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.

Kaffimusic

October 22, 2012 @ 5:06 pm

This machine was already out of time when it entered the market. Design style tried to come close to the DX7 (version 1) that ruled the market. Roland had nothing else than to show up with one more machine with the same old technology of OSC that can do saw, pulse and recktangle + Filters. The design + key velocity was the only real new thing they had to offer. Boring machine at its time with no new sounds. Interesting today for it´s analogish sounds.
But still better than the Juno 106, it was a beginner-level instrument. I would always prefer a Korg DW 8000 over this one. I am an old fart

Dez

October 19, 2012 @ 2:28 pm

@Joe

I apologize if I came across as a VST kid. (By the time I was born, Roland's latest and greatest was JD-800.)

This did have some pretty big shoes to fill, as it arrived when the Jupiter keyboards were discontinued. It's still kinda weird how it's called JX-*8*P but only has 6 voices.

L.

October 18, 2012 @ 12:04 am

I was wondering about VST editing software (PG-800 emulator). I know there are a few options out there. I would like to use that instead of buying a pg800. If someone knows of all the options, can you please post them? Thanks!

Mark Pigott

October 11, 2012 @ 8:43 pm

I have the JX-3P with PG-200 and the JX-8P.

Both have their personality, the good and the bad.

I am still, however partial to the JX-3P as I can play with a patch live

via the PG-200.

Long live keyboards and the players that play them!

Joe Bellamy

September 2, 2012 @ 8:23 pm

@dez How old are you, dude? This thing was pretty badass for its time, still is if you ask me. Synth geeks overanalyze this stuff but were you even born when this thing was popular?

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