Roland JP-8000

Yeah, I did pay $1600.00 for it, but thats because I am impatient, and I bought it the first
month it was out. OS Version 1.05, which I upgraded myself from a previous version (1.01 I think).
The editing of the patches is straight forward (all the knobs are right there! jeesh)
Presets are ok i guess, but only a prelude to actual unique sounds. The manual isnt great
but for a Roland manual, it isnt bad. If you arent too familiar with synthesis, the manual
can actually teach you some basics about oscillators, filters, etc... There is a Librarian Roland released for the JP, but no editor. You can find a patch editor via
3rd party software on the net. If you're looking for the Librarian, you can grab it from my site (see link in last section)

Poly is 8 voice (as you have probably read by now) 8 voice poly is a joke if
you ask me, but if you're using this synth for nothing more than mono basses, or
simple arppeggios, than 8 voice should be ok. The effects are limited to a few chorus
effects, a few flangers/phasers, and a few reverb & delays. NO DISTORTION!!! damnit, this
should be manditory for an "analog modeling" synth. The JP-8080 (rack version) does come with
distortion if you dont mind the lack of keys. On board sequencer is limited to an RPS pattern based,
key triggered enviroment. Useful if you are just jamming with a drum machine I guess. Not very useful
otherwise.

Sounds are a 10+ Very nice, very loud, and expressive sounds. Every sound is
easy to jump on and alter if you dont like it. The 11-18 (etc.) patch placement
scheme is quite annoying, but is not insurmountable if you know MIDI. I would still
prefer it started at 001 or 000. The keys are very, VERY light feeling. And with the
crazy shit I play, Im always afraid I might just knock one loose. Timing seems ok, haven't
noticed the aftertouch, not sure if it has it or not. I mostly sample this board or use the
arp, so not a whole lot of "after touching" going on here.

It is very plasticy feeling. The keys are very light, the knobs feel even weaker
than the keys. Dont play this board while you are mad. Would I gig with this board,
hell yeah. Hasn't pooped out on me yet.

Never had to deal with Roland tech support. And from stories I have heard, I dont
want to. There is nothing Roland can tell me that I dont already know anyway.

Since I have created so many tracks and used it heavily in many songs, I would replace it
in a heartbeat. I might opt for the rack model (JP-8080) the second time around though. The
rack isnt that big of an improvment though... yes, it does add a distortion effect (finally), and 2
whole voices of poly (whoopy), and a vocoder, but thats it (literally)...oh except for that dumbass
smartmedia card slot....geez, doesnt anyone dump sysex anymore?

If you are looking for an analog modeling digital synth, the JP-8000 is a good choice, considering its
competitors (the NORD, the Prophecy). Those boards are great (i have owned both at one time)...but lets
face it, MOSS is one of the most damn awkward synthesis methods ever developed, and the Nord has a stone
mod wheel, and a wooden (yes wooden) pitch bender (silly swedes).

For some JP-8000 sounds, resources, and links (and I bet you'd like a JP icon too eh?) check out my site,
http://fade.to/sixline

The Software version in my JP-8000 is 1.5. The preset sounds were typical 'presets', that is to demo every extreme you can do with the synth. I never use presets, besides to create own ones, but the presets on JP-8000 are ok. Editing patches is really easy and intuitive, specially if you have tuned into your typical Roland style mindset. The Manual is over-easy, but I didn't read more than a few pages of it.

8 note Polyphony is propably the only thing that sucks on this thing. I have 10 fingers, so 8 notes can't be enough. It should be 16 notes. However you get used to this, and I think that the overall vibe of the JP-8000 is 'retro-analog' so you don't end up playing things that need more than 8-note polyphony. I find myself having the polyphony in mono position most of the time anyway. The keyboard action is ok, but it could be better. It is a bit plastic. The built in effects are ok, but agreably there could be a distortion, plus the delay could have a tone knob for tape-like dub-style action.

The JP-8000 is very intuitive to use and I find myself playing along records and can instantly (5-10 seconds) find the same sound that's on the record just by tweaking the knobs. I dont know about realism in the sounds. I think the thing to do with the JP-8000 is the quite opposite, as to get out-of-this-earth -sounds. I use the JP-8000 for HipHop and old rock things, Pink Floydish stuff. You can get nice expressive moogy lead sounds. And I find myself sampling big fat basslines from the JP.

