The JX-3P was the first synth I owned in 1986. I had to sell it, and fast forward to 2022 and I saw your video and it reminded me of my first synth, so I bought one, which came with a PG-200 and a "spare parts" JX-3P. I sent both to a synth repair shop and now I have 2 primo condition synths with a PG-200 and a PG-2K. Thanks for your video.
The JX-3P has the distinction of being the first synth I ever heard doing a "proper" sync sweep. I remember doing a double take. "Wow, what WAS that sound?" I said to the guy who was playing it (a fellow student at uni in the 1980s).
The JX-3P holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first synth that I got to know. My college roommate owned it and he and I formed a band. He played guitar, I played drums and we found a bass player and singer. That was the early 1990s. Much time had passed when I got into hardware jamming in 2018. I was shopping for synths and I saw the Roland Boutiques. The JX-03 caught my eye but I didn't understand why. I bought it. A few days later I began searching for that first synth that I got to know because the JX-03 sure did remind me of it ...
Thank you. I never owned the original and I avoid vintage gear for a number of reasons that are mostly personal and have no value discussing. 😂 The JX-03 is covering things very well AND it fits in my workflow. 😅👍
I had one of these with the pg-200 and river midi mod. Easily the nicest synth I've owned. Just had this subtle 80's magic. Not to mention gorgeous. Even if the internals were completely dead it would make a beautiful piece of decoration.
I got mine 10 years ago as my first analog synthesizer and I installed the Organix MIDI upgrade. The price was still ok for JX-3P + PG200 then. I could have bought a Juno 106 from the seller for the same price, but I was afraid buying it because of the failing oscillator problem. I probably shouldn't have been, seeing prices now ... On the 106, it's easy to create a good sound quickly, but I feel it has a limited sound palette. The JX-3P has more to offer, but you have to tweak a bit longer to get results. It's more fun an rewarding when you have created/discovered a nice sound.
Set osc 2 to a square wave about 8 or 9 semitones below osc 1, turn dco mix knob all the way to the right, turn on sync, enable lfo on dco 2, and you have PWM. Adjust DCO 2 tuning, fine tune, and the LFO amount to dial it in. It goes through 0 too, if you set the pitch of dco 2 a full octave below dco 1, so you can get rhythmic effects. Works with other wave shapes too. Once you dial it in, bring dco 1 back into the mix to experiment with more tones. Also I bought my dtronics dt-200 (new pg-200 clone) for under 300 usd.
I had my 3P since it first came out and it’s a a great synth. I use mine all the time. For 80s stuff, it can’t be beat. The piano sounds, I think, are meant more to mimic a Rhodes and not a regular piano. With a little tweaking, they’re certainly useable for certain genres of music. It’s a great synth.
The JX-3P is definitely still worth talking about. I'm super cheap. The only thing on the market for awhile that could compete with the 3p were VA synths. Those machines sound fine, and often have more features but they lack what really makes this a deal: parts that are shared with the Junos and Jupiters. You can't get a second Osc with the Juno (as you've mentioned). With the Kiwi-3p mod, this machine gets opened up to modern midi, and it boasts the same feature set as the Jupiter-6 for a fraction of the price. Many artists claim it as a desert island synth (M83, Toro y Moi). It's massively underrated, even now that it's gotten as expensive as newer poly synths. It's not to be slept on, and while it's cheaper than the Juno it's still worth it. If for some reason the price eclipses the 106? Forget about it.
My first poly synth - Living in Holland (83/84) , I drove to Koln and purchased it for cash and drove home to Holland with my prize ... I used it to play live and record , then let it go in 86 to buy other touring gear - often missed - loved the sounds and feel
I think there is some real creative validity owning a vintage synth with no real midi implementations. Akin to picking up an acoustic instrument. So much of the vibe we hear and feel, come from the user’s style. These days we emulate so many things with automation-which I love, but there’s something to be said about an instrument that requires your experience and skill to even function. One may not always use said instrument in a song, but going back to playing and feeling really lends itself to making more cognitive musical decisions, in my experience. Great video as always, and it doesn’t matter how many times you express the caveats with this synth, I still want one hahaha! Edit for strange autocorrect punctuation
Cheers thank you! You're definitely right, it's a different way of interacting. I like to play live and record as midi, and the no local off / channel restrictions make that tricky here
JX-3P does have PWM. it's explained in the manual, but the implementation is not intuitive. Fine Tune becomes pulse width on DCO2 when pulse wave is selected and set to Sync if I recall (either duty cycle or maybe only one of them, I forget). then you can modulate the fine tune parameter via LFO and/or envelope, but you have to be judicious about the initial pulse width and modulation amount. it's not a great sounding or really satisfying PWM, but it does offer some extension of the timbre palette that can range from subtle to somewhat extreme, depending on the DCO Mix. not a very broad sweet spot, in my opinion. the architecture and programing implementation of the synth are the most limiting factors, and as I said, the raw sound of the PWM is not particularly compelling. there's some speculation that the machine is simulating PWM via pulse wave sync, but the result is the same. (It's like saying the DX-7 is not 'real' FM synthesis...) my belief is that the less than satisfactory PWM sound has more to do with the resolution of the digital LFO and Envelopes. Fact check any of what I write here for yourself though, because my JX-3P is currently sitting in a box, 5,000 miles away and I'm 98% posting this from memory.
I have no interest in buying a JX-3P. My room mate has one and I have never played it or heard it being played. But still had to come watch your take on it! All the videos are great man. Don't change a thing.
I got one a couple years ago for $450, couldn’t find a pg200, but I did find that a company called dtronics makes a replacement controller for around $300 and it works great. With the controller, the jx3p is quick and easy to program.
jx3p was my first synth, and i still have it! except now it has the kiwi upgrade. its appeared on every one of my tracks... its my go to, and ill never let it go.
