SC-88

Back in the early '90s, this module stepped up the game for MIDI playback by blending the warm tones of the SC-55 with premium JV-80 waveforms, making it a go-to for composers who wanted pro-level sounds without breaking the bank.

At its core, it's a digital PCM-based synth with 64-voice polyphony and full 32-part multitimbrality across two MIDI inputs, powered by 8MB of ROM for 654 preset sounds—including 354 from the SC-55 family and 300 JV-80 expansions—plus 24 drum kits (with 2 SFX sets), 256 user sounds, and 2 user drum sets. Hands-on controls via a backlit LCD and front panel let you tweak part volume, pan, transpose, MIDI channel, mute, EQ, reverb/chorus/delay sends, and more, with deeper edits like fine tuning and velocity sensitivity in sub-menus. It's a compact half-rack desktop unit at 218 x 250 x 72mm and 2.6kg, with stereo RCA ins/outs, headphone jack, front/rear MIDI Ins, and a computer serial port for direct PC/Mac hookup.

Players have long praised its reliable GS/GM compatibility and versatile effects—8 reverbs, 8 choruses, 10 delays, and 2-band EQ—for everything from MIDI sequencing to live rigs, though some note the editing stays basic compared to full synths.