A description of the Roland JX-3P currently available for sale through The Midium® Vintage Collection.

THE MIDIUM® CURATOR'S NOTE: Vintage Synthesizer

CAMI: This Roland JX-3P was previously owned by Erin, who is the co-owner of The Midium® along with me.  She purchased it 7 years ago from its previous owner in Japan, and has played it both via its keys and MIDI since she bought it.  When Erin received it, we saw that it was in need of a thorough cleaning, so we opened it and meticulously cleaned the interior and outer surfaces.  All keys and buttons, the front panel, end caps, and controller––were carefully washed with soap and water, then dried.  About two years ago, we opened it up again to install the Tauntek MIDI upgrade, which enables the following, according to the Tauntek website (last referenced on 13 November 2025):

• 7-bit MIDI CC control over all patch parameters
• Velocity of MIDI notes can modulate either VCF envelope depth, VCA level, or both.  Setting saved in patch.   (Velocity implementation based on MKS-30 code, not a special mode like the "velocity EPROM" which Roland offered for the JX-3P.   Internal keys use velocity value of 64.)
• Sysex save and load of bank B and C patches (compatible with MKS-30 patch save format)
• MIDI channels 1-8 or Omni mode can be selected and setting is saved when power is off
• Front panel and CC selection of Poly I or Poly II key assign mode (always defaults to Poly I at power up)
• LFO delay timer works when playing using MIDI, same as internal keybed
• CC 01 mod wheel messages now supported.   (Controls LFO -> DCO mod depth, same as MKS-30)
  
• NOTE: The JX-3P hardware does not support receiving data from the PG-200 and MIDI at the same time

For a 40-year-old synthesizer, the JX-3P is in great condition, overall.  In terms of functionality, all keys, controllers, buttons and potentiometers are fully functional.  MIDI in and out are also fully functional, as are both audio outputs and the LMW switch on the back.  The analog clock input has never been used, so we cannot verify its state.  The chorus works just as it should.

Regarding physical condition, the JX-3P is clean and well-kept.  Please note that there are about 4 or so small and nearly identical dents on the top panel, as well as some irregularities in the paint's finish mostly towards the left side of the top panel.  The same can be said of the area where the control legend is printed on the right.  The bottom panel has scratches, and the lower metallic edge beneath the keys has some minor imperfections.  There are minor paint scratches throughout. 

The Roland JX-3P comes with the power cord and a printed reference manual for the Tauntek upgrade.  Since this JX-3P is Japanese specced, we are also including the converter we used to ensure that the JX-3P receives 100 volts, instead of the 120 volts that typically comes from mains outlets in the United States.  Please contact us via telephone, email, the contact form, or via DM with any questions, anytime.  We would be glad to hear from you!   

THE CLASSIC 1980s ROLAND VINTAGE SYNTH SOUND, RESTORED.

THE STATE OF THE SYNTH.

WORKING CONDITION: Excellent (works as expected for a restored synthesizer of 1980s vintage).

This Roland JX-3P has been cleaned and upgraded with the Tauntek firmware.  All controllers, keys, outputs, and MIDI connectors are fully functional.  The analog clock input has not been used nor tested.  All faders and switches, buttons, and knobs also work exactly as they should.  The chorus circuit is exactly how it was when we received it, so it contains the noise inherent to the Roland chorus.

PHYSICAL CONDITION: Very Good

The interior section holding the circuit boards has been cleaned by The Midium®, and the keys were cleaned after our original purchase, which we decided required a full disassembly/reassembly of the keybed.  There are scratches to the top panel, side panels, bottom panel, and rear, with no obvious oxidation present.  We have done everything possible, within reason, to show and describe any imperfections in the photos.  Please take your time reviewing each image while looking for all details and contact us if you need more information.

INTRO.*

• The Roland Juno-106 is a preset type, 6-voice polyphonic synthesizer
  
  
• 32 kinds of pre-programmed patches are ready to be used simply by pressing the buttons
  
  
• By setting up the optional programmer PG-200 to this JX-3P, 32 more patches can be synthesized and written into memory.  It is also possible to temporarily edit any program in memory [Curator's Edit: The JX-3P has 32 presets that cannot be overwritten, as well as 32 more preset slots that may be both edited and overwritten.  It is also possible to edit each preset/patch by selecting the parameter to be edited, then using the EDIT/SENS slider]. 
  
