The Synth Behind David Lynch's Most Iconic Scores

Tonight, we’re diving deep into the Roland JX-10, one of the most underrated analog synthesizers of the '80s. Released in 1986, this dual-engine beast became legendary in the hands of Angelo Badalamenti, who used the rackmount version, the Roland MKS-70, to craft some of the most haunting and evocative film scores of all time.
If you’ve ever been entranced by the dreamy, surreal soundscapes of Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, or any of David Lynch’s works, you’ve heard the JX-10. The Soundtrack preset, famously used in Laura’s Theme, is one of the most chillingly beautiful moments in television history-and it’s all here, straight from this synth.
With the recent passing of David Lynch, this stream is not just about exploring the sounds of the JX-10, but about paying homage to a true visionary-the greatest artist of our generation, whose work has shaped and inspired me beyond words.
Join me as we step into the eerie, dreamlike world of the JX-10 and celebrate the music, the films, and the legacy of David Lynch.
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#RolandJX10 #TwinPeaks #DavidLynch #AngeloBadalamenti #MulhollandDrive #synthesizer #musicproduction #sounddesign
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[@LesDeuxLoveOrchestra]

I worked with David and Angelo on lots of music, particularly their perfume commercials. We used the MKS-70, and also the Korg O1/W. Man, working with those guys was some of the most fun I've ever had in my life. Usually, Angelo would write the music on the spot, and I would stack the parts. Thanks for making this video, and you're right. Just playing Laura's Theme is a blast. That was done before my time with those guys. A lot of that music was originally on Julee Cruise's album, which ALL Lynch fans should def check out. Best wishes on your channel, and let's raise another glass to David. xoldlo.

[@VultureCulture]

So incredible that you got to work with them! Would you ever be interested in doing an interview on this channel? Thank you so much either way! Glad to have you here!

[@jooei2810]

Julee Cruise, now there is an artist! Miss her so much…

[@treetopjones737]

Cruise first collaborated with Lynch after working as a talent scout for composer Angelo Badalamenti, who had been asked to work on the song Mysteries of Love for the Blue Velvet soundtrack. Cruise struggled to find a suitably ethereal vocalist, so decided to have a go at singing the track herself. "I actually never sang in that trademark 'Julee Cruise voice' before I worked with Angelo and David," she told The Guardian in 2017. "I was always a real belter, lots of power. Working with them changed me." Angelo & DL worked with her on her first two albums ( A. music, and lyrics by DL ).

[@billrebsamen1810]

@@VultureCulture THAT IS A FANTASTIC IDEA! I was going to ask if you ever interview any of your followers here! Lots of folks here I'm sure with really cool rigs, resumes and great ideas for using some of these overlooked beauties from "The Island of Misfit Synths"!

[@VultureCulture]

@billrebsamen1810 id love to do more of it!

[@fredericchen6380]

Thank you for paying hommage to both these monsters that deeply struck our imagination.

[@VultureCulture]

"I'm not a musician, but I play music. So it's a strange thing." - David Lynch

[@edb5171]

This stream on the Roland Super JX-10 is a bit of a surprise. I really enjoyed watching it! The JX-10, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated 80s synths. I happen to own two of these beasts and love how they sound together! Both have the Vecoven flash chip upgrades. I purchased the PWM kit some time ago but have yet to install it in one of the units. Great job, VC!

[@VultureCulture]

I'm glad you like the video! The JX-10 is definitely a hidden gem. Let me know what you think if you install that PWM kit.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Love my MKS-70. I didn’t realize so many stock patches were used on Angelo Badalamenti’s work. I might have added the Vecoven PWM mod to mine.. that was.. fun 😅 Great video mate!

[@VultureCulture]

Do you think I should PWM mod mine?

[@fjellpower]

Great stream! I just bought one of these from a family friend a couple of days ago. He bought it new in '86 and cared for it well. The JX-10 is great!

[@VultureCulture]

It is soooo underrated. The synth snobs really missed this one.

[@SenorTropiCat]

wow, awesome!! when two of my favorites, David Lynch's works and synthesizers meet, this is a wonderful thing to happen.

[@VultureCulture]

It is the most beautiful of nexuses.

[@angelspitmusic]

Brilliant! You did it again Alex!!

