No one could have imagined the scale of the empire that the Japanese brand Roland would build just 50 years ago by producing synths and drum machines that would find their way into most of the world’s home studios. Let’s step back in time. On April 18, 1972, Ikutaro Kakehashi founded the Roland Corporation in a rented hangar in Osaka with 23 million yen in capital — the equivalent of about €180,000 today.
From its earliest years, Roland made its mark with product lines it would continue to develop and refine: the TR drum machines, SH synthesizers, EP digital pianos, Space Echo studio effects, SYSTEM modular synths, and guitar pedals first launched under the name MEG Electronics before quickly adopting the now-iconic Boss brand in 1976. Over 50 years, Roland has shaped the sound of home studios, guitarists, pianists, drummers, bassists, singers, and even accordionists, with more than 120 products developed.
40 Years of Synthesis
But it was the release of the JUPITER-8 in 1981, familiarly known as the JP-8, that shook the world of music creation. This analog synthesizer featured sixteen oscillators for eight-voice polyphony. Derived from the JUPITER-4 model of 1978, the JP-8 defined the sound and aesthetic of an entire era. With it, Roland could now compete with major American names such as Oberheim and Sequential Circuits.
The JUPITER-8 was followed between 1981 and 1984 by a whole series of synths, including the famous JUNO (JUNO-60 and its MIDI-equipped sibling, the JUNO-106) and the SH-101, known for its bass sounds later adopted by techno. In 1987, Roland launched the D-50, one of the first keyboards based on sample playback.
The JUPITER-8 appeared immediately in countless productions and accompanied the rise of electronic and progressive music alongside artists and groups such as Tangerine Dream, Duran Duran, Jean-Michel Jarre, Roxy Music, OMD, Stevie Wonder, Toto, Depeche Mode, Prince, Moby, Simple Minds, Orbital, The Cars, Devo, Future Sound of London, Yes, Josh Wink, Underworld…
Duran Duran > “Hungry Like The Wolf” – 1982
Talk Talk > “Such a Shame” – 1984
Queen > “A Kind of Magic” – 1986
JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm, Reaching for the Stars!
Forty years later, building on the success of the JUPITER line, Roland revived the myth with two new models: the JUPITER-X and the JUPITER-Xm. They recreate Roland’s legendary soundscapes, integrating both analog and digital classics, along with iconic drum machines like the TR-808 and TR-909. The JUPITER-X is a modeling version powered by the new ZEN-Core engine, with a 61-key keyboard, while the JUPITER-Xm offers most of the same features in a 37-key compact version that can also run on batteries for full autonomy. Together, they provide 256 voices of polyphony, five-part multitimbrality, 4,000 internal presets, 90 drum kits, and 256 scenes.
The surprise? Roland introduced real-time accompaniment creation with I-Arpeggio, which intelligently generates rhythms and phrases based on your playing.
JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm
JUPITER-X Editor, Sound Surgery
Building on the success of the X series, Roland looked for ways to enhance the user experience of the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm. Taking feedback from proud owners of these ZEN-Core-powered instruments, Roland unveiled a free editor at Superbooth 2021: the JUPITER-X Editor. It makes it easier to build and save complex scenes, layered sounds, arpeggiated phrases, and effect parameters. You can drag and drop sounds, organize custom lists, and more. It’s a great opportunity to explore this series, which has already found significant success.
The JUPITER-X Editor is available for macOS and Windows via Roland Cloud.
JUPITER-X Editor
Roland Cloud: A Borderless Journey Through Sounds of the Past, Present, and Future
In recent years, Roland has expanded into software, reinventing its legendary synths while creating new virtual instruments like the acclaimed ZENOLOGY and its variations. In one place — Roland Cloud — you get access to over 50 virtual instruments (JUPITER-8, SH-101, JX-8P, JUNO-106, JD-8000, D-50, Drumatix, TR-808, TB-303…) as well as pattern packs, patches, and samples.
> Roland Cloud access is available in four subscription tiers.
- The Free plan includes ZENOLOGY Lite.
- The Core plan, $29.99/year, includes ZENOLOGY, ZENOLOGY FX, and Zen-Core sound packs.
- The Pro plan, $99/year, includes ZENOLOGY Pro with modeling extensions, ZENOLOGY FX, and Zen-Core packs.
- The Ultimate plan, $199/year, provides access to all instruments and sounds.
Roland Cloud Connect: Mobility at Its Finest
To go even further, Roland Cloud Connect transforms your JUPITER into a true powerhouse with the WC-1 wireless adapter and a Roland Cloud Pro subscription. No computer needed — just plug the adapter into your synth via USB and connect to your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. With this subscription, you’ll have unlimited access to all modeling extensions and waveforms, with around 30,000 sounds available, including over 9,000 sounds for JUPITER.
Vocal Designer: The Ultimate Vocal Synthesis
With a long history in vocal synthesis, including VP keyboards and the VP-Synth, Roland introduced the Vocal Designer as an extension for the JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm. Perfectly in tune with today’s needs, it offers 90 presets of vocoder sounds across eras, along with choir and vocal ensemble tones and 26 algorithms, ranging from vintage to futuristic.
How do you get it? Either by updating your synth to version 2.0, or by accessing it through your Roland Cloud subscription.
