The Roland Jupiter series
of Analogue Synthesisers



 

Roland Jupiter 4 - 4 voice polyphonic analogue synthesiser...

The Roland Jupiter 4, four voice poly analogue

  • 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.

Roland Jupiter 8 - 8 voice polyphonic analogue synthesiser...

The Roland Jupiter 8, eight voice poly analogue

  • 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!

Roland Jupiter 6 - 6 voice polyphonic analogue synthesiser...

The Roland Jupiter 6, six voice poly analogue

  • 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.

Roland MKS-80 8 voice polyphonic rack mount analogue synthesiser...

The Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter

 eight voice rackmount poly analogue

  • 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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