Roland JX-08 Owner's Manual page 6

FEATURES
The Roland Boutique JX-08 is a 20 voice
programmable digital bi-timbral synthesizer with dual
and splt capabilities. The 2 part multi-timbral engine
allows us to access two identical synthesizers at once,
either from the keyboard, or via independent MIDI
channels. It's memory retains up to 256 patch
programs; 32 presets from the JX-8P and 111 new
sounds, and 113 additional slots which are freely
programmable. Additionally there is a 2 part 63 step
polyphonic sequencer with motion recording, random
pattern generator, and memory for 128 patterns. There
is also a full featured arpeggiator. The sequencer and
the arpeggiator can be clocked internally, via MIDI or
using the external clock input for use with vintage clock,
drum machine trigger outputs, or modern analog
sequencers and other devices. The external clock
allows for one step per pulse operation of both the
sequencer and the arpeggiator.
• There is no longer any need for an optional M-64C
catridge. Patches may be saved and backed up via USB.
• While not completely one knob per function, with the
assistance of a few sub menus all features of the JX-08
may be edited on the panel of the synthesizer without the
need for an optional programmer, or the endlessly
frustrating edit slider, or alpha dial. But those programmers
in their cases were really cool weren't they? It's a shame
these little boutiques don't come in a silver case with a
shoulder strap and a snap to close the cover. That would be
amazing.
• The JX-08 does not allow for naming our tone colors (not
even sure that it considers our patches to be "tone colors"
anymore) so we do this by remembering their bank and slot
number (A11, C14 etc.) Honestly, I'm kind of glad there
aren't names, or a big screen. I like to hear my patches, and
think of them musically rather than being grossed out by
presets like "Rave-o-tron" and "Trancemagik" and things like
that. I mean honestly, if you were considering making a
trance track, would you ever in a million years immediately
go for a preset called "Trancemagik"? Such a turn off. Silly
names often drive me away from instruments, rather than
drawing me in. I think numbers are neutral, and leaves the
creativity to us.
• There is no longer a patch chain function included in the
JX-08. The JX-8P used this as a way of quickly stepping
through up to 8 patch programs during a live performance in
a user defined order. It made jumping between sounds
really easy for songs which required manual patch changes.
• Incorperated with MIDI, the JX-08 also uses USB-C for
power and communication with computers.
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