The JX-3P was my 1st poly synth, purchased within a couple months of its release in '83. I have a lot of synths these days, but the relationship I had with this synth starting out kinda trumps all others, including some of the more expensive and coveted synths I own now. Good Times.
The JX-3P was my second polysynth back in 1987. I already had a Juno-60 and, at the time, I thought the JX was no match for the Juno but, if I had to buy one of them again, I think I'd go for the JX. Because of the two oscillators.
aaaaaaaand unafordable on Reverb.....NOW! Your videos are excellent dude, I grabbed a lot of your 106 and jx3p patches for the Deepmind. Take care dude, thank you.
As a JX03 and Deepmind owner, I still miss my JX3p+pg200. Preferred it to the Juno6 that sat above it in that period. Bought most of the Roland boutiques but only kept the JX03, though it just doesn't quite hit the speakers as roundly. The Deepmind though satisfies the Roland DCO urge these days. Got most of the current Behringer synths, and the Depmind 12D is the best thing they have done. Slightly downhill from there. I will hunt down your DM JX3p patches and see how they go, though I was never a huge fan of the presets Roland presented.
I bought a semi broken deep mind I ended up returning. I did not like the sound at all, but maybe I didn’t unlock it right. I have a Juno 106 that I adore. Jorb has made me question getting another deep mind and seeing if it was just a bad unit. The Behringer model D is a great minimoog stand in for me at 1/10th the price. If you haven’t checked it out you can get them used for $150. Jorb did a vid about other mono synths so he may steer you elsewhere.
I was lucky enough to get my JX3P in a pawn shop circa 2000, just before the internet made it easy for retailers to research synth values. Price tag is still on: "ROLAND KEYBOARD, OLDER $149" It's actually pretty easy to edit without the controller, the graphic is very useful. Happy to have eventually bought the PG200 though. The weird spacing on "Envel ope" is where they fixed a typo on the screenprinting, the earlier models say "Enverope", an understandably Japanese mistake to make!
I actually really like those "unrealistic EP patches" lol. They're sorta in between an EP and pad with a lot of warmth which I could hear sitting well in certain mixes....
Love these sounds. May I please ask your opinion on this vs a Prophet 600 (which is supposedly similar to a prophet 5). I use ableton and am looking for an intuitive vintage-midi synth that gives me ethereal, eeriness… but can also connect to a modern set up. On a budget. Ha. Cheers
Got my DM12 Jorb Edition, I have all the vintage Roland vibes I need ! I would consider buying a vintage synth only if it's a very very good deal. BTW, how did your D50 auction turn out ?
I have one of these with the programmer that I used to learn keys and I loved it. It was great as a finger operated space organ for the year that I played it. PG200 is a must IMO. The jump in creativity is apparent on day one of getting the programmer. 2 years ago I got a Reface CP for the rhodes sound and the convenience of a mini rhodes at my desk/couch is just unbeatable and has been my go to keyboard (I'm not a pianist). As a combo synth and rhodes, I bet they work well together. I just have to get around to unpacking the JX3p and getting a proper amp. FYI, if you made a bunch of patches for the 3p, I'd watch it.
What a place to start. Yeah, the programmer changes EVERYTHING. My 3P is gone! I tried to buy on on facebook marketplace today for 400, but wasnt first in line.
got one Jørb! great vibe shame no pulsewidth mod tip to get an alpha juno1 get a Roland synth +10 its the exact same thing not mine with the hard plastic case for about $350 last month
Are there any other modulators compatible with the JX-3P? I've had the JX-3P for a long time and have wanted to do modulation with it, but PG-200's I find on ebay cost even more than the the amount I payed for the keyboard. Any suggestions, or should I just save up for the PG-200?
@JorbLovesGear I've been watching one of these for sale for a bit that has dropped to the price and condition you're referencing here, I'm confident i can do the work but already own a fully working 106. In your opinion is there much advantage to warrant going through with it?
Alpha Juno is still somewhat reasonably priced. But the Deepmind scratched that Juno itch for me. I think the old synths are destined to be collector's items.
I loved my Roland Alpha Juno 2! It was the first new synth I bought. I did get to play with my friend’s new JX-3P in 1983 when he went away on vacation for 2 months! I loved the JX-3P. These days I have a Roland System-8 which I really love too! In my System-8 I get the Jupiter-8, Juno-106 AND the JX-3P! What is not to love about having all 4 in one keyboard?!
Hmmmm probably not. Lots of this behringer clones aren't super exciting to me, and even if I really like that form factor for a mono, i don't see it as unique enough that I want to try it, since I've tried the model D I think I've heard what there is to hear. Plus, as far as monos without presets, it's competing with the odyssey for me and that's a pretty high bar.
@@JorbLovesGear I wouldn't say it's terrible. It's "doable" but compared so other of Roland's menu diving synthesizers *cough* *cough* Roland D70 *cough**cough* it's just part of their thing. I think that's why I'm interested in the mod it always for MIDI dumps etc and expands on it
Don’t sleep on the Alpha Juno. With the proper controller it can do a lot! They aren’t that expensive especially if you don’t mind the aftertouch not working.
@@JorbLovesGear My friend got one on CL 10 years ago for almost nothing. We used it on some records and then it kinda got put away to collect dust. Recently, I have encouraged him to break it out again and see if he can get some inspiration. He is now looking to buy and MPG - 50 controller for it. It will basically make it a new synth... however they cost more than he paid for the actual synth... Long story short, the best deals seem to be on the Alpha Juno 1 that doesn't have velocity or aftertouch or 2's with broken aftertouch. Looking forward to your video if and when you find one!
As far as the Jx3P is concerned, I am super interested in the built in sequencer and how you can stack them. There are videos out there about that. I got your JX3P patches for the Deepmind and they sound great! Just wish the DM had a step sequencer... oh well it would cost way more if it did. Thanks again!
