Jens Johansson

In the user-uploaded photo, Jens Johansson is seen using a Roland A-800 PRO, likely as a MIDI controller for his Roland JV-1080 synth rack. Known for his extensive use of the JV-1080, Jens often opts for this setup when not using his DX7.

Jens Johansson discusses his use of the Oberheim Matrix 12 on his Panix page. He describes it as one of the greatest synthesizers ever built, despite some design flaws like the internal control signal sampling rate. Johansson appreciates its warm, rich sound for creating pads, noting that it is unmatched by other synthesizers. However, he mentions its sensitivity to misuse and contrasts it with his experience using the Oberheim M6/M1000, which he finds more reliable due to its simpler design and architecture.

The polysix is one of my favorites. These instruments are sturdy beasts, but the average age of is getting up there, so I don't dare taking them on the road anymore — I only use them for the studio.

Jens Johansson is pictured using the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer in a photo from Ilosaarirock 2009, showcasing his preference for this iconic instrument over its counterpart, the DX9.

It is well known in the keyboard- and power metal communities that the Roland JV-1080 and its siblings and successors were Jens' workhorse, especially live, in the 90's and well into the 2010's.

Taken from an article authored by Richard Karsmakers in October of 1995.

Karl: What musical hardware do you use?

Jens: Oberheim Matrix12, matrix1000's, Matrix 6R, DPX-1. Korg PolySix (I have around 10 of those), Yamaha DX7+TX816 rack, Roland D20, DS-330, Hammond + Leslie (I have two actually), Korg CX3 as a "touring hammond", and a bunch of others. I also rent stuff a lot.

I'm not too crazy about the "new breed" of keyboards like the K2000 etc; they sound a bit thin to me. But whatever.

In an interview with Richard Karsmakers in October 1995, Jens Johansson confirmed his use of the Oberheim Matrix 1000, stating: "Oberheim Matrix 12, Matrix 1000's, Matrix 6R, DPX-1. Korg PolySix (I have around 10 of those), Yamaha DX7+TX816 rack, Roland D20, DS-330, Hammond + Leslie (I have two actually), Korg CX3 as a 'touring Hammond', and a bunch of others."

Taken from an article authored by Richard Karsmakers in October of 1995.

Karl: What musical hardware do you use?

Jens: Oberheim Matrix12, matrix1000's, Matrix 6R, DPX-1. Korg PolySix (I have around 10 of those), Yamaha DX7+TX816 rack, Roland D20, DS-330, Hammond + Leslie (I have two actually), Korg CX3 as a "touring hammond", and a bunch of others. I also rent stuff a lot.

I'm not too crazy about the "new breed" of keyboards like the K2000 etc; they sound a bit thin to me. But whatever.

Taken from an article authored by Richard Karsmakers in October of 1995.

Karl: What musical hardware do you use?

Jens: Oberheim Matrix12, matrix1000's, Matrix 6R, DPX-1. Korg PolySix (I have around 10 of those), Yamaha DX7+TX816 rack, Roland D20, DS-330, Hammond + Leslie (I have two actually), Korg CX3 as a "touring hammond", and a bunch of others. I also rent stuff a lot.

I'm not too crazy about the "new breed" of keyboards like the K2000 etc; they sound a bit thin to me. But whatever.

Taken from an article authored by Richard Karsmakers in October of 1995.

Karl: What musical hardware do you use?

Jens: Oberheim Matrix12, matrix1000's, Matrix 6R, DPX-1. Korg PolySix (I have around 10 of those), Yamaha DX7+TX816 rack, Roland D20, DS-330, Hammond + Leslie (I have two actually), Korg CX3 as a "touring hammond", and a bunch of others. I also rent stuff a lot.

I'm not too crazy about the "new breed" of keyboards like the K2000 etc; they sound a bit thin to me. But whatever.

Taken from an article authored by Richard Karsmakers in October of 1995.

Karl: What musical hardware do you use?

Jens: Oberheim Matrix12, matrix1000's, Matrix 6R, DPX-1. Korg PolySix (I have around 10 of those), Yamaha DX7+TX816 rack, Roland D20, DS-330, Hammond + Leslie (I have two actually), Korg CX3 as a "touring hammond", and a bunch of others. I also rent stuff a lot.

I'm not too crazy about the "new breed" of keyboards like the K2000 etc; they sound a bit thin to me. But whatever.

Taken from an article authored by Richard Karsmakers in October of 1995.

Karl: What musical hardware do you use?

Jens: Oberheim Matrix12, matrix1000's, Matrix 6R, DPX-1. Korg PolySix (I have around 10 of those), Yamaha DX7+TX816 rack, Roland D20, DS-330, Hammond + Leslie (I have two actually), Korg CX3 as a "touring hammond", and a bunch of others. I also rent stuff a lot.

I'm not too crazy about the "new breed" of keyboards like the K2000 etc; they sound a bit thin to me. But whatever.

At the 4-second mark in the video titled "Stratovarius - The Hands of Time (Live)" from the live performance at Tavastia Club, Helsinki Finland, 1992, you can see Jens Johansson using a Korg T2 keyboard.

