Roland JX-08 Boutique Sonic LAB Review

The latest Roland Boutique is inspired by the 1985 JX-8P - we say inspired because:
a) It has controls (the original didn't) based on the optional PG800 programmer
b) It has up to 20 voices of polyphony and a two part multi-timbral engine. More like a JX-10 if we're honest.
We also uploaded some Decent Sampler JX-08 instruments for you to our Patreon, where you will also find plenty of exclusive content. / sonicstate
JX-08 at Adorama: bit.ly/3J59bsQ
It uses ABM (analog behaviour modelling) which is a less DSP hungry way of digitally modelling the voice architecture and means it has more voices than the original ACB based Boutiques.
The interface is still Boutique sized with 30mm faders, knobs and buttons, has an internal speaker, miniJack connections and a battery compartment for wire-free operation. Plus the USB Audio interface (8 outs - Mix, Layer A, B and Stereo in, plus stereo return)
USB-C is used - yay! Better than micro USB of the earlier models, and can be mounted in the Roland K-24m keyboard if you desire.
#soniclab #jx08 #boutique
Exclusive extra content on Patreon
/ sonicstate
00:00 Intro and overview
02:44 USB Audio
03:47 Voice architecture
07:28 THAT Chorus, sounds and FX
12:50 Can it PWM?
14:40 Split/Layer Multi-timbrallity
16:42 Sequencer
21:32 Round up and conclusions
Frozen Reverbs Racks for Live: bit.ly/freezemachines
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[@cosmicaddress7851]

Great review and you made it sound fantastic. As you were smoothly sliding the filter cutoff, I was noticing how bad the stepping is in my PG-800!

[@blakecasimir]

Another great video Nick. Not surprised you were so enthusiastic about the JX-08. It's not perfect, but it has sooo much character for a digital synth. And to have that much polyphony and bi timbrality at this price and form factor. It's one of the best Boutiques at least. Possibly also featuring Roland's best digital chorus effect ever?

[@simonbaker4834]

Wow! great demo. love the dual sequencer function. Still trying to get my head around the newly acquired JP-08 and JU-06A

[@ConstantinPhillipou]

Best synth reviewer and reviewer player!! Great synth makes me want to buy everything you demo with excitement;)

[@user-tp7cg1jd4j]

Simply a great sounding synth with many additional interesting features like split , effects and motion sequencer, easy to program with a beautiful interface. Great Nick as always with this in depth review!

[@SvexTheDragon]

This was just the review I needed, not just playing factory patches and listing all the specs and instead a proper review with everything explained in very good detail, with self created sounds that really show off what this thing can do. Absolutely fantastic job as always, you guys make the best synth reviews in my opinion. I ordered one shortly after watching this.

[@PayneSculptures]

2 years later what did you think of the JX-08 Svex? Did you keep it? Sell it? Love it? Hate it? Very curious.

[@SvexTheDragon]

@@PayneSculptures I still have it, it's one of my fav synths (I have about 9 different synths now, ranging from 80s digital stuff to proper analog stuff like a Pro-800), I find it to be super quick to make sounds with and I've yet to find something that doesn't sound good on it. Faders and switches all work without a problem after 2 years, not had any issues with it. The only annoying thing is the filtering on the USB port, if you power it via USB it is extremely noisy, so I've been mostly using it with rechargeable batteries (contrast this to something like the recent Behringer Pro VS Mini which has absolutely no noise when using the same USB cable and power adapter). It has it's own character and the sound it has sits very well in almost any mix, so I find myself using it a lot more than most other things I have.

[@Jackconte]

Your reviews are SO thorough. I so appreciate the attention to detail and investigative approach. Also love your approach to the review - thinking about it in the context of the original synth but not reviewing it as “what the original didn’t have.” And I fully agree about the chorus. INSANE CHORUS sound. Thank you for helping all of us make better purchasing decisions. I’ve just ordered my JX08, and I just keep coming back to this video to listen and hear your take because it gets me pumped to get it in the mail. THANK YOU!

