Wow, the design of that synth is right out of the Jupiter/Juno ‘80’s. I am very happy to see in the last 5 or 10 years the return of knobs and sliders on sound machines. and some really great sonic possibilities.
As a self-proclaimed JP-X(m) fanboy, I think this was one of the most valuable and accurate reviews posted to date. The POV of someone who just walks up to the synth at a store or a booth (no manual, no rep) is underrepresented. It’s a shame that the JP-X(m) doesn’t have a simple mode, for lack of a better word. I think it was a mistake (worse on the Xm) to load the first bank of Presets with complex, multi-Part, I-Arp dependent Scenes. Imagine instead if they had simply dedicated the first Scene bank to single Parts, one or two each to show off the best of each model, and thrown in a few Splits and Layers of two Parts, a few with simple basic arps. Not only would this be more approachable for walk-ups and the out-of-the-box experience, but those Scenes would serve as valuable building blocks for new users. Display models could even be accompanied by single sheet laminated walkthroughs to guide the user through the absolute basic demonstration navigation. If I were a retailer looking to move units, I’d probably re-do those Scenes for a display model, but no one’s got time for that. As it stands, I’m afraid Roland shot themselves in the foot in this regard. When I first touched the Xm at Knobcon, I was completely bewildered but the sound sold me. When I got the Xm, it took days (even with doc) to decrypt the UI, months to master it. In the end, it has been worth it, but not everyone has time for that work. Again, I think what you’ve demonstrated here is fair and valuable, Jack. I hope it catches the right eyeballs for consideration in the future.
But isn't there like logic in the system? I am about to purchase this synth. I could go for the Juno, but this one is like gold to me. It has been drawing me. I wanted the Xm and didn't buy it because of no aftertouch.
@@Geepstar a LOT has changed in two years, all for the better! A few months after this post, Roland updated X/Xm to 1.50, and it’s now up to 3.02. Out of the box, it is much more accessible and navigable. Jupiter-X remains my favorite modern synth to this day, more than ever.
The thing you prove with not reading the manual is how intuitive a piece of equipment is. Something very important is to not lose your "moment" by having to figure functions and features out, espescially when you're in that "creative high" that you might find yourself in when playing. Love your videos, they've been entertaining me throughout the entire lockdown, so keep 'em coming!
Jack, music is about passion! (And the internet is about trolls.) Don’t listen to anyone who says you have too much enthusiasm. It’s part of the charm, and what keeps us coming back for more. I want to see more videos like this. The ones with the sales reps have their place, but it’s so much more informative to see a guy we enjoy watching give us his honest opinion about gear. We’re all here for the music - to learn things, to see new things, and to get inspired. It’s great having you here to share that with us - even when things don’t work the way you expect them to. I still think the Jup-X sounds great, especially when you were playing the bits in “PianoTown.” I was trying to figure out, though, how they programmed that, and scratching my head a bit over what I could see of the oscillators. Some of the controls are big and obvious, while others left me trying to figure out where they even were.
Dont beat yourself up jack...this is exactly what I need in a review... because who the hell reads the manual......ok well I do ....but if something isnt intuitve then its great to know. Sounds awesome but I fear as a non keyboard player looking for something for my studio to help record it would drive me up the wall!!
@@Darrin.Crawford what I mean is...i use keys for ambient swells/pads/ strings and sounds in the studio...I can play triads, root notes and very basic piano so i dont consider myself to be a keys player...doesnt stop me wanting a decent synth for others to use when recording so its nice for things to be easy to navigate... but I get your point...it does sound like an odd thing to say.
@@Darrin.Crawford pff, you can totally learn how to play by yourself. You'll never be a great instrumentalist but playing chords and pads comes in no time. It doesn't have to be overly complicated to sound great.
"What does my opinion matter?" It's everything actually, you are the end-user - the person the product was designed for - if it's confusing and unintuitive, viewers want to know. Brilliant video as always, Jack. \o/
I have had my Jupiter X for just on one month now, and watching your video, I watched you go through the same rollercoaster journey of discovery I went through over the first few days. Figuring out scenes (layered parts), models, etc, is handled differently (less intuitively?) than anything I've used before. One month later, and I am starting to get used to the architecture, creating my own 'scenes', and still finding new things. You may have 'figured it out' by now. :-) Thank you for a candid and honest video that completely resonated with my own Jupiter-X unboxing experience.
