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Average Price: $19,535
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$500
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Description
Introducing the Roland Jupiter-8, an iconic piece of musical history that has shaped the soundscape of the modern world. This legendary analog synthesizer is celebrated for its powerful polyphony and distinctive wide, thick sounds. With eight voices and two oscillators per voice, it's a true sonic powerhouse. The Jupiter-8 doesn't stop at just delivering beautiful sounds, it also offers a plethora of modulation options via its rich array of envelope and LFO controls. Its fat resonant low-pass filter, paired with an optional high-pass filter, gives musicians the flexibility to sculpt sounds to their liking. This is not just a synthesizer, it's a piece of history that continues to inspire and captivate musicians around the globe.
Key Features:
- Eight voices of polyphony with two oscillators per voice
- Fat resonant low-pass filter, with an optional high-pass filter
- Envelope and LFO modulation options for sound sculpting
- Produced from 1981 - 1984
- 61 keys
- I/O: Audio, CV
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | Jupiter-8 61-Key Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1981 - 1985 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 8 Voices |
FAQs
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Is the Roland Jupiter-8 a polyphonic synthesizer?
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Yes, the Roland Jupiter-8 is an analog polyphonic synthesizer with 8-voice polyphony, allowing for rich and complex chordal textures.
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What are the standout features of the Roland Jupiter-8's sound engine?
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The Roland Jupiter-8 is renowned for its lush analog sound, featuring two VCOs per voice, a versatile filter section, and comprehensive modulation capabilities, making it ideal for both classic and modern synth sounds.
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How many keys does the Roland Jupiter-8 have and what is the key action type?
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The Roland Jupiter-8 features a 61-key keyboard with synth action, providing a responsive and smooth playing experience suitable for a variety of musical styles.
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Can the Roland Jupiter-8 be used for live performances?
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Yes, the Roland Jupiter-8 is well-suited for live performances, offering robust build quality, intuitive controls, and a wide range of sounds that can easily be modified on the fly.
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What makes the Roland Jupiter-8 a sought-after synthesizer?
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The Roland Jupiter-8 is highly sought after due to its iconic analog sound, historical significance in music production, and use by famous artists on numerous classic records, contributing to its legendary status.
Videos
Matt Johnson Jamiroquai
Roland Jupiter 8, the greatest polysynth ever?
Roland Jupiter 8, the greatest polysynth ever?
Matt Johnson Jamiroquai
A Closer Look at the Jupiter-8
Alex Ball
Roland Jupiter 8
GForce Software
Roland Jupiter-8 | Can a synth be worth this kind of money?
Espen Kraft
Roland Jupiter-8: Greatest Synth of All Time?
Fuzz City Records
Reviews
PROS
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Majestic sound quality, often regarded as the best sounding poly synth
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Unique cross modulation function for creative sound design
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Recognizable, distinct character unmatched by imitations
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Intuitive and unpredictable for spontaneous creativity
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Organic, fat sound with a hi-fi top end and snappy filters
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Versatile, phenomenal user interface with a wide sweet spot
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Equipped with legendary arpeggiator module for dynamic compositions
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Capable of lush pads and mean bass tones
CONS
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Requires pairing with specific effects for certain classic sounds
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Maintenance and repairs can be challenging due to rare custom chips
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High cost, especially for vintage units in good condition
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Memory and modding issues may require professional servicing
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland Jupiter-8.
Features and functionality
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The Roland System-8 offers a compelling Jupiter-8 emulation with additional plug-outs, though its aesthetics may not appeal to everyone.
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The RD-2000's built-in chorus effect is useful for emulating the original "Separate Ways" synth sound, enhancing similarity to the Jupiter-8.
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Despite owning both, some users find Roland's preset browser cumbersome, leading to frequent use of Arturia's Jup8 V for its added features.
Source
Mods and upgrades
Comparisons
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The Novation Peak provides a similar sound to the Jupiter-8 while offering greater versatility, though it lacks an integrated keyboard.
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The Roland Jupiter-80, used in recent Journey tours, features a preset from the Supernatural Synth Engine that closely matches the sound of the Jupiter-8.
