Roland MKS-80

MKS-80

MKS-80
Manufactured by	Roland
Dates	1984–1987
Price	unknown
Technical specifications
Polyphony	8 voices
Timbrality	2
Oscillator	2 VCOs per voice
LFO	1 triangle/square/sawtooth/random
Synthesis type	Analog Subtractive
Filter	12 & 24dB/Oct resonant lowpass, non-resonant highpass
Aftertouch	yes
Velocity sensitive	yes
Memory	64 patches
Input/output
Keyboard	no

The Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter is an 8-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer that was manufactured by Roland between 1984 and 1987. It is the only of MKS series of synthesizers to have fully analog voltage controlled oscillators. Contrary to popular belief, the voice architecture is more closely related to the Jupiter-6 synthesizer than the Jupiter-8, the service manual states that "The module board of MKS-80 features the following in addition to that of JP-6, its brother module. ) HPF_ )Low boost circuit in the 2nd VCA. )DC supply current boost circuit." The unit is fully capable of producing most of the Jupiter-8's signature sounds, in addition to many sounds unique to the MKS-80. In 1985 out came another revision of MKS-80, known as "Rev 5", that had no ties with any previous Jupiter's hardware, as it used a new generation of both Roland VCO's, VCA's and filter. The Rev 5 filter was also used in JX-8P, JX-10 and MKS-70 synthesizers.

Features

The voice architecture of the MKS-80 is fully analog with 8 polyphonic voices with 2 voltage controlled oscillators (VCO) per voice, using the Curtis CEM3340 VCO integrated cirtuit. The unit also includes one voltage controlled filter (VCF) and one voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) per voice.

The MKS-80 has a 64 patch internal memory (8 banks of 8 patches each) along with an optional memory cartridge called the M64-C with room for another 64. A full MIDI implementation is built into the MKS-80, with MIDI IN, OUT and THRU jacks positioned at the rear of the unit.

External Programmer

The MPG-80 is the optional programmer designed specifically for the MKS-80, providing direct access to the majority of the MKS-80's features. The MPG-80 connects to the MKS-80 via the MIDI IN using a special cable.

Factory Presets

The Factory Presets were created by Eric Persing and Dan Desousa

Notable users

• Madonna - bass in "Into The Groove", "La Isla Bonita", "Open Your Heart", "Who's That Girl"
• Vince Clarke
• Snap! (Luca Anzilotti a.k.a. John VIRGO Garrett III)
• Pet Shop Boys
• Enigma
• Michael Cretu
• Aphex Twin

External links

• MKS-80's factory presets demo
• Owner's manual
• Vintage Synth Museum Article
• MKS-80 Owner's site with numerous images
• VST-AU MKS-80 Editor (Mac and Win) from reKon audio