Roland Jupiter-8

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Jupiter-8 by Roland
Synthesis type:		Analog subtractive
Polyphony:		8 voices
Oscillators:		2 VCOs per voice
Multitimbral:		2
VCF:		1 resonant lowpass, 1 highpass
VCA:		2 ADSR
LFO:		1 triangle/square/sawtooth/reverse sawtooth
Velocity sensitive:		No
Aftertouch:		No
External control:		DCB (on later models)
Memory:		64 patches
Onboard effects:		None
Produced:		1981 - 1985

The Jupiter-8, Roland's flagship analog synthesizer of the early 1980s is an eight-voice polyphonic synth which is still quite popular today.

The Jupiter-8, introduced in the fall of 1981, features analog slider controls for most of its parameters, encouraging users to program their own patches. Although it lacked the soon-to-be standard of MIDI control, later model Jupiter-8s did include Roland's proprietary DCB control protocol, and sported advanced features such as the ability to split the keyboard into two user defined zones, with a separate patch active on each (earlier models had a fixed patch split point).

The Jupiter-8 was discontinued in 1985. 2,000 Jupiter-8s were manufactured.

1 Features and architecture
2 Reliability
3 In the present day
4 The Jupiter line
5 Notable uses
6 External links

[edit] Features and architecture

As its name suggests, the Jupiter-8 is an 8-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer. Each voice features two VCOs with cross-modulation and sync, pulse-width modulation, a high-pass filter, a resonant Low-pass filter with 2-pole (12 dB/octave) and 4-pole (24 dB/octave) settings, an LFO with variable waveforms and routings, and two envelope generators (one invertible).

Noteworthy performance features include adjustable portamento, a hold function for making sound design easier, a versatile arpeggiator with DIN-sync connectivity, assignable pitch-bender, instrument layer and split modes, robust load and save functionality for its 64-patch memory, a DCB port for attaching an external MIDI interface or other DCB-compatible device, built-in XLR outputs, and—in addition to legato and polyphonic modes—the Jupiter-8 includes a very powerful unison mode.

A Z80 CPU was used for managing storage of patches, scanning the keyboard, display, and buttons, port handling, and taking care of the auto-tune function among other things. The VCOs were discrete. The VCF was the Roland IR3109 (also in the Jupiter 6, MKS-80 rev 4, Juno 6/60, JX-3p). The VCA was the BA662. The Envelopes were hardware generated by the Roland IR3R01 chip (also in the Juno 6/60).

[edit] Reliability

Although it has been suggested that the Jupiter-8's tuning is unstable, this is only true of the earliest versions. Later revisions of the Jupiter-8 stay in tune, and likely will never require manual re-tuning. The soldered-in battery typically lasts ten years or more, ranking these boards among the lowest-maintenance of their generation. Typically, JP-8s only require maintenance due to hairline cracks on circuit boards arising from rough handling.

[edit] In the present day

The wide range of sounds that the Jupiter-8 can produce, along with its sturdy construction, render it a venerable instrument even today. Units in good condition still fetch more at auction than most new synthesizers, suggesting that the Jupiter-8 will continue to be heard for years to come. The characteristic sound of the Jupiter-8 is heard extensively on albums from the early 1980s to the present day. It is considered in professional circles to be among the most versatile, intuitive, and musical synthesizers ever made.

French music software manufacturer Arturia has announced at the 2007 NAMM that they are releasing a "virtual" version of the Jupiter 8 that will be released in 2007. It is uncertain what effect this will have on the value of existing Jupiter 8's since more people will have access to this instrument at a much lower price than an original unit, not to mention that original units in good condition are difficult to find.

[edit] The Jupiter line

The Roland MKS-80 "Super Jupiter" is a MIDI-controlled, rack-mountable sound module with a similar voice architecture to the Jupiter-8.

The Jupiter-6 is similar in appearance to the Jupiter-8, but stores fewer patches, has only six voices, built-in MIDI, and also has a somewhat different sonic character.