PG-8X
by Martin Luders
4.8 / 5     (64 votes)
Win32 Win64 OSX
   
VST
PG-8X is inspired by the Roland JX-8P with the PG-800 programmer.

The synth architecture is a standard 2-oscillator > Filter > VCA design. These elements can be modulated by a common LFO and one of two ENVELOPEs.

The PG-8X is patch compatible with the JX-8P and can read and write JX-8P Sysex data.
  • Up to 12 voice polyphony.
  • 2 DCO's with Saw, Square, Pulse, Noise.
  • Hard Sync and Ring Modulation.
  • 2 exponential envelop generators.
  • 24 dB resonant LP filter.
  • HP filter (3 stages).
  • Stereo Chorus.
  • Import and Export of JX-8P Sysex data.
  • Detailed manual

Note : a folder named "patches" included in the zip contains 22 Sysex files to get started.

Please support freeware development
Downloads
Toby Sproston Feb 21 2024
Feb 21 2024
I am trying to download this onto Ableton live 11 on a M1 Mac but Abelton is not scanning it despite it being saved in the necessary folder (VST's) where Abelton is supposedly scanning. Any help?
Brian LiFe Mar 05 2024
Mar 05 2024
I also had this problem. I created another Custom VST folder in my Documents. but it there. and added, it in Live preferences. its scanned it. but also. Mac. Sometimes does not Open unverified apps. etc. so You may have to open the Mac System setting. Security, scroll down and when you see it. while you try to Add it to a Live track and then Accept it. " Open" and click Open anyways and it should work. If this doesn't work, there is another way to stop Apple Mac from not opening downloaded apps by opening the terminal and paste this in there and your pass work then to turn it back on do the second command after Ablton opens the VST. Ableton Plug in sudo to Override Apples " do not open unverified apps ) sudo spctl --master-disable - sudo spctl --master-enable
Michel Dec 20 2023
Dec 20 2023
Please release a Silicon version of it! Please !!!!
José Dec 15 2023
(5 / 5)
Dec 15 2023
Ótimo sinthy. Entretanto, não existe a pasta chamada "patches" incluída no zip contendo 22 arquivos Sysex.
DJK Sep 04 2023
(5 / 5)
Sep 04 2023
Another one from "can't believe it's free" category. Too awesome to be true. Thanks Martin!
Dan Jul 15 2023
Jul 15 2023
The .zip folder only comes with a .dll file and I don't know how to install it in FL Studio, any help?
Jogoh Jul 29 2023
Jul 29 2023
C:Program FilesImage-LineFL Studio 20PluginsFruityGenerators . Go into this folder or wherever you installed fl studio and just move it there, it should work, hope it helps
susan Mar 10 2023
Mar 10 2023
Is the PG-8X.component file available? Logic Pro X cannot find the plugin with only the .vst file. Any ideas?
tony Jul 06 2023
Jul 06 2023
logic uses .au files (component files) not .VST, so this wont work
Mike Aug 30 2023
Aug 30 2023
Are you on an M1 Mac? I've found a number of my plugins aren't showing up on my M1 in Ableton.
jonis Feb 24 2023
(5 / 5)
Feb 24 2023
My all time favorite, Martin. Just passing by and putting the five stars
Writhe UK Jan 03 2023
(5 / 5)
Jan 03 2023
Great, but from what I can see the download labelled WIN 64 VST appears to be 32-bit... Can others confirm?
MB Jan 18 2023
Jan 18 2023
I've got the 64 working in Cubase, no presets though, and no sign of the .syx as mentioned.
Kaleem Dec 16 2022
(5 / 5)
Dec 16 2022
Absolute CRAP!!!!
Eel Oct 18 2022
(5 / 5)
Oct 18 2022
Great!
Proteus Aug 02 2022
(5 / 5)
Aug 02 2022
A Classic!
