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The JP-8V allows for splits and layers.

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Once you have done so, you’ll gain access to the Galaxy module. This is sort of like an automated X/Y vector controller, but one in which the X and Y outputs are spun around on their axes (you can choose three destinations for each of these). The Galaxy module is an interesting and inspiring modulation source that’s a lot of fun to watch, too.

As you’d expect, there are loads of built-in effects: delays, reverbs, choruses and more. What isn’t so expected is the ability to plug effects in at various steps in the synthesis signal path; you can stick a chorus in after the oscillators but before the filters, for example. What’s more, effects can be modulated by a handful of sources, including the Galaxy module. Cool.

The Jupiter-8V is a bit special. Its sound is convincingly analogue (if a little ‘precise’), and there are enough new features to keep things interesting. We can’t say enough about the Galaxy module, and we wish all built-in effects processors were this flexible.

It isn’t perfect, though. We suffered a crash during the course of our review (though it was just the one) and then there’s the CPU consumption. On our 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo iMac it sucks up 6% of the CPU just sitting there. Playing a four-note chord can drive the CPU meter to over 26%, and you can double this for the same patch on our Athlon 64 3000+.

So, what we have here is a big synth with a big sound and a big appetite. Rest assured, though, that the Jupiter-8V is well worth the processing power. This is arguably Arturia’s best effort yet.