UVI – UVX80 v1.0.1

Analog synthesizer with the convenience and flexibility of a modern studio instrument.

Resurrecting an 80’s Japanese diva

• Inspired by a rare Japanese 8-voice analog synth
• Over 250 patches of vintage analog warmth with modern controls
• Ready-to-use presets provide a great starting point for your creations

The UVX80 is based on the famous Japanese manufacturer’s first analog polyphonic synthesizer, an 8-voice, 61-key, digitally controlled 2+1 oscillator synth released in 1984 that had a gorgeous, futuristic appearance. Technically comparable to the JX-3P, this synth featured a more robust architecture with two additional voices, a sub-oscillator, and real pulse-width modulation. 

Despite its technical advantages and deep sonic capabilities, it suffered the same fate: it was never a huge commercial success, but it attracted a cult following that still exists today. While not as complex to edit as the 3P, it lacked the obvious controls of the wildly popular but simpler Juno-106 released that same year. 

It’s a truly progressive design for its time. You’d never guess it was an analogue unit to look at, but its warm, punchy sound is unmistakable – it’s a true analogue beast and something of a sleeping gem of the era.

Due to limited production, very few original units remain today, and even fewer are in working order. Our UVI office in Japan was able to obtain a pristine example and ensure it was calibrated to factory specifications before handing it over to our team of sound designers. 

Once in Paris, we pushed it to the limit, creating tones from classic to modern, allowing the synth’s unique character to shine through. We recorded using the highest quality processors and converters, resulting in a fantastically rich and vibrant library that forms the basis of the UVX80 . 

Once loaded into the UVI engine , our sound designers further refined the patches, creating the hybrid instrument we are proud to present to you today. Now you can enjoy the crisp and powerful analog sound of this vintage 80s synth with all the convenience and flexibility of a modern studio instrument.

Instrument

The UVX80 is an original synthesizer with a modern twist. It expertly delivers distinct tones and a wide range of sound design possibilities – from warm bass, cutting leads, atmospheric textures and otherworldly sound effects to crisp bells and distinctive strings. Browse presets sorted by type, layer them to create rich, evolving textures or edit them to create your own sounds.

The UVX80’s user interface , inspired by the original hardware, reflects the aesthetics of 80’s futurism, while providing a clean, easy-to-program instrument with familiar controls. The dual-layer architecture provides 28 sounds for the first oscillator and 111 for the second. Each has its own multi-mode filter, ADSR envelopes, pitch, portamento, stereo section, arpeggiator and modulation wheel assignments. A versatile LFO and 16-stage modulator provide fast amplitude and filter adjustments, while the final effects section is complemented by high-quality drive, chorus, phaser, delay and reverb.