The MKS-30 is a MIDI rack module version of the JX-3P with some enhancements. It is an analog synth with two DCO's (digitally controlled oscillators) per voice, six voice polyphony, it responds to velocity, and has 64 internal and 64 cartridge memory patches. The typical assortment of analog filter, envelope, LFO and oscillator sections are here with easy and straight-forward programming. It can be controlled by the PG-200 programmer for easier hands-on tweaking. Never quite gaining as much popularity as the JUNO series synths, this synth is as good as inexpensive analog gets! It is used by Cirrus.

smoinync

April 21, 2012 @ 2:47 am

After i got the voice chiped pelted out, I just confessed the actual MKS 30. Way far nastier than Jx3P. Totally different kind of catagories. However im facing new problem, the power just went off , can u help me to fix this. I'm sure it must be sumthin' wrong with the transformer or PSU area but I don't know exactly where, cuz I don't have a basic knowledge of electricity.
Thx

Wolfgang Palm

April 19, 2012 @ 6:55 pm

Just listen to this, and you are on your way out to buy a MKS 30 :o)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-78W4ybYjAQ

Smoinync

November 14, 2011 @ 6:36 pm

It contains similar chips as j106, also MKS 7 with no doubt. & I need to replace the chips too

MikeL

December 28, 2010 @ 11:09 pm

The MKS-30 is indeed a great synth with some minor issues (no arpeggiator, no sys-ex dump)... and it does sound slightly different than the JX-3P due to some difference in chips used between the two synths. All in all - I am glad I have one back in my quiver. My first MIDI synth ever (back in early 80's) was a JX-3P, so it was nostalgic to now find a MKS-30 and a PG-200 (which cost the same as the synth!) on Craigs List for that true 80's analog sound. This synth must be accompanied with the PG-200 if you want to make programming bearable.

P6

May 6, 2010 @ 4:37 am

Just a note, this rack 'version' doesn't sound quite like a 'real' JX-3P. It's not as good, but it's still nice.

It's also got the dodgy chips in that can fail (ala Juno 106 etc) which the 3P didn't have. 3P is solid. Take the 3P over this, but this is still a nice/great rack to have if cheap.

One bonus of this is the cart slot and velocity - JX can do velocity with a ££ mod over midi anyway, I find velocity is pointless on this JX sound - it works best at full whack :)

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