[@VultureCulture]

🙏🙏🙏

[@ForenaamAkternaam]

Never had any original JX-8P or 10 but got a JX-08 just yesterday and love it. Literally the first sound I made was a pad with max attack and release on the filter envelope and it's so slow. I had a System-8 before but nothing besides a JX really has that 80s Roland sound with such slow envelopes. It's also bitimbral with lots of polyphony, velociry and aftertouch so while I was looking for something portable on batteries it will probably become my main pad synth.

[@chrisdigiuseppe7717]

I have a JX-10, fully maxed out with the MPG-70 controller, Vecoven 4.0 PWM mod, upgraded VFD screen from SuperSynthProjects, and the new aftertouch strip from Plasma Music. It is AWESOME.

[@VultureCulture]

That sounds so incredibly awesome! Do you think I should upgrade to the PWM mod?

[@chrisdigiuseppe7717]

@@VultureCulture If you're going to keep the JX-10 in your arsenal, absolutely!! Also keep an eye out for the MPG-70 (I believe they are discontinued, but show up on Reverb every now and then). The MPG-70 build quality is top tier AND has full support for Vecoven 4.0 with a whole section of physical controls for PWM. Your JX-10 becomes nearly 100% knob-per-function, with all kinds of cool features like a patch generator, extra patch storage - you can even polychain multiple JX-10's (or MPG-70's and JX-8Ps) together!! it's incredible.

[@DUGDOOR]

JP-8080/8000 worked well 30 years ago. I enjoyed mixing the DW’s from Korg with late eighties Roland’s D-50, 1080, and the Ensoniq

[@kevrenshaw6177]

I was the keybaord tech in A1 music in Manchester and my part piece set up was an Super JX on top of an RD Piano midi'd together. the number of people who would just watch me play the pads and piano combos. I also loved the note follow function on the Super JX. really cool feature.

[@VultureCulture]

That's a sick setup! Probably the ultimate 80's piano/strings combo

[@MorbidManoeuvres]

cool vid, it sounds gorgeous i realised as i have a JX8P it sounds almost identically especially the Twin Peaks pad, is a preset on there. cheers

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah that incredible pad is on that awesome keyboard too! Can't wait to check it out and compare the differences.

[@MorbidManoeuvres]

@@VultureCulture ive herd some pads in my time ! latly my go to has been the JD-990 it has a preset called Killer Pad. (incase anyone wondered where i got my killer pads from haha

[@VultureCulture]

@MorbidManoeuvres I have to check that preset out!

[@RapidFlow_Shop]

My new favorite synth channel!

[@VultureCulture]

Glad you like what I'm doing and welcome to the family!

[@billrebsamen1810]

Sad that I missed this one live! One of my all time ever favorite synthesizers! Gorgeous sounds! In a corner of my studio I have the following synths controlled by my JX-10 - I consider it pretty much the ultimate stack! JX-10 controlling: D-50, DX7IIfd, Roland V-Synth, Oberheim Matrix 1000, EMU Proteus 1 (with Alesis MMT8 and Roland MC-300 Sequencers). Just the JX-10 and D-50 together are a match made in heaven. Add the DX7 and you get that huge killer 80's stack like from the chorus of the Heart power-ballad "Alone". Actually, to my ears, the Oberheim Matrix 1000 and JX-10 cover a lot of the same ground sonically so I'm about to move the 1000 over to live with Sequential SixTrak to warm that rig up a bit!

[@VultureCulture]

I'll have to compare the Matrix 6 and JX-10 soon!

[@KvestiOnMovies]

This made me get Prophet Rev2 back to studio. Don't know why this reminded me what it can do. 🙂

[@VultureCulture]

There's some overlap with DCO's and lots of voices. Really awesome synth!

[@jairkerker2821]

Thanks a lot for this elaborate dive into this underestimated model. A little too often drenched in reverbs, wish for more rev on/off examples and more pedal hold playing on some patches to let the amazing polyphony shine, but so much for ungrateful nitpicking. A whopping 12 poly on an _analog_ pad beast is truly something to celebrate, and the Vecoven mod.. wow.

[@VultureCulture]

You're very welcome! I'll try to tone the reverb down next time - it just sounded so good!

[@jairkerker2821]

@@VultureCulture You did do quite a few on/off examples and the JX-10 does shine through outboard fx, just like a CS80 and most vintage drum machines. I was only nitpicking because I stumbled upon a Vecoven JX and needed the reference to decide the purchase, so my bad: you did an awesome job. And I'm getting one :) Love your channel!