As for reliability all I can say is: It's a Roland. It's rugged and it is quality.

N/A

I think I would replace the JP-8000 with something else, since I've sampled it a lot. But I haven't used it's MIDI capabilities yet, and I specially find interesting if I can assign the JP's many controllers to tweak different 'knobs' in PC audio software.

It's not like you can just pick it up and compose symphonies on it without any talent whatsoever. But give it a few minutes and you'll be surprized! I think it's very easy to use. You could only use the presets and be perfectly happy with it. But editing to get the sound you want is easy (After reading the manual, of cource). The manual provides a quick start (for those who want to get the reading over with and dive right in) and a more in depth tutorial that helps you understand what to do to get your prefered sound.

I was slightly dissapointed that the polyphony was only 8, but once I started using it, I realized that I rarely used more than 8 voices. It has chorus effects, echo, but no aftertouch. The weighted-key feature is really handy because you can assign other features like resonance, or the osc. settings, or practically any slider or knob on the board (with the push of a button). It is midi compatable, which makes it all the more easy to use for a sequencer (seing that it doesn't have one on-board). Although it doesn't have a sequencer, it does have a feature that allows you to record up to 8 voices (only varying in note) for up to 8 measures.

If you're looking for a realistic sounding synth, look somewhere else. The JP-8000 was made to sound like the vintage analogue synths, not grand pianos. This synth would work well for dance, techno, electronica, or pretty much anything that you want to have unique sounds in. The onboard effects are very good, but should be preset unless you know exactly what you're doing. This synth is a robot. it does exactly what you want it to and doesn't ask why.

I would depend on it implicitly, without a doubt that it would work (I haven't had mine for that long, but it still works like new). It hasn't been knocked around (except for when my clumsy brother bumped it off it's stand and onto his foot, but there was no damage at all).

I haven't dealt with the company yet, but I can imagine that they are helpful.

This is my first synth, and I am proud to say that I chose the JP-8000. It does everything I want it to. It does tend to get a little warm, though (not really hot, but warm never the less). I compared it to a few vintage synths as well as digital, and decided that this one was better than the vintage because of it's polyphony and midi capabilities. And it was better than the digital because of it's richer sound. If I could have one thing in it that it didn't already have was an actual sequencer. This definately helps with my music (but then again I do entirely synthesized music). If your looking for an easy to use synth that has a lot of potential, then look at the JP-8000. You wont be dissapointed

This is my first synth. So I cannot compare with others, but I think this baby is very easy in use. It has a good manual and the controls to change all the presets are clearly illustrated and/or are accompanied bij red leds.

The features are somewhat limited due to the fact that you can only use 2 sounds in your JP-8000 (unless you sample them offcourse).
The built-in FX are quite cool... But no percussion on this thing... and where is the distortion knob!?!?
The Keyboard looks very cool, but the keys feel somewhat plastic to the touch.

This machine has some cool analog sounds! You can make the sound do virtualy anything you like (with some effort). Most presets are a bit lame, but add some FX and there you go! :)
I don't play the piano, so I cannot really compare that kind of sounds. But this machine wasn't build for that! These sounds are really House/Techno like... even Hardcore (house style in Holland) is very easily created with this thing. Kewl!

The unboard FX are quite good, there's no Reverb and distortion ...that's the only lack of this thing.

I never had any problem with it! It's really stable. I'm not an on-stage performer, but I would use it if I was!

I (luckily) never dealt with them

I think I wouldn't replace it when it was stolen, cause I'd buy an Acces Virus instead. Not because the JP-8000 is bad, but because the newer synths have more options. The JP-8000 is definately worth the money I paid. I wouldn't buy it in a store though....
I love those analog sounds, an I hate the lack of Reverb and Distortion and the lack of only having 2 sounds at the same time under Cubase VST.
If you use this machine the right way, it can REALLY sound VERY good!

