Jun Murakami Synth-80: The Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Finally Gets a Software Emulation
Roland’s rackmount MKS-80 comes to your DAW as Jun Murakami’s Synth-80, a meticulously modeled recreation of the analog Super Jupiter.
Jun Murakami Synth-80
Released in 1984, Roland’s MKS-80 Super Jupiter is a strange beast. Part of the rackmount MKS series, it managed to have elements of both the Jupiter-8 and Jupiter-6 in it. It also went through two revisions, the so-called Rev 4 and Rev 5, each with a different set of proprietary VCOs, VCAs, and filters. Adding to its mystique, there’s never been a software emulation to play in your DAW. Until now.
Meet Synth-80, a recreation of the Rev 4 model done “with meticulous attention to every detail.”
MKS-80 Emulation
Jun Murakami is a new developer, but he’s worked in the Japanese music business since 1999. He’s brought that know-how and passion to Synth-80, his first release.
Given the extensive MIDI on the original model, Jun has tried to emulate its behavior using measurement programs that “retrigger notes again and again while automatically sweeping the parameters, capturing detailed analyses.”
The new plugin recreates the eight-voice signal flow of the original, from dual VCOs through highpass filter and 24dB/Oct lowpass filter. It’s got two envelopes and an LFO, as well as a Key Mode that lets you play Synth-80 as a single synth, in dual mode, and in splits.
Jun has tried to keep things simple to understand, as he wanted Synth-80 to appeal to not only synthesis experts but also beginners. Accordingly, mousing over the panel reveals arrows that indicate signal and modulation flow.
What’s New?
Synth-80 doesn’t try to reinvent the Super Jupiter wheel, but it does bring a few new parameters to the party, chiefly the effects section.
The effects section (which can be loaded as a separate effects-only plugin) offers four different types of chorus. These are: Synth Chorus, which is based on the chorus circuit found in the Juno-60/106; Studio Chorus, an emulation of the Roland Dimension D; Pitch Chorus, which takes its inspiration from Eventide units; and Digital Chorus, which gives you control over a wide range of parameters.
Along with the chorus types, the effects section also includes a reverb with hall, plate and room algorithms, and a compressor.
Pricing and Availability
It’s great to see the MKS-80 finally getting an emulation. Jun’s version sounds very good too.
Synth-80 is available now from Jun Murakami’s website for the introductory price of $59. It will eventually go up to $99.
There’s a demo to download, and also one baked right into the website so you can try the instrument without having to open your DAW. Synth-80 works on both PC and Mac, with AU, VST3, AAX and standalone versions available.
More Information
- Jun Murakami Synth-80 product page
- More about synthesizers
- Buy synthesizers at Thomann*
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