Roland JD-800: Is It Worth It?

Today, Zach is taking a look at the Roland JD-800, a digital synth from the mid 90's. While it's expansive sliders and parameter-tweaking make it a very hands-on synth, it was a commercial flop at its release. It now commands a small cult following for its modern sound and futuristic look... but is it worth it for the price on the resale market? Take a listen and let us know what you think!
Sounds start at 5:21
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[@tragicwill]

I've had a JD 800 ever since I was 14 years old, it was the very first synthesizer I ever purchased. It was at a pawn shop on San Pedro in San Antonio, it already had key weights melting off. To this day I would never part with it even though it's unbelievably heavy and has melted keys. The thing is... you have to tame the high end on this synth and boost it's mids. Those digital samples are B R I G H T sounding and harsh. It really shines when you reign it in.

[@DonSolaris]

Proud owner of JD-800 here. I could talk hours about it. This was Eric Persing's baby, had a privilege to ask him a couple of questions via FB about it - he was HEAVILY involved into this project - both the waveforms and presets. Speaking about competition, the problem was simply the price tag of JD-800. It had no chance to compete against s/h M1 for the "gigers" who want their max bang for buck. JD-800 was followed by JD-990 which was kinda a flop due to Roland's own JV-1080 which was an absolute superstar - probably their best selling product to this date. Funny as both JD synths are soundwise heads and shoulders above Super JV series. You will find JD-990 in racks of elite musicians of that era: Vangelis, Madonna, Prodigy, etc. Even secondhand JD-800 was expensive. Being a young kid I could not afford it, only dream about it. But I could afford a JV-1080 which I learned inside out. And here I am couple of decades later - a sound designer for this same company who brought us these synths. Roland JD series are their only synths I can think of that at their output provide a fully produced, broadcast ready sound. You can literally write a complete soundtrack with it in 20 minutes. No need for post, EQ, compression, adjusting this and that - it's all there - out of the box! I actually have a custom ambient soundset for JD-800 which I have built for the legendary rock band Whitesnake, had you guys asked for it, I would have sent it to you in advance. It turns JD-800 into something totally and completely different - a dream ambient pad machine. :o)

[@asoundlab]

Hi Don! Just sent you an email finally! Thank you for the commentary and historical perspective. Would love to hear the sound set at some point and maybe even do a follow up video on this one. I really want to like it and I know if I spend more time with it - it will likely click :).

[@AnalogFlava]

Wow, thanks for the insight Don...you are the Don!! Like you as a kid, I always dreamt about the Jv1080 back in the '90s...I'm off by a few years (younger than you) so the Jd800 was never on my radar. But now, being all grown up and finally getting all (or some of) that vintage gear that I can afford, I have expanded my palette and ofc the JD800 is on my radar. It's huge but the hands-on is what's so appealing to me. I hate menu diving, VST's (apart from Roland cloud) it's no fun really. I managed to get an XP 50 and the menu diving kinda sucks. Now I just saw a JD800 going for about 1000-1200 bucks or so locally, but ofc it needs a deep cleanse as some of the keys don't work. I have no clue who can or how to fix this, but the question is if it will be worth it once I have cashed out for the fix as well considering I am a hobbyist at this point. I love the real deal but considering roland just released/announced the JD-08 boutique I am not sure considering its huge size as well. Any advice would be much appreciated, ofc I would love to own it just a bit scared😅 Oh and by the way, Faithless used the famous Pizzicato of the JD800 - I always thought it was from the JV1080 but there is a video with sister bliss talking about it :) Oh and gotta love whitesnake...is this love is a classic - i did an awesome bootleg remix way back of it :0

[@DonSolaris]

@@AnalogFlava Re JD-800. It is very easy. You just order a replacement switches from ebay, a guy in Italy sells it, comes in regular bubble wrap envelope fast. You find a tech to replace these and you are set. While at it tell him to apply compressed air to the faders, to remove the dust and your unit should be ready. Unless it has red glue issue, helpful resources for red glue are Gearspace forum posts from Flat and Psychlist (Pete Brown). Hope this helps. Heh! I thought my age was secret. :o)

[@AnalogFlava]