[@erict2899]

I got one after this too. It’s great. Has a more limited palate than some, but what it does do is awesome. The sequencer and dual patch capabilities really make it shine. Mod lanes too. Needs an external reverb like a big sky or empress. Loving it with the microcosm and a looper afterwards.

[@Rsonixtunes]

Just orders mine - super excited!

[@timzitzelsberger3200]

Just got one you're review is very helpful thanks amazing synth and review we are lucky to have both

[@ryanhursh6322]

IDGAF if this sounds like the OG or not, it sounds incredible. I have a feeling that all the people calling it lifeless or flat don't even actually make music, they just sit in their parents basements and geek out on specs... it's always like that in all things related to electronics. I think whatever "life" is "missing" will be negligible in a mix. Real artists/musicians will work with what's there, and in this case, what's there sounds fantastic. I have some beef with the form factor of the boutiques but it's not worse than working on a OP-Z or even an OP-1 and sounds a hell of a lot better than both. Great review. I'll def be copping one of these.

[@velanche]

Really appreciate the demo! I have several AIRA instruments, so finally breaking down to get my first polyphonic to go along with them. I ordered mine today, and looking forward to it whenever they are available again. Many thanks!

[@cravensean]

Thanks for the tip on pulse-width modulation. And for the record, I watched this review a few times before making the purchase.

[@theelectronicrat]

I know it's not an exact copy of the original, others have compared and demonstrated that. But, the full and rich sounds I like Roland for, are there. Considering this beauty as addition to my rather mixed setup. Thanks for this in depth review.

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Fantastic sound and capabilities in that little thing, extremely reasonable price.

[@funkmachine6420]

Great review. This synth is defo for me, cheers Nick!

[@Soundsauca]

Beautiful sounds coming from this one. Always been intrigued by the JX sound as I’ve only experienced Juno’s first hand. It’s sync sound is very distinctive. Cheers 👍

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Nick, your reviews are the best in the business, absolutely wonderful and extremely helpful to sound designers. Just one item you have been leaving out....it would be nice to hear how long the amp envelopes are; I just purchased a new Minilogue and was disappointed in the short envelope times, no one ever tested the full length of ADSR.

[@thefool2007]

I was curious about this unit. I appreciate the attention to the features it has instead of what it is emulating. It sounds pretty decent with some nice effects but not super deep. It does sound quite good though. I see JX8Ps for sale every so often and they aren't super expensive, but not always with the external programmer. This seems to be an excellent alternative. The sounds are pretty close with the modeling technology. Great review. Great channel. My favorite part to your reviews is your sensitivity to what a player is looking with respect to what they can get for their money. No PWM, ugh. That's almost as bad as Roland not including after touch on most of their keyboards (like the FA0 series).

[@SynthAddict]

nice Nick, I'm already a Boutique fan and you made me want this even more after another one of your stellar dark synth demos :-) it's not ACB but it still sounds great I borrowed a neighbor's JX-8P in college for a few hours to sample with my new (at the time) Emax II sampler, but I never had one - this looks close enough to me and has the integrated PG-800 which he didn't have :-) The one preset called Vidiot was pretty cool, and not just because my other online synth moniker is KingVidiot :-P (that's from a movie)

[@tsevetgestoorde]

sound great, and looks fun to me. thank for the review

[@Psychlist1972]

You're right Nick: that chorus is pretty amazing. :)

[@mlne15159]

As always , a class demo . an honest opinion . thanks !

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Great review, Nick. You coaxed some heavy, rich sounds out of that great little instrument. It's exciting that the sequencer records parameter changes. I wonder if Roland can expand earlier Boutique sequencers with a firmware update?

[@shoontz]

marcusfuller did a teardown of some of the earlier Boutiqes and I remember him commenting on how there was space on the board left empty for added DSP in the future. So I'd imagine they'd need a hardware upgrade.

