Roland JX-8P vs. JX-08 | Does the Boutique Do it Justice?

Today, we've finally got a JX-08 Boutique in our hands! One of Zach's all time favorite Roland synths if the JX-8P (proven by the fact that he has two of them), so we were so excited to get in the new digital recreation of this classic. Take a listen to the demo comparisons and let us know what you think!
0:00 Intro/Specs
5:03 Demos
14:28 Final Thoughts
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[@allanfc2335]

Hi Zach - Been using the JX 08 for a while now along with a D50 an XV3080 and a 1993 Korg i3 and it’s a very impressive synth . Hope you are keeping well ? Your video reviews are detailed balanced and one of the best out there Allan.

[@redcomn]

Bought a system 8 and called it a day

[@retro-dademusic6403]

Same 😎

[@NeoLudditevisons]

Haha wow that is deffo a choice to consider! Is there increased polyphony with the ACB models on S8?

[@retro-dademusic6403]

@@NeoLudditevisons 8 voices on everything 😎

[@NeoLudditevisons]

@@retro-dademusic6403 no way!!! Ugh thats never talked about enough. My word what a reason to get one

[@davidsharp3110]

Great breakdown/comparisons Zach.

[@craigtracy4396]

Original 8p fanboy and current JX08 owner here. Excellent analysis, and musings. This stands out from other comparison vids in that you did your research on the different 8p versions with different sound and you insightfully touched on the ‘vibeyness’ because it’s exactly the ‘vibeyness’ and with a broader sound palette to the original 8p that has me hooked on an 08 also. Thank you. I adored and adore the 8p. But I’ll keep the 08, thanks - for the very reasons you postulate at the end of the video. You both identified and explained the ‘conundrum’ with nuance and balance, and I 100% agree. Expertly done! Thank you.

[@Sui778]

The JX-08 doesn't have the midrange and lower midrange response the original does. Also the filters and oscillators behave somewhat differently. This is very noticeable on the some of the patches, and not so obvious on others. But in any case, there are definitely differences. I still wouldn't scorn the JX-08 and I like it - but Roland saying it's a JX-8P rendition is a little bit of a reach. As I previously stated - they should have billed this as a new generation 20 voice JX.

[@juno6]

I was about to say all that. Thanks for saving my time.

[@JayKaufman]

Nailed it. This is kind of its own thing.

[@Sui778]

@@JayKaufman Would be a great way to add 20 voices of VA polyphony without sacrificing much real estate.

[@CussaOnara]

It's your gorgeous young girlfriend, but definitely not your grandma.

[@georgegeorgio1751]

I wonder if they would come up with a firmware update that could both change the tone and update features.

[@glynnpowell7864]

The jx-08 is awesome, It’s a Juno on steroids. Love that someone is covering how great of a synth it is!!

[@allanjazzera7630]

Thank you for highlighting the fact that there are a few revisions of the 8P. I did not know this, and it certainly is not documented very well anywhere as you stated. My service notes are dated 1986, and my version is an '86 model. I hope you do bring out the video showing the different versions, as you seem to be quite up to speed on knowledge of this sleeper of a synth.

[@deandavis325]

Hey Zach, love the videos and especially how you look back on synths that time forgot. I'm an O.G. synth nerd with a butt load of synths old and new. I just got the Roland JD08 yesterday and two weeks ago grabbed the JX08. Your review helped me with my decision. (Thanks) Back in the day I borrowed the JX8P to play a gig from the guitar player in our band and after the gig he let hold on to it for a week. I immediately fell in love with it because I love warm pads, strings and brass !!! It's a very underrated synth that doesn't get the love it deserves. With that said I agree the JX08 has the character of the 8p but it's never going to sound like it because it's digital. I mean Roland is doing some phenomenal things with their ACB and ACM technologies and it's very impressive but it's not analog and it never will be. If you want it to sound fuller you can stack two of the same patches and detune them. Either way I dig them for what they are and I'll be ordering the JU06 very soon and will basically have four new digi-vintage synths and only paid $1200.00 I ain't mad. Cheers !!! 🎹

[@evanglicanism]

6:47 Caught you playin Cyndi Lauper

[@querydelacroix2919]

^ Caught you recognizing Cyndi Lauper.

