Roland Jupiter-6

Jupiter-6

Roland Jupiter-6
Manufacturer Roland
Dates 1983 - 1985
Price US$2995
UK£2250
JP¥490,000
Technical specifications
Polyphony 6 voices
Timbrality 2
Oscillator 2 VCOs per voice
LFO 2, 1 in LH control section (sine) / 1 programmable, sine/triangle/sawtooth/square
Synthesis type Analog Subtractive
Filter 1 resonant multi-mode (lowpass/bandpass/hipass) filter
Attenuator 2 ADSR
Aftertouch expression No
Velocity expression No
Storage memory 48 tones/32 patches
Effects None
Input/output
Keyboard 61 keys
External control MIDI

The Roland Jupiter-6 (JP-6) is a synthesizer manufactured by the Roland Corporation introduced in January 1983. 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.

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.

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.[1]

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