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.

P6

May 8, 2010 @ 6:32 am

2. Avoid the patches that overdrive the DCA (distort), this sounds bad and puts you off the synth. Once you play within safe volumes it sounds slick, smooth and warm.

3. Don't try to imitate 'real' sounds, it's not for that these days. This board sounds ELECTRIC (in a good way) - you can sense the voltage pumping through it. With the right patches (and outboard) a touch of the keys is like holding lighting in your hands. Very powerful.

4. Do not compare to Junos - this is different entirely. It's even different to JX-3P which has other more 'vintage' uses.

P6

May 8, 2010 @ 6:31 am

I feel I was a bit rough on this synth over in my JX-3P comment. So to address it.

This synth is a strange one, a lot of people are turned off when only giving it a quick glance. You have to dig deep and get to know it before it reveals a glorious 'depth' and majesty - like a cross between the older Jupiters and the later D-50. It's not quite as defined as either of those super synths but it's got this great middle ground.

I repaired my aftertouch, cleaned my contacts, renewed the felt. My 8P is now 100% 'perfect'. Now I can fully appreciate it.

Some JX-8P 'rules' before judging it harshly.

1. you MUST run this through a mild delay/reverb to have it open up and reveal it's epic sound. Not just any synth can take so well to outboard, the DX7 takes well also. Another synth that is misjudged when comparing to later synths with built in effects doing 'most of the work'.

McFullon

March 22, 2010 @ 9:48 pm

Sold my JX-3P for an 8P...then in ´86 moved up to a JX-10.
Probably the best lower priced Roland series of the 80´s...The PG modules did it for me!

Hagen

February 27, 2010 @ 7:52 pm

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

December 10, 2009 @ 4:55 am

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.

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