[@RoyChartier]

This would be more appropriately compared to a Super JX/JX-10 or MKS-70 with a PCM-60 and PCM-41 built in. A great pads or orchestral synth with epic strings and sound efx. Easier to program, fewer limitations, and as an owner of an original JX-8P and an MKS-70, I can say, while it would be exposed in a dry A-B comparison...in a mix, with efx, it has the same effect...indeed, it may probably be easier to fit into a mix. Sometimes older isn't better, and if you aren't interested in the challenges that come with older gear, this synth is probably one of the best sounding, best all-around value synths, available. Downsides, some issues with USB power & USB MIDI, and 1/8" TRS output...but otherwise, probably the best boutique yet. Have one, and love it.

[@UTSONUT]

awesome jam Nick! you rock man!

[@mCKENIC]

Thanks Nick! Really have to say I had no interest in this - until your review. Wonderful sounds and you demonstrated the sequencer brilliantly. Thank you!

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

This thing sounds fantastic. If this had been the very first Boutique I think the public perception would be quite different. Glad they've learned a few things and put some smarts into this unit. Nice patches and playing Nick.

[@Wagoo]

The first boutiques were heavily compared with Jupiter-8, Juno-106, JX-3P though.. personally I think we'd have been miffed at how far off they are, rather than impressed by how close ACB is. I'm now worried they'll do the Jupiter-6 and Jupiter-4.. but only via ABM templates. Which in no way replaces the need for the original synths

[@ironinquisitor3656]

@@Wagoo Same here. ACB would work for a JP-04 Boutique with the polyphony limit because the original Jupiter 4 only had 4 voices too.

[@Rsonixtunes]

So true brither

[@thesrabbit]

Great review Nick. My only gripe with this thing is the jerky aftertouch response. You can hear it in this video and trust me, it’s nothing to do with you or the Keystep. Same thing with the JD-08. I hope they add some interpolation to smooth it out, because right now it’s like turning on sample and hold. That aside this and the JD-08 are winners. Well done Roland.

[@LeonTrimble]

Man I wanted a jd800 sooo bad when I was like twenty. But now these two have come out I frickin love the sound of this one way harder.

[@kimdiez2681]

Get you one, the JD800 is about 5 times the cost nowadays. I just ordered me the JX-08 "coming next week, Im stoked !! I ad a JD800, and never figured it allout (to program) but the JX-08 seems like a breeze to figure out !

[@drstupid1]

Best reviewer of the best boutique.

[@romanyel]

Nice tune, esp bass around 19:00 with the two parts playing. Can't wait to tackle this synth.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

On LFO speed: There is a parameter in the layer A/B section to turn up the LFO speed well into audio rates. It is a toggle, one or the other, either slower or faster.

[@lamborghinimiura7625]

I agree, this is a good review channel.

[@_B.C_]

I’m hoping this trend means we will get a JP8000 boutique soon. JP-8K would be an instant buy for me if you’re listening Roland.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Yes..that and the Alpha Juno...had a lot of trouble with my JP8000 so I sold it.

[@_B.C_]

@@fortheloveofnoise ya the alpha is another classic. The JP8080 is my favorite synth I’ve never owned though. I don’t want to buy a used one this late in the game either. Don’t have the space for it either. I would swap out my JU-06 in its space, if they made a boutique however.

[@ironinquisitor3656]

Yes... Alpha-JU/A-JU (Alpha Juno), JP-80 (JP-8000), JP-04 (Jupiter 4) JP-08A (revised JP-08 Boutique combining Jupiter 8 and Jupiter 6). Boutiques I want too see next year. JP-8000 turns 25 this year so it makes sense for it to be one of the next.

[@billysunshine9100]

I love how Nick plays keys.

[@hugocaldeiravinagre]

Hello. i have read the manual of the jx-8 and couldnt find any references to a modulation matrix in the roland jx-08. is there a way to assign mod wheel (cc1) to filter cut off and set min and max ranges?

[@bingobaz6402]

I got one of these coming today. The bass sound from this thing sold me. I was going to get jd08 initially but thought this would be better, only thing I will say though there seems to be a hell of a lot of reverb on most of these sounds.