Eugenius Maximus May 01 2022
(5 / 5)
May 01 2022
Speechless & in Heaven! :-)
Digital Rules Mar 31 2022
(5 / 5)
Mar 31 2022
I love it! <3
MI Mar 14 2022
(5 / 5)
Mar 14 2022
In the past I had a JX-8P. Now I am very glad to have it again. Great work!
Harvey Dec 18 2021
Dec 18 2021
Im having problems downloading on my Mac is there any way anyone can help me? it just goes into downloads and once I open the zip it just has a folder saying "contents".
The MAC ZIP download for the PG8X only offers anot Aug 11 2021
Aug 11 2021
Great looking, how about a way to get this working on Logic? It adds and shows a midi port called "to PG8X" on a Logic external midi instrument track, but doesn t seem to connect even with the panel configured correct for stand-alone. Any suggestions?
Phil Aug 04 2021
(3 / 5)
Aug 04 2021
As ex senior engineer with Roland, I know this synth well, this VST is quite similar but I always preferred the JX-3P
Ian Jul 02 2022
Jul 02 2022
Hi Phil, could you say more about your preference for the 3P please? It's something I've heard many times over the years but never had the chance to try for myself. I'd love to hear about why the machines are different but more so about how those differences translate to something you find more pleasing. Sorry to jump in but it's not every day you get an opportunity like this. Kind regards
John Burns Jul 29 2021
(3 / 5)
Jul 29 2021
A bit confusing for a luddite like me. Also there don't seem to be any presets. Every preset is "init". The random button is a nice touch.
John Burns Aug 03 2021
Aug 03 2021
I've had another look at this and decided it's actually pretty straightforward but the tone is just a bit underwhelming. For basses it's not as huge and fat and edgy as TAL U No 62. For leads it's not as sweet and smooth as TAL Bassline. These synths all cover the Roland type tones and for me this is the weakest of the three so I'm not likely to use it. Sustain pedal is supported but it seems to only have 6 voice polyphony so it's not ideal for pads.
Dano May 26 2021
(5 / 5)
May 26 2021
Best <3
Erisian Mar 21 2021
(5 / 5)
Mar 21 2021
A real beauty. Download it now.
Darko Mar 16 2021
(5 / 5)
Mar 16 2021
PG-8X is a top quality VA softsynth, up there with the best freebies Obxd, Tyrell N6, Mausynth, Charlatan, Xhip. <3 <3 <3
GzuOne Mar 14 2021
(5 / 5)
Mar 14 2021
Absolutely Amazing.
Proteus Mar 04 2021
(5 / 5)
Mar 04 2021
PG-8X is without a doubt one of the best emulations of an analogue hardware synthesiser, period. The fact that it is free is astonishing. Thanks a lot Martin L! =) <3
Адам Dec 12 2020
(5 / 5)
Dec 12 2020
НЕ ОЖИДАЛ, НО ЭТО ОХИРИТЕЛЬНЫЙ ИНСТРУМЕНТ. ТАААААААААААК КРУТО ЗВУЧИТ ШО ПИЗДЕЦ
Codesound Nov 25 2020
(5 / 5)
Nov 25 2020
This beautiful vst works well also under Linux.... Many thanks again for this Amazing synth!
gui3 Oct 16 2020
(5 / 5)
Oct 16 2020
WAW that sounds good ! and easy interface
Alexei Sep 18 2020
(5 / 5)
Sep 18 2020
This vst is a beast, it sounds extremely good!
AM Sep 16 2020
(5 / 5)
Sep 16 2020
I still can not believe how good this sounds! It's still crazy!
Kevin Aug 10 2020
Aug 10 2020
Do you have to load a patch with each use?
Lawrencemusik Aug 06 2020
Aug 06 2020
I am eager to hear this VST in action, however since I am a Logic user, I am unable to install it correctly so that it shows on my software Instruments list. I know there is probably an array of additional softwares to "trick" the PG-8X into working, but it would be ideal to just have an AU version of this. Possible?