@@DonSolaris Ok thanks a lot Don, it does! And yes, it was sorta fixed due to the red glue. The owner says when he bought it off the first and only owner 7 keys didn't work due to the Red glue. After the cleaning 6 out of 7 worked. So he says keybed needs to be looked at and a deep cleanse is needed. So I assume the red glue issue is no longer part of what needs fixing if it was fixed once and only keybed needs a cleanse since one key is silent and another needs to be pushed into place, is tha safe to assume? And no, i don't know your age but I assume you must be a few years older than me...ball park guess would be 42-44 or so 😁 And lastly, do you have any sysex dumps available in your shop/site for the xp50 of your sound sets - the 1-hour long vid for jv1080/mc505 i believe it was, does it work for xp50 as well?? Would love that one! Thanks mate 🤘

[@DonSolaris]

@@AnalogFlava Ha! Yeah that soundset with a long youtube video is actually for XP-50! So you are in luck. I made a mistake by calling it 1080 soudnset but eventually renamed it to add XP-50 in the title as well.

[@retrosound72]

For me the last big synth from Roland.

[@pianist007]

For me it's the V-Synth

[@theaudioeng]

Agree Marko ...... never selling mine!! (p.s. keep up the great synth demo's on your Channel. Danke!!) 😎👍🎹🎶🍻

[@retrosound72]

@@theaudioeng thank you so much 🙌

[@theaudioeng]

@@retrosound72 🙌🙌👍!

[@onlymechs]

a total joy to play.

[@EuroDJ]

One of the best digital rom-synthesizers, because sound BRIGHT and WARM at the same time, because combines high-quality waveforms (qualitatively recorded, qualitatively processed .. and minimum compressed unlike JV or Trinity), good effects, good power structure, good filters, 4 layers and 44KHz-processing. You can talk a lot about the parameters. But ultimately the main sound - WARM sound. There are few digital synthesizers, which would sound like so much nice ... properly .... like great thing .. majestically! JD - not perfect, but one of the best, because there is no or almost no competitors who would give so much good sound. There is something magical in his sound, and it is known only to developers ... the secret of sound ) maybe DAC? ) JV-880 and U-220 also sound nice, but weak effects and synthesis structure as a whole.

[@asoundlab]

It definitely has a sound and I think you hit the nail on the head - it is both bright and warm, which are not usually associated together. Still exploring it :)

[@musicaldracula2017]

This is one of a kind synthesizer for both designwise and soundwise... None of Roland siblings sings or looks like this space ship :) You even do not need to play, just look at it after turning the lights on and get more and more inspired.

[@musicaldracula2017]

JV880 sounds bright but pretty harsh, disturbing at high velocity. However, JD800 sings open and warm all the way as you said...

[@EuroDJ]

​@@musicaldracula2017 yee.. and in addition all JV - 32 kHz , JD - 44 kHz ... more bright samples and processing ... Despite the fact that XV-5080 also has waves from JD and 44 kHz processing, it sounds not so nice like JD ... imho )) Maybe because in XV delta sigma DAC

[@musicaldracula2017]

@@EuroDJ I had XV5080 as well. As you said, the sound quality was not at the same level as JD800. I think better effect processor, much better DACs in JD800 and far less compression effect the sound fidelity. Cheers

[@GNeuman]

Sold mine in Switzerland for about 750 dollars a few months back. The purchaser is actually trying to resell it at as I write this on the same website with my photos for 1650 dollars but with two sounds cards, the cheeky fecker, lol! I doubt very much they go for much more. One thing asking, another getting. A few keys at the top end had the red glue problem, probably about an octave. I fixed it myself but the rest of the keybed still has the original glue so I guess it's a ticking time bomb. Sonically it sounds too 90s and I struggled to make it fit in a mix with my other analogues. Don't miss it at all.

[@RockmannMusic]

Sue the flipper for using your photos : )

[@GNeuman]

@@RockmannMusic lol...

[@SPAZZOID100]

Totally disagree.

[@ZemanTheMighty]

I'm in an abusive relationship with my jd800. It's built like shit and it's always giving me problems. The keybed is completely fucked and I'm sending it in for repairs. But I can't leave it because it sounds so good.

[@Hogboy345]

Same situation, is there any way to really fix it?

[@AnalogFlava]

wouldnt it be possible to simply hook it up to another midi keyboard and just use those keys instead like in the video?

[@ZemanTheMighty]

@@AnalogFlava yeah it is what I do. But ultimately I'd want to be able to use a midi keyboard with a VST or a rack unit

[@bg357wg]

@@ZemanTheMightywhat do you think of the JD800 VST? Have you had a chance to check it out?

[@MilianMalivukMusic]

I personally think it sounds fantastic! Very 90s and I love it.

