roland jx10 vs mks-70 sound difference

[CfNorENa]

Former JX-10 owner, current MKS-70 owner here. As far as I can tell, they are IDENTICAL in sound.

I also had a JX-8P and MKS-70 in the studio together, and thought that those two also sounded identical to one another (with MKS-70 in whole mode).

Lots of advantages to the MKS-70 over the JX-10, esp. MIDI implementation and size:sound ratio! And chances are your MIDI controller will have better aftertouch than what you'll get on a JX-10. I say go for it.

[joonebug]

As a side topic. Do you guys know if the VFD on the JX10 are more reliable than the one on the MKS70? I currently have a dead VFD on my MKS70 :(

[Mefistophelees]

I've had a JX10 for some time and decided to replace it with an MKS-70 simply because it's smaller.

That said it's not exactly small - it's a very deep rack unit and IIRC it's quite heavy as well.

Sound wise I'm not so sure they are identical though I've never compared them directly.
I got the distinct impression the MKS-70 is a bit brighter than the JX10 - something I've heard elsewhere as well.

The aftertouch could be playing a big part here however. AFAIK it doesn't work well if at all on my JX10 but using a Prophet'08 as a master keyboard made a big difference to the MKS-70 - to the point that I had the impression that the Prophet'08 at higher pressures was putting out values too high for the MKS-70.

If there is a difference in sound it's not big so I'd say it's perfectly fine as a replacement.
The PG800 and cartridges work fine as well.

[lobit]

good info... thanks!

[CfNorENa]

Originally Posted by joonebug

As a side topic. Do you guys know if the VFD on the JX10 are more reliable than the one on the MKS70? I currently have a dead VFD on my MKS70 :(

I think they're the same components.

This thread from Vintage Synth Explorer might be helpful:

anti-rant: Roland parts: vfd display coil - Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

[joonebug]

Originally Posted by CfNorENa

I think they're the same components.

This thread from Vintage Synth Explorer might be helpful:

anti-rant: Roland parts: vfd display coil - Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

Thanks for lead. At least I can start and hunt down that inverter coil. Cheers!

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Mefistophelees

The aftertouch could be playing a big part here however. AFAIK it doesn't work well if at all on my JX10 but using a Prophet'08 as a master keyboard made a big difference to the MKS-70 - to the point that I had the impression that the Prophet'08 at higher pressures was putting out values too high for the MKS-70.

Can't you adjust the values for the aftertouch either at the controller or receiving end if that was a problem?

[flat earth]

Had both. They sound identical.

Im sure i've seen this subject discussed a ker-zillion times on various forums, and it always comes to same conclusion by most.

[dougt]

They both use the same voice boards.

[CfNorENa]

Originally Posted by flat earth

Im sure i've seen this subject discussed a ker-zillion times on various forums, and it always comes to same conclusion by most.

Flat, I think it's JX-8P vs. JX-10/MKS-70 that has been discussed a kerzillion times; JX-10 vs. MKS-70 has only come up a bizillion times.

Sort of like the Juno discussions: Juno 60 vs. 106 = kerzillion discussions, Juno 6 vs. Juno 60 = bizillion discussions.

The only other discussion btw synths that can challenge these numbers is Microwave I vs. Microwave II vs. Microwave XT vs. Microwave XTk vs. Q vs. Micro Q vs. Q+ vs. Blofeld vs. Largo.

[flat earth]

Originally Posted by CfNorENa

Flat, I think it's JX-8P vs. JX-10/MKS-70 that has been discussed a kerzillion times; JX-10 vs. MKS-70 has only come up a bizillion times.

Sort of like the Juno discussions: Juno 60 vs. 106 = kerzillion discussions, Juno 6 vs. Juno 60 = bizillion discussions.

The only other discussion btw synths that can challenge these numbers is Microwave I vs. Microwave II vs. Microwave XT vs. Microwave XTk vs. Q vs. Micro Q vs. Q+ vs. Blofeld vs. Largo.

It always amazes me how people seem to want to discuss endless miniscule differences between Roland instruments, but totally dismiss other instruments like Trident MK1/MK2 which have big internal differences. ie not the usual slightly different dacs/line outputs