Jupiter-8 and ARP Quadra

drkam6 · Post by **drkam6** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:23 am

Did you notice that they look rather similar...?

Was Roland getting inspired on the Quadra's looks when they designed the JP-8?

manticore101 · Post by **manticore101** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:58 am

I asked the exact same question a few months ago in some "Best looking keyboard" tread here at this forum. I am pretty convinced that the Roland staff was very inspired by the ARP Quadra futuristic look. The same sleek design, they are both very colourful and we see the same orange block lettering on the panel layout. Apart from the colouring coding of the program buttons, I will say that Rolands design for JP-8 was a departure from its predecessor (JP-4).

KB Crockett · Post by **KB Crockett** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:02 am

My two favourite synths.

I'd never considered how similar they look until I read that thread a few months back. But now, it does seem pretty obvious where the JP got its good looks from!

I prefer the aluminium end panels of the JP, but the Quadra's front panel is a bit more striking and 'in your face'. Overall, I think of the JP8's looks as refined and classy, but the Quadra is somehow more 'impressive'. The Quadra can make a bigger noise too, but that's another conversation.

Yoozer · Post by **Yoozer** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:59 pm

Better question - is it a good idea to take inspiration from something that was at the time a company going under?

Post by **cornutt** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:16 pm

Yoozer wrote:Better question - is it a good idea to take inspiration from something that was at the time a company going under?

I don't think that was public knowledge at the time, though. The Quadra was released in '78, was it not? It wasn't until 1980, when it became obvious that the Avatar was not selling, that everyone realized that ARP was about to take a bath.

veer chasm · Post by **veer chasm** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:38 am

I love both those synths...but man, those Arps are asking to get their keys broken off! They really hang from the chassis. Beautiful synths though. It's too bad Roland downplayed the color scheme on the Jupiter 6.