[@opoxious1592]

This device costed a small fortune back in the day. I did own the "Korg Wavestation" back in 1995.

[@claudiooliveira5819]

I love mine but I would agree, it takes some time to get to know it and work around some of the limitations. Btw, don't know if Roland still replaces the keyboard free of charge (there was a class-action lawsuit going on) but they did for mine a couple of years ago! Thanks for your review, keep up the great work!

[@scottgentile1663]

The entire concept of having 4 complete synths in one (A,B,C,D) allows for sound design unlike many synths. It's similar to what made the CS-80 so special. The interface is one of the best ever created. The filter has its own great sound and the effects chip is outstanding IMO (thinking chorus, echo, rev). Looking at this as a rompler is the opposite of what makes it so great and unlike any other synth.

[@asoundlab]

I’m still trying to get my head around it. I really like the D50/D550 with a PG1000 and I was hoping to like this as much but I’m not there yet. I also can’t get over how expensive these are. The way effects are applied and the inability to change waveforms on all four parts really is a negative to me. It’s also a little glitchy in use as I’m guessing the processor has trouble keeping up with the parameter switching on some settings. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I know I’m in a minority for not liking it.

[@drsamurai009]

@@asoundlab Not all gear appeals to everyone. I watched a weekly British KZbin program and they were talking about the new Prophet 5 Rev 4. Some guys were like, yeah, I don't know, the Prophet 5 never sounded great to me. Another was like, I never thought much of the Jupiter 8 either. Now THAT was a bit hard to believe, LOL!

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@drsamurai009 those folks should take up the saxophone. Synths are NOT their thing.

[@samuelreyes9279]

@@asoundlab: Sorry, but you're wrong about the inability to change the waveforms on all for parts. Perhaps you need to spend a little more time with a synth before making a review video.

[@asoundlab]

@@samuelreyes9279 hi! You can do that, agreed. What I was mentioning in the video is that you can’t change the waveforms parameter the same way you can other parameters - simultaneously via the palette knobs

[@Knoc_Whearity]

who is this kid??? he doesnt like the JD800??? who cares.. i love mine..

[@dadduorp]

I still have mine that was purchased around '92...and damn, it's my favorite synth. I think it's just because I love the looks. Like a mean machine.

[@Johnsormani]

I love your honest criticism on the jd, not just copying everyone else’s opinion !

[@zoolook3264]

Sound is a very subjective subject and, IMO the JD800 is the best synth ever made. I've owned a lot of synths, played a lot of synths and there's nothing like it as far as I'm concerned.

[@torbenanschau6641]

First I think some of the sounds you've demoed are pretty special indeed and sound great. Secondly, watching almost all your videos I have a hunch you have difficulties when it comes to digital synths in general. Maybe because you'r more used to the analog gear. But lets face it, the analog sound world already is explored. These digital synths are just way more complex and what you can edit on this JD directly is just one partial of a patch, so a sound actually is 4 times as complex than what you're seeing. Which also counts for a PG-1000. The JD somehow was the decessor of the D-50 indeed as the D-70 was more like a beefed up U-20. However it couldn't sound like it nor was it even intended to. Back then and maybe up until 1992 synths were still made to deliver new sounds. And that's what both the JDs are doing. The D-50 still had the synthesized waveforms acting like a subtractive synth based on pulse and saw in addition to the short samples. Here now, you have these 108 preset waveforms which though haven't been copied into any other synth up until the recent addition for the Jupiter X! That alone makes it pretty special, even the 990 doesn't have all these waveforms. Also the cranking possibilities go somewhat beyond the later JV-Series. Howver, I don't see neccessity at all to alter all 4 waveforms at once, pretending it's 108 plus you could add Waverom-Cards. These kind of sounds you'll program and design ahead and alter them afterwards. It's just not like 6 Waveforms on a Minimoog. If you really wanna be creative about waveform changing, Prophet VS, PPG Wave, Microwave, Wavestation or the Ensoniq VFX/SD/TS would be your thing. One thing is clear, although digital, this synth still has a very own character and that's a rare observation for synths of that time. There wasn't anything before or after that sounds like it. I'd still wanting one and even if it's just for its looks. Howver 2000 are too much. You can get them here still for around 1200.

