JP 4

TheRoland JP-8000is ananalog modeling synthesizerreleased by theRoland Corporationin 1996. The Roland JP-8000 was released in early 1997 as part of the first wave of virtual analog modeling synthesizers (VA synths). Others from that period included theClavia Nord Lead(1995),Korg Prophecy(1995),Access Virus(1997) andYamaha AN1x(1997). VA synths had the goal of recreating the sound, functionality and user interface of classic analog synthesizers. The JP-8000 was viewed at the time as the modern digital incarnation of the classicRoland Jupiter-8, from 1981. The programming interface, synthesis options and general tone is very similar to Roland'sJupiter-6as well. The JP-8000 sought to digitally reproduce the analog tonalities and power of its analog predecessors. Although it lacked somewhat in analog warmth due to its early digital architecture, it added many new features, such as RPS (Realtime Phrase Sequencing), which allowed short sequenced phrases to be assigned to keys, and such as motion control. It also featured the unique Supersaw oscillators and analog-style controllers such as an arpeggiator and an assignable touch response ribbon control.