Vintage Synth Explorer

Akai • AX-80

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.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Matt

Posted 9 days ago

Does this synth have VCO's or DCO's? I'v heard people say both

CrystalEyes

Posted 14 days ago

What I really like about this machine is how easy it is to use. The controls are much more intuitive than the typical numbered buttons, making it possible to get right to work without having to constantly refer to the manual. Means less time messing around and more time playing!

John

Posted 20 days ago

I am really starting to warm up to this analog monster and vice versa. My DX7IIFD is cold and sterile, but this "purple wolfhound" is a sonic punch in the head. It's amazing for sharp, tight, enormous bass tones and sweeps. Anyone who'd write this one off is cheating themselves out of a true O.G. space-synth. It is soo unique and was born the same year as myself, how could I not love this machine. My only complaint is that the key action is clunky. I personally would've sacrificed the velocity and after-touch for a much smoother feel overall, but that's it...now don't go out and buy one, leave the the Starship Trippin' to the real troopers!!!

garrett macabee

Posted 36 days ago

i had the AX-80 for a short time before i sold it. no matter what i did programming wise it sounded lifeless and dull. the 'eerie strings' type of sounds were OK, other then that niche it just sounded generic to me. i had plenty of other analogs to compare it to and the ax got smoked in terms of sonic character and sound. i think it gets its high marks because it looks cool with the graphic displays but sonically it doesn't stack up to the raw sounding VCO synths.

Peter

Posted 66 days ago

The AX-80 certainly sounds more like a Matrix 6 than a Juno 106! Had people ask me if I was using a Matrix when using the AX-80, so it clearly does sound like a Matrix. The AX-80 uses the same 6 CEM3372 setup as the Xpander, so it's even more similar to that. The Juno 106 uses a custom Roland 80017 chip, not CEM. The AX-80 has more grit than the Matrix because they use the newer CEM3396. Also, the 6 and 1000 sound slightly different, 1000 uses small body version and a quartz clock.

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