Roland JD 08 - Roland's Worst-Designed Synth Ever??? What The Reviews Don't Tell You!

NOTE: Nils has created a patch librarian which works on Windows, Mac and Lynix. Currently FREE! Check it out: github.com/NilsKr/JD08PatchMa...
Also NOTE: A viewer found a PDF version of the manual which I pinned in the Comments but the Comment seems to have been removed. If you have a link to a PDF please post it and I will include it here in the Description.
I love Roland's JD-08 but I'm frustrated by many crazy design decisions Roland took while creating it. I explore these and discuss limitations of the JD-08 that I haven't seen any other video mention.
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My other Roland JD-08 videos:
Roland's JD-08 is a closed-box synth:
• The Roland JD 08 Is A ...
Roland JD-08 Unboxing and first impressions:
• Roland Boutique JD 08 ...
Roland JD-08 plays J.S. Bach's Badinerie:
• Roland Boutique JD-08 ...
MoMo's JD-08 MIDI editor:
jd-08andjx-08-editor.jimdofre...
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Quick Subscribe: / @ianwaugh
My 1990;s Studio: • My 1990 Studio - Yamah...
My Rediscovered Tapes: • My 1980's Studio - Ice...
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Equipment used:
Roland JD-08
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Visual: Free stock images and videos:
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#Electronic_Music​ #Synthesizers

[@ohheyitskevinc]

I actually didn’t mind the design - it is what it is. Needs an editor. The JD-800 is a great synth. I know as I own one. The main problems with the JD-08 are everything else. This is horrible and buggy. Waveforms 23, 28, 35, 36 (and probably more) are all transposed an octave lower than on the 800 for reasons passing understanding. Waveform 45 is an octave higher. The multi mode filter is.. nothing like the 800. There is no Multi mode. Onto Effects A and B.. all effects from A work with Part A, but Part B can’t access the Effect B group. The pdf manual (yes they’ve finally got one now) refers to a [SHIFT] button that I guess Roland forgot to add to the units. There’s a whine when using the analog output when USB (ie the power) is connected. So always use USB audio (or batteries). There’s a hidden monosynth lead sound when using a midi controller on channels 4 or 5. Random tones appear at the top end occasionally that go away if you release all the keys. As you mention, despite having 256 patch memories, Roland decided to only populate 99 of them rather than populate with the expansions (like they did with the D-05 boutique). Add to that - there is zero functionality between the JD-08 and the J-800 cloud synth. You cannot access any of the included (or paid for) patches they have on the J-800 cloud synth. This is so buggy and poorly thought through it’s basically useless - which is why I’ve reverted back to my hardware JD-800 and its now velocity sensitiveless keys, and the cloud version. Hopefully Roland address all the midi, effects, random tones etc. bugs, and address the lack of interoperability with the Cloud version specifically tone swapping between the two. I’ve given up on mine after 6 months of ownership.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi KC - Thank you for the list. You've dug into it more than I have and it;s sad to see so many other problems. Roland doesn't have a great track record as far as firmware updates go so I'd be surprised to see any major improvement, especially one adressing all the problems users have uncovered so far. A massive missed opportunity and a real shame... BTW, I see you've left comments on other videos but, for some reason, they are not showing up in spite of being approved. May be a YT thing but just to say thank you for those, too

[@ohheyitskevinc]

@@IanWaugh anytime! Great videos that I just stumbled upon yesterday! I do have hope that considering the JD-08 is relatively new that they address at least some of the issues. They do appear to be relatively easily fixable and not hardware related. I’ve had a System 8 for 5 years or so, and they have addressed a number of software issues there over the years (and still support it with the recent Jupiter 4 plug out). Alternatively, it could go the way of my now 35 year old MKS-70 where it took users themselves to fix certain issues and omissions with replacement chips and boards and so on :)

[@IanWaugh]

@@ohheyitskevinc Thanks KC. The JD-08 has been out for over a year now. My hopes are fading fast - but still lingering 😊 Yes, it's a digital synth so you'd think the problems could be easily fixed. I also have a System 8 - Nice 😊

[@djfomas]

Thanks for the intel. I'm baffled by the lack of professionalism we've been thrown at. Glad I went for the D-05 in stead

[@ASH-ou4cg]

@@IanWaugh It has now been well over 18 months and still nothing. I just checked and 1.02 is still the released firmware version. PATHETIC!