I wasn't impressed with the JX-03 while I had it, im not sure if it's just the early 4 voice boutiques are all sort of eh, or I could just as easily plug into my original, so why bother. I will say, i've had a few boutiques that I really like, the D-05 and the JU-06, and a few I did not like, the JX03, SH01, and SE02 didnt really do it for me. But what you gain is so much in formfactor, hands on control without the programmer, good midi, that the sound is more than good to make it worth deciding based on those factors.
I love my Roland Boutiques. I have the SH-01a (I did have an original SH-101 new back when it came out), the new SH-01a is fun, and it can be a 4 voice synth. I also have the JU-06, JP-03 which I think are spot on for the synths they replicate. I also have the Roland SE-02 because it is real analog synth (a copy of the Moog Model D, but with additional parameters). But what I love about the SE-02 is the 512 patch memories - NO other clone offers the patch memory storage like the SE-02 does!
Jorb - I need advice! I am in the market for a vintage analog poly synth. I have found two synths that I’m interested in and wanted your opinion on what YOU would choose if you could only choose one. A JX-3P or Six Trak? Thanks 🙏
theyre so different both would be cool. I've had actually a lot of problems with my six trak, controlling it is not smooth with the old membrane buttons, and programming is way worse without a programmer. May just be my unit. 3P with programmer is a joy, but the bespoke programmers are expensive as hell. plus worse midi implementation in every way Plus things like synthesis options, 1osc vs 2...its tough, i hardly see them as equal.
@@JorbLovesGear It seems that maybe the JX-3P is a better value if I were to come across either unit at around the same price. I’ve found a JX-3P on local market place for around $600 without the controller, which is slightly cheaper than any Six Traks I’ve found. Appreciate the insight, thank you 👍
I found my moms old alpha Juno 1 in attic And it sounds really good Also got a controller to use with it And it’s great Maybe like 750 with a controller is a decent price
The alpha Juno (and alpha Juno 2) is the other affordable way into vintage Roland. But it gets you into the later dco (106 etc) sound, whereas the jx-3p is supposed to share more of the squishier Juno 6 / Jupiter 8 (but not exactly) type sound. Many prefer it to the Juno 106 etc, and it has aftertouch and 61 keys etc. I think jorb would end up saying the deep mind is the better value, but the alpha is very good. I ended up selling mine and going for a 106 because so much of the appeal of the Juno for me is the simple “everything sounds good” per knob function design of it. The wheel menu gets old fast and if you spring for the add-on editor (similar to the pG-200) you change the value proposition, so I shelled out an extra 400 to get a Juno 106 in good shape for 1400.
@@FakeGlasses yeah I got the mpg-50 from retroactive and not I run midi to that so I don’t even use the junos keyboard so it feels like a desktop synth in my setup I wouldn’t use it had I not gotten this controller
I briefly had an 8P early on in my synth career, I would love to have one now that I have learned so much more. I agree, in terms of sound design, the JX have better options. But the Juno simplicity + midi + low end makes me choose my 106 more often.
"write" saves a patch. There's a memory protect switch on the bank that needs to be off. I can't remember if you can just save in the user banks, but assume do
I use mine a lot more than my Juno 6(6) in tracks. I can make some pretty cool sounds out of It, usually spending a long time refining a sound. It's very easy to make It sound very shit too. It can sound from Juno/Jupiter Roland era to very modern rave leads that are impossible for the Juno. It's very good at strings. And is very flexible in sound. The Juno is easier, cooler in jams, always sounds good, but very basic. JX-3P has slow envelopes, It can't do punchy basslines etc ... like the Juno. The Alpha Juno does very nice Juno basses without costing a fortune. It's also has a very elegant form factor.
@@JorbLovesGear Its still in my personal opinion but I have yet to find a synth that sounds the same. Ive seen tons of emulations yet none has that thickness. Not even the boutique version did it justice.
Hey timo, i reckon most 106 haters have never had one. The 3P is a thing of beauty from a very special time. What other roland synth actually looks like it? 8p all silver...
Does it have a battery? I didn't see you showing that and it was hard to hear what you were saying over the sequencer playing in the background. Also you didn't demonstrate the preset back up with tone sounds and the jacks on the back. Nobody seems to do this. Where do you get the mods? I keep hearing about these but they seem to be phantom mods. Its hard to believe they are the same price now as they were when I got mine back in 1983. 2 other points I don't think you mentioned. 1. Its only 6 note polyphonic. 2. It only transmits on midi channel 1 (big limitation). Also it does not transmit the LFO button on midi, it does however transmit the pitch bender.
It's an OK synth but don't get too carried away ... I really liked the sequencer (limited but still usable), and with careful programming, you could make some very lush or atmospheric patches but it isn't a patch (no pun intended) on other vintage gear of that era (eg. Juno 106 or later)... I used one for years as it was the only (second-hand) synth I could afford at the time but I didn't know what I was missing out on until I bought other gear such as the 106 or Korg M1.... buy one cheap but don't get into an eBay bidding war just to own one.
@@JorbLovesGear thank you so much!!! finally, I just really want this wood... oh You're custom patch is sooo lovely. a lots of feel love. You should consider custom patch or recipe video!! (sorry if you already said about this thing. my english is bad.) thank you!!!
I can think of a few Juno alternatives, other than this. Roland's own JU-6A, Behringer Deepmind, Roland Alpha Juno (Ok rez ain't quite there, but it's good!). Then with software there's TAL UNO-LX (Juno 60 emulator, Softube's Model 84 (Juno 106 emulator)
Thanks! Watching back now, I don't know if its the compressor from my mixer, or the effects from editing, but you're right, there's missing high end in my voice. My constant battle with audio continues... It really is probably time I record everything into reaper on separate channels and mix after the fact. Big workflow killer though
I know part of it, my mixer can be really noisy, and I use some noise suppression effects when I edit video in resolve. I would assume that's aggressive enough to be impacting the rest of the recording. Always learning!
