Roland JP-08 Synthesizer Module Official Specifications

roland-jp-08-synth-front

Roland has officially announced their JP-08 Synthesizer Module.

Part of the Roland Boutique series, the JP-08 is designed to offer hands-on control and the iconic Jupiter sound.

With an array of 36 knobs and sliders, based on the original Jupiter-8 front panel, the 4-voice JP-08 uses Roland’s Analog Circuit Behaviour (ACB) technology to reproduce the original Jupiter-8 sounds.

It adds a few new twists, also, in the form of extra LFOs and expanded VCO range. You can also slide the JP-08 into the optional K-25m keyboard unit for a self-contained synth keyboard.

Here’s the official intro video to the Roland Boutique line:

The Jupiter-8 was a big synth in every way; physically imposing with loads of knobs and sliders, and most importantly, a huge sound. The JP-08 retains the big sound of the Jupiter-8 but shrinks everything else – including the price – into a module measuring under 12″ across.

Even though the JP-08 is an authentic recreation of the Jupiter-8, Roland also included a few extras. The JP-08 adds several new waveforms to the original architecture, including TRI and NOISE for the LFO and SIN for VCO-1, and both VCOs have an expanded range for even more sound shaping potential.

16-Step Sequencer

The onboard 16-step sequencer offers a sonic scratchpad. And if there’s no keyboard connected, the ribbon controller lets you preview the sound, making it an ideal way to program patches quickly and easily.

Roland JP-08 Synthesizer Module
Roland JP-08 Synthesizer Module

Optional K-25m Keyboard Unit

The JP-08 works with the K-25m, an optional 25-key velocity sensitive keyboard. Once docked in the keyboard, the module’s front panel adjusts to three positions for convenient access to the knobs and sliders.

Chain Mode

One of the killer features of the original Jupiter-8 was its ability to create huge pads, splits and layers using its 8 voices of polyphony.

The JP-08 features a chain mode that allows you to connect two JP-08 modules using the MIDI ports and create one, 8-voice synthesizer, just like the original. Adding additional modules adds another 4 voices of polyphony with each module. You can even edit the sound from the master module and control both units.

Battery or USB Bus Power

The Roland Boutique series runs on 4 x AA batteries. Alternatively, you can power the JP-08 via USB bus power.

USB Audio Interface for Direct Recording Into Your DAW

The built-in USB port also functions as a high-quality 24bit, 44.1 kHz audio interface, for a fast, simple and reliable way of recording directly to your DAW application. You can keep your favorite patches and sequencer patterns safe too, via the USB data backup function.

Roland-jp-08-synth-module

Features:

  • Compact recreation of the iconic Jupiter-8 synthesizer
  • Retains the feel, sound, character and user interface of the original
  • 36 of the original synth parameters controllable from the front panel
  • Adds several additions not found on the original Jupiter-8, including extra waveforms, expanded VCO range
  • Chain mode allows two JP-08 to function as one 8-voice module
  • Highly portable for mobile music making
  • High-quality construction with metal front panel
  • Dual ribbon controllers for pitch bend, modulation, and sound preview
  • Battery-operated (4xAA) or USB powered
  • 24 bit/ 44.1 kHz stereo IN/OUT USB audio interface
  • Built-in 0.5W mini-speaker for instant enjoyment
  • Compatible with optional K-25m keyboard unit

Specs:

