Find out how you can control your Roland Jupiter-8 with MIDI using Kenton MIDI Retrofit Kits or MIDI to CV converters
The Jupiter-8 does not have MIDI or CV/Gate. It did however have Arpeggio Clock In and VCF Control 1/4″ jack sockets. Some Jupiter-8’s will have a digital interface: later ones had a 14 pin DCB connector, while earlier ones had an optional 20 pin OP-8 connector (the “OC-8”). Kenton offer a variety of options for your Jupiter-8:
- Fit a Kenton MIDI retrofit kit
- Use a Kenton Pro–DCB Mk3 to control your Jupiter-8 via the OP-8/DCB connector
- Clock the Arpeggiator
- Using the discontinued Pro-2000 to control your Jupiter-8 via the Pro-2000’s optional DCB connector
- Using the discontinued Pro-4 to control your Jupiter-8 via the OP-8/DCB connector
1 Fit a Kenton MIDI retrofit kit
This option offers the most comprehensive level of control.
You can fit a MIDI Retrofit Kit which will allow you to control the Roland Jupiter-8 directly using MIDI from your DAW, MIDI Sequencer or other MIDI controller. Fitted inside your Jupiter-8, our MIDI Retrofit Kit adds MIDI IN, OUT and THRU sockets.
With the Retrofit Kit you’ll have MIDI control of Notes, Pitchbend, Modulation, Filter cutoff, Volume, Portamento / Glide, Sustain. You will also be able to clock the arpeggiator using the MIDI clock.
Roland Jupiter-8 MIDI Retrofit Kit
2 Use a Kenton Pro–DCB Mk3 to control your Jupiter-8 via the DCB connector
You can control the Jupiter-8 using its OP-8 or DCB port with a Kenton Pro-DCB mk3. Using the Pro-DCB you can control notes and the filter cutoff, and clock the arpeggiator. You can also use MIDI program changes to change patches
Note: Early Jupiter-8s (serial numbers below 282880) did not have any digital interface, though there was an optional OP-8 connector (the “OC-8” board) that could be fitted. Later ones had a DCB connector. Make sure your Jupiter-8 does have one of these connectors.
Which products do I need?
The Pro-DCB Mk3 allows you to control the Jupiter-8 via its DCB connector, and also control the cutoff frequency via the Jupiter-8’s VCF Control jack. You can also use the Pro-DCB Mk3 to clock the arpeggiator. It comes with a 14 pin DCB lead, and 2 x 3.5mm to 1/4″ leads for VCF control and for clocking the arpeggiator.
Note that the Pro-DCB is a bi-directional DCB interface, allowing you to control other MIDI devices using your Jupiter-8 keyboard. You can also modulate the filter using the MIDI-syncable LFO built into the Pro-DCB mk3 using the mod wheel.
If your Jupiter-8 has the optional 20 pin OP-8 connector, you will also need this 14 pin DCB to 20 pin OP-8 DCB adapter.
Connecting the Pro-DCB Mk3 to your Jupiter-8
The Pro-DCB Mk3 comes with all the leads you need to connect it to your Jupiter-8:
| Pro-DCB Mk2 | Jupiter-8 | Using |
|---|---|---|
| 14 pin DCB connector | 14 pin DCB connector or 20 pin OP-8 connector | Supplied 14 pin DCB lead or Supplied 14 pin DCB lead and OP-8 to DCB adapter |
| Aux Out | VCF Control | Supplied 3.5mm to 1/4″ jack lead |
| Clock Out | Arpeggio Clock In | Supplied 3.5mm to 1/4″ jack lead |
Pro-DCB Mk3 Settings
| Output | Menu Item | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| AUX | 2 – AUX controller number | Set to the MIDI controller you want to use to control the filter cutoff |
| 3 – AUX Minimum Value | 0 (default) | |
| 4 – AUX Maximum Value | 90 (default) | |
| Clock | b – Clock Divide Ratio | Set to appropriate ratio – see table below |
| C – Positive/Negative Edge | Positive (default) | |
| D – Continue=Start | Set based on how your sequencer sends start messages1 |
Notes
1. Some sequencers, rather than sending a MIDI Clock Start message, send a Song Position Pointer = 0 message followed by Continue. In this case COntinue=Start should be set to ON
3. Clock the Arpeggiator
You can use one of our MIDI converters to clock the Jupiter-8’s arpeggiator using MIDI clock – see Clocking the arpeggiator of your synthesiser for more information.
4. Using the discontinued Pro-2000 to control your Jupiter-8 via the Pro-2000’s optional DCB connector
Which products do I need?
If you already have a Pro-2000, you can control your Jupiter-8 using the optional DCB Port for Pro-2000. Note that the DCB port for the Pro-2000 is OUT only, in other words you can play the synth using MIDI, but cannot convert DCB back to MIDI.
If your Jupiter-8 has the optional 20 pin OP-8 connector, you will also need this 14 pin DCB to 20 pin OP-8 DCB adapter.
3.5mm to 1/4″ jack cables (1 or 2 if required)
5. Using the discontinued Pro-4 to control your Jupiter-8 via the DCB connector
Which products do I need?
If you already have a Pro-4, then you need only cables. The Pro-4 came equipped with a DCB port as standard. Note that the DCB port on the Pro-4 is OUT only, in other words you can play the synth using MIDI, but cannot convert DCB back to MIDI.
Click here for a DCB cable for the Pro-4
If your Jupiter-8 has the optional 20 pin OP-8 connector, you will also need this 14 pin DCB to 20 pin OP-8 DCB adapter.
Click here for 3.5mm to 1/4″ jack cables
Solving MIDI Clock Problems
If you have issues with clocking the arpeggiator, please refer the troubleshooting guide here: Solving MIDI clock problems.
