The instrument
The Roland Jupiter-8, released in 1981, is a polyphonic analog synthesizer that became one of the most iconic instruments of the 1980s. Known for its rich, warm sound and advanced features, the Jupiter-8 is an eight-voice synthesizer that offered extensive sound design capabilities. It was widely used by artists such as Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and Tangerine Dream. The Jupiter-8's ability to store and recall patches, along with its robust build quality and instant-classical sounds, made it a favorite in both studios and live performances.
Details
The Jupiter-8 features eight voices, each equipped with two Voltage-Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) per voice, providing sawtooth, square, triangle, and pulse waveforms. It includes a 4-pole resonant low-pass filter and ADSR envelope generators. The synthesizer also offers an advanced arpeggiator, a built-in chorus effect, and extensive modulation options. The Jupiter-8's patch memory can store up to 64 presets, allowing for quick recall of complex sounds. Compared to the Jupiter-4, the Jupiter-8 offers more voices, dual VCOs per voice, and greater overall flexibility, making it a more powerful and versatile instrument.