JX-08 a bit confusing but...

[GMayle]

The documentation isn't great with this synth, but the synth itself is really good.

1. There is a Performance Mode but it's called Sequence Mode. In this mode, the effects and arp settings can different per Performance. This is not made clear in the manual. You're not stuck with one preset reverb, it can be altered per Performance. There are 128 Performances, selected by pressing the Seq key and preset number/knob select. You can use the same Tone on both patches in the Performances, effectively giving you a 4 osc polysynth in Dual mode. When changing a tone used in a Performance, you have to save the tone, then save the Performance, it's pretty quick once you get the hang of it. If you assign Tone1 and Tone 2 to Performance 1, Tone 3 and Tone 4 to Performance 2 etc, you won't overwrite any previous patches you've made.

2. As far as we can see, the Motion Sequencer works with every synth parameter and seems to have no limit. You can even alter the Portamento per step. You just hold the step down, move any knob to required position. It even seemed to work changing the oscillator wave per step! Nutty! But it is a comprehensive motion sequencer.

3. You can turn the noise off on the Chorus effect, it's set per patch for compatibility with the JX-8P, but gets on your nerves after a while. The Chorus itself is better than the Juno one


If you're reading this Mr Roland Corp, what would be 2 great additions via firmware update

1. Tone 1/2 Parameter lock, so the synth knobs affect both tones in a performance simultaneously, as a Performance option that would be really useful

2. A new mode Keyboard mode for the sequencer that alters the pitch of the sequence, default at pressing C key, everything down a semitone when pressing B key. This would make the JX-08 a go-to synth for live performances.