[@asoundlab]

It does record well and the pads and ambient sounds are pleasant. You’re likely right about the digital domain. It rewards slower temp sound sculpting and I need to adjust my expectations. Thanks for the rec. on other synths to look at. Everything else aside, the pricing on these is crazy, maybe they’ll come back down to earth one day :)

[@32ndBrother]

I’ve always wanted this synth it sounds amazing but I’ve been burned too many times with vintage synths. Unfortunately synths aren’t like guitars they definitely don’t get better with age.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Guitars don't either lol... It costs several million dollars per year to keep Willie Nelson's guitar from literally rotting to pieces in his hands. Everything has a shelf life

[@drydessert4198]

The factory presets are not great. This is a synth for people who know what it can do and want exactly that signature sound. It's been used a lot in early Trance productions 1992-1995 (Frankfurt based Eye Q Records, Berlin based Cosmic Baby, etc.).

[@AnalogFlava]

Oh thats a comment I liike...I was wondering which synths were used on those Eye Q records...got any more info? Thanks!

[@b2zap665]

Most don’t even know how to program it yet claim it sounds “too glassy” or “too 90s”. I’ve made some awesome 80s patches with this beast and some very warm tones. Really is a great synth.

[@drydessert4198]

@@b2zap665 If you are using soft synths, I recommend you check U-he Hive. Its sound reminded me of the JD800. It does not sound like it but it has something in its character that is somewhat related.

[@b2zap665]

@@drydessert4198 U-he has some great stuff! Diva is a must have for me. Heard plenty great things about hive too. May have to download the demo and check it out

[@Rhythmattica]

The one major drawback of this synth is its parameter control over midi when recording fader movements in a sequencer....... It didn't use Midi CC's but Sysex Strings..... so with multiple realtime recoding of fader movements , the amount of information would choke the midi protocol.... so you have to be wary not to do too much at once...

[@asoundlab]

Did not know that! Interesting! Thanks for sharing.

[@RayyMusik]

I like it. Quite different from the D-50. If only Roland had used blue glue! 🙃

[@moogdome2562]

I own one, it scares me to death. It's a monster out of control. Seems to have a mind of it's own. Only slight touch of a fader, and all hell breaks loose. No wonder the neighbours moved. Don't be fooled by the sleek looks of what reminds me of a stealth bomber, and the control panel of the Starship Enterprize. This synth is not for the faint hearted, or the nervouse Built like a tank and weighs like one. Built to survive a Thermo nuclear War.. Personally I love it. Thanx for the demo.

[@thejollyjoker187]

What is this? A controller? Couldn't you at least find one JD-800 with working keys? Why do you even have the word "Lab" in your name if you can't do even that? Amateurs....

[@SacSynths_Jack_Z]

The JD-800 is cool. I think it's important to consider the perspective of the consumer who bought and used this during the 90s. As others have said, it has a very warm sound for a digital synth. I think the majority of people were using digital by now and this sounded much warmer compared to the other digital synths of the day. Combine that with the massive level of programmability that you couldn't really find anywhere else. Additionally, I think at this time, people were looking for more in terms of what you could do to create extremely unique, complex and evolving sounds versus focusing on the core waveform & filter sound. It's less appealing today because there are other options, and software options, that cover the same ground. A bigger point to make may also be that peoples tastes have changed again sonically. The interest in rich fat analog tones has returned.

[@SPAZZOID100]

I prefer digital hardware over vst.

[@dvamateur]

The JD-800 is a very high-quality instrument. Certainly higher quality than the D-70. Although, the sound architecture is nearly identical to the D-70. The multimode filters seem to have come directly from the S-770 sampler, and made their way into both the D-70 and JD-800. Great instruments. I still like the D-50 though. The D-50's sound quality is not good by comparison, but that's not the point. Who cares that it has hiss and gritty samples. The D-50 has a unique character, which is what makes the whole difference in the world.

[@dvamateur]

Oh by the way, I am surprised haven't heard the word "rompler" in this video. I might have heard "sampled" and "cyclical" waveforms. :) Anyway, the magic of the JD-800 is in its selection of the synthesizer waveforms instead of acoustic ones, even though the JD-800 sampled piano is an icon in itself. And of course the big part of the JD-800 is its look and feel. The front panel sliders, the uniquely shaped buttons, I mean, truly unique design. A musical instrument is as much the sound as it is what you touch and feel through your fingers.

[@_fig.8]

playing a jd800 from a keystep is painful. i get why, but ouch. a great series continues!