  
• The built-in polyphonic sequencer that [sic.] allows up to 128-step automatic playing
  
  
• You can save the patch programs and sequencer data into an ordinary tape recorder
  
  
• Its sound source DCO (Digitally Controlled Oscillator) generates an extremely stable pitch.  Moreover, its Dual DCO system (6 voices, 12 DCOs) enables the user to obtain a rich and realistic sound, synchro tone and metallic sound
  
  
• This is the complete 6-voice synthesizer provided with 6 VCFs, 6 VCAs, and 6 ENVs 
  
  
• The built-in chorus effect makes expansive sounds available
  
  
• Transposition to any key is possible by the Transpose function
  
  
• Battery back up system to retain the programs even when switched off
  
• The JX-3P can be set up with any sequencer or synthesizer if it is provided with the MIDI BUS connector

*source: Roland JX-3P manual, 1984, p. 3, accessed 20 November 2025, us.archive.com.

SPECS.^

• KEYBOARD
  • 61 keys, 5 octaves, C scale
• PRESET SECTION
  • Bank A (1 to 16) 
    String I, String II, Organ I, Organ II, Organ ill, Brass I. Brass II, Electric Piano I, 
    Electric Piano II, Clavi, Harpsichord, Vibraphone, Chime, Celesta, Accordion, Voice 
    Bank B (1 to 16) 
    Violin, Flute, Oboe, Song Whistle, Synth Brass I. Synth Brass II, Dist Guitar, Juicy Funk, Filter Flow, Fat Fifth, Sync Wah, Sync Sweep, Funky Clavi, Pulser, Planet, Jet  
    
• MEMORY SECTION
  • 32 Patch Programmable and battery Back-up 
    BankC (1 to 16) 
    Bank D (1 to 16) 
• EDIT SECTION
  • 32 Elements 
    Group A (1 to 16) 
    Group B (1 to 16) 
    Sens knob 
    Edit Write button 
• PERFORMANCE CONTROL SECTION
  • Volume knob 
    Brilliance knob 
    Mute button & indicator 
    LFO Trigger button & indicator 
    Bender lever 
    Bend Range switch (Wide, Mid, Narrow) 
• CHORUS
  • Chorus button & indicator 
• HOLD
  • Hold button & indicator 
• KEY TRANSPOSE
  • Key Transpose button & indicator 
• SEQUENCER
  • 6 Voice Polyphonic, maximum capacity of 128 steps and battery back-up  Sequencer Write button & indicator  Rest button & indicator 
    Tie button & indicator 
    Start/Stop button & indicator 
    Rate knob 
• TAPE MEMORY
  • Sequencer (Save, Verify, Load) 
    Tone color (Save, Verify, Load) 
• POWER
  • POWER switch  
• REAR PANEL
  • Output jacks (Mono, Stereo) 
    Ouput Level IL: -30dBm, M:-15dBm, H: 0dBm) Phones jack (Stereo) 
    Hold Pedal jack (DP-2) 
    Sequencer Trigger In jack  Tape Memory Save jack 
    Tape Memory Load jack 
    Programmer In (DIN6P) 
    MIDI BUS Input (DIN5P) 
    MIDI BUS Output (DIN5P) 
  • MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface
    Ext. Selector switch (MIDI, Memory Protect On, Programmer) Tune (±50 cent)
• DIMENSIONS
  • 912(W) x 325(0) x 115(H)mm 
    37-7/B(W) x 12-13/16(0) x 4-1/2(H) in.
• WEIGHT
  • 9.8 kg 
    21 lb. 9 oz. 
• CONSUMPTION
  • 20W 
• ACCESSORIES
  • Music Rack 
    2.5m connection cable (x 2) 
  • [Curator's Edit: these accessories are not included]. 

^source: Roland JX-3P manual, 1984, p. 30-31, accessed 20 November 2025, us.archive.com.