The art
of sound design
Drew Schlesinger - on Jup-8000 V
I'm a professional sound designer who has been creating presets for synthesizers, effects and software products beginning with the Casio CZ-101 in 1984. He’s developed internal sounds for more than two hundred devices from over thirty different manufacturers including Roland, Korg, EMU, Kurzweil, Alesis, Sony, Yamaha, Eventide, Lexicon, Sound Toys and now Arturia.
“The new version of the JUP-8000 is a terrific emulation of the classic 90’s modeling synth that brough supersaw and other new sonic options to sound design. This synth is deceptively simple at first glance but in actuality is capable of an incredible array of different sounds that cover classic, retro and many modern styles. The Advanced features and effects take it to a whole different level and it’s a real powerhouse that sounds just awesome. Having done some of the internal patches for the original version of the synth I was curious what I’d find after so many years and rather than trying to determine what I did back then I just dove in as if it was a totally new instrument to me, which it really is. My approach was to try and craft a really wide variety of sounds and timbres covering a lot of styles and exploring deep modulation options leveraging the Advanced features. It seemed that anything I wanted to do could be achieved from simple to complex which is great.”
Bellish Super Saw
Base Flight
Sami Rabia - on Jup-8000 V
Well I started programming synths in my early teens; as soon as I got a copy of Reason 2.5 I began working with its VA synth, Subtractor… It was the knowledge and experience I gained from those years of hammering away on Subtractor that came into play when I got back into production many years later when I started my new sound‑design journey with Aiyn Zahev Sounds, a company I started in 2012.
“I knew within minutes that this was a true emulation of the hardware… For many people a unison saw or supersaw replica is everything they need to feel like they have the sound of the hardware at their fingertips, and that’s fine—I tried this with the plugin and that same characteristic was there. One thing I know that many of my users appreciate is how I design my sounds in a production context. I strive to make sounds that can be dropped straight in a mix without causing issues, so the producer can spend minimal time adjusting it to their production.”
Violin On Acid
DJ Hidden - on Jup-8000 V
Noël has been a professional music producer since the late ’90s, when he released his first record. He has built an impressive discography of hundreds of releases and has also composed for films, video games, and various other music and sound design projects. He is known as DJ Hidden, one-half of The Outside Agency, and the creator of many other successful side projects. Based in the south of the Netherlands, he continues to create and perform genre-defying music.
“Jup-8000 V fatefully emulates the original machine but also adds a few extras. Programming presets for this synth is straight forward with a clear, responsive interface. While this synth is primarily known for its “trance” sound as it was used by a lot of producers in the late nineties, you are also capable of creating a lot of other interesting sounds. So, you could say that there is more than meets the eye! As I am known to experiment with sounds and think outside the box, I wanted to approach this synth in this exact fashion. I tried to come up with sounds that other sound designers might have not thought of and show the versatility of this piece of software.”
Laura Katic - on Jup-8000 V
Founder of Caperooza, a hybrid live act blending hardware and software synthesizers, samplers, drum machines and sequencers. Co-founder of Circuito Sonoro Lab, a traveling workshop space dedicated to music composition, sound experimentation, and DIY Eurorack module building. She also leads group workshops on modular synthesis, module construction, and VST synthesizers across Colombia and Latin America.
“I really enjoyed experimenting with the oscillators and the filter, they give a lot of flexibility to shape everything from classic tones to more modern textures. The modulation and effects are super intuitive, making it easy to get creative and shape sounds in a natural way. It’s the perfect balance between that vintage character and the freedom to explore more experimental and contemporary textures. I start by exploring the synth and getting familiar with its features. I like to immerse myself in the music of the genre I’m working on to get inspired. I love creating textures that feel alive, so I focus on making sounds that flow naturally, with movement and character in every preset.”
Sonox Arp
Anahera
Torcrafter - on Jup-8000 V
Working as a software engineer for Arturia by day, I also love making music under my Torcrafter project, exploring genres like Trance and Techno. Both classic 00s Trance and modern uplifting Trance are my favorite genres to listen and make, and sound design for as well.
“What makes the JUP-8000 stand out is obviously the supersaw oscillator and the reproduction of its limitations that made Trance and EDM at large what it is today. Being able to have this right in your computer, with added modulators and effects right out of the box, is what is going to make this synth a future staple in my future productions. Having a liking for the rave sound and Uplifting Trance, this synth is an absolute inspiration (and nostalgia) machine. The presets I made come trying to replicate famous sounds of the classic Trance era, as well as trying to push the synth in directions it's less famous for (the feedback oscillator is an absolute gem for that).”
Formant Multisequence
Foco - on Jup-8000 V
I make electronic music for a long time now, since pre-plugin times. Originally my music had been described as Synthpop or Darkwave, but has evolved ever since, thanks to multiple influences from other artists. My music has been used in german television, for events, and obviously for the Foco live shows, which I am currently re-animating, along with some releases related to it.
“Considered one of the defining instruments for Trance, the JUP 8000-V is capable of so much more than Trance and Techno anthems. My favorite features are by far the versatile oscillators, the X-Mod and the Multi-Arp. Especially the OSC 1 provides a wide range of unconventional and modifiable waveforms, the X-Mod comes in very handy, when some noisy or FM-like stuff is desired, and the MultiArp allows you to create complex patterns in no time. When creating a sound, I often play around with its unique features. It´s like a discovery trip. For the sound demo for example I wanted to create a pattern, which could be both simple and complex, but also fill an arrangement. So the MultiArp was the first weapon of choice. Often, I just play around, until I find something interesting, and then try to develop a sound, or I simply let myself go.”
“The modulation and effects are super intuitive, making it easy to get creative and shape sounds in a natural way. It’s the perfect balance between that vintage character and the freedom to explore more experimental and contemporary textures.”
Laura Katic