JX-8P last firmware version?

[alyerpal]

I powered on my JX-8P while holding down the 1 "Piano 1" button, which seems to bring up the firmware version and date. Mine is an earlier JX-8P (patch names on buttons) and reads "2.1 04/84". I've searched the interweb for any info on JX-8P firmware versions and what the bug fixes and/or feature enhancements are, but can't find anything.

Does anyone have any info on this? Also, if any JX-8P owners wouldn't mind posting their firmware version and date info here, that would be great. At least we could figure out what the last version is. Thanks in advance...

[blavatsky]

I just got a JX-8p last night (woo!) I will check after work and see what mine says.

[blavatsky]

3.1 may 30/85

[alyerpal]

Thanks blavatsky! BTW, is yours an earlier (patch names on buttons) or later (only numbers on buttons) model?

Anyone with a later firmware version out there??

[Pro5]

Mine is also:

3.1 may 30/85

Mine is an 'early' model with patch names on the white buttons.

[alyerpal]

Cool. Thanks Pro5. I see in your gear list that your JX-3P and JX-8P have some sort of MidiMod.
Now I know about this http://organix.inque.org/index.php?page=jx-3p-upgrade
mod for the 3P, but what mod is in your 8P?

[Pro5]

Cool. Thanks Pro5. I see in your gear list that your JX-3P and JX-8P have some sort of MidiMod.
Now I know about this http://organix.inque.org/index.php?page=jx-3p-upgrade
mod for the 3P, but what mod is in your 8P?

My slightly misleading signature is a less verbose way of saying I use the BCR2000 for BOTH the 8P and 3P (as seen in my avatar... just) but that the 3P has the midi mod to enable me to do this.. if I didn't put +midimod, some may assume BCR works with 3P out of the box, which it doesn't. Sorry for any confusion. My 8P is completely standard.

[blavatsky]

I have the JX8p with just the numbers on the patch buttons, so i guess it's a little later?
I actually didn't/don't know too much about these synths; saw a deal on a real analog 2 days ago and had to have it.

About the BCR2000; does it work out of the box with the 8P, or require a lot of MIDI implementation knowledge?

[alyerpal]

You'll need a template specifically for the JX-8P, I suspect. At least that's the way it works with The Peavey PC-1600x controller that I use for my Alpha Juno 2. Do a google for JX-8P bcr200 template, or maybe Pro5 can point you in the right direction. Should be fairly plug-and-play once you've got the template.

[blavatsky]

thanks...I got that freeware patch editor working in realtime and with my netbook sitting on the JX-8p, its not bad! Certainly won't be doing any wild filter sweeps in realtime, but its 10 times better than slider editing. Also loaded up some internet JX-8p patches that really show the sounds off.
BCR 2000 or similar would be great if I found one cheap.

[Pro5]

No you don't need anything in particular to use it with this or any synth, so long as the synth (or it's editor) gives out the CC or Sysex data over midi you can easily 'learn' a synth in minutes.

Here's what you do:

Plug the BCR into the 8P (2 midi leads for learning)

Select a blank preset on the BCR (out of 32 'presets' - a preset belonging to one synth) this will be your 8P control.

You put the 8P into edit mode

You click any button/turn any knob on the BCR while holding down the 'learn' button on the BCR - this waits for the 'midi' data from the synth... luckily the 8P outputs it's sysex when you move the edit slider so the BCR picks up the data and you don't NEED to go fiddling in BCManager software etc (though you can, to refine and edit as you see fit).

Then you put in the parm you want on the 8P keypad and move the edit slider on the 8P... the BCR will respond with 'good' and that's it. Do that for all the parms (takes about 2 mins) and you are good to go.

If that fails, and if I'm wrong about the sysex coming out of the actual 8P - you can just download a free 8P editor ( a few choices) and do the same from the computer - hook up the BCR to your comp, move the sliders on the software (BCR in learn mode) and it will program the BCR just the same. I can't remember which I did now, all I know is it was very easy and took 2 mins. You can search for a template if you want but I prefer my own layout as I did a layout for the 3P and like to keep the same knobs for the same parameters - ie CutOff and Res are in the same pos on all my BCR presets.

[alyerpal]

That's easier on the BCR, isn't it? You know, I just checked the PC-1600x manual and it has a sysex learn mode that I didn't even know about! Hmm, didn't have to hunt down a template after all.

So far 3.1 is the latest firmware version. Anyone with a "numbers only buttons" JX-8P have something higher? Where's Box? He's a JX-8P guy...

[rd3d2]

Numbers only - still 3.1 firmware version.

[Rasputin]

My understanding is this (the following information is only my understanding, not definitive!):

The membrane panel (aka SWITCH FILM SHEET) without the patch names typically came with a magnetic cling-on sheet that has the patch names listed instead. Older models have the patch names printed directly on the membrane panel, but the front panel isn't clearly indicative of the operating system version range. The best reference for that is the serial number.

SN530349 or lower
V2.3 is highest for these older models as they use a different gate array and PCB. So if you have V2.0 then you can go to V2.3 but no higher.

It's my understanding that no models ever shipped with V2.3 as they would have been superseded by the newer V3.0/3.1 only models. V2.3 would have been a retroactive update for older models, so it's probably not as common.

SN530350 or higher
v3.1 is the highest for these newer models. Again, they won't take anything older than v3.0 because the gate array and PCB are different. So if you have V3.0 then you can go to V3.1 but no higher.

The Operating System EPROM should be type M5L27128K-2. 200 nanoseconds or less; the speed is important!

V2.0 fixes a bug with aftertouch holding erroneously forever via MIDI when HOLD pedal is used.
** SN480420 or higher launched with this fix -- this might be the rarest ROM version

V2.1 allows the modules to increase the total volume of the voice outputs. Also the software recognizes MIDI Program Change message after receipt of MIDI Local OFF message.
** SN480589 or higher launched with this fix

V2.2 fixes a bug when attempting to write into Preset Bank -- "SELECT BANK C" error.
** SN528250 or higher launched with this fix

V2.3 was a retroactive fix for older models, and--at the time--probably only available via authorized Roland service centers (see V3.1 below)

V3.0 was the operating system at launch of newly designed models. Essentially V2.2 in function, though not compatible with older models (see above)

V3.1 fixes a HOLD/AFTERTOUCH related bug (as does V2.3, but no models shipped specifically with V2.3 AFAIK)
**SN554250 or higher launched with this fix

As a side-note, the latest revisions (SN543050 or higher) will have a mask ROM instead of an EPROM for ROM B (2764 type). This has nothing to do with the ROM A (OS ROM) in question, but thought I'd mention it anyway.

The models between SN530350 and 543050 should have the new gate array, V3.0/V3.1 program ROM, but also the ROM B EPROM instead of a fixed ROM. It really doesn't matter if it's a fixed ROM or EPROM unless you're planning on hacking your machine, as the EPROM and ROM versions hold the same data.

[RetroToneZ]

Rasputin, Super info you posted there!
● V3.0, Feb 28/85 - SN 545235 ●