All user reviews of 4/5 for the Roland JX-8P

5 octaves keyboard synth + pitch / modulation. Audio Connectors basic (Mono L / R + headset), sustain, MIDI IN / OUT / THRU, connection for optional PG800 programmer, memory cartridge slot RolandM16C. Robust, but without touching keyboard finesse (a bit on or off ...)
For more details, see data sheet

UTILIZATION

Gnrale configuration is not complicated trs, provided you have the PG800 programmer (rare and as expensive as the synth! Anything!) Or the software version PCJX8P, available as freeware on the web. This app goes beyond the PG800 serves as Librarian of sounds (sounds NBX on the Web) and has a small squenceur (IDAL for loops). The manual is pluttlger ...

SOUNDS

This is an analog aa twenty years, so forget the sounds ralistes! on the other hand, you can tweak the LFO, envelopes and other VCO happily (not n'tant synthse specialist in the sound, I'll leave l. The same goes for effects, it is best to dispose of a small multi-effect to make things more enjoyable. The sounds of organ or piano, elec. but are specific usable. The leads, pads and other cloths are good for what I do (Herbie, Weather Report, Chick Corea, Yellowjackets ...). In short, these are 80's but sounds trs trs diffrent a DX7 Yam (Yet trs 80's too!). Finally, the sound is trs subjective ...
Over time, the contacts under the keyboard and aftertouch rpond oxidize less. Found on the web an illustrated guide "step by step" for remdier this problem.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year, is the only analog that I had and I like it a lot. Aesthetics, it is quite impressive and plutt robust, with a nice 80's look (buttons membranes fawn color "Dictates magic" memory like a game cartridge for Atari video, LCD screen on the green like old calculators ...). As noted Previous notice, the machine tends unwind. Regarding the touch, it seems really Exceeds over Calvier type "synthquot; latest issue, I would not recommend it as a keyboard matre.
Nanmoins, if you want a good analog, MIDI is more, and you can dpenser 300 euros max, take no hsiter. Unlike what some say, even without the PG800 was worth it, because the freeware PCJX8P replaces. In any case, the hybrid analog synth / MIDI is well worth some analog modlisations latest issue.
Before buying, verify with the operation buttons membranes, if required disassembly and small bombs contact ... thank you Zill, his former owner, for that RVision
Some notes are also sometimes tend paste.
If I now discovering, I would do without this choice hsiter.

The keyboard touch is not great, it is still there even DYNAMIC TCP and aftertouch (the common era), but the force is badly restored, it is better to order it from a keyboard master to assay the dynamic ... I collect will be used as a master keyboard for an expander!
For everything else, the quality is OK (stronger qu'aujourdhui)
8 note polyphony (the standard era) but analog and midi .... short, it is not so common a good analogue, polyphonic, dynamic, program and MIDI.

UTILIZATION

It is a polyphonic synth (8 marks at the same time) but if we use the unison mode (very big sound!), Polyphony is divided by 2 ...
Monotimbral against it by (one's time, a single midi channel ...), so it's simple trs.
The edition of the sounds is very easy (I learned it), you just need some notion of analog synthesis. Moreover, it is necessary because the 32 internal sounds are rather void.
I never had a manual, never missed my ca ...

SOUNDS

JX8P sounds are typical of the era of analog ... ca is the cost of programming, you get a great sound ... (Bass acids, tablecloths, lead ...)
As against it is a bit limited ... it is difficult to have a lot of variety with a simple programming ...
There is no internal effects (normal the era) and it blows a lot with some sounds ...

In short, Excellent sound, but some limited styles ...

OVERALL OPINION

Excellent for a synth programer easily (there are apps to program and store the sound) of sounds typical of analog of this era ....
Trs is limited (no external sound from a few modulations ...) but the filters are missing as to why the synths DCNI follows.
A single sound but what a sound!
The keyboard is not trrible, and it blows a little.
Trs simple, basic view, but irreplaceable if you can not afford a legendary Oberheim synth, moog, ect ...

.6 The 1985 synth-voice polyphony. 2 oscilloscope by voice, making a total of 12 oscilloscope.
Keyboard 61 notes, velocity and aftertouch sensitive.
Very good location south, for the time: IN / OUT / THRU.
Memory of 64 sounds, all editable! (Create your own sounds).

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is simple, sound editing is simple: on the keyboard you select the setting to edit, and you edit it with a fader, setting please? Go to the next parameter editing ...
I've never had a user manual, it is not necessary if you've played on analog and you know about the parameters that make up a sound (DCO, VCO, CUT OFF, RESONANCE, ATTACK, RELEASE, VCA ...)

SOUNDS

The sounds are not realistic, but it is not what is asked. It is a perfect synth for modern electronic music, or even the environment. For being polyphonic, it allows the achievement of very beautiful tablecloths, large and warm.
The sound is the highlight of this synth: the Anloga hot and alive.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had four, five years.

What I love most: beautiful tablecloths that can be created with, and that it is MIDI, which allows the use of "old sounds" with the controls today.

What I like least: The fact that the publication by several faders simultaneously is only possible with the PG800 controller, optional.

I have many other analog synths, and I used very often in this JX8P.
Given its current argus (around 300 Euros), I think he redeemed without hésitation.Je worth over 1500 Euros to its release in 1985!
Synth Ideal for those seeking a real good synth for cheap (make sure the fader EDIT function properly, I saw several JX8P or it stopped working.

For specifications I believe that everything has been said, very satisfactory if one is looking for analog and if we can not afford to run after the ARP, Moog and other Jupiter, Prophet and CS-80 ...

UTILIZATION

I never opened the manual, I do not think this is necessary for anyone except perhaps for some manip '...

It sails very well through the presets or some functionality with the buttons membranes (although some require you to be a Bourin, but a little cleaning it off again as 40.), For against, as soon as we begin to want to edit sounds: disaster ... ergonomics is prehistoric and only two solutions available to you ...

1) The versatile but expensive solution of buying a PG-800 controller (or perhaps a MIDI control surface to be seen ...)
2) The least expensive but more restrictive solution download the excellent PCJX8P on your computer and connect it via midi synth.

Otherwise it is doing good but what takes courage ...

SOUNDS

Down with the cliché JX-8P = patches, it would be an insult to the JX-8P and its many opportunities. For my part I managed to make good lead sounds, bass, and even a bad imitation of a pan flute, which is still very enjoyable to play and listen for what it is.

The presets are ... equal to themselves, they are shared between poor imitations of instrument (requires 80's ..), and synthetic sounds more or less true, but somewhat lacking in body and power, to desire to return to work then. Well I'm a little bad language, y 'to some that I use but it's up to you to make your own opinion on it.

Some sounds are famous, it's true ... the preset "Stab Brass" in "The Final Countdown" and so on. Use the JX-8P is less recognized, but which for me is certain, the Reuse friendly preset "Music Box" from "Screw" by The Cure.

The aftertouch adds a little more friendly, for sure ..

OVERALL OPINION

For the time value for money is excellent opportunity if you get a sum of between € 200 and 300, beyond that, it's too expensive, so for more than € 300 I think prefer the JX10 ... unless the PG-800 is included in the price. J'eu a Roland D-20 before and it is day and night, although can also have fun with it.

This choice I would do without hesitation, in my opinion the most affordable analog that makes sense.