Roland JX-8P

JX-8P
Manufactured by Roland
Dates 1984-1989
Price US$1,695
UK£1,165
JP¥228,000
Technical specifications
Polyphony 6 voices
Timbrality Monotimbral
Oscillator 2 DCOs per voice
LFO 1 sine/square/random
Synthesis type Analog Subtractive
Filter 1 resonant low-pass, 1 high-pass
Attenuator 2 ADSR
Aftertouch Yes
Velocity sensitive Yes
Memory 64 preset patches/32 user patches
Effects Chorus
Input/output
Keyboard 61 notes
External control MIDI

Roland JX-8P is a 61-key, velocity and aftertouch sensitive, six-note polyphonic, fully analog synthesizer released by Roland in 1984. In a time of rising popularity of digital frequency modulation synthesis instruments, such as Yamaha DX7, JX-8P was marketed as best of both worlds: while it was possible to create classic analog synth sounds, several new modulation parameters and redesigned hardware enabled it to produce certain types of sounds associated with FM synthesis, such as metallic percussion. Likewise, traditional hands-on controls were replaced with membrane buttons and one "edit" slider. The forerunners to the JX-8P were the JX-3P and the rack MKS-30. JX-8P is among the last true analog synthesizers produced by Roland, with Alpha Juno 1/2 synths, racks MKS-50 and MKS-70, and finally the JX-10. Factory presets on the JX-8P were created by Eric Persing and Dan Desousa.

Features and programming

Though JX-8P is relatively complex, it may appear otherwise for its lack of traditional synthesizer controls. It features two DCO per voice, two software-generated (and relatively soft) ADSR envelopes, high and low-pass filters, two types of (fixed rate) chorus effect, three different sync modes, et cetera. Additionally, it offers two "polyphonic" play modes, two "unison", and two "solo" modes, one of which stacks all its oscillators into a single monophonic sound. Further, the synth's MIDI specification is surprisingly polished for an instrument of this vintage (unlike most earlier Roland synths, and even its direct successor, JX-10).

Programming is achieved either by means of one "edit" slider and a table of parameters for selection by number input, or by means of a separate unit, the Roland PG-800 programmer. All parameters are available without the programmer, but editing with the data slider requires patience, and it is severely limited for live tweaking as only one control can be accessed at a time. The PG-800 provides dedicated slider controls for most parameters and fits comfortably onto the synthesizer. The PG-800 connects to the JX-8P via a dedicated port, with a proprietary 6-pin DIN cable. The programmer unit had to be purchased separately, and due to relative rarity, nowadays a second-hand PG-800 unit would ordinarily cost more than the synthesizer itself.

It is important to note, however, that most of its synthesis parameters can be accessed via system-exclusive (sysex) MIDI messages from a third-party hardware MIDI controller, or computer software over standard MIDI ports.

PG-800 Synthesizer Programmer.

Memory

JX-8P's sound presets are organized into two banks, with 32 sounds each. Additionally, users can store 32 custom sounds into its internal memory, and 32 more into the optional M-16C cartridge if available. Further, patches can be imported and exported via system-exclusive (sysex) MIDI messages. Patches are compatible with Roland JX-10 and MKS-70 synthesizers.

Artists who have used the Roland JX-8P

See also

External links