Interesting enough this unit sounds powerful even in Program mode and in the Performance mode it is stunning, especially with a 6 layers assigned. There are many 'bread and butter' sounds onboard, and there is lot of scope for editing and creating your own sonic textures.
My first real synth bought it back in 97' or 98 perhaps it was...it is quite amazing that it has 6 parts, 8 outs and all those fx and midi routing and is very easy to operate. However, compared to other synths from the time, it might be more unknown and also less 'special' in sound and character. JP8000 would have been my first choice back then had I only known about it, pre-internet days. Nonetheless I love it and will never sell it :)
Nova does sound Ok but I have got a Roland JD800 and the moment I turned this on and compared it just blew the Nova right out of the water. Nova is nowhere near as fat as a JD800. Sorry there is no comparison. I have also got a Moog Voyager and a Behringer Odyssey and the real analog signal path in these also blow the Nova away. Analog modelling synths just fall short of the mark. They don't sound as good a real analog signal path instruments.
@@jeffevansmusic no need to be sorry, it's like i said less special, and lacks some character...it can be a nice supplement though and I used it extensively in the past. A JD800 would be a dream to have...I just bought the XP50 which I believe is a descendant of the JD800 or perhaps JD990. But then again, I read the JD800 might be one of the best Roland synths ever, so not a fair comparison to the Nova. Would love to see a video for the JD though!
Also download this and listen to it on some decent speakers. Every sound in this s the JD800 even the hidden percussion sounds. drive.google.com/file/d/1K-OoQxJPnHB0Ibv17gxm67KluqeMtu1y/view?usp=sharing
There is no synth either that sounds like the JD800. Only the JD990. They are the only two synths that have this sound to them. Its weird because they are all digital yet it is one of the fattest analog sounds you will ever hear. I also have a VSynth and Roland have never made a synth that sounds like that either since.
This one is not mine and I sent it back to its owner and yes there are knob issues with both the smooth and stepped knobs. You can get them as new parts but but I think it would be a difficult repair to do.
Thanks Jeff for taking the time for showing me around the Nova. Looks a really interesting bit of kit.
Interesting enough this unit sounds powerful even in Program mode and in the Performance mode it is stunning, especially with a 6 layers assigned. There are many 'bread and butter' sounds onboard, and there is lot of scope for editing and creating your own sonic textures.
My first real synth bought it back in 97' or 98 perhaps it was...it is quite amazing that it has 6 parts, 8 outs and all those fx and midi routing and is very easy to operate. However, compared to other synths from the time, it might be more unknown and also less 'special' in sound and character. JP8000 would have been my first choice back then had I only known about it, pre-internet days. Nonetheless I love it and will never sell it :)
Nova does sound Ok but I have got a Roland JD800 and the moment I turned this on and compared it just blew the Nova right out of the water. Nova is nowhere near as fat as a JD800. Sorry there is no comparison. I have also got a Moog Voyager and a Behringer Odyssey and the real analog signal path in these also blow the Nova away. Analog modelling synths just fall short of the mark. They don't sound as good a real analog signal path instruments.
@@jeffevansmusic no need to be sorry, it's like i said less special, and lacks some character...it can be a nice supplement though and I used it extensively in the past. A JD800 would be a dream to have...I just bought the XP50 which I believe is a descendant of the JD800 or perhaps JD990. But then again, I read the JD800 might be one of the best Roland synths ever, so not a fair comparison to the Nova. Would love to see a video for the JD though!
@@AnalogFlava I did one here:
ua-cam.com/video/m48Ur0Lb0cc/v-deo.html
Also download this and listen to it on some decent speakers. Every sound in this s the JD800 even the hidden percussion sounds.
drive.google.com/file/d/1K-OoQxJPnHB0Ibv17gxm67KluqeMtu1y/view?usp=sharing
There is no synth either that sounds like the JD800. Only the JD990. They are the only two synths that have this sound to them. Its weird because they are all digital yet it is one of the fattest analog sounds you will ever hear. I also have a VSynth and Roland have never made a synth that sounds like that either since.
This one is not mine and I sent it back to its owner and yes there are knob issues with both the smooth and stepped knobs. You can get them as new parts but but I think it would be a difficult repair to do.
It is a fairly easy repair and for mine Novatoin were good enough to send a pot out free of charge
Btw, do you also have knob issues mainly the fast data and filter cutoff tend to have a bug - not sure if it was fixed with any firmware updates?
Great overview thanks. Going to order one now!
They might be hard to find.