Roland System 8 vs Jupiter Xm: Review of vintage emulations

video upload by Starsky Carr

"A look at Roland's different technologies recreations of the classic Jupiter 8, Juno 106 and the SH101. The Jupiter Xm uses the Zen Core algorithms and the System 8 uses the same ACB as the Roland Cloud and the Boutiques (as far as I can gather!).

0:00 intro
1:53 Voices
3:58 Editors
5:40 Sequencers
6:58 Patch Storage
7:55 Synth Engines
12:56 Juno Pad
23:11 SH101 Bass
29:36 Jupiter X-Mod
33:42 Final Thoughts"

Starsky Carr Jupiter-Xm posts

Starsky Carr System 8 posts

Never Expected This... Jupiter 8 vs System 8 (Roland Cloud & JP08 Boutique) Deep Dive

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Just how close is the Roland System-8 to the classic *Jupiter-8 * - I'm finally able to take a look at them side by side.

The System 8 uses Roland's ACB technology - analog circuit behaviour - it's component level modelling that creates the sounds based on what the voltages electrons would be doing bouncing around those old circuits. It's the same as used in the Boutique JP8 and in the Roland Cloud VST plugins. ... so if you've got either of those this shows how they all stack up versus the real thing.

0:00 Demo Track
1:00 About the System 8
5:07 Pacific 8
5:38 Matching Patches
11:21 Oscillators
15:25 Circuit Mod/Detune/Slop
18:11 Binaural Demo 16 Voices of Jupiter
19:32 Sync
20:43 Filters
28:02 An Interesting Thing
29:45 A bit on the LFO
31:29 And... what do I think?"

Introducing the Stylophone CPM DF-8, a powerful addition to the Compact Portable Modular (CPM) range

video upload by Stylophone

What is This Madness - A Synth with No Envelopes? // Stylophone CPM DS-2

video upload by Starsky Carr

"What can you do with a synth that has no envelopes? It turns out to be very therapeutic. Stylophone's latest release is the CPM DS-2 (what happened to DS-1?) - it's a drone synth which can create all sorts of interesting, ambient, dramatic, demonic, lush, chilled textures and soundscapes.

The clever bit is having everything bouncing around to a single LFO with multiple waveforms, 2 outputs, different phases etc."

0:00 WTF is a drone synth?
3:12 Intro demo
4:48 What's in the box?
5:53 Oscillators 3340 VCOs
8:42 Filters 12dB LP HP 3320
11:29 ULTRA LFO
16:03 Reverb abd Delay
19:08 Final Jam
22:01 Final Thoughts



"This cutting-edge filter unit combines the precision of a smooth analog recreation of the classic 2045 Lowpass filter with the bold, dynamic character of Stylophone’s proprietary GEN R-8 filter.

Sign up for the waiting list:
https://stylophone.com/stylophone-df-...

Come and see it at NAMM 2025

Dubbed 'Beauty and the Beast,' the DF-8 offers unparalleled flexibility. The 2045 filter delivers a silky 24 dB/octave Lowpass mode, while the GEN R-8 snarls and howls in all four modes—Lowpass, Bandpass, Highpass and Notch. Together, these filters unlock three additional combination types: Bandpass+, Band Reject+, and a wide Notch+ mode, providing an expansive palette of unique filter sounds.

Both filter channels have all eight filter types and are controlled by two full ADSR envelopes with multiple trigger modes to cater for every need. They can be triggered by a gate signal, by an audio signal threshold, by a manual trigger button and they can even auto-repeat in a loop mode acting as LFOs.
The DF-8 is so much more than a dual filter box—it’s a complete sound design tool. Equipped with two white noise sources, a Sample & Hold modulation source with adjustable slew, and a crunchy PT2399 delay with modulation, it serves as a sound source capable of everything from subtle atmospheres to all out sonic chaos.

