Roland Jupiter 6 vs. Jupiter 8 | Clash of the Titans 

I once compared my JP6 with a JP8... despite the obvious differences, I was able to make them sound really close with certain types of sounds. The JP8 is not the fattest sounding synth in the world, so at the end, some of the brass and leads sounds were almost identical.

Great Video - makes me feel good about buying my Jupiter 6 (collecting soon)! Stoked :)

Great review btw, very accurate in the historical and features description. Thank you!

About time! You are bringing us some things others forgot about.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Wonderful video.

Wow how did I miss this video. I just loooove this channel. Time to dig in watch.

I really love the Jupiter 8 and am honored to be the custodian of such a legendary synthesizer. It’s one of, if not the most recognizable out of all the classic synthesizers. Visually speaking, the looks of the JP8 alone inspire me and make me want to create with it. I understand that, in the end, the sound is all that matters, but I find a synth less inspiring if I don’t like how it looks. The JP8 is a big polyphonic synthesizer, so it can easily swallow up the whole spectrum, but I have found that it’s easy to tame, is incredibly versatile and fits in a mix well. Oberheims and especially Minimoogs take extra effort if you’re not looking to record a song that is completely centered around it. With all that said and having just finished this great comparison video, I feel I’m qualified to give the opinion that mimics many others. The Prophet 5 is the best synthesizer I’ve ever played. There’s nothing else that comes anywhere near being able to dethrone it, for me. I wouldn’t hesitate if I could only keep one. It does everything very well and moulds right into a mix. It was the first big poly I bought, so nothing that came along after it really blew me away. I don’t think anyone (including me) would say the Jupiter 8 is worth anywhere near what you’d have to pay to own one these days. It’s probably only worth it if you’re a collector and also see it as an investment that likely will not depreciate. It most definitely does not sound $15k better than a Prophet 5, though. In fact, The P5 might even sound better to my ears.

this guy is very knowledgeable for these 2 synths . I have them both and I have the JP 4. All 3 are totally different animals in they're diversity, I don't feel you can say 1 is better. Roland analogue synths will always be unique and will hold their place in synth history. These machines are heading to the 50 years old mark in the not too distant future. Anyone who has these beautiful machines will be able to get a few pennies back from their investment 😀

Nice comparison - thank you :)

You are right, each one is its own unique instrument. The 6 is an incredible machine and has been somewhat overlooked for far too long. Up until recently (after checking prices today), a Jupiter 6 could be had for almost the same price as a Juno-60. Dual VCO, dual LFO, dual envelope, etc. vs single DCO, single LFO, single envelope... Don't get me wrong, the JU-6/60 is a great instrument, but it simply does not compare to the JP-6.

RE: "No modern synths are discreet anymore" - Prophet 6 and Korg Prologue 16 are both discreet VCO (and filter) synths so that's not quite right.. however I have a new Prophet 10 Rev 4 which has CEM (Chip) VCOs (and CEM/SSM chip filters) and yet sounds way better/more organic and bigger than my ex all discreet P6 and my current all discreet prologue 16. It's not always about discreet vs chip, the entire design matters. Also the JP-8 had chip filters too (IR3109) vs say my SH-2 which has discreet everything... also my old Polysix had discreet VCOs and SSM (chip) filters and while nice sounding still doesn't /didn't sound as good/warm/big as the Prophet 5 (and now Prophet 5/10 Rev 4) which were all chip. Jupiter 8 also sounds a bit thinner than Prophet 5 even with the JP's discreet VCOs. You could perhaps say the JP-8 and Roland's own earlier designs in general were not as 'brash' as the CEM VCOS/Filter chips, but that was more about the design and tastes of Roland instead of just because they were discreet. JP-8 definitely sounds smaller and less present than a Prophet 5, and esp the new Prophet 10! JP-6's tone is very harsh vs Jupiter 8 or Prophet 5.

I'm getting back pain just from watching you trying to demo the Jupter 6 in that position...

Amazing content!!! Thank you!

I had both. I found the 6 to be way more interesting due to the multimode filter and the ability to combine waveforms on each oscillator.

