Roland JP-8080

Simple and straightforward.

Whether you need pads or acid sounds, leads or basslines, the JP-8080 will do the job

A very complete palette.

Absolutely reliable.

Roland support? Which charity is that?

The synth everyone should have, but only if you have a MKS-50 sitting next to it.

Presets, some great, some not-so-great, but definately well thought out. The ones I don't like are some of my friend's favorites on his. Editing, I grew up with ARP's, Moog's and PAIA's, the JP-8080 felt like an old friend the first time I used it. The manual is not the usual Roland version of "War and Peace", it is concise and helpful (although quite honestly, you'll only use it once).

I was a little unhappy about the polyphony (or lack thereof) until I got out my ARP Odyssey and Moog Prodigy one night. Since this little beast is supposed to be replacing my prodigy in the line up I have NO complaints... besides, it kicks my Prodigy's ass in EVERY category and my Odyssey is now hiding under the bed, afraid to come out). Oh ya, the Vocoder isn't bad either.

Realistic sounds??? Try creating a sound with the Super-Saw waveform... beyond realistic. I play old progressive stuff live (Pink Floyd, Yes, ELP, etc) and T-dream type stuff at home, and the JP-8080 is always right in the middle of things (where it belongs).
Depending on what I am doing, I have used it as a Lead synth, Vocoder, effects processor (for both a Rhodes and a guitar). It's a good Swiss-Army knife

Very Dependable. Wouldn'y gig without a backup, but it isn't made for it

Roland support is getting better (based on my last few calls). Repair, unless you drop it from 10 feet up or drown it you can't really damage it.

Definately worth replacing. I've been playin in bands since '75. I love this synth. The only thing I hate about it is that the filter will not self-modulate like a real analog synth (the MS2000R will). Other gear... Roland: JD-800, JD-990, XV-3080, MC-505 and (2) A-33 controller keyboards. Korg: MS2000R, Air Synth. M-Audio Pro-88 Controller keyboard, Midiman controller Keyboard. PAIA: Theremax Theremin and various modules from the 2700 series modular synth. Fender Rhodes: 88 Suitcase (being sold to a friend soon). Moog: Prodigy (also on the way out the door soon). ARP Odyssey (white version updated with Minimoog keyboard (with pitchbend, vs. the damned knob ARP used on the panel). The Digital equipment all gets carted around to live gigs, so does the Theremax. The Odyssey gets out if we are playing Frankenstein (Edgar Winters)... Yes I know the 8080 can do the filter sweep, but it's more fun to do it the right way.

Easy overall. Lots of buttons, knobs and sliders, menus actually hold only a few parameters. Presets are ok, some classics. I didn't read a manual but I think it's better than usual Roland manual, in fact it even gives you some examples how to achieve certain type of sounds (bass/pad/lead), which might prove usefull for a beginner.

Polyphony is a bitch, oops, effects are ok, except there is no reverb, there is a master EQ that lets you cut lows or highs. 2 parts are ok when you use performances (two parts in one megasound). It has sort of phrase sequencer, which may be usefull as an alternative arp. I didn't use it though so I won't comment further. Arp is globally switchable which is nice. Unlike other VAs it has pitch envelope section (not that it's that hot!). Morphing is included too.

This one is the most analog-sounding of all VAs I have (Virus C, Supernova II and Nord Rack 2X). Pure neutral analog sound. Not dark, not bright, not too fat, not thin. Absolutely neutral, which is what I appreciate about this synth. It can produce very different sounds - it excells at pads (preset performance hold some good examples of complex atmo pads), lead, basses, fx - well, in fact, it can do everything right. Maybe not spectacular, cause it's not speciality synth, more like all-rounder, so that's why I can't give it 10. For exaple it can't do such lush and massive pads as Virus does, it can't be as silky-liquid as Supernova or edgy and cutting as Nord. Instead it brings you as close as possible to that "old analog sound", while stil remaining an excellent techno-trance synth. The only problem with a sound - sometimes it clicks, when the sound has instant attack. It's a well-known issue, and manual says it's due extremely fast envelopes. So when you programm your own sound you need to be carefull with the amp attack setting - of you may easily get that clicking.

This one gets very close to Virus C in term of overall usability and versatility. Sometimes you need a sound without a character, and that's where Virus, Supernova and Nord fall short, and that's where JP shines. Very good synth and is a must-have for any electronica producer. With it's current price (something like 400-500$) it's a steal.

It's easy enough.. never had to use the manual.

The features..aah =D I had to give it a nine, although this is my favourite piece of gear. What bugs me is the dual midi-ins. one for keyboard, and one regular midi in. In the regular midi in the arpeggiator won't trigger.. however.. it outputs arpeggiated notes through midi out.. in this context it makes sense.. but who works like that anyway? I would have prefered a on/off option for outputing arpeggiator notes.