They are a good synth, just not a great one. Great synth to learn synthesis with an old analogue and it features are pretty good..compared to a 106, on paper should have been no contest=JX way better, much wider sound palate etc but I personally think the jx3 just doesn’t sound that good it lacks “character” (whatever that is 😀 ). Personally I think the 106 is just better sonically. ( also like poly61 sound over the jx3😱)
@@JorbLovesGear frustrating thing with poly61 you can't even add control with external sysex etc. I have my fingers crossed some clever person with make a brain transplant board for the 61 one day...
So we're assuming Jorb loves "gear". But maybe he is obsessed with Richard Gere and compulsively tells us in each of these synth videos even though they have nothing to do with the actor.
@@JorbLovesGear they’re like the same price separately these days! 😂 I personally think it’s ridiculous; oh at 10:15 you mention this actually! I loved your video ✌️
Checking ebay prices, with the pg200 and shipping, the cost is almost as high as a brand new Jupiter-X. Still it's a real analog wonder, and not a software with a fancy MIDI keyboard. Still, if I had ANY talent, I'd put the effort and buy one, or a Juno 60. Sadly, you cannot buy talent.
The JX-3P was the first synth I owned in 1986. I had to sell it, and fast forward to 2022 and I saw your video and it reminded me of my first synth, so I bought one, which came with a PG-200 and a "spare parts" JX-3P. I sent both to a synth repair shop and now I have 2 primo condition synths with a PG-200 and a PG-2K. Thanks for your video.
The JX-3P has the distinction of being the first synth I ever heard doing a "proper" sync sweep. I remember doing a double take. "Wow, what WAS that sound?" I said to the guy who was playing it (a fellow student at uni in the 1980s).
It really is a fascinating sound, isn't it.
Brings a lot of interesting choices to two oscillator synths, for sure!
I like your style, Jorb. You come across as authentic, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and fun! I enjoy your videos!
Really appreciate all that, thank you sincerely.
Hope to see you around!
You made such a compelling argument for the deepmind in your other videos that it's hard for me to consider the jx-3p now.
Ahh yes! I try not to mention it all the time, I feel like a broken record sometimes. I figured the patches plug was allowed though. lol
LOVE these videos. Your melodies and explanations are making me love this one. Kicking myself for passing on a JX-8p recently!
Really appreciate that. I want one again, good synths!
The JX-3P holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first synth that I got to know. My college roommate owned it and he and I formed a band. He played guitar, I played drums and we found a bass player and singer. That was the early 1990s. Much time had passed when I got into hardware jamming in 2018. I was shopping for synths and I saw the Roland Boutiques. The JX-03 caught my eye but I didn't understand why. I bought it. A few days later I began searching for that first synth that I got to know because the JX-03 sure did remind me of it ...
Great story. Have you gotten an original? Or is the JX-03 covering you well?
Thank you. I never owned the original and I avoid vintage gear for a number of reasons that are mostly personal and have no value discussing. 😂 The JX-03 is covering things very well AND it fits in my workflow. 😅👍
Really enjoy this video format, keep it up!
I love vintage Roland synths. Thanks for posting!
Me too! Thank you, always working on more
I have this exact same set up. Mint and still sounds amazing.
That intro was so badass, they way you made a little line on the looper and turned the volume down to use as background music for the video. So cool.
Smh I should go back to doing that
i love these sunset synth miami night atmosphere, i am mesmerizing
I had one of these with the pg-200 and river midi mod. Easily the nicest synth I've owned. Just had this subtle 80's magic. Not to mention gorgeous. Even if the internals were completely dead it would make a beautiful piece of decoration.
River mod, I hadn't heard of that. Something to look into!
always awesome synth work .. knowledge .. attitude .. thanks.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you, appreciate it all!
The 3P is my fave,simply perfection.
I got mine 10 years ago as my first analog synthesizer and I installed the Organix MIDI upgrade. The price was still ok for JX-3P + PG200 then. I could have bought a Juno 106 from the seller for the same price, but I was afraid buying it because of the failing oscillator problem. I probably shouldn't have been, seeing prices now ...
On the 106, it's easy to create a good sound quickly, but I feel it has a limited sound palette. The JX-3P has more to offer, but you have to tweak a bit longer to get results. It's more fun an rewarding when you have created/discovered a nice sound.
Set osc 2 to a square wave about 8 or 9 semitones below osc 1, turn dco mix knob all the way to the right, turn on sync, enable lfo on dco 2, and you have PWM. Adjust DCO 2 tuning, fine tune, and the LFO amount to dial it in. It goes through 0 too, if you set the pitch of dco 2 a full octave below dco 1, so you can get rhythmic effects. Works with other wave shapes too. Once you dial it in, bring dco 1 back into the mix to experiment with more tones. Also I bought my dtronics dt-200 (new pg-200 clone) for under 300 usd.
I was thinking the same thing. There is a YT video of guy getting actual pwm out of an SQ-80!
I had my 3P since it first came out and it’s a a great synth. I use mine all the time. For 80s stuff, it can’t be beat. The piano sounds, I think, are meant more to mimic a Rhodes and not a regular piano. With a little tweaking, they’re certainly useable for certain genres of music. It’s a great synth.
It really is a classic.
Yes! The Jx-3P is still the best kept secret in vintage analog!
Indeed it is! Even if it has gotten more expensive recently, its still a winner to me.
@@JorbLovesGear Agreed. It will never leave my rig simply for its incredibly well rounded & warm sound... and that sequencer!