Jens Johansson, in an interview from October 1995, confirmed that he uses an Atari 1040 ST with an Adspeed 16 MHz upgrade, primarily running "Cubase" (2.1). He also mentioned using an HP Omnibook 300 for word processing and spreadsheets.

Jens Johansson confirmed the use of Kotipelto's Korg 05R/W during the recording of "Episode," as mentioned in the source, "Jens Johansson's gear."

Jens Johansson, a renowned keyboardist and composer, is confirmed to use the E-Mu Proformance piano module. This is verified by his personal gear list dated April 20, 1999, where he has documented the various musical instruments he has accumulated over time, including the E-Mu Proformance. His list reflects a wide array of equipment, emphasizing the dynamic nature of his collection.

Jens Johansson has confirmed that he used the Korg PME-40X Professional Modular Effects for many years, particularly with the P6, as part of his equipment in 1988. This information is documented in his personal account of musical instruments.

In 1988, Jens Johansson incorporated a Korg DSM-1 Digital Sampling Synthesizer into his equipment rack for background vocals during tours. This information is confirmed by a statement on Johansson's personal account of his musical instruments, where he notes, "I used the M12, the dpx, and a Korg DSM-1 for background vocals."

In 87 I started working with Oberheim, and got a M12, a M6, two M1000s and a DPX Sample Player. I also bought a Yamaha QX5 standalone sequencer to use for the Oberheim clinics. For "Odyssey" we used the M12 and the DPX, they're all over that record. Controlled by the same old DX7. Also P6 for all the solos, and if I'm not wrong some Kurzweil sampler (the 250?).

Jens Johansson has confirmed his use of the Morley JD10 speaker simulator for solo effects during his performances with Stratovarius. This information is supported by a statement from Johansson, where he notes, "and presently a Morley JD-10 speaker simulator which is great," as documented in his equipment list.

In a video shared by Arjen Anthony Lucassen on YouTube, Jens Johansson is seen using a Yamaha SY99 synthesizer while recording in the studio with the Dutch group Star One.

Jens Johansson confirmed the use of the Korg Poly-800 synthesizer during the Japanese tour in 1985, as mentioned in his personal account of his equipment history. This information serves as definitive proof of his use of the Poly-800, as detailed in his reflections on the instruments he utilized for various records and tours.

"1989 I did my first tour with Jonas. I used the M12 and a rack with the dpx, IIRC. Later that year I joined Dio. We recorded Lock Up the Wolves and I used a lot of keyboards, almost all of what I had, but didn't end up using so much in the actual mix. For the Dio tour 1990 we had a T3EX that Korg lent us. I also bought the CX3 and a 117V 760 Leslie. The P6 and the DPX came to use again, as did the DX7 (yes, the same one) which was suspended from the ceiling and blown up every night (see story above)."

Jens Johansson is confirmed to use the Roland JV-1010 sound module, as evidenced by a photograph he posted on his website in 2002, showcasing his equipment during the Elements recording sessions. The image clearly displays the Roland JV-1010 among other devices such as the Apogee Rosetta AD A/D converter and Roland JV-2080, further substantiating its use in his setup. This information is supported by the source titled "Jens Johansson's gear."

Jens Johansson is confirmed to use the Apogee Rosetta 800 96kHz 8-Channel AD/DA Converter, as evidenced by a photograph taken during the Elements recording sessions in 2002. This image, posted on his website, clearly shows the Apogee Rosetta along with other equipment such as the Roland JV-1010 sound module and the Roland A-37 MIDI controller. The source for this information is a dedicated fan site detailing Jens Johansson's gear.

Jens Johansson is confirmed to use the DigiTech TSR-24 True Stereo Reverb / Multi-Effects Processor, as evidenced by pictures he posted on his website in 2002 from the Elements recording sessions. The images clearly show the DigiTech TSR-24 among other equipment such as the Roland JV-1010 sound module and Apogee Rosetta A/D converter. This information is supported by the source captioned "Jens Johansson's gear."

In 2002, Jens Johansson posted pictures on his website from the Elements recording sessions, which included a photo of his equipment setup. This setup featured an E-Mu PROTEUS FX sound module among other gear, confirming its use during these sessions. This information is supported by a source describing Jens Johansson's gear.

Jens Johansson is confirmed to use the Roland JV-2080 Synthesizer Module, as evidenced by pictures he posted on his website in 2002 from the Elements recording sessions. The images display his collection of equipment, including the Roland JV-2080, alongside other gear such as the Roland JV-1010 and JV-1080 sound modules, an Apogee Rosetta Ad A/D converter, and a Morley JD-10 distortion unit. This information is supported by a source documenting his gear.

Jens Johansson is confirmed to use the Akai MPK25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller, as evidenced by a picture from the Elements recording sessions in 2002, which he posted on his website. Additionally, in 2013, it was noted that he added the Akai MPK25 on top of his DX7 for live performances, incorporating a laptop to create complex sounds with VST plugins and electronic music sounds utilizing an arpeggiator control. This information is supported by the source titled "Jens Johansson's gear" from sonataarcticafansite.com.

Jens Johansson is confirmed to use a Roland SH-101 synthesizer, as demonstrated by a photograph available on Equipboard.