[@williamshaneblyth]

as an electric piano lover the Crystal electric piano sound is my favourite by far of any elctric

[@spazkong]

Nice looking thing isn't it! Typically Roland sounding. I walked past one in a competitor's shop when I was 17. I didn't ask the price because I knew from looking at it, I couldn't afford it! Oddly, that's the first and last time I saw one in the flesh (1991) and I've been around! Quite rare compared to say, Yamaha SY's or Korg synths of the era.

[@mitchelstephen7536]

I was working in a music store when it came out, it instantly became my favorite. I had just bought an Emax II... I could make my own "rompler" sounds...but the JD-800 was so sweet sounding. The sliders... oh yes.... but I went crazy and wanted the best analog synth ever made. I was 20 years old, my boss convinced me to get a used Oberheim Xpander. I still have it. And I picked up a JD-800 for $600 a few years later :)

[@tritonrecordings]

I adore mine. Powerful without being too complex. It excels at pads and soundscapes as we all know, but I make lots of melodic sounds with it as well. I think texture is the key word; it's good at making unique textures that live between analog and digital. But you MUST program it to fully get this. It's also one of the best looking synths Roland ever made. Boy have they lost their grip on that skill... And finally, "I Can't Dance" by Genesis lol

[@AlfonsoMontellanoBlanco-qd5lq]

This guy was expensive. After that Roland launch JV-80 which is more for the gigs of salsa than something to appeal to the Pet shop boys or prog-rock keyboard stars like Rick Wakeman. Even if doesn't respond to real time offered by ordinal Jupiters or Junos. Maybe the Wavestation sells better but not as much as The Korg M1 which by the time still played a plenty Because don't have acoustic instruments on its patches. 😅

[@Average-Al]

The JD800 definitely did not sell well. I remember that all too well since I was working in a store at the time. It was not the time for synthetic music. Most customers wanted a make it all workstation that could make realistic emulations of pianos, strings, bass and drums to write pop songs. That meant most looked at workstations with sequencers and as many voices as possible. Neither of that is a what the JD800 is about and at its launch the JD800 cost about 30-50% more than the workstations. It was an ill timed launch. If it had been equipped with a decent sequencer it would probably sold a bit better.

[@lousekoya1803]

Talked to my friend today who has a beautiful Studio and he bought $750 worth of patches 6 months ago uncludig the JD800 and to day it said on his screen that cloud didn't recognize him and even after trying and trying to speak with Roland , he has a feeling he's talking to a robot and gtes answered everything from dumb to we don't care answers so don't buy no online cloud products from Roland , they have the worst customer service.

[@GNeuman]

Oh, and the other issue with this keyboard are that occasionally some slider values can jump around spontaneously as they are suspectible to dust getting in there.

[@gcoudert]

It's a deep synth but it never did it for me, for some reason. I'm an 80s guy and it sounded, well, too 90s for me. I had a D50 at the time the JD800 came out and, whilst I was envious of the knobs and sliders (I started on analogue synths), I still preferred the D50. 30 years on, I don't like either of them very much and I did not buy the JD800 expansion for the Jupiter-X. On a positive note, I fell in love with the JV1080 (I owned two) and the JV2080 when they came out a few years later and I am pleased to have got their sounds back in the Jupiter-X.

[@b2zap665]

The presets do sound pretty 90s but the JD can do 80s too! Have made some pretty sweet 80s patches with it. The D-50 just nails those sweet digital 80s sounds though I’m thinking about getting one myself.

[@birdslivehere6402]

Two things I wish it featured: 1.dedicated sliders for chorus, delay, and reverb (wet/dry) 2. Tone pan!!! The tones have their own filters and LFOs etc. Tone pan would clarify the sound and let you hear what's really going on.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

JD-800 gives me dominatrix vibes. I'm okay with that

[@Lithuania8634]

I know a lot of Dream Theater fans like is (myself included) because it WAS the keyboard of Dream Theater for their biggest hit (and the subsequent album)

[@Firstinversion899]

I couldn’t tell if steps were audible on sliders. Could you? A more involved deep dive on this seems worthwhile, focusing more on realtime manipulation over demos of patches. Thx for the review!

[@asoundlab]

I think there is…I’ll go back and double check…likely will revisit with a deeper dive in the future

[@teknical100]

I replaced my keys bought from Roland. And I did a modification to make the aftertouch adjustable, this thing is a beast.

[@AnalogFlava]

you bought new keys to solve the red glue issue directly from roland japan or?

[@teknical100]

@@AnalogFlava Roland UK. The old ones - I removed the red gloop with caustic soda in a plastic bucket for an hour. To be honest You could glue the weights back on.

