Roland Jupiter-4 prototype – a true SH-synthesizer

A rarity, found in a synthesizer report from October 1978. Simmons’ Synthcheck review of  the Jupiter-4 is illustrated with a photo of the original prototype. That instrument had a quite different design to the Jupiter-4 as we know it. What a beautiful machine!

Roland Jupiter-4 Prototype

Roland Jupiter-4 Prototype

It’s undeniable: The original layout brings back strong associations with the Roland SH-7 and System 100. In addition to this strong resemblance, some of the controls and features of the prototype also differed from the later production model. Wherever the prototype may now be (if it’s still in existence), this was (and maybe still is) one of the most beautiful vintage Roland synthesizers ever built.

Roland Jupiter-4 Prototype

Roland Jupiter-4 Prototype

Roland Jupiter-4 Prototype

Roland Jupiter-4 Prototype

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Related Link: Roland Jupiter-4 test report

Filed under 2012, General

“Es genügt, einen Ton schön zu spielen” sagte der Komponist Arvo Pärt im Jahre 2005. Diese Aussage ist ebenso einfach wie ich auch exzellent: Es braucht kein Meer an Tönen, denn entscheidend ist der Klang. Dass so mancher Vintage-Synthesizer der 70er und 80er Jahre teils unerreicht hochwertige Klänge liefert, steht außer Frage. Doch tatsächlich leben wir “heute” in einer nahezu perfekten Zeit. Einerseits hat man – mehr oder weniger – noch Zugriff auf die Vintage Analogen, andererseits wird auch bei Neugeräten die wichtige Komponente des hochwertigen Klanges wieder zunehmend berücksichtigt. Doepfer, Cwejman, Synthesizers.com, MacBeth, Moog, GRP, Studio Electronics, COTK, John Bowen und andere Hersteller bauen hervorragende Synthesizer, die den “Klassikern” in nichts nachstehen. All diesen (alten wie neuen) “großartigen” Instrumenten ist Great Synthesizers gewidmet. _________________________________________________________ In 2005 composer Arvo Pärt said: “Playing one tone really well is enough”. In other words, it is sufficient to play one tone 'beautifully'. I agree with that. All musical efforts are focused on the sound itself. Although I studied classical music (piano and drums), it’s the electronic sound that inspires me. Synthesizers are the epitome of new sounds and exciting tonal spheres. Today, many companies produce high-quality - excellent! - synthesizers: Doepfer, Cwejman, MacBeth, Moog, GRP, Synthesizers.com, COTK, Studio Electronics, John Bowen and others. It's their products I'm really interested in ... apart from Vintage Synthesizers, which I have been collecting for 20 years. Subsequent to our former websites Bluesynths and Blogasys, Peter Mahr and I have now created GreatSynthesizers. We hope you like it.