All about the Roland Jupiter-series

Hello,I've had some sleepless nights.Please help me Jupiter lovers!
I have my Jupiter 8 for 10 years now and it worked perfectly till 3 
years ago...I always loose my presets..No worry I hear you think and 
changing the internal battery is the first thing I did.I drove it to 
the nearest ROLAND factory (I'm lucky,it's only 20 miles away :-) )
The guys of ROLAND BELGIUM replaced the internal battery but they 
told me that it won't work for long as the MEMORY-BLOCK drains too 
much energy from the battery and it would only last for a few 
weeks....And they were right,the battery was gone again :-( From 
than on I always use a CD-R to load/save my patches to..It worked 
perfectly but was a little time-consuming...But I was happy that I 
could still use my Jupiter8.
Now comes the big problem : since last week when I power on my 
Jupiter8 the display acts funnily and I have to power on/off the 
jupiter8 again to make it work...But when I want to load the 
soundbanks into my Jupiter8 it won't load and changes automaticly to 
MEMORY PROTECT but the memory-protection switch is off!!! Sometimes 
it will load soundbanks,but most of the time it just don't load 
shit :-( Putting the memory protect on-off doesn't help...
So now I'm stuck with a jupiter with no sounds,I cant save them to 
tape/cd and I can't save them internally as it will loose all when 
powered off...
PLEASE HELP,Im dying :-(

Try power it up holding down 1 & 3 preset button this will run the 
diagnostic to give you a little more information as to what is going 
on.
-Visit Dana's Synth Site
http://members.cox.net/synths

Hello! Jep I know the procedure...When I do this my Jupiter8 boots normally 
and all  oscillators work.But my Jupiter won't load sound anymore;not from 
my computer tape nor from my cd. :-(
Please help Dana!

>Try power it up holding down 1 & 3 preset button this will run the 
>diagnostic to give you a little more information as to what is going on.
>-Visit Dana's Synth Site
>http://members.cox.net/synths

Sounds like the memory block is completely damaged.
Look for traces of damage to the circuit board.
It may require some kludge work if the traces have become damaged from 
a leaky battery.
If this is the case and the techs where you are cannot perform this 
type of work I would start looking for one who can.
I have an excellent tech here where I live in Wichita KS.
Mike Metz his info can be obtained from my site.

-Visit Dana's Synth Site
http://members.cox.net/synths

Thanks alot Dana (You've helped me in the past with my beloved Jupiter).
I'm lucky that the Roland factory here in Belgium is very close to me...But 
I went there 2years ago because my new installed internal battery kept 
breaking and they told me that the memory-block drains too much energy from 
the battery..So I just load/saved my patches with computer-tape.
But now ofcourse I'm fucked as I cannot load patches anymore....
Problem is the guys at Roland told me that they WON'T DO any special 
modifications to the synth,
so I don't think they will try to repair the memory-block.They just told me 
the part isn't available anymore...
I will go back to Roland and beg to get it fixed...
If not,is there a memory-block still available? Sure that kind of 
memory-block was used in other equipment? (I recall it was called Ziqon or 
something,I'll try the net to find out)
O god I hope I can find something that used the same kind of 
memory-block....Any idea's?

>Sounds like the memory block is completely damaged.
>Look for traces of damage to the circuit board.
>It may require some kludge work if the traces have become damaged from a 
>leaky battery.
>If this is the case and the techs where you are cannot perform this type of 
>work I would start looking for one who can.
>I have an excellent tech here where I live in Wichita KS.
>Mike Metz his info can be obtained from my site.
>
>-Visit Dana's Synth Site
>http://members.cox.net/synths

Hello,this is a little attachment to my previous email,I think I found the 
memory-block on the net...Is this the right one? follow the link      
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zilog_Z80

Thanks!!!

>Sounds like the memory block is completely damaged.
>Look for traces of damage to the circuit board.
>It may require some kludge work if the traces have become damaged from a 
>leaky battery.
>If this is the case and the techs where you are cannot perform this type of 
>work I would start looking for one who can.
>I have an excellent tech here where I live in Wichita KS.
>Mike Metz his info can be obtained from my site.
>
>-Visit Dana's Synth Site
>http://members.cox.net/synths

What you are calling the memory block is actually the Microprocessor.
I do not have the schematics but they should source the actual part 
number used.
You will need an exact match to that part.
If you have a source of the schematics you should be able to locate the 
processor number.

If you can find the part Roland should be able to install for you.
Also is your version the 12 bit or 14 bit DAC.
The 14 bit DAC have the DCB connection on the back and are known as 
Jupiter 8a.
I'm not sure if they use the same processor again the schematics will 
tell you that.