Everyone whines and bitches about the presets, but I thought they were actually not bad sounding, remember folks, its tweakable. The manual is written for idiots, very comprehendable (sp)

Im not too impressed with the midi, because sometimes i have to mess with it too much (im running logic)
unfortunately no room for expansion, but i guess thats aite for now. IT could have more features (effects, storage, audio in stuff, etc..)

realistic....no at least thats how I dONT want it...... playing it is great, feels nice, nicely sensitive keys, all good

so far no probs, although it feels like a cheap plastic casing, it still feels somewhat rugged
its roland its all good

The service department is AWESOME, the ordering dept. needs work I ordered a vs1680 ( I order direct from artist relantions dept.),at first they sent me the wrong unit and then they accidently charged me for three units instead of one

i like it, i dont want to get rid of it, infact i want to get the jp8080 soon

version 1.5, since I bought this in July. Presets were nice, but I don't use them much since I programmed custom sounds for myu prog rock band. Can't read the manual due to blindness, but didn't really need it. And forget a pach editor. If you can't figure out knobs and sliders, then get the hell out of electronics.

8 note polyphony, which for old analog synths was normal, but in today's scene, isn't enough. The keyboad feels nice, but 49 keys really sucks as opposed to 61. I guess that is what the jp8080 is for. I sometimes midi it into my xp80 to play things like Jump, which needs more keys. I do not use extensive midi. The effects were simple once somebody read the screen to me. I can do everything without being able to see the display. No expansions.

There are still things I am trying to figure out, like how to adjust the ppitch bend to do more than a whole step, how to assign things to the ribbon controller or velocity. But the sounds are wonderful, to a point. I somehow feel like I am missing something. I can't get thatoverly fat sound like I got out of an Oberheim OBXA. When you threw that thing into unison mode, you would get belted in the head. I hope the jp8080's unison mode is better. I love the effects, but the chorus doesn't seem to work when you run it in mono, which affects some sounds. I like the choruses, but the flanges sound funny to me. I can't figure out why. I think I am going to pipe it through my midiverb IV effects processor and see what comes out of it. I like the delays, though. I find I am distorting it a lot, especially when doing resonant filter work, but I back down the gain, the far right knob on the top and it works, but then my levels are all off. And, sometimes the board is very high endish, lots of trebble and not bass, especially in playing with a band. I guess I have to alter the tone somewhat. Be careful how you prepare your sounds, if you do it in headphones, check your sounds through a full p.a. system or at least an amplifier. But, I give this thing an amazing rating. if only I could have the distortion circuit in it, though. I love distorting synth sounds for a pseudo guitar feel.

I use it on a gig all the time. I haven't ever crashed it to my memory. I have two other keyboards, but none can do what the JP does.

I haven't called with JP specific questions, but I called Roland about my VS880 and they were pretty helpful, but I called onc, and may have been lucky.

I compared this to a an1x, z1, nord lead 1 and 2. The an1x and z1 were too difficult for me, due to an unreadable screen. There was something about both Nord Leads that bothered me. No built in effects, maybe. The JP sounded so good once I got into it. I sunk myself into debt to get it. if it disappeared, I would start killing people. It is my favorite piece for doing Dream Theater keyboard solos. I am probably going to get a JP8080 to control my new purchase of a Roland AX1. But, that Andromeda from Alesis looks so damn good, I may trade in the JP8000 for that. I use all Roland gear. I have been playing for 22 years and love progressive rock and progressive metal. This board is great for doing Keith Emersonish stuff, but would still love my Oberheim back. if only that were lighter and smaller. Then again, Andromeda is coming. ...

8 for an overall use rating ... playing it gets a 10 but programming and the manual can be a little confusing (normal for a Roland)
Patch editing is OK but sounds you can create make up for that also

Well polyphony is a little shy but we have to remember what this machine is created for...leads, fills, screams, EFX
I have owned this baby since it was first released and have really no complaints I find using it to create very enjoyable...OK well I do wish it had some future expandability but you can't have everything

Great for Rock or Dance or anything in between if you are looking for a freedom of sound ... I really do not think it was not really designed to copy any others as much as it was meant to be an original in itself, all keyboards have some similarities in some sounds but this baby has the capability to create new tones

Very dependable...never had a single problem or complaint

Roland is Roland ... enough said

I would certainly want to replace it ... I am a very big fan of free modeling, I do not really like a keyboard that limits your sounds to a few with no adjustments for fine tuning your tonal qualities.
It is one of my main tools but not the only, it would not be a good stand alone piece, I play a JX305 and a Korg Z1 and a N5 also and I intend to keep adding to the arsenal.