Roland has done this dozens of times in the past, and they keep doing it: they produce great-sounding instruments that are absolutely unintuitive and a pain to work with for the first few days/weeks of owning them. It's like the Japanese UI engineers keep making the same mistakes over and over. I've got the TR8S which sounds fantastic, but just to program a simple beat with more than 16 steps and saving it requires you to read the focking manual, and this shouldn't be. That's why I've always hated convoluted Roland products.
More videos like these Jack. You are incredibly valuable and appreciated in the keyboard synth community. This review felt really honest and pure. Please do more of these first impression videos of new synthesizers..! Love from The netherlands
Jack, thank you. I appreciate, and after reading some comments, others as well appreciate what you stated about walking up and playing.I'm an old guy with ADD and I have owned three Roland boards, and none of them were intuitive. I remember being so upset with the Fantom X that I sold it and bought a Motif ES. It too was painful, but not nearly as the Roland. All in all, you are the perfect dude for doing what you did and I will always come back and continue to watch your videos. Cheers.
Great Presentation Jack... as an owner of the Jupiter X I have the same conflicting sentiments. The sounds are amazing and once you are used to the layout it really starts to open up In possibilities. As always your raw review of gear is much needed in an overall bias world
The best bit of the video is between 12:04 - 12:08. Brilliant improvisational line. As far as the Jupiter-X goes, it's the best synthesizer on the market, no question about that. Oh yeah, to get "expected" results, one needs to initialize the scene first, to get to the single patch mode. That's the way to go through the patches on this instrument if you want the controls to do what you expect.
Absolutely gorgeous 80s tones. What a fantastic synth for that late 70s/ 80s pop rock sound. Happy to dive into ten manuals if necessary to get those tones!
Your opinion counts a lot jack!! Talking not talking I don't really care you'd still sell me anything lol why? Cos your videos are fun and there ain't much fun about no more!!👍👏
I know what you mean... I was on the verge of sending mine back for a refund. This new fangled Scene Layer gets in the way of actually being creative with the sound, but delve down into tone edit and you’re in familiar territory. Just press the shift button and rotate the oscillator type knob to get immediately into tone edit, where things start working properly.
Bought a Jupiter Xm - sent it back within a week due to the awful interface, unworkable work flow and menu diving required - watched your channel - asked whether you would go for a Jupiter X or Nord Wave 2 - you said Nord Wave 2 - took your advice and bought one - it hasn't gone back - solid advice - thanks Jack..!!
I almost bought a Jupiter-X; changed my mind and went with a Wave 2 and love it. Nord even sent me labels to replace some feature changes on the panel (thanks Nord!). I love the Roland Zen Core sounds and will probably use Zenology to get some of the classic Roland sounds. I also use a MC-101 as a sound module with an Arturia Keystep Pro. Lots to learn.
Wished I had seen this video before buying the Jupiter X (from Anderson’s). I have owned it for 3 weeks and I am still just as mystified now as to even just playing a single patch let alone diving into programming. The fact Roland have made it look like Jupiter 8 clearly gives the impression that it is a hands on, programmable synth that will respond, as you might intuitively think. This is very far from the truth. I don’t want to face the fact that I have spent over two thousand pounds on a preset box but each time I switch it on to try and master it, I come away disappointed. I have the Arturia Jupiter 8 VST which responds very well to what I ask, when tweaking. Roland, I feel let down. Jack thank you for a really truthful video.
That's the best review I've seen you do Jack. It was candid, no nonsense and from the heart. The Jupiter sounded gorgeous at times, but I get the feeling it'll be used as a preset monster, It'll be great for some who like a challenge and who will get to grips with it, but for many it will be impenetrable. But that's only my opinion try it yourself.
@@ChrisP3000x Not really....I have one it's not as bad and that is one and two you can also have a live set if you set your favourite patches in one of the empty banks.
