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.

il

August 30, 2009 @ 3:51 pm

See the JX-3p page for a quote from the same article about that synth.

"There were also two superb new synths, the Juno 106 and, although few remember it as such today, the replacement for the Jupiter 8, the JX8P"

Yes the 'intended replacement' for the Jupiter 8 was the JX-8P (I always felt JX meant Digital Jupiter - the 3P can sound very close to a jupiter 8 sometimes).

Shawn

August 8, 2009 @ 10:46 pm

These actually have a wide array of useable factory sounds. The PG-800's command a lot of money, too much in fact. I use external processing gear to get more out of the built in sounds. Very easy to use save for programming it. These keyboards are an absolute bargain and most I have found are in excellent condition. Get one. Do it now!

somedude

July 31, 2009 @ 9:47 am

It's more versatile than the 3P and Juno (any variety). It excells at warm/lush strings and pads and can also do some good bass sounds (Not FAST envs but still good). Overall a very powerful and immensely under rated synth... a bargain today simply because it doesn't have built in knobs and sliders (get a programmer - ANY will do not just the official, get a cheap 2nd hand BCR and you have full control!)

JX-3P sounds more 'vintage' and edgy, they compliment each other not compete.

ettore

July 30, 2009 @ 5:09 pm

does this have a fatter/warmer or sterile sound compared to the JX-3P and the Juno 60? It would be cool to know more details about how do they compare strictly sound-wise, beside programmability issues.

il

July 23, 2009 @ 10:50 pm

Much better than the JX10! Sure the 10 is more powerful, but the overall experience between the two is completely different. This is an easy to program, flexible beast with great midi support and only one fault to speak of (aftertouch needs cleaning to work these days!) - JX10 is riddled with little bugs and annoyances and it's case was never made to support it's size so you get stress underneath/across the board on the JX10. Also the JX10 is more convoluted to program AND doesn't sound quite as vintange as the 'warmer' JX 8P.

I know some will disagree but owners who've had both know the truth.

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