Jupiter X/Xm: v 3.0, now with randomization!

The Lounge Other Gear
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[I couldn’t find a good thread to tack this on to, sorry mods!]

Roland just very quietly dropped a Jupiter X/Xm firmware update, v3.0:

[ Ver.3.00 ] APR 2022
Please refer to the “JUPITER-Xm Owner’s Manual Ver. 3.0 and later” and “JUPITER-Xm Reference Manual Ver. 3.0 and later” for detailed information in the [ Owner’s Manuals ].

Additional Functions

  • The model “JUPITER-X” has been newly provided as a preloaded model.
    The model “JUPITER-X” is a new model that takes the model “JUPITER-8” as its motif and is designed with the aim of achieving the ideal analog synthesizer configuration. Through such moves as adoption of four oscillators, seven types of waveform selection, implementation of oscillator pan and oscillator delay, adoption of a variety of velocity sense functions, and more, this provides new vintage synth expressiveness that transcends the boundaries of vintage synths.
  • The functionality of I-ARPEGGIO has been extended.
    • I-ARP TYPE setting values have been increased from 55 to 65 (10 more) and I-ARP RHYTHM setting values have been increased from 44 to 65 (21 more).
    • Mode switching has been added to enable easy switching of simple arpeggios and step sequencers for each individual part.
    • It is now possible to change styles and variations for each individual part by using I-ARP and the ARP mode.
    • A Probability function has been added. This makes it possible to assign a probability to the sound production of each note, and also enables changing its extent through interlinking with I-ARPEGGIO.
  • New preset sound content has been added (scenes and tones).
  • The number of scenes and the number of user tones have both been increased from 256 to 512.

Functionality Improvement

  • Various improvements to the user interface have been made.
    • When setting parameter values, a value list can now be displayed by pressing the [ ENTER ] button.
    • The structure of the view displayed when the [ MENU ] button is pressed has been reorganized.
    • The naming screens for scenes, tones, and the like have been improved.
    • The order of Z-Core Tone parameters has been reorganized.
3 Likes
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Dam does that mean there’s finally Synth engine that can be used like a knob per function with the front panel, that’s Been the biggest thing for me it has been lacking.

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From p33 and p34 of the Reference manual. I’m sure there will be plenty of options buried in menus, but it does sound like Roland has made an effort to clean those menus up somewhat. I’ll probably update my Xm tonight.

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Wow, who needs a Syntakt when you have this! Updating.

Still think the XM is one of the most underrated synths.

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I did the update. It doesn’t wipe out my patches by default. I had to do a system restore to get the new factory patches.

The new presets sound good. The new engine should be fun to play with. The new menu structure is also nice. In addition to the usual menus, the menu button now gives you a tree into the other menus. This makes navigation much easier for an occasional user like me who often forgets 80% of what he learned before the next session.

I suspect that the Jupiter-X engine is a superset of the other VA engines. If so, it’s a convenient shortcut for sound design. Every track will be a JX or 5080 except for the rare cases when you want a piano.

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Awesome! Do you have the X or xm?

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I’ve got an Xm.

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Can anyone recommend a good case for the XM. Is decksaver useful?

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The Xm fits in the DJ-505 bag. Plenty of room of the power supply, manual and some cables. My Xm traveled from SF to Chicago in one, next to the TR-8s in its bag. I was able to arrange things so that there wasn’t any pressure in the front panel. For stacking, I’d want a hard case.

I like decksavers, but don’t have one for my Xm yet. I have the Analog Keys decksaver and except for a little tightness it is great. I assume the Xm decksaver is at least as good.

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One reason I regret getting a System 8 over the Xm is portability. Digitakt + Xm would be such an incredible little live rig.

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