[@b2zap665]

@@querydelacroix2919 ^caught you catching him recognizing cyndi lauopner

[@kingdommelodies]

In the wait (between 1983 and 1987/88) to develop and come with a 'digital answer' on the very popular DX7 of Yamaha , it seems that companies like Roland and Korg developed analog synthesizers with a more 'digital look' . . . a minimum of front 'clutter' on the interface (Although Korg was ahead with this in 1982 with a comparable approach on the Poly-61).

[@odiroot]

Yes! Thanks, Zach. Looked forward to hear your opinion :)

[@UndrSkorMusic]

I really appreciate the statement at the end. I've seen many other videos disparaging this boutique as a disappointing and lifeless attempt to recreate something, but I don't want a clone of an 8P. I want something inspired by it that I can use in my music today. You described it as being just that and that's the push I needed to be sold. I'd buy an 8P if accuracy was really that important to me... but what I want is a musical instrument that draws on this nostalgic sound. Great video!

[@SacSynths_Jack_Z]

Agreed on all points!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

How do I set a preset and sequence for Part A and another preset and sequence for part B?

[@gffg387]

Which is which on the demo? The JX8P is always the first one played, is that it?

[@asoundlab]

Yes, you guessed correctly :)

[@heusker]

Can you please compare your two JX-8P's to see the differences between them?

[@asoundlab]

Will post it in the next week - shot Monday

[@ThisisRends]

I hated the voice stealing of the JX-8P back when i had one. It’s all over the place. Soundwise i like some patches more on the 8P and some of the 08. Get the one you like more. No need for fight.

[@alfreddawson3765]

I'm really glad you did this comparison, Zach, and I hope you had a lot of fun doing it. I'm really glad you brought up the point about the revisions and the various characteristics of them. (I'm not sure which revision Epsen Kraft had, but maybe that's why he felt that the JX-08 sounded so different.) Yes, there are slight timbre differences, but I think in the context of a mix, either would sound fine. Beautiful choice on the patches, too. They really capture the character of this synth.

[@asoundlab]

Thanks!!

[@alfreddawson3765]

@ghost mall I mean, if you can find a tone deaf person that can tell the difference between in a Model D and a MiniMoog, I'll be impressed, but honestly, most musicians can't even hear the difference between an half diminished and fully diminished 7th chord. Just like Zach said in the video about Dawn FM by the Weeknd, it's all speculation. For all we know, they could've made the Entire album with Roland Cloud and other VSTs and we wouldn't know the difference.

[@alfreddawson3765]

@ghost mall lol ok then what's the point?

[@alfreddawson3765]

@ghost mall Ah, yes I understand now. Honestly, I bought the JX-08 for the features (Multi-timbrality and built in Arpeggiator) not the sound, (even though I love the sound of it anyway).

[@ME-ru4hv]

Why do the patches of the jx08 seem to lack the attack part of the 8p? The 08 needs at least 3 db low shelf

[@prinzbach]

I fell in love with the sound of the JX08... I thought at first I would get the JD08 but I kept thinking about the JX08 instead... I could not identify why. I guess it just sounds great, that's why...

[@rgcmusic]

Did you take into account the three different filter settings and using the condition settings to maybe match up more? I don't see any videos covering that much.

[@Wagoo]

The other 2 filter types are Sequential (curtis) style and Moog (ladder) style - because that's what exists in zen core, which is what's actually running here, so would be irrelevant as far as any comparison with the JX-8P goes..

[@rgcmusic]

@@Wagoo I didn't realize that. The manual online wasn't descriptive on what they were. Online manuals are terrible.

[@trejogregorio]

It's so disappointing that it can't be used as a programmer for the original jx8p..

[@georgegeorgio1751]

More important than programmer functionality for the 8p would have been sys ex compatibility they really dropped the ball there and could have gained more buyers.

[@lesliemakin]

I never comment but for this I will... I owned a JX8P in the 80s then later in 2006 a JX10. I now have the JX08. I very sadly don't have the original synths today. I dug out some old demos I have with the 8P on it and tried to copy the pads organs and brass sounds on them.. does the JX08 sound like my old8P ? not really. The 08 sounds like a lightweight sounding version at best. The classic final countdown brass patch is a good example of how rich sounding the 8P is compared to the 08. Am I happy with my new JX08 ? Yes very... sure it's not a big and full sounding but is a great sounding synth just the same. Thanks for the video.

[@reidmich182]

How do People find the shared Envelope control? is it a pain? that is really the main thing that makes me hesitate getting it.

