ARTURIA JUPITER-8V
Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, BY JASON SCOTT ALEXANDER
GALACTIC MODULATIONS
The Galaxy module is one of the coolest takes on an interactive mod matrix I've ever seen. As if ripped from the Korg Wavestation book on modulation, it allows you to pin three LFO types against each other on an x-y plane. The first two LFOs each modulate along their own axis, which together may be rotated by the third LFO using its Angle and Rate controls. Basic LFO shapes include sawtooth, square, sine or triangle with rates of 0 to 50 Hz and are syncable to the host tempo. Together, the three LFOs intertwine to form a single, highly complex motion source whose x and y coordinates can each modulate as many as three destinations (same destination as the sequencer), creating a new and exciting evolving element to the sound. The audible effect is also beautifully visualized on the interface.
Jupiter-8V also sports two Voice effects — chorus/flanger, distortion, parametric EQ, phaser and ring mod — which are placed between the VCO and the filter, and between the filter and VCA. Key follow, LFO, envelopes, step sequencer or Galaxy's x-y values can all modulate effect parameters. The JP-8 almost always sounded best with heavy doses of external stompbox or DSP effects, so being able to directly throw synced LFO overdrive and step-sequenced ring mod patterns onto a screaming lead is a whole new whack of cake for us JP-8 vets. Additionally, two Patch effects sit on the end of the synthesis chain immediately after the VCA output. These stereo effects, including reverb, chorus/flanger, delay and phaser, are unable to receive external modulations.
NEW CLASSIC
As a huge Howard Jones fan in the day, I was all smiles exploring the factory presets, many of which took me back to the classic synth-pop era before I foolishly sold my JP-8. But Arturia's crack global team of programmers also whipped up some fantastic new patches for today's electro, trance and urban markets.
There's not much to complain about with Jupiter-8V. I had a small hiccup with the synth becoming an unbearable CPU hog on one of my Pentium 4 desktop PCs, which Arturia and I agreed was most likely an isolated hardware-combination issue; the company is currently coding a fix. For the record, Jupiter-8V performed quite admirably on another P4/Windows XP machine, as well as my Mac G5 dual 1.8 GHz, consuming 10 to 20 percent CPU during the heaviest passages.
I'd love to see the addition of multimode filter models from the Jupiter-6 because they sounded much more aggressive (making the JP-6 more popular as a hard-techno synth) and offered the super-rare feature of a resonant 24 dB/octave highpass filter a far range. The ability to switch between these “cousin” filter flavors can be very useful and wouldn't take away the authenticity. I'd also like the ability to load legacy presets from the original hardware, including cross-platform support for the Jupiter's popular Juno-6/60/106 siblings. Arturia initially considered that feature but couldn't find enough protocol information to implement it in this version.
Arturia has produced a natural maturation of the classic. The synthesis is a superb match, and the new features feel right and elegantly provide what users originally had to concoct outboard workarounds for. The sounds produced are capable of being fresh — though not entirely unique to many soft synths because the Juno/Jupiter voice architecture is one of the most influential and copied in virtual synths. Still, Jupiter-8V is a must have for all lovers of the Roland “J-sound” and definitely worthy of consideration for those looking for a contemporary-sounding analog companion to today's sampler hybrids.
For original audio clips of Jupiter-8V, go to remixmag.com.
ARTURIA
JUPITER-8V > $249
Pros: Spot-on emulation of Jupiter-8's sound and function. Step sequencer and advanced modulation enhancements allow for exciting new sounds never possible on the original. Flexible new voice and patch level effects.
Cons: No file-tree browsing.
Contact: www.arturia.com
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Mac: G4, G5 or Intel/1.5 GHz; 512 MB RAM; OS 10.3 or later; USB port for Syncrosoft key protection
PC: 1.5 GHz; 512 MB RAM; Windows 2000/XP; USB port for Syncrosoft key protection
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