Bad Gear - Roland Boutique JP-08

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Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Roland Boutique JP-08. Can this compact digital sound module capture the vintage synth magic and 80s sound of the OG Jupiter-8?

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:19 Overview
05:57 Hate
06:20 Jam 1
07:18 Jam 2
08:18 Finale
08:51 Verdict
10:11 Patreon Vocoder Shoutout

[AlexBallMusic]

Whilst the JP-08 is tiny, the Jupiter-X is massive and very heavy.

I made a video called "vintage synth nut trys Roland's latest gear" and the thumbnail is me holding it on my shoulder.

Moments later I tried lifting it over my head for a shot and the weight was too much for me and it dropped. In a split second I bent forward and caught it on my back. I was then bent over with a Jupiter on my back. I slowly crouched down in a scene reminiscent of World's Strongest Man meets Mission Impossible until I was lying flat. I then slid it off my back.

I haven't told Roland that and it's their synth. In fact, they might be watching. Hi guys!

Might go for the boutique next time.

[R_A_V_E_R_X]

I bought one and kept it in the box. Gonna give it to my future grandchild so they can trade it for food during the coming Mad Max era.

[lo-firobotboy]

The tweezers bit is brilliant! Roland should include a set with every Boutique purchase.
Also....Guinea Pig Armour!! ( Your internet search history must raise a few eyebrows. )

[djangofett]

I had one of these and sold it as soon as the System 8 was released (and going for decent aftermarket discount). System 8 has the Jp-08 algorithm built in with 8 VOICES plus ju-06 and Jx-03 algorithm and the main system 8 engine (a total beast) and nice full size knobs and faders.

[thestinkyweasel]

This is my favorite channel. I came for the synth reviews, have had my mind blown by the spicy jams, and I always giggle or ROFLCOPTER through the episodes. Thank you for being you and entertaining us with your talents!

[keefka]

I have 2 JP-08's chained together and love it!

[Arehexes]

Oh that final track was so good. Warmed my bones up in this cold weather.

[skummelkatt]

I used to own the JU-06 and sound wise it was great. I even became friends with the sliders. But the lack of polyphony was what finally made me sell it

[djlocodoc]

Bad gear never disappoints…always the video highlight of my week!!

[dannydr]

Best way to start my weekend with the words: welcome to bad gear, the show about the world most hated audio tools😍👍🏻🙏💯

[concorde__]

I love that you do this show in front of a bookshelf rather than a studio like every other gear reviewer

[ugufru]

I have both this and the OG and love them both. To fit that sound engine into a backpack sized battery powered package makes it a great travel synth!

[saxxonpike]

3:09 DM-ArcaneTemple reference, nice

[robbiewabisabi]

Great video and music. Thank you for incorporating rip Taylor. He is a dear friend and does not get enough glitter work these days. Thanks for posting. See you next time.

[nexuzeb]

Sir, u are a wizard with words! Always entertaining and hillarious, makes any rainy monday feel like waking up without a hangover at 04:00 in a rave!

[butteo]

This is how all synth reviews should be done!

[MCBrainpower]

Superb episode…. Put a smile on my face more than once. The Jupiter 8 remains an all time favorite, the sounds are impeccable….I love the Roland System-8, the Jupiter 8 sounds are on point in that machine 🎹

Salute to the magnifying glass meme 👈🏼

[stevelarson]

I must say that there aren't any other gear review channels that I enjoy more. Thank you!!

[ianmccoy]

@4:03 Florian just made a Black Metal Synth Album by accident.

Now it's only a matter of time before we get to the JU-06A,

Great work as always. Thanks for making such awesome music and videos!

[tedstahl]

I think most of the Roland Boutiques sound great. I'm actually quite impressed with the Analog Circuit Behavior technology. However, the 4-note polyphony and tiny controls were a real deal breaker for me. That is why waited and eventually got a System-8. 8-note polyphony and appropriately sized knobs and sliders.

Another thing to keep in mind is that daisy-chaining multiple boutiques together doesn't give you the proper polyphonic experience you'd think. The big failure is that if you have patches with long release times, they will get cut off before they finish. The design of the Boutique range only uses the next poly-chained instrument if you're holding at least four keys down. If you play a four-note chord and lift your fingers to play another four-note chord, it will not look at the envelope to see if those voices are still being used. It will see that you lifted your fingers and it won't use the second instrument. It will use the original instrument and cut off the releasing notes. Fortunately, this is not a problem for the System-8.