Roland JX-8P
| JX-8P | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Roland |
| Dates | 1985-1989 |
| Price | US$1,695 UK£1,165 JP¥228,000 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 6 voices |
| Timbrality | Monotimbral |
| Oscillator | 2 DCOs per voice (pulse, saw, square and noise) |
| LFO | 1 sine/square/random with delay and rate |
| Synthesis type | Analog subtractive |
| Filter | 24dB/oct resonant low-pass, non-resonant high-pass |
| Attenuator | 2 ADSR |
| Aftertouch expression | Yes |
| Velocity expression | Yes |
| Storage memory | 64 preset patches/32 user patches |
| Effects | Chorus |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | 61 notes |
| External control | MIDI |
Roland JX-8P is a 61-key, velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive, six-note polyphonic, almost entirely analog synthesizer released by Roland in 1985. In a time of rising popularity of digital frequency modulation synthesizers, such as Yamaha DX7, JX-8P was marketed as the best of both worlds: while it was possible to create classic analog synth sounds, several new modulation parameters and redesigned hardware enabled it to produce certain types of sounds associated with FM synthesis, such as metallic percussive sounds. Likewise, traditional hands-on controls were replaced with a Yamaha DX7-style interface with membrane buttons and one "edit" slider.
The forerunners to the JX-8P were the JX-3P and the rack MKS-30. JX-8P was among the last true analog synthesizers produced by Roland in the 1980s, with Alpha Juno 1/2 synths, racks MKS-50 and Roland MKS-70, and finally the JX-10.
Factory presets on the JX-8P were created by Eric Persing and Dan DeSouza.
One of the JX-8P's best known uses is in the opening brass fanfare of Europe's 1986 hit "The Final Countdown", layered with a preset patch on a Yamaha TX816.