[@mrbill4068]

Just got one...strange thing i noticed is that when changing some osc settings, all the previous notes stop. I was using the arpeggiator and a patch with long release with reverse envs doing rising filter sweeps when the glitch appeared...perhaps it is a compromise for abm?

[@BlackCat-qq6iz]

Thank you Nick, I love your reviews !! Is it possible to use the arpeggiator on notes that are triggered by the sequencer ? Thank you.

[@hmk8996]

The JX-10 is one of my all time top 5 synths. This little brother sounds incredible.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

I can't imagine having a synthesizer this powerful back when I bought my first synth in the 1980's...for a cost of about $100.00 (adj. inflation). Even the simple first PCM modules, like the Roland U220 I bought a few years after my Juno cost $800.00 back then or about $2400.00 today. Plus all the cheap reverbs on and off synths back then were horrible until Ensoniq released its 24 bit reverb on the EPS16plus sampler (over $2000 back then) and we started getting better effects built in. I can make recordings today in my full hardware studio full of cheap synths that just blow away anything I could do back then on expensive higher end devices recorded to my Teak Reel to Reel two track.....then later on my Fostex 4 track cassette running at double speed. Today, in my little 100% hardware studio in the corner I have very few limitations. I can now design my own effects algorithms in series on my little ZoomCDRms70; routed in my aux loop of a Mackie VLZ mixer and create anything I want for an environment for $150.00. Musicians are so blessed today :)

[@jh5131]

Yeah, it really is a great time to be alive and be into synths

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Agreed, we truly live in the Golden Age of synths, and hardware in general. We are very fortunate and modern gear is amazing.

[@velanche]

Just taking another look at this video and feeling the excitement that Roland has added AIRA LINK to the JX-08, which means that it can be used with the MX-1. Will be a bit before I get there, as I’m learning to use other AIRA gear. Should hopefully make for an interesting setup.

[@gaborb6577]

Thanks for the review. Seemingly the same infos you can mention in positive form.

[@felipefs106]

Compared to the zen-core included in the 101 or 707, does this emulation adds something different? or is it a bit redundant to pair this one with those grooveboxes?

[@acefstripe]

Sounds fantastic to my ears..

[@DaveDaves]

Great review Nick (been watching u for years but this one is particularly relevant to me) . All these minor points you make, I'm totally there with you & appreciate! Agreed they really need to come up with a successor to the MX-1 so that you could integrate these things into a studio setup. I agree the Chorus is very impressive on this, and a reason to make my head turn! That, plus the ability to do splits/layers - which makes it more like the JX-10 actually because that one had that ability (it had two 8P boards inside for 12-note polyphony or two separate 6 voice systems), moreover that Roland is giving us this bitimbrality over individual USB outputs per part! And thx for pointing out that when you load new patches it transitions without cutting off the prior. I really didn't think I was so interested in this JX-08 (on account of being too die-hard JX-8P fan and I hated the JX-03) but I really am.Regarding programming your own sounds, Eric Persing wrote an amazing article for one of the synth magazines describing his techniques for creating patches for the JX-8P / JX-10 (iirc those were the first for Roland he did, the only before the iconic D-50 presets).

[@zerobeat2020]

When you sync a square wave and you modulate the pitch, you do actually get real PWM. You can use detune to set the PW. Just check it on a scope! Because of this there was no need to add PWM to the JX-8P, and thus also not to the JP-08.

[@skrapadelix]

I have A JX-8P and honestly, I prefer the sound of the JX-08 overall. I never thought I'd type those words, especially after buying the original boutique JU-06 and finding it sorely lacking compared to my beloved Juno 6.

[@sonicstate]

Wow

[@tyromelive2851]

Of course, here just the same feeling, this thing sounds superior and it fits in a mix much easier to. But hey, who I’m I, a never had a hit record in my life…

[@Wagoo]

JU-06 is a 106 anyway, not a 6/60

[@funkmachine6420]

As an ex jx8p owner I agree

[@nectariosm]

So I am going to be the one disagreeing then. The sound reminds me of my JX-8P, this tiny thing don't sound bad for sure and I would definitely buy this boutique synth if I could also use it as a "PG-800", but judging from what I hear in this review, I prefer the sound of my JX-8P. Just sounds more lively, less...flat.