I am using software version 1.5 It was a pain to update it, and I really don't see too much of a difference, but that's ok. The presets are pretty nice, in my opinion, you can use this synth out of the box. Its not too much trouble to edit patches; all of the variables are right there in front of you. I haven't used a patch editior with it yet.
The manual seems pretty straightforward, but it's not exactly in laymans terms. I'd like to get the video.

Polyphony is only 8, which kind of sucks but for this type of synth you don't really notice it. It's got a lot of nice things to play with, that's for sure. The arpeggiator is great and so is the RPS. Effects are easy and very straightforward; chorus, delay, etc. Midi sync is very useful. Only 49 keys which is a dissapointment when comparing this to the Z1, which has 61, but in my opinion the JP-8000 gives you more control overall when editing your sounds to the very nuance.

No realistic instruments, but that's not what this keyboard is about. The sounds it does have are amazing... very lush and deep sounding. Great for any style of techno, industrial, ambient, etc. The onboard effects are very nice and there is a lot you can do with them to make your sound just the way you want it. Literally hundreds of thousands of possibilities.

I've never had a problem with it yet.

Never dealt with Roland before in customer support. Heard both good and bad things.

If my JP-8000 were lost or stolen, I'd cry. This thing is my baby, and it's wicked. I've been dying to try using it in a live situation just for the RPS features. The only thigns I don't like is that the polyphony could be more than only 8 voices, and I would've liked more than 49 keys. I am a piano player so I'm used to the full 88 weighted keys, so sometimes when I'm composing larger arrangements that span multiple octaves, I control the JP-8000 with another keyborad with more keys. Otherwise, this is one serious bitch of a keyboard, I definetly reccommend it to anyone interested in an analogue style yet digital feature keyboard.

Using sw 1.04....no problems at all. I owned a Jupiter-8 for 11 years, and took to the JP like a masochist to vaseline. I found that I could get the exact sound I wanted in a few minutes. Presets are OK. Being a Roland, it has the deepest bottom end outside of a Moog. Writing patches is a breeze.

Limited polyphony, but my musical style is minimalist anyway, so it don't matter nunne. Arpeggiator is very full featured & fun. Wish it had a disk drive though, since I'm having a hard time doing a sysex dump to a DataDisk.

Sound is very similar to Jupiter-6, just as the Nord2's similarity to a Prophet-5. Welcome feature is the octave shift +/- 2 octaves. Sounds good across the whole range. Unrealistic sounds, but great chimes, bells, pads, squerques (?), & zleeches. Delay is awesome. Capable of extreme subtlety & nuance of fanciful timbres. Brian Transeau uses 2 of 'em...that's a great testimony in and of itself. Super feature: assignment of all edit parameters to the ribbon controller & velocity.

So far, so good.

Not needed, none anticipated.

I'd buy it again, but he MS2000 & Andromeda do look MIGHTY appealing...

I give it a seven only because the manual threw me off a bit in the begining. once I got the roland jargain down it was a sinch to use. Everything is completly editble. A video is availble to buy.I stongly encourage those new to synths to buy it.

I think the features are great in this price catagory. It could use better chorus effects. But who's using this thing for effects anyway. The 8080 has full on midi implementation, try controling basslines with your voice. sick! It could use more multimbralness. To get the most uot of this synth you need to combine two sounds together. So before using it with a sequencer see if you can record on more than on midi channel at a time. I can't use enough sounds . 9

Some of the richest tones in this class of synth. Check out the patch Hybrid bass. aply some distortion and delay. You've got romping bass.

It has never crashed on me. But when its synced up to my mpc. It gets a little testy if I start moving knobs to fast. It starts squelling out some the most obnoxious squells and thuds.

Hav'nt had any problems

This is a great machine don't plan to use it all the time. I just use to add an axtra leley of wierdness to my tunes. Solid buy feel cofident into it.