[@user82938]

I never knew it was heavy. Always looked like a lightweight synth to me.

[@Sonikbytes]

You just cannot say anymore: am I getting my money's worth with these synths? You have to look at the supply vs demand equation. Although it does sound great and very pristine sound for its age (I'm lucky to have an upgraded JD-990) the buyers market sets the price. Since these are classic vintage the price will only go up continuously as mostly it is collector/musician market. You have to factor currency inflation as $ is slightly more worthless each year

[@asoundlab]

Fair point. Any insight on why the demand for these is so intense?

[@Firstinversion899]

@@asoundlab Any synth that can do the following, barring hardware issues, is worth a few thousand: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5q2npxjbZmUeck

[@Sonikbytes]

@@asoundlabNostalgia aside, these synths simply are classic or are becoming classics. The fact is that people want to have things they don't have. It is human psychology 101 . You have so many finite number of these classics in existence that people are willing to pay X for it just to get it. The collectors come into the equation where money is no object to them and we see prices go up and up. It is same with everything else real estate, antiques, collectables, etc. you get the idea.

[@Ashfaq1999]

Great video !! Still an amazing keyboard has some classic dance & ambient synth sounds plus some good expansion cards. A bit expensive on the 2nd hand market but if you can get it less than £1000/$1000’s would definitely be worth getting one.

[@AtonalMeasureRecords]

Incredible synthesizer, some people get it straight away and those that didnt like me, eventually get it and then it never leaves you, a truly special board.. a very inspiring instrument that can deliver greatness in the right hands.

[@karllongden4011]

seems to me you like playing synthersizers , but you dont know synthersizers ..otherwise you'ld undestand why this synth is amazing ..!

[@RTCLR123]

Probably a good base to pull thru some gear and get what you want that way. I like it. I already like the first sound, sounds like entering some open area space in some advanture game.

[@audiolego]

Dark Vader Synth. I didn't like the JD990 because rack editing was hurting my neck lol. Sound sooo pristine. It had the Synth card.

[@asoundlab]

Haha, nice. It is very pristine - too much for me :). What synth card did you have? I heard the string card was the one to get.

[@audiolego]

@@asoundlab it came with the Vintage Synth Card. The same one inside my JV2080. There is a difference in sound like JD has this open hifi sound

[@nomad1517]

Playstation must have used some of the sounds to make that startup. I know it was a bunch of samples put together. But pretty sure they used one of these.

[@michaelpierce3264]

beware of the red death that affects the keyboard the red glue melts all over and can kill the machine

[@joemcm1]

its v good.if i already had it id keep it but theres more bang for your bucks elsewhere these days

[@anx1]

Deep forest uses this alot I still have mine strings are mind blowing I've heard it being called now the digital Jupiter

[@asoundlab]

Will take a listen! With the prices they go for, digital Jupiter is definitely a fair description 😂😂

[@AnalogFlava]

wow love deep forrest - been playing the first album or most famous on repeat lately, so good!!

[@EdDiazKeys]

Great video! I really enjoyed it!!!

[@schance1666]

Underwhelmed perhaps because the sounds, although great for the era, are so dated now. I was so disappointed when i bought mine around 2007 for $800, but I used MIDI Quest software to create all new patches and this synth just killz it now. Also, I hope you guys have done the keybed repair by now - I'm literally in the middle of doing that now - throw the keys in sodium hydroxide (lye/drain cleaner) to remove the red glue. Re-glue the key weights back in. There's a great vid about this repair from KZbinr Scott's Synth Stuff. The fun of programming this synth can't be overstated - super fun! Love your demo, you dug in to some killer sounds.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Dated? Really??

[@schance1666]

​@@SPAZZOID100 Yeah, massively dated. Not saying there aren't some insane factory sounds, because this synth engine is amazing. Just saying that a synth should not be judged by its presets, and if you did, you'd say this synth sounds dated as hell. Unless you're talking about recreating the sounds of the late 80's early 90's in todays music (and music is, for sure, cyclical). In that case it would be perfect. But if you dig in on this synth, you'll come up with sounds that are legendary.

[@philippezsiga1125]

If he doesn’t like a synth : go buy it …!!!

[@peterhirschberg6557]

H.R. “Geeger” - not “Giyger”

[@cdwhiley]

Is the filter that steppy if controlled via midi? Or is it just crappy resolution on that tiny filter slider?

