Roland Cloud has added virtual JX-3P – a 1983 synth that was one of its earliest programmable preset polyphonic synthesizers and also Roland’s first MIDI-equipped machine.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
In the early ‘80s, the synthesizer market was in flux. Spurred by trends in contemporary music, synths began to creep into popular culture. Roland, in lieu of complicated controls, shifted towards inclusive designs. Why not create a keyboard with Roland’s iconic analog warmth but make it accessible? Thus the dawn of the pushbutton interface and the introduction of the JX-3P. The JX-3P condensed the signature Roland sound users had come to expect into 64 stunning presets.
Beautiful design, meticulous craftsmanship, and ease of use—the JX-3P was a Roland synth for aspiring youngster and virtuoso alike.
Don’t let this synth’s sleek veneer fool you. The most attractive quality of the JX-3P is its versatility. The presets alone provide a masterclass in sonic engineering. Present midrange, shimmering high end, punchy bass frequencies—it’s all there. Throw in a revolutionary MIDI option, and it’s easy to see why this user-friendly powerhouse is now part of Roland Cloud’s Legendary series. What about hands-on sound manipulation? Enter the PG-200. Augmented by the PG 200, JX-3P users could navigate between out-of-the-box excellence and infinite customization. Visceral control options, not one but TWO stabilizing Digitally Controlled Oscillators, and Roland’s unmatched soundscapes—it’s no wonder the JX-3P shines brightly on countless classic recordings.
The JX-3P software synth uses ACB-component (Analog Circuit Behavior)-level modeling of the original. You can use the JX-3P in its traditional format, or add the PG-200 and dig deep into vintage-style synthesis.
The JX-3P is formatted for the ‘Plug Out’ interface of the Roland System-8, so it can run as a hardware emulation on that platform.
Audio Demo:
See the Roland site for details.
Maybe its just me, but I find the 3P as dull as ditchwater – the big deal with this hardware at the time was midi and presets, but the sound is just meh….I am a cloud subscriber, downloaded then deleted, not worth the disk space for me, the System 8 does everything this does and sounds better in every department to me…a pointless clone.
Yeah I’m afraid I pretty much agree with you on all points .. I was around and working clubs when Roland released it, and was never moved by it when I’d visit a local GC and mess with it a little .. then again put Rick Wakeman behind one and I’m sure it would sing lol.
Interestingly I keep going back to the system 8 plugin too, even though I love the idea that I have a “virtual” 106, JP8, 101, SH-2 etc. The system 8 just sounds great and is very flexible (not withstanding the single lfo…). I don’t think the JX-3P will persuade many people to sign up if they aren’t already tempted. Looking forward to a 303 that *exactly* matches the hardware (including simulated variances/condition).
I have a system-8 and would love to get all the updates and this new plug out but I can barely find any on how to do it and I feel like I keep messing it up. Could someone direct me to a video explaining how to specificity install the jx-3p update? Roland are you listening? Please make a video on the fm update how to and a how to for the jx-3p… or probably alot of people won’t utilize it.
Roland have a Cloud Manager App which you install, then from there it updates/installs the plug ins. Don’t own a sys8 but there is an option in the Plug in to Plug Out to sys 8
Seriously? It literally took me 5 seconds to type in “jx3p for system-8”, then download the update and install it. It clearly states it’s included in the 1.30 update and how to install it.
JX-3P was far superior to the Juno 106. It had a sequencer and twice the voices but people were scared by the lack of panel sliders. With the addition of the PG-200 it was in every way killing the 106. That said, I have tried these “Plug Outs” and they really don’t sound or behave like the originals. The SH-101 is especially bad when compared to the great TAL Bassline and of course, to the real thing.
There is a guy on Youtube with a Juno 106, Cloud 106, and an oscilloscope, not only do the patches he uses sound verbatum .. but the waveforms match exactally! That is what pushed me over the edge to buy a Cloud Subscription. Though I never have owned a Juno 106 I did own a Juno 6 for a couple years in the 80’s as well as a Jupiter 8 for 10 years .. I made my living with that Jupiter 8 .. I can easily duplicate my old Jupiter 8 parts from my old recordings with the Cloud version, and though I sold the Jupiter 8 a long time ago working with the Cloud version feels no different except for it having no tactile sliders .. and it having effects that far exceed what I had at the time. Back then when I owned and worked with my Jupiter 8 is when I would frequent my local So.Cal. GC on occasion and mess with the 3P they had on the floor .. it always sounded dull to me .. even compared to my Juno 6 .. different ears thing I guess.
Not sure if I can agree with you there. In my ears, the SH-101 plugout by Roland is one of the best sounding plugs out there. It’s so warm, fat and gritty. Also, as far as the superiority of the JX3P goes, specs are not everything. Sure, the Juno-106 is simple, but it sounds simply great. It’s a classic for a reason. And again, the plugout emulation is spot on for me.
If it sounds like the JX03, then it’s not near as good as the original.
The Chorus alone is oceans apart.
the JX-3P was my first “real” synthesizer, and even at the time there were two things about it that drove me nuts: only 1 envelope and no portamento. the dco’s were a drag as well, but the ring mod and chorus were nice. at the time i bought it, there was also a jupiter6 at the store, but i didn’t have enough money at that time. if i could go back and tell younger me anything it would be, just wait a couple months and get the jupiter6, i think i would’ve been a lot happier with that choice.
Yeah I hear ya .. when I got my Jupiter 8 I actually just GAVE away my Juno 6 lol ..
Having both the original hardware and the new software, I was able to do detailed comparisons between the two – the differences are absolutely minuscule and are more related to a pronounced background noise and a barely audible low frequency hum present in the hardware. Also the original hardware seems to waver a lot in volume and needs constant adjusting, but I write this this “feature” down to old circuits of th old lady slowly dying. Apart from these artefacts, they sound perfectly identical. The reproduction is truly 100% perfect. Even the chorus is precisely reproduced, and it is quite a relief to be able to switch off the noise that bothered me with the original. Sentimental reasons aside, there is no reason for me to keep the hardware any more, so it is being sold as we speak.