[@ThisisRends]

Sounds BIG!

[@NathanChisholm041]

I want a Roland JP-8000 re issue!

[@Acrimonious_Snake]

This synth sounds HUGE! Wonderful!

[@lauritarkiainen1858]

Mr Batt videos are super cool.

[@markslandingsandaviationvi3123]

0:00 This reminds me of the music used in Kerbal Space Program😀

[@Zeal808]

Good old sonic state with nick🤩

[@lukebussey5218]

i NEED one of these

[@_mickmccarthy]

Awesome, so looking forward to this review! Already got mine and while there's a fair share of issues IMO (no ability to use JX-8P/PG-8X presets is a biggie! As well as not having an easy way to import presets as all presets are stuck into a single binary file whereas previous boutiques would store them in separate files with params in plain text). Still super happy with mine though, got a K25m on the way so looking forward to getting that added too!

[@zoundsic]

K25M is playable, well is for my not too big hands, but if you just give it slight less touch it can drop way too low to really light touch.. Hope yours is better or happy with less sensitive setting on a synth and happy to lose some dynamic range.

[@_mickmccarthy]

@@zoundsic Fingers crossed, I use my little Akai MPK Mini a lot so hopefully it's not too different. And on the plus-side, there's some keyboard sensitivity options built into the JX-08 so hopefully that'll allow me to hit a sweet spot. Will find out in a few days I guess!

[@kimdiez2681]

@@zoundsic Yeah, Im getting the KeyStep (original) to control my smaller modules...it has the best micr/mini keys in the world and many great features built into it also !! The one for the Botiques (K25M) are un-professional (toys).

[@adub303]

3:20 Totally agree on the updated MX-1 (or how about a Boutique MX-01, Roland? 😁). Maybe an MX with more USB inputs and assignable, TR-8S-style multi-outs.

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Good high quality outputs are very expensive. DACs and output preamps and the entire chain of electronics to achieve pro sound is expensive and engineering intense. Instead of multi-outputs better to buy a second instrument as an option. For sampling I needed multi-outputs, I was hesitant to pay $600 for a little 1010music BlackBox, but that extra money paid for incredible high quality sound, worth every penny.

[@project-95]

Agree, MX-2 is well overdue. I fear they'd abandon analogue inputs entirely though in favour of USB. Roland seem good at crippling things; lack of usb bus power on MX1, monophonic sequencer on ju06a, not to mention 4-voice polyphony on previous boutiques. Despite this I love the MX-1, nothing else comes close if you have a bunch of modern Roland gear. I route audio from older gear through the boutique's external inputs to workaround MX1's lack of analogue inputs. Not ideal but it works!

[@adub303]

@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene Agreed, but Roland have also been in the game with audio interfaces, and vertically integrated at that (plus the Edirol stuff, etc), so I'm thinking something with Rubix or TR-8S type DACs. Heck, why not even update the livery like they did from the TR-8 to the 8S and VT-3 to VT-4 to keep the look and feel, then they can justify charging MC-707 and TR-8S prices (when the 8S first came out, that is). All that said, I personally do end up going USB into my computer from various Boutiques, Aira and other gear and making use of the TR-8S multi outs when I need to insert outboard gear (like Grandmother spring reverb 🙂).

[@adub303]

@@project-95 Exactly- MX-2 (I personally was thinking either MX-8 in an MC-707 or TR-8S form factor or MX-01 in a boutique or MC-101 style 😉). And yes, the "always moving forward" credo from Roland has made few friends over the years (ask anyone who bought a VariOS or who came to rely on the SH-201 editor or USB audio drivers 😐). Also agreed on the (rather artificial, imho) 4-voice limit or the weird divergence of the TR-08 with individual USB outs per-part and the TR-09 with just 4, for some reason (I still don't understand why the -09 hasn't been updated to match the -08 specs...). I am rather glad they kept with the old daisy-chain capabilities, though (like plugging a TR-606 into a TB-303 for DAWless and mixerless jamming 😂).

