All about the Roland Jupiter-series

Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 13:23:27 +0200
From: "Roger Amdahl" <ra@...>
Subject: Master MIDI-synth and Jupiter-4 questions

Hi guys and gals.

First of all, I want to give credit to all of you who contribute, and make
this list to the pool of information it really is. It is amazing : )

A couple of months ago, I baught a Jupiter-4. It also was my first synth
ever.
I had two JP4's to choose between. One with Kenton MIDI and one original.
Me being an original freak, baught the original one. I have no regrets, but
now, I need a synth to connect with my PC. I have the JX-10 in mind. I can
get one, included alu-flight, for $1050 or NOK Kr 8000,-

I really would like some pointers regarding this or other synths suitable
for this purpose. It must be nice to play though, and preferable vintage but
no must.

The other thing on my mind is my above mentioned Jupiter. I have become to
love that synth, the sound the looks... It is in really nice condition too.
The only thing is, that some keys randomely do not work. I hope that the
cure is to be cleaning, but I have not dared to opened the synth up yet.

It would be great to get some feedback on theese two.

RogerA

Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 04:35:51 -0700 (PDT)
To: ra@... (Roger Amdahl)
From: Tom Moravansky <tom@...>
Subject: Re: [AH] Master MIDI-synth and Jupiter-4 questions

> A couple of months ago, I baught a Jupiter-4. It also was my first synth.
> I had two JP4's to choose between. One with Kenton MIDI and one original.
> Me being an original freak, baught the original one. I have no regrets,

but

> now, I need a synth to connect with my PC. I have the JX-10 in mind. I can
> get one, included alu-flight, for $1050 or NOK Kr 8000,-
>

That price is about $500 or $600 US too high. The JX-10 has a limited MIDI
implementation and really needs to have the PG-800 programmer to bring
out it's best.

If you need a vintage polysynth with MIDI, there's not a lot of great
'stock' options. If you're not a reasonably skilled tech yourself and want
to minimize the amount of money spent, I would look for something like
an Oberheim OB-8 or a Jupiter-6. Both of which have better features,
better sound, and a bit better MIDI implementation than the JX-10.

> The other thing on my mind is my above mentioned Jupiter. I have become

to

> love that synth, the sound the looks... It is in really nice condition

too.

> The only thing is, that some keys randomely do not work. I hope that the
> cure is to be cleaning, but I have not dared to opened the synth up yet.
>

Yep - pop the top, pull the keyboard, clean the contacts underneath.

One word of warning, the JP-4 and a few other Roland synths, use a captive
key method similar to an organ. What I mean is that the spring in the
back is pulling the key up and the only thing holding the keys in place
is that front edge of the keyboard assembly. If you remove the front part
of the JP-4, all the keys will go flying off. Quite spectacular, bu
probably not what you intended to do. I seem to remember that there is
a way to get the keyboard out without this happening. A check of the
service manual might help.

--

_______________________________________________________________________
Tom Moravansky tom@...