Roland Jupiter-08 Synthesizer Features 32-Voice Polyphony, Sequencing + More In ‘Boutique’ Format
Today, Roland has introduced the JUPITER-08, a new addition to its Boutique series, marking 45 years since the original JUPITER-8 debuted in 1981.
The compact, portable JUPITER-08 is designed to recreate the original’s sound, using Roland’s Analog Behavior Modeling (ABM), which is different than both the original Roland Jupiter-8’s analog circuitry and the older JP-08 Boutique.
It is limited to eight voices by default, but players can expand its polyphony to 32 voices, and in true Jupiter fashion, two patches can be layered in Dual mode or played on either side of the keyboard in Split mode.
The front panel follows the original design fairly closely, both in layout and aesthetics. VCO-1 has cross-mod and VCO-2 has sync and fine tune, with a source mix control between them, and there’s a separate high-pass filter alongside the main VCF, which has switchable slopes and key tracking.
The new synth is small, but offers expanded polyphony, a polyphonic sequencer, updated effects, USB-C connectivity, and portable battery-powered operation.
Features:
- Compact Roland Boutique design intended for desktop use, live performance, and portable music-making.
- Sound engine inspired by the original JUPITER-8, with updated voice allocation and pitch behavior.
- Expanded polyphony mode offering up to 32 voices.
- Refined pitch behavior intended to reproduce aspects of the original instrument’s animated character.
- Two-part, 64-step polyphonic sequencer for creating basslines, chords, and melodic patterns.
- Sequencer supports up to eight notes per step and motion recording.
- Built-in arpeggiator for generating rhythmic and melodic patterns.
- Hold function for sustaining notes during performance and sound exploration.
- Seventeen MFX types for additional sound shaping, including Roland-style stereo chorus.
- Dedicated delay effect for adding echoes and rhythmic depth.
- Reverb with five types and a shimmer mode that adds an octave-shifted effect to the reverberated sound.
- Built-in speaker for standalone playback.
- Included K-25m keyboard dock, allowing the module to function as a compact standalone instrument.
- USB-C audio and MIDI connectivity for integration with computers and music-production software.
- Traditional MIDI input and output, plus an external clock input for connecting with other hardware.
- Battery or USB power for use in desktop and portable setups.
The Roland JUPITER-08 is available now, priced at $549.99 USD.
Find out more on Roland website.