The JX-3P is definitely still worth talking about. I'm super cheap. The only thing on the market for awhile that could compete with the 3p were VA synths. Those machines sound fine, and often have more features but they lack what really makes this a deal: parts that are shared with the Junos and Jupiters. You can't get a second Osc with the Juno (as you've mentioned). With the Kiwi-3p mod, this machine gets opened up to modern midi, and it boasts the same feature set as the Jupiter-6 for a fraction of the price. Many artists claim it as a desert island synth (M83, Toro y Moi). It's massively underrated, even now that it's gotten as expensive as newer poly synths. It's not to be slept on, and while it's cheaper than the Juno it's still worth it. If for some reason the price eclipses the 106? Forget about it.
Excellent talk and demo.
Much appreciated, thank you!
Very enjoyable video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
My first poly synth - Living in Holland (83/84) , I drove to Koln and purchased it for cash and drove home to Holland with my prize ... I used it to play live and record , then let it go in 86 to buy other touring gear - often missed - loved the sounds and feel
Great synth to start with.
Always a chance to get another!
I think there is some real creative validity owning a vintage synth with no real midi implementations. Akin to picking up an acoustic instrument. So much of the vibe we hear and feel, come from the user’s style. These days we emulate so many things with automation-which I love, but there’s something to be said about an instrument that requires your experience and skill to even function. One may not always use said instrument in a song, but going back to playing and feeling really lends itself to making more cognitive musical decisions, in my experience. Great video as always, and it doesn’t matter how many times you express the caveats with this synth, I still want one hahaha! Edit for strange autocorrect punctuation
Cheers thank you!
You're definitely right, it's a different way of interacting.
I like to play live and record as midi, and the no local off / channel restrictions make that tricky here
JX-3P does have PWM. it's explained in the manual, but the implementation is not intuitive. Fine Tune becomes pulse width on DCO2 when pulse wave is selected and set to Sync if I recall (either duty cycle or maybe only one of them, I forget). then you can modulate the fine tune parameter via LFO and/or envelope, but you have to be judicious about the initial pulse width and modulation amount. it's not a great sounding or really satisfying PWM, but it does offer some extension of the timbre palette that can range from subtle to somewhat extreme, depending on the DCO Mix. not a very broad sweet spot, in my opinion. the architecture and programing implementation of the synth are the most limiting factors, and as I said, the raw sound of the PWM is not particularly compelling. there's some speculation that the machine is simulating PWM via pulse wave sync, but the result is the same. (It's like saying the DX-7 is not 'real' FM synthesis...) my belief is that the less than satisfactory PWM sound has more to do with the resolution of the digital LFO and Envelopes. Fact check any of what I write here for yourself though, because my JX-3P is currently sitting in a box, 5,000 miles away and I'm 98% posting this from memory.
I have no interest in buying a JX-3P. My room mate has one and I have never played it or heard it being played. But still had to come watch your take on it! All the videos are great man. Don't change a thing.
Cheers, really appreciate that.
I don't blame you!
I got one a couple years ago for $450, couldn’t find a pg200, but I did find that a company called dtronics makes a replacement controller for around $300 and it works great. With the controller, the jx3p is quick and easy to program.
I was after the Dtronics stuff forawhile, eventually got a decent deal on an original. Really does change the experience
jx3p was my first synth, and i still have it! except now it has the kiwi upgrade.
its appeared on every one of my tracks... its my go to, and ill never let it go.
Kiwi mod seems like a real treat. Would love to try one eventually!
@@JorbLovesGear its great... really, its how the 3p should have been all along.
The JX-3P was my 1st poly synth, purchased within a couple months of its release in '83. I have a lot of synths these days, but the relationship I had with this synth starting out kinda trumps all others, including some of the more expensive and coveted synths I own now. Good Times.
What a cool first synth. There is a lot of connection from where you first learn, isn't there
@@JorbLovesGear - Indeed.
Same here
The JX-3P was my second polysynth back in 1987. I already had a Juno-60 and, at the time, I thought the JX was no match for the Juno but, if I had to buy one of them again, I think I'd go for the JX. Because of the two oscillators.
Hey jorb, not only does it sound beautiful, just look at it. B e a u t i f u l.
High key, it does look really good
aaaaaaaand unafordable on Reverb.....NOW!
Your videos are excellent dude, I grabbed a lot of your 106 and jx3p patches for the Deepmind. Take care dude, thank you.
Bought one of these two months ago of my college lecturer with the original Roland hardcase and programmer to go with it for £700 🤩
16:30 hey! i LIKE those factory e-piano settings!
As a JX03 and Deepmind owner, I still miss my JX3p+pg200. Preferred it to the Juno6 that sat above it in that period. Bought most of the Roland boutiques but only kept the JX03, though it just doesn't quite hit the speakers as roundly. The Deepmind though satisfies the Roland DCO urge these days. Got most of the current Behringer synths, and the Depmind 12D is the best thing they have done. Slightly downhill from there. I will hunt down your DM JX3p patches and see how they go, though I was never a huge fan of the presets Roland presented.
I bought a semi broken deep mind I ended up returning. I did not like the sound at all, but maybe I didn’t unlock it right. I have a Juno 106 that I adore. Jorb has made me question getting another deep mind and seeing if it was just a bad unit. The Behringer model D is a great minimoog stand in for me at 1/10th the price. If you haven’t checked it out you can get them used for $150. Jorb did a vid about other mono synths so he may steer you elsewhere.
I have this plug in in my PC and I haven't even played with it yet. The name sounds so interesting I figured I'd play with it later.
I was lucky enough to get my JX3P in a pawn shop circa 2000, just before the internet made it easy for retailers to research synth values. Price tag is still on: "ROLAND KEYBOARD, OLDER $149"
It's actually pretty easy to edit without the controller, the graphic is very useful. Happy to have eventually bought the PG200 though. The weird spacing on "Envel ope" is where they fixed a typo on the screenprinting, the earlier models say "Enverope", an understandably Japanese mistake to make!