Like all CPM units, the DF-8 is designed for portability and flexibility. It features:
• Multiple power options, including AA batteries, external PSU, or Eurorack power bus
• A built-in 2W speaker for instant listening without amplification plus stereo outputs
• Stylophone’s unique enclosure design with side ribs allow multiple CPM units to be locked together, for stability like a large modular, and for easy system expansion
Pair the CPM DF-8 with the CPM DS-2 to create the ultimate compact portable analog modular system for studio or stage use.

Features list:

2 Analog multi-mode filter channels with high resonance self-oscillation

8 Filter types per channel:
4 types of GEN R-8 (12 dB/oct) filters with LP, BP, HP and NOTCH modes
1 type of 2045 (24 dB/oct) filter with LP mode
3 combination types (12/24 dB/oct) with BP+, BR+ and NOTCH+ modes

2 ADSR envelopes with linear and exponential response

4 Envelope trigger/gate modes:
Analog CV trigger/gate signal input
Audio signal input with adjustable trigger/gate threshold
Manual trigger/gate button
Auto-repeat AR envelope loop mode

2 VCAs with envelope inverters

2 White noise sources with volume controls

3 Envelope depth attenuverters

4 Bypass switches for filters and VCAs

1 Sample & Hold modulation source with sync input and adjustable slew

1 Vintage PT2399 tape-style delay with modulation

14 Modular patch points for audio, envelopes, filters, VCAs and S&H

3-Into-1 mixer with stereo or mono output

2 Stereo outputs (line level/phones) with seperate volume controls

1 Built-in 2 Watt speaker

6 AA battery compartment

1 Eurorack power bus connector

42 HP Eurorack front panel format"

Nothing but LOVE for the JUNOs

video upload by Starsky Carr

"As I have a Juno 106, Juno 6 and an Juno 60 here in the studio, I thought it was a good excuse to have a play with these 3 vintage Junos and look at the differences - functionally and sonically. And yes there are some sonic differences so now I now why Roland Cloud have both the 60 and the 106 for the System 8."

Roland Jupiter 4 // Now a Plugin to Plugout on Roland Cloud

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Roland Jupiter 4 - A review, demo and walkthrough of Roland's latest offering for Roland Cloud.
Its a fantastic plugin, but even better for me.. as it's a pullout for the System 8"

Enter the Moog Labyrinth

video upload by Moog Music

Labyrinth | Moog Demo Library
video uploads by Moog Music

User videos:



Playlist (use the player controls to skip around):

1. Perfect Circuit: Moog Semi-Modular Comparison 2024: Labyrinth, Mother-32, & More (feat. Sarah Belle Reid)
2. Sarah Belle Reid: Moog Labyrinth Semi-Modular Synth: Overview + Explorations
3. Loopop: Moog Labyrinth // A Synth that’s a Generative Idea Machine // 13 patch ideas, review & tutorial
4. mylarmelodies: Moog Labyrinth Demo: Explanation & Generative Techno Jams
5. Reverb: Exploring Generative Synthesis with the Moog Labyrinth
6. Jorb: Moog Labyrinth // Generative Synthesis At It's Best
7. SUTURE SOUND: A ton of Moog Labyrinth sounds (no talking)
8. Bonedo Synthesizers: MOOG Labyrinth Sound Demo (no talking) - Preset Sheets
9. Limbic Bits: MOOG Labyrinth Sound Demo (no talking): 6 Improvisations on the Labyrinth
10. Starsky Carr: Moog Labyrinth // 3 Minute Manual + Full Review & Demo

AN UNEXPECTED PATH FORWARD

Labyrinth introduces a classic West Coast sound into the Mother Ecosystem experience rich analog synthesizer history in both surprising and recognizable sonic textures. Two generative sequencers bring to life sounds that bloom over time, letting you control their evolution and scale, then play them off of each other for striking polymetric melodies.

With parallel analog signal paths, this adventurous instrument shines when adding color to the steady backdrop of a drum pattern or bassline.