Anders May 12 2020
(5 / 5)
May 12 2020
One of the best Roland emulation I ever tried, I tried Roland cloud and their Juno 106, JP8, JX3P are good but this is better, and alot less cpu heavy. This one and Tal UNO LX are my favorite Roland vst.
TA-AT May 11 2020
(5 / 5)
May 11 2020
This might just be the best VST this website has to offer. Thank you Martin!! Incredible synth.
Andrew May 08 2020
May 08 2020
Hello I've heard great reviews on this, but can't seem to get it to show up in my Albleton on Mac. I've put it in the correct Plugins > VST folder as well where my other plugins are installed. Can someone help me with this ? Thanks
servHis Feb 28 2024
Feb 28 2024
This is the most avoided question about this plug-in. Not sure why they have a Mac VST if it doesn't work in a Mac.
Patryk Apr 05 2020
Apr 05 2020
I have the same problem...
Milisonics Mar 27 2020
(5 / 5)
Mar 27 2020
Wow, just amazing. So close to the original, and free. Amazing achievment, great quality and the fact that you can load patches from JX8P hardware version, is a big plus.
Mac Aug 29 2020
Aug 29 2020
how can I acquire these patches?
Milisonics Sep 22 2020
Sep 22 2020
Any patches for Roland Jx8P will work on this great vst. You can search for them on the internet. Have a great time
Oleg Feb 16 2020
Feb 16 2020
People, help!! Im using Ableton Live 10, and when PG8X doesnt save the selected preset. I select one, it play well, but when I stop the track and start playing it again, PG8X reset to the first preset. What is wrong?
Mato Jan 30 2020
(5 / 5)
Jan 30 2020
This sounds incredibly close to the original hardware JX-8P, just splendid!
Darko Feb 08 2020
Feb 08 2020
Yeah PG-8X is in a league of its own. An exceptional emulation. Martin Lüders is amazingly generous to offer it to the world for free. <3<3<3
NoAUforMe Mar 13 2020
Mar 13 2020
di you download this for Mac or PC?
TOFIMAX Dec 10 2019
(2 / 5)
Dec 10 2019
But no presets! :(
Name Jan 22 2020
Jan 22 2020
Visit the developer's page, he has posted links to websites which host sysex files for PJ-8X, they can be loaded into the VST synth
John Wright Dec 08 2019
Dec 08 2019
Holy sweet, this can sound unbelievably good! Respect!
Digital Rules Dec 15 2019
Dec 15 2019
Yes, the PG-8X sounds unbelievably good! Like a real hardware analogue synthesizer! Martin Lüders is a genius programmer!
Digital Rules Oct 27 2019
(5 / 5)
Oct 27 2019
So awesome emulation this! Unbelieveable! And free! Wonderful!
jordan Sept 04 2019
Sept 04 2019
Thank you for your work and generosity making this truly stunning plugin, very inspiring to use :)
James Hellums Jul 09 2019
Jul 09 2019
When I try to change a program name, I click where the name is ,then type what I want the new name to be, then click write, but it goes back to what the name was originally! Is there a secret way to change names?
Rin_Elyran Jun 11 2019
(5 / 5)
Jun 11 2019
If you're looking to create synthwave and/or retrowave tracks on a very limited to absolutely no budget, then you'll probably want to give PG-8X a try. It's perfect for all those epic pads, leads and sweeps, and it pairs up nicely with other awesome freeware plugins like SQ-8L, OB-XD and Dexed, all three of which are among my personal favorites. Mr. Luders, keep up the awesome work.
Proteus Apr 27 2019
(5 / 5)
Apr 27 2019
The fact that this magnificent synth emulation is free is insane. In a good sense of course. =)
Mato Dec 26 2019
Dec 26 2019
Yep, PG-8X could easily be sold for a very high price tag. The emulation quality is simply amazing.
krystian Feb 21 2019
Feb 21 2019
hey! I was hoping i could use this vst in mainstage - mac os. I`ve tried both vst and au- download. Normally I add my plug-ins through the component (not vst) folder in my library. Then im supposed to use the AU- download. But in the folder the app is withput the .component-ending making it incompatible with my DAW, or so it seems. Any suggestions?