I now have the Roland Cloud plugin for this. I will have to give it a try.
Its been a few weeks, what's the word.
@@JorbLovesGear I love the Juno 60 and Juno 106 the most but the JX-3P is pretty good. Will need to explore it more.
I actually really like those "unrealistic EP patches" lol. They're sorta in between an EP and pad with a lot of warmth which I could hear sitting well in certain mixes....
Love these sounds. May I please ask your opinion on this vs a Prophet 600 (which is supposedly similar to a prophet 5). I use ableton and am looking for an intuitive vintage-midi synth that gives me ethereal, eeriness… but can also connect to a modern set up. On a budget. Ha. Cheers
It's tough! As far as I remember, the pro 600 has better midi implementation, plus jx3p no midi + programmer makes live tweaking tough .
Merry Christmas 🎄. That was beautiful. The 3P was always my favourite. What effects (reverb) are you using? Greetings from a snowy Stockholm, Sweden.
Got my DM12 Jorb Edition, I have all the vintage Roland vibes I need ! I would consider buying a vintage synth only if it's a very very good deal. BTW, how did your D50 auction turn out ?
Hope the sounds serve you well!
I didn't win! Ended up going for 750, so I'm not too beat up about it.
What is DM12 Jorb Edition?
I have one of these with the programmer that I used to learn keys and I loved it. It was great as a finger operated space organ for the year that I played it. PG200 is a must IMO. The jump in creativity is apparent on day one of getting the programmer. 2 years ago I got a Reface CP for the rhodes sound and the convenience of a mini rhodes at my desk/couch is just unbeatable and has been my go to keyboard (I'm not a pianist). As a combo synth and rhodes, I bet they work well together. I just have to get around to unpacking the JX3p and getting a proper amp. FYI, if you made a bunch of patches for the 3p, I'd watch it.
What a place to start. Yeah, the programmer changes EVERYTHING.
My 3P is gone! I tried to buy on on facebook marketplace today for 400, but wasnt first in line.
got one Jørb! great vibe shame no pulsewidth mod tip to get an alpha juno1 get a Roland synth +10 its the exact same thing not mine with the hard plastic case for about $350 last month
OH yeah, another one of the home market versions. I'm going to look on reverb right now, thank you.
should be able to snipe one for $300 on craigslist yippee!!! Those custom wood sides are soo sleek, i love that so much
Is the first sound you play in the video a Factory or Custom Sound? It’s absolutely beautiful! 🔮
custom! i think its in my MPC keygroup for the 3P
Yassss
Are there any other modulators compatible with the JX-3P? I've had the JX-3P for a long time and have wanted to do modulation with it, but PG-200's I find on ebay cost even more than the the amount I payed for the keyboard. Any suggestions, or should I just save up for the PG-200?
@JorbLovesGear I've been watching one of these for sale for a bit that has dropped to the price and condition you're referencing here, I'm confident i can do the work but already own a fully working 106.
In your opinion is there much advantage to warrant going through with it?
Alpha Juno is still somewhat reasonably priced. But the Deepmind scratched that Juno itch for me. I think the old synths are destined to be collector's items.
Looking for alpha junos recently, i think I could cover a lot of info with them.
I loved my Roland Alpha Juno 2! It was the first new synth I bought. I did get to play with my friend’s new JX-3P in 1983 when he went away on vacation for 2 months! I loved the JX-3P. These days I have a Roland System-8 which I really love too! In my System-8 I get the Jupiter-8, Juno-106 AND the JX-3P! What is not to love about having all 4 in one keyboard?!
What do you think about the new Behringer Poly D? Think it will make an appearance in your studio in the next year or so?
Hmmmm probably not. Lots of this behringer clones aren't super exciting to me, and even if I really like that form factor for a mono, i don't see it as unique enough that I want to try it, since I've tried the model D I think I've heard what there is to hear.
Plus, as far as monos without presets, it's competing with the odyssey for me and that's a pretty high bar.
I have this without a PG it's in a working but less then great condition. Thinking about adding the Kiwi mod to it.
How's programming for you, do you have trouble with it? Gotten faster over time?
@@JorbLovesGear I wouldn't say it's terrible. It's "doable" but compared so other of Roland's menu diving synthesizers *cough* *cough* Roland D70 *cough**cough* it's just part of their thing.
I think that's why I'm interested in the mod it always for MIDI dumps etc and expands on it
It looks to be in good condition nice synth! Have you tried a JD-800?
I love your voice. u sound like kermit the frog its so relaxing
Muppets rule
Its a good one but there are so many good ones .
It does have pwm! just modulate DCO2 while on Sync setting.
Don’t sleep on the Alpha Juno. With the proper controller it can do a lot! They aren’t that expensive especially if you don’t mind the aftertouch not working.
I've been trying to get a deal on one! Would love to compare to the other Roland poly's I've had / used.
@@JorbLovesGear My friend got one on CL 10 years ago for almost nothing. We used it on some records and then it kinda got put away to collect dust. Recently, I have encouraged him to break it out again and see if he can get some inspiration. He is now looking to buy and MPG - 50 controller for it. It will basically make it a new synth... however they cost more than he paid for the actual synth... Long story short, the best deals seem to be on the Alpha Juno 1 that doesn't have velocity or aftertouch or 2's with broken aftertouch. Looking forward to your video if and when you find one!
As far as the Jx3P is concerned, I am super interested in the built in sequencer and how you can stack them. There are videos out there about that. I got your JX3P patches for the Deepmind and they sound great! Just wish the DM had a step sequencer... oh well it would cost way more if it did. Thanks again!