GENERATIVE SEQUENCER
The beating heart of Labyrinth is a robust dual sequencer, which uses chance calculations to generate two unique eight-step paths which twist and curve around one another.

SONIC WANDERING
A parallel voice processing path with a voltage-controlled blending allows you to morph sounds over time.

VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED WAVEFOLDER
A fresh interpretation of the Moog sound via a voltage-controlled wavefolder. Two oscillators drive duophonic melodic counterpoints, metallic FM tones, and analog synthetic drums.

Moog's semi-modular lineup expands to include the Labyrinth, a generative synthesizer that brings you two parallel sequencers, two oscillators, and endless possibilities. Based around a core sine VCO and a triangle Mod VCO, these sound sources have independent level controls, as well as a Ring Mod and Noise level control that all feed a saturating mixer that can add a touch or grit. From the mixer, we have the switchable option to go into a voltage controllable wave folder then into a classic Moog filter, the opposite with our filter going into the wave folder, or have both of these run in parallel.

The heart of the Labyrinth is the sequencer section. A dual 8-step sequencer gives you interactive quantized melodies that can affect various parameters, based on the labeled trimmers. These sequencers send out both notes CV and triggers and with a Trig Mix you can get rhythmic interplay that is quite satisfying. Each sequencer has a Length settings and a Bit Shift when adjusts the position of activated steps. The Bit Flip and Corrupt parameters present gives you more randomness and serendipity allowing you to create evolving patterns.

As with all of their semi-modular synths, Moog gives you access to 32 patch point patchbay with 12 outputs and 20 inputs. This gives you the option to self-patch and integrate it into your existing Eurorack ecosystem. Moog's Labyrinth is the perfect expansion to your existing system or a great starting point as an entry to modular synthesis, especially for those who are looking to get expressive rhythmic patterns quickly.

LABYRINTH FEATURES

- Parallel generative analog synthesizer

- Two oscillators, a sine-based and triangle-based

- Switchable wave folder to filter, filter to wave folder, or parallel processing

- Diode-transistor hybrid wavefolder with smooth Fold and Bias control

- Morphable Low pass to Band pass 2-pole filter

- Adjustable decay time for both decay envelopes

- Blend Sequence 1 and Sequence 2 triggers for complex rhythms

- Each sequencers has options to adjust length, per-step adjustments, adjustable randomness (Corrupt), and shifting the pattern on-the-fly

- Quantizable pitches to 16 different scales

- 32-Point patch bay, 12 outs 20 ins

CLICK FOR MORE »

Wellspring // The Sweet Spot Machine // Review and Demo

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The Wellspring from Teaching Machines has blown me away. I'm generally not a fan of spring reverbs but this one sounds great and is only a small part of the whole system. To me it feels like an analog multi-FX unit, and you can get textures I didnt think would be possible from an analog unit.

I did wonder what was going on and why it sounded so warm... and received this info from the designer:

It uses 2-pole VCFs based around two LM13700 for shaping the delay, and an analog switching system to control the type and frequency of both VCFs at the same time. There are some other filters in the path around the delay too, a gentle high pass, some shaping and a quite steep 8 pole lowpass around 8K, as that makes the delays behave better. So there is always some other filtering going on. There is also some diode based saturation and filtering, to try and soft clip more before the delay if things get really loud.

Having the VCFs in the feedback path of the delays is where a lot of the fun stuff is, as when swept with the LFO they also change the feedback character and length, so you can get these really interesting evolving sounds.

The delays are based on PT2399, though with a slightly unusual implementation, avoiding using some of the filtering on the chip. These are just dirty in general, especially at longer times.

There are some more straightforward uses of the delay. One of the reasons for having the delay is just to add some predelay to the springs, or to act like 'early reflections', or full wet with short times and a bit of delay time modulation to try to break up the fixed resonances you get with spring lines."

