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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il

Posted 4 days ago

I've got polysix and jx-3P... different synths. They compliment each other well and I wouldn't be without either. I can't agree that the JX is 'better' than the polysix though, it's more flexible yes.. it can do weird dual osc things but as I said, different things. Polysix is beautiful sounding and very fun to program - obv put through external fx!

radiodave

Posted 10 days ago

You can get loads of sounds from this, not just a wide range of warm strings, but a vast amount of spaced out pads that would easily fit on any vintage Klaus Schulze or tangerine dream album. It can be harsh sounding at times, but the best thing anyone can do is spend time programming it....you won't be disappointed but you will be pleasantly surprised. That second oscillator makes a huge difference. I have owned quite a few synths including the Korg Polysix, and I think this in most cases is far superior (and lighter!)

shovle

Posted 12 days ago

totally underrated! one of the best synths i ever owned (and still do) did 3 ablums with it... donno why the juno 106 is considered to be better... a mystery to me! grab one while you can!

Tooth

Posted 13 days ago

JX-3P Multi-Samples

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&a mp;item=140377828557&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

myspace/akraftwerkorange

Posted 40 days ago

anyone know what battery the internal memory needs? to save me opening it up twice

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