I second this, picked up a RAJ2 about three months ago and then promptly sold my ESQ-1, JD-800, and CZ-1000. LOVE THE ALPHA!!!
@@rfuerstwagner Wait, what? The Alpha replaced all of that? I could see maybe a Hydrasynt..
07:16 Simply having a wonderful christmas time
OHHH it is just like that
JX-3P emulates well your JX-3P patches for DM.
🙏🙏Thank you!
How do you think the Roland JX-03 Boutique units compare to this setup. That whole kit is less than 400. What an awesome sounding synth. cheers!
I wasn't impressed with the JX-03 while I had it, im not sure if it's just the early 4 voice boutiques are all sort of eh, or I could just as easily plug into my original, so why bother.
I will say, i've had a few boutiques that I really like, the D-05 and the JU-06, and a few I did not like, the JX03, SH01, and SE02 didnt really do it for me.
But what you gain is so much in formfactor, hands on control without the programmer, good midi, that the sound is more than good to make it worth deciding based on those factors.
I love my Roland Boutiques. I have the SH-01a (I did have an original SH-101 new back when it came out), the new SH-01a is fun, and it can be a 4 voice synth. I also have the JU-06, JP-03 which I think are spot on for the synths they replicate. I also have the Roland SE-02 because it is real analog synth (a copy of the Moog Model D, but with additional parameters). But what I love about the SE-02 is the 512 patch memories - NO other clone offers the patch memory storage like the SE-02 does!
They seem to be fizzier than the other two.
It's gonna double the price on Reverb after this video.
The Jorb effect.
@@SirRigbyBaconKaiser I would be insanely flattered if I could influence the market, what power. lol
@@JorbLovesGear buy something. make video. sell thing after the 200% price hike. genius! the JHS method as it's known
@@EpicStuffMan1000 😂 I wish I had that influence, truly
AttakaiMusic -both guys named "josh". Hmmmmmmmmm
Jorb - I need advice! I am in the market for a vintage analog poly synth. I have found two synths that I’m interested in and wanted your opinion on what YOU would choose if you could only choose one. A JX-3P or Six Trak? Thanks 🙏
theyre so different both would be cool.
I've had actually a lot of problems with my six trak, controlling it is not smooth with the old membrane buttons, and programming is way worse without a programmer. May just be my unit.
3P with programmer is a joy, but the bespoke programmers are expensive as hell. plus worse midi implementation in every way
Plus things like synthesis options, 1osc vs 2...its tough, i hardly see them as equal.
@@JorbLovesGear It seems that maybe the JX-3P is a better value if I were to come across either unit at around the same price. I’ve found a JX-3P on local market place for around $600 without the controller, which is slightly cheaper than any Six Traks I’ve found.
Appreciate the insight, thank you 👍
I found my moms old alpha Juno 1 in attic
And it sounds really good
Also got a controller to use with it
And it’s great
Maybe like 750 with a controller is a decent price
I'm curious about the alpha junos, they fit into my realm of old and cool, but not over priced.
Enjoy it!
The alpha Juno (and alpha Juno 2) is the other affordable way into vintage Roland. But it gets you into the later dco (106 etc) sound, whereas the jx-3p is supposed to share more of the squishier Juno 6 / Jupiter 8 (but not exactly) type sound. Many prefer it to the Juno 106 etc, and it has aftertouch and 61 keys etc. I think jorb would end up saying the deep mind is the better value, but the alpha is very good. I ended up selling mine and going for a 106 because so much of the appeal of the Juno for me is the simple “everything sounds good” per knob function design of it. The wheel menu gets old fast and if you spring for the add-on editor (similar to the pG-200) you change the value proposition, so I shelled out an extra 400 to get a Juno 106 in good shape for 1400.
@@FakeGlasses well said!
I'm on the hunt for an alpha juno, just to try one
@@FakeGlasses yeah I got the mpg-50 from retroactive and not I run midi to that so I don’t even use the junos keyboard so it feels like a desktop synth in my setup
I wouldn’t use it had I not gotten this controller
Edit title to "you could afford 4 years ago"
Theres a good one for $500 on Craigslist right now not bad
@@travisguide4516 But it for me bro and I’ll pay you back later
I love these underrated Roland gems
I own an 8P and it's sound super warm !!!
IMHO the JX series is a better all-rounder compared to the Junos
I briefly had an 8P early on in my synth career, I would love to have one now that I have learned so much more.
I agree, in terms of sound design, the JX have better options. But the Juno simplicity + midi + low end makes me choose my 106 more often.
@@JorbLovesGear the 8P sounds thinner but those analog pianos...a bit of reverb and you're straight in heaven 😇😇😇
How do you save the patches you’ve made? I’m not sure if mine has a memory card or anything. Just picked it up bare.
"write" saves a patch. There's a memory protect switch on the bank that needs to be off.
I can't remember if you can just save in the user banks, but assume do
@@JorbLovesGear thank you!
So you can send sysex patches if you install a mod?
Yes, kiwi 3p
Not sure 8f they play out???
I use mine a lot more than my Juno 6(6) in tracks. I can make some pretty cool sounds out of It, usually spending a long time refining a sound.
It's very easy to make It sound very shit too.
It can sound from Juno/Jupiter Roland era to very modern rave leads that are impossible for the Juno.
It's very good at strings. And is very flexible in sound.
The Juno is easier, cooler in jams, always sounds good, but very basic.
JX-3P has slow envelopes, It can't do punchy basslines etc ... like the Juno.
The Alpha Juno does very nice Juno basses without costing a fortune.
It's also has a very elegant form factor.
Yeh you can change patches while you are holding the keys. You cant do that 9n the 8p.
The jx3p sounds amazing but I dont know why theres so much resentment against the 106. The last couple of months I seen a lot of 106 hate (?)