The 80s DREAMSYNTH by Cherry Audio

video upload by Cherry Audio


video upload by Starsky Carr

"A first look at Cherry Audio's novel Dreamsynth. Imagine you're back in the 80s looking at an impenetrable D50 interface and wishing you could afford a Jupiter 8... here we've got an Oberheim style state variable filter, virtual analog oscillators or PCM Samples or single cycle samples, single shot cycles... you get the point,. Plus a really intuitive interface."

Description for the top video:

"Cherry Audio's Dreamsynth is a tribute to the celebrated hybrid analog/digital synthesizers of the mid-to-late 1980s. The innovative design blends flexible dual-wave morphing oscillators, stereo filters, a fully polyphonic string synthesizer, extensive and easy-to-use modulation, studio-quality effects, and MPE support, all in an elegant vintage-style synth interface.

Cherry Audio's Dreamsynth synthesizer is available now at cherryaudio.com and authorized resellers worldwide for the incredibly low price of only $39!

DREAMSYNTH FEATURES
- Innovative design blends flexible dual-wave morphing oscillators, stereo filters, analog strings, extensive modulation, studio-quality effects, and MPE support, all in an elegant vintage-style synth interface
- Three dual-waveform oscillators, amounting to six simultaneous virtual analog or PCM sample-based oscillators with up to 16 voices of polyphony
- Authentically modeled virtual analog waveforms, plus 430 looping, one-shot, and single-cycle PCM waveforms
- Fully polyphonic 16-voice string synthesizer can be layered and split independently of the primary synth
- Three tempo-syncable LFOs
- Arpeggiator, independently assignable to synth or string sections
- OB-style 12 dB/octave multimode stereo filters
- Extensive and accessible modulation: 20 mod sources and over 40 destinations, including effects
- Effects include distortion and sample-crushing, 12-stage phaser, chorus, flanger, rotary speaker, delay, and reverb, including the new "Galactic" reverb algorithm
- Support for MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) -- Pitch, Channel Pressure, and Timbre -- making Dreamsynth capable of more organic and expressive performances when using MPE-compatible controllers
- A massive library of over 1100 presets from a wildly talented and diverse group of sound designers including James Terris, Katharine Fountain aka FOUNTAINS, Julian Pollack (J3PO), Julie Kathryn (I AM SNOW ANGEL), Huston Singletary, Mark Wilcox, Dave Polich, Joseph Holiday, Agent Method, and Venus Theory

Dreamsynth is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats, for macOS and Windows. It includes native support for Apple's M1 processor and is fully compatible with macOS 12 Monterey. A free 30-day demo is available. Visit cherryaudio.com for additional product details, system requirements, and an expansive collection of awe-inspiring sound demos."

The LEGEND HZ // His Cinematic Massive Modular Sounds.. Made Easy

video upload by Starsky Carr

See the announcement post here. Also see the Hans Zimmer 'RadioPhonic' Synth @ Superbooth 24 w/ AJH Synth.

0:00 intro
1:00 Main Modules Overview
3:21 Simulation options
4:03 Sound Banks
5:00 MIDI Mapping
5:44 MSEG Envelope/LFOs
8:23 Fixed Filter Banks
10:43 Cinematic Sounds
14:10 Some Pads
15:14 Percussion Tones
16:04 Making Chords
16:50 Unison, Spread, Detune and Poly Modes
18:41 Genetics

"A walkthrough of the LEGEND HZ from Synapse Audio. It sounds great and has some lovely presets that demo some lovely Hans Zimmer cinematic effects.. check them out at @10:43 which led me to realise the unique aspect of this is the amount of access the modulation matrix give you to all the parameters.

If this was sold as a virtual modular system there would be patch points and cables all over the place.. and an awful lot of confusion! But it somehow gets the flexibility without the complexity. Having even the effects and filter bank parameters as modulation destinations really opens things up.

You can go from super simple to suyper complex in minutes. The MSEG envelopes/LFOs are so easy to use but really drive you into sound design and experimentation."