Just here to say I love my Jupiter-6, It’s one of my favorite sounding synths and you’re right in saying that it’s unique to the JP8. I don’t own a Jupiter-8, but most demos leave me underwhelmed. I think the hype surrounding the JP8 is solely based on the fact that it was pinnacle of synths during the early 80s, it’s place in pop music, and also that is unattainable to most people. I’m definitely still interested in owning a Jupiter-8 and buying one at the “right price”.

An external reverb or chorus will give you big pads from the Jupiter 6 (I am using an Alexander Pedals Golden Summer Reverb), but actually big pads are getting a bit boring to me these days. The aggressively detuned unison and distorted portamento and vibrato arp-like leads are the big selling points for the Jupiter 6. The tones are a bit stark or too in-your-face for some people, but I like the rudeness of the sounds from this synth, for which I turn off the reverb pedal. The comfortable big lush pads are great, but not really what I find inspiring. At the same time, I wish the prices would come down, I would love to have another one so I never have to do without.

Sexy story as always. Thanks!

I owned a Jupiter 6 between 1985-2000. What I really wanted was a Jupiter 8…I was right, this comparison confirms it

The Jupiter 6 can play two independent synced arpeggios when using the split performances memories. Not sure if the JP 8 can do this.

Who put the stickers on the Jup-6? :D

The Jupiter 8 synthesizer is the one that I've been trying to get my hands on for years but with no success due to the very high price tag.

Oh how I miss my Jupiter 6.

your synth collection must be memorial!

ELKA SYNTHEX vs JP8 ?

Hi, Jupiter 6 owner here. Owned it since 1989. It’s OK but it is a bit cold and does sound thin to me. I put a Boss analogue delay DM2w and analogue chorus pedal on it just to warm and thicken it up. Yes it has its own palette too and it’s good for those tricks and flicks but not your classic Poly synth. My mono synths Sequential Pro One and Moog prodigy have much nicer, creamier, smoother and warmer sounding Oscillators and filters. The classic warm american synth sound. JP6 sounds brittle, weak by comparison. Jupiter 4 was warmer too. Jupiter 6 has a few tricks up it sleeve true but I don’t really rate it. What are the polysynth alternatives. Roland System 8 possibly? UDO Super 6 maybe.? Roland JP8000? Still it’s very hard to part with JP6, it just keeps doing enough to keep you going back. JP6 plus points Easy to program and to save sounds. External filter and sustain pedal a must. Trigger in for the arpeggiator is awesome of course. Unison is fkn huge! Mine is bitimbral on the split with separate mini audio outs on midi ch 1 & 2 fixed. It looks pretty damned good. Minus points JP6 Sounds a bit thin and brittle Filter does not self oscillate / no very strong. Build quality on the vco range knobs is terrible & feels cheap. As standard does not recieve cc changes. Super basic midi. Just to CC change the filter would be awesome.

can you send the two split sounds to 2 different outputs?

I almost cried because really want a Roland Jupiter 8 and 6 it’s my dream I would want it more than a 20k car or a computer my dad says I’m crazy especially because I’m just 12 years old and I’m kinda really good at keyboard and synthesizers

Unpopular opinion. I`m not too amazed with Jupiter 8. Oberheim Obx is much versatile, at least for my personal taste. Being so huge in tone i also think you have to do a lot of eqing cause it can eat your mix totally.

Two wonderful synths. I'd love to have a Jupiter 6 again. May I suggest you learn how to play a little bit? A lot of the time I was reminded of my 5 year old niece banging at random keys on my synths ;)

its a good vid but it doesnt really do the jupiter 8 justice.the jupiter 8 is incredibly 'musical',i cant stand the tone of the jupiter 6 and never have,which is strange as i pretty much love all the old roland gear

The 6 and 8 are so similar in sound that it is trivial to compare patches because in the end if you're somewhat patient you can make them identical. They should be considered "versions" of the Jupiter series

1st comment!

Watching him struggle with the 6 for the first few minutes...and I realized he was not prepared. What a terrible demo.