So, I have a Jupiter X. The only problem with it is it does too much. But to complain about the seems ridiculous. And it is not the most intuitive interface. But neither was the Prophet VS or Yamaha EX5 or VSynth or many many others. You want a synth that just is a simple analog synth? Then buy one of those. This synth is 5 part multitimbral with virtually unlimited polyphony. If you want a simple one voice synth, than just take 30 seconds and create a scene where only one part is active and make that your default template. Takes literally 30 seconds. Why is it people don't want to dive in a actually learn their gear? It must be the short attention spans of people nowadays. Bottom line is this is a great sounding synth with an incredibly deep realm of possibilities in a somewhat obtuse interface. But it is a way better interface and much easier to use than the JDXA and I have one of those as well. That one was nearly impossibly to get around. Really ,once you live with this thing for a couple of days it becomes easy to get around. Granted ,there are parts of it I don't use that much on it. I don't use the drums much, or the piano engine. But the Zen Core,all the analog models and the XV model alone make this unit capable of really great sounds. If you just create a default preset where these three parts are on you can make great stuff. Full disclosure, I work with Roland a lot on my show, but I also have almost 40 years of playing, programming and collecting synths. And I give the Roland peeps as much shit as anyone when they come out with something that just doesn't work. You want a simple analog Roland sound but a simpler more direct interface with nice effects built in for a reasonable price ? Get a System 8. But the Jupiter X is deep. and capable. You just gotta dig in.
I can understand this view but this was clearly aimed for people familiar with synths that want that premium feature rich experience, Also if youre spending 2700 on this, Id hope you would read the manual, thats a lot of money to waste not knowing a lot of its features, kinda shooting yourself in the foot but just my opinion. I only have a microfreak and am very new to synthesis but I have been looking at this as a full fledged keyboard/synthesizer to get!
It's a behemoth for only 61 keys. How's the action? It certainly sounds great. EDIT - he said it feels "extremely premium". Oh and THANK YOU for the honest opinions about things that are not perfect. There's a reason I keep coming back to your channel. Actually there are several reasons. Thanks for this video, keep on rocking.
Snob... It’s not going to happen “mate”. I have heard a Jupiter 8 next to a Jupiter X your ear and mine couldn’t tell them apart with blindfolds. Behringer is pure and utter SHYTE.
I care deeply what the "Dude in a hat" (and "Squib Squib" sensei) thinks. I watched another video where the guy totally trashed the Jupiter X's keybed. And here a professional keyboard/piano player calls the keyboard "unbelievable." With COVID19 it is much harder to go into stores and play these things, and even then a lot of stores don't have big synth selections. I watch this channel because I value your "just walked up to it in a store" point of view. And the whole reason I love the Juno 106 (and some other synths) is because how intuitive they are. The fact that the Jupiter X doesn't have 1-to-1 recreation of the knobs as the Jupiter 8 did and the fact that the screen is so small and placed off to the left seem very poor choices to me. It's a massive heavy synth and you still don't have as much and as intuitive control as the Jupiter 8, the model they chose to brand/theme the design of this off of. I am curious if you think it sounds better/worse/just different than the System 8. A lot of other videos online say the System 8's Juno and Jupiter models sound better.
“Self driving car and I’m scared” 😂Great review - sounds beautiful, interface nightmare. Roland is forgetting they’re making musical instruments - music needs emotional, tactile, expressive, joyful, right-brain stuff
What you guys need to do is search the Jack 256 patch video The RU-vid video showed what Roland should have had in sound presents. I have my X on the way and I’m definitely buying the Jack PAC !
Okay...Now I am confused...Get this Jupiter X or Roland Fantom 6 ??? Does anyone feel that the Jupiter X should have had sound category buttons instead..ie: Brass, Choir, Piano, Strings etc.?
Don't worry Jack. Looks like you were finding bits and bobs by the end. Not every synth gels with me straight away. Some just have an appeal that keeps bringing me back to it in the store so I play it two to three times a week for a few months then one day I come in and buy it. That's a dying way to trial and buy synths so I feel blessed to have had the chance to do that as my norm.
This is a great, practical Swiss Army knife if a synth, and it sounds good. But IMO there is something more alive, organic in the sound of Roland's 80's synths.
Jack your so right, I so wanted the X but have been totally underwhelmed by it. I purchased the Fantom instead which for a few hundred quid more is , such a lot more.
