JUPITER-4

Name: JUPITER-4
Price: 69 USD
Author: Roland

by Roland · Synth · JUPITER-4 analog polysynth emulation

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JUPITER-4 is Roland's software version of its 1978 JUPITER-4, the first JUPITER synth, with eight voices instead of the original four.

It has the built-in Ensemble chorus, Circuit Mod and Condition controls, an arpeggiator and extra effects; it is a Lifetime Key or part of Roland Cloud Pro and Ultimate.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Ambient & Cinematic.

Keywords: arpeggiator, ensemble, hardware emulation, polyphonic, warm, 70s, analog, monophonic, simple, tempo-synced, leads, lo-fi, lush, pads, resizable UI, sound design, subtractive, vintage.

What it does

JUPITER-4 is Roland's software recreation of its 1978 polysynth, the first instrument to carry the JUPITER name. It uses enhanced ACB modeling and is billed as "an authentic recreation" that keeps the original's quirks and instabilities.

One VCO per voice: 64' to 2' range with saw, square, PWM, saw + square and saw + PWM, a sub-oscillator and noise; pulse width can follow a manual setting, the LFO or the envelope.
Filters: a resonant low-pass filter and a separate high-pass filter, with key follow, LFO and envelope modulation and velocity.
Envelopes and LFO: ADSR envelopes for filter and amp, and an LFO with sine, triangle, two saws, square and random sample-and-hold, a Normal or Wide range, tempo sync, delay and key trigger.
Voices: up to eight voices, double the original hardware, with Unison 1, Unison 2, Poly 1 and Poly 2 assign modes and two portamento types with legato.
Ensemble and effects: the lush Ensemble chorus alongside overdrive, distortion, metal, fuzz and phaser, plus reverbs, delays, chorus and flanger.
Arpeggiator: Up, Up & Down, Down, Random and Chord modes with straight and triplet note values and tempo sync.
Character and workflow: Circuit Mod and Condition dial in a factory-fresh or road-worn unit; a resizable interface, a patch browser with search, ratings and notes, the original factory presets, and PLUG-OUT support for the SYSTEM-8.

It is sold as a Lifetime Key or included in Roland Cloud Pro (via Pro Selector) and Ultimate memberships, with a 30-day free trial.

Source: Roland product page

When to use it

JUPITER-4 is the simplest of Roland's Jupiter plugins: one oscillator per voice, a sub-oscillator and the Ensemble chorus doing much of the work. Compared with JUPITER-8 it has less depth (no second oscillator, cross mod or sync), but it is quicker to program and has what MusicRadar called its own warm character. Against Diva or CS-80 V it is far narrower in scope, so its appeal is the specific Jupiter-4 flavour and the arpeggiator's Chord mode. MusicRadar noted that it can sound close to other Jupiter emulations, so it makes most sense if you don't already own one.

Best for: warm vintage pads, string-machine-like chords, simple leads and arpeggios.
Genres: synth-pop, new wave, electronic, film and ambient.
Look elsewhere if: you want two oscillators per voice and deeper modulation; JUPITER-8 or Diva go further.

What producers say

MusicRadar called it a worthy tribute that looks, feels and sounds great, with doubts only about how distinct it is from other Jupiter emulations.

MusicRadar (Si Truss, 2022) found it "a warm and powerful synth with its own character" and said Roland has "really got the hang of these virtual recreations now."
Praised: the authentic look and sound, the presets, the quality effects, the Circuit Mod and Condition dials and the SYSTEM-8 PLUG-OUT option.
Criticisms: effects editing can be fiddly, and it may not add much if you already own other retro polysynths.

MusicRadar review

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $69 (regular $199)
Roland: see store

Tutorials and reviews

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