Mks-80
Encyclopedia
The Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter is an 8-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer
that was manufactured by Roland
between 1984 and 1987. It is the only of MKS series of synthesizers to have fully analog voltage controlled oscillators. Contrary to popular belief, the voice architecture is more closely related to the Jupiter-6
synthesizer than the Jupiter-8
, the service manual states that "The module board of MKS-80 features the following in addition to that of JP-6, its brother module. ) HPF_ )Low boost circuit in the 2nd VCA. )DC supply current boost circuit." The unit is fully capable of producing most of the Jupiter-8's signature sounds, in addition to many sounds unique to the MKS-80. In 1985 out came another revision of MKS-80, known as "Rev 5", that had no ties with any previous Jupiter's hardware, as it used a new generation of both Roland VCO's, VCA's and filter. The Rev 5 filter was also used in JX-8P, JX-10 and MKS-70 synthesizers.
The MKS-80 has a 64 patch internal memory (8 banks of 8 patches each) along with an optional memory cartridge called the M64-C with room for another 64. A full MIDI implementation is built into the MKS-80, with MIDI IN, OUT and THRU jacks positioned at the rear of the unit.
Analog synthesizer
An analog or analogue synthesizer is a synthesizer that uses analog circuits and analog computer techniques to generate sound electronically. The earliest analog synthesizers in the 1920s and 1930s such as the Trautonium were built with a variety of vacuum-tube and electro-mechanical technologies...
that was manufactured by Roland
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
between 1984 and 1987. It is the only of MKS series of synthesizers to have fully analog voltage controlled oscillators. Contrary to popular belief, the voice architecture is more closely related to the Jupiter-6
Roland Jupiter-6
The Roland Jupiter-6 is a synthesizer manufactured by the Roland Corporation introduced in 1983 as a less expensive alternative to the Roland Jupiter-8. The Jupiter-6 is widely considered a workhorse among polyphonic analog synthesizers, capable of producing a wide variety of sounds, such as...
synthesizer than the Jupiter-8
Roland Jupiter-8
The Jupiter-8 is an eight-voice polyphonic analog subtractive synthesizer introduced by Roland Corporation in 1981.The Jupiter-8, or JP-8, was Roland's flagship synthesizer for the first half of the 1980's...
, the service manual states that "The module board of MKS-80 features the following in addition to that of JP-6, its brother module. ) HPF_ )Low boost circuit in the 2nd VCA. )DC supply current boost circuit." The unit is fully capable of producing most of the Jupiter-8's signature sounds, in addition to many sounds unique to the MKS-80. In 1985 out came another revision of MKS-80, known as "Rev 5", that had no ties with any previous Jupiter's hardware, as it used a new generation of both Roland VCO's, VCA's and filter. The Rev 5 filter was also used in JX-8P, JX-10 and MKS-70 synthesizers.
Features
The voice architecture of the MKS-80 is fully analog with 8 polyphonic voices with 2 voltage controlled oscillators (VCO) per voice, using the Curtis CEM3340 VCO integrated cirtuit. The unit also includes one voltage controlled filter (VCF) and one voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) per voice.The MKS-80 has a 64 patch internal memory (8 banks of 8 patches each) along with an optional memory cartridge called the M64-C with room for another 64. A full MIDI implementation is built into the MKS-80, with MIDI IN, OUT and THRU jacks positioned at the rear of the unit.
External Programmer
The MPG-80 is the optional programmer designed specifically for the MKS-80, providing direct access to the majority of the MKS-80's features. The MPG-80 connects to the MKS-80 via the MIDI IN using a special cable.Notable users
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", "Who's That Girl" - Vince ClarkeVince ClarkeVince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
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(Luca Anzilotti a.k.a. John VIRGO Garrett III) - Pet Shop BoysPet Shop BoysPet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
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- Aphex TwinAphex TwinRichard David James , best known under the pseudonym Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born electronic musician and composer described as "the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music"...
External links
- MKS-80's factory presets demo
- [ftp://ftp.roland.co.uk/ProductSupport/MKS-80/01_MKS-80_OM.pdf Owner's manual]
- Vintage Synth Museum Article
- MKS-80 Owner's site with numerous images
- VST-AU MKS-80 Editor (Mac and Win) from reKon audio