[@harveytherobot]

I was seriously startled at 7:36 when that chorus came on!

[@billybartcody3591]

Please do a review of the Sequential Take 5, Nick :D

[@stevehagen8694]

Sequential is not willing to pay SS.

[@billybartcody3591]

@@stevehagen8694 are you implying that SonicState only reviews gear the manufacturer pays them to review? Or that Sequential will only supply review units to paid shills? I don't think either is true. Besides, Nick already reviewed the Pro 3.

[@Ken-W1KAL]

I think he said today on SonicState that a Take 5 was on the way…

[@freejazzbone]

JX-08 sounds great, hope Roland adds MIDI Thru soon, update?

[@aviolentpurple9925]

Wow this sounds amazing

[@cresshead]

Excellent video, i guess the up to 20 note poly is for 1 layer, 10 notes for 2 poly layers per layer.. maybe 19 for a poly layer and a mono layer. and 2 notes for 2 mono layers

[@kimdiez2681]

Nothing wrong with that.

[@terrymacklin5935]

Wouldn't it have been nice if Roland took the PG800 controller (the JX8P controller) and put all this into it and allowed it to control the JX8P as well?

[@Death_By_Media]

Nice demo as always Nick , again why aren’t they beating down your door for score work ? Did the sequencer record external CCs , mod and pitch wheel data ?

[@annother3350]

Good questions

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

This might be my favorite boutique

[@Digiphex]

Interesting, their primary focus is making digital versions of their earlier synths. "Chasing ghosts" so to speak is by far their focus. Nothing wrong with that I guess. Would love to see a 1 to 1 copy of their Jupiter 8 for the 50th anniversary, maybe with all black keys as the Stealth Quantum had.

[@adrianmccombe625]

Don't worry Behringer will have this sorted in the next couple of years 👍

[@zoundsic]

Hope you got money to burn, over 9 grand in dollars in todays money plus could you get the components and how much to produce those if not available today, err, I'll be forced to give it a miss.

[@Digiphex]

@@zoundsic Not true at all. Some very wrong people used to say that abut the 303, 808, 909. They were so incredibly wrong!

[@zoundsic]

@@Digiphex What's wrong, I'm not saying they'd cost that to make today but that was there price with inflation taken into account and I'm not sure all components are available, so a 1 on 1 reproduction would need those too. Great if they are and sure they'd save something on modern manufacturing techniques but it won't be cheap and be top end of the market to get it identical. Your thinking clones with same sound.

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@zoundsic Dave Smith rebooted the Prophet-5 for $3,499.

[@lesliemakin]

I owned a JX8P and then a few years later a JX10 don't have them now 😢 i have ordered one of of the new JX08 it's just seem the Universe (Roland) is telling me something.

[@fosferus]

someone should tell Roland about displays that utilize pixels so they can stop using the cryptic 7 segment ones. not sure if they know those exist yet..

[@Whaever_1981]

≈ Looked so good until 19:42. You can right away feel the limitation of the 7bits and small fader here during the Cutoff modulation :( Have to say however that this is the best looking synth Roland has released in a while!

[@TheLazerTank]

This is really making me want to sell my JX-10 for this. Too bad they didn’t stuff it in a giant 76-key or it would be gone yesterday.

[@gz625]

Hi. I'm going to buy this synth.

[@RikMaxSpeed]

I think Roland boutiques are nailing it now that they have decent polyphony. 4 voices just didn’t cut it for me.

[@skillzflux415]

They should've made this so you can also use it as a pg-800

[@kimdiez2681]

After you program your own patch, how do you save/write it please? Anyone thanks !!

[@mrbill4068]

static.roland.com/manuals/jx-08_reference/eng/17811727.html Press the BANK [1 (5)]-[4 (8)] buttons to select the group and bank where you want to save the data. Long-press one of the NUMBER [1]-[8] buttons to select the patch number you wish to save to. The display blinks several times. The tone is saved in the patch number you selected.