[@VultureCulture]

@jairkerker2821 no worries I appreciate the feedback! 🙏🙏🙏

[@danielcolfer4671]

I’m old enough to have purchased these great sounding Roland synths when they first came out. The PG 800 programmer that allows quick access to parameters is a great addition. The jx8p just has less polyphony and less keys. No practical need to have both. Also had the Juno 1 and 2 and was great for bass sounds due to the sub oscillator. For poly synth brass and pads the jx 10 is amazing.

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah the alpha juno was used on Madonna's Vogue.

[@Andronicus2007]

Fantastic cover, it's at least 110% accurate!

[@gabrielshepard]

13:15 RiP David!!! Thanks for all you gave us!!! CHEERS 🍻

[@VultureCulture]

Rest in Power David! Thank you for taking us to worlds both wonderful and strange!

[@lousyracuse]

Of all synths I have had, the JX10 is the one I miss the most!

[@fredericchen6380]

I was missing mine too, so I bought back a new super JX, along a DT800, and a JX8P, because you cannot be too careful😂

[@VultureCulture]

It's such an underrated gem 💎

[@Wolfbabypuppylove]

Dang me too

[@IanDixonTDL]

Sounds great. I always wanted a JX-10.

[@VultureCulture]

A really gorgeous sounding analog synth.

[@IanDixonTDL]

@VultureCulture yes, your demos have given me an idea to create a lush sound set for the multi/poly

[@VultureCulture]

@IanDixonTDL and you won't even need PWM 😂

[@hfugmann]

Great demo - thanks 🙏

[@VultureCulture]

Glad you liked it! I hope you'll check out some of the other videos on this channel

[@hfugmann]

@@VultureCulture I did 😊

[@Andronicus2007]

Good trick with the JX-8P (I'm assuming JX10 is the same) for snappy basses, is to use "Gate" instead of an envelope for triggering. Edit: On the JX-8P punch in "62" the choose "Gate" or "ENV2".

[@VultureCulture]

I didn't realize gate was an option too!

[@Andronicus2007]

@VultureCulture Yeah it's buried in the menu somewhere. I've got some great, snappy bases out of the JX-8P using this method!

[@offworldsynths2019]

Well played!

[@VultureCulture]

Thank you!

[@mitchelstephen7536]

The best demo of this I've ever heard. I recognised many of the sounds on 80's songs. Comparing it to my MKS-80, it is much sweeter, much prettier sounding. Way better at pads. However, I have a Rev4 that makes way better bass sounds.

[@furrymonsta1591]

Same here. I have an aj2, which sounds similar to the jx, so feel I have both worlds covered

[@mitchelstephen7536]

@@furrymonsta1591 Yes, I have an MKS-50 (rack mount AJ) and I feel the same.

[@VultureCulture]

I can only imagine how good that MKS-80 is at like everything!

[@furrymonsta1591]

Actually its more esoteric than youd expect. Rev 5 is more asyoud expect. The 80 can do brash so well and hard edgey tight.​@VultureCulture

[@mitchelstephen7536]

@VultureCulture The MkS80, MMMM... I look forward to your review when you get one, it can get VERY industrial. (I think the prices are coming down for everything).

[@G.GordonMidi]

RIP to a legend 💔

[@VultureCulture]

May he rest in power 🌑✨

[@0richbike]

sublime! Although I cant get Go by Moby out of my head ;-)

[@somethingbad2460]

That Laura Palmer theme is actually the D-50 Arco Strings if you move the joystick slightly closer to the upper partial, turn the internal reverb down some and then play softly.

[@VultureCulture]

I believe the D-50 was layered on Falling but not the Laura Palmer theme. But I could be wrong. I think Arco strings is on the chorus though

[@TheB3Nut]

Another synth I've wanted since it came out...one day...

[@VultureCulture]

Such a privilege to have it in the studio for a time

[@JamesQuake]

Go!

[@amonster8mymother]

It sounds nice but I bet you could get the filter to sweep really slow and it would sound better. Something about it doesnt sound like its "moving" without the filter. 😊

[@UcPhotos.Online]

I would keep that Jx super synth (76 keys!), and the Roland cloud has the JP3 ACB synths which sounds very good ! and is addictive to play with PG 200 editor and there incredible on board effects , and it’s super easy to program all the knobs to a good keyboard controller .Might want to include it your jp shoot out.

