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Roland Jupiter-6

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Jupiter-6
Roland Jupiter-6
ManufacturerRoland
Dates1982 - 1985
PriceUS$2995
UK£2250
JP¥490,000
Technical specifications
Polyphony6 voices
Timbrality2
Oscillator2 VCOs per voice
LFO2, 1 in LH control section (sine) / 1 programmable, sine/triangle/sawtooth/square
Synthesis typeAnalog Subtractive
Filter1 resonant multi-mode (lowpass/bandpass/hipass) filter
Attenuator2 ADSR
Aftertouch expressionNo
Velocity expressionNo
Storage memory48 tones/32 patches
EffectsNone
Input/output
Keyboard61 keys
External controlMIDI

The Roland Jupiter-6 (JP-6) is a synthesizer manufactured by the Roland Corporation, introduced to Japan in 1982,[1] and to the United States in January 1983. It was one of the first MIDI synthesizers.[1]

Although introduced as a less expensive alternative to the Roland Jupiter-8, its features include some capabilities not present in the JP-8. The Jupiter-6 is widely considered a workhorse among polyphonic analog synthesizers, capable of producing a wide variety of sounds, such as ambient drones, pads, lead synthesizer lines, and techy blips and buzzes. It is renowned for its reliability and ease, but with sophisticated programmability.

Overview

The JP-6 has 12 analog oscillators (2 per voice), and is bitimbral, allowing its keyboard to be "split" into two sounds - one with 4 voices, and one with the remaining 2 voices (either "Split 4/2" or "Split 2/4" mode). "Whole Mode" is also available, dedicating all 6 voices to single (monotimbral) sound across the entire keyboard. Available waveforms include sawtooth, triangle, variable width pulse, square, and noise. Unusually, the JP-6 allows simultaneous selection of any or all of the waveforms in each of its two oscillator banks, an option not found on the JP-8. Oscillator sync and cross modulation are also available. "Unison Mode" allows all 12 oscillators to be triggered simultaneously by depressing a single key. Unison Mode can also be played polyphonically, with the number of oscillators triggered by each key determined by the number of keys held down.

MIDI

The JP-6 was among the first electronic instruments (alongside the Roland JX-3P and the Sequential Circuits Prophet-600) to feature MIDI, then a brand new technology. Sequential CEO Dave Smith demonstrated MIDI by connecting the Prophet to a Jupiter-6 during the January 1983 Winter NAMM Show.[2]

Europa, a popular firmware upgrade available from Synthcom Systems, adds a wide array of modern enhancements to the instrument's MIDI implementation, user interface, patch memory, and most especially its arpeggiator, turning the Jupiter-6 into a contemporaneously adaptable instrument and unique composition tool.

Notable users

References

  1. ^ a b Martin Russ. Sound synthesis and sampling. p. 66.
  2. ^ Billboard. 95 (5): 41. Feb 5, 1983. ISSN 0006-2510. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ Sound On Sound, Dec. 2011 "Matt Cox: MIDI Tech For The Chemical Brothers" http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec11/articles/chem-bros.htm
  4. ^ Devo FAQ http://cluefree.org/devo/Personnel.shtml
  5. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmJdvjM6yHE
  6. ^ Sound On Sound, Apr. 1995 "Phil Oakey: The Human League" http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/apr95/humanleague.html
  7. ^ Mike O'Donnell Interview http://www.sodor-island.net/mikeodonnell.html
  8. ^ Roland Insider article by Greg Rule http://www.rolandus.com/community/insider/article.php?ArticleId=55&tab=artist
  9. ^ Rob Preuss on his keyboards http://www.thespoons.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52&start=15
  10. ^ Sound On Sound, Nov. 1997 "Inside the Synth Lab" http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/nov97/vangelis.html
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