Roland JP-8000

Infobox_synthesizer

---

synth_manufacturer = Roland
synth_name = JP-8000
synthesis_type = Virtual analog Subtractive
polyphony = 8 voices
timbrality = 2
oscillator = 2 oscillators per voice
filter = 1 resonant lowpass/highpass/bandpass
attenuator = 2 ADSR
lfo = 2 sawtooth/square/triangle/sh
ext_control = MIDI
memory = 128 presets/128 user patches
64 preset performances/64 user performances
dates = 1997 - 2001
fx = Chorus, delay, ring modulator
keys = 49
velocity = Yes
aftertouch = No
split = Yes

The Roland JP-8000 is an analog modeling synthesizer released by the Roland Corporation in 1997.

Overview

The JP-8000 was released in early 1997 to compete with many other analog modeling synthesizers of the period such as the Access Virus and Clavia Nord Lead. While the functionality, sound, and architecture of the JP-8000 differs from these other synthesizers, it shared the same purpose of recreating the unique sound and functionality of classic analog synths.

The JP-8000 had several features that differed from other analog modeling synthesizers of the time. Most notably, Roland's unique oscillator types ("Feedback" and "Supersaw") and the use of sliders instead of knobs to edit patch parameters.

In 1998, Roland released a 6U,19" rack version of JP-8000 called the JP-8080. The JP-8080 combined the analog modeling sound engine of the JP-8000 with additional features such as an internal vocoder. Three times the amount of Patches and performances and an additional Noise waveform was available on Osc 2, which although most patches are compatible between the rack and the JP-8000, some were specifically designed for the rack only version. Also included on the JP-8080 was a distortion effect.

The Supersaw

The Supersaw is a special waveform originally created by Roland for their JP-8000 and JP-8080 line of analog modeling synthesizers. The idea behind the Supersaw is to emulate the sound of more than one sawtooth oscillator using just one oscillator. The waveform is described as a freerun oscillator and its shape is produced from 7 sawtooth oscillators detuned against each other over a period of time.

Since production of the JP-8000 ceased, several companies have incorporated "Supersaw like" oscillator algorithms into their hardware and software synthesizers. SUPERWAVE P8 is an example of a software synthesizer inspired by the architecture of the JP-8000 with its multiple sawtooth oscillators. In 2005 Access Music released their new TI-line of synthesizers which feature an oscillator typed called Hypersaw, which has similar functionality to Roland's Supersaw oscillator. Roland has also continued to produce other synthesizers such as the SH-201, the Roland V-Synth, and the Roland V-Synth XT that have the Supersaw as an available oscillator type.

The Supersaw gained much popularity in electronic dance music, specifically trance music.

Notable users

* Chicane
* Vince Clarke
* Muse
* Konflict
* Groove Armada
* Armin van Buuren
* Disco Biscuits
* David Bowie
* Pet Shop Boys
* William Orbit
* Duran Duran Arpeggios in Rio (song) (missing references; the article on Rio (song) reports a different synthesizer)
* Brian Transeau
* Geoff Downes
* Gary Numan
* Martin Butler
* Scooter
* Ferry Corsten
* Underworld
* Depeche Mode
* Goldie
* Velvet Acid Christ
* Blondie (Maria)
* Faithless (God Is a DJ strings)
* Aron Magner from The Disco Biscuits
* The Automatic (Monster)
* The Prodigy
* Front 242 (Feedback Osc)
* Rank 1 (Airwave main melody)
* Jean Michel Jarre
* Michael Pinnella

External links

* [http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/jp8000.shtml Roland JP-8000] at Vintagesynth.com
* [http://www.dancetech.com/aa_dt_new/hardware/item.cfm?threadid=124&lang=0 Roland JP-8000] JP8000 user comments at Dancetech.com