Roland JX-08 & JD-08

[djst]

If there is a setting to modify the envelope snappiness, surely it must be in the manual?

[AdamJay]

The trick I used on the MKS-70 was to use the key tracking to speed it up.

So set the envelope keytrack to its highest setting. This means higher notes played on keys will have more envelope modulation.

Now, to offset having to play your notes so high to take advantage of that, tune both oscs as low as they can go.

I’ve made acid with the MKS-70 using this workaround.

OT + MKS-70 experiments

Getting acid bass lines out of the MKS-70. It’s totally possible with a bit of imagination. Crank the filter envelope’s key follow. This will shorten the envelope time for higher keys. To offset that higher register of playing, lower the DCO’s coarse tune (range), and if needed - drop the DCO tune another octave. Now, play the notes on your KB/sequencer in a higher register than usual, to offset the lower pitched DCO. There’s further explanation on my instagram. And extended audio here: …

[x0x]

@djst

If there is a setting to modify the envelope snappiness, surely it must be in the manual?

Nothing specifically for envelope snappiness, but there is a setting to expand filter cutoff, resonance and VCF Envelope, which could help?

[djst]

Nice! I look forward to some comparisons from a YouTuber to hear how this affects the sound. Maybe there’s a way to make it sound a little less tame than the original.

[x0x]

It also has three different filter types. I’ve not tried them yet though. It doesn’t state what they are, but it could adjust the curve (although it would probably state that if it were the case).

[Vagabond_Ari]

I saw a setting called Cndi in the part settings that adds drift(?) on the JX-08 I think. Mine didn’t arrive yet so I don’t exactly know what it does but can someone try that setting and maybe send a demo here?
It’s the 4th one here
https://static.roland.com/manuals/jx-08_reference/eng/17811690.html

[Vagabond_Ari]

If you’re only using Part A, maybe you can copy the exact envlopes on Part B but use it as a sub osc?

I don’t know if you’re able to mix the volume between Part A and B but it should be fine if you’re recording with seperate tracks in your daw.

[x0x]

@Vagabond_Ari

If you’re only using Part A, maybe you can copy the exact envlopes on Part B but use it as a sub osc?

Yes that’s what I’ve been doing. You have to save the entire patch to each part, and then set up an Osc as the sub. The only thing with this is that you can’t control the cutoff of both parts together.

It would be nice if they added the ability to control parameters of both parts together while in dual mode (unless I’ve missed this option).

@Vagabond_Ari

I don’t know if you’re able to mix the volume between Part A and B

Yes you can control the volume and pan of each part, which is nice.

[Vagabond_Ari]

@x0x

The only thing with this is that you can’t control the cutoff of both parts together.

oof, that kinda sucks, but if maybe you can try to set a fader on a midi controller to control both at the same time. I think it’d take a lot from the “hands on” experience of the synth but I think it’s the only way

[AdamJay]

@x0x

It also has three different filter types. I’ve not tried them yet though.

this (along with the per part pan setting) is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to NOT learn.
Swear I am going to impulse buy this thing one day, purely emotional, after a bad day at work. I don’t need another synth but it tugs the heart strings of my time with the MKS-70 + programmer.

[x0x]

From an external midi controller it’s easy, you just set each part to the same midi channel and then you can control both with the same knob. I’ve been doing this with my Keystep 37.

[x0x]

One thing I read in the manual that may be of interest to some is that you can connect a midi controller to the new boutiques directly with USB (there is a setting for this). I don’t think that possible with the older boutiques. I’m guessing this is due to the USB-C port.

[Flood]

I’ve had the JX-08 for about a week now (thanks to @f_omega for pointing me to ZZounds!). I haven’t had time yet for a deep dive but some surface level impressions:

Cons: On the first few runs I had some odd behavior on the DCO1 mixer slider; the sound would cut in and out, then eventually fade after a few seconds. Seems to have corrected itself after a few days but still made me a little wary. Vexing that they don’t have Chord Mode or Hold functionality on this thing, especially since there’s a bit of real estate for them. Quite a few of the patches are really quiet even after adjusting the VCA level but I hear that’s common on these boutiques (I only have a JU-06A to compare). Manual is online only, which will be forever lame to me.

Pros: Sounds ridiculously good - I can’t emphasize this enough. I sold a Micromonsta 2 to fund this purchase - the MM2 is fantastic but the UI just didn’t click with me and had a harsh, inescapable “digital”-ness that wasn’t pleasing to my ears. So far the JX-08 suits my bitimbral needs perfectly and I love how easy it is to switch between dual and split modes, and assign MIDI channels to each of the two tones in seconds. Just to echo what’s been said before: the pads are really this thing’s bread-and-butter, particularly the brass pads - absolutely lovely. Filter behavior is smooth and creamy, quite different from the edgy, rawer filter on the JU-06A. Not detecting a whole lot of snappiness in the envelopes so far. The arpeggiator is almost worth the price of admission alone. Only scratched the surface of the effects here but it’s mind-boggling how many parameters are available for each one. The reverb sounds a bit cold initially but need more time to explore that as well. Haven’t touched the sequencer yet; I’ve been sequencing this from the DT.

Overall, this one’s gonna be a keeper, I think.

[Vagabond_Ari]

@Flood

Vexing that they don’t have Chord Mode or Hold functionality on this thing, especially since there’s a bit of real estate for them.

Definately, it sucks that they didn’t include a hands on arp type too, with all that empty space. If they moved every slider a little bit higher they could add an extra few buttons/switches to every section and make this even more hands on. Other than these cons I think I’m going to enjoy a lot of it, can’t wait for mine to arrive.

[x0x]

@x0x

I personally wouldn’t buy the JD-08 due to those tiny sliders. I’d probably end up using it as a preset box.

I hate to quote myself but I only went and ordered one (saw a good deal and couldn’t resist). Should arrive tomorrow.

[pselodux]

Argh these still haven’t hit Australia yet

[christianlukegates]

Any JD08 owners here? Not sure if ive stumbled across a fault or a feature… yesterday having a little jam with it and its all great, but after saving a patch i noticed that that patch then became ‘frozen’ (or maybe ‘locked’)- in that it still works but none of the parameters could be altered… switching to a different patch everything fine again, but switching back to that patch and still frozen/locked. Power cycling doesnt change it. Other patches that I saved dont do this, its just this one… Wondering if ive activated a freeze/lock function by mistake? Searching the manual I couldnt find a mention of such a feature… Curious if anyone else can shed light on this?

[x0x]

Press the Active Layer button and then select the Tone(s) that you want to edit. If no Tones are selected as the Active Layer then the sliders will not change anything. If you select more than one tone then both can be edited at the same time.

[christianlukegates]

Oo ok wil try this. Seems strange tho as I havent needed to do this with any other patches. Thanks!

[x0x]

Yeah is weird. Maybe you accidentally deactivated before saving so it saved that state with the patch.