I think the 106 is great, but way overpriced for what it does.
@@JorbLovesGear Its still in my personal opinion but I have yet to find a synth that sounds the same. Ive seen tons of emulations yet none has that thickness. Not even the boutique version did it justice.
ALSO: NO PWM? 🥺
Hey timo, i reckon most 106 haters have never had one. The 3P is a thing of beauty from a very special time. What other roland synth actually looks like it? 8p all silver...
Does it have a battery? I didn't see you showing that and it was hard to hear what you were saying over the sequencer playing in the background. Also you didn't demonstrate the preset back up with tone sounds and the jacks on the back. Nobody seems to do this. Where do you get the mods? I keep hearing about these but they seem to be phantom mods. Its hard to believe they are the same price now as they were when I got mine back in 1983. 2 other points I don't think you mentioned. 1. Its only 6 note polyphonic. 2. It only transmits on midi channel 1 (big limitation). Also it does not transmit the LFO button on midi, it does however transmit the pitch bender.
I believe it does have a memory battery.
It is have the battery. Yes
i got one yesterday for only 100$ on Japan suplus :)
It's an OK synth but don't get too carried away ... I really liked the sequencer (limited but still usable), and with careful programming, you could make some very lush or atmospheric patches but it isn't a patch (no pun intended) on other vintage gear of that era (eg. Juno 106 or later)... I used one for years as it was the only (second-hand) synth I could afford at the time but I didn't know what I was missing out on until I bought other gear such as the 106 or Korg M1.... buy one cheap but don't get into an eBay bidding war just to own one.
Still wouldn't mind an MKS-30, but asking prices are getting pretty ridiculous now.
I whish I can ! haha
oh wait... please let me know how to attach wooden side!!!! I love one.
Screwed into the existing holes is all!
I just drew the outline of the metal side plates and went from there
@@JorbLovesGear thank you so much!!! finally, I just really want this wood...
oh You're custom patch is sooo lovely. a lots of feel love. You should consider custom patch or recipe video!! (sorry if you already said about this thing. my english is bad.)
thank you!!!
@@ロンドン Thank you!
I've considered really general tutorials, something that could be applied to many synthesizers.
Maybe soon!
@@JorbLovesGear yeeaahh!! I can't wait😆
Do you release music
If so where?
Flattered by the question, but I don't really put anything out.. Eventually I'll have to drive to put somethings together!
@@JorbLovesGear all good
Let us know
I really enjoy your UA-cam thanks for the constantly good uploads
Is the sequencer multitimbral?
Nope!
@@JorbLovesGear um ok right.
very good sounds! to bad these vintage synths go for somuch
Cheers! Yeah, it really is out of control lately.
I can think of a few Juno alternatives, other than this. Roland's own JU-6A, Behringer Deepmind, Roland Alpha Juno (Ok rez ain't quite there, but it's good!).
Then with software there's TAL UNO-LX (Juno 60 emulator, Softube's Model 84 (Juno 106 emulator)
Jx-3p or Deepmind?
The price just did a big jump :c
the mic sounds very muffled in this video
i second that
Thanks! Watching back now, I don't know if its the compressor from my mixer, or the effects from editing, but you're right, there's missing high end in my voice.
My constant battle with audio continues...
It really is probably time I record everything into reaper on separate channels and mix after the fact. Big workflow killer though
@@JorbLovesGear Yeah. Still though, great video! JX-3P is a lovely synth and you got some very nice sounding patches from it as always.
@@JorbLovesGear Sounds like it's muffled a bit on everything. Still totally audible though.
I know part of it, my mixer can be really noisy, and I use some noise suppression effects when I edit video in resolve. I would assume that's aggressive enough to be impacting the rest of the recording.
Always learning!
I think the jx sounds way better than the jupiter
I have yet to try a jupiter, would love to compare
They are a good synth, just not a great one. Great synth to learn synthesis with an old analogue and it features are pretty good..compared to a 106, on paper should have been no contest=JX way better, much wider sound palate etc but I personally think the jx3 just doesn’t sound that good it lacks “character” (whatever that is 😀 ). Personally I think the 106 is just better sonically. ( also like poly61 sound over the jx3😱)
I agree, juno has something special.
And poly 61, if it had a full panel of knobs I wouldn't have ever gotten rid of either.
@@JorbLovesGear frustrating thing with poly61 you can't even add control with external sysex etc. I have my fingers crossed some clever person with make a brain transplant board for the 61 one day...
Bro when you fucking pulled off that controller what the fuck.
😂🤣 SURPRISE, MAGNETS
So we're assuming Jorb loves "gear". But maybe he is obsessed with Richard Gere and compulsively tells us in each of these synth videos even though they have nothing to do with the actor.
alone, affordable. with the PG200, expensive
True indeed!
@@JorbLovesGear they’re like the same price separately these days! 😂 I personally think it’s ridiculous; oh at 10:15 you mention this actually!
I loved your video ✌️
@@bobzmuda3940 Cheers, thank you! Yeah it is insane, scarcity I guess!
Checking ebay prices, with the pg200 and shipping, the cost is almost as high as a brand new Jupiter-X.
Still it's a real analog wonder, and not a software with a fancy MIDI keyboard.
Still, if I had ANY talent, I'd put the effort and buy one, or a Juno 60. Sadly, you cannot buy talent.
I'm finding jx-3p/pg200 for around 1000, killer x is at more than twice that
After this video prices goes up.. 😊
I have one. Anyone interested? Only for Germans 😄
Hey buddy. You're very quiet. 🤔
I'm currently selling mine, with PG - 200 and hard case included. Local pick up South West London. hit me up if interested.
Hit him up, JX3P is lit.
yo!!! no ADSR on filter? just on amp? thnx!
The envelope is shared, with variable amount to the filter