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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Hagen

Posted 12 days ago

Back in 1998 I was living in Iowa City and some guy was moving back to Des Moines and needed money/less stuff to take back. He had a JX-8P with flight case, keyboard stand and PG-800 advertised in one of the local papers for something stupid like $300. Sitting in the corner of this room right now. Sounds great and it has been a lot of fun learning about synthesis. Come to think of it, I don't think my Juno 106 cost more than $200 either heh.

Rico

Posted 92 days ago

A very under-rated synth for its time...but shines through the ages, like wine...you won't believe the type of sounds this beauty is able to make, especially with the help of the PG-800 controller (there's also a software for it..just google)...I spent hours just twiddling this and that in ecstasy!...the warm strings and the oh-so fat brass is beyond compare! you have to really hear it in person to truly appreciate it sounds! Still have mine after many years and still solid as rock!

I can say that the only synth within my collection that can win over the JX-8P is it's very own uncle..The glorious Jupiter 8..hands down..

and please, come on...how can you compare the real-deal analog hardware, with the so-called 'Virtual future music'..I own a lot of VSTis..Yes, they sound good..but virtual is virtual...your ears will definitely find the difference when you compare the virtual synth with the real hardware analog..period.

MocciJ

Posted 109 days ago

I partially agree with Jostein. The jx-8p sits really well in the mix when it comes to do strings, brass, (random background patch)'s chords, sounds wide.. but the magic ends when it comes to solo. Even if you program a good patch that played alone seems blastful.. it simply stays in the background in the mix!!
I think it's best used when midi'ed with other modules, adds warmness to anything :D

Jostein Chr. Andersen

Posted 120 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 155 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.

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