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The Roland Jupiter 4, four voice poly analogue |
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The Roland Jupiter 4 was one of the first truly
polyphonic analogue synthesisers, albeit with a very paltry four voices.
It first appeared in the early 80's and was beloved of bands such as Softcell
and Yazoo. MIDI was but an acronym in the eye of the inventor at this
time. The Roland vocoder of the same period looks physically very similar
to the Jupiter 4.
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The Roland Jupiter 8, eight voice poly analogue |
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A later and far more grandious offering was
the hugely expensive but droolingly beautiful Jupiter 8. Sporting eight voices
and a comprehensive specification it is still a very desirable synth today
and second hand prices reflect this fact. No factory fitted MIDI but kits
can be retrofitted by the likes of
Kenton - at a
price!
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The Roland Jupiter 6, six voice poly analogue |
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The last of the Jupiter keyboards, the 6 had
- surprisingly - six voices. Basic MIDI appeared on the first few built but
later models had a somewhat better specification. Different oscillator components
to the Jupiter 8 do give this instrument a somewhat different sound - in
my opinion as a past owner - far brighter.
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The Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter
eight voice rackmount poly analogue |
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The MKS-80 Super Jupiter is often referred
to as a Jupiter 8 in a box however it's oscillators have far more in common
with those of the Jupiter 6 with the same brighter sound. Hampered as it
is by it's menu driven interface an optional programmer (MPG-80) restores
much of the programming functionality albeit at a big price. Late 80's but
still very much a desirable synth even today. This instrument sits firmly
in our back row rack!
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