards are independently controlled which allows the synth to offer a double (layer) and split modes.
Italo Disco artists used this synth: Roberto Onofri , Brando, Casablanca "Wonderful Train"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byxQ6aQRGis
OBERHEIM DMX
Oberheim DMX Programmable Digital Drum Machine, 1984
The Oberheim DMX Programmable Digital Drum Machine was the best sounding and most versatile percussion unit available anywhere. It has capabilities that place it light years beyond the ordinary rhythm box, yet the DMX is easy to use, and easy to play.
The DMX is not a drum synthesizer: it is a complex microcomputer system programmed with digital studio recordings of real drums. It doesn't sound like a rhythm box, it sounds like a real drummer. Not only does the DMX sound like a drummer, it can play things that up to now, only a real drummer could play; like rolls, flams, odd time signatures, uneven phrases, changing tempos, or even off the beat.
The DMX contains 24 drum sounds including cymbals. Drum sequences can be recorded in real time or one note at a time. Up to 100 Sequences of any length or time signature can be recorded, played, and modified quickly and easily. Individual drums or individual notes can be recorded, erased, and then re-recorded until the drum beat is exactly right. The sequence can be combined to form up to 50 songs. Each song can contain up to 255 sequences, arranged in any order, to form a compete composition. Tempo Time Signature are programmable for each sequence, and with the DMX extensive editing capability, a song's structure can be changed quickly and easily. The DMX features a built-in nine input stereo mixer, and each of the eight modular voices also has it's own output, so you can record them on separate tracks, with separate effects for each. The DMX can run in synchronization with the Oberheim DSX Digital Polyphonic Sequencer, audio or videotape, other sequencers, or almost anything else.
Italo Disco artists used this synth: Roberto Onofri , Brando, Casablanca "Wonderful Train", Diva "No More In Love"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6YfJ8MhA5E
EMULATOR II
Emulator II by EMU, 1984
In 1984 Emu introduced the Emulator II at the same $8,000 list price but the II offered so much more than the I. The instrument was a major success, sampling became very popular and if you look at most professional set ups in the mid to late 80’s there is a very good chance you will see the Emulator II.
The EII is a very powerful instrument but its really just as much as computer as it is an instrument. Also like any computer of the mid 80’s it is just not going to compete with a computer of the 90’s. The same is true of the EII when comparing it to the samplers of today. Especially since sampling is memory dependent. But when you factor in its analog filters, a huge sample library, its classic sound, and a used price between $300-$700 its apparent why people still use them.
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth: Check Up Twins "Sexy Teacher"; Sensitive "Driving"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5abCRsx8ITk
PROPHET 5
Prophet 5
Manufactured by Sequential, the Prophet 5 contains five individual voices. For its principal sound sources each voice contains two VCO's (voltage controlled oscillators), OSC A and OSC B, and a white noise source which can be mixed into a resonant low-pass VCF (voltage controlled filter). The filter modifies the voice timbre under control of its four-stage envelope generator. The filter may also be resonated and serve as a sound source. Following each filter, a VCA (voltage controlled amplifier), also controlled by a four-stage envelope generator, shapes the voice amplitude. Supplementing the basic voices are polyphonic modulation (POLY-MOD) signal routings within each voice that allow OSC B and the filter envelope generator to function as modulation sources applied to OSC A frequency or pulse width, or the filter frequency. Finally, there is a single LFO (low-frequency oscillator) and a pink noise source which can be mixed to modulate all five voices, as adjusted by the MOD wheel.
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth: Brando "Rainy Day" , J.D. Jaber "Don't Stop Lovin'", Duke Lake " Do You", The Creatures "L'Atro Mondo Studios" LP
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4CGs7lXIiU
RHODES® CHROMA®
Rhodes Chroma, 1982
Rhodes Chroma synthesizer was built in 1982. It was developed by ARP, so this is the last ARP synth made. However, the design schematics later were sold to Rhodes.
There were about 3,000 units manufactured and sold, so this unit is rare.
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth:
Brando "Rainy Day" , J.D. Jaber "Don't Stop Lovin'", Duke Lake " Do You"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaZcwHzdH6g
KORG POLY 61
KORG Poly 61, 1982
The Korg Poly-61 was released in 1982 as the successor to the Polysix. It was somewhat of a step up from the Polysix, as it has 2 DCOs for better reliability. It also retained the arpeggiator of the Polysix. It has a very dirty sharp sound much like the Yamaha DX7. This synth has the sound of lo-fi electronica, cool gritty basses and weird analog sounds and FX. It also uses the same method of programming the Poly-800 and Yamaha DX7 use, so it's not a very useful synth for real-time-tweaking junkies.
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth:
Casablanca "Wonderful Train"; Sensitive "Driving"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R0bvavfibQ
PPG Wave 2.2
PPG Wave 2.2 Digital Wave Synthesis Plus Analog Filtering Polysequencer
The PPG Wave 2.2 is the 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer, and it is a further development of PPG Wave 2. The most important thing here was the combination of the best analog and digital features than meant being able to adjust the sounds with a flexible analog panel providing the possibility of changing the sound quickly and effectively, whether on stage or in the studio. This unit is an extensive music computer system, the advantages of which range from an individual programming of overtones and the construction of wave tables to the programming of complex musical compositions and even recording and very flexible treatment of natural sounds using an audio signal processor.
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth:
The Creatures "L'Atro Mondo Studios"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu0EsapgHfA
ROLAND MC 4 MICROCOMPOSER
MC 4 ROLAND MICROCOMPOSER, 1981
MC4 Micro Composer, which was to be both the peak and the end of the CV/Gate sequencing era. This was available in two models, the MC4A and MC4B, with an optional 32K memory expansion to upgrade the 'A' from 3900 notes to the 12,000 offered by the 'B'. Nowadays, the MC4 and its data-storage cassette recorder, the MTR100, look decidedly primitive, but for just a year or so, its bright LED screen, numeric keypad and the promise of true polyphonic sequencing made it an electro-pop star's dream machine.
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth:
Decadance "On And On (fears keep on)"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txooOw918WE
ELKA SYNTHEX (ITALY)
ELKA SYNTHEX, 1982-1985
Elka's Synthex, an eight-voice polysynth with an on-board four-track digital sequencer. The Synthex began as an outside project by Mario Maggi, but was developed, manufactured, and distributed by Elka in an attempt to break into the professional keyboard market. It boasted more features than its contemporaries, the Prophet-10 and the OB-Xa. The Synthex had a multi-mode filter, cross-modulation capabilities, three levels of good quality chorusing, and a sequencer that was a breeze to use - a rarity in the pre-MIDI days. The fact that it bore the Elka name seemed to put a lot of people off. Elka persevered, however, making the sequencer multi-timbral and adding MIDI as a retrofit. Just when it seemed that the Synthex would disappear without a trace, a few people started buying them.
Italo Disco records that were created using this synth:
Clay Pedrini "New Dream"; Sensitive "Driving"
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmYByacTssM