Roland • JP-8000

The JP-8000 Music Synthesizer has been designed using a first-of-its-kind Roland Analog Modeling sound source, combining the fat, powerful sounds associated with vintage analog synths with the flexibility of digital technology and MIDI. Like the classic Roland analog synths of the past, the JP-8000 sports a collection of 38 front-panel knobs and sliders for powerful real-time control, opening a brand new world of sonic possibilities. Innovative "Motion Control" feature memorizes all sequential slider and knob movements, ensuring that a great real-time "tweak" will not be lost. "Analog" synth functions like oscillator sync, ring modulation, -12/-24 dB filtering, cross modulation, an assignable ribbon controller and powerful pitch bend/modulation lever make the JP-8000 a very powerful synthesizer for live and studio use!
The JP-8000 is excellent for use in any music where classic synth sounds are needed. For techno, dance, drum&bass, hiphop, film scoring, synth pop and more! It is used by the Crystal Method, BT, Orbital, Ken Ishii, Vince Clarke, Goldie, Dave Holmes, Prodigy, Groove Armada, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, ATB, Überzone, Faithless, Gary Numan, Scooter, Konflict, William Ørbit, Paul Van Dyk, Groove Armada, and Garbage.

Even my humble JX8P put this JP to shame...
The JP8000 IS great for pulsating-throbbing-searing-out-of-this world sounds. But for the synthesist used to an envelope adjustable across the keyboard, you'll find this shortcoming apparant sooner or later.
I believe the new Roland Gaia also has no envelope rate/scaling.
I guess the "groove keyboard/box" thing of the 90s is still going strong...
The JP is a welcome addition to my setup, but dissapointing to see Roland abandon basic synth features for "groovability".
It's one of rolands best recent works. It's supersaws were designed to emulate the stunningly rich yet prohibitively overvalued JP8 and it actually comes pretty close. Well, as close as a 16 bit 44.1 1990s processor can come anyway. It's probably not bad for a beginner, a live player, or they guy who wants something to plink on for the five years it takes to save up for the real thing.
Roland really has been screwing the pooch in the last 20yrs or so. The additive synths, the ROMplrs, now the groovetoys for kids? jesus...
A shame that it's pretty much become Roland's last professional quality analog/virtual analog synth.