Vintage Synth Explorer

Roland • JX-3P

The JX-3P is a pretty good synth, best known for a good string sound. It came about at the same time as the Juno series but represents a shift towards digital circuitry, push-buttons and (for the JX-3P) simplified programming. Compared with a Juno, the JX-3P sounds inferior however it is analog and capable of decent synth sounds for cheap. You will need the PG-200 programmer if you want real control of it. It's a six voice polyphonic with two DCO's per voice which means analog oscillators and sounds with digital stability and control. The typical assortment of filter, envelope, LFO and oscillator sections are here with easy and straight-forward programming.

Surprisingly, the JX-3P is MIDI equipped, in fact it was Roland's first MIDI synth but was very limited to basic note on/off information only. Synths like the Juno 106 have far better MIDI implementation and sounds. Although the JX-3P may not be as nice or professional as a Juno, it makes a great entry level Vintage synth capable of creating some useful classic analog sounds. The JX-3P also came in a rack-mount version called the MKS-30. It has beenused by The Future Sound of London, Astral Projection, Vince Clarke, Orbital, Luke Vibert, Stevie Nicks, and Thomas Dolby.

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OMMSYNTH

Posted 9 days ago

I have JX3P and Juno-106 too
I think it's absolutely different synths
but with one sound culture
I'm very glad using this instruments

lizpan

Posted 9 days ago

I think the description needs to change about the JX-3P sounding "inferior" to the Juno 106. The JX-3P unit has dual oscillators, while the Juno 106 has only a single oscillator per voice. They sound different, and for many types of sounds, the JX-3P sounds superior. The JX-3P appears to have a wider range of possible sounds, as well.

On the record

Posted 12 days ago

I love it...You can get some beautifull sounds out of it even if you dont use any effects...
Sounds pretty decent to me...
I used to have a collection of matrix-6, korg ms-10, some digital synths, and some cheap ones...but I just fell in love with this one...
Really distinctive thin to even warm sound...
Love it, wouldn't even trade it for anything except maybe a seiko, kawai- forgot the name or a the prophet...the modular one, I could be wrong...
Never the less,
naaaahhhhhh, I'm keeping this baby...I'm in love

Hans

Posted 12 days ago

Inferior to a Juno? No way! The JX3p (or MKS30, that I own) is a totally different synth as compared to the Juno lot. With two DCO's instead of one per voice, crossmod and metal sync and an excellent filter, it can make sounds a Juno will never come near to. Soundwise it's much closer to Oberheim's Matrix6 or Kawai's SX240 and it definitely shines in very wide (chorussed) pads and thick leads. And it does great electro and acid bass too. Since the menu structure of the synth is pretty easy to grasp, the PG200 is not definitely necessary, but it does add to the instant gratification factor. The MKS adds velocity and a much better midi capability. Bummer: no midi cc's for recording your live tweaks, but for me, this is still one of the best synths in my collection, and is featured in nearly every track I make.

Max Vondel

Posted 36 days ago

Best used with the optional controller. Sounds great; Pots are so much better than Sliders such as the Juno 60 &106. Korg Poly Six is my favourite analogue synth. The JX-3P->Frozen as preset Synth with analogue options. Missing portamento. 4/5*'s, Independant dual oscillators

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