[@oberday]

Why model the JX8p when the JX10P Super Jupiter was a much better synth?

[@CussaOnara]

Don't forget the MKS-70 which I prefer the most. I think the model name JX-010 just didn't work (seriously!)

[@Rsonixtunes]

Yeah I’m glad someone finally mentioned this. I have the MKS 70 Super JX which is absolutely incredible. Also love the JX-08

[@velanche]

Thanks for the informative video! I have the AIRA line, but wanted a polyphonic keyboard that fits my budget. Seems this one came in the nick of time; mine is on pre-order.

[@zipchip7994]

The "Voices" patch is an interesting one. It was my favourite sound on the JX-8P. When I tried out the PG-8X VST, I noticed right away that the "Voices" patch sounded nothing like the original (in fact it sounded pretty much like this one on the JX-08) and I couldn't figure out why. I even obtained a direct SysEx dump of the patch from a friend's machine and uploaded it into the PG-8X VST, but it still wasn't anywhere near the real JX-8P. I finally figured out that VCF cutoff-frequency and resonance weren't being translated correctly. A quick tweak and it sounded fine. I wonder if this is the cause of some of the issues in the JX-08?

[@cb-dm7vv]

The "Voices" patch not sounding identical is one of the reasons not pulling the trigger on the JX-08. Would you mind sharing the tweaks you did for the PG-8X. I'm thinking the same could be applied to the JX-08.

[@Rsonixtunes]

You should here it on the Super JX MKS-70

[@scottgentile1663]

All modern VA synths from Roland, Korg, Yamaha, etc all sound good these days. The little Yamaha CS reface mini synth sounds as good or better than anything out there (smooth, rich sound, et.). It's now all about the interface which is why people still love the old analog synths. As far as a small boutique, if there was one time you want a screen it's when you have such a tiny amount of room to work with. The JU-08 also shares sliders between the TVA/TVF envelopes, which is a pita for sound design as well as losing those cool dynamics (velocity) selectors. The PG-800 looks huge next to this thing.

[@kidelectro4679]

Is that a Memory Moog in the background?

[@jerzilla3795]

Listening to this again, it sounds like some of the patches are quite different between the two. “Voices” on the 08 doesn’t even seem to capture the voice effect, whereas “Strings” on the 8P definitely has a more brassy quality to it. I’d be interested to see how close you could get them with a bit more tweaking on the 08. Regardless of how close they are, the 08 is at least a decent tribute to the original, but clone it is not.

[@ThisisRends]

There was something wrong with his voices patch. On my 08 it sounds much more like the original.

[@logiclust]

jx-8p is amazing but you have to have a pg-800 with it.

[@jerzilla3795]

The iPG-800 app is a must-have. For $5 you get all of the programmers for the 80’s Roland flagship synths!

[@ryananthony4840]

I bet the jx 8p would work well with the JD 800 song wise

[@audiolego]

My mannnn

[@ferenclucas2842]

I bought 8p new in 85. This was before real time tweaking was a thing. The goal was largely to synthesize real instrument sounding patches because of course there were not really developed samplers yet. So programming could be done w menu and saved as a new static patch. I bet even the pg800 was largely invented for convenience to avoid the menu diving and not as much for real time tweaking yet in 1985. I think the real time tweaking went mainstream a few years later with 303 acid lines. The minimalist membrane look must have been a cost cutting measure to hit a price point

[@tomadeney8860]

'A binary that doesn't exist' - brilliant!

[@johndogwater]

Both lovely things, does it sound to anyone else as if the new one has been voiced a little more generically? It's just not as strong a character as the original I think.

[@glynnpowell7864]

Nah the new one is epic

[@tonystephen6312]

Can't tell what's playing... The original or boutique.

[@charlyromero7666]

Hey man that was some really nice chords and playing, I’m a begginer producer, can I use this to make sum music and give you credits? It’s just, damn dude that lines inspired me and a lot, I start singing and i thought “I have to record this, it might be good” u know? hahaha

[@allancairns6815]

The JX08 did not sound that good via the original JX8P it lacked low and mid frequency yet when you demonstrated it in the first video via the Jupiter 8 keyboard it sounded alot better ! Maybe an EQ or Speaker or ? Anyway I bought one today so I'll give you my verdict soon . 🤔🙂.

