Roland Jupiter 8 | First Contact

Whilst I was recording the Prophet T8 for the documentary I quickly put down some Jupiter 8 as it was the first time I’ve ever seen one. I brought the audio and video back and built more stuff around it and this is the result.

I’m planning to do a bigger Roland thing with a more detailed look at these icons, but in the meantime, this is a first sketch; a quick trip to Jupiter.

Main part: Roland Jupiter 8 (1981)
Sequenced chords: Roland JX-3P (1983)
Arp bass: Roland Juno-6 (1982)
Arp chords: Roland SH-101 (1982)
Drums verse: Roland TR-808 (1981)
Drums chorus: LinnDrum (1982)
Drums final chorus: Fairlight CMI III Samples
FM Bells: Yamaha DX7 (1983) Not seen in film
Guitars: Ibanez JEM 7DBK, Squier Jagmaster
Amp: Fender Blues Junior II mic’d with an SM57
Pedals: Boss CE-2 and EarthQuaker Devices Organizer
Vocals: Recorded with an AKG C414

Sequencer: Cubase 9.5
Clocking: Arturia BeatStep Pro
Plugins: U-He, Goodhertz, Waves, PastToFuture, IK Multimedia

Space footage from the NASA public domain archive.
Many thanks to the owner of the Jupiter, LinnDrum and 808!

[likeanuuk]

such feelgood music. synths really are like sweet little robots that want to serenade us. like machines with a heart of their own that sing to us, instead of playing back a recording

[thebreathalyzer]

Awesomely 80s. It's like a warm fuzzy blanket of analog goodness.

[NotSoSilentPete]

Still coming back to this every year! Banger!

[aren]

what a massive 80s vibe, thank you for this

[lonophonic]

This has to be my favourite piece you’ve done. My absolute favourite. It is just completely and utterly beautiful, just so incredible. I love how you’ve used it for a theme set in space on an expedition or journey. I can definitely also imagine it for sci fi. All the instruments are fantastic, but for me the King of the Synthersizers itself dominating the music is also what makes it click and what makes it powerful. A truly spectacular and outstanding performance. Pls keep this going, because this was just pure absolute beauty beyond the cosmos.

[brainrussell]

All your stuff is freaking amazing... super beautiful and sophisticated!

[crow]

I love this track! Listening all the time on spotify. The vocals are so good at the end. You should definitely put more vocals on your tracks man.

[autoy]

Perfect synthwave banger. Hope to hear the full version some day.

[moogdome]

Played a Hp8 live once. the thing that struck me most, was not just the great sound, but they look beautiful. probably the best looking synth ever. love your music.

[simonmartin]

Playing a JP-8 is like working in a recording studio with a really good singer. Its a fairly simple instrument but whatever you do it always sounds good.

[plugitin]

Vocal section at the end is the icing on the cake. So good :)

[nateklejman]

I've been listening to this on repeat, the synths are out of this world!!!

[fallingmanuk]

My dream synth - lovely song too, so uplifting!

[XavierRadix]

What can I say.. The monster that is the Jupiter 8..
This was just another awesome track. It fit really well with the video too.
Great job on the vocals too, beautiful harmonies 'n stuff!

[Feendyl]

Toll arrangiert mit Pfeffer und schönem Happysound 👍🎶🎵🎼🎹🎸🎶🎶

[jfphotoandlife]

In the 80s Roland was the party of the synth. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[OliKember]

Congrats! Great to see you get hands on with something you adore so much. The joy oozes.

[davidcanmann]

Mate, it’s time for you to press a record of your synth stuff. People will buy simply to support your work.

[frizbat]

Great stuff! Love that 80s synth style. I’m a big fan of Roland equipment. Have a Juno 106. Had a Juno 60, but foolishly sold it because it didn’t have MIDI. Big mistake. Love your music!

[RogerBrenon]

Haven't heard real music in a while. Beautiful.