[@awnashed]

Thank Ian that is great review in depth, I was about to get one but now I am hesitant and yes these facts won't find in any reviews so thanks again, hopefully your review makes Roland think to provide firmware update to at least fix some of these issues because it is great Synth and it has great sounds.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Atef - Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you found it helpful. Yes, to buy or not to buy is a tough decision because, as you say, it is, underneath a great little synth. Another option is to go the software route with the JD-800 plugin on Roland Cloud although there many things to consider there, too. Do let me know what you decide 👍

[@neonpop80]

Awesome review! Thank you so much for the honesty. I personally have this guy along with the JX and I love them. But Im not advanced enough to use those features

[@IanWaugh]

Thank you very much. Yes, they are great synths apart from the limitations discussed. If you learn to create your own sounds, you'll be fine for a while... 😊

[@wingoshack]

I got this synth having never played the original JD-800, and I LOVE it! No complaints. In fact, I think it's my favorite Boutique, and i don't find it buggy at all. However I'm used to the Boutique format, having several already, and am fine with some of the expected compromises required for the form factor. When compared to a lot of previous Boutiques, this one (and the JX-08) sounds really great, has insane polyphony, and is multitimbral???!! What more could you ask for? The SYSEX thing seems very niche to me. I've been playing synths since the '80s, and I never really messed with that stuff. There is no way I'm ever going to make more than 256 patches, so a librarian is not even on my radar. It's helpful for something like the Moog Sub Phatty, which has limited save slots, but 256?? Unless your job is making patches, I don't see how you would ever need all that space - but that's just me. I only need like a handful of pads, leads, basses which can be tweaked to taste- having hundreds of patches to sift through seems like overkill to me, honestly. Seems like a lot of complaints, other than the SYSEX thing are just because the interface isn't exactly like the huge, hands-on one of the original, but like, that's to be expected. I'd never in a million years get a JD-800 for what they go for now, because i don't want a huge beast of a synth - that's the point of the boutiques. Get the sound without the hassle of a huge vintage instrument that probably needs lots of special care, and handling. So you have to use a shift key or whatever for some functions... not the hugest deal - much better than inputting numbers on the 6th page of a tiny LCD screen like a lot of old digital synths. Oh and the USB audio noise thing? Isn't that the case with most audio over USB devices that work on USB power? That's been my experience - I think all the Boutiques do this - even my OP-1 has this issue. You need like a passive ground loop eliminator thingy to go in your signal path to fix it; it is what it is. IDK, sorry for the rant, but I found this video surprising because I really like this synth more than most that I own.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Wingo - That's fine, all opinions welcome 😊 If you're happy with it, that's great and that's the bottom line. But apart from the issues I mention in the video, there seems to be other problems users have discovered , some of which are detailked in the comments here. But super sounds - have fun 👍

[@mikemeengs5720]

Thank you! You saved me from having to type the same thing. I love this little beast! And I'm still hopeful for a firmware update that addresses the issues Ian mentioned. I think being able to pan tones separately from each other, more wave files, and a ramp down shape for the LFOs would be of more interest and use to me though.

[@sullycliftona888]

And me it’s mint

[@alphacypriot]

Excellent video. I wish you'd review everything I was interested in buying.

[@IanWaugh]

Thank you very much, that's very kind. I think you just have to read and watch reviews wiyth a bit of a critical eye...

[@thehedgehog2011rulez]

Thanks for video ✨ very useful information

[@IanWaugh]

You are most welcome. Glad you found it useful 👍

[@olymoon2008]

Thank you so much for your critical review. It's so rare today to find someone who is not bought by companies. I'll wait to see if Roland does a JD08 XXL with sisex.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Oly Thank you so much. I just try to call 'em as I see 'em. My channel is not big enough for companies to court 😄 It would be great to see a proper JD-800 reissue but I doubnt that will happen, at least not from Roland.

[@olymoon2008]

@@IanWaugh At the end of the day, it's easier to have a good / advanced controller and use a virtual version of JD 800 (or other "boutique" synth)

[@IanWaugh]

@@olymoon2008 I thought you meant a dedicated controller. I use a NI S49 which is great for NKS-compatible software.