Ah. the sounds.. just amazing.. I can always dial in any tone I want. Sometimes I've considered selling my other gear just to get a couple of JP-8080s. Pads are just amazing, bass & lead sounds are great too, but not as aggressive as in the Korg MS2000(which I have a love/hate relationship with).

The onboard distortion can be useful, but it's to "sharp" and digital. Used with care it gives sound a bit of a edge, though for really good distortion I would use something else.

The Vocoder is okey, but not as great as in the Korg MS2000.

Other than that the range of useful sounds this machine gives me justifies a rating of 10.

Never had a problem with it.

Never dealt with them

Several times I have considered to sell my other gear and get more JP-8080s, seriously!

Whats stopped me is that every bit of kit has it's unique character and inspiries you in a different way.. but in the end I often recreate the sounds in the JP-8080, it's just got the tone I find usable in a mix.

My other gear are, Korg MS2000, Roland Jx8p, Roland Juno-106, Roland JV-2080, Yamaha A3000.

The JP8080 cant recreate the aggresive edge of the sounds in the MS2000, and not the basses of the Jx8p.. neither the strange filter in the Juno-106.. But those machines are one trick babies for me most of the time.

Go and try out the JP-8080, I will never part from mine

a bit confusing but not too bad if you chomp into your manual :)

This synth has tons of features. ITs great to have the storage card too however the type of card it uses is an obsolete older type 5v smartmedia card. Regular readily available 3.3v smartmedia will not work at all, so you have to hunt down the 5v cards NOW before they are gone forever. You can still find them on eBay but probably not for too much longer. That is the only place to get them and when they are gone, that's it. the old 5v smartmedia cards have been out of production since 1999. So you might want to get right on it and GET SOME CARDs NOW!!
The JP8080 has a lot of features for the price but i wish it could use 3.3v smartmedia.

This synth sounds outrageously good to me. Many people say it has its own flavor and there is nothing quite like it. I agree.

Rock solid roland toughness.

they are simply ok

This synth represents a great value for the money and is truly unique. However i cannot give it a 10 due to the whole 5v smartmedia card deal. They really should have used regular 3.3v cards instead cuz the 5v cards are now almost impossible to find. If it were not for eBay, they would be totally unavailable. My advice to anyone who owns this machine is GET SOME 5v CARDS NOW before its too late. Other than the obsolte storage card, this machine is really one of your best deals out there right now in a killer synth.

This synth is an absolute doddle. All the major functions are layed out on the front panel, and the menu system is very intuitive. Sometimes the MIDI assignment can be a little tricky, since each bitimbral performance defaults to Ch 1 and 2. The knobs, buttons and sliders can all output MIDI, which is great!

OK, this synth is not modular, so I wouldn't prefer it to say, a Nord modular (or a real modular!!) That much aside, the modulation routing is pretty good. If you want crazy modulation, this one might not do it... I like the arpeggiator/phrase sampler, and esp. how the tempo for this is save with the 'performance'.

Second LFO for modulation adds a little more expression. Onboard effects are usable, but limited since they cannot be edited. (Distortion is nice and crunchy, chorus/mod fx are OK.) The delay is digital, so it spits out click noise when you change speed (which can be fun...) I would have preferred an analog delay line. The velocity assignment is a bit cerebral, but works well once you figure it out.

I have gigged with this baby for close to two years with no backup, it is very dependable (it IS a Roland!!) It also lets you know if you have a bad MIDI line, which is quite helpful. I like the lack of plugpack (aren't we all just SICK of plugpacks!). I would still use it even if I got a Nord.

Roland, simply put, do NOT talk to anyone. I got a SmartMedia card on eBay for about AU$60, Roland couldn't (wouldn't) find me one! I should stress that I've never had a problem with the unit, but Roland should still make more of an effort to communicate.

I don't know that I would get it again, I like the polyphony though, and I would recommend it to a first-timer. I've just picked up a (Yamaha) TG-33 and can't wait to try the two of them layered (plus my A3K sampler)!!

err well this being my first hardware synth i found it quite hard to get used to, i lost plenty of patches by not saving them rite and made many noob mistakes.

thought the features are great the chorus has sum mad beef and teh super saw is beastly

great thats all i can say, dance music it kicks ass, after listening to pro soundsets from all the major synths the jp was definatly the most impressive close followed by the virus
used by lab 4 lots and scooter and is in most major studios, also as the main lead for 4 strings into the night

eeerr well i havent had no problems, the filter click thing is a bit shit but then u just alter the attack or release and it goes so no biggie

iv had no problems bu heard rolands shit

i think its great, very unique warm sound, looking for a middle priced dance synth?
there is no other!

Overall it's pretty easy to use and fairly intuitive. Although it can get a bit complicated using the edit buttons but the manual is helpful there. Editing the patches is a breeze. The presets are mostly cheezy dancesounds although some of them are cool especially the trancy ones.

