Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $199

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Roland JX 305 is a versatile synthesizer designed for both studio enthusiasts and live performers, blending classic Roland sound with modern capabilities. Known for its 61 velocity-sensitive keys, this synth offers expressive playing dynamics and an intuitive interface, making it an excellent choice for musicians at any skill level. Packed with over 400 presets, it allows you to explore a wide range of genres, from electronic dance music to rock and beyond. The JX 305’s onboard effects, including reverb, chorus, and delay, offer an additional layer of creativity, letting you sculpt and refine your sound effortlessly.

This model is equipped with real-time control sliders, enabling you to tweak parameters on the fly for an interactive performance experience. Its built-in sequencer supports up to 8 tracks, allowing you to create complex arrangements directly from the synthesizer. Additionally, the JX 305 includes MIDI compatibility, providing seamless integration with other gear in your setup. Whether you're crafting new tracks in your home studio or taking your music to the stage, the Roland JX 305 is a reliable and dynamic partner.

Key Features:

  • 61 velocity-sensitive keys for expressive playing
  • Over 400 preset sounds covering multiple genres
  • Real-time control sliders for live performance adjustments
  • Onboard effects including reverb, chorus, and delay
  • 8-track sequencer for creating intricate compositions
  • MIDI compatibility for easy integration with other equipment
  • Intuitive interface suitable for beginners and professionals alike

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model JX-305 61-Key Groove Synthesizer
Finish Blue
Year 1998 - 2002
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 64 Voices

FAQs

Is the Roland JX 305 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Roland JX 305 is designed for live performances with its 61-key synth action keyboard, extensive sound palette, and real-time control features, making it versatile for various music styles.

What type of synthesis does the Roland JX 305 use?

The Roland JX 305 is a digital synthesizer that offers a wide range of sounds, including classic synth tones and modern digital textures, ideal for electronic music production.

How many voices of polyphony does the Roland JX 305 have?

The Roland JX 305 features 64 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex layering and rich soundscapes without note dropouts.

Can the Roland JX 305 be integrated with other MIDI devices?

Yes, the Roland JX 305 includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, making it easy to integrate with other MIDI devices and expand your setup.

Does the Roland JX 305 have built-in effects?

Yes, the Roland JX 305 includes a variety of built-in effects, such as reverb, delay, and chorus, allowing you to enhance your sounds directly on the synthesizer.

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Roland JX 305 90's Promo

Video thumbnail for Roland JX 305 90's Promo by Perfect Circuit

Roland JX 305 90's Promo

Perfect Circuit

Perfect Circuit

Video thumbnail for Bad Gear - Roland JX-305 - Pub Gig MC-505??? by AudioPilz

Bad Gear - Roland JX-305 - Pub Gig MC-505???

AudioPilz

AudioPilz

Video thumbnail for Acid House - Roland JX-305 by Chips y Bits

Acid House - Roland JX-305

Chips y Bits

Chips y Bits

Video thumbnail for Roland JX-305 Back on the Dancefloor 2017 Groovesynth Synthesizer Rik Marston by Rik Marston Official

Roland JX-305 Back on the Dancefloor 2017 Groovesynth Synthesizer Rik Marston

Rik Marston Official

Rik Marston Official

Video thumbnail for Roland JX-305: Truly original! by Gearfacts

Roland JX-305: Truly original!

Gearfacts

Gearfacts

Video thumbnail for ROLAND JX 305  Checking The Sound  - Mauricio Olisan  #Roland #JX-305 by CASA DO SYNTH

ROLAND JX 305 Checking The Sound - Mauricio Olisan #Roland #JX-305

CASA DO SYNTH

CASA DO SYNTH

Video thumbnail for Roland JX-305 by Евгений Глушков

Roland JX-305

Евгений Глушков

Евгений Глушков

Video thumbnail for STEFANO PACINI introduces: Roland JX-305 groovesynth for soundtrack arrangement by Stefano Pacini

STEFANO PACINI introduces: Roland JX-305 groovesynth for soundtrack arrangement

Stefano Pacini

Video thumbnail for Roland JX-305 Massive Attack - Unfinished Symphony pattern by Doctor Synth Pattern

Roland JX-305 Massive Attack - Unfinished Symphony pattern

Doctor Synth Pattern

Doctor Synth Pattern

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland JX 305.

Features and functionality

  • The JX-305 uses a pattern/loop method for sequencing, ideal for creating songs by chaining loops together rather than a linear sequencer.

    Source
  • The synth produces sounds reminiscent of 90s house music and artists like David Bowie and The Prodigy, making it suitable for those styles.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners note that the JX-305's key action is superior to the Yamaha MX49, which feels cheap and toy-like.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Finding compatible 5Volt SmartMedia memory cards can be challenging and costly, with prices ranging from $75 to $100 on eBay.

    Source
  • Using warm soapy water is preferred over alcohol for cleaning the chassis to remove hand-oil and grime effectively.

    Source
  • A hair dryer on medium can help relax stuck plastic parts, which are often brittle due to age.

    Source
  • Chemtronics PowerwashPR and Deoxit Gold are recommended for cleaning switches, jacks, and ports, while Fader Lube is suggested for sliders.

    Source

User experience

  • Users find that creating custom patches can be cumbersome, as the synth is more preset-focused rather than waveform-building oriented.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners have successfully ironed the LCD screen's ribbon cable to temporarily fix connection problems, indicating potential DIY repair solutions.

    Source

Build quality

  • Paint fade is commonly observed under the transport buttons, a known cosmetic issue with the JX-305.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland JX305

soundonsound.com

Roland's JX305 synthesizer offers a robust package for musicians seeking versatility across various musical genres. While it lacks the MC505's eye-catching design and features like the D-Beam controller, the JX305 compensates with a full-sized keyboard and a rich array of waveforms and patterns. The instrument is user-friendly, catering to both live performances and studio work. However, it loses some of the MC505's charm due to its more conventional look and limited audio outputs. Overall, the JX305 is a well-rounded, capable synthesizer ideal for those who value functionality over flashy aesthetics.

positive

3.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Anthony Gonzalez uses Roland JX 305

Anthony Gonzalez

Guitarist, Composer

M83

...
Verified via Photo

In this interview with the Emusician magazine, the interviewer states this: "Gonzalez's keyboard setup hasn't changed since Dead Cities, and he still uses his favorite Film Octaves string patch sounds from his Roland JX-305 synth."

See how The Flashbulb (Benn Jordan) uses Roland JX 305

The Flashbulb (Benn Jordan)

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Headphone Commute

In this interview form 2014, benn says : "There’s stuff that I will always love because I’m so comfortable with it, like the **JX-305* or TB-303"*

See how Arianna uses Roland JX 305

Arianna

Music Producer

The Frozen Autumn

...
Verified via Photo

In a 2014 live performance in Madrid, Arianna used the Roland JX 305 synthesizer. The source is a user-uploaded photo from the event.

Album Usage

The Roland JX 305 has been featured on the following albums:

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 JX 305, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Roland SE-02 Synthesizers
1
E-Mu Proteus 2000
E-Mu Proteus 2000 Synthesizers & Sound Modules
1
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Roland FA-06 Synthesizers
1
Access Virus B
Access Virus B Tabletop Synthesizers
1
Behringer Neutron
Behringer Neutron Synthesizers
1
Korg ARP Odyssey
Korg ARP Odyssey Synthesizers
1
Roland MC-303 Groovebox
Roland MC-303 Groovebox Production & Groove
1

Community setups

Show yours
keyhead

keyhead

Gear IQ 126

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