[@mrbreaker101]

Hi Nick. Two really stupid questions not related the JX-08: What are the midi cables you're using? They're much thinner than the usual kind and that can be handy with a billion cables lying around What is the funky metal synth storage unit behind you? Looks fairly simple (an Ikea product?) but could be handy for people like myself who are drowning in boxes and kit Thanks

[@sonicstate]

Its this one: www.amazon.com/One-Control-MIDI-Hammer-Cable-30-Angled-Cable/dp/B01LXW2F0Y

[@SacredSolfeggio]

Good but still no cigar... Surprised to hear that the original did not have PWM, I had to download the manual in disbelief... WOW !.. I want to like it but me thinks a live demo would be better. THANKS and as always I learn a lot from your videos... Cheers !!!

[@cartilagehead6326]

I wish they’d drop the wonky stand-up chassis thing and just ship them in rectangular boxes

[@chrissender7152]

Cool Video. What is different to JU-06a. In functionality?

[@SynthPrince]

Did you notice a glitch where if one of the DCOs is turned down in the mixer section, you can still hear changes to that DCO's parameters despite the fact it should't be audible?

[@sonicstate]

It will if its in Sync or X mod mode?

[@SynthPrince]

@@sonicstate Not in either mode, sadly

[@fortheloveofnoise]

The boutique I really want is an Alpha Juno boutique, but maybe I am the only one. The hands on control would be a benefit over the original....even if they were microscopic.

[@activelow9297]

I am waiting for an AJ boutique too... it might be the only one I buy.

[@Sui778]

I would want a boutique version of the alphaJuno, also. But only if it had at least six voices.

[@Jacob-ur3lh]

I wonder if that mix in allows you to plug other instruments in and use that chorus....

[@kimdiez2681]

I heard no :-(

[@sK3LeTvM1]

Thanks!! Great review. Not the load of Espen Kraft bs. Sounds terrific. My JX-08 is on its way !

[@Rsonixtunes]

Espen was such a bitch in that vid. I usually like his vids. I think he’s protective of his fave vintage board lol (I have vintage and I get it) but this is a great little synth

[@shehzadamurthy1983]

Thanks for reviewing these yourself. I love the sounds you come up. I hate when you have company representatives to demo these Synths/keyboards, they do the most basic and generic presentation.

[@BrunoWiebelt]

thx nick

[@oc10121989]

iam glad that the jx-03\08 had two oscillators unlike the junos, the junos were fine synths, thats what everyone says but with the JX's you have more options

[@richcolour]

Roland, why didn't you make the display GREEN?

[@ScoopexUs]

What chorus does for the sound is make it stereo instead of mono (electric organ style) and gives shock to mono brain which never knew sound could be like this. LMAO. I absolutely positively fucking hate the display. A very old geezer in a polo neck sweater and owning a Hasselblad camera from before the first moon landing decided that display is good enough for 2022, not a single user did. It doesn't quite sound like the original, but it still sounds sharp and with this many features and capabilities that's not a bad thing. Originals still exist and work and are more limited. Definitely worth considering for the actual beast it is and the easy sound creation.

[@mijaba]

is ACB (analog circuit behavior) different than ABM (analog behavior modelling)??

[@actonspur5231]

Yes.

[@Reeesegame]

I already have a TR-8s and a keystep 37. Can’t decide to sell the drum machine and get mc-707 or keeping it and get a JU-06A and this JX-08 🤔

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Depends on your patience in sound design. These synths with all the tactile control on the surface are incredibly fast to design, as well as get much deeper easily. Menu sound design I gave up on, it is not fun, and extremely frustrating. With non-menu sound design you can be creating new sounds for each new song you write making each song stand out from the others.

[@Reeesegame]

@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene thanks! yes the menu diving stuff I might regret with the 707. I already don’t like it with the TR-8s (Behringer rd-8 /9 might be better for me)

[@asantecarter7013]

I just cannot believe the Aux input on these Audio Interfaces ONLY go direct to the output. #jd08 #jx08

[@Melodic623]

How do you get an init patch?