Dana

Hello,this is a little attachment to my previous email,I think I found 
the
  memory-block on the net...Is this the right one? follow the link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zilog_Z80
-Visit Dana's Synth Site
http://members.cox.net/synths

Hi Dana,I just returned from Roland Belgium.They are gonna do as much as 
they can!
DID YOU KNOW that the big boss of Roland (Japan) visited the Belgian Roland 
factory,and he DOESN'T WANT THAT ROLAND KEEPS FIXING OLD MACHINES anymore!!! 
So I was one of the last ones to have an old synth fixed at Roland :-) When 
I came in the technician said : Aaahhh,the Rolls Royce of Roland" :-)
I find it a bit hypocrit : they don't want to fix the machines that made 
Roland big but on the other hand they name their new machines sh201,MC808 
etcetc....All the same crappy softsynths in different packages :-)
I!ll keep you informed if my Jupitter survives,if not something inside me 
will die :-)
Cheeersss and thanks for the super info!

>What you are calling the memory block is actually the Microprocessor.
>I do not have the schematics but they should source the actual part number 
>used.
>You will need an exact match to that part.
>If you have a source of the schematics you should be able to locate the 
>processor number.
>
>If you can find the part Roland should be able to install for you.
>Also is your version the 12 bit or 14 bit DAC.
>The 14 bit DAC have the DCB connection on the back and are known as Jupiter 
>8a.
>I'm not sure if they use the same processor again the schematics will tell 
>you that.
>
>Dana
>
>Hello,this is a little attachment to my previous email,I think I found the
>  memory-block on the net...Is this the right one? follow the link
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zilog_Z80
>-Visit Dana's Synth Site
>http://members.cox.net/synths

Ehm Ehm .. 
well I have  to defend Roland Belgium here ! 

even if it took them 3 months
they come yesterday to my house in Holland 
to deliver 3 EPROM of the latest OS of my Roland MKS70 
and for FREE ! 

Regards
--------------------------------------------------Env1-----Env2--Env3-----------
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Solar System Missions (Sci-Sm)                    Vco2-->--Vcf-->Vca-->Ducati996 
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Posted by: "Tim Wellens" timwel@...   tiwe1975 
Wed Aug 9, 2006 7:56 am (PST) 
Hi Dana,I just returned from Roland Belgium.They are gonna do as much as 
they can!
DID YOU KNOW that the big boss of Roland (Japan) visited the Belgian Roland 
factory,and he DOESN'T WANT THAT ROLAND KEEPS FIXING OLD MACHINES anymore!!! 
So I was one of the last ones to have an old synth fixed at Roland :-) When 
I came in the technician said : Aaahhh,the Rolls Royce of Roland" :-)
I find it a bit hypocrit : they don't want to fix the machines that made 
Roland big but on the other hand they name their new machines sh201,MC808 
etcetc....All the same crappy softsynths in different packages :-)
I!ll keep you informed if my Jupitter survives,if not something inside me 
will die :-)
Cheeersss and thanks for the super info!

I agree after the Jupiter series I never had a real desire to buy any 
of their synths.
I agree also the Jupiter 8 is definitely the Rolls Royce of Roland.
I did some programming for the factory patches on the Jupiter 6 and it 
didn't have near the warmth as the 8 but it was still a great synth.
Yeah I agree they market these quasi analog machines because they know 
analog is what everyone wants and if they can't get the real thing they 
figure they will settle for anything packaged like the old stuff.
I sure would like to see Roland and other manufacturers do vintage line 
of synths where the rebuild the old stuff close to the same specs.
They could take advantage of new technologies in the areas that would 
not affect the sound.
Look what Moog did with the Voyager and now the Little Phatty.

Good Luck on your repairs and do keep us posted on the progress.
Dana

  Hi Dana,I just returned from Roland Belgium.They are gonna do as much 
as
  they can!
  DID YOU KNOW that the big boss of Roland (Japan) visited the Belgian 
Roland
  factory,and he DOESN'T WANT THAT ROLAND KEEPS FIXING OLD MACHINES 
anymore!!!
  So I was one of the last ones to have an old synth fixed at Roland :-) 
When
  I came in the technician said : Aaahhh,the Rolls Royce of Roland" :-)
  I find it a bit hypocrit : they don't want to fix the machines that 
made
  Roland big but on the other hand they name their new machines 
sh201,MC808
  etcetc....All the same crappy softsynths in different packages :-)
  I!ll keep you informed if my Jupitter survives,if not something inside 
me
  will die :-)
  Cheeersss and thanks for the super info!
-Visit Dana's Synth Site
http://members.cox.net/synths

Yes,I know you're right :-) I have alot of old Roland gear 
(TB303,TR606,TR707,TR808,TR909,JUNO2,JUNO60,JUPITER8 etcetc) so I admit I 
love them.And last year I brought them all in to get them overhauled by 
Roland and they did a fine job!
But what I meant is that they should keep on trying to get their old 
machines fixed,sure that way they can keep their technicians at work ;-)
Groundbreaking would be that they would release a REAL analague machine 
instead of the rubbish groove-box thingies :-) Imagine a new 32osc analogue 
monster called the Jupiter16!!!
:-)

