Roland JS-30 (1994)
Sampling Workstation

The JS-30 is a desktop sampler dj-oriented with pads and basic internal ROM samples. Quite old now, the Js30 never reached a great success, especially for limited edit functions and interface.

MODULE SAMPLERmMain panel features a 7- segments display, 47 buttons, 3 sliders and 13 trigger pads (they do transmit Midi).

Back panel terminal connectors:
- line input cinch RCA
- main analog out Cinch RCA
- SCSI connector (25 sub)
- Midi interface (no thru)

Front panel terminal connectors:
- headphones out
- microphone input.

 

VOICE sampler module based on Roland "SP technology" - ADC is based on a Asahi Kasei Microsystem AK9201AVP, DAC is a standard Burr Brown PCM54HP.
The JS-30 handles up to 8 voices polyphony and 2 sound generations:

- PCM internal wavetable (rompler) - Sampling

 

PCM WAVETABLE the internal ROM contains 36 preset PCM samples mainly recorded from 90' dance with some TR-909 samples - Here the full PCM wavetable list

TIP: no way to modify the ROM PCM content

SAMPLING system can record at both 8 or 16 bits (for 16 bits sampling JS system needs at least 2 Mb of RAM memory) at fixed rate at 22 / 44 kHz.
The sample edit is really limited to 4 basic functions: loop, truncate, volume normalize and reverse sample.

Special CUE mode allows headphones preview for live set, then each sample has a user defined BMP tempo and can be assigned to individual pad or split by notes or triggered by Midi keyboard. Hear the original technoviking sampled at 8 bits

SAMPLE IMPORT the JS30 can import samples using 2 ways:

- Standard Midi SDS dump samples. - SCSI imports only samples (NOT programs) from Roland S7XX- S550- S330 libraries or even Akai S1000, but system cannot show file name ... and that's a big problem.

MEMORY The whole RAM bank is split into DUAL mode for "load while playing" or "sample while playing" functions.

SIMM: factory JS comes with 1 Mb of volatile memory expandable to 4 Mb using standard 30 pins SIMM - for a total sampling time of 22,5 seconds at 44,1 KHz for each mega RAM . Settings are stored in a memory IC with a standard and cheap CR-2032 battery. OS is stores in a programmable EPROM.

 

 

EDIT INTERFACE too bad today it looks like and unappealing bulky case with an old arranger interface and limited segment display.

TIP from outer space : Special HOLD button keeps a selected sound triggered in loop mode.

 

ENVELOPE the enveloppe control is a single 4-segment ADSR for amplitude.

STORAGE internal SCSI interface handles Iomega Zip or even external HD with custom file system (600 MB MAX file system formatted).

OS in a programmable EPROM 2 mb M27C2001.
My lasted and known version is V1.0, if you have a dump or the lastest version please do send it us, it will be available here for FREE - UPLOAD

 

SEQUENCER a simple 4 RPS tracks and 2 records modes:

- real-time - step input SYNC: the JS-30 can be synched with external Midi clock