The AX-80 has the privilege of being the first pro-keyboard produced by Akai, released in 1984. It's an eight-voice programmable analog synthesizer with a full 61-note keyboard and a series of techno-looking LCD bar-graph displays running across the top of the keyboard. Two analog oscillators per voice plus a sub oscillator provide the basis of its punchy analog sounds that can be described as similar to a Chroma Polaris or Roland Juno 106. Very good bass, brass, synth sounds, and effects are possible. However its strings are average at best.

The blue and orange florescent LCD displays use a simple and intuitive bar-graph format to show all its parameters and values, making for one of the best on-board displays ever! You have to wonder, however, with such a cool display, why couldn't they have included dedicated sliders and knobs for each parameter (see the AX-60). A decent amount of patch storage and nice enough sounds make the AX-80 a useable synth to have around, but it probably won't replace your Roland Juno. Other notable features of the AX-80 include an angled rear panel for easy cable connections, chord memory, MIDI control, and pitch/mod wheels. It's been used by Mark Bell (LFO) on Bjork's Homogenic.

45 VISITOR COMMENTS

greenlakemuskie

July 1, 2011 @ 10:34 am

Don't believe those who tell you this synth sounds thin, they are listening with their eyes. It's kind of like a more stable, buttoned-down version of the Prophet 600, due to the Curtis filters and cross-mod options. Yes it can sound (nearly) that fat and weird and aggressive. I know, I've got both.

The keyboard feels good to me but the velocity sense is strangely scaled, and midi implementation is poor, so don't plan on using it as a controller.

XTENS

June 6, 2011 @ 10:13 pm

This is an absolutely under rated synth. I prefer this synth to Juno or Jupter 6, although much cheaper. Not hard to edit as you might think. It is actually easy and fun.

I have AX80 and VX90 (AX73 rack version). AX-80 can make larger sound than VX90 thanks to its 3 OSC design, but I have found VX90 is more useful in many contexts these days. AX-80's voice tends to get messy and it is not attractive as more sophisticated sounding VX90.

VintagePeak

May 19, 2011 @ 11:33 am

If anyone has one contact me at pablojaekwon1985@hotmail.com

Lux AtrA

February 4, 2011 @ 7:21 am

I have two pieces of this synth, no VCOs = DCOs + monstruous filters...

Erik Friend

February 3, 2011 @ 9:10 pm

The AX-80 is a unique sounding synth with a classy look. The LOOK: Standing over its keys feels like manning a death star turbo-laser. It's displays flicker while its black metallic case glistens. The FEEL: Parameters are directly selected via dedicated buttons, then adjusted via a hefty black metal knob. The keys respond to velocity, but not aftertouch. The bender and mod wheels are springy and their ranges are adjusted via 2 knobs. The SOUND: Electric! Buzzy! Spacey! Horns! Bells! Liquid! Lots of LFOs and strange xmod tones. Ranges from conservative leads to pulsing atonal noise!

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