[@asoundlab]

I’ll have to check, good question

[@gershon2481]

I may pick up the JD-08 Boutique next year. Not sure if that is the sound I need in my mix, though. G.A.S. doesn’t have to make sense.

[@snorpechumgalimp8943]

Not worth it to me. Sounds way too digital and the sellers are getting real greedy. I have a SY99 from that era and I'm happy with it.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Well, it IS a digital synth. That is part of it’s appeal.

[@atrothe]

The Roland JV1080 came out and absolutely slammed everything on the market including the JD800. I traded mine for a JV1080 Rack . I don't regret it either. That JV1080 is still in still in my synth rack and working perfectly.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Jd-800 has a far better interface.

[@MPHORROCKS]

When it came out, I thought it felt and sounded rather cheap, compared to the competition (like the Korg Wavestation) or previous Roland synths.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Blows away the wavestation. The wavestation lacks resonant filters and a decent interface.

[@cuerampart2886]

Beautiful machine.. aesthetically, majestically pleasing.. But unfortunately it makes me happy I own the best Roland synth.. The Roland V-synth.. Still I would love to play it.. Great video.

[@billrebsamen1810]

Just bought a JD-800 for $400 in need of repair. Yeah... I know... I can get the expansion for my Juno X or the JD-08...I plan to get the Juno X expansion anyway. But then this unit became available locally - so now I'm in rescue mode!. I'm a huge fan of Eric Persing and Omnisphere (which I already own) but I always pined away for a JD-800 back in the day. So we'll see how the repair goes!

[@100Untzz]

I've got one being offered to me for 395 with need of repair . Just red glue removal which will cost me 140. Unsure if to cop or just leave it . I toy around with the vst

[@billrebsamen1810]

@@100Untzz you should jump on it... these are quite sought after now... look at the prices. Mine wound up being a lost cause and I sold it for parts.

[@100Untzz]

@@billrebsamen1810 copped it . Picking it up tomorrow , use it as a sound module for the time being then get it repaired next month. Minimal repair i.e. red glue removal and minor things . Looking forward to play around with it

[@Nickys_Music96606]

I love the plugin version.

[@puturro]

the VST version is just perfect.

[@DIPProjectIOFFICIALCHANNEL]

flat lifeless sound in vst

[@ohdearism]

I paid £2.5k for a JD800 in 1991. The price soon dropped to £1.4k for many years after it's initial release. I grew to hate absolutely everything about it other than it's stunning looks and great build quality. I sold it in perfect condition for £400 about 13 years back.

[@darkstar-nh5cf]

I've had mine from new, and when it developed the red death in the keybed about 5 years ago I wrote to Roland UK. I added a picture of the receipt with a serial no, and explained that it was a sentimental present, and mint otherwise. They were very kind, and sent me a brand new complete keybed.(With reassuringly black glue) for free ! How awesome of Roland is that ?! I had the JD990 for a while too, and you can edit it with the common functions. Move the slider on the 800 and the 990 follows suit. The cards open this synth up more- the strings card is just awesome(even though there are only about 7 samples on it !)and the brass has some great sounds-the 'dance' card has good vintage Roland drum machine samples in the multi 'special' section, where every key triggers a different sample.

[@jetset808]

I have a JD and when I hear you play I'm thinking yeah it is lack luster.. but I love my JD.. I think it's more about the sound you are going for.. It's like your are trying to make it sound analog rather than making it sound like a JD800

[@prewinder]

Hi. A lot of things can be said about the JD800, but I think that to really shine you got to have a complete working JD800 with a keyboard you can play. It looses a lot of the experience if you can not play and tweak the sound at the same time and playing on a separate keyboard kills that live feeling for me.

[@Jhihmoac]

For pretty much unlimited sound tweaking via wave architecture and execution, it was either this, or the Korg Wavestation EX... Finding either one these days in good condition however, is neither easy, nor cheap! The more modern Korg Wavestate, which is based on the old EX, but with all the more modern computer/pad interfaces and connections, probably is more available, though...

[@SourDiesel69]

No not worth it. JD08 sounds the same!

[@SPAZZOID100]

Missing waveforms, drum mode, screen, & controls.

[@michaels5166]

unless Roland will fix and replace the keyboard and other issues,it's not worth it..

[@MIDERA]

I will agree with the reviewer's thoughts on the JD-800. I have a D50 and feel quite underwhelmed by the JD-800. I know a lot of people swear by it. All the sliders just... didn't really make me fall in love with it. I'd take a bad interface with an amazing sound than an amazing interface with an OK sound.

