JP-8000 or SH-201?

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Goten
Posts: 6
Joined: 17:45, 3 September 2006
Location: Hungary

JP-8000 or SH-201?

Post by Goten »

Hello!

I'm a beginner musician and I'm planning to buy a VA synth. I found two types that interest me, the JP-8000 and the SH-201. What do you think, which is better? The SH is newer, but the JP looks much better and it has a ribbon controller, it's cheaper etc. Which do you think I should choose?

Thanks for your answers.
Goten
mrcpro
Posts: 195
Joined: 23:31, 22 May 2004
Location: Columbia River Gorge, US

Re: JP-8000 or SH-201?

Post by mrcpro »

You really can't go wrong with either of them to learn the basics of subtractive synthesis on. Both have great front panels that are well laid out.

And they're actually quite similiar, but there are differences. The JP-8000 has cross-modulation (FM) and a phrase sequencer, but my favorite of the two is the SH-201 because of it's fully programmable second LFO and the addition of overdrive, which can give it a way more aggressive tone.

I've never been a fan of ribbon controllers because they're not very precise, but it it's important to you it's not on the 201. If you're looking at a used 8000, be sure to check all the knobs. They can get loose over time and self-edit, which will totally wreck your learning experience.

If you are here in the States, most people are paying less than $600 for a new SH-201, so be sure to shop around.
Goten
Posts: 6
Joined: 17:45, 3 September 2006
Location: Hungary

Thanks!

Post by Goten »

Thanks for your answer :-). I think it'll be an SH-201, I'll have less problems with it. But oh God, the JP-8000 is so attractive :-). Ah, nevermind.
insomnia
Posts: 5
Joined: 07:34, 19 August 2006

Re: JP-8000 or SH-201?

Post by insomnia »

the other option is getting a JP 8080, which is essentially the same synth (in rack form) with more voices and a vocoder.

The drawback is that you don't actaully have a keyboard to play with, but you can use any other keyboard or midi controller.
LivePsy
Posts: 288
Joined: 23:19, 11 April 2005

Anyone able to compare both side by side?

Post by LivePsy »

I'm really hoping someone can play both JP-80x0 and SH-201 side by side and tell us about the filter sound. Having a V-Synth already, the SH-201 would only be interesting to me if the filter was a little less digital sounding than the V-Synth.

(The TB-303 filter is really nice, but the 24dB low pass COSM is only adequate for the job IMO)

Cheers,
B
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