Roland Jupiter-6

Infobox synthesizer
synth_manufacturer = Roland


image_caption = Roland Jupiter-6
synth_name = Jupiter-6
synthesis_type = Analog Subtractive
polyphony = 6 voices
timbrality = 2
oscillator = 2 VCOs
filter = 1 resonant multi-mode (lowpass/bandpass/hipass) filter
attenuator = 2 ADSR
lfo = 1 sine/triangle/sawtooth/square
ext_control = MIDI
memory = 48 tones/32 patches
dates = 1983 - 1985
fx = None
keys = 61
velocity = No
aftertouch = No
split = Yes

The Roland Jupiter-6 (JP-6) is a synthesizer manufactured by the Roland Corporation introduced in 1983 as a less expensive alternative to the Roland Jupiter-8. The Jupiter-6 is widely considered a workhorse among polyphonic analog synthesizers, capable of producing a wide variety of sounds, such as ambient drones, pads, lead synthesizer lines, and techy blips and buzzes. It is renowned for its reliability and easy, but sophisticated programmability.

The JP-6 has 12 analog oscillators (2 per voice), and is bitimbral, allowing its keyboard to be "split" into two sounds - one with 4 voices, and one with the remaining 2 voices (either "Split 4/2" or "Split 2/4" mode). "Whole Mode" is also available, dedicating all 6 voices to single (monotimbral) sound across the entire keyboard.

The JP-6 was one of the first synthesizers on the market to feature MIDI, a brand new technology at the time of its introduction.

"Europa," a popular firmware replacement available from [http://www.synthcom.com 'Synthcom Systems'] adds modern enhancements to the instrument's MIDI implementation, user interface and arpeggiator.

Notable Users

*Tim Friese-Greene of Talk Talk
*The Unicorns
* Rob Preuss of The Spoons