[@SPAZZOID100]

I feel the exact opposite.

[@madness8556]

I bought a Korg T3 back in 1991 and the JD800 came out around that time. I lusted over this keyboard as it would have been a great complement to the Korg sound, but it was very expensive due to the fact that it had so much real time hardware. I always played it when going into a music shop at the time and I also loved the JD990. I ended up eventually owning 3 x JV1080s and an XV3080 all filled up with expansion boards. They were golden times! If I remember correctly, I think that Keyboard Magazine gave the JD800 their hardware innovation of the year award in 1991 because at that time, there simply weren't any synths coming out with so much real time control with all those faders, knobs and switches? Thanks so much for the fantastic demo.

[@koelekahuna9370]

The JD990 might be the last professional keyboard unit Roland made. All the great sounds from the 800, but better. Add on the SRJV80-04 and you have a bevy of synth sounds not available on any other synth. The effects processor is far superior, higher fidelity filters, and a ton of extra audio outs.

[@madness8556]

@@koelekahuna9370 the JD990 wasn't a keyboard but a module. Yes indeed it was awesome with its limited 24 note polyphony being perhaps it's biggest limitation as compared to the later JV1080 with its 64 notes of polyphony.

[@koelekahuna9370]

@@madness8556 Hence the term unit. Anyway that's why you buy two! Considering the box was typically used as lead sounds or washy pads, 24 notes was usually acceptable. And the fact that it was considered "professional" money wasn't too big of a thing. The place I worked at at the time, we had a dozen JD800's.

[@madness8556]

@@koelekahuna9370 Roland rectified the limited polyphony situation a year later when they released the JV1080 which contains a slightly expanded version of the Jd990s synthesis with extra oscillator structures and 4 x waveform expansion slots. The JV2080 expanded on the by reintroducing the larger 990 display, more insert fx slots and 8 z waveform expansion slots. Saying that, the JD990 is a formidable module!

[@koelekahuna9370]

@@madness8556 The JD and JV engines, samples, effects, higher res, filters etc are all different, Se Don Solaris' articles which delve in more deeply. The 990 is not just a ROMpler, but very complex editing can be done easily.

[@erichkohl9317]

Well, watching this video, right before you started playing, I said to myself, "Okay, don't let its appearance deceive you." But, I just can't deny it. I do like its '90s sound. Picking one of these up would probably be a major commitment ... you'd better be darn sure this is what you want, given its size and apparent issues with things like the keys. But ... yeah, it seems like a monster IMO.

[@michaelbaylor2923]

the little one sounds nice, but I'll STILL get the 800!!! I like the Look

[@awnashed]

Very strange you did not like it, it is one of the best synths IMHO, it sound soi great and powerful and so sweet too ??

[@marcusholder495]

Please do a video on the roland jupiter 80, thank you Zack.

[@dodgingrain3695]

I'm completely confused how anyone doesn't love the sound of the 800 and the value is just going to go up regardless of emulations, its just too bad ass looking.

[@williamshaneblyth]

Roland Boutique JD 08 ... there ya go $399 and with a bunch of extras usb midi and audio over used etc. lots of note polyphony too

[@SPAZZOID100]

It’s missing waveforms, drum mode, & dedicated envelope controls. And has a crappy screen and small sliders.

[@joeyanderson204]

the sound is heavenly and mystical

[@GNeuman]

Great review, thank you.

[@erichkohl9317]

BTW, must be fun to have access to all these classics!

[@telogic1]

I have own the JD800 since the early 90s must say you really need the dance and strings card also the special drum section is always missed in reviews.

[@b2zap665]

Awesome review man!

[@marcusholder495]

Do a video on the Jupiter 80

[@monosagitario]

This is not a serious review of this great synth. And the title is a click bait.

[@RayyMusik]

Yes, it is. No, it isn’t.

[@SPAZZOID100]

@@RayyMusikno

[@Pamberjack_]

14:45 - very nice!

[@maurumsynthwave618]

De lo mejor...

[@sparkyfolf9487]

I would normally like to hear the bell sounds in psytrance. Or the pads

[@XPJV]

No. JD-990 is a room saver + it has more functions then JD-800.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Missing the interface.

[@XPJV]

@SPAZZOID100 , I agree. This is the only 1 disadvantage. But for the studio, it matters NOT.

[@rareform6747]

Theres some power ..sounds digit . Now play the damn thing ?

[@SPAZZOID100]

No programming??