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Arturia's Jup8 V adds features beyond the original hardware capabilities, offering significant improvements in functionality.
Source
Software and compatibility
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The Behringer Deepmind can use VSTi controllers for seamless DAW integration, allowing two-way control and setting recall without patch saving.
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The MC-101 module offers over 3,000 classic Roland patches, including Jupiter-8 sounds, when connected via MIDI to the RD-2000.
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Roland Cloud's Jupiter-8 version is noted for high CPU usage, even on powerful systems, impacting performance.
Source
User experience
5.0 out of 5
Based on 8 Reviews and 43 Ratings
162
Overrated nostalgia
I bought this synth after meeting Nick Rhodes ( Duran Duran ) back in '05 in Vegas. We talked about his sounds and unless you pair this with an MXR Jet Flanger, you can't get the same sound. The raw sounds alone are not that impressive, I think it holds more in a reputation than it should.
I also have Logic Pro and several AU ( VSTs ) of this synth and I never even turn on this unit other than to keep the 40+ years old battery charged and maintenance is a pain in the ass. I have to pay a tech to constantly check the unit and am probably going to sell it before too long.
I bought it for $3000 back in 2005 and it's currently worth about $25K to a "collector". Realistically, I wouldn't buy another one for more than $5000 today.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Apreggios are fun to re-create the Nick Rhodes Rio album stuff.
340
This is a beast of a synth!
Every time i turn it on, I hit record and just play for half an hour or so, letting it take me where it wants to go. It’s intuitive but also unpredictable and that’s a positive attribute.
257
One of the best Polys I've ever owned
I have had 4 of them over the years all different to each other, all varying conditions and with various minor ailments, but one thing they all had in common was MOJO, it is an organic, fat sounding vibe with a hifi top end, super fast envelopes and a snappy,zingy, creamy filter, super cross modulation and a fearsome unison button. I used it on many of my Automatic Records releases in the early 2000's.
182
Excellent bread & butter synth.
Legendary synthesizer that excels at design/interface/performance capability and is simply pretty great in all other aspects. The very pinnacle of bread & butter polys. I think many synths sound better but no other vintage synth is such a solid, complete product.
Cool synth.
Lush pads, mean, bass. I got mind for $600 in 1996. It had some sort of memory expansion mod which would not allow it to store patch memory but that has all been removed now and it saves patches just fine. It also had a JL Cooper sequencer attached to it but this also has been removed and it is back to stock condition. The cross modulation is nice.
221
perhaps my favorite polyanalog of them all. majestic tone. phenomenal user interface.
perhaps my favorite polyanalog of them all. majestic tone. phenomenal user interface. while flexible it has insane sweet spot. its impossible to make it sound bad.
61
Jupiter 8 bought in 1983 with MIDI added in 1986
I bough this new for $6500 in 1983 and had a Roland tech install MIDI in it. I have had it serviced and replaced all of the sliders and pots so everything works like new!
One of the best analog polls of all time
Its a jupiter 8 nothing else sounds like this synth. Simply amazing. Punchy, thick and fat!
Artist usage
Add artist
In this video on Instagram, Joel is shown to have a Roland Jupiter-8 Synthesizer. He captions the video:
"Love it. Keeping it forever."
Calvin Harris is shown using the Roland Jupiter-8 synthesizer in an Instagram post related to the track "Slide," featuring Frank Ocean and Migos.
Brian May is seen playing a Roland Jupiter-8 in this photo taken at Mountain Studios in 1981 during sessions for Hot Space. The Jupiter-8 was also used on The Works.
Notable users include Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Jean Michel Jarre, The Prodigy, William Orbit, Underworld, Moby, Devo, Rush, Tears For Fears, Tangerine Dream and Prince.
His setup can be seen with his keyboard tech Tony Geranios in this image.