I've had mine for 3 days, so far maybe spent about 12-15 hours playing with it. I love the sounds it can make, honestly it can go toe-to-to with my vintage Roland gear. It's definitely heavy - without looking at any specs I'd guess it's about as heavy as a DX7. I strongly recommend playing it through big speakers - the bigger the better. I've found that on smaller speakers, even the built-in ones, it can sound a little thin, but as soon as I plugged it into my Fender Rumble 200 (flat eq, bright switch engaged) it was almost like a spiritual experience. Currently I'm having a lot of trouble finding a flight case with wheels that actually fits it, I don't think Roland even makes one yet - that may change in the future. It is definitely very confusing and either I suck at paying attention or the user manual didn't really cover everything that thoroughly enough to build my confidence with the menu diving/button combinations. Another downside is there's not really a lot of instructional content for it on RU-vid. Roland made a few videos explaining some of the big features, but with how deep this thing is I honestly think that there's a pretty big need to have in-depth tutorials for it beyond the basic 'this is how you initialize a scene' or 'this is what the i-arpeggiator can do' type of thing. Overall I really like mine, and can definitely see it replacing my whole live rig...as soon as I figure out how to use it...
For a live rig even? Wow strong endorsement. It must need a beast of a stand to support it, seems like it would be a challenge to gig with. Unless you're at a level where roadies are a given, I guess lol. If so, mad respect.
@@rdean150 yep, the keyboard split function is actually pretty easy to use, was fooling around yesterday with a SH/minimoog-style acid bass on the lower half and jupiter and juno string patches layeted together on the top half, sounded really beastly. That type of functionality plus how good the RD piano patches sound could easily replace the need for multiple keyboards dedicated to individual types of sound, or you could probably set it up as a top layer with an 88-key beneath with your leads up high and the basses down low. For a stand I'm running a Proline PL4KD single tier at the moment, it held my DX7 for around a year so I know it can handle the weight. A roller case would be a must especially if you lug your own equipment.
You point out something that should be a part of every product. And that is training resources. Like web videos and tutorials. Though this video is a perfect example of why even that has a limitation. A quick start of some sort, so that you dont have that lost puppy exhaustion look on your face that Jack does. We have all been here one time or another. What is important is what happens next? How do we master these wild horses that we want to ride? It really is a marvelous discussion to be having. But remember, we are the keyboard player. The brains in the band. Not the drummer. We read manuals. We dont just hit stuff with a stick. Its why all the girls flock to the singer, the drummer, the guitarist, anybody but us!...
Great video presentation - thanks for the honesty! I was trying to decide between one of these and the Nord Wave 2 at one point (I'm a Nord enthusiast, but love the Roland Jupiter 8 as well). Decisions, decisions!
usability has improved significantly after several important firmware updates. this and the xm have matured into what they should have been in 2020. using the x/xm now is similar to using a nord lead but with way more features. this is my roland dream machine. if behringer make a jupiter 8 is will no doubt sound great, but it won't imo have the thrilling wow-factor of the x/xm.
Great video! I wouldn't worry about it. I'd just play the presets/scenes then start watching some RU-vid tutorial videos and all those wonderful Synth Talk video @Ed Diaz is making. Also, @MR TUNA Music has several videos on the Jupiter X. I played it for the first time at his place. I'm sure it'll take a little diving in the menu to figure out. Enjoy the journey! Take care, Sam.
this is my overall problem with Roland, they're making you think that this a return to form for them; an accessible, good sounding, easy to program synth that is a healthy balance of vintage and modern. The reality is they have slapped the Jupiter name on a frustrating and misleading product. The tiny lcd screen on the far left is a joke, you need to do quite a bit of menu diving for basic functions and the UI is just sloppy. It's legitimately sad because Roland has made some of my favorite synths of all time. The good news is we have so many other great new companies out today like ASM, Novation and UDO who DO understand how to make competent, fun synths.
This review is gold! It´s honest and will create happy customers knowing what they´re getting and save other people from frustration! As for Roland and UI... sorry guys, this is utter bollocks for 2020!! Give us proper interactive hardware & navigation plus easy and high level VST/AU integration, you´re a major synth brand. My Juno 60, Korg Polysix or MS20 are still superior instruments in terms of inspiration, interaction and also sound... sorry no deal.