>Ehm Ehm ..
>well I have  to defend Roland Belgium here !
>
>even if it took them 3 months
>they come yesterday to my house in Holland
>to deliver 3 EPROM of the latest OS of my Roland MKS70
>and for FREE !
>
>Regards
>--------------------------------------------------Env1-----Env2--Env3-----------
>Andrea.TONI@...                          Vco1 \    |     |  \
>Solar System Missions (Sci-Sm)                    
>Vco2-->--Vcf-->Vca-->Ducati996
>www.rssd.esa.int                                  Vco3 /    |     |  /
>--------------------------------------------------Lfo1-----Lfo2--Lfo3-----------
>
>Posted by: "Tim Wellens" timwel@...   tiwe1975
>Wed Aug 9, 2006 7:56 am (PST)
>Hi Dana,I just returned from Roland Belgium.They are gonna do as much as
>they can!
>DID YOU KNOW that the big boss of Roland (Japan) visited the Belgian Roland
>factory,and he DOESN'T WANT THAT ROLAND KEEPS FIXING OLD MACHINES 
>anymore!!!
>So I was one of the last ones to have an old synth fixed at Roland :-) When
>I came in the technician said : Aaahhh,the Rolls Royce of Roland" :-)
>I find it a bit hypocrit : they don't want to fix the machines that made
>Roland big but on the other hand they name their new machines sh201,MC808
>etcetc....All the same crappy softsynths in different packages :-)
>I!ll keep you informed if my Jupitter survives,if not something inside me
>will die :-)
>Cheeersss and thanks for the super info!
>
>
>
>[Jura Music Productions]
>[The Jura Plant]
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Yessssssssssssssssssssssss,my Jupiter8 has revived !!!!Roland 
Belgium could fix several problems,it costed 340euros but it's worth 
every penny of it !!! Roland even brought the synth to my home,many 
thanks and respect to Chrisophe Cools for the excellent service!!!
I gave him the link to this forum so expect a true jupiter-expert on 
these boards :-)
I had memory-problems and couldn't load sounds from tape to my 
Jupiter anymore,but he fixed it all!!!
Here's a little resumé on what he did with my JP8 :

-complete overhaul
-changed battery
-replaced memory IC's
-replaced flip-flop
-replaced LFO-MOD switch
-modification CPU-board (the biggest problem of my JUP8)
-repaired interface-board & portamento circuit
-loaded factory presets
TEST = OK!

The weight of my JP-8A was 31.700 kg and volume 0,239 m3


I'm so happy to have my Jup8 fixed and give a warm welcome to 
Christophe to these boards,the guy who fixed it!!!

cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeersssss
















--- In Roland_Jupiters@yahoogroups.com, Dana Fiorucci 
<dfiorucci@...> wrote:
>
> I agree after the Jupiter series I never had a real desire to buy 
any 
> of their synths.
> I agree also the Jupiter 8 is definitely the Rolls Royce of Roland.
> I did some programming for the factory patches on the Jupiter 6 
and it 
> didn't have near the warmth as the 8 but it was still a great 
synth.
> Yeah I agree they market these quasi analog machines because they 
know 
> analog is what everyone wants and if they can't get the real thing 
they 
> figure they will settle for anything packaged like the old stuff.
> I sure would like to see Roland and other manufacturers do vintage 
line 
> of synths where the rebuild the old stuff close to the same specs.
> They could take advantage of new technologies in the areas that 
would 
> not affect the sound.
> Look what Moog did with the Voyager and now the Little Phatty.
> 
> Good Luck on your repairs and do keep us posted on the progress.
> Dana
> 
>   Hi Dana,I just returned from Roland Belgium.They are gonna do as 
much 
> as
>   they can!
>   DID YOU KNOW that the big boss of Roland (Japan) visited the 
Belgian 
> Roland
>   factory,and he DOESN'T WANT THAT ROLAND KEEPS FIXING OLD 
MACHINES 
> anymore!!!
>   So I was one of the last ones to have an old synth fixed at 
Roland :-) 
> When
>   I came in the technician said : Aaahhh,the Rolls Royce of 
Roland" :-)
>   I find it a bit hypocrit : they don't want to fix the machines 
that 
> made
>   Roland big but on the other hand they name their new machines 
> sh201,MC808
>   etcetc....All the same crappy softsynths in different packages :-
)
>   I!ll keep you informed if my Jupitter survives,if not something 
inside 

> me
>   will die :-)
>   Cheeersss and thanks for the super info!
> -Visit Dana's Synth Site
> http://members.cox.net/synths
>