Retroaktiv PG-800 MINI Guide

RETROAKTIv
PG-800 MINI
CONTROLLER FOR ROLAND JX-8P, SUPER JX & MKS-70
Installation Manual & User Guide
2017 Retroaktiv LLC, all rights reserved. www.RetroaktivSynthesizers.com

GETTING STARTED
Thank you for purchasing a PG-800 Mini controller. This product allows for
hands-on programming of the Roland JX-8P, Super JX, and MKS-70 synthesizers.
The PG-800 Mini is available as a stand-alone desktop unit that conects to the
JX via a cord, or it can be mounted directly inside of the instrument itself. (JX-8P
and Super JX models only) The PG-800 Mini was designed to take advantage of
the blank panel space in the JX-8P and Super JX, where it fits easily into the upper
right corner of the synth.
This product was based on a project by Bas at Poesboes.com entitled “Fiing
your PG-800 with a new processor”. His aicle can be viewed at this URL: hps://
tinyurl.com/yc87fns2 This project would not have been possible without Bas and
we appreciate his generousity and technical assistance. The firmware in the PG-
800 Mini is different from the firmware available from Bas. Be aware of this if you
ever need to flash the firmware in your unit. Firmware updates can be found at
the PG-800 Mini product page at www.RetroaktivSynthesizers.com.
Many versions of the original JX firmware do not respond correctly to the WRITE
command from the PG-800. By default, the WRITE buon on the PG-800 Mini will
act as a SCRATCH PROG and RANDOM PROG generator. To disable this function and
allow the WRITE buon to send WRITE commands to the synth, hold down MANUAL
while powering up.
To begin using the programmer (Desktop unit), simply plug the 6-pin DIN cable
into the PG-800 Mini and the synth. If you have a PG-800 Mini installed in your JX,
the programmer stas up as soon as the synth is powered on.
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RETROAKTIv PG-800 MINI CONTROLLER FOR JX-8P, SUPER JX AND MKS-70 SYNTHESIZERS

FEATURES
The PG-800 Mini allows for easy, hands-on programming of Roland JX-8P,
Super JX, and MKS-70 synthesizers. While incorporating all of the features of the
original PG-800, the PG-800 Mini adds some useful new features.
• Random Program Generator - Holding the WRITE buon
for .8 seconds will generate a random sound.
• Scratch Program - Tapping the WRITE buon once (for less
than .8 seconds) will generate a basic program, which serves as a useful
staing point when creating a new sound.
• Manual - Tapping the MANUAL buon once will transmit the panel
positions of all 44 controls to the synthesizer.
• Copy/Paste - To copy the state of the PG-800 Mini’s controls
without actually transmiing them to the instrument, hold MANUAL for
.8 seconds or more. Once the copy has been made, holding the MANUAL
buon will transmit the stored panel state to the synth. Once pasted,
the memory will be cleared, and holding MANUAL will act as the copy
function once again.
• Disable PG-800 Mini - Holding WRITE and MANUAL down together
for 1 second will disable transmissions from the PG-800. This is useful if
using the JX in a peormance. Once in disable mode, tapping manual
will return the PG-800 Mini to its normal state. Any controls that were
moved while transmission was disabled will be updated upon enabling
transmission.
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RETROAKTIv PG-800 MINI CONTROLLER FOR JX-8P, SUPER JX AND MKS-70 SYNTHESIZERS
• WRITE MODE- Holding the MANUAL buon down on power-up will
disable RANDOM/SCRATCH generators and WRITE buon will transmit the
“WRITE” message to the JX. Whether this function works correctly on a
JX will depend on JX firmware. WRITE MODE is off by default.

THANK YOU
Thank you for using Retroaktiv products. Please visit us on the web at www.
RetroaktivSynthesizers.com for product updates, new products, or to contact us. Enjoy
the PG-800 Mini!
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RETROAKTIV PG-800 MINI CONTROLLER FOR JX-8P, SUPER JX AND MKS-70 SYNTHESIZERS