In this post by bandmate George Daniel, Matthew "Matty" Healy is sitting beside the Jupiter 8
Seen with it at 2:40 and playing it. Proof it is a Jupiter-8 is at 3:33
The Chemical Brothers, known for their innovative electronic sound, utilize the Roland Jupiter-8 synthesizer in their studio work. This is highlighted in an article on Kreativsound, where Tom Rowlands discusses their quest for a distinctive sound amidst the current trend of easily-produced electronic music.
German magazine list of the tour-equipment:
Moog Memorymoog Moog System 55 Moog Taurus Moog Minimoog Moog Little Phatty Moog Voyager Moog Liberation ARP 2600 (x2) ARP 2500 ARP Odyssey EMS VCS-3 (x2) EMS AKS (x4) RMI Harmonic Synthesizer Roland Jupiter-8 Roland Jupiter-4 Roland SVC-350 Vocoder Korg PS-3200 Mellotron Eminent Organ Yamaha CS-80 Alesis Andromeda u.v.m
From an Instagram post on August 3, 2024 Frank Ocean can be seen playing Roland Jupiter-8. This is likely the recording for the next single or album track.
Album Usage
The Roland Jupiter-8 has been featured on the following albums:
Synths Below Sea Level
Legowelt (2025)
A Field Guide To The Void
Legowelt (2024)
Like a Song From Your Dream
Legowelt (2024)
Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)
Brian Tyler (2024)
Forever Young
Alphaville & David Guetta & Ava Max (2024)
A Night at the Philharmonie Berlin
Alphaville (2024)
Songs of Vienna
Cid Rim (2021)
I Love...
Official髭男dism (2019)
Mr. Bad Guy (Special Edition)
Freddie Mercury (2019)
Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)
A Flock of Seagulls (2019)
Slide (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos)
Calvin Harris (2017)
Maniac
Michael Sembello (2017)
Absence
Zoot Woman (2017)
Between II Worlds
NERO (2015)
In This Light And On This Evening
Editors (2010)
This Is War (Deluxe)
Thirty Seconds to Mars (2010)
As I Am (Expanded Edition)
Alicia Keys (2007)
No One (Remixes)
Alicia Keys (2007)
Bigger Than America
Heaven 17 (1996)
On the Night
Dire Straits (1993)
A Kind of Magic
Queen (1986)
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears for Fears (1985)
Beat Boy
Visage (1984)
Poland
Tangerine Dream (1984)
Some Great Reward (Deluxe)
Depeche Mode (1984)
Selections From The Original Soundtrack The Woman In Red
Stevie Wonder & Dionne Warwick (1984)
The Works
Queen (1984)
Junk Culture
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1984)
Points On The Curve
Wang Chung (1984)
Frontiers (2023 Remaster)
Journey (1983)
Whammy!
The B-52's (1983)
Construction Time Again
Depeche Mode (1983)
Hot Space
Queen (1982)
Lite Me Up
Herbie Hancock (1982)
Thriller
Michael Jackson (1982)
Avalon
Roxy Music (1982)
Midnight Love
Marvin Gaye (1982)
Mesopotamia
The B-52's (1982)
If That's What It Takes
Michael McDonald & Michael McDonald & Michael McDonald (1982)
A Broken Frame (Deluxe)
Depeche Mode (1982)
Escape (2022 Remaster)
Journey (1981)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland Jupiter-8, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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This Roland's official software emulation of their classic Jupiter 8.
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Among it's many semi-modular components, DIVA features an explicit emulation of the Jupiter 8's oscillators, as well as a self-oscillating emulation of a Roland IR3109-based Juno 6/60 filter (which was also used in the Jupiter 8, but without the ability to self-oscillate). When these elements are pared with DIVA's more generalized Roland-style analog ADSR envelopes, LFOs, and modulation options, some wonderfully-convincing Jupiter 8 tones can be achieved.
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The MKS-80 Super Jupiter is an 8-voice analog rack mount module offering a voice architecture that shares similarities with both the Roland Jupiter 8 and Jupiter 6, but isn't an exact rack mount equivalent of either instrument. Regardless, this is the analog Roland rack synth that comes closest to sounding like both the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8, by a considerable margin.
Better to access and create using in DAW than through a mixing board and FX units.
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