JP-8000

Back in 1996, this synth kicked off the virtual analog revolution with its Super Saw waveform, delivering those massive, shimmering stacks of detuned saw waves that defined trance and techno leads for years.

It packs a dual-oscillator engine per part—Super Saw, Triangle Mod, Feedback Osc, PWM Square, plus classics like Saw and Triangle—with sync, ring mod, FM, and cross-mod for thick, evolving tones. Hands-on control shines through 38 knobs and sliders for real-time tweaks on pitch ADSR, filter ADSR (resonant 12/24dB low/band/high-pass), amp ADSR, dual LFOs, and more, all captured by innovative Motion Control to sequence your moves over up to 8 measures. The 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys support single, split, or dual modes across two parts with 8-voice polyphony, a programmable arpeggiator (21 patterns like strum or random), RPS for pattern triggering, ribbon controller for assignable sweeps, pitch/mod lever, and onboard chorus, delay, plus bass/treble tone controls. At 925 x 349 x 113mm and 8kg, it's a sturdy desktop beast with stereo outs, headphones, and MIDI I/O.

Players still hunt these down for their raw, knob-per-function immediacy and that unbeatable Supersaw roar, though some note the modest polyphony limits chord work. A timeless piece if you crave '90s club energy in a tactile package.