[@asoundlab]

In this vid I was just playing the original patches found in both - the jx08 has a lot of other patches, effects, filter types etc that give it a much broader pallet but always the jx8p feel. I think you’ll like it when you play with it - let me know your thoughts either way

[@robertsteinberger5667]

And what is your verdict about the JX08? I would really like to know.

[@countyfair74]

Next time demo both versions but don't say which is which.

[@Lofyne]

Nice comparison. But just like in Espen Kraft’s video, the original does sound a lot warmer. And with Roland offering so many old instruments as part of their cloud subscription, I always get the impression these Boutiques are just plugins with a physical control interface. I’m sure the original wouldn’t be too difficult to recreate with its DCO’s that stay in tune, and just the one analog filter.

[@DocFirewire]

People in 1985 "Wow, this Synth sounds so different from all the others, I gotta have it!". People in 2022: "Meh, it doesn't sound like 1985, I dont want it!"... 😂

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

It lacks lot of harmonics and low end push in a lo fi style. Other then that its pretty similar in color.

[@cherry_blue]

Totally agree with ur concluding statement, I have the jd08 and i love how Roland boutiques revive the character rather than create an exact duplicate. Like imagine me trying to sequence an original jx8p at 180bpm with my digitakt. I love that I can evoke the sounds of various eras of dance music on physical hardware rather than plugins, and bring those sounds into more modern live sets. Same reason I like pedals like Chase Bliss Lossy, which are just plugins on an IC with a midi implementation. I am not a person with enough time or money to justify buying impractical vintage gear for a specific sound. But if a physical emulation is only a 100 more than the plugin used you know I'm gonna get the physical controls and play it like an INSTRUMENT

[@-VCO-]

I have an old 8P (w/ PG) that looks about as beaten up as the one in the video. The chorus sounds like the sea shore. Initially I was thinking about cashing out on it and replacing with an 08. In terms of features, I would say that the 08 is actually even closer to a JX-10. But after every video that I watch, I get more convinced that I should just keep the 8P and forget about it. Or I might eventually just get an 08 as an extra synth, for what it really is: a decent-sounding boutique, that addresses many of the shortcomings from the previous ones.

[@Sui778]

I would look at it in the sense of getting another synth rather than replacing the JX-8P - and I agree - this thing seems to really be modeled more after a JX-10 and sounds more like one as well.

[@CussaOnara]

Eh, I don't think so. It's not grandfather JX-10 or uncle MKS-70 either.

[@Sui778]

@@CussaOnara Didn't say it was. But the bi-timbral functionality was taken from the JX-10, and it sounds closer a JX-10 in regard to it's frequency response - but it certainly isn't the same.

[@marcusholder495]

Please do a video on the roland jupiter 80 !!!!!!!! Please!!!!!

[@PORRFNK]

I dont like the sound of the JX8P, and dont like the JX08 either. So a no brainer for me. Would like to see an Alpha Juno instead or maybe they should team up with Casio and make a CZ.

[@Ni5ei]

No idea what you're playing except when you're fiddling with the sliders. So I can't comment if they sound alike or not.

[@asoundlab]

Jx8p is first in all the patch demoa

[@georgegeorgio1751]

The most recognisable sounds of the 8p are the pitchbrass and sync sounds he should have compared them

[@cacapopo5641]

To me the JX8P sounds so much better. But since the cost for the JX8P and the programmer is about $2000, if you can live with the slightly lesser sound you get so much more for 400 bucks on the Jx08

[@cacapopo5641]

I currently own the JX10, but to me the JX8P is still on my want list.

[@zipchip7994]

I love the look of the JX-8P (it was the first synth I ever saw/played). But it's a fairly anonymous and unremarkable sound - there's nothing stand-out, or special about it. Even the Juno 106 had more 'character'... Just sayin'...

[@craigtracy4396]

Politely, I fully disagree. I would remark on its long envelopes and filter to make one of the best pad machines ever made. And quite remarkable for its smoothness, and as I’ve always described, ‘pads like velvet’. I’m yet to hear anything with such understated, warm delights. Some consider the bass’s as supreme also. ‘One persons junk is another person’s treasure’ - seems to apply here.

[@80ssynthfan48]

I think it's a nice sound. I'd buy one if I had room for it.

[@Rsonixtunes]

Yeah just go for the Super JX - ton more polyphony and character

[@marcusholder495]

May Yahweh bless you brother thanks for your wisdom and patience plus time !!!!!!!