Without researching seems like one "issue" is theses scenes/presets have multiple parts and I could hear the filter affecting only part of the sound... I totally "get" how sometimes you just know that a piece of kit is really powerful and amazing but you quickly find that you just don't know how to "drive" the thing... I actually own a V-Synth XT. Fantastic bit of kit I've owned for years from new, and 99% of the time I've spent on it I've had it in the mode that emulates a D-50 because I understand that a bit more... I made my own custom version of a preset once in the native mode and saved it, and the next day I loaded it up and somehow it just sounded different, different rhythmic sounds no longer in sync. I know it was something I did, or didn't, do when saving or loading but I had NO CLUE how to get back what I'd done. JUNO-Gi I can whizz round quickly, I "get" the engine, and as a result it lives with my band's equipment and I program it "on the fly" during rehearsals... JUNO-DS I only vaguely get... Still don't get how the effects work in performance mode... That stays with me at home so if I want/need to use it live I can experiment for a day to program any performances I need... I "know" the JUPITER-X is powerful and would put anything I own to shame sound wise, but I know I would have trouble "driving" it...
I have a V Synth GT and a Jupiter X. The Jupiter is noticeably less user friendly for sound design what with that tiny screen - but power and sound quality wise, it far surpasses the V Synth.
Jack. Just keep being yourself. You are one of my favorite demo guys and I don’t even play keys, except to add layers to my tracks. I never got the impression you were being disingenuous.
Your points whilst relevant, this synth is still getting updated a bugs getting ironed out. Hopefully with your influence you can pass on these issues to the roland team.
I love your honest opinions. These are the things I want to know. How easy is it to use, without reading the manual etc. How does it handle the different synth emulations within the ZenCore systems. How obvious is it all. There are no local music shops near me, so you are now doing what I would do when I used to visit local stores.
I hope if you were to ever need a surgeon, EMS, or something or someone you need for emergency, you don't have someone you show up and just take up space due to his inability to assist you. "Sorry mate, didn't get to that chapter yet, let me call someone". This is the top-notch Music Empire, its 2024, do your homework and come ready to hit home runs and not stagger about when we all want a learning experience. "Ohhh what's that, the guitarist doesn't know the song, what's that, the drummer can't play the next song - we are on the world stage here or is that not a matter of care. As you say, " I've had this one for 4 years, and I STILL run into the issues Jack experienced here. Even when you know it well, it can be incredibly counterintuitive and confusing". WELL, I hope when on stage next time out you don't tell the ticket buyers this same excuse.
Filter issue always drives me mad! Always! Try adjusting the amp or filter envelope amount and then move the filter again. Might fix it. Also liked the comment about finding a way to potentially cutoff multiple layers with the same filter. Either way, moving the filter down and experiencing what you did is HEARTBREAKING
Roland has the sound that stands out! I can hear a Roland from a far...I think the resonance settings in the filter need to be adjusted to hear the desired filter sweeps...although i cannot see in detail the filter section on screen...It could also not be assigned in the patch as i do think i heard the effects change but not the cut-off..a bit bizarre. It still got a like before i even pressed play on the video...Jupiter X,Xm,Xa etc just really excite me..and i want one.
Personally, I think it's a beautiful synth, and I always enjoy your videos Jack. Unfortunately, not many of us have over two grand to throw at a new synth though, as nice as it is. :(
Love these, great sounds, quality and features.....don’t care if it’s analogue, digital, modelled etc it’s a great synth! Although a pretty complex one obviously.........unfortunately only thing I don’t like is the price, it really is priced as a premium instrument, which is fair enough I guess for what you get. I enjoyed seeing your impressions of it! Thanks!
This is a perfect review in my opinion! No better judge of a product than how useful it is without the manual. If you want the sound, and know you want the sound, you're gonna get it anyway. But for people who are unsure, this is a perfect product test! Props as always on the playing
I hate to say this but maybe this would've been a better synthesizer if it had more screen and less knob. The screen can tell you exactly what the cutoff knob is setup to do, but not when it's smaller than a credit card. Like this it's impossible to know precisely what the knob is cutting off.
Superb review. Thanks for the honesty Jack!!! Amazing sounding keys, but if it takes a day to get the sound you have in your head, then it's not going to be the keys for everyone. Personally I'd probably love it 'cos I'm a tweaker - and I'll never get anything played!!!