The poyphony is 10 which is plenty but it is only 2 multitimbrral which sucks! I misunderstood when i bought it (I was still prettty new to synths and thought polyphony was multitimbral). The effects are not that good and you can't edit them but the delay is definitely useful.

Overall the sounds are great. It is very good for pad-type sounds is what I usually use it for. The bass pretty good as well but not that phat. It brings me to my main point which is that it is <B> virtual <B/> analog. I was not one of those analog snobs until i played this thing next to my Juno-60. The 8080 does sound dry next to the Juno, in fact I don't use both instruments in the same tracks because I find they clash. The oscilators on the thing are still cool esp the feedback oscilator. The filter clicking is also a problem for me.

Sometimes when editing a sound some parameters don't work which is kinda wierd, but this only happens editing presets which i don't use anyway. Never had any other problems.

Haven't had any contact with roland

If I lost it I don't think I'd get it again, but I'm still glad I have it. The main reason being computers are getting better and better, and I find software synths are just as good and much cheaper (i.e. absynth) The lack of multitimbrality is lame. I've used the machine mainly for film work as it doesn't fit so well with my artistic/fun stuff (tortoisey, mouse on marsey) because of the dryness of the sound. But it is great for atmospherics. For the price I paid I can't complain too much. It has taught me alot about synthesis.

for tweeking sound its perfect, in performance mode it gets a little complicated also filtering input is parameter deep

the rack has more poliphony then keyboard and i haven't run out of yet, plenty of knobs, sliders and bottons for tweekin away!!!plus it has some built in effecte like distotion, chorus, etc. delay is pretty good on this unit.

fat basses, and awsome leads, i practicaly use this unit in bitimral mode with a bassline on left chanel and a lead on right chanel

this unit hasn't tripped once since i bough it

haven't had to use them yet

this unit is great and does more than just get the job done but i ain't no waldorf!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, I beg your pardon for my poor english :) I try to express my opinion as well as I can :))))))

If is your first sinth, it's not really so easy as someone say, elsewhere, with a little bit of experience you can enjoy his simple interface with lot of knob and sliders that send midi message too. Good preset sound (someones excellent, fantastic) and good Roland manual (in their standards).

A good step higher than the JP8000, expecially for the sound capability and polyphony, a very good vocoder, more effect and functions, alse the smart card is very usefull.
Many peoples lament the low polyphony a the bitimbral features.
I have bought this synth to use it in live performances and not for sequencer multipart records, and I don't play pianos or other keyboards like sounds (I have GEM PRO2 for pianos and VK7 for organs), I use it like a vintage synth emulator for strings, brass and expecially for lead solos, and for me it's perfect! This is why I give a full 9. For different use it's better a 7.
ATTENTION, It does not have any Reverber effect on board! :(( - the other effects are quite good for my ears, and the whole machine make holes in the mixer.

First, this is NOT A ROMPLAYER, so it's not usefull to talk about the pianos, or rhodes or organs or so on, if you want to buy it you must have clear in your mind that is a really pure analog synth in the very means of the word "synth". All this sounds are great not for the realistic copy of an acoustic sound, but for the personalityy of the kind of synthesis in itself (I hope you understand me!)
I repeat, I use as a live vintage emulator, and in this use is a full 10. The sound of strings and brass are really fantastic and very warm, I don't use the bass sounds that are not so phatt as other VA synth (but however very good). I love the moog like lead and for me that's all... It has a lot of dance oriented preset sounds, but I can't evaluate them very deeply, 'cos they are not so interestly to me. At a glance, someones is very beautifull, others not move my emotions by a millimeter!
I like very much the kind of filter that Roland use, but it's really a matter of taste, nothing else, just listen.
With short attack envelope, you ear a click when play some sounds, but it's a problems that also some vintage synths have, for me not a problem, but...

Never a problems (if you read carefully the MIDI spec.)

I've bought my JP used and without manuals and rack mount staffs, I have must waiting for 3 months to have the manuals from Roland Italy (but gratis if you give the serial number) and 1 month for the rack staffs (about 35 US dollars). Actually is out of production, and the upgrade of systems are very difficult to find and VERY DANGEROUS to make! Roland has almost abandoned its vintage son :(( to make the SH32 that is another kind of machine, more dance oriented, but with a samples based synthesis, not the excellence of the JP series!

Yes, I'll try to buy another one, perhaps at less money :)
I have benn playing the JP8080 for one years, and I think I will play it more in the future. I use it with a Stage piano (GEM PRO2), a Roland VK7 for organs (what else?) and a JV1080 for various sounds (sorry, I play the JP8080 with a Korg N5 that remind me that you must ALWAYS PLAY, LISTEN AND COMPARE BEFORE BUY!)