Roland Jupiter-6
 Roland Jupiter-6 |
|
| Manufactured by | Roland |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1983 - 1985 |
| 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 | No |
| Velocity sensitive | No |
| 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 1983 as a less expensive alternative to the Roland Jupiter-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 easy, but 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.
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 replacement available from 'Synthcom Systems' adds modern enhancements to the instrument's MIDI implementation, user interface and arpeggiator, turning the Jupiter 6 into a contemporaneously adaptable machine.
[edit] Notable Users
- Tim Friese-Greene of Talk Talk
- The Unicorns
- Vangelis [2]
- Blur
- Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
- Inner City
- Rob Preuss of The Spoons [3]
- Devo [4]
- King Crimson
- Orbital [5]
- Mike O' Donnell and Junior Campbell Thomas and Friends
- Human League
- Men at Work
- XRY
- Chemical Brothers
- Thomas Gandey
[edit] References
- ^ Billboard 95 (5): 41. Feb 5, 1983. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ Sound On Sound, Nov. 1997 "Inside the Synth Lab" http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/nov97/vangelis.html
- ^ Rob Preuss on his keyboards http://www.thespoons.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52&start=15
- ^ Devo FAQ http://cluefree.org/devo/Personnel.shtml
- ^ Roland Insider article by Greg Rule http://www.rolandus.com/community/insider/article.php?ArticleId=55&tab=artist
