Roland Jupiter-4

$4,310.89 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (16)

2 Critic Reviews

3 Reviews

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4 community setups

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Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

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4.0 (13)

$4,310.89 17 available Used

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Average Price: $4,311

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Roland Jupiter-4 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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High-end

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Description

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Experience the rebirth of a legend with the Roland Jupiter-4, a synthesizer that captures the magic of the iconic 1978 original while embracing the capabilities of modern technology. Revered for its warm, full-bodied sounds, this polyphonic synthesizer is a staple for musicians who crave the rich textures and lush tones that defined an era. Thanks to Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior technology, the Jupiter-4 faithfully recreates the nuances of its vintage predecessor, offering both the beloved quirks of the original hardware and innovative enhancements.

The Jupiter-4 stands out with its single VCO, which produces colossal sounds expanded further by the built-in Ensemble chorus. This feature transforms your music into a galaxy of lush harmonics and textures. While the interface maintains the intuitive layout of the original, beneath its retro surface lies a wealth of modern features designed to unleash your creativity. Extend oscillator ranges, tweak noise levels, and experiment with sub-oscillator volume to customize your sound.

Beyond its vintage charm, the Jupiter-4 provides a full suite of effects, including phaser, flanger, overdrive, delay, and reverb. Whether you're crafting classic '70s tones or pioneering new sonic landscapes, this synth is limited only by your imagination. Integrate it seamlessly into your digital audio workstation or pair it with Roland's SYSTEM-8 for an 8-voice polyphonic hardware experience that delivers an authentic hands-on feel.

Key Features:

Analog Circuit Behavior technology for authentic sound reproduction
Single VCO with lush Ensemble chorus for expansive soundscapes
Intuitive vintage interface with modern features for creative flexibility
Full suite of effects: phaser, flanger, overdrive, delay, and reverb
Compatible with DAWs and SYSTEM-8 for versatile integration

Product specs

Brand	Roland
Model	Jupiter 4 49-Key Synthesizer
Finish	Black
Year	1978 - 1982
Categories	Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital	Analog
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Synth Action
Number of Keys	49 Keys
Polyphony	4 Voices

FAQs

Is the Roland Jupiter-4 synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?: The Roland Jupiter-4 is a polyphonic synthesizer with 4-voice polyphony, allowing you to play up to four notes simultaneously.
What type of sound engine does the Roland Jupiter-4 use?: The Roland Jupiter-4 utilizes an analog sound engine, known for its warm and rich sound characteristics, typical of vintage synthesizers.
Can the Roland Jupiter-4 integrate with modern music production setups?: Yes, the Roland Jupiter-4 can integrate with modern setups through PLUG-OUT integration with the SYSTEM-8, offering enhanced polyphony and onboard effects.
What are the key features of the Roland Jupiter-4's sound design capabilities?: The Jupiter-4 features authentic analog polysynth recreation with enhanced ACB technology, allowing for a wide range of sound design options, including extended parameters and onboard effects.
How does the Circuit Mod feature on the Roland Jupiter-4 affect its sound?: The Circuit Mod feature allows you to adjust the synth's character to sound like a factory-fresh unit or a road-worn instrument, providing flexibility in sound texture and authenticity.

Videos

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AnalogAudio1

ROLAND JUPITER-4 Analog Synthesizer 1978 | HQ DEMO

AnalogAudio1

Roland Jupiter-4 sound design tutorial Duran Duran "Rio"

RetroSound

Roland Jupiter-4 Demo

Perfect Circuit

The Roland Jupiter-4: Compuphonic

Alex Ball

Roland Jupiter-4 40th anniversary extended demo

synthlegends

Is It Worth It? The Roland Jupiter-4

Alamo Music Sound Lab

Best of Roland Jupiter-4 Synthesizer ~ RetroSound Demo

RetroSound

The Secret Behind the Jupiter-4’s Magic | Alamo Music Oscillator Talk

Alamo Music Sound Lab

The Roland Jupiter 4: A Sound Engineer's Dream

Andy Whitmore

Reviews

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PROS

Unique sound with excellent oscillators and filters
Provides a musical, warm, and punchy sound quality
Features like discrete oscillators, stereo chorus, and hyper-fast LFO add distinctiveness
Durable build quality; units still perform well decades later
4-voice, discrete VCO based analog polysynth delivers vibrant and lush tones
Includes sought-after features like sub-oscillator and chorus effect

CONS

Expensive compared to some vintage synths offering similar features
Limited to a 4-voice polyphony, restricting chord complexity
Some users find better value in alternative vintage synths or modern emulations
Specific sounds (e.g., Ensemble effect) considered superior in cheaper synths

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland Jupiter-4.

