The JX-3P is something of a hidden treasure – there is more to it than meets the eye. It came out about the same time as the venerable JUNO series, but represents a shift away from the traditional analog synthesizer interface and towards a less hands-on format. The JX-3P was mostly aimed towards players looking for those great stable Roland sounds of the time, but with immediate Preset-based access to them, and only the most basic and newbie-friendly of on-board controls to adjust them. (Note the space reserved on-board for holding sheet music in place.)

That is not to say this is a dumbed down synth, but rather, the digital technologies being explored by Roland at the time allowed for greater programability while simultaneously reducing the need for dedicated hands-on controllers per parameter - a path most synth manufacturers walked down during the eighties. This means that sliders and knobs were being phased out in favor of push-buttons, fewer sliders and a powerful programming interface tucked away “under the hood”.

The JX-3P shares the same great analog filters and VCAs as the JUNO and even the JUPITER series. Just like the JUNO, it’s a six voice polyphonic feeding digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs) through analog filters, envelopes and amps. However, the JX-3P has two oscillators per voice instead of the single osc. found in the JUNO synths, and while that does allow for greater flexibility, the onboard programming interface is a lot less fun and hands-on than that of a JUNO, no doubt contributing to the popularity the JUNO series enjoys over the JX-3P. You will need the optional PG-200 programmer if you want a real hands-on experience with the JX-3P.

Surprisingly, the JX-3P is MIDI equipped, in fact it was Roland's first MIDI synth. However, its MIDI was limited to basic note on/off information only. Synths like the JUNO 106 had far better MIDI implementation. But the JX-3P also featured an on-board 128-step sequencer and came in a (slightly modified) rack-mount version called the MKS-30.

Although the JX-3P may not be as popular as a JUNO, it makes a great vintage synth capable of creating some lush, classic analog sounds. And without the cult status of other synths similar to it, they can also be found at bargain prices, making them a definite synth to consider when looking for those classic early eighties Roland sounds. And aftermarket upgrades (like the KIWI-3P) can make it just as good, if not better, than any other polyphonic analog synths out there! It has been used by The Future Sound of London, Astral Projection, Vince Clarke, Orbital, Luke Vibert, Stevie Nicks, and Thomas Dolby.

Gary

January 6, 2013 @ 4:47 pm

I love the jx3p. Owned 1 with the pg200 for a couple of years and she still surprises. It really takes to external effects... also driving the amazing internal sequencer from a drum machine synced to the rest of my rig, its simply too easy to find a place for this beast on every track... techno, ambient or pop. I also own a Juno, and there is no doubt they compliment each other very well. Juno more easily does bass, but the jx3p can get subsonic in its own special way also. Only real pity is the slow speed of the lfo.

Chas

January 6, 2013 @ 6:41 am

Just to add, I have a JX3P and love it to bits. It has way more sound modulation options than the Junos, though the Junos do sound warmer but are more limited in soundscaping options. Initial hands on is better on all Junos though once one is used to the JX3P sound editing is a breeze with just the sense slider. Only the 106 is superior to the JX in terms of midi-capabilities (no midi as standard on the 6/ 60)

Does anyone know where I can find a new/ used JX3P sense slider in the UK? Mine still works but the tip is broken. I need a volume potentiometer too, same reason as the slider.

Chas

January 6, 2013 @ 6:39 am

A JX3P and a Juno 106 comparison:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk9B7JRVG44

I guess people compare the JX3 to the Juno 6/60/106 as they target a similar market (lower/ mid end analogue polysynths). They are quite different beasts though. The JX has a more advanced sound architecture, whereas the Junos are more limited in comparison but have better hands on tweakability.

matze-tias

January 4, 2013 @ 6:37 pm

Great synth, capable of making some nice dreaming sounds. The sound is thinner than that from the JX-8P, but I think more interesting and much cleaner, because the envelopes are real analog (JX-8P has digital envelopes). And it has a more lively, unconventional character than the JX-8P. One negative point: you can only control it by MIDI or by the external PG-200 controller, not both at the same time.

gridsleep

November 14, 2012 @ 1:07 pm

Another great upgrade, the JX-3P MIDI Expansion Kit from Organix's Toolshed (http://organix.inque.org/index.php?page=jx-3p-upgrade) gives this keyboard full MIDI. It's a handmade option that can be bought as a kit for about $65 or prebuilt, and requires a little more soldering to install. Any MIDI controller or DAW can be used with the JX-3P with this kit, even while the PG-200 is connected. You'd be lucky to get a PG-200 for $200 on eBay, rather than the usual $400. Same for KiwiTechnics' or D-Tronics DT200. Good products but expensive. (No affiliation.)

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