.
/* */
Tracklist:
1. Ivory - Hand Grenade (Datsik/Excision Remix)
2. Excision - Swagga (Downlink Remix)
3. Reso - Otacon
4. Flux Pavillion - Air Raid
5. Nero - Innocence
Oh hey guys. Well...this is my page of stuff. Enjoy, or something.
Age 25, Male
javascript hoon
-
Western Australia
Joined on 7/15/02
Posted by jarrydn - May 15th, 2010
.
/* */
Tracklist:
1. Ivory - Hand Grenade (Datsik/Excision Remix)
2. Excision - Swagga (Downlink Remix)
3. Reso - Otacon
4. Flux Pavillion - Air Raid
5. Nero - Innocence
Posted by jarrydn - March 25th, 2010
It's been almost a year since my last RetroRespective, so I thought it was high time to get cracking on another one. Today, I present to you...the amazing ALPHA JUNO!
What is it?
The Alpha Juno is a fairly simple 6 voice hybrid synthesizer. It has one DCO per voice, with a choice of pulse, saw and sub waveshapes. All up there are 18 (I think) different waveshapes, which have varying duty cycles, timbres and PWM functions. It has a wicked LFO capable of extremely slow or fast modulation, and a very comprehensive envelope section. Wicked bubbly filter, with plent of squelch, but unfortunately can't be driven to self oscillation. The Alpha Juno comes in several different flavours, including the Alpha Juno 1, the Alpha Juno 2 (velocity sensitive keyboard, an extra octave of keys, and chord memory), and the MKS-50 (1U rackmount, with 16 chord memories).
How does it sound?
Dark as fuck. Can be gritty, rubbery, dry, or dripping wet. Perfect for rave stabs, strings, bass and HOOVERS!!! Also does some pretty convincing bell sounds. Ability to stack saw, pulse and sub waveforms in the single DCO is fantastic, but unfortunately they can't be detuned against each other.
Chord memory is a wicked feature. Allows you to play chords with one key. You can hold down, for instance, 3 octave keys, hit chord memory, then play some ripping phat monosynth style leads and basses. Luckily it has portamento, if you feel like venturing into moog territory. Obviously the digital oscillator will hold you back slightly, but I still find it to be plenty warm! Of course, if you're after cold and harsh, it will totally do that too, if you feel like producing some bleak european hard techno ;D
Probably my favourite synth at the moment.
What's it like to program?
Easy peasey. Not much hands on control, but due to the simple architecture of the synth, and the generously sized alpha dial, programming with a data wheel and a couple of buttons is a breeze. The alpha dial is great for doing manual filter sweeps as well :). PG-300 can be bought for full hands on control, or you can pick up a Behringer BCR-2000 for a fraction of the cost and teach it to communicate with the Juno. That's what I've done, but I still find myself programming more with the alpha dial.
Video demo:
.
/* */
Posted by jarrydn - November 11th, 2009
A request from Boneyman ;D
I'm a massive D&B n00b. So the track selection is a little meh:
Tracklist:
1. Noisa - Facade
2. Spor - Breath In Scream Out
3. The Qemists - Stompbox (Spor Remix)
4. Bad Company - Bullet Time (Spor Remix)
5. Body & Soul/Camo & Crooked - The Reward
Posted by jarrydn - November 10th, 2009
Tracklist:
1. Benny Page, Zero G - Panpipes
2. Benny Page, Zero G - Trigger Finger
3. Skism - The Blank (16 Bit Remix)
4. Trolley Snatcher - Scattah
5. 16 Bit - Jump
6. DJ Fast Eddie - Yo Yo Get Funky (Crissy Criss Remix)
Posted by jarrydn - June 3rd, 2009
Welcome to my first vintage gear review! I hope you find it informative and enjoyable :P
What is it?
The Roland JX-3P is a 6 voice analog synthesizer. It has two Digitally controlled analog oscillators per voice, a basic step sequencer, onboard chorus, and was the first Roland synthesizer to come equipped with MIDI. As such, the MIDI implementation is not the best.
Other features include 32 preset patches, 32 user patches, several different oscillator sync modes, and tape backup.
How does it sound?
The sound of the JX-3P has been compared to several of Rolands flagship synthesizers, including the Jupiter and the Juno 106, though I find this to be highly debatable. It does contain the same filter and VCA chips as the JP-8, but is much less flexible in terms of programming. Also, unlike the Juno, it doesn't have dedicated controls for PWM, and as far as I'm aware, the envelopes are computer controlled, which makes them a little less snappy.
However, there is a trick for fooling the JX-3P to do PWM, and having two oscillators per voice means you can achieve sounds that the Juno series of keyboards can't.
The JX-3P is a fantastic machine for analog strings, brass, leads, percussion and SFX. It's main downfall is it's bass sounds, which you would definitely want a Juno 6/60 for.
What's it like to program?
At first, the one slider and two button interface seems a bit daunting, and many people claim that it is impossible to program without the PG-200 editor (featured in the video below), but after spending a couple of days playing with it, I can program most patches I need in under a minute using just the slider and buttons.
I would at some point like to purchase a PG-200 for it, just so I can manipulate several parameters at the same time, but they are horrendously expensive.
Video demo:
Here is a fantastic demo of what kind of sounds can be achieved with this board. This dude is basically the king of synthesizers. He has heaps of demo videos on Youtube...I suggest you check them out.
.
/* */
Additional samples:
Here's a quick and dirty demo I hacked together today. I'm not exactly a keyboard player, so please don't kill me :P
First patch: Jupiter-style strings
Second patch: Pretty epic pad, with sample and hold LFO controlling filter cutoff
Third patch: Awful rendition of the Terminator theme
Forth patch: Synth stabs out of a track I'm working on, opening up the filter