Features and functionality

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The PWM Melevolent, priced at $549, is noted for its ability to produce gritty, dirty sounds similar to the Jupiter-4, thanks to extensive sound-shaping controls.
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The specific sound character from the Jupiter-4 is achieved by routing the noise generator to the oscillator pitch, often using pulse wave and sub oscillator settings.
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The Jupiter-4’s CV inputs can be used creatively, such as routing a DAW click track to influence the arpeggiator.
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The Jupiter-4's internal distortion when playing chords is a unique characteristic, often attributed to its volume slider, creating a distinctive, sought-after sound.
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The arpeggiator on the Jupiter-4 includes a random setting, making it one of the first compact synths with this feature, adding unpredictability to its sound.
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The chorus effect significantly contributes to the Jupiter-4’s distinctive sound, enhancing its oscillators, filters, and envelope shapes.
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Comparisons

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The Behringer MonoPoly and MS-101 RD are suggested as alternatives that can produce similar pulse wave and sub oscillator sounds as the Jupiter-4.
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Use cases and applications

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For those seeking the "loud dirty synthy sine sounds" of the Jupiter-4, it’s important to focus on synths with noise generator capabilities linked to oscillator pitch.
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For emulating Bojack Horseman's theme, note-tracking with filter cutoff modulation and a slew limiter can achieve the sluggish sweeping effect.
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Software and compatibility

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Cherry Audio Mercury 4 is praised for its arpeggiator capabilities, potentially offering better sound emulation than Roland's official plugins.
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The Jupiter-4 emulation is available for a 30-day free trial from Roland, providing an opportunity for hands-on experimentation without commitment.
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User experience

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Owners report nostalgia for the volume slider-induced distortion, a characteristic not commonly replicated in other synths, highlighting its unique charm.
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Critic Reviews

Roland Jupiter-4 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Roland Jupiter-4 emulation is a nostalgic nod to the original synth, boasting an authentic look and sound. Musicians will appreciate the expanded presets and effects, enhancing its classic appeal. However, it shares sonic similarities with other Jupiter models, which may not justify its standalone purchase for those already owning similar gear. Its fiddly effects editing could be a minor setback, but overall, it's a solid tribute to a pioneering synthesizer, perfect for those seeking vintage vibes in a modern package.

positive

Full Review

Roland Jupiter-4 - the GOLDEN oldie? - GreatSynthesizers

greatsynthesizers.com

The Roland Jupiter-4 is a polarizing vintage synth, often overshadowed by its more glamorous siblings like the Jupiter-8. Praised for its unique, meaty analog sound and fast envelopes, it's a character-rich instrument perfect for experimental sound design. However, it comes with notable drawbacks: a clunky keyboard, lack of MIDI or CV/Gate, and out-of-tune voices that require frequent adjustments. Its presets are mediocre, and its design, reminiscent of a home organ, may not appeal to everyone. Despite these flaws, those who appreciate its distinct sonic character find it a rewarding addition to their collection.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 16 Ratings

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jordansynth

182

about 10 years ago

Simply amazing.

4-voice, discrete VCO based analog polysynth. It is a dream to use and sounds so damn good. Each voice is so vibrant and lush, this type of sound was lost mostly as we went from the 70's to the 80's and VCO (and DCOs) got more stable. I would give the IR3109 filter version a 4.5 and the SH-filter based one a 5.

robpreuss

over 11 years ago

JP4 is my #1.

i got my Jupiter-4 from Steve's Music Store on Queen Street in Toronto, in November, 1980. Sold it sometime in 1983, and bought it back in 1986 (i think)....it still works as good as new!