Roland Jupiter-8 Synthesizer

Manufactured: 1981-1984
Type: Analog synthesizer

The Roland Jupiter-8 is a polyphonic analog synthesizer produced by Roland Corporation in 1981. It was considered a flagship synthesizer of its time and was widely used by professional musicians and producers in various genres of music such as pop, rock, and electronic music. The Jupiter-8 was the first Roland synthesizer to offer eight-voice polyphony and it was one of the first synthesizers to feature a user-friendly interface.

The Jupiter-8 features eight voices of polyphony, each with two analog oscillators, a high-pass and low-pass filter, and an envelope generator. It also has a built-in arpeggiator and a variety of modulation options, including LFOs and routing options. The Jupiter-8 also has a 61-note keyboard with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch. Additionally, it has a wide range of controls and knobs, which allows for easy and intuitive sound shaping and modulation.

One of the most notable features of the Jupiter-8 is its ability to layer and split voices, which allows the user to create complex and rich textures. The Jupiter-8 also has a variety of preset sounds, such as its famous "Super Saw" sound, which is a thick and rich sound that was widely used in the 80s pop and synth-pop music. Additionally, it also has a wide range of controls and knobs, which allows for easy and intuitive sound shaping and modulation.

The Jupiter-8 was Roland's flagship synthesizer for the first half of the 1980s. Although it lacked the soon-to-be standard of MIDI control, later model Jupiter-8s did include Roland's proprietary DCB interface, and all of them sported advanced features and the ability to split the keyboard into two zones, with a separate patch active on each zone.

Keyboard is built all in metal and weights nearly 20 kg but the design makes it look slim. This was also one Roland's best analog synths, but then came these digital kings like JP-8000 and took the place.

The Jupiter-8 was widely used by professional musicians and producers in various genres of music such as pop, rock, and electronic music. It was used by famous musicians like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Toto, and it can be heard on many hit songs from the 80s. Its sound was also featured on soundtracks from movies and TV shows, such as "Blade Runner" and "Stranger Things".

Despite its release in 1981, the Roland Jupiter-8 continues to be a highly sought after and respected synth. Its rich and complex sound, as well as its ability to layer and split voices, makes it a versatile instrument that can be used to create a wide range of sounds and styles. The Jupiter-8 is also considered a classic piece of gear in electronic music production and its legacy will continue to be felt in electronic music for years to come.

In conclusion, the Roland Jupiter-8 is a classic and highly respected polyphonic analog synthesizer. It was one of the first synthesizers to feature a user-friendly interface and its eight-voice polyphony, layering, and splitting capabilities make it a versatile instrument. It's been widely used by professional musicians and producers in various genres of music and it's considered a classic piece of gear in electronic music production. Its legacy continues to be felt in electronic music today and it's still highly sought after by synth enthusiasts and musicians.

Used:

One of the main sound sources for the single Wind It Up.. If you read Wind It Up single credits you can see that there is even a credit to this machine!

Liam's comment:

"The Jupiter 8 had been superb, but it started to break down".