Roland JX-08 Boutique Synthesizer

Roland JX-08 Boutique Synthesizer
Product no: 9000-0084-6258 Bax Music Warranty: This product comes with a 3-year warranty.

General

The Roland JX-08 Boutique synthesizer is a loving replica of an eighties stomper: the JX-8p. A kind of Juno and Jupiter hybrid, this fat analogue synth was used by the biggest names of the time. It was also one of the last analogue synthesizers that Roland produced during a period when FM synthesis and sample playback was on the rise. Anyone in the know will immediately notice that this Boutique reissue vastly improves on the original when it comes to control, since the JX-8p was notorious for its army of buttons, which simply failed to match up to even basic sound-designing needs. So, even before you start digging into it, the new JX-08 might be smaller, but it's definitely better!

The Roland JX-08

The core of the 08-edition is an accessible subtractive synthesizer module which, in terms of options, still sits between the Juno and Jupiter. Two oscillators with cross-mod and sync; a low-pass filter with an extra high-pass filter; and ever-useful envelopes and an LFO are all provided. The classic charm of the chorus that came built into the JX-8p is also present, as well as the same reverb, and as a welcome bonus, an arpeggiator and sequencer have been added. By itself, this is a formidable desktop synthesizer, but like the other Boutique models, it can be neatly combined with the DK-01 or K-25m dock. In short, a hefty slice of synthesizer history has been plucked from 1985 and carefully wrapped up in a tighter, more portable package. What's not to love?

Specifications

Product features

Sustainable product	not specified
Synthesizer kind	standard
Synthesizer options	simple
Difficulty level	easy
Vintage remake	inspired by
Sound source	virtual analogue
Number of keys	none
Arpeggiator/sequencer	arpeggiator, sequencer
19-inch rack size	not applicable
Synthesizer type	desktop module
Type of keys	not applicable
Synthesizer inputs	line in
Synthesizer outputs	line out jack
MIDI & other	MIDI in, MIDI out, MIDI over USB
Audio via USB	yes
Control	none
Polyphony	20

Weight and dimensions including packaging

Weight (incl. packaging)	1,4 kg
Dimensions (incl. packaging)	35,5 x 18,0 x 8,0 cm

Product specifications

Roland JX-08 Boutique
synthesizer
recreation of the JX-8P
polyphony: depends on user settings, max. 20
including arpeggiator and sequencer
two-way multi-timbrel
USB-C audio/MIDI interface
power: 4x AA or USB-C
compatible with DK-01 and K-25m
included:
- Quick Start guide
- safety manual
- 4x AA batteries
dimensions: 300 x 128 x 47mm
weight: 895g

Roland Presents Juno-DS Synthesizers

Tuesday 15 September 2015

The Roland Juno-DS is the latest addition to the Japanese manufacturer's long-running Juno synthesizer series. Roland is releasing two editions of their latest Juno synth - the Juno-DS 61 and the Juno-DS 88 - both of which stand out thanks to their portable design.

Roland Boutique - a New Rumour about Synthesizers

Tuesday 15 September 2015

The rumour mill is back! It's time for speculation, and this time, it's about the new Roland Boutique! Roland has us going before with their sneak preview of the Aira machines, and that all turned out well. But now, let's sit back and enjoy some good old-fashioned guesswork!

Roland Presents Boutique Synthesizers

Thursday 1 October 2015

From a rumour to a leak, and from a leak to a formal announcement: Roland finally presents the Boutique Series! A few weeks ago, there was some speculation about the new Roland Boutique synthesizers. This time, we've got something more concrete: the JP-08, JU-06, JX-03 and the K-25m, because that's what they're called!

Novation Circuit: What Is It Exactly?

Thursday 1 October 2015

Is it a controller? Is it a synthesizer? Is it a drum machine? No, it's the Novation Circuit! This new groovebox looks a lot like Novation's studio controllers, such as the Launchpad, but it's much more than that...

Moog Presents Mother-32 Lineup

Friday 2 October 2015

Mention the word Moog to avid sound tweakers, and you'll see pupils dilating, eyes lighting up and smiles appearing. They'll be pleased to know that Moog has announced the Mother-32 synthesizer, a semi-modular Eurorack module.

Dave Smith Instruments Announces Sequential Prophet 6 Desktop Module

Friday 23 October 2015

This version of Dave Smith Instruments's Sequential Prophet 6 is a synth-module that is nearly identical to the Sequential Prophet 6 keyboard version, but without the actual keyboard. However, this is certainly not just some dressed-down version. Read on to find out why!

OS 1.3 Update for Prophet 12 Synthesizer!

Wednesday 30 December 2015 By Lizanne

The crown jewel among synthesizers, the Prophet 12 by Dave Smith Instruments, has just received an operating system update! OS 1.3 promises a number of long-awaited features that are sure to make a lot of musicians very happy.

NAMM 2016: Korg Minilogue Analogue Synthesizer

Monday 11 January 2016

Another rumour is rapidly spreading throughout the synthesizer community! This time, the stories are about a new synth called the Korg Minilogue - a clever play on words, combining the terms 'mini' and 'analogue.' Both in looks and sound, this promises to be a great little synth!

NAMM 2016: Casio MZ-X: A New MZ-2000?

Monday 11 January 2016

The image below recently turned up on the internet. Based on the text and the accompanying specifications, we assume that Casio is trying to lure us to their NAMM booth so they can present their latest keyboard/synthesizer: the MZ-X. This will likely remind keyboard enthusiasts of the MZ-2000, an old Casio model that, considering the words 'Reinvented, Reimagined, Reborn' is apparently about to be brought back to life. Rumour has it that two models will be released, the MZ-500 and the MZ-1000, but take that with a grain of salt; it's very possible that MZ-X is indeed the final name for this workstation.

NAMM 2016: Back to the '80s with Electro Harmonix

Tuesday 12 January 2016

Late last year, Electro Harmonix introduced the Crash Pad Analog Drum Synth, and at NAMM 2016 they'll be unleashing the Super Space Drum. Where the Crash Pad creates electronic cymbal sounds, the Space Drum generates a typically '80s drum sound - electronic yet warm and full of character. It can be used as either a standalone unit, or in combination with a looper or clock generator, for instance.