Roland Jupiter 8

I like interface and control of this synth.
As already well reported creating sounds is easy and impossible to get bad sound out of Jupiter 8.
Never touched manual.

JP8 provides exactly what is shown, 8 hefty analogue voices and sonics that are so well appreciated by music producers for last 25+ years.
MIDI should be added at some 300$+ costs what is worth addition.
Being early 80s synth features are not high for today's standards, but that is not what one would look in Jupiter 8

Sound is all about Jupiter 8.
It is one of the Top5 synths of all time, absolute collectors and core music lovers instrument.
It has such organic quality compared to which any modern analogue sound literally digital. I use modern analogues (Studio Electronics or Sunsyn), but Jupiter 8 has mojo that newer synths for some reason lack.
Pads, arpegios, no matter realistic or not realistic strings or brass emulations synth always sounds so lively and warm that it is impossible to stop playing it.
With Prophet5 it is the best sounding synth to my ears.

I was very lucky, bought mine 15 years ago and had no problems with it for all those years.
Some have samll tuning issues, but in general they are very reliable machines.

Roland helped me with some advices, although naturally machine is not supported anymore.

Unfortunatelly, Jupiter 8 can't be replaced by another synth.
I have 20 analogue synths from all ages and really noone sound exactly close to Jupiter 8. I think to buy second, just for spare parts for next 30 years.
Together with Oberheims, Mini and Memorymoogs, Prohet 5 and CS80 Jupiter 8 is absolute classic.

Very intuitive. You just think of a sound and start programing. It's that simple. Every control is right in front of you so you have full acces to everything for real time editing.
The manual isn't an essential read because everything is on the front panel but you should check it out.

Practically it's 8 synthesizers each with 2 analog osc inside so it's some crazy stuff. Has an nice arpeggiator also. Got mine with midi works fantastic. Just go into split mode, put a bass sequence with midi control and play the lead using the upper part. You can have only this synth and a drum machine and you have a live electronic act with just two hands!

It can get as much expressive as you can.It's the first synthesizer that I played and realized that the only limitations to it's sound is my imagination and style of play. So you can make some fantastic sounds with this. Make a sound in poly mode, then go into unison mode and be prepared to be blown away! I also own a juno 106 and a microkorg and played some virtual analog stuff, and all of those synths sound great, but you need to have some good pre-amps and effects to get the sound you want. With the jupiter 8 it's the only synth i've played and didn't feel the need to add effects or more harmonics. Just press record and play.

Mine came from 15000 Km away after 27 years of use and still sounds amazing. If that isn't reliable I don't know what is.

As stated below me, use the internet.

If it would get lost or stolen i would save up for another one. Compared to my other synths and most of what i heard it just blow everything away. From what I researched I would compare it to other synths in it's league the Prophet 08 or V , the Alesis Andromeda or the Jomox Sunsyn. If i hadn't bought this one it would have been any of the above.If you have the opportunity buy it just go for it you won't regret it.

Very intuitive machine, every frickn' thing is right there on the front to tweak, manipulate.. Just plain simple!

Voices and more, compared to modern machines, what it was for 1981 was pretty damn impressive!

If you don't know the sounds of this beast you have been sleeping under a rock for the past 27 years!! Great sounds, very rich, deep, lush, harsh, what ever you are looking for is right under the hood. Forget the presets, start programming with this bad boy and you will forget about your virtual analog gear fairly quickly.

Built like a Sherman Tank, all 48 pounds of solid state hardware here, no flimsy plastic, no wood to get all banged up. Metal and more metal!

The internet is a great thing, there are message boards with die hard JP-8 users that will help you in a pinch, if not, there are techs out there than can tune, repair and treat your baby with TLC.

Like others on this site, would not part with it for the world, if I had more cash, I would buy up another one. I have many other analog synths and this one is really at the top of the list.

It is not hard if you understand analog synthesis any dumbass can use it.

8 voices of polyphony pretty **** by todays standards doesn't even have midi woopee it was ok for 1983

It sounds ok analog synths are highly over rated this one because it had 8 voices woopee they cost more money now then they did new so some fat old guy can buy it and show it off to people as a display piece you'd be stupid to try to use it as it'd break and they cost a fortune to fix and the parts they use have not been manufactured in 20 years and are very rare.

ahahha

when it breaks it is over they use parts which are so rare now you probably never will find a replacement.

ahahahahahahahaahhahaha fat old guy wants support for 30 year old synth lololol

Overrated piece of crap I had one 15 years ago I paid $1000 for it that was way too much sure it was kinda cool because it had 8 voices but now I have digital stuff that sounds better and is more reliable and has 128+ voices so this is an antique for fat old men to buy and sell on ebay for more money than a used car costs

If you're thinking about buying a Jupiter 8, don't whatever you do rely on the presets as they are truly terrible. If you went off those, you'd wonder what all the hype was about. This means that the Jupiter 8 isn't really ideal for an absolute beginner, not that an absolute beginner would start with a Jupiter 8. If you've got a vague semblance of knowledge on basic subtractive synthesis, you will take to this like a duck to water. I'd also advise you to invest in one of the cheaper Rolands, such as a Juno or a JX. If you learn to program those, you'll be familiar with the fundamental voice architecture of the Jupiter and how to program sounds.

After trying out lots of high-end analog synths and VA synths, I was amazed just how easy it was to use. It is basically as easy to use as a Juno 6 but with loads more scope and things to play around with. It's very easy to get the sounds you want and programming a new sound takes seconds, there's no sub-menus or weird functions to remember. For a synth of the power and flexibility of the Jupiter 8, that's outstanding to be honest.

The manual is available as a PDF from Roland's site and it's reasonably well written, although some of the English is a little ambiguous at times, especially the chapter on saving patches, that made absolutely no senese at all

The Jupiter 8, as it's name suggests is eight note polyphony. You can either have all 8 voices dedicated to one patch, or have the keyboard split and have two patches with four note polyphony. You can also layer two patches in 4 note polyphony. You can use the keyboard polyphonically, or monophonically or in the epic "unison" mode, where all 16 oscillators are stacked to produce the biggest sounding patch you could ever comprehend!

The keyboard itself isn't velocity sensitive and doesn't feature aftertouch, but I personally don't really want that on a synth as I prefer to do all the expressive stuff through the filter, LFO and modulation panel. And on a synth of 20+ years of age, it's one more thing to go wrong. The actual action of the Jupiter 8 is great. The keyboard feels bomb-proof too.

As the Jupiter 8 was made in 1981, it lacks MIDI by default. The Jupiter 8A revision will come with DCB and Kenton Electronics still manufacture a high quality MIDI retro-fit for Jupiters to this day. Jupiters also come with CV built in, so you can control you favourite old-school mono-synths with it.

Mine came with the Groove Electronics MIDI kit. This offers a very feature-rich implementation of MIDI, allowing control of the upper and lower patch bank of the JP8 to be controlled seperately. It also receives velocity sensitivity and aftertouch information, so if you wanted a Jupiter 8 with those features, you could use a MIDI controller keyboard to control it.

The Jupiter 8 has a 64 patch memory built in, which for 1981 is pretty impressive. This is battery backed up, just a lithium ion cell. The batteries apparently last for absolutely ages and they can be easily replaced by someone with a decent knowledge of electronics and soldering. The battery is also located in an area of the board where a leak won't really do any damage, so the worst thing a dead battery would do to your Jupiter 8 is lose your patches in RAM.

Another great feature is that the Jupiter 8 allows you to back up the patch memory to tape, or any other recording medium, instead of relying a weird interface or an obsolete bespoke memory card format. The input/output for this is just bog standard jack sockets, so you can just connect any old piece of recording gear. You've basically got unlimited memory on a C90 tape! Loading/saving takes less than a minute.

The Jupiter 8 lacks an onboard sequencer, but it does have a very famous arpeggio feature built in, used on countless 80s soundtracks and songs. And with the keyboard splitting, it's possible to have one patch as an arpgeggio and another for chords/bass.

The best thing about the Jupiter 8, and it's greatest feature is the fact that everything you could wish to control about the sound has a real slider or knob on the front panel. No sub-menus, no rotary encoders. The LCD display is only there to show you what patch you've selected. The Jupiter 8 is very tactile and feels a like an instrument, instead of a machine It's the antithesis of a Yamaha DX7.

First and foremost, the Jupiter 8 is a synthesizer. Don't bother creating realistic sounds on it, use it for creating synthesizer sounds - great lead sounds, bass sounds and pads.

The Jupiter 8 lacks any onboard effects, but don't let that put you off. You can emulate chorus by playing around with the pulse wave modulation and fine tuning the second oscillator. You can get a good phaser effect using the LFO. You can get a fantastic tremelo effect using the LFO on the VCA. Or you could use outboard effects. The Jupiter 8 sounds incredible without any effects anyway, it doesn't need to hide behind a wall of reverb, delay and chorus to sound amazing.

I am particularly amazed with how versatile the Jupiter 8 actually is. In the other synths I've used in the past, such as the Juno 6, Super JX10 and modern modelling synths, such as the Ion and K-Station, there's a limit to the kind of sounds the keyboard can make, the Jupiter doesn't seem to be anywhere nearly as constrained. The Jupiter seems to be able to apply itself to any kind of synth sound flawlessly. There is also a real scope in what you can produce. It can do subtle, it can do bombastic. It can do simple synth-pop sounds, it can do massive pads.

The sounds are just incredible, it actually feels like it's almost alive. Everything you create on it tells it's own story and could be a song in itself. I can't really describe how beautiful it sounds produces are, but it really shows you how off the boil companies like Nord, Access and Roland are with their flagship VA synths.

The Jupiter 8 would obviously be ideal for any electro-pop band. It might also be pretty handy for a prog rock band as it's got a massive, truly awe inspiring side to itself. It'd be amazing for ambient music too. It might not be too great for house/hardcore music fans though, as it's not very 'dirty' sounding. However, I consider that a good thing!

The Jupiter does lack velocity and aftertouch, but it's got a brilliant LFO and modulation section. You can also control lots of aspects of the sound from the little panel to the left of the keyboard.

This thing is built like a tank. It's got an all steel chasis and brushed aluminium sides. It weighs 25 Kilograms on it's own, so watch your back. If it were to fall off a stand, it'd probably do more damage to your feet and the stage than itself.

Mine was restored, having it's battery replaced and being totally serviced, with the keyboard stripped down and cleaned and new sliders installed. It's as good as new. It's also lasted 25+ years, so I'm sure there's plenty of life left in the old girl yet!

As it's got VCOs, tuning is an issue on the early 12-bit Jupiter 8s. Fortunately mine is a 14-bit model. Once you'd had it on five minutes and you click "auto-tune" (a two second job) it's sorted and will never drift out of tune. I've had it on for hours and it'll still be sweet as a nut.

The Jupiter 8 is also reknowned for being the most reliable of all the big poly-synths and the failure rate of the components is supposed to be the lowest of any of them.

I am planning to gig with it. I didn't pay a King's ransom for a museum piece. I've gigged with a similarly aged, war torn Juno 6 and it's consistently been the most reliable piece of gear I've ever had. The Jupiter 8 is ever better made, so I don't see how it'd ever let me down.

I've only had it a short while, so it'd be unfair for me to actually give it a rating.

Bear in mind the Jupiter 8 was last produced over 20 years ago, so you can't expect to ring a Roland engineer and ask for help. I was impressed that they had the manual on their site.

The only option for a repair is to find a vintage synthesizer expert, they are out there if you look carefully enough. The parts are still out there, though in increasingly small numbers. That's the risk you take with vintage gear though.

Compared to every other synthesizer I own, the Juno 6, JX10, Ion, SH-201, MicroKorg and K-Station, the Jupiter 8 is a class above. It's a class above anything else Roland have ever made, and will probably ever make on their current form. I've wanted a Jupiter 8 for over a decade and it's not been a let down, it's actually exceeded what I thought it'd be like. It's the first synthesizer I've played where the limits aren't the constraints of the voice architecture or the interface, it's my imagination.

Ignore the people who suggest that the MKS-80 (the 'super' Jupiter) rack is better than the Jupiter 8, it's not. The MKS-80 has more in common with the much inferior Jupiter 6 and JX10 than the Jupiter 8.

It's the most beautiful looking and fantastic sounding keyboard ever created. It'll provide the soundtrack to my dreams forever.

If it were lost or stolen, I'd kill myself.

The Jupiter-8 has many knobs, buttons, and sliders to manipulate parameters allowing synthesis of sounds. Selecting analog sound sources, and then processing them through filters is intuitive and logical. Roland made very many keyboard synthesizers that were intuitive.

8-voice polyphony. The keyboard action is typical for a non-weighted keyboard without velocity sensitive keys. No built-in effects; however, adding a multi-effects box to the audio output signal will create the most powerful analog-based sounds on the world. Plugging this analog synth output into an analog-to-digital converter will do wonders. For example, plugging it into a Roland VS series digital recorder and then using the onboard digital effects is awesome. Not having effects should not deter one from purchasing this synthesizer. People wonder how the popping sounds from Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf and Rio were made? You can use any analog synthesizer that has an arpeggiator that clocks to midi. You then shape the sound so they "click" or "pop" with your VCA filters. Then place the arpeggiated sound into a digital delay. One more step... Take that delayed sound and place it into a SECOND digital delay. In summary, the popping sounds from Rio and Hungry Like the Wolf are arpeggiated analog sounds, synced to a drum maching, and placed through TWO digital delays (an echo wit an echo). Play around with the delay timing. Use only 1 chord (let the song play around that 1 chord). Play around and you will get that syncopated, popping, sound. If you have stereo for live shows or recording, make the arpeggiated sounds from the delays bounce randomnly from left, center, and right and you get some really cool background popping. No MIDI on the JP-8? You can retro fit MIDI. Not enough money to do this? Try synchronizing the arpeggiator by the tape-sync method using an old Roland drum machine. If that drum maching has midi, you might be able to slave the drum machine to midi, and then slave the JP-8 arpeggiator to the tape sync from the drum maching. No guarantees this last method will work; however, experiment around. JP-8 is a great synth. By the way, no money for a JP-8 or can't find one? Just obtain two Roland Juno-106s or a Juno-60s. Each of these were essentially 1/2 of a JP-8? What do I mean? They had one oscillator that produced the base sound source. The JP-8 and JP-6 had two of these units. The sound sources were layered to form fatter sounds. Why was this better than chorus? Because simply using chorus can muddy up a sound if overused. So the fattest sounds are made with two analog sounds sources and then a chorus. The two analog sound sources are like two violins in an orchestra. They are slightly detuned and out of phase from each other. That makes a sound "fat". So if you get two Roland Juno-106s you can use MIDI to trigger both at the same time. You will have layered analog sounds with chorus effects. That will sound nice and "fat".

This is an analog synthesizer from an earlier vintage era. There is no velocity sensitivity in the keys. It really does not emmulate true instruments nearly as well as modern synthesizers that have sampled wave forms loaded onboard. Rather, the JP-8 created an analog sound all its own. It is an instrument that stands on its own so to say. Sure it can emmulate sounds to some extent, but its original sounds, musical and special effects, are unique. You can easily make R2-D2 sounds (like when he screamed as he got hit by the Tie Fighter in that Death Star tunnel). This synth is a sound designers dream. It is just one synth in a sound artist's pallet. To complete the pallet, one also needs digital synths (FM based Yamaha DX-7, DX-5, SY-77 type synths) and samplers. For finishing touches, one would want a good digital effects board for this synth.

Roland synths are rock-solid reliable. Of course parts will wear out and break, but I have never had any problems with the Juno-106, Juno-60, JX-8P, JX-3P, TR-505, JP-8000, JD-800, JV-1000, MC-50, VS-1824, VS-880, or the R-8. I have used these items on live gigs and in the recording studio. I love Roland so much that I am in the process of purchasing the TD-3 and TD-20 V Drums - and I am not even a drummer!

Never dealt with Roland regarding my JP-8; however, I had to order manuals for some synths and a drum machine in the past and they were helpful. Reputable professional music stores usually have techno guys who can repair synths. If your local store does not have one, you can Google or search in magazines such as Keyboard Magazine or Recording Musician for repair shops. You will havd to find one of these shops if you want to retrofit your JP-8 with MIDI.

Roland is elite so expect them to act like they are when you talk with them.

Great analog synthesizer. For those of you who are losing sleep because you can't find one or can't afford one - RELAX. There are other ways to create analog sounds that are just as fat and Roland analog sounding. Roland has a rack-mount version of the JP-8 as well. Just do a Google search. You can buy two Juno-106s and control them with MIDI. You can recreate the JP-8s arpeggiated sounds on the JP-8000 or even the Yamaha CS1-X. These newer boards are going for pretty cheap these days and have MIDI sync. MIDI sync is critial so your arpeggiated popping sounds can sync with your drum machine. So RELAX. Get a JP-8 of JP-6 if you can get one. If you can't find one or do not have the financial resources, find alternative solutions. Be CREATIVE - just like a musician should be!!!

Probably one of the best-designed synthesizers in terms of user interface. All the knobs and sliders are laid out in logical order in typical substractive synthesizer fashion across the top row: volume, arpeggiator, LFO, VCO modulation, VCO 1&2, mixer, HPF, LPF, VCA and two ASDR envelopes. The second row is all buttons and the large readable 4-digit red LED display. To the left of the keyboard is a pitch bender lever and extensive VCO and VCF modulation controls including settings for the large white LFO modulation button. Portamentio is also controlled here. The keys are a distinctive artic white, and the keyboard feels solid and quick, though it is not weighted. Changing any parameter takes effect immediately and there are no programming modes that hide additional parameters from immediate change. The digital functionality of this synthesizer exists primarily for storing and recalling programs. It looks and works like you'd expect from an analog synthesizer.

There are many websites with this kind of information. Search for "Roland Jupiter" and you will find most of them!

In my opinion, it has a deep set of features for a polyphonic analog synthesizer:

8 completely analog voices
- 2 VCOs, 2 VCFs, 2 envelope generators, and 1 LFO per voice.
- whole mode assigns all 8 voices to the keyboard.
- dual mode layers two sounds (4 voices each) to the keyboard.
- split mode divides two sounds (4 voices each) between different sides of the keyboard. (split point at the center C key)
- poly 1 mode rotates voice assignment.
- poly 2 mode assigns voices for each key (helpful for portamento).
- unison stacks divides ALL eight voices between pressed keys for a seriously fat sound.

2 distinctive and versitile Voltage Controlled Oscillators (the real thing)
- VCO-1: tri, saw, variable-width pulse, square.
- VCO-2: sine, tri, variable-width pulse, noise generator).
- both oscillators have variable 16' to 2' range.
- VCO-1 can be synched with VCO-2.
- VCO-1 can be cross-modulated with VCO-2 for metallic/unusual timbres.
- VCO-2 can be switched to a second fixed frequency LFO.
- a mixer knob to balance between the two.
- Pulse width modulation on either or both VCOs.

A decicated LFO with sine, triangle, square, and random modes, rate, and delay.

Seriously smooth and silky filters distinguish this synth above all others:
- 12dB high-pass filter.
- Switchable 12/24dB low-pass filter with resonnance and self-oscillation
- LFO modulation of LPF.
- Switchable modulation from ENV-1 or ENV-2 to LPF.
- Keyboard tracking slider on LPF.

Two ADSR envelope generators with very quick response:
- Switchable polarity on ENV-1.
- Switchable keyboard tracking for ENV-1 and ENV-2 modulates envelope times.

Portamento is assignable to upper voices only, or all voices.

The pitch bender can be assigned to VCO-1, VCO-2 and/or the VCF.

The LFO modulation button can be used to enable modulation of VCOs and/or VCF.

The arpeggiator is classic:
- 1, 2, 3 or 4 octives
- up, down, up & down, and random (think: Duran Duran Rio) patterns

The keyboard is classic Roland 61 key unweighted non-velocity sensitive keyboard. If it only had a velocity sensitive keyboard, I would have rated this synth a 10.

There are 64 programs you can store, as well as 8 combinations. Programs and combinations can be loaded and saved using a cassette interface.

There is no MIDI built-into this synth, but MIDI retrofits are available. The newer JP-8A models have a Roland DCB interface which are compatible with older Roland sequencers and MIDI interfaces. It does however have CV and gate outputs and external analog controll of the arpeggiator clock, VCF, VCA, portamento, and hold functions.

Audio output is advanced compared to most synths:
- balanced XLR jacks for UPPER and LOWER sounds.
- unbalanced 1/4" jacks for UPPER, LOWER, as well as a MIX of both.
- output level for 1/4" outputs is switchable between 0 and -20dB.
- 1/4" headphone jack with high, medium, or low level switch.

If all this doesn't convince you, the Jupiter-8 is often regarded as the most beautiful synthesizer ever made. The case is a charcoal colored steel with white and orange 80s-looking graphics on the panel. The knobs and sliders are solid and the toggle switches are the classic Moog-style brushed aluminum with a light touch. The rainbow colored buttons (red, orange, yellow, buff, green, cyan, blue) reach from one end of the control panel to the other, giving this synth it's most distinctive and unmistakable style cue. Last but not least, its ends are adorned with brushed aluminum end caps that will hurt you if you accidentally run into them.

Something else about the Jupiter-8: It's BIG and HEAVY and a challenge to pickup and hold without putting it and more likely other things around you in grave danger. Get a ATA (hard) case and a heavy-duty keyboard stand.

Put it on a marble pedastal in your living room and worship it like fine art! :)

Despite the lack of a velocity-sensitive keyboard, aftertouch, or built-in effects doesn't keep this synthesizer from producing classic synthesized textures as well as unique sounds no other synthesizer past or present can even begin to emulate.

On the surface, the patch algorithms seems simplistic and static. However, there are many little features and functions that have a distinctive audio and performance characteristics which set it apart from most other synthesizers.

Most notable are sounds that take advantage of the the many different VCO modulation options. Sawtooth and square waves are only raw materials to be detuned, synched, modulated, and cross-modulated and finally filtered and shaped into many beautiful and strange types of sounds.

The extensive set of real-time modulation controls on the left-hand side offer many many more options for modulating the oscillators and filters. Many of the timbres come to life when the bender is used to change the pitch of an oscillator that is modulating the other, or when it is used to control the filter cutoff frequency, while your right hand is playing solo parts using the portamento in poly 1 or unison mode.

It is easy to view the Jupiter-8 as a rare but over-the-hill polysynth, but I believe one of it's greatest virtues is when it is played as a monophonic solo instrument. It's got mostly everything a Minimoog has in both features and sounds TIMES EIGHT. Play a monophonic bass line on the lower side, and silky analog sweeps with portamento on the upper. Save this combination into one of the 8 presets and access it by hitting a single button. The bright red LEDs always indicate which patch is selected for upper and lower.

The dual mode is useful for creating complex timbres that benefit from using four oscillators per voice (limited to 4 notes polyphony). Upper and lower outputs can be panned left and right to create more of a stereo image, or they can be routed separately for independent effects and equalization.

One of the most important performance features of any synthesizer is the ability to change ANY parameter or setting using a dedicated control. Suddenly you realize that you have over 50 distinct controls available for instant modulation anytime you want. Add to that the ability to control arpeggiator, VCF, VCA, portamento, and hold functions through an external pedal or controller add up to a lot of real-time modulation potential. There is plenty of resolution on the pitch-bender, knobs and sliders to play them just as musically as you would play the keyboard.

The original JP-8 supposedly has tuning stability problems, which can be easily addressed by pressing the red TUNE button, which will go through all the oscillators and recalibrate itself within 5 seconds. It does this automatically each time it starts up. There is also knob next to the TUNE button for adjusting the relative pitch of the instrument. The JP-8A is supposed to be a lot more stable, but I have never observed serious problems with the JP-8 myself.

The buttons, as beautiful as they are, are probably the most vulnerable to old-age and overuse. Eventually their contacts wear out and need to be cleaned or replaced. Replacing them shouldn't be too much of a chore if you can can find replacement switches.

The sliders and knobs, most commonly the volume knob, are all susceptable to corrosion and the resulting scratchiness/twitchiness they will exhibit. While the potentiometer for the volume and balance is pretty easy to reach without disassembly, the rest are serviceable with a little bit of effort.

In general, any collision between the Jupiter-8 and another object will more likely end in the demise of the other object rather than damage to the Jupiter. The Jupiter is big and heavy and dangerous when wielded carelessly. Look around you before you pick it up!

If for some reason repairs need to be made, the control panel can be flipped up on hinges by removing three screws on the surface and three more on each end cap. This will expose you and the outside world to its elaborate and delicate insides so be REAL CAREFUL. If you do have to replace a chip or component, most of the parts are non-proprietary and still available ensuring that the JP-8 is going to be around for a long long time.

I gave it a 9 because it's hard to find one without some problems with the potentiometers and buttons. Other than that it's a TANK!

Roland has always had good support from my experience. They aren't going to help you much with a Jupiter-8 but there are pleny of 3rd party websites and service organizations to get you through any problem you have.

How can you replace a Jupiter-8? Not cheaply and/or easily. There were only 2000 made from what I understand. They are typically going for prices in excess of $2000, which is a good reason to consider "upgrading" to something like the Alesis Andromeda if you need your analog polysynth fix.

You WON'T like the JP-8 if you want a velocity sensitive keyboard, MIDI, or built-in effects.

YOU WILL LOVE most everything else about it no matter who you are. It is a wonderful performance synthesizer, and a work of art! If you have one now, think hard before selling it -- you may never get to own one again!

If you want a Minimoog or Voyager but can't pony up $3000K for one (new or used), the JP-8 is a tremendous value that gets nearly all of the same sounds with 8 times as many oscillators to boot. Do the math!

The Jupiter-8 is a rare and beautiful electronic instrument that many synth designers and synthesists agree is the ultimate supercar of synthesizers. Get yours while you still can!

Easy to program, standard analog configuration. Sliders rather than knobs in the typical fashion of Roland and Yamaha synths of the era.

Midi kits are available. More features than the equivalent American synths of that era - Arpeggiator, Split, etc. and more reliable than most analogs.

Good analog sounds, the best of the Rolands. Richer and more classic analog character than the MKS-80's excellent and hybrid analog-digital sound. The Jupiter would receive an even higher rating save for the presence of the American Sequentials, Oberheims and Moogs that all sound just a touch better in terms of warmth, character and balls. Very good though; too bad it was almost never heard on records here in America.

Typical very reliable Japanese analog build quality - almost like one of today's synths in this regard.

Roland's still around..

Good analog sounds - would rate it even higher rating if not for the presence of all the great American and Yamaha analogs; the best of the solid and neutral Roland sound.

IMO it's popularity, in Europe much more so than America, was based on flexibilty of features and reliabilty as much as it's good sound - easy to sync to sequencers, arpeggiator, split, more reliable than most for touring, all special attributes at the time..

the presets are alright, nothing too great. editing patches is very easy. manual explains it well.

the 8 note polyphony is just great. 8 notes is apretty good amount, any less and you can run into some inconveniences. no built in effects of course. i think it might sound a lot better with some reverb or some kind of effect. it has the tendency to sound a bit harsh when i play it, then again i'm not very experienced at programming. the action's pretty good although its pretty old and the keys are getting a bit wobbly, i dont mind. Very easy to use, never had any difficulty using it, just programming it.

the sounds I've heard come from this blow me away; that's why i bought it. I havent heard anything come out of mine that really blows me away, but I relate that to my lack of experience. i can see this thing making some beautiful sounds once I get the hang of it. By the sounds I've heard it's my fav sounding synth. It has a really unique, very fat analog sound, obviously.

It's never reset or had any trouble functioning.

if it were stolen I might be a v synth or jp8000, they're a bit easier to program i think. definitely worth what i paid. I chose this synth because of the amazing sounds i heard come from it. It has a very distinct sound quality. I haven't been able to match the amazingness of the sounds but I think I will someday.

I have an early Jupiter 8, rev. 1.0 S/N 0906XX While the tuning complaints of numerous early rev owners can't be ignored. My Jup tunes well and holds. While the Jup 8 wasn't available with factory MIDI, there are a number of kits available. Mine has a MIDI kit from Real World Interfaces. A number of the factory presets are almost folk history now, used by: The Cars, The Eurythmics, Erasure, Human League, Toto, Journey, The Who......(It would easier to name the acts that didn't use the Jupiter-8).Editing is a snap, the panel is always active. The signal path is clearly and logically laid out left to right. The factory manual is very musician friendly, unlike my Synclavier. I also own a Memorymoog plus, a CS-70M, a Prophet-5, and an Oberheim OBX. All vintage analogs have a place in the sonic food chain. They all have a unique sound and specific attributes which lend to different areas of expertise. The Jupiter-8 is the quickest synth to create the broadest spectrum of sounds.

The JP-8 is 8 note polyphonic in whole/ split mode, 4 note polyphonic in dual mode. It is bi-timbral in split and dual modes. It has 16 VCOs, highpass, selectable 12db/ 24db octave slope resonant filter. hard sync, cross modulation. S/H modulation. 64 patch memory. No velocity or aftertouch. Joystick pitchbend, button for LFO triggering, fantastic portamento. A unison mode which stacks all 16 oscillators on one note (you'll need a helmet for this!). The Jupiter-8 is known for it's fantastic arpeggiator, which can be externally syncronized. Let me say that the Jupiter's arpeggiator was really great in the eighties, but pales compared the the flexibility of newer gear; The arpeggiators in my Triton and Motif blow the Jup out of the water. The Jup has no sequencer. It's hard to find a sound that can't be done on the Jupiter-8. It's one of my all time favorite polyphonic synths. The Jupiter-8 can get every bit as ugly as my memorymoog, as smooth as the OBX, as harsh and foreboding as the CS, and Subwoofer destroying bass-ic as the prophet. I'll stop just short of saying that it's the greatest synthesizer ever.

Using cross mod and filter mod routings, you can come up with some mind blowing ambients. Warm pads, thick strings, brass stabs, punchy basses. With effort you can achieve some natural sounding orchestral instuments, but why? Samplers live for that kind of thing. No effects, it's as bare as a Nord. No velocity, no aftertouch, it's a shame the Roland didn't include them, because touch response is what really makes the Yamaha CS series really expressive.

The Jupiter 8 is nearly all metal construction, it's very solid. This is almost the only synth that has never broken down on me. I don't gig the vintage synths anymore.

Roland has been great with newer products, they sent disks for my S-550 sampler free of charge. They've sold knobs and slider covers that I've needed. As time marches on parts for these old machines become increasingly scarce. It must be difficult to warehouse 20 years of parts.

I owned one for several years in the eighties and sold it to make way for a sampler. After playing the first couple of gigs without it, I realized that selling it was the wrong thing to do. I have another one now, it won't be going anywhere. If you get the opportunity to own a Jupiter-8, don't miss it. While the Jupiter-6 is a useful synth, it doesn't have the same oscillators or filter that the JP-8 does. The JP-6 has more in common with the OB-8 and prophet 600.
Don't worry so much what everyone else uses, do YOUR thing, YOUR way!

The last software update for the JP8 was version 3.1 (Which is what my one has)

Manual is good.
Factory presets has some useable sounds

I know the JP8 looks like a straightforward synth, but some reason i cant program the bugger. Most of the presets sound warm and full ....but when ever i stick it into maunal mode i always get a bloody weak thin sound! I cant figure out what it is i must do in order to tap into the jp8's powerful sound. Ill go into more detail in the 'sound' section.

Despite my programming inexperience I feel that this synth will become easy once the penny has dropped.

Mine has no midi...but ive heard i can use an external sequencer or get a rerofit. Ill do this when i get the money. This synth has some really nice features 1) very cool arpegio 2) dual and split modes make for interesting soundscapes (If only i could program it) 3) 8 note polyphony is about as good as it got with these old classic analogs. This synth gives off so much heat i get a little worried it may catch fire.

OK the factory presets have some very FAT warm sound. The trouble is no matter what i do i just cvant seem to pregram any heavy thick basses or sweet mellow pads. I know this synth is bloody cool sounding. I can program my Pro-One and mono-poly no problem.

I can program damn weird sound fx but thats about it. Could someone do me a big favour and email me or submit the settings in a reveiw for basic fat basses and pads then i can use these as a point of reference from which i can make my own sounds.

With the saw tooth's i just get thin pale sound and the pulse waves just sound muffled...wtf am i doin wrong plz help!!! I try and use the lfo modulation to fatten sonud as well as detune oscilators but it aint working.

No probs

No support

This synth is bloody cool to look at whilst your playing, built like reinforced tank. It looks simple to program but youll probably get weird unsatisfying results at first. I have no doubt that once ive unlocked the secret to programming the jp8 it will reward me with sonic sweetness (As some of the factory presets would indicate)

I hope i never have to sell this synth....if I did id probably be unable to financially replace it....but at least i could say that ive owned a jupiter 8.....not many can say that.

The Jupiter 6, Jupiter 8 and Prophet 5 have got to be the most easy to program yet powerful synths ever made. The JP8 brings a smile to my face everytime I use it.....because I KNOW I can program killer sounds out of it! The whole surface of the front panel is populated with sliders, knobs, and bottons. An absolute pleasure.

Great 8 note polyphony (Which was good for 1981) which has the flexibility of being layered, split or stacked in unison for instant heart-attact inducing sound. The most most classic sounding oscilators ever heard by mankind (Thick, warm), the most classic analoge arpegiator (The famous Random mode), 64 patch memory storage (Very cool!!!), beutiful sounding filters (Smooth, warm, sharp and gritty all at the same time), great modulation possibilities (By todays standards somewhat limited but very useful none the less). No onboard midi but retrofits are possible should you need to do that (The one I have has no midi and It really doesn't bother me)

Overall really brilliant implimentation of features.

Hmmm it sounds buzzy or nasal? I kinda see why some reviewers may say this about the JP8. When I first got the JP8 I was quite suprised by the way it sounded. The JP8 has an incredibly distinct tonal characteristic and no matter how thoroughly you program the synth, you will always hear that 'tonal characteristic'. I believe that it is this tone which sets the Jupiters apart from all other synths. The JP8 has the ability to go from super smooth/silky to an incredibly bright/gritty almost distorted kind of sound.....just FANTASTIC!

Describing the sound of a Jupiter 6, 8 is so difficult. Follow these links if you wish to listen and get some idea as to how they sound. Like me you will probably initially be suprised, but dont worry that soon fades into jaw dropping respect! Let me stress to you that these clips are really the tip of the iceberg of a Jupiter's power. The 'buzzy/nasal' characteristed (as some people describe it) is in evidence. Does this characteristic bother you?

http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/432/jetboy_junction.html

http://www.techno-house.info/Jupiter8/

So who has used the Jupiter 8? well these top pop acts have (Info from www.synthmuseum.com)

Damon Albarn of Blur, Aurora, 808 State, Alphaville, Banco de Gala, Barclay James Harvest, Steve Beresford of Frank Chickens, Katrina Bihari, Boris Blank of Yello, Blue Nile, Michael Boddicker, Dave Brock, Arthur Brown, Richard Burgess, The Cars, China Crisis, Vince Clarke, Dave Clayton, Cocteau Twins, Colourbox, Martin Cooper of OMD, Lol Creme, Miles Daves, Deacon Blue, Depeche Mode, Devo, Thomas Dolby, D.Ream, Spike Edney of Gueen, Electribe 101, Electronic Dream Planet, Guy Fletcher, John Foxx, Frank Chickens, Russ Gabriel, Steve Gray of Sky, The Grid, A Guy Called Gerald, Jan Hammer, Paul Hardcastle, HIA, Liam Howlett, Human League, Paul Humphreys, It Bites, J-M Jarre, Howard Jones, Journey, Charles Judge of Giorgio Moroder, Brian Kehew and Roger Manning of The Moog Cookbook, Mark Kelly of Marillion, Adrian Lee, Geddy Lee, Thomas Leer, Patrick Leonard, Mike Lindup of Level 42, Stephen Luscombe of Biancmange, Mick MacNeil of Simple Minds, Nick Magnus, Marillion, Meat Beat Manifesto, Ministry, Moby, Motiv8, Mulligan, Chris Newman, Steve Nieve, William Orbit, Orbital, OMC, Peter Oxendale, Alan Pasqua, Steve Porcaro, The Prodigy, Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran (including the random arpeggiating in the song "Rio"), Rhythmatic, Andy Richards, Pet Shop Boys, Ian Ritchie, The Rockets, Shriekback, Simple Minds, Robert Smith of The Cure, Belouis Some, Tim Souster, Startled Insects, Paula K. Stentz of Rumors of the Big Wave, Swing Out Sister, Switzerland, Talk Talk, Tangerine Dream, Tears for Fears, Rod Temperton for Michael Jackson (Thriller), Ultravox, ian Underwood, Tony Visconti, Jessica Zaccaro of See Spot (SF 79-80), Wang Chung, Kim and Rickie Wilde, Nick Wood, Jezz Woodroffe

Listen to their music and you'll hear the JP8 all over it!



With the sound of the Jupiter 8 in your mind, go check out nearly all 80's pop music, sit back and laugh!

Possibly one of the best built synths ever made. High quality build and superior quality components gives the Jupiters a LONG lifespan. Would I gig with it?...NO, because I respect it too much to abuse it in that way. There are very few JP8's left in the world now. As of 2002 it was estimated that only 1200-1350 (Out of 2000 ever built) were still in one peace. If you have one.....look after it! If you wish to get one.....be patient, I had to wait 2 years before I found one!

These synths are almost as reliable as brand new synths today, I wonder if the same would be true when Novas, Virus, Nords reach 22 yrs old.

I never dealt with Roland regarding my Jupiter 8. But I have a biased veiw and think Roland are great! So I give them 10 hehe.

I make electronic dance music, film soundtracks and pop music. In my opinion the JP8 (And JP6 for that matter) are an absolute nessecity. Combine Stunning looks, stunning sound and reliability and you are left with an absolute classic synth.

The Jupiter range of synths are probably the amongst the easiest synths in the world to program/operate. Nothing gets in the way of your creative dreams.

Great keyboard action, no built in effects, patch memory storage (64), midi retrofits are recommended. A killer arppegiator and the oscilators and filters are legendary. What more do you need?

How the hell does one describe the perfect analogue sound? Lets just say that this synth nails it.

You love classic early 80's synthpop sounds. The Jupiter 8.

You love early 80's Hip-Hop. The Jupiter 8.

You love 80's music? The Jupiter 8.

You love those ripping underground dance/rave sounds of the late 80's early 90's? The Jupiter 8.

You Love undeground Trance of the mid 90's. The Jupiter 8

Lets face it.....anyone who was anyone throughout the 80's and 90's used a Jupiter 8. The top producers in the world today use them. End of story.

My 2 JP8's has never gone wrong. Spare parts can be found on Juno synths, 808 drum machines, korg poly 6 etc etc. Parts are pretty widespread beleive it or not. The Roland gear and particularly the JP6 and JP8 are built to a phenominal standard. They rarely go wrong. Finding spare parts should not be of a real concern...in any case a good repair company should have ample supplies of the most common components.

1981 this synth cost $8995. I think its pretty safe to asume their level of customer support reflected this.

Phonomenal, distinctive, beutiful and legendary.....ladies and gentlemen the JUPITER 8 has entred the building. Get the picture?

There is no way on earth you can get such a powerful sound with such ease. This is what all those 'Virtual Analogs' try to recreate but fail.

My JP8 has no midi retrofit. I just use mine with an old Roland MC-4 sequencer.....bloody cool!!!!!!

For an old analog, 8 note poly is great! No built in effects. Powerful sounding oscilators. Superb filter and Envelope sections.

Unbeleivable electronic sounds! Sound effects are awesome. Basses are just so classic (Remember those bouncy basslines in 80's music....well this is it!) Leads and strings are the best in the world.....to sum it up this is genuine dance music heaven (All genres benefit when you use one of these monsters). Very clear sound quality. The JP8 has an immediate pressence within your music. I just love it.

Built like a tank. Parts are widespread. My JP8 has never gone wrong.....its still got at least 25 years in her (JP8's have a life span of around 50/60 years!). Enough said.

Roland UK still offer support for this synth!! They still supply parts for this synth, they give practical advise as to where to get it serviced etc etc. Bearing in mind this synth is 20 years old, I still feel comfortable that support, should I need it, is still available.

I just absolutely love everything about this synth. I love the way it looks, the reassuring heavey weight (23kgs) and the sound of it. Im so lucky to own one of these.....I'd never ever sell this girl.

jupiter 8 with groove midi interface ,every slider can be controlled by midi ,also bulkdumps possible

complete,

very natural poly pure analog synth
i can maybe only compare it to the andromeda,although i wouldn't swap it for one as it sounds "different"

i giged with it ,it even once fell for a meter. no problems. (stopped taking it with me however ,like it too much)

find a real good technician, NOT the guy of the locale music shop as these things are hightech. i found my way after some time ,you will

let's put it this way:
if sent to an uninhabited island and i could only take 1 synth with me IT WOULD BE THE JUPI !!

( with i guess as second the minimoog (monophonic) and third my crumar ds2(that's a synthesizer))

This synth is just sooooo easy to program. As is the case with all presets.....forget them and program yourself. With this baby anything is possible. The manual is very good.

For circa 1980/81 this synth kicks ass. Its VERY powerful. I shall not bother to regerjitate the list of features (Very Impressive List)...but I will say.... they are beutifully implemented.

This is a very electronic sounding synth. It sounds very warm and fat. Its capable of producing those 'BIG' sounds we know and love from the 80's. This synth is capable of the most lovely pads you will ever hear...utterly stunning! It also has the sharp, bitty edge that only the best analog polys can deliver. This synth hits the sonic spot BIGTIME!. Im feeling emotional...sniff sniff :)

Please remember to important facts when assesing peoples reviews of the sound:

1) Inexperienced programmers may use terms such as 'the JP8 sounds muddy' and 'not much variation...after a while it all sounds the same'

Whereas..

2) Experienced programmers will tell you the JP8 is unmatched for pure sonic brilliance, warmth of character and sonic variation.

Make no mistake...the JP8 phonomenal.

This synth is so well built it may even outlive you. It is as dependible as any other synth. Just bear in mind, VA's have their own set of problems - Snap, crackel and popping sounds + OS crashes. Keep your JP8 warm and dry and DONT abuse it! Be responsible....DONT GIG WITH IT!

Well at the time, the support was excellant...but now.....there is very little - Its over 20 years old now...its to be expected.

Well what can I say! Im still speechless.

The Roland Jupiter 8 ranks along side other great analog polys such as the - Yamaha CS80, SCI Prophet 5, Elka Synthex, Oberheim OBX-a.

The 70's & 80's was a great era for analog synths....great uplifting/happy synth sounds (Erasure,Eurythmics,Genesis,Human league,PetShopBoys,Depech Mode etc etc). The introduction of mass produced 'Virtual analogs' is NOT the answer. I like the sound of some digital synths and they do have an equally important role within a mix. But I cant help but feel sorry for the new generation of music makers who have to be force fed Nords, Virus's etc etc. In my opinion the 'over use' of virtual analogs within electronic music today is slowly killing the emotion/atmosphere of the music itself. Maybe this is why most modern pop/dance/trance etc etc sounds sooooo boring. What we need now is for more manufacturers to start producing real analogs once again....for the sake of a new generation of music makers.

^ At the end of the day this is just an opinion.

Long live analog.

The Jp-8 is very easy to use. It's really easy to get new sounds and really easy to change your existing sounds on the fly.

I don't know what the last guy is talking about. Come on, man. I totally agree with the guy before mr. 'anonymous'. You can't blame a jupiter-8 for not having midi or velocity sensitivity! Jupiter-8s are pre-midi and velocity sens was not a common feature then. That's like blaming a cat for not being a dog. The onboard apreggiator is great, it can be set to randomly select notes from the keys you're holding down, and if you get a MIDI interface for it you can make it clock to MIDI.

The sounds are beautiful! If you can't different and unique sounds out of it, that's YOUR fault, not the fault of the synth! I've owned one for many years, and I've never had a single complaint. Any sound I want, I can get it instantly. Sometimes if I want a certain sound I might have to EQ on my mixer or use distortion, but the quality of the sounds and the ease with which it can do a very WIDE RANGE of things are amazing. Great for Dance music! Also for rock!

I wouldn't use it live. If you take care of it though, it will take care of you. It's built like a tank. It's a huge metal monster. I've never had a single problem with mine. Never had to call the synth tech. It's a very solid and reliable synthesizer, for a vintage piece. If you aren't able to properly take care of a vintage instrument, buy some bad sounding new thing.

I'm going to put no opinion here, since it's a vintage classic and therefore is way past warranty or support. If you want a vintage instrument, you have to accept that it's harder to fix, you have to take it to a specialist in repair of analog synths. If you live in a city though, I don't think it's a problem

It's now a really expensive synth. I don't know if I would buy another if it got stolen. Maybe. I have been playing since the late 80s. I also have an Oberheim Xpander. These synths are much better than the new 'virtual' analog stuff. I have compared these to everything, and I always come back to the Jupiter-8 because it is flexible and beautiful sounds. It does a lot of different things if you program it well. If you just do the obvious things, maybe you think it sounds the same. Take more time with programming and use some imagination. You'll get different stuff, with no excuses!
It helps me make music because the sound quality is so nice that when I play it I can focus on the music itself. For example it can make me notice how good something sounds even if the chord is strange. Do you know what I mean? For example, a chord of music in a classical piece sounds really cool with the orchestra playing it. But if you play that same music on a Nord Lead, maybe it doesn't sound quite as cool. The tone of the instrument can make you understand what the composer wants to say with the music.

There is a knob and button for every parameter. But a manual is always nice.

No Midi (unless a retrofit/ or DCB converter).
Not velocity sensitive.
22+ years old.
No sequencer but has an arpeggiator.

Analog here. Good strings, Pads, basses, but after a while they all start to sound the same. Muddy.

Depend on it? Yeah right.
22+ years old you better know MusicTek's PH# when it goes down.

Roland does not have anything for the Jupiter-8.

Bought it used in 1985 and sold it to get a PPG Wave 2.3.
Never needed tuning unlike the MemoryMoog (nightmare!).
The JP-8 sounds great until you have it for more than 6 months and you notice all the sounds are the same.

Very easy to use, as everything is right in front of you. If you've ever used an analog poly before, you don't need a manual. Experienced synthesists can sit down and get great sounds instantly. Great layout for performance

8 notes of creamy analog perfection. Does not sound harsh. Maybe the person who thought the JP-8 sounds 'buzzy' was listening to a JP-6, I don't know. All I know is I've owned the JP-6, the MKS-80 (super jupiter rack), and the JP-8, and the 8 blows the other two out of the water. Though the JP-6 has more flexibility in cross-modulation and filtering, its weedy oscillators and so-so filter ultimately can't stack up to the Jupiter-8.

The 8 has smooth oscillators and filters, and can produce the most perfect tones I've ever heard from a polysynth. It's that perfect almost plastic sound that American synths never really went for, but this one nails it. The only things that come close in terms of producing polysynth textures this pleasing are Prophet Five and Elka Synthex. The build quality of a Jup-8 is better than the Five, so it breaks down far less. And it's less expensive and less rare than a Synthex. It doesn't use velocity or aftertouch, since it came out before these were ever available on a polysynth...while I could dock it 1 point for this, I don't think it's fair to slight it's beautiful perfect sound for features that were never included on a synthesizer of its vintage. I cannot stress how lovely, warm and wide this synth sounds. Watch out, you might start making 'new age music' because it sounds so smooth...

Very dependable if you get one that has been taken care of. Important to take care of your synths. Don't abuse them, leave them to gather dust, etcetc. I wouldn't bring it out on a gig, I don't think, since it is a vintage piece and such a valuable addition to my studio.

I love its sound quality, its filters and oscillators. Even taking the raw oscillators with the filters opened all the way up, sampling it and filtering it in software samplers, it still sounds far better than other synths. I've been in love with the sound of the JP-8 since it came out in my early teen years, and I listened to it on records by Devo and many other bands. I played a friend's JP-8 and it only deepened my desire to get one. Finally many years later I could afford to own one. I'm a happy, happy man. I would buy one again if mine were stolen. $2000 is not an insane amount of money to pay for an instrument of this caliber, especially considering its relative rarity.
I have been playing analog synths since 1983. I also own a Yamaha CS-15 (modest but excellent monosynth with multimode filters and external in), a SidStation (ataribleeps anyone?), and an SH-101 (nothing beats it for rez-bass!) Plus software. But we all know how weak most software synths sound in comparison to real electrons...

just as easy if not a little easier than the jv-800... definitely simple to use for anyone with working synthesizer knowledge...

features are pretty incredible considering this was made in 1980-1984... even today, I can't ask for a better synth for what I use it for...

absolutely perfect sound quality and variation... I use it for sound effects, which I build huge soundscapes out of, and then run on a CD while I play guitar - bringing the samples in and out with a volume pedal... the synth never really leaves the practice space...

I would love to use it for a gig if the rest of the band I play with didn't think live keyboards were silly... which they are for our brand of stoner sludge... but the jupiter is great for recording, for sure!

I have never dealt with Roland with this product, and when I have dealt with them, it was in the UK, not in the USA, so I can not really comment one way or another, other than they were very helpful in the UK...

I paid 200 dollars for this thing - and though I had to clean it pretty thoroughly, it is now in near mint condition... the old junk shop I bought it from even through in an ANVIL brand flight case that fits it perfectly, which would have run at least 200 used, so really, I got a pretty amazing deal... (especially considering I flight case everyithing right down to my pedalboard) I would have to say that satan was smiling on me at that moment when I found it under a pile of probably stolen car speakers and old computer printers in the dusty corner of the shop...

lots of sliders and knobs
very easy and logical.

8 voice polyphony of the best analog synthesizer out there.

you can't go wrong with the jupiter 8.
VCO made out of real analog electronics
filters and envelopes are fast and sound as good as it can get.
the best analog arp for the money

great but heavy and get hot ( great for winter)

roland still have parts for it.

I love it more than any other synthesizer.
If someone stole it - I can't even think about it.
any sound from Bass to Strings is just the right one.
Roland realy did a great job here and that is why
everyone is trying to recreate the old Jupiter sounds.

As easy as they come...

This is the Best Poly analog synth ever built on planet earth.
the 16 Oscilators are real analog ( no Ic's ) boards.
it is full of features from split to Dual thru Whole.
the filter section is a natural born killer.
for one of the guys here that sold it for a OB-8 Ill say:
"you made a big mistake "
I own the OB-8 and it is a cool synth but it is not a JP-8.
The cross mod is a strong feature and the extra filter HP VCF
is a nice add on to the 24/12 db acid filter.
2 ADSR envelope per osc.
every sound that you program on it sounds great.
a pure heaven fro the synth programmer.
It is very importent to realize that it is a very
warm sounding synth with this special vintage flavor.
just pick up any 80's, 90's or today CD and youll here it on.

I install a MIDI input and it is working great.
It is the most godly sound machine that was created.
I worship it as I use it more than any other synth.
I own 2 of them and can't find the guts to sell one.
Why?
If can play it in unison and it is still poly

1 note = 16 oscilators per note
2 notes = 8 oscilators per note
8 notes = 2 oscilators per note

the sound of the Unison is almost a chorus sound only sweeter.
try it with the arpigiator on Random and you'll FLY !!!

Never had a problem since I bought it used and
sent it to Arizona's "Kurt AMPS" for a whole service with MIDI installed.

none

This synth costed $8995 in 1981.
It is still the best Poly analog synth ever made.
The sounds of today can be achived in a second.
I love it and I will never ever sell it.

Okay, I know I'm not going to win any popularity contests but I have no idea why everyone and their grandma WORSHIPS the Jupiter 8. I owned one for several years and thought is was a decent analog poly. It's great for live performance and the layout is first class. It weighs a ton though.

Knobs and sliders are great. Arpegiator is killer. Cool looking.

I think this keyboard is too damn buzzy. I remember trying to program sounds that were smooth and warm ("Don't give up" CS-80 from Peter Gabriel's SO) and it wasn't happening. It had some cool bass sounds and decent brass, but the filter kinda sucks. Not nearly as warm as an Oberheim or Prophet V.

Mine was a latter model that was nearly bullet proof. Stayed in tune after only one routine. Killer build quality.

Well, it's Roland. You call them today and they ask, "Yes sir...which GROOVE BOX / DJ MACHINE DO YOU OWN?"

Good analog poly. Average sound quality. I sold it in '92 for an Oberheim OB-8 (WAY better string sounds), a Prophet VS (needs no introduction) and a Matrix-12 (destroys anything Roland ever made period).

Ebay has Jupiter 8s going for $2000 these days. Unreal.

I guess everyone knows what these things are like by now, but there's no review on the database so I thought I'd fill a hole. The JP8's user interface is great, given 1981 technology and a 4-char LED display. Everything's intuitively laid out, and there's a knob or slider for everything. Don't know what the factory presets are like because they've been over-written on mine - in any case, it's such fun to program that you won't keep them for long. Don't have the manual so I can't comment on it. The only reason it doesn't get 10 from me is that there's no way to 'reconstruct' stored patches (ie. work out what the fader settings were that produced a particular patch).

8 voices (16 VCOs), or you can stack them all in Unison mode (thus demolishing PA equipment). Bi-timbral - you can split the keyboard and use four voices either side, or you can layer 2 patches. Has 2 LFOs, including random setting, but sadly you can only use one per patch (ie. sounds on either side of a keyboard split use different LFOs, but there's no way to use both LFOs on one sound). HPF and resonant LPF which is switchable 12/24 dB/oct. Plenty of modulation options, though sadly you can't modulate resonance. 2 envelopes, one hard- wired to VCA. Cross-mod and sync between Osc 1 and 2 (though one way only); PWM available on both Oscs and modable by LFO or ENV1. Excellent arpeggiator which includes splendid random setting and is externally clockable. Mod button (instead of wheel) and pitch-bend lever; various things can be assigned to these in varying amounts (LFO mod of freq + filter to mod button, mod of VCO1 pitch, VCO2 pitch, filter to pitch bend). A few unusual features like LFO mod of VCA for tremelo, and the ability to 'reverse' polarity of ENV1. Excellent collection of outputs, including independent jacks and balanced XLRs for each side of the keyboard split, along with CV/gate etc. Later models apparently have DCB too. I suppose an audio input would have been the icing on the cake. Keyboard quite nice but not velocity- or aftertouch-sensitive. The JP8 is a pre-MIDI synth, but mine has a retrofit from Kenton in the UK which is excellent (and would be even better if I had the manual) - much more comprehensive than the factory MIDI on most analogue synths, such as the Jupiter 6.

One of the classic analogue synths I suppose, and sounds like it. Great synth-strings and brass, basses, the works. Can produce great electric piano-type sounds too, but usefulness of this limited by lack of velocity sensitivity. Excellent for weird noises. You can get it to make percussion sounds, and they might be good for dance stuff if sampled, but they aren't really a strong point.

Gives off a frightening amount of heat through a grille at the back that resembles a small car radiator, but this doesn't seem to cause any trouble. I've never gigged with it, but I wouldn't be afraid to on reliability grounds (it's bloody heavy, though). Tuning is remarkably stable, and there's an auto-tune button if it does go out. The only problem I've found is that some of the LED switches at the front don't always work without a hefty prod.

Every bit as good as its reputation suggests. The only problem I have is that programming new and wacky sounds into it is often more fun than actually trying to record music... Never having tried a JP6 or MKS80, I don't know how it compares, though I'm aware that opinions differ. It's a superb piece of design, and I hardly ever find that there's something I want to do that it won't let me, or that I can't work out very easily how to set up. If this one died, or was stolen, I'd certainly look for something very similar - though it's hard to find them at affordable prices.