The words 'Roland has just updated the JX-3P' probably haven't been muttered since about 1983 when the original hardware synth was launched. But, of course, we're talking about the software version of this synth, and with v2, Roland says the JX-3P not only looks better, but can sound as good as the original, in any condition that may be.
The original JX-3P arrived at what you might call an 'odd' time for synthesisers. Analogue machines had ruled the charts and keyboard rigs but this newfangled digital technology was coming in to make everything more stable and deliver features like presets and effects.
The JX-3P was one of the models of the time – like Korg's Poly 6 – where the heart of the synth was analogue but with digital control, meaning a distinct lack of rotary controls, and everything starting to be hidden behind buttons and menus. Consequently a Roland
PG-200 was released, bringing back some rotary control. To spin a popular phrase: first Roland taketh away, then it giveth.
Back to the software version, and the JX-3P models both the original 2-oscillator synth and its controller – although ironically an external MIDI controller would be nice to get the best from both – and v2 of the synth adds better looks, sounds and realism.
The better looks come by way of an updated hi-res screen – which again goes for both the keyboard and controller – which Roland says is completely overhauled. The sounds, meanwhile, get a four-pronged update. First the ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior) model has been improv