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

10:11 That sounds on the Navation MiniNova.

[@kennymester]

So is ACB technology done? From the original marketing for ACB I remember them touting that it models synths on an electrical component level. I also see the Roland site makes no mention of ACB anymore. Were any details given on what ABM means like is there a quality difference?

[@Wagoo]

ABM is just a parameter template that restricts their general VA engine (Zen Core) to a subset of itself, specific oscillator types, features and what not. It has macros for parameter scaling on the controls. It's vastly inferior in authenticity to ACB, and this is why you get 20 voices in this synth.. I think ACB will probably return when Roland upgrades their chips next time. Currently they use quad core chips (ARM SoC).. so when there's 8 core in the future they could make 8 voice boutiques using one chip etc. Using ABM for this boutique was easy for them, as it was already available as a model in the Jupiter-X and such

[@kennymester]

@@Wagoo seems kind of disingenuous on Roland’s part to not give us details of what this tech is and means not to mention scrubbing any mention of ACB from their website.

[@Wagoo]

@@kennymester oddly there are rumours of a JX-8P ACB plugout coming later this year.. heavily hinted at by someone at Roland. Maybe they used ABM in the boutique to stop people complaining about 4 voices (which they could have fixed in other ways.. 2 chips (yeah more expensive) or release a voice expander module that works with any other boutique to double polyphony (and without a broken polychain implementation))

[@kennymester]

@@Wagoo I don’t mind that they used a zen core based DSP in this but instead of inventing new acronyms why not just tell people what it is and why. If I could get the same model in another zen core piece of gear maybe I’d make that choice instead if I had the information.

[@oraz.]

Very 80s. I wish they made the format just a bit bigger though.

[@Wagoo]

They should have made the boutique format rack compatible.. desktop modules that double as 3U-4U racks.. it would have still been really portable but allowed for much less cramped controls. It's kind of an annoying form factor, really. But sort of too late for them to change it now since they've made so many.. one good improvement was removing the pointless touch ribbons.. and moving away from microUSB

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

Why does Nick end up making the best sounds with this thing? I went from not wanting to wanting this synth just from this review

[@joebrewer4529]

Well he is in a constant state of modulating.

[@codymchardy7465]

He makes me forget that I had a breakdown in the bathroom earlier today over my money problems. I'm sure there's room in the budget for this synth :)

[@st0rmchild]

Max polyphony depends on which effects you have enabled.

[@willp3754]

Thanks! That makes sense. Seems like the sequencer is eight notes per step max regardless

[@kimdiez2681]

I never heard of FX effecting polyphony huh???

[@st0rmchild]

@@kimdiez2681 The entire synth (including the effects) runs on a single DSP chip. Enabling more effects consumes more DSP power, leaving less of it available for emulating the analog signal path of each voice. Some effects use more DSP than others, so depending on which effects (and how many) you enable, the max polyphony will be reduced.

[@kimdiez2681]

@@st0rmchild I never heard of that and I really appreciate you letting me know !

[@tomadeney8860]

Apparently Gary Numan took 5 jx8ps on tour with him in 1985 - not a bad endorsement of the original 😎

[@djsun1]

i miss my jx-8p i still have the controller which i’ll probably part with due to the price being more than the keyboard itself- i’m guessing but wow it sounds great with the additional features and effects definitely want one ;) i like they have expanded the poly on both this and the other new boutique. Great review as always Nick!

[@annother3350]

sell the controller and buy this!

[@djsun1]

@@annother3350 excellent idea :)

[@electrowayne2918]

@@djsun1 I will buy the controller- msg me.

[@djsun1]

@@electrowayne2918 was trying to find a way to message you

[@SCUDDERS36]

Will it make the hoover sound 🤔

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I think I will stick with my JX-8P. ;)

[@thurstonmurru]

Got mine, compared to my Jx3P and a Juno 106 I have some recording and samples of, this sounds great!

[@ortusiguanam]

me too man, so cool. also you seem cool too

[@1980VINZ]

USB-C !!! Finally !!!