Roland Jupiter-4: 23 Iconic Riffs You Know — But Didn’t Realise Were Jupiter-4!

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Andy Whitmore recreates 23 iconic synth riffs, sequences, bass lines and pads on an original vintage Roland Jupiter-4.

The Roland Jupiter-4 was Roland’s first polyphonic synthesizer—and one of its most distinctive. Andy Whitmore recreates 23 famous synth parts associated with The Human League, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Gary Numan, Simple Minds, Spandau Ballet, The Cars, Styx, LCD Soundsystem, Sharon Van Etten and more, using an original vintage Jupiter-4.

The Roland Jupiter-4 was Roland’s first polyphonic synthesizer—and although it was later overshadowed by the Jupiter-8, it appeared on some enormous records.

In this episode, record producer and keyboard player Andy Whitmore recreates 23 iconic riffs, sequences, bass lines, brass sounds, pads and synth hooks using his original vintage Roland Jupiter-4.

Its raw oscillators, distinctive ensemble effect, unusual modulation and famously unpredictable arpeggiator gave the Jupiter-4 a character unlike almost any other synthesizer. It growls, spits, wobbles and frequently sounds as though it has a mind of its own.

The episode features music associated with The Human League, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Gary Numan, Simple Minds, Spandau Ballet, Heaven 17, Thomas Dolby, John Foxx, The Cars, Styx, Michael Jackson, LCD Soundsystem and Sharon Van Etten.

Every musical example has been recreated and performed on Andy’s original vintage Jupiter-4.

TRACKS FEATURED

Spandau Ballet – To Cut a Long Story Short
Main lead line — 1980

The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
Bass — 1981

Depeche Mode – New Life
Intro synths — 1981

Duran Duran – Rio
Arpeggiated sequence — 1982

Duran Duran – Rio
Middle-eight brass pad — 1982

Simple Minds – Theme for Great Cities
Lead, pad and distorted Jupiter-4 — 1981

Styx – Too Much Time on My Hands
Bass and resonant drone — 1981

Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough
Intro, lead, bass and Roland KR-55B drums — 1981

Michael Jackson – Thriller
Intro brass-pad recreation — 1982
The original sound is more commonly associated with the Jupiter-8’s dual mode.

The Human League – Open Your Heart
Bass and brass riff — 1981

The Cars – Shake It Up
Arpeggiator and organ riff — 1981

Depeche Mode – Photographic
Bass sequence, lead riff and upper sequence — 1981

Doctor Who
Trombone part from the television theme — 1980

Thomas Dolby – Windpower
Lead, bass and brass riff — 1982

The Human League – The Things That Dreams Are Made Of
Lead and bass — 1981

The Human League – Dreams of Leaving
Sequenced bass — 1980

Depeche Mode – Tora! Tora! Tora!
Bass — 1981

The Human League – Seconds
Bass, pad and strings — 1981

Heaven 17 – Geisha Boys and Temple Girls
Random arpeggiator — 1981

Gary Numan – This Wreckage
Multiple Jupiter-4 parts — 1980

LCD Soundsystem – How Do You Sleep?
Sequence — 2017

Sharon Van Etten – Jupiter 4
Bass and outro lead — 2018

John Foxx – Europe After the Rain
High string line — 1981

The Jupiter-8 may have become the superstar of Roland’s Jupiter range, but the Jupiter-4 has a raw, unstable and slightly dangerous quality that remains completely its own.

Which Jupiter-4 sound surprised you most? Let me know—and tell me which classic synthesizer I should explore next.

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