Roland has introduced the JUPITER-4 Software Synthesizer, the latest addition to their Legendary instrument series, available through Roland Cloud.
Released in 1978, the JUPITER-4 was Roland’s first polyphonic synthesizer and the first to carry the JUPITER name. With the JUPITER-4 Software Synthesizer, the sound of this classic synth is now available as a computer-based plug-in and as a PLUG-OUT for the SYSTEM-8 synthesizer keyboard.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“Roland products with the JUPITER name represent the current pinnacle of the company’s synthesizer development, a benchmark started over four decades ago with the JUPITER-4. In addition to incredible analog synthesis power, it brought then-revolutionary digital voltage control and the ability to store eight presets with technological wizardry dubbed “Compuphonic.” But the JUPITER-4’s real appeal was its warm, fat voice and inviting hands-on panel, which inspired synth pioneers to create the defining sounds of synth-pop, new wave, and other emerging styles of the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Roland’s evolving Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology brings the JUPITER-4 to life through careful analysis of original hardware units, circuit diagrams, and other historical data. This information is then used to recreate the authentic circuit behaviors of the vintage instrument—including all the beloved quirks and instabilities—giving the JUPITER-4 Software Synthesizer a breathtakingly accurate sound that buzzes with unique character.”
The JUPITER-4 software synth features new Circuit Mod and Condition controls, which let you adjust the overall character. The JUPITER-4 also includes enhanced features for modern workflows, including extended oscillator range, adjustable noise, velocity sensitivity, sub-oscillator volume control, and a flexible arpeggiator.
In addition, phaser, flanger, overdrive, reverb, and delay effects are available to complement the lush Ensemble chorus effect from the original keyboard.
The plug-in flows easily into modern DAW environments with a resizable UI, support for VST3, AAX, and AU formats, and native compatibility with Apple silicon. It also offers full integration with the Roland SYSTEM-8 Synthesizer. Users can control the software plug-in from the keyboard’s panel, and PLUG-OUT functionality turns the SYSTEM-8 into a standalone, eight-voice JUPITER-4 for stage and studio playing.
Pricing & Availability
The JUPITER-4 Software Synthesizer is the newest member of Roland’s Legendary series on Roland Cloud, which includes plug-in versions of the JD-800, JUNO-60, JUPITER-8, TR-808, TR-909, and other Roland classics.
Users can select two Legendary titles with the Pro membership level for $99/year, or get full access to all titles with Ultimate membership for $199/year. In addition, any Roland Account holder can purchase Lifetime Keys for individual Legendary series titles. This provides unlimited access for as long as their account is active, even if they don’t have a Roland Cloud membership.
A very basic synth, not a fan of the Roland GUIs….cherry audio do this for under 40 bucks and it sounds the same but I guess this may be useful if you have system 8 as a plug out…personally I can’t hear any reason why this synth is special or different to past releases.
You should let Roland know about it
I bet that’s gonna help, thank you tash you are so kind.
If i was Roland I would be interested to know that after all the hard work and expense making this available Sean from Synthtopia compered this with the Cherry Audio less than 40 bucks version side by side and after thoroughly testing conclude ” it sound the same” and he can’t hear any reason why this synth is special or different to past releases”
You’re right. And synth like Omnisphere is very inexpensive if comparing with this Roland price.
The Jupiter-4 is a welcome addition to Roland Cloud’s rapidly expanding lineup. Having the PROMARS is nice, but I had been missing this beast. After spending time comparing Cherry Audio’s Mercury-4 factory presets with their Jupiter-4 counterparts, Roland wins out, hands down. The Jupiter-4 sports a noticeably warmer sound and is less digital, particularly on presets that feature the LFO.
Its getting harder to find a vintage synth that hasn’t been already offered as software, sometimes from several companies. Its hard to say if that will ever change. Who gets into synthesizers and doesn’t want at least 20 of them, old, new and as-yet undeveloped? I can’t say squat. I have 30!
meh .. roland … boring …
They say design the future but what they do is repeating the past in digital form.
:/
You have to give Roland credit for mostly ignoring the analog renaissance and doubling down on digital emulation and software.
There must be a market for it.
The Roland JD-XA is a great sounding synth. It’s an underdog that didn’t seem to get much attention. Perhaps it’s greatest shortcoming is only having four voices on the analog side. It did seem like Roland was trying to move forward with this synth yet also join the analog resurgence.
My thoughts exactly! I recently got a JD-XA that has been on a store’s display for years, for a very low price, and really, all the videos you can find online don’t do it justice. It is a monster synth that was overlooked by many due to it’s “poor build quality” (which I disagree with). Maybe that’s the reason Roland stepped aside from the analog revival, which is a shame, really.
jupiter 4 sure sounds different from Juno 106/juno 60,
and fits on the knob layout of system 8 …
makes sense.
I wish they made real machines, not miniscule snots or immaterial soft…
Hey Roland, I just paid 8k for a vintage Jupiter 4 from Japan, mint and restored. Good luck! Love, Sean