[@666JGNotts]

It’s good to see someone giving honest reviews having used it for some time. Too often these days we get so-called reviews from influencers who are sent the synth by the manufacturer and only tell you about the good things. I was initially interested in a few of these little synths but there was one review where they mentioned both the small knobs and the short sliders and that put me off. You can’t make accurate small adjustments to values with a short slider - well i can’t :)

[@IanWaugh]

Thank you very much. For me, the sliders are just one part of the design problem. No one sends me stuff to review - but wait until; I have 50K subscribers... 🤣 Not sure if anyone seeing this will realise it was said in fun, but the channel was not set up with the aim of getting free stuff and I always aim to give my honest thoughts, even if some folks don't agree with them...

[@666JGNotts]

@@IanWaugh Well said :) I’ll leave you in peace now for the rest of the night as I know I’ve been pestering you with comments today!!

[@IanWaugh]

@@666JGNotts 😊 No probs - it's great to chat about this stuff so anytime 👍Thank you for taking an interest in my videos.

[@inputmonitor]

Thanks for your honest opinion! Refreshing to listen to someone that is not merely interested in selling a product to others.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Thank you, glad you found it useful. The only thing I've sold recently is my JD-08 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDGnX6IZb6aqbs

[@svennilsson8719]

If you use the JD-08 in a MIDI multitimbral configuration your channels 4 and 5 will generate a basic waveform on the JD-08 no matter which channels you choose. So a solution : press NOTE + Tone A or Tone B...every beginning of session...

[@IanWaugh]

Nice tip, thank you. I haven't used it much since making this video... 😊

[@henryfrayne3394]

Hi Ian! Do the 20mm sliders on your jd-08 feel very wobbly? All of mine move around and do not feel right. The slider shaft seems to have a lot of play and with the slider cap on, it is even worse. All are the same but this does not seem normal and feels very cheap. Roland fan since 1985. Good sound but thinking of returning due to the wobbly faders. Any thoughts?

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Henry - Hmmm... All sliders on all my synths have a little left/right wiggle if you try moving them with a finger. It seems inevitable given that the protruding lever is narrower than the slot. Having said that, I don't have a problem with the sliders on my JD-08 - other than the length - and they move relatively smoothly and firmly. They aren't loose in that sense. Can you try another instrument somewhere to compare? If not and you're really not happy, you might want to return it and possibly swap it for another. There's nothing worse than a piece of gear you're not happy with as you won't be inspired to use it.

[@mwmusic29]

Great video Ian. Your points were laid out well and maybe someone will take notice and get some fixes underway! I’ve still got the JD-800 for sale. Let me know if you’re interested!! Haha! Take care my friend.

[@IanWaugh]

Thank you, Matt. Yes, ship it over!!! 😊

[@mwmusic29]

@@IanWaugh It looks so much like the control panel of a space ship I think it could fly right over.

[@IanWaugh]

@@mwmusic29 Ha! Ha! Yes, very futuristic. Once you get the hang of it you can fly it over yourself, Captain Matt 😊

[@iixorb]

With or without gloopy resin all over the keys 🤣. That’s what killed mine off, after I made the mistake of storing it on its side in the attic for a number of years 🙄

[@IanWaugh]

@@iixorb Oh heck! Maybe the original JD-800 was the worst-designed synth... 😄

[@russellyoung6498]

Agree Ian. I bought my 08 with a huge amount of anticipation. It is a wonderful sounding machine, but the difficulties in programming with the short sliders and track of editor are a severe hindrance to its usability IMHO. At the moment, it's back in its box up on a shelf, to be used when I need a certain sound. Keep up the good work!

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Russell - Thank you for your kind comments. I still can't believe Roland actually produced this. I love the sound but... I haven't used it since making this video... 😢 Maybe time for both of us to sell...

[@russellyoung6498]

@@IanWaugh I think I'll keep it, it does have the wonderful original presets from the JD800, and short of shelling out for a Roland Cloud subscription , or a Jupiter X or Fantom ( I think the JD800 is available for those as a model now) it's the only way to get those sounds that I know of. Just a shame it's been hobbled the way it has. Best wishes, Russell

[@IanWaugh]

@@russellyoung6498 Hi Russell - Fair enough 😊 Too much menu diving on Roland keyboards for me.

