Roland Super JX-10

Robert L's Analog Synths

Roland Super JX-10

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Robert L's Analog Synths

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Roland Super JX-10 is the ultimate model from the famous Roland JX series of DCO based analog synthesizers. By its various and sophisticated functions and possibilities it was meant to compete the very best analog synths available on the market at that time, like Oberheim Matrix-12. With the exception of having the DCOs (Digitally Controlled Oscillators) instead of the classical VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) it was indeed a quality product equipped with a rich palette of sound modifying capabilities.
For powering of the 12 voices it has in total 24 DCOs, thus enabling two of them per voice in a standard polyphonic mode. Or if you want still the fatter sound, you can enter a dual mode and double the number of oscillators per voice, or split the keyboard in two parts, etc... And with all this polyphony, it is important to stress that Super-JX can be played on two

MIDI channels simultaneously, which is extremely useful for the studio use.
After the DCOs everything else is, as it should be, comple- tely analog. So you will find the VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter) with both the LPF (Low Pass Filter) and HPF (High Pass Filter) variants, LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), and two ADSR envelopes per voice in the VCA section, as is the standard of the best analog synths. No wonder that on the Super JX you will have almost all the features you can think of, and many that will surprise you. The only real disadvantage is that without the PG-800 the programming requires a lot of wondering through the function menus, so that a lot of finger-flying action is needed to build a sound from scratch. A good thing though, is that all the functions are written in a form of a short memo on the front panel, so that for an experienced

synthesist, with some wondering through the menus, there are no real obstacles to do the programming even without the hard-to-find programmer.
As it is often said, the general concept of the Super JX resembles two JX-8P in one. But to be true, there's even more. Many sophisticated functions are added. There is an excellent 76 keys weighted-action and after-touch keyboard, with some extra sliding controllers. The soft synth-style keys are weighted a little bit for a better control of your fingers and less percentage of accidentally pressed keys (especially if you are used to the piano style keys). Thus the Super JX is really great for playing pads, synth style chords and leads. This is of no wonder, because it was designed to be a versatile master-keyboard with advanced MIDI, and serves that function well in many studios up to these days.

What is the most important, the resulting sound is more refined comparing to earlier JX synths, with less noise, a softer sounding filter and a better chorus effect. Roland didn't just assemble two old machines in a new cover, but indeed made that extra effort in producing their last true analog keyboard, back then in middle eighties in the dawn of digital synthesizers on a rise.
In the resume, we may say by no hesitation that the Roland Super JX is probably the best DCO based synths ever made, and its price of about US$3000 at the time of its arrival, showes that clearly. There are many nice reviews on the Super JX on popular synth sites, like on the VintageSynths (just check their suggested current price!). A specialist insight with many details and useful notes can be obtained e.g. from Jeffrey. (Send your email.)