Akai AX80

$900.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (8)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Akai AX80

2 community setups

6 wishlisted

24 saved

Page last updated Jun 12, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 12, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (5)

$900.00 4 available Used

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Average Price: $900

Standard/Professional

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Akai AX80 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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The AX80 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 AX60). A decent amount of patch storage and nice enough sounds make the AX80 a useable synth to have around, but it probably won't replace your Roland Juno. Other notable features of the AX80 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.

https://www.vintagesynth.com/akai/ax80.php

Product specs

Brand	Akai
Model	AX80 Synthesizer
Finish	Black
Year	1980s
Categories	Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital	Analog
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Synth Action
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys	61 Keys
Polyphony	8 Voices

FAQs

Is the Akai AX80 suitable for creating complex sound textures?: Yes, the Akai AX80 is known for its rich analog sound, making it well-suited for creating complex sound textures and layered tones, thanks to its 8-voice polyphony and unique voice architecture.
Does the Akai AX80 have MIDI capabilities for integration with modern setups?: The Akai AX80 features MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with modern MIDI setups and other instruments, expanding its versatility in a studio environment.
What type of keyboard action does the Akai AX80 have?: The Akai AX80 is equipped with a synth action keyboard, which provides a smooth and responsive playing experience, ideal for fast playing and expressive performance.
How many keys does the Akai AX80 have, and are they full-size?: The Akai AX80 has 61 full-size keys, providing a standard range suitable for most playing styles and compositions.
What makes the Akai AX80 stand out among other analog synthesizers from the 1980s?: The Akai AX80 stands out for its unique digital control of analog circuits, offering a distinct sound palette and visual feedback through its LED display, which was innovative for its time.

Videos

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Jexus (sounds-for-synths.com)

Akai AX80 - FREE presets (demo by Jexus / WC Olo Garb)

Jexus (sounds-for-synths.com)

8 Minutes with an Akai AX-80 Synthesizer Video Demo

gstormelectro

AKAI-AX-80 SOUND DEMO- FILTER-OSC & FUN

Elektragen

1984 Akai AX-80: 17 more great sounds

Valmont

Synths That Time Forgot: Akai AX60 & AX80

Alamo Music Sound Lab

Synth Stuff Ep. 42 - Akai AX80

tritonrecordings

Outer Limits of the Akai AX80 | Affordable Alternative to the Roland Jupiter 6?

Greg Wilder

AKAI AX80 Part. 1 | No Talking |

DKS SYNTH LAB

AKAI AX80

rimela

AKAI AX80 + Strymon BigSky = Ambient Chillout Music 【SYNTH DEMO】

synth4ever

Reviews

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PROS

Good sounding with strong bass
Comparable to Jupiter 6 and Chroma Polaris
Cost-effective alternative to Kawai/Teisco SX-240
Simple, intuitive bar-graph LCD display
Angled rear panel for easy cable connections
Features chord memory, MIDI control, pitch/mod wheels
Dual oscillators per voice plus sub oscillator
96 patch storage (64 user, 32 preset)

CONS

Single knob control interface can be off-putting
Presets may seem wimpy at first
Lacks the warmth and ease of detuning found in models like Juno
Filter resonance can be overly aggressive, prone to screeching
No internal effects, unlike some contemporaries

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai AX80.

Features and functionality

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The Akai AX80's interface displays all patch parameters at a glance, compensating for the lack of physical buttons.
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Setup and maintenance

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Button issues are common due to soldered series connections that flex and fail, but re-soldering or replacing with flexible wire can resolve these.
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Compressed air can clean dust and debris from button areas, sometimes reviving non-working buttons due to buildup.
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Owners suggest continuity testing or reflowing solder joints on button boards to address mechanical stress-induced failures.
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CEM3372 chip issues may cause non-functioning keys; wiggling in sockets might resolve contact issues, but replacement chips are rare and costly.
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Mods and upgrades

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The Tauntek Mod chip is recommended for adding CC over MIDI capabilities.
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The AX80 uses normal tactile switches (Alps SKHCBEA010) under the plastic sheet, which are relatively easy to replace with basic soldering skills.
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The Tauntek mod is easy to install due to the socketed chipset and offers CC control through MIDI Designer Pro 2 for enhanced parameter modulation.
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User experience

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Owners suggest using a chorus pedal or stereo delay to enhance the synth's sound, with some preferring detuning DCO2 for added depth.
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Owners have noted that despite its age, the display LEDs are robust, with some users considering creative uses for unused LED columns.
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Build quality

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The button membrane boards are prone to failure; replacing these with new buttons may be necessary for proper functionality.
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The circuit boards in the AX80 are connected by solid wire traces that can break over time; replacing them with ribbon cable provides needed flexibility.
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The VFD part is specifically the Futaba BG-263ZK, which is difficult to find and may require sourcing from a donor unit.
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Other

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The synth's design is likened to "Darth Vader meets Tron" with its retro-futuristic look and cyan-colored bars reminiscent of 90s car stereos.
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Value and pricing

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At $300, a non-working Akai AX80 is considered a potential bargain if the buyer is comfortable with repairs, especially given high market values in good condition.
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Use cases and applications

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The Akai AX80 is noted for its basic but effective sound, suitable for 'bread and butter' tasks despite lacking advanced modulation features like filter FM via LFO.
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Critic Reviews

Akai AX80 (Retrozone)

soundonsound.com

The Akai AX80 is a synth that almost had it all, but fell short of hitting the mark. Its hybrid analogue/digital design and intuitive fluorescent display made it user-friendly and visually striking. However, its digital oscillators lacked warmth, and the factory presets were uninspiring without external effects. While it shines in creating aggressive and rich sounds, its limited MIDI capabilities and reliability issues are drawbacks. Despite its potential, the AX80 failed to make a lasting impact upon release. For those seeking a vintage synth with character, it remains a niche but affordable option on the second-hand market.

neutral

Full Review

Akai AX80 (12T Dec 84)

muzines.co.uk

The Akai AX80 synthesizer impresses with its unique sound quality and touch-sensitive keyboard, offering expressive dynamics and a distinct character set slightly apart from its contemporaries. While it succeeds in creating rich and textured sounds, particularly in organ and string emulations, it lacks some modern features like sync, mono mode, and an arpeggiator, making it less versatile than cheaper counterparts from Roland and Siel. The price is steep, and although it offers a luxurious feel, the AX80 might not appeal to those seeking cutting-edge digital sounds. Overall, it stands out for its sound quality but falls short on innovation and value for money.

neutral

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings

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k_g_b_

363

about 7 years ago

angry juno

Well, it doesn't really sound like a Juno. It has two oscillators per voice, and no internal effects where the Juno has chorus. I find that detuning the oscillators slightly to achieve that phasey, beating sound that is commonly associated with analog synths is tricky with this one. It seems that the sweet-spot for that warm detune sound is microscopic, if it's there at all. Most of the time doing this just results in a patch that just sounds plain out-of-tune. Oh, and watch out for that filter resonance! It will howl and screech and shatter your china set if you set it above 7%. A very aggressive sounding synth.