[@Dubbudha]

I own 3 boutiques and I really struggled to use them with my massive hands. For those who use FL Studio, I recommend creating a Patcher Preset. Patcher is basically a plugin where you can create your own plugin surface by combining different generator and/or effect plugins. So for that case I created control surfaces based on the JU-06A and the JP-08 with some additional controls to avoid menu diving. With that method I can now either use my mouse or I can route it to one of my midi controller, where precise movements are much easier. Unfortunately the design possibilities are a bit limited, but with some creativity you are still able to copy the synth surface quite closely.

[@IanWaugh]

HHi - Thank you, that's a great idea 👍 For those who don't have FL, MoMo has some simple editors which give you some control. I have the one for the SH-01a and there's also one for the JD-08.

[@RikMaxSpeed]

This synth has 40 sliders and buttons just for sound editing, that’s way more than a Nord Lead A1 at nearly 4 times the price, or comparable to an OB-6.

[@IanWaugh]

True, and relevant if you are looking at synths on a cost-per-knob basis 😊

[@crhkrebs]

Agreed, this issue isn’t the miniaturization of the JD-800. The issue is the stupid boutique format. I would have liked a larger tabletop design that could have been converted to a 19” rack mount. But I guess that shows my age. Don’t get me started on the lack of SysEx.

[@IanWaugh]

@@crhkrebs Hey Bowman - All good points. You should be on Roland's design team. At least someone should... 😎

[@TrazomGV]

Hi, Ian! I was blessed to have an opportunity to test JD800 during 90-ies in one of great synth shops in Germany and was delighted with its look, warmth and resemblence of heroic times of Jupiters in Roland's history. Modern synthesis combined with huge analogue tweaking possibilities, along with respectable design had blown me up almost immediately. Of course, at the time I was a student, the war was approaching my country and it was definitely not a good moment to purchase a machine that expensive at such a stage of one's life. Anyway, I am always a fond of full sized keyboard than such a tiny versions of gear that demands messing with connection cables and synchronizing with other equipment, even in studio conditions, where it is assumed there is time enough to arrange everything you need to create your music. I think even today it would be nice having JD800 in my collection of gear, it is still appreciated product worldwide, as one can see on e-bay pages, and there is so much of Roland's sound creating philosophy still incorporated in there. Nice talk and video as always, Ian! Stay well!

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Vanja - Great to hear from you. Thank you for your story and kind comments. Yes, the JD-800 seems to have been a great synth and I can only repeat that I don't think Roland did it anywhere near justice with the JD-08. I am increasingly drawn towards one-knob-per-function - or as near as you can get on modern gear! Thanks for watching. Hope you are well.

[@G4Nazarener]

I think this model is for people who are after the boutique format in the first way. If you have a small rig with place for 2 or 3 boutique synths, you can own several models and change combinations of them.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Yes, that could be right but in that case it should come with a limitation warning 😄 But even so, I really can;t see any reason why it doesn't support SysEx or the curation of individual banks. It you're a total preset person then it might be ideal 👍

[@cyruss3813]

What do you think of the Roland jx08? Is it a good beginner synth? I'm thinking about getting one. I've been watching videos about it and it seems like it's alot less menu diving than the jd08.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - I've not used one so you probably know more about them than me 😊It is not as complex and, as you say, has less menu-diving but I think it suffers from the same software shortcomings such as lack of Sys Ex. It doesn't have a keyboard but I think you can play the buttons so not sure it it alone would be ideal for a first synth but it very much depends on what you want 😊

[@maxwarfield6699]

I’m considering getting a JD-08 but I was wondering if, after creating a patch/sound, if it could be saved in the JD-08? That way, I/we wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of having to recreate the steps, that made up the sound/patch. I believe you touched upon this in your video but as I am quite new to all this modern jargon, I’m not quite sure. Please confirm and/or clarify this for me. Thank you kindly

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Nax - Yes, you can do that. What you can't do currently, is to save individual patches to a computer. So when all the patch banks are full the only way to save more patches is to overwrite existing ones. You can save the ENTIRE patch collection to a computer but you can't load individual patches into it. Hope that makes sense.

