Exchanging Original Jupiter-8 SysEx Data
Before MIDI was a thing, the original Roland Jupiter-8 had no way to send or receive digital data. System Exclusive (SysEx) messages, the now-familiar MIDI method for saving and transferring presets, didn’t yet exist. Fortunately, third-party retrofit kits such as those from Encore Electronics and Groove Electronics added MIDI capability to vintage JP-8s, allowing patch dumps in proprietary SysEx formats.
Even though these formats follow the standard SysEx framework, the data inside is unique to their hardware. When you export sounds from a Jupiter-8 retrofitted with either Groove or Encore hardware, you’ll end up with .syx files containing the synth’s internal patch data. To import these into Cherry Audio’s Mercury-8, just drag and drop the .syx file anywhere onto the Mercury-8 interface. The software will automatically recognize and translate the preset data into Mercury-8’s native preset structure.
A few notes before you start: Jupiter-8 patches only contain core voice parameters, and not performance settings. This means controls such as Poly/Solo/Unison, the arpeggiator, portamento, and all left-hand performance sliders weren’t stored in the original patches and won’t transfer. Similarly, the Mercury-8 uses sliders for features that were fixed or switchable on the hardware, like VCA LFO Mod (four fixed positions on the JP-8) and Envelope Key Follow (on/off on the JP-8, continuous on Mercury-8).
Also note that most original JP-8 parameters were stored as 8-bit values (0–255), while Mercury-8’s controls are infinitely variable. During import, Mercury-8 translates these values with high precision. In short, you’re getting the true Jupiter-8 sound, with the added precision and flexibility of Mercury-8’s modern engine.
Importing Sound Banks and Individual Presets
To import an entire sound bank or individual preset, simply drag and drop the SysEx file anywhere on the Mercury-8 UI. The file must be in either Encore Electronics or Groove Electronics .syx format.
If the bank is valid, you'll see a confirmation window and new category containing the banks is created in the presets browser.
