someone wants to trade me a JP8000 for E2

256K · Post by **256K** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 4:08 pm

Hey guys, so like i said i have my e2 on sale now or trade, someone offered me a roland JP-8000 keyboard synth for it.... i have no knowledge of this synth, do you guys know if this is a good deal or not? im watching video reviews now...

tonalVoltage · Post by **tonalVoltage** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 6:14 pm

I owned one years ago, it was OK. Standard virtual analog fair from Roland, though the supersaw osc was pretty cool and it had a decent arpeggiator, if you care about that sort of thing. Only 8 voice poly though, and 2 parts midi.

Looks like they go for around $400+ used on ebay so it's probably not a bad deal trade wise.

256K · Post by **256K** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 6:27 pm

I've never actually owned any physical synths... everything i do is on VSTs.... im curious wether getting something like that would increase or decrease productivity and creativity..... i looked at the extensive video manual on youtube and seems it has a lot of cool customization options and a fair amount of on hand control knobs and faders.....

It's huge though... that's one think that's making me hesitate i dont have a lot of space for my work station.... hmm....

Spheric El · Post by **Spheric El** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:20 pm

Yeh if it was the rack version it would be more appealing. It was once a desirable VA but it is old.Ive been told its good for trance ,but with that many controls you could use it for a lot of stuff.Its still retained a reasonable 2nd hand value.I wonder what the condition is like.
You do lose a sequencer and would have to rely on its arp- which is probably the trancey type.This is all my opinion and I haven't heard one for years.(It sounded good back in the day).You would want to get hands on before swapping.

Poumtschak · Post by **Poumtschak** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:44 pm

I'd get the JP8000 and keep the electribe2.

It would be an interesting combo.

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:20 pm

I've had one for a few years now and wouldn't consider it a "trance" type synth whatsoever. That gets mentioned a lot online only because a lot of trance musicians used its Supersaw waveform, but none of the presets are even geared toward that genre.

If anything, I view it as a digital Jupiter 6 and 8, only with a more stable DCO sound instead of VCO. The preset sounds are actually geared more toward something you'd hear on a 80's synthpop album, which makes sense since it follows the same layout and synthesis options as the Jupiters. As for the arp settings, they are identical to the Jupiter 8, so again, the synth has little to do with trance music unless you're aiming to specifically mimic those kinds of melodies and sounds.

Personally, I think it's a great synth and I often go to it first since it's so easy to program sounds on. There's a really useful "Manual" button which actually clears out the patch being used and forces everything to match how the knobs and sliders are on the front panel, so it feels very old school. I also own a Juno-60 and SH-101, so I can certainly say that the classic Roland sound is in there.

256K · Post by **256K** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:07 pm

Re-Member wrote:I've had one for a few years now and wouldn't consider it a "trance" type synth whatsoever. That gets mentioned a lot online only because a lot of trance musicians used its Supersaw waveform, but none of the presets are even geared toward that genre.

If anything, I view it as a digital Jupiter 6 and 8, only with a more stable DCO sound instead of VCO. The preset sounds are actually geared more toward something you'd hear on a 80's synthpop album, which makes sense since it follows the same layout and synthesis options as the Jupiters. As for the arp settings, they are identical to the Jupiter 8, so again, the synth has little to do with trance music unless you're aiming to specifically mimic those kinds of melodies and sounds.

Personally, I think it's a great synth and I often go to it first since it's so easy to program sounds on. There's a really useful "Manual" button which actually clears out the patch being used and forces everything to match how the knobs and sliders are on the front panel, so it feels very old school. I also own a Juno-60 and SH-101, so I can certainly say that the classic Roland sound is in there.

thanks for that first hand experience!

I have to say that i watched the extended video manual from when it came out i guess and aside from how cheesy the music demos/presenter were, it really intrigued me as a synth... has a lot of hands on control and more depth to it using the menu... im not a analog freak or anything of course having something true analog would be great but this isn't even what i was looking for ( i was selling it for the push controller ) but it does sound interesting having something like a versatile synth to just sit down and draw up ideas.... i also wanted to start learning how to properly play keyboards (bassist here) so maybe this could be a good opportunity... i always have the launchpad with the nativekontrol script to give me limited ableton push functionality, and i will definitely miss having dedicated buttons for ableton functions, but my mouse is always there i guess.....

Perhaps i'll consider it....

I'd still love to hear more opinions guys

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:31 pm

256K wrote:I have to say that i watched the extended video manual from when it came out i guess and aside from how cheesy the music demos/presenter were, it really intrigued me as a synth...

I think I know which video you're talking about, haha. Mine came with this VHS tape which had this presenter rocking a Ted Danza 90's styled haircut. It has a lot of useful info... but you just can't take your eyes away from that haircut.

256K · Post by **256K** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:21 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No4ghMd ... freload=10

So cutting edge...

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:36 pm

That's the one! Haha!

I meant to say Ted Danson, not Danza... but now that I'm seeing it again, he's looking more like Woody Harrelson.

Ok, I'll quit with the Cheers references.

256K · Post by **256K** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 12:01 am

what about the low end? all the demos sound way too trancy/80s... but im assuming that it's most people got it for that reason, but i would imagine it would make any sound depending on how you set it?

22tape · Post by **22tape** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 1:24 am

The filters on the jp are wicked. Defintely not just a trance machine-- Boards of Canada used it on Music Has the Rights to Children if that makes any difference.

22tape · Post by **22tape** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 1:25 am

Yeah the low end can definitely rattle.

Re-Member · Post by **Re-Member** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:12 pm

The default tone sounds almost identical to the Jupiter 6, which isn't very bass heavy and sort of thin. Luckily, there's two "Tone Control" knobs right on the front panel though which help boost up the lows and highs significantly. So yeah, just as someone else said, it can certainly rattle. When I crank up the low end knob, my house literately shakes.

sauce · Post by **sauce** » Sat Mar 21, 2015 10:04 pm

It's quite versatile and the arps are fairly sought-after. The control surface is logical and modulation options are comprehensive. Many people feel like the JP8000 is the quintessential VA machine, although I contend those users have never owned an Access Virus or a Nord Modular.