[@maxwarfield6699]

@@IanWaugh Thank you so much for replying, I truly appreciate it. And if you don’t mind, one last question: Ok so, might you know just how many patch banks the JD-08 has AND how many patches it can contain? Thanks again for replying. Cheers!

[@IanWaugh]

@@maxwarfield6699 No probs Max 😊 It has 4 banks, each with 64 patches so that's 256 patches in total before you run out of space 😊

[@maxwarfield6699]

@@IanWaugh Wow, well that’s more than I expected! Hey, thanks again for answering my questions - you’re very awesome. Cheers mate!

[@IanWaugh]

@@maxwarfield6699 Ha! Ha! A pleasure to hellp. Have fun 👍

[@cjk-28-JockeK]

Hi Ian, have you tried using the plugin version of JD-800 as an editor? I'm thinking import the whole bank, rearrange preset orders, adjust parameters, and reload the bank into JD-08... But if this would work, you'd still need a Roland Cloud account, with access to the JD-800 plugin version 😕 PS. try out the test version of Roland Cloud. /Kind regards CJ K-28

[@IanWaugh]

Hi CJK - Good idea. I have the free Soundcloud but this isn't something I've tried. I could be wrong but I seem to recall reading or seeing somewhere that the JD-08 and JD-800 are not directly compatible. If that's true then this wouldn't work. Many synth manufacturers provide a synth editor for free.

[@ragionerechefabatti5798]

at least is it possible to save and move patterns from pc to the boutique?

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Not as far as I know. Lack of Sys Ex essentially means it can't communicate with anything.

[@sullycliftona]

I want a plain honest answer …, I use it on fly …. How the hell can I stop that melody tune that starts every time ( start button lights up , press it again then the melody stops ) from messing up .. and a dull uhhhh sounds horrible ….with it .. please answer I’m begging

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Sorry you're having probs but I got rid of mine a few weeks ago (kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDGnX6IZb6aqbs). If there's nothing in the manual I can only suggest a wider Google search...

[@dimonwait9079]

Nice review this is trustworthy thanks for being impartial 🙂

[@IanWaugh]

Thank you very much. So glad you found it useful 👍

[@dimonwait9079]

@@IanWaugh it was, i bought the jx 08 instead, wasnt that sure jd was the one

[@IanWaugh]

@@dimonwait9079 The controls are vcloser to the original . Have fun!

[@EddieSlowhands]

Hi there Ian - I've just bought a JD 08 and had no trouble downloading a PDF Manual. Tanks for your views which make sense. Regards . . . Eddie.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Eddie - There's a download link in the first Comment. Is it the same one? There was not one available for a long time after launch. Great sounds, hope you enjoy it 👍

[@steveblakemore1898]

This video has just saved me three hundred quid. I own a mint condition JD800 and have used it for 30 odd years. It still turns up amazing new pads and evolving textures. I had thought that this gadget would give me the same experience with greater polyphony and a modernised user interface. It seems to be a deliberately crippled and limited device. Perhaps there are plans to release a bigger, better version at some later point? As you've pointed out, the physical limitations of the toy sized packaging of the boutique range makes for a bad basis upon which to undertake the whole operation of recreating such a huge physical panel. The power of the JD800 lies in it's capacity for very subtle editing due to the large faders. 20mm is just not enough travel to be able to recreate the experience or outcomes. OK - one really bad design aspect of the original JD800 is that the sliders do not work in "pick up" mode but just jump immediately to the value as set by their position. When editing a deeply layered sound, this can be very frustrating as you move between layers. What that is like on a tiny interface like the one on the JD-08 I can only imagine (and shudder). It can only have been a deliberate decision to exclude sysex and patch compatibility, likewise the failure to add the waveform card sets of new waves. The original card sets for the JD800 are indeed rarer than hen's teeth, especially the strings card which remains a sought after ( often changing hands for about the cost of the JD-08!) Holy Grail for all JD800/JD990 users. If the card set waveforms had been included, I'd guess there would be quite a few JD800 owners who would buy the infernal toy for that feature alone. It would certainly have tempted me. It just seems a tragic missed opportunity.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Steve - Thank you for your comments and insights into the JD-800. Unfortunately, I can't see Roland releasing a better version; they aren't going to cover the same ground twice. It may pop up on Behringer's list some day but we may have to wait till they've cloned every other synth in the known universe 😄 You sum it up well by saying it was a missed opportunity. It could have been a new Roland classic...

