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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

805.0. "Roland JX3P Analog Synthesizer" by NAC::PICKETT (David R. Pickett - We Build XItement!) Fri May 15 1987 17:10

    I am considering a used Roland JX-3P. Can someone who has experience
    with this keyboard tell me the pros/cons of this keyboard, and whether
    they would recommend it to someone else?
    
    Thanks
    dp
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805.1MTBLUE::BOTTOM_DAVIDMon May 18 1987 08:3212
    I recommend it...but....
    
    The midi implementation is far from complete. Unless it has been
    upgraded it doesn't respond to MIDI velocity inputs. The keyboard
    is not velocity sensitive. It may not have MIDI at all, the early
    units didn't. The is no MIDI through on mine. etc. The sequencer
    is a joke....128 steps....just enough to tease you...and not a flexable
    sequencer at all.
    
    But it sounds nice, is easy to program patches.
                    
    dave
805.2Or check out an MKS-30....JAWS::COTEThis is sick!Mon May 18 1987 08:5713
    I second the recommendation.
    
    The unit I had had MIDI IN and OUT but no through, and (before I
    had the upgrade done) was OMNI only! (There's a note on this in
    here somewhere.) The upgrade was cheap, ~$60.  It allowed the unit
    to receive on ch 1 or 3. When you activated the upgrade, the keyboard
    was disconnected and you could ONLY play via MIDI in. 
    
    I love the sound though.
    
    I'd say a fair price would be in the $500-$600 range.
    
    Edd
805.3I'm sure it's long gone by now...AKOV88::EATONDThen the quail came... Mon May 18 1987 10:221
	There was one in the WantAds this week for $300.
805.4SSDEVO::MCCOLLUMTue May 19 1987 14:054
    The optional PG-200 programmer is worth having.
    I traded my JX-3P with the programmer and a soft case for the
    equivalent of about $600.
    
805.5sync JX-3P to drum machine ?GIBSON::DICKENSDistributed System ManglementSun May 31 1987 16:0316
    I've been trying to synch up my TR505 to a friend's JX-3P.  Apparently
    the JX's sequencer doesn't send out midi sync, because when I hookd
    the JX's midi out to the TR's midi in and put the TR in "midi sync"
    mode, the TR did not start when I started the JX's sequencer.
    
    I believe the right way to do this is to connect the TR's midi out
    the JX's midi in and tell the JX to use the external midi sync.
    However, we don't have the manual for the JX-3P, so we're sort of
    hung up.  Does anyone have the manual that could photocopy the
    right pages for me ?  Either that or just tell me from memory, if
    you're that kind of guy...
    
    Thanks, my address is: Jeff Dickens - LKG1-2/A19
    
    							-Jeff
    
805.6Manual won't help...JAWS::COTEThe Voice Of ReasonMon Jun 01 1987 09:439
    Play with the 3-position memory-protect switch on the back of the
    JX3-P. I forget which position it has to be in, but there aren't
    alot of guesses, right?
    
    You're correct, the JX doesn't send MIDI clock, but will accept
    it. The manual devotes less than one page to MIDI implementation.
    This application is not covered. 
    
    Edd
805.7How does the programmer talk to the synth?RANGER::EIRIKURWed Apr 17 1991 15:3110
    Can someone tell me how the PG-200 talks to the JX-3P or MKS-30 module?
    I'm hoping it's via MIDI.  Can you change parameters while a note is
    sounding?  I'm thinking it might be fun to record the sysex into a
    sequencer to do various things while the sequenced notes are playing.
    
    If so, anyone have one to loan me for a brief experiment?  I think it
    will (mostly) control my MKS-7.
    
    	Eirikur
    
805.8DCSVAX::COTEcat < man | duWed Apr 17 1991 15:5010
    > I'm hoping it's via MIDI...
    
    Alas, don't we all. Sorry.
    
    >...record the sysex...
    
    The JX3-P/MKS-30 doesn't send sysex. The MKS-30 doesn't even have
    an OUT port. 
    
    Edd
805.9 No abla midiOTOA01::ELLACOTTpancake maverickThu Apr 18 1991 11:295
    	The pg-200 is just a bunch of pots and switches accessed through
    some multiplexers...like -.1 says no midi here
    
    	FJE
    
805.10DCSVAX::COTEcat < man | duThu Apr 18 1991 11:364
    I also don't think the changes made either via the panel or the PG200
    are audible without re-triggering the note...
    
    Edd
805.11DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDvictim of unix...Thu Apr 18 1991 12:346
re: -.1 Yes they are.

You can press and hold a note and change settings to hear how it sounds on 
my JX3...

dbii
805.12further...RANGER::EIRIKURFri Apr 19 1991 00:5511
    Ok, muchos gracias.  Further question: which, if any, of the PG series
    programmers DO work via MIDI?  I seem to remember that the PG for the
    D50 does....
    
    Side note, the earlier Roland analog units seem to have a lot of
    commonality in the sysex.  My MKS-7 has a Roland ID in the sysex, and
    no model ID.  I expect that is why I have heard that you can edit it
    via MIDI from some (which?) of the Junos.
    
    	Eirikur
    
805.13Juno 106 -> MKS7STOHUB::TRIGG::EATONIn tentsFri Apr 19 1991 08:4812
	I believe you can program an MKLS7 from a Juno 106.  I've studied the
two sysex formats and found them nearly identical.  Of course, you won't be able 
to modify the MKS7's velocity settings *(which are mere on/off toggles, btw).

	Since I have my old MKS7 back now, I plan to try out a Juno 106 editor 
(PD for the C64) and see if it works.  I can let you know once I try it.

	The alpha junos had a programmer that used the midi port, but alas, the
parameters for the alpha junos and MKS50 are not at all like the origianl Juno 
106 (and the MKS7).

	Dan (who is always sending little sysex adjustments to his MKS7)