Hello and welcome back… Decide to start a section of posts dedicated to the sounds of the 80s.. The Synthesizers. Hey, you might even learn something.
One of my most Fav Syths of the 80s was this beast… The ROLAND JUPITER 8
Expensive as hell but oh so warm, the ability to split the keys in half was one of this bad boys traits (one side could play a bass arp while the other half could play strings..etc)… Oh, and you could layer the sounds as well.
Bands who used the ‘Jupiter 8’ (or JP8) included Duran Duran (Hungry like the Wolf), Frankie goes to Hollywood (Relax), Michael Jackson (Thriller), Roxy Music (Avalon), Vince Clarke (Yazoo), Depeche Mode, Devo, Jean Michel Jarre, Howard Jones, Tears for Fears, Talk Talk.. The list goes on and on.
Released in 1981 from Japan, The Jupiter 8 was an 8 voice polyphonic analogue synth, bonus features included an Arpeggio (arp) inc ‘Random mode’, Adjustable Portamento, Patch saving, Instrument layer and split modes, and an awesome Unison mode.
(for more in depth facts, check out the links below)
So, how does it sound?
Its warm, lush and Fat.. This synth has to heard to be believed.
If you want warm Strings.. Its got it.
If you want lush Special Effects.. Its got it.
If you want Fat Bass sounds.. Its got that too..
No wonder it was so popular.. Oh, and it very heavy
Its often labeled as “The Prettiest Synth ever Made”
They stopped making the ‘Jupiter 8’ in 1985
No Midi was available but you could get a ‘Patch’ cord… An upgrade was later available as well
Today, a second hand Jupiter 8 can cost around $2000 – $5000
Cant afford a real ‘Jupiter 8’ but want to experience the lush fat sounds?
French company ‘Arturia’ has released a software version that is practically an exact replica of the Jupiter8 and it sounds incredible.
Called The ‘Jupiter-8V’ (see below)
The presets (400 of them) that come with the Jupiter-8V is mind blowing.. Prepare to spend ‘hours’ lost in this baby.
Costs around $100 and midi compatible and can be used as stand alone (VSTI) or VST
JUPITER-8V
Personally, I have used the Arturia Jupiter-8V in my music (Dream Sequence) and find it one of the best software synthesizers on the market, Midi this to a Midi keyboard (I use the Arturia Analogue Experience and M-Audio Keystation) and you have the closest replica to the real Jupiter 8..
LINKS
http://www.arturia.com/products/analog-classics/jupiter8-v
http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/jup8.php
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2009/03/06/roland-jupiter-8/
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb98/articles/rolandjupiter.html
SOUNDS
DURAN DURAN – HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF
NICK RHODES (DURAN DURAN) TALKS SYNTHS
HOWARD JONES – NEW SONG
HOWARD JONES TALKS ABOUT JUPITER-8
#Jupiter8
#Jupiter8-V
#electronic80s
ELECTRONIC 80s V2 