[@lundsweden]

I think an editor could be made using MIDI CC messages. I don't think you need to have SYSEX, but it would've been nice to have SYSEX for backward compatibility with the JD-800.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - You need Sys Ex to get full functionality. Here's an editor but it only edits the buffer,, you can't load nad save patches: jd-08andjx-08-editor.jimdofree.com/ And, alas, it's not compatible with the JD-800

[@lars1914]

Did you know you can tweak the last edited parameter with the tone palette sliders?

[@IanWaugh]

Thanks, Lars. Yes, I alluded to that in the video 😊

[@lars1914]

Sorry Ian,i seem to have missed that

[@ElijahRock92]

Have you been able to circumvent the MIDI bug with channels 4 & 5? Out of all the complaints online, I've only seen one offered solution: hold "NOTE" and press "PART A" or "...B". Going to try it this week, but am curious if this works or if another solution exists.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Elijah 0 I just founs this to be such a badly-designed synth I got rid of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDGnX6IZb6aqbs

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Your points are pertinent for a $1600 to $2000 synth, Roland gave us the System8 and the Gaia for that, and now the JunoX. I think we are too spoiled today with all the choices in synths. I wrote to Roland a few years ago asking them to re-issue the JD-800, since they were building digital versions of vintage synths (Boutiques), why not have a digital vintage synth today? I would not buy a synth that needs a software editor, and the JD-08 does not need one. The Gaia (I own) has the same conditions, it is 3 synths in one layered together, but you have to be creative and organized when designing on the Gaia because ALL the physical controls are re-used 3 times. So I design in my head first (like a chess match), then create the 1st layer, and when done, then copy the 1st to the second so all the buttons/sliders are showing what the synth is playing. Then design the second layer and repeat for the 3rd. This works very well... and after 54 years of playing/sound designing on keyboards, the Gaia is my number one favorite poly digital of ALL T'IME!! So if you treat the new JD-08 like the Gaia you will get the job done, however it is more complex because of the combined envelopes into one. But the JD-08 had to fit the Boutique format for price and size, so what we got is another fantastic synth in this line of value synths for the money. $400 for a top pro synth in sound and physical control is just an incredible value, compare this to my JunoAlpha2 and all the digital synths from Roland and everyone else for the last 35 years and what do we have.....and extreme rarity, how many digital synths were made that did NOT use menu's before the Boutiques....?.....about three, The JD800, the JP8000 and the Korg Radias (kind of). I love digital poly synths, but I hate menus, the Boutiques have been a gift; I would like to own them all. I will be adding the JD-08 and the JX-08, and the JU-06A to my collection. I own the JP-08 and the JX-03 currently and don't have any problem with the small controls, I simply physically interface with them differently; for sliders I place my finger in front of the slider and roll my hand and finger up to get extremely fine adjustments. My JP-08 and JX-03 have incredible sound from the ACB tech, when in unison they are as powerful a mono-synth as any out there, and thanks to 4 voices it is versatile as well, plus adding a second unit will double polyphony if desired. The preamps are hot and pro level, I just can't believe we get this much synth for $400.00. I get to play around with a Jupiter8 for $400, incredible! Half of these synth Boutique recreations have the physical control the the vintage did not, back in 1980's when I was buying a new JunoAlpha2 the Boutique with adjusted inflation would have cost $100 and been fun to program instead of the Alpha2 nightmare. Yes, the Boutiques, and only the Boutiques have given us physical control of digital synths like the Gaia and System8, basically the only ones in history.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Thank you very much for your well-considered comments. I guess we could argue to-and-fro on the pros and cons for a while 😊 As I said, these are just my opinions so it's fine if we don't seee__eye-to-eye. But, if I may, just respond to two points - I don't think price point is an excuse for not including SysEX (or at least individual patch files) an, well, I really don't want to approach programming a synth like a game of chess. However, yes, it is (otherwise) a great synth and we live in an age of amazing synth tech and are certainly spoiled compared to the 'good old days'. It's great to hear how much you enjoy your gear. Making music, after all, is the purpose of it all and long may it continue. Thank you for watching and I really do appreciate your comments 👍