  • Maximum Polyphony: 4 voices
  • User Memory: Patch Preset: 8, Patch: 64
  • Controllers: VOLUME knob, Ribbon controllers 1, 2
  • LFO Section:
  • RATE slider
  •  DELAY TIME slider
  • WAVE FORM select knob
  • VCO MOD Section:
  • LFO MOD slider
  • ENV MOD slider
  • FREQ MOD select switch
  • PULSE WIDTH MOD slider
  • PULSE WIDTH MOD select switch
  • VCO-1 Section:
  • CROSS MOD slider
  • RANGE select knob
  • WAVE FORM select knob
  • VCO-2 Section:
  • SYNC switch
  • RANGE select knob
  • FINE TUNE knob
  • WAVE FORM select knob
  • MIXER Section: SOURCE MIX knob
  • HPF Section: CUTOFF slider
  • VCF Section:
  • CUTOFF slider
  • RESONANCE slider
  • SLOPE switch
  • LFO MOD slider
  • ENV MOD slider
  • ENV switch
  • KEY FOLLOW slider
  • VCA Section: LEVEL slider, LFO MOD switch
  • ENV-1 Section:
  • ATTACK TIME slider
  • DECAY TIME slider
  • SUSTAIN LEVEL slider:
  • RELEASE TIME slider
  • Polarity switch
  • ENV-2 Section:
  • ATTACK TIME slider
  • DECAY TIME slider
  • SUSTAIN LEVEL slide
  • RELEASE TIME slider
  • KEY FOLLOW switch
  • Effects: Delay
  • Step Sequencer: 16 step, 16 pattern
  • Nominal Input Level: INPUT jack: -0 dBu
  • Display: 7 segments, 2 characters (LED)
  • Connectors:
  • PHONES jack: Stereo miniature phone type
  • OUTPUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
  • INPUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
  • MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
  • USB port: MicroB type (Audio, MIDI)
  • Power Supply:
  • Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 4
  • Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4
  • USB bus power
  • Current Draw: 500 mA (USB bus power)
  • Dimensions: (W x D x H) 11-13/16 x 5-1/16 x 1-13/16″ (300 x 128 x 46mm)
  • Weight (including batteries): 2 lbs. 3 oz. (970 g)
  • Accessories: Owner’s Manual, Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4
  • Options (sold separately): Keyboard unit: K-25
  • Weight, Dimensions, and Manufacturer Part Number
  • Shipping Weight: 3 lbs
  • Shipping Dimensions: 14 x 7 x 3 in
  • Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): JP-08

The Roland JP-08 Synthesizer Module has a street price of about US $399. See the Roland site for more info.

24 thoughts on “Roland JP-08 Synthesizer Module Official Specifications”

    1. Oh man, I thought these were analog… Shame on you roland! I should have googled Roland’s Analog Circuit Behaviour (ACB) when I first read the article…

  2. 4 voices is really disappointing. To layer two sounds with two units is a great idea but 4 voices per unit feels like Roland is cutting corners too much. 6 would be the limit. The soul of Jupiter 8 is those chords.
    Apart from that, I think these are great products if the sound is there – to be determined… poly synthesizers with knobs at bargin price, at last…

    1. I agree 4 voices is rubbish. To get 8 voices you’ll have spend over £600 (including the keyboard) which kinda defeats the point of it being a bargain!! If they were more like £150-199 each then they would sell by the truck load but at this price point I can’t see people wanting them. Baffled as to why they’re a measly 4 voices!!!

        1. 8 grand – and vco analog. We’re talking VA, not analog, so the price comparison is moot. UNLESS the va sounds EXACTLY or 99% like the analog. Which will be revealed in a/b tests only.

  4. OMG! So this is VA( Digital) version of Jupiter8( 8 voice poly) and have only 4 voices? hahahahaha
    And its $100 more 🙂 What is the problem to make it analog? VA because its cheaper to make 🙂

    Roland are total joke right now! Korg are better right now!

  6. why do these hardware companies always build boxes around their software? i would love to buy this for my ipad. knobs via midi.

    1. The hardware, including knobs is the whole point in this case. And to me it makes sense. Arturia has already Jupiter 8V if you want to go all soft.

  8. Roland misses the mark along the same lines as Yamaha’s Reface. A similar 8 voice instrument with 49 full sized keys and a larger control surface would have been a home run. I’m sure they will sell plenty of these things, but they are almost the same size as a Volca. Are the target market living in motor homes or what?

    1. Holy roasted rat nuts….that is waaay smaller than I thought they were.

      Sorta cool, it would fit on top of my ESQ – 1, but it’s still super small.

  11. 4 voices smacks of lack of DSP. Why would I want 2 of these units except to increase polyphony. Roland are using under powered processors and don’t give a shit about their customers. The cost of the extra DSP is pennies.

  12. The JP8 sounds awfully good to my ears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owLzqdzoh3Y Does it sound better than comparably priced VAs? I dunno but it sounds good and definitely is, at least, strongly reminiscent of the original.

    Since these are indeed digital, why not make them four part multitimbral? That’d probably put it into the resistance-is-futile category for me.

  13. A second unit to get 8 voices. Assuming you are playing the first module with the K-25M, the placement of the second unit would be just hanging “loose” somewhere, it’s awkward.

  14. You can slag these units all you want, but I think that they’re pretty cool. I’ve seen kids rock out on a microkorg, and these have way more possibilities for live tweaking. This wouldn’t be all that great for a prof rocker, but for some cool little hardware shows, these things could be right at home. I know plenty of guys that get down pretty hard with just an array of hardware boxes, and these things fit right in to that set up. I would’ve liked to have seen a more powerful sequencer though.

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