Roland JX-8P
Encyclopedia
The Roland JX-8P was a 61-keyboard 6-note, velocity and aftertouch sensitive polyphonic
synthesizer
released by Roland
in 1984 to compete against the Yamaha DX7
. In many aspects, the JX-8P delivers classic "fat" Roland synth sounds just like instruments as Jupiter-8, Jupiter-6, MKS-80
and the Juno-6/Juno-60 for instance. The forerunner of the JX-8P was the more thin-sounding, less MIDI capable, non velocity-sensitive JX-3P / MKS-30. The JX-8P belongs to Roland's last family (to date) of analog synths. Other famous members of this "family" of synths are the Alpha Juno 1/2 synths, the MKS-50, the MKS-70 and the JX-10.
Interestingly, the JX-8P cost about $1500 when introduced; the PG-800 cost about $250. Today, on the second hand market, the PG-800 is often more expensive than the JX-8P itself, since it is a more rare item.
It was possible to create monophonic sounds, using a set of oscillators (2 from a patch) or 6 at the same time (with the same patch) to create a 'denseness' effect in the patch.
The built-in chorus effect
was switchable from off to two different modulation modes for every patch.
The Factory presets of the JX-8P were created by Eric Persing and Dan Desousa
and MKS-70, with some differences.
*Elton John
Polyphony (instrument)
Polyphony Instruments that are not capable of polyphony are monophonic.-Synthesizer:Most of early synthesizers were monophonic musical instruments which can play only one note at a time, and are often called monosynth as opposed to polysynth...
synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
released by Roland
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
in 1984 to compete against the Yamaha DX7
Yamaha DX7
The Yamaha DX7 is an FM Digital Synthesizer manufactured by the Yamaha Corporation from 1983 to 1986. It was the first commercially successful digital synthesizer. Its distinctive sound can be heard on many recordings, especially Pop music from the 1980s...
. In many aspects, the JX-8P delivers classic "fat" Roland synth sounds just like instruments as Jupiter-8, Jupiter-6, MKS-80
Mks-80
The Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter is an 8-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer that was manufactured by Roland between 1984 and 1987. It is the only of MKS series of synthesizers to have fully analog voltage controlled oscillators...
and the Juno-6/Juno-60 for instance. The forerunner of the JX-8P was the more thin-sounding, less MIDI capable, non velocity-sensitive JX-3P / MKS-30. The JX-8P belongs to Roland's last family (to date) of analog synths. Other famous members of this "family" of synths are the Alpha Juno 1/2 synths, the MKS-50, the MKS-70 and the JX-10.
Programmability
Programming was achieved either by means of a data slider and a silkscreened data table designating each of the parameters, or by means of a separate unit, the Roland PG-800 programmer. While not difficult to change parameters with the basic JX-8P, modifying a number of parameters without hearing immediate results was often a tedious experience for sound programming enthusiasts. The PG-800 alleviated this by providing sliders and knobs for most of the programmable parameters, with controls resembling those of a traditional analog synthesizer. The PG-800 connects to the JX-8P via a 6-pin DIN cable and a specific "midi-like" port on the back of the synth simply labeled PG-800. The programmer unit did not come with the synthesizer, but was sold as a separate accessory.Interestingly, the JX-8P cost about $1500 when introduced; the PG-800 cost about $250. Today, on the second hand market, the PG-800 is often more expensive than the JX-8P itself, since it is a more rare item.
It was possible to create monophonic sounds, using a set of oscillators (2 from a patch) or 6 at the same time (with the same patch) to create a 'denseness' effect in the patch.
The built-in chorus effect
Chorus effect
In music, a chorus effect occurs when individual sounds with roughly the same timbre and nearly the same pitch converge and are perceived as one...
was switchable from off to two different modulation modes for every patch.
The Factory presets of the JX-8P were created by Eric Persing and Dan Desousa
Internal
Memory organization consisted in two internal blocks of 32 'patches', and a similar organization for the external cartridge. Patch memory could be dumped to MIDI with a SYSEX message, with no "handshake" necessary. Initially, the owner's manual offered a programming sheet where parameters could be written on the blank lines. SYSEX memory dumps could be sent or recognized as "one patch" and "one bank". At the moment of receiving a memory dump, the synthesizer would keep all received patches in a memory buffer. In order to write the buffer to memory, the memory write lock had to be switched to "write" mode. The memory write lock was a physical switch in the back of the instrument and could be changed on the fly without the need of turning the instrument off for fear of damaging the memory (which was common on similar synthesizers).Cartridge
The M-16C cartridge could store 32 more user patches, which could be loaded directly or transferred to the internal memory. The use was the same as the internal memory, including the protection switch. Sounds created on the M-16C can also be read by the Roland JX-10Roland JX-10
The Roland JX-10 was a 12-voice analog synthesizer produced from 1986 to 1989, and was the last true analog synthesizer made by Roland. It is essentially two Roland JX-8P synthesizers put together, along with a 76-note velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch...
and MKS-70, with some differences.
Artists who have used the Roland JX-8P
- CovenantCovenant (band)Covenant is a band from Sweden whose music comprises a mixture between electropop and electronic dance music. The band is composed of Eskil Simonsson, Daniel Myer and Joakim Montelius...
- Bronski BeatBronski BeatBronski Beat were a popular British synthpop trio who achieved success in the mid 1980s, particularly with the 1984 chart hit "Smalltown Boy". All members of the group were openly homosexual and their songs reflected this, often containing political commentary on gay-related issues...
- 30 Seconds to Mars30 Seconds to Mars30 Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998. Since 2007, the band has consisted of actor Jared Leto , Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević...
- The CureThe CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
- Dzeltenie PastniekiDzeltenie PastniekiDzeltenie Pastnieki are a Latvian band formed in 1981 in Riga, Latvia. Their name means "the yellow postmen" in Latvian, and is sometimes abbreviated to DzP. They were among the pioneers of new wave as well as reggae in the former Soviet Union...
*Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
- EuropeEurope (band)Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements...
(provided (linked to a Yamaha TX816)the lead sound on 'the final countdown') - Frankie Goes to HollywoodFrankie Goes to HollywoodFrankie Goes to Hollywood were a British dance-pop band popular in the mid-1980s. The group was fronted by Holly Johnson , with Paul Rutherford , Peter Gill , Mark O'Toole , and Brian Nash .The group's debut single "Relax" was banned by the BBC in 1984 while at number six in the charts and...
- Gary NumanGary NumanGary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
- The Human LeagueThe Human LeagueThe Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...
- Orchestral Manoeuvres in the DarkOrchestral Manoeuvres in the DarkOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark are a synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula, England...
- Kate BushKate BushKate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
- VangelisVangelisEvangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
- Winter PalaceWinter PalaceThe Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was, from 1732 to 1917, the official residence of the Russian monarchs. Situated between the Palace Embankment and the Palace Square, adjacent to the site of Peter the Great's original Winter Palace, the present and fourth Winter Palace was built and...
- Head EastHead EastHead East is an American hard rock band originally from South Central Illinois. The band was formed by vocalist John Schlitt, guitarist Mike Somerville, keyboardist Roger Boyd, bassist Dan Birney, and drummer Steve Huston. They met and formed the band while studying at the University of Illinois,...
See also
- Roland JX-10Roland JX-10The Roland JX-10 was a 12-voice analog synthesizer produced from 1986 to 1989, and was the last true analog synthesizer made by Roland. It is essentially two Roland JX-8P synthesizers put together, along with a 76-note velocity-sensitive keyboard with aftertouch...
- A 12-voice 2-DCO synthesizer that was essentially two JX-8Ps put together