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

​@@IanWaugh 10 years with Roland Gaia and I can hear a sound and know how to make on the Gaia without touching it. There are some tweaking that I didn't think of when actually creating the sound, but mostly knew what to do. This is what I would call the perfect interface of instrument, body and brain. I realize people buy synths for the presets because they don't understand sound design, but creation is what synths are really for, instead of buying a synth buy software sample libraries instead it would be much cheaper and the choices would be 1000x more. I understand your frustration with MIDI (sysEX and others) I would think in 2022 and 40 years of MIDI standard there would be a standard chip included on all synths/keyboards with full MIDI capabilities. It is ridiculous today that one of my synths sends [PROGRAM CHANGE] and I can't turn it off or filter it from my receiving synth; making this connection and MIDI useless in this scenario. There is a MRCC MIDI router device now available for the last year that can route MIDI from one device to another, merge, thru, filter, to other devices; pricey at over $400.00, but I will probably buy one to tame the lack of MIDI standards today. ( I now run a 100% hardware studio, including the 24 track recorder). MIDI is my only choice to make this studio function. Been a pleasure debating with you!

[@IanWaugh]

@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene Awesome! You're probably right about presets. Much of the fun of synths comes from tweaking and creating sounds. It's a shame MIDI hasn't been more standardised. We're still really waiting for MIDI 2. There are cheaper MIDI filters which might do the job for you. Thank you for your comments. There's always room in our music community for many opinions. Good luck with your music-making 👍

[@kimdiez2681]

Wilderness Music I just re-bought me another SH-01 (GAIA) despite all of the negative comments on it. Im building my own useable patches so quickly on it that its un-believable !! OH, i kust ordered me the Botique JX-08 will get it this week coming and cant wait to program my own patches on it !!

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

@@kimdiez2681 Ah, a kindred spirit. The Gaia is such a wonderful synth, three layers of everything and the ability to pan each oscillator, plus 64 voices and no menu. Yes, the Gaia is my go synth for almost everything. I added an analog graphic EQ to the Gaia to boost overall levels and sound shape as well. The extra distortion of an analog 10 band stereo EQ is very welcome and very warming for this digital synth. 10 years with the Gaia now, I am thinking of buying a second before they stop making them. And me too, I have a JX08 and JD08 in my studio today.

[@mikemeengs5720]

Valid points. But dude...it's only $350. It packs a LOT of punch for the money, and it'll be in every tune/video I post from now on.

[@IanWaugh]

Ha! HA! Good for you 👍 I don't think they can use price as an excuse for deliberate and poor design decisions. But as long as folks know what's what and are happy, that's fine 😊 Have fun!

[@tastelesstouch]

The issues you mentioned aren’t as big of an issue for me because I don’t plan on being a JD-08 power user. I’d like to be able to create some patches but I’m mostly using it for inspiration and tweaking to my liking. I’m more disappointed about the shitty sliders (not really the size, they’re just wobbly) and not being able to import new waveforms

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Yes, it has some great souns and as long as you're happy with it, that's the main thing.

[@digitalperfomer7]

As former owner of a JD-990 and a SR-JV-04 I wanted also to make a comparison with the JD-08. I totally agree with your staements, specifically regarding the absent functionality of the sys-ex. Being also a Fantom owner, I am literally furious with Roland because it has not provided a librarian that allows you to reorganize patches, same said for the JD-Xi and all the other Boutiques.

[@IanWaugh]

Yes, it's really not good enough, especially from such a prestigious company.

[@adroharv9213]

great stuff thanks Ian, this does seem a compromised creation in comparison to it's daddy and probably quite the disappointment to some. I remember being disappointed by the Roland XP50's weird scratchy corrupt string waveforms but did eventually accept the issue. It seems there's usually a quibble with these things in some way but then there usually always is with anything in life. Thanks for vid

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Adro - Howzit going? Yes, everything is a compromise 😊 But if you buy a car you expect to be able to take it on the road, not just drive it around in circles. (Not sure if my analogies are improving 😊)

[@adroharv9213]

@@IanWaugh yes that is a fair point actually Ian 👍

[@IanWaugh]

@@adroharv9213 😊 Hope you're doing ok, Adro.

[