The Roland JP-8080 is an impressive analog modeling synthesizer that builds upon the foundation of the JP-8000 while adding significant enhancements. Housed in an exemplary metal casing that replaces the JP-8000's "bendy plastic," this unit features a distinctive textured blue finish with clear legending. The JP-8080 is versatile in its placement options, working equally well as a desktop device or installed in a rack (taking up 6 rack units but only 9 centimeters in depth). The thoughtfully angled control panel provides comfortable operation in desktop mode.

Sound Architecture

At its core, the JP-8080 is a 10-note polyphonic synthesizer (with 8-note polyphony when using the Voice Modulator) based on Roland's analog modeling technology. The basic building block is a "Patch," with 512 available (128 user-writable). Two Patches can be combined with performance options into a "Performance," with 256 total Performances available (64 user-writable).

The synthesizer features a dual-oscillator architecture with each oscillator offering sawtooth, square, triangle, and noise waveforms. Oscillator 1 provides additional unique waveforms: "Super Saw" (emulating seven detuned sawtooth waves) and a monophonic "feedback" waveform. Each waveform can be further shaped through various controls - for example, pulse width modulation for square waves and wave-shape offset for triangle waves.

The JP-8080 includes powerful sound-shaping tools such as a ring modulator, oscillator sync, cross modulation, and a pitch envelope. Its flexible filter section offers low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass types with 12dB or 24dB response options and resonance that increases all the way to self-oscillation. Both the amplifier and filter sections feature traditional ADSR envelopes for intuitive sound shaping.

Performance Features

The JP-8080 excels in performance capabilities with features including:

• Unison mode with definable detune for thick sounds
• Mono and legato modes for expressive solo lines
• Portamento for smooth glides between notes
• A MIDI-clockable arpeggiator with numerous patterns
• Real-time Phrase Sequencer (RPS) for pattern playback
• Motion Control for recording and playing back knob movements (up to 99 bars)
• Split and layer modes for combining two Patches across a keyboard

Voice Modulator

One of the JP-8080's standout features is its Voice Modulator (essentially a 12-band vocoder) that can accept both line and microphone inputs. This sophisticated implementation includes:

• Twelve envelope control sliders that double as cut/boost controls for formant filters
• Options to vary bandwidth characteristics of filter banks
• Control over noise element level and cutoff for synthesizing sibilants
• A "Robot Voice" oscillator with pitch and level controls
• Multiple preset initializations (Vintage, Silky, Huskyvoice, etc.)
• "Vocal Morph" option allowing audio input to control multiple parameters

Effects and Connectivity

The JP-8080 includes a simple but effective effects section with:

• A delay effect with multiple types (including panning and stereo ping-pong)
• Thirteen modulation-type effects including various chorus types and distortion
• Basic bass/treble tone controls

Connection options include:

• Left/right audio outputs
• Microphone and instrument audio inputs
• Two MIDI inputs (one labeled "Remote Keyboard") and one MIDI output
• SmartMedia card slot for storing Performances, Patches, and settings
• Headphone output

The JP-8080 represents an excellent analog modeling synthesizer with depth that belies its interface, combining classic analog synthesis with modern features like the Voice Modulator and extensive MIDI control options.

Technical Specifications

Synthesizer Section

• Parts: 2 (Upper, Lower)
• Key Mode: Single, Dual, Split
• Maximum Polyphony: 10 Voices (Voice Modulator OFF), 8 Voices (Voice Modulator ON)
• Waveforms:
  • OSC 1: SUPER SAW, TRIANGLE MOD, NOISE, FEEDBACK OSC, SQUARE (PWM), SAW, TRIANGLE
  • OSC 2: SQUARE (PWM), SAW, TRIANGLE, NOISE
• Effects:
  • Tone Control
  • Multi-FX (13 types): SUPER CHORUS SLW, SUPER CHORUS MID, SUPER CHORUS FST, SUPER CHORUS CLR, FLANGER SLOW, FLANGER DEEP, FLANGER FAST, DEEP PHASING SLW, JET PHASING, TWISTING, FREEZE PHASE 1, FREEZE PHASE 2, DISTORTION
  • Delay (5 types): PANNING L->R, PANNING R->L, PANNING SHORT, MONO SHORT, MONO LONG
• Internal Memory:
  • Performances: User: 64, Preset: 192
  • Patches: User: 128, Preset: 384
• Voice Modulator:
  • Two 12-band band-pass filters
  • Noise
  • Robot Oscillator
  • Dedicated effect unit (Ensemble, Delay)

Arpeggiator/RPS Section

• Arpeggio Mode: UP, DOWN, UP&DOWN, RANDOM
• Arpeggio Beat Patterns: 90 types total (including PORTA patterns, SEQUENCES, ECHO, MUTE, STRUMMING, REFRAIN, PERCUSSION, WALKING BASS, HARP, RANDOM)
• Arpeggio Range: 1-4 octave
• Hold: ON/OFF
• RPS Pattern Data: 48 patterns, Maximum Loop Length: 4 measures
• Resolution: 24 ticks per quarter note
• Gate Time: REAL, STACCATO, 33%, 50%, 66%, 100%
• Input Quantize: OFF, TRIPLET1/16, 1/16, TRIPLET1/8, 1/8, TRIPLET1/4, 1/4
• Recording Method: Realtime (Loop Recording)
• Tempo: 20 to 250

Motion Control Section

• Motion Data: 2 x 2 sets (SET A, B)
• Maximum Loop Length: 8 measures
• Maximum Recording Length: 99 measures
• Recording Method: Realtime (Loop Recording and One Shot Recording)
• Tempo: 20 to 250

External Storage

• SmartMedia:
  • S2M-5 (2MB): Stores 64 x 32 Performances, 128 x 32 Patches, 48 RPS Patterns, 2 x 4 Motion Controls, 1 System Setting
  • S4M-5 (4MB): Stores 64 x 64 Performances, 128 x 64 Patches, 48 RPS Patterns, 2 x 4 Motion Controls, 1 System Setting

Physical Specifications

• Display: 16 characters, 2 lines (backlit LCD)
• Connectors:
  • MIDI connectors (REMOTE KBD IN, IN, OUT)
  • Output jacks: L(MONO) and R (1/4 inch phone type)
  • External Input jacks: INST/LOWER(MONO) and VOCAL/UPPER (1/4 inch phone type)
  • MIC jack (1/4 inch phone type)
  • Headphone jack (Stereo 1/4 inch phone type)
• Input Level:
  • INST/LOWER(MONO): -30dBm to +4dBm
  • VOCAL/UPPER: -30dBm to +4dBm
  • MIC jack: -60dBm to -20dBm
• Input Impedance:
  • INST/LOWER(MONO): 24kΩ
  • VOCAL/UPPER: 24kΩ
  • MIC jack: 5kΩ
• Output Impedance:
  • L(MONO): 2.2kΩ
  • R: 2.2kΩ
  • Headphone jack: 100Ω

Size&Power Specifications

• Power Supply: AC117V, AC230V, AC240V (autosensing for all markets so you could use the US/ JP unit in the Europe with no step-down converter)
• Power Consumption: 17W (all voltage versions)
• Rackmount format: 6U
• Dimensions: 482(W) x 88(D) x 264(H) mm / 19(W) x 3-1/2(D) x 10-7/16(H) inches
• Weight: 4.5 Kg / 9 lbs 15 oz (excluding Power cord)

P.S.
Why you should prefer the JP-8080 over the JP-8000?
- Because it does not have that notorious "leaking capacitors" problem that destroys its mainboard.