In the 1980's nobody knew how to use synths beyond the default patches. That's why I think that 80's music sounds so generic and kind of hollow.

The 90's was different, the people making synth music pushed the synths past what their default setup was capable of. Synths used in the mid/late 90's for psychedelic/acid trance sound nothing like 80's synths, but they are the same synths.

The "303" was intended as a bass instrument, but with 90's acid trance it's typically used as a lead, as well as a bass.

> In the 1980's nobody knew how to use synths beyond the default patches

Dwayne Goettel would be a big counter example! :) Although his best work was early 90s I suppose.