[@2dcat]

🖤🖤🖤

[@Novaheart1998]

I had a JX3P, JX8P and JX10 with programmers all at the same time for ages, they are so great. I still have the 3P and 8P and will be getting another JX10 soon as I sold it a few years ago when I was broke. 🤷

[@VultureCulture]

That's awesome! You're gonna love having your JX10 back. Why'd you sell that one of the three? And do you have a fave?

[@Novaheart1998]

@ sold it because the 8P is the same engine. I think the 10 is my fave Roland of all, believe it or not. I had a Jupiter 6 and JD800 and VSynth GT and so many others but the JX-10 is my fave. Roland is my fave. TheJx-3P was my first in 1985 just when A-HA and Pet Shop Boys were big. I was 17.

[@treetopjones737]

PSB still are big.

[@AbsurdTV1]

Thats a great synth

[@VultureCulture]

At the top of the underrated charts 🌑✨

[@amonster8mymother]

❤

[@Sonikbytes]

Franz Kreimer showed an interesting trick with the JX10/MkS-70 audio outputs configuration where you can make the JX sound have a very wide stereo but at the cost of polyphony. For best result two of the same patches must be used. I will never get rid my vecoven MKS with pg-800. It can have the 'saddest' sounding tone of all synths I have. luckily, It doesn't take very much space being a rack but the patch management is still a nightmare to use. Perhaps the 8p sounds better at typical synth sounds but JX10 excels at more complex, cleaner sound possibilities. Looking toward your deep dives!

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah I think the patch management should have been better, however, starting from a blank patch might not be as brutal.

[@cnfuzz]

@@Sonikbytes the output amps on the Jx10 are more high Quality than Jx8p , gives it a more refined sound

[@Sonikbytes]

@cnfuzz the later op amps are lower in noise too this lends itself to more studio quality production.

[@cnfuzz]

@@VultureCulture i converter the sysex map to kenton spindoctor , it let's you edit tone A/B seperate something the PG 800 didn't let you do

[@cnfuzz]

I have the mks70 , sysex dump is ok with the factory rom

[@mrdali67]

It has a little of the same sound as the DW-8000 that comes pretty close to the typical "Bell! sounds of FM but with the warmth of Analog filtering where the DX7 is much more harsh in its sounds cause it doesn't really have a traditional filter. I was not myself so impressed with the JX line back in the days but today I can see the potential in these Synths compared to many others. Give me this and an Eventide H9000 🤑

[@VultureCulture]

This synth sounds soooo good with reverb it's crazy. I wonder if Eric programmed the patches that way or if it's just a coincidence?

[@HatredPrime]

Bought IT with case from pawnshop circa 2017 for 180$, best deal ever.

[@VultureCulture]

Sick!!

[@BOSSenjoyer]

Getting close to a possible anapoly endgame with CS-70m, JX10, and a missing OB Xpander.

[@VultureCulture]

One of these days!

[@cnfuzz]

I Remember this was their flagship and stab at defeating fm synthesis , mainly the crossmod on the dcos is tuned to get fm overtones on the epiano sounds , the jx10 was about 30 %more expensive than the d50 wich it soon replaced.

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah the cross mod options are really cool actually

[@GoodTechConf]

By the way no news about Spectrasonics. They are not at NAMM 2025...

[@VultureCulture]

Yes I was surprised by that. But they take their time to really develop things and it feels like it's time for Omnisphere 3.

[@GoodTechConf]

@@VultureCulture They really need to replace Stylus RMX...

[@mrdali67]

Most of Rolands MKS models sound slightly different from their full bodied Synth origins. I'm guessing cause many of them came out a little later than their origins so they have different more "modern" version of the chips and components inside. Which is also kinda the same with the different FM synths and modules from Yamaha that also for the newer iterations sound more "clean" cause of using a 16bit DAC instead of the original 12bit in the first DX7 and TX7's

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah there's some frustratingly small differences, especially in the JX line.

[@roginator1]

only two difference between JX8P and JX10 are... JX8P have limiter circuit on the output stage of 6 voices and 2 different opamps! Thats it and that change sound! JX8P is not fatter, its darker due to that limiter and set of different opamps.

