Roland JX-8P
| JX-8P | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | 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 (pulse, saw, square and noise) |
| LFO | 1 sine/square/random with delay and rate |
| Synthesis type | Analog subtractive |
| Filter | 24dB/oct resonant low-pass, non-resonant high-pass |
| Attenuator | 2 ADSR |
| Aftertouch expression | Yes |
| Velocity expression | Yes |
| Storage 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 synthesizers, such as Yamaha DX7, JX-8P was marketed as the 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 percussive sounds. Likewise, traditional hands-on controls were replaced with a DX-style interface 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 DeSouza.
Though JX-8P is relatively complex, it may appear otherwise for its lack of traditional synthesizer controls. It features two DCOs 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, etc. 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).
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