Anonymous Feb 21 2019
Feb 21 2019
Maybe try to rename the .app into .component ?
krystian Feb 21 2019
Feb 21 2019
I´ve tried that :( Don´t work. I´ve tried renaming both the vst and the app to .component - no luck. I can try rebooting the laptop.
Darko Apr 25 2019
Apr 25 2019
Hi krystian. There is a new and free AU-to-VST bridge plugin that was recently released. It allows you to load and run VSTs in AU only DAWs like Logic and Mainstage. You can download it here: https://github.com/tibsys/AuVstBridge/releases/ . This free plugin should make it possible to run the PG-8X normally in AU only DAWs. Enjoy! :)
Alan Dec 18 2019
Dec 18 2019
Hey there! I've been struggling with the same issue and every time I try to open the AuVstBridge my DAW (Logic Pro X) crashes. Any other suggestions on how to get this detected by Logic? Thank you.
Darko Feb 08 2020
Feb 08 2020
Hey Alan and krystian! Did you try (force) restarting Logic?? That usually works with newly added plugins. If that does not work You should report this bug to the developer of AuVstBridge at Github, I am sure he will do his best to fix that. Anyway you should try another free plugin host, the Element by Kushview, it should allow running PG-8X in Logic. Get Element by Kushview at https://github.com/kushview/Element/releases/tag/0.41.1 . Enjoy!! =)
Lawrencemusik Aug 06 2020
Aug 06 2020
Hi,download and tried that au/vst bridge thing...sadly , still a "no show" on Logic. However, I have only tested this on Catalina which is not-so-friendly to many apps!
Liam Cat Dec 13 2018
Dec 13 2018
NUCKING FICE... MARTIN
GigitoEQ Oct 20 2018
(4 / 5)
Oct 20 2018
One of my favorite synth emulations!
James Hellums Sept 16 2018
(4 / 5)
Sept 16 2018
I wish there was a way to load sysex into the version 1.04. haven't figured that out!
Darko Aug 17 2018
(5 / 5)
Aug 17 2018
This is by far the best free Roland sound emulation I have ever heard! Amazing! Martin Lueders is a genius! Donate!
Darko Oct 07 2018
Oct 07 2018
Actually this is by far the best Roland sound emulation in general. Free or commercial. Donate to Martin Lueders, he is a generous genius! If every emulation was as close to the original as the PG-8X is to the JX-8P, then there would be very few analogue purists out there. <3
Mato Nov 23 2018
Nov 23 2018
I absolutely agree with Darko. The PG-8X is a next level synth emulation. It is one of the very few plugins that can load and save/read and write the original hardware sysex patches. That is amazing!
Digital Rules Dec 15 2019
Dec 15 2019
Yes, I agree, the PG-8X is a unique and a special emulation in the software and plugin world. If every plugin emulation was as good and as accurate as PG-8X, then there would be much less bashing of and looking down on software and plugin synthesizers, no doubt.
corrosiveabuser Jul 02 2018
(5 / 5)
Jul 02 2018
just like the real thing, a genuine classic, - this plug is far better than many of the commercial soft-synthesizers currently available.
Mato Jan 09 2020
Jan 09 2020
True, the PG-8X is already a timeless classic freebie emulation! Donate to Martin Lüders! <3<3<3
AM May 20 2018
(5 / 5)
May 20 2018
I can not believe how good this sounds! It's crazy!