[@VultureCulture]

Oh wow that's interesting! I wonder why that didn't make it over to the JX

[@mrdali67]

Worst thing about these must be to get a replacement for the display if it fails. Isn't it the same as the JX-8P just bigger ?

[@fredericchen6380]

I have replaced mine when it broke down. There is an OLED display kit that is fine, and I'm really glad it exists, but you need to do some careful and tedious desoldering. The display is the same technology as the JX8P but bigger. I have a JX8P too but the display has not given up on me yet. I can't get enough of these Roland synths, they really sound fantastic for pads.

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah the OLED kit is a lifesaver for many.

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

Eraserhead. Nuff sed.

[@VultureCulture]

Really the beginning of the dark ambient genre.

[@dreamstaticsounds]

Can't recommend this video with Angelo Badalamenti telling the story of how he wrote Laura Palmer's Theme with Lynch's direction enough. It's a bit odd and overdramatic but I mean... that's apropos in its own way. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m17IopqolMyhas0

[@VultureCulture]

I cannot tell you how many times I've watched that video. So inspiring.

[@treetopjones737]

Not at all odd. Dramatic from an artist? *SHOCKER*

[@mrdali67]

The Piano sound sound a bit too realistic for a 1986 Synth 🧐

[@VultureCulture]

Pretty crazy for an analog synth!

[@rudolfschipper]

i regret selling mine 5 years ago

[@VultureCulture]

Yeah they're really something special. What made you sell it over some of your other synths?

[@rudolfschipper]

​@@VultureCulture needed the money back then, also sold my juno 60, dx7 mk1, dx7 mk2, sy77, moog little phatty and my rhodes mk2 piano😢. Thats life. 🤷‍♂️

[@rudolfschipper]

Bought some awesome synths back some years later. Love my jupiter x and my sy99 know. Also still got a jd800, a 990, hydrasynt, deepmind 12, wavestation sr. I have got many new to play with

[@bassguitar2709]

Its ok, had an MKS70 for about 5 years, sure it does some nice pads but otherwise useless. There are better analog boards with modern matrix routing, deeper expression, and less prone to failure/repair. I don't miss mine at all. Better to learn some cool jazz chords and spend some time with your current gear exploring its signal structure.

[@VultureCulture]

What's a better vintage analog board you'd recommend?

[@PermanentGreen]

No soft synths come close to any of these, if you own a proper studio you will hear the difference and not interesting mousing the VST to get it close to something we already had decades ago, studio time is expensive and that is why people don’t understand, look at Hans Zimmer, he has multi sampled so much stuff and still he goes to the machines.

[@PsychologyAcademia]

He has created the Legend vst. He uses that.

[@maccagrabme]

The PG8x does come close and so close that I actually sold my JX8P after comparing the two on studio monitors but the hardware has an edge on the low end and brass type sounds so I bought the JX again, just a little bit more movement and detail on the JX but you have to be honest, the plugin is extremely good. Also the Tal Pha is very very close to the Alpha Juno, I still think the hardware has a tad more of a vintage tone and punch but most people wouldn't notice as its subtle.

[@oldtimer1294]

Hate to spoil there, but the sound isn't really the same as on JX8p... There is some different parts of hardware used in JX10 and therefore, not just that midi is better on jx8p but also the filter is darker and has some thick power on jx8p. Jx10 sounds a bit thinner... Sorry! But the polyphony is great!!!

[@fredericchen6380]

IRC, the LFO of the JX10 is retrigging on each new note, the JX8P LFO is free running, so there's a bit of an interesting unpredictability. Having both, I must agree the JX8P is a bit more pleasing to my ears than the 10, but when you stack two sounds at the same time, the jx10 is leagues ahead.

[@VultureCulture]

We shall see! I have a JX-8P arriving in the studio tomorrow and I'll be doing the deepest of dives into comparing the series

[@fredericchen6380]

@@VultureCulture Ah excellent ! I'm looking forward to watching your next video on this very dear subject of mine. I'm curious about your next findings. IMO the JX8P output is "hotter", and overall more "in your face", but mind you there are different JX8P revisions which are supposed to show some slight variations. There is also a Vecoven Eprom available for the JX8P, the main improvments being an arpeggiator and 32 ram banks. This upgrade is a no brainer. Enjoy your JX8p tomorrow, these beautiful synths are a true time capsule.