Vintage Synth Explorer

Roland • JX-8P

The JX-8P is a decent analog polysynth. It has 6 voices of polyphony, great MIDI implementation and patch storage as well as an external memory cartridge slot. Though it is far more advanced than its predecessor, the JX-3P, the JX-8P has its drawbacks. Hands-on programming is sacrificed and reduced to assigning the parameter you want to tweak to a data-slider near the pitch/mod bender. Enter the PG-800 controller which gives you total control of all the JX-8P's editable parameters with hands-on traditional slider control. Membrane buttons dominate the front panel of the JX-8P providing access to the various preset and user patches and to page through and assign editable parameters.

Professional features can still be found under the hood of the JX-8P. Its 61 note keyboard is velocity and aftertouch sensitive. Just like the Juno synthesizers it uses DCO's for a very stable system, however its sounds are a little thin and bright. It also features portamento, unsion and solo (monosynth) performance modes. It is used by Biosphere, 808 State, Tangerine Dream, The Shamen, Depeche Mode, Überzone, the Cure, Go West, Ozric Tentacles, Future Sound of London, Jean-Michel Jarre, Europe, and Jimmy Jam.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

Jostein Chr. Andersen

Posted 9 days ago

I just love this synth! Many people says that it's sound is a little thin, but I don't agree. JX-8P sounds great in the mix, it's easy to hear it and easy to hear guitars and other instruments as well. And despite the saying that JX-10 is essential two 8Ps, nothing sounds like JX-8P. I now have my second one and will get one or two more as spare ones.

Curtis Black

Posted 43 days ago

holy toledo....can you get these for cheap. I found one for $130 in Boston. And they are really quite powerful! Sure, it may sound a little thin...but that shortcoming is vastly overshadowed by two points. 1. with synthesis knowledge, you can program some really classic or far out sounds. 2. It costs perhaps an 1/8 of a weeks pay. And, it's not even worth re-selling as as person truly repulsed by its sound could keep it around as a conversation piece due to its Star Trek like appearances.

RetroTones

Posted 48 days ago

Push MIDI button to enter MIDI Edit. Set your JX-8P channel through MIDI Edit Map Parameter #11. Then set Poly Omni to Off with Parameter #21. The Edit Map is silk-screened on the front of the JX-8P.

ZD

Posted 48 days ago

RESPONSE TO PIONER: I don't know how the ALESIS MMT8 and JX8P are with MIDI because I haven't tried them yet but I know that on most synths you have Rx and Tx channel. Rx is to receive, and Tx is to transmit. If it doesn't have that then it must have an omni option. Try turning that off and on and see what happens, probably should be off though. And if that doesn't work, then try using something else to sequence the JX8P. Hope that answers your concerns.

Pioner

Posted 49 days ago

I have MIDI problems with JX8P!!!
My JX8P play all received sequences form all Alesis MMT-8 MIDI channels, no matter which MIDI channel i choose on my JX8P. What can i do?

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