L@zarus Apr 17 2018
(5 / 5)
Apr 17 2018
10/10...after all this time still the best JX-8P replica on the planet! ;-D - Just load some SysEx or create your own and you are ready to go! A big hand to Martin Lüders for this powerful tool
Proteus Mar 31 2018
(5 / 5)
Mar 31 2018
This softsynth sounds very close to the real Roland JX-8P! Sounds so freaking good and R E A L it is incredible! Try it! And donate to Martin Lueders, he really deserves it! <3 <3 <3
Victor Jan 21 2018
(5 / 5)
Jan 21 2018
Vst maravilhoso
fazil Nov 28 2017
(5 / 5)
Nov 28 2017
Awasome emulation.
jmwnoble Sept 23 2017
(5 / 5)
Sept 23 2017
Very impressive simulation.
Ron Sept 17 2017
(5 / 5)
Sept 17 2017
Absolut genialer Synth. Würdiges Profi PlugIn.
GabrielWest Sept 16 2017
(5 / 5)
Sept 16 2017
MY favorite Synth VST so far! Just make sure you grab all of those nice presets from the web.(by googling for "PG-8X presets") Excellent work by Martin Luders!
JUPITER-MAN Jul 29 2017
(5 / 5)
Jul 29 2017
Very good analog synth, thanks! :)
cylon Jun 11 2017
(5 / 5)
Jun 11 2017
10/10... dude this is just amazing!!... highest award I can give for the sound and feel this thing delivers!
XR95 May 15 2017
(5 / 5)
May 15 2017
One of the best free software synthesizers. PG-8X is an incredibly accurate emulation that sounds lush, warm and fat. Combine this with Synth1, Dexed, and you are ready to make awesome music.
jonis Mar 26 2017
(5 / 5)
Mar 26 2017
Awesome quality
JE Mar 17 2017
(5 / 5)
Mar 17 2017
I just want to say a massive THANK YOU for this! Stumbled across this site tonight after years of various other sites, can't believe it was all so easy created and so like the actual thing. A magnificent piece of work, thank you again. Please donate to the cause!
Mato Feb 25 2017
(5 / 5)
Feb 25 2017
This synth is legendary. Probably the closest if not THE first accurate hardware synthesizer emulation so far. And it is free! Donate to Martin!
Angel Gaviria Nov 29 2016
(5 / 5)
Nov 29 2016
Real Analog Synth. DONATE!!!!!
Anonymous Nov 24 2016
(4 / 5)
Nov 24 2016
The sound is almost perfect, BUT the controls aren't working and the GUI is too large.
Mato Feb 25 2017
Feb 25 2017
What do you mean? Which controls aren't working?
Anonymous Apr 08 2018
Apr 08 2018
All knobs working for me
molotov Nov 02 2016
Nov 02 2016
It is beautiful, the sound is very close to the original, good work.
Aaron Oct 24 2016
Oct 24 2016
Why cant i get the component file for IOS? I cant get it to pop up in my DAW.
Peter Oct 10 2016
Oct 10 2016
If you're looking for a Roland JX-8P, but cannot find one of some reason, or maybe feel it's not worth to spend those expensive money for this gear included the PG 800, then this freeware plug in is VERY recommended. This synth plug isn't only inspired by original thing... It really sounds like it to, with the posibility to load in the original JX-8P preset banks. I've tried them both, so I can say that the similarities between them are really close, and so close that there's no reason to lay your hands on "the real thing", if you don't want to... Because, with this one, you actually don't need it. It's really amazing that it's free, because it's a unbelievable great work behind.
Karl GC Nov 27 2017
Nov 27 2017
At the time of relaese the JX-8P had a RPP of 1700 USD. Inflation adjusted that would be 3800 USD now. Now think again about expensive money and expensive analog gear. :-)
Gerry Sept 23 2016
(5 / 5)
Sept 23 2016
I have an older version of the PG8. Will those patches work on this version?
Natious Jun 23 2016
(5 / 5)
Jun 23 2016
I like it! It's awesome!
ctho Jun 21 2016
Jun 21 2016
Good synth, but GUI to large for 1366x768 screens, only really suitable for HD displays.
Karma_tba Jun 21 2016
(5 / 5)
Jun 21 2016
A Masterpiece...no exaggeration. Free synths of this quality are rare. Donate if you can Mr.Luders deserves it.