All about the Roland Jupiter-series

Date: Wed,  8 Oct 2003 18:46:52 +0200

From: lasse@...
Subject: Jupiter-8 differences ?

Hi,

I'm considering buying an early serialnumber JP-8 ( around 140000 ). It's a =
12-bit version with no DCB. I'm not sure of the O/S version.

As I understand it, the main reason for the switch to the 14-bit processor =
was increased tuning stability.

Does anyone have experience with both versions and can give some insight to =
if there's any noticable difference in "fatness" ?

The seller wants premium bucks for this one, around 2200Euro, but as it is =
not mint, doesn't have Midi  and  doesn't come with a case ( needs to be =
shipped 1000km ) it seems a bit steep. I figure, it is only worth half of =
what the seller wants........

Maybe I should look to other vintage synths as I have a number of Rolands =
already, but damn it's one sexy machine !

LJ

hi LJ

i have the 12-bit version and have not experienced any
problem/instability with tuning. anyway, it is very
easy to tune these synths by pressing the tune button
- which takes about 3 seconds. mine is a 130000 serial
numbered one.

the sound from a jupiter 8 is unbelievable. you wont
regret getting one - they are worth every penny. i
spent a fortune on mine too.

i have not used a 14-bit version so i cant compare. i
dont believe they would be fatter in any way but, i
could be wrong. how do you get any fatter?

the one i have has midi retrofit and a flight case. i
may consider selling it as i have run out of room in
my home studio. would you be interested?

i live in australia though which may be a problem when
it comes to cost of shipping.

hmm. do i really want to part with my beloved jupiter
8?

mike.

 --- "Verschut, Ricardo"
<ricardo.verschut@...> wrote: > Date: Wed, 
8 Oct 2003 18:46:52 +0200
> From: lasse@...
> Subject: Jupiter-8 differences ?
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I'm considering buying an early serialnumber JP-8 (
> around 140000 ). It's a =
> 12-bit version with no DCB. I'm not sure of the O/S
> version.
> 
> As I understand it, the main reason for the switch
> to the 14-bit processor =
> was increased tuning stability.
> 
> Does anyone have experience with both versions and
> can give some insight to =
> if there's any noticable difference in "fatness" ?
> 
> The seller wants premium bucks for this one, around
> 2200Euro, but as it is =
> not mint, doesn't have Midi  and  doesn't come with
> a case ( needs to be =
> shipped 1000km ) it seems a bit steep. I figure, it
> is only worth half of =
> what the seller wants........
> 
> Maybe I should look to other vintage synths as I
> have a number of Rolands =
> already, but damn it's one sexy machine !
> 
> LJ
> 
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> I'm considering buying an early serialnumber JP-8 ( around 
140000 ). It's a 12-bit version with no DCB. I'm not sure of the O/S 
version.
> 
Sounds very close to the one I own, the OS version is probably 1.2
You could update this to the the latest version if you want moveable 
split point, and consider adding the encore midi retrofit.


> As I understand it, the main reason for the switch to the 14-bit 
processor was increased tuning stability.
 
This is good and bad. Sure the tuning drifts and I need to remember 
to hit autotune every now and again. The amount of heat the JP8 
generates doesn't help. 

14bit machines had a revised processor board fitted. The increase in 
stability = decrease in fatness. 'Fatness' wasn't a good selling 
point in 1983, so 14bit tuning makes the voices less likely to drift 
and its this slight drift that creates the fatness.

> Does anyone have experience with both versions and can give some 
insight to if there's any noticable difference in "fatness" ?

It depends on your point of reference. If you are used to working 
with modern synths I doubt you will tell the difference. To be honest 
I don't think 2 JP8s actually sound identical anyway. I've played 
later ones and they definately sound differnt to my ears, but put me 
in a blind test and I'm not sure I could tell once its in a mix. 


> The seller wants premium bucks for this one, around 2200Euro, but 

I'd say a fair price is probably around 1600-1800 Euro, they 
certainly sell in the UK for between 800-1250 UK pounds

> Maybe I should look to other vintage synths as I have a number of 
Rolands  already, but damn it's one sexy machine !

JP8 would be the last possesion I would part with, I've got plenty of 
analogs in my collection and a good number are Roland - it has a very 
distinctive sound, and if anything it can be too big sometimes.

Hope this helps

Stuart