Much prefer seeing this kind of honesty. Especially as this synth is getting panned by everyone over its terrible interface, same with the XM. Honestly if I'd watched this and you were saying the opposite I'd probably have doubted you, least now we know you're being legit. By the way I hope Roland take some of this on board. We get the days of true innovation seem to be over for them and repackaged nostalgia does good business, but at least package it in a usable interface next time.
I dont have one, but I guess since its a multitimbral synth with 4 patches layered, that the cutoff only controls one layer, and the layer its controlling is not the one you are expecting. Sounds great though
That's exactly what it sounds like. Only one layer is cut off. And you know what...this video is so honest. I'm serious. We need to see fails they are as valuable as wins.
@@BrandonRyan you can if know how which he didn't. Considering how much time he has spent with this and the XM though he probably should know it defaults to layered sounds
Wow, I just absolutely love your honesty! Yeah, I’ve never been attracted or inspired by the Roland ‘ecosystem’. I don’t really like all that layering shit, and I think that’s probably where the problem lies. The “dude in a hat” bit made me chuckle out loud. Love ya mate!
I'm confused with Zen Core. Can you use it to load V-Piano tones or are some exclusive to things like this Jupiter X. I know that the RD-88 can't load drum tones, for example.
I do not think having speakers is great in such product. I don't want to pay for them and I don't want to carry them. A synth, even colorfull, is not an electric organ.
I think it was more a case of 'the guy whose run out of Redbull' but I enjoyed it. 😏 My days of buying hardware synths has long since passed but this does have a gorgeous sound though and I still love watching reviews. Keep up the good work! 👍
I've had this synth since *before* it came out and I've watched it mature - v3 was a game changer. It's an absolute monster. And yet, I STILL struggle with the same stuff Jack does in this video. I adore Roland, but man, this really should have just been the evolution of the System 8, which is their best modeling tech. As it is, the architecture is still confusing at times, and when that glorious front panel doesn't do what you want, it makes you want to throw something. Oh, and having to carefully manage Tones separate from Scenes... those dependencies can really screw you up. A Scene should save ALL relevant data with it. Last gripe: I don't EVER want to hear pianos or 90s ROMpler sounds coming out of a Jupiter body. It just sounds and feels... wrong. If it's a Jupiter, it should always sound like one! OK, whew - having gotten that all out, I still love the thing. It can totally hang with my Prophet 5 and Oberheim OB-X8... but those are WAAAAAY more fun to work with!
It seems like every 5 yrs Roland releases a new Jupiter variant. The previous the Jupiter 80. The obvious question is when's the right time to buy a Jupiter ? When will Roland finally get it right ?
@@floridahiker1503 The synth market is heavily competitive presently. Roland is falling behind their competition. Many synth enthusiasts & musicians are desiring more than yester year virtual replica's. The Jupiter's are using the same plug-out soft algo engine used in their s/w based plug-out synths. The synth engine is almost a rompler, albeit with complex effects algo's. But certainly not analog. At this price point, a Dave Smith synth will yield far superior synthesis results, and certainly have a much better resale value. Roland synths have become the Hyundai's of synths, dime a dozen on the used market and very high depreciation. Cork Sniffer's will always desire original analog Roland's of yester year. Anything by Roland from 1995 onward is simply not in demand.
@@fickfehler3866 . The Jupiter X, Juno DS61 and DS88, JDXi, MC707 and RD2000 are listed as best sellers on the GC website today. Most older digital synths from all companies dont have good resale value because the newer ones sound dramatically better. Some discontinued models went up in resale value like the Boutique JP08. I like analog but they become too high maintenance for me. Oscillators die and they need recalibrated.
@@jacobbrown1690 Jupiter 80 was / is a great synth but misunderstood at the time - I honestly don't see the X as being better. They are holding value pretty well and seem to be going up - not as much as new for the moment anyway..
Roland need to really reconsider the "never look back at ghosts of the past" sentiment..... every internet forum I read echoes this and they seriously dropped whatever golden goose they first had. Don't shun analog, get with the picture and take your glory synths and just improve them!!! You would make millions, else stand by the way side whilst Behringer marches.
@Murada people at buying the boutiques because the alternative is spending $3,000 on a juno, it's the only alternative, that doesn't mean they are good.
Looks like you had the split and dual buttons on. Maybe that’s why the filter only worked on one part. The manual literally crashed the books app when I downloaded the pdf so be careful