[@vegettoblue8705]

No it don’t imo

[@kirabarsmith9353]

@ghost mall It's funny watching you bully everyone who has a different opinion than you. #pathetic

[@codymchardy7465]

@ghost mall that's pretty cringe. No need to announce to the world you're a crotchety old man!

[@ferenclucas2842]

The lo strings ok . Brass is terrible on the new . Voices lacks that character big time. It's got that cold digital sizzly-ness sounds thin and lifeless at times

[@EnochLight]

Not one person claiming the Boutique doesn’t sound like an authentic JX8P would be able to tell in a mix. Ya’all are hilarious.

[@MusicZeroOne]

Why do bands use expensive guitars and drums? Surely cheap ones would sit “in the mix”? Or orchestras, surely 20 cheap violins would do?

[@querydelacroix2919]

@@MusicZeroOne You're comparing bad instruments against good, instead of two instruments that are so close to the same that they need several KZbin videos and hundreds of comments worth of comparison.

[@MusicZeroOne]

@@querydelacroix2919 I'm not, I said cheap. Like a Bernd Hiller & Sohn violin to standard. Cheap doesn't equate to 'bad'. But saying you could bury those in a mix is just crazy talk. Anyway, there's a huge difference nobody ever addresses on the VST side, that is one is an actual instrument you play. I can sit and play my JUNO-60 for hours. I've never sat and played a singular VST for hours. It's not comparable.

[@dougie6897]

Tell in the mix ?a smoke screen argument at absolute best.

[@sinewaymusic]

Compare and contrast the JX-08 against all the other synths...

[@codymchardy7465]

Every. Single. Synth.

[@logiclust]

@@codymchardy7465 ever

[@geoffk777]

I can't imagine any professional using a Boutique. The format just doesn't make any sense to me, and it's not that cheap. Using a System-8, a Jupiter-X or the JX8P Model Extension on a Fantom all make some sense. But the Boutique is just too much of an expensive toy to take seriously. As for the sound, it does sound nice. It's not identical, but it's certainly close enough to substitute for the original.

[@martingrafton4844]

I bought one, it makes sense to me because I wanted something portable & small to take to my mate's flat for synthesizer jam-sessions.

[@geoffk777]

@@martingrafton4844 If it works for you, than fine. But You need a keyboard controller and an amp too, so your actually carrying a fair bit of kit. Something like a Novation Peak or Deepmind 12d would be just as compact but more powerful and easier to tweak. Or even a Hydrasynth Desktop.

[@geoffk777]

@@martingrafton4844 An iPad with a MIDI/Audio interface is a great alternative too. Jordan Rudess uses one on stage and you'd be amazed how good the synth, organ and piano apps are. I can carry a whole library of instruments and effects on one. I even have a couple of DAWs.

[@Wagoo]

This should never have had a picture of a JX-8P on the box. Since it does, it should be using ACB

[@Wagoo]

@ghost mall don't be ridiculous. The boutique is marketed as effectively a digital reissue of the original classic synth. If they marketed this as a JXish synth inspired by JX-8P/JX-10/MKS70.. then.. yeah it'd belong close-ish to that family.. But that's not what the boutiques are about, and you know it

[@ThisisRends]

ACB crowd: Where are the missing voices? Roland says it‘s a reissue of the old ones

[@martingrafton4844]

@ghost mall Haha, good reply!

[@_mickmccarthy]

It's the limited voices as a result of using ACB that stops me picking up a JU-06a. I'm guessing there were quite a lot of complaints about that on the ACB models.

[@_mickmccarthy]

@ghost mall Absolutely, and especially with the multi-timbral options offered as a result

[@AlainHubert]

This has to be one the worst comparison demos between a JX-8P and the JX-08 that I've ever heard. The patches don't even remotely sound like each other. Moreover, the volume levels were very different between the two. I'm sure the JX-08 can come closer to a JX-8P than shown here with someone who can actually do a proper comparison video.

[@dodgingrain3695]

lol, I can see it now in the Roland board room..... "dude these boutiques are cash cows, how can we get even more out of them? Lets skip the research and just do a quick halfa$$ed emulation, that acb takes to long.... no one will know the difference and we can make more $...."

[@Deepwatermusic]

No. End of review. It sounds less like a JX8P than the PG-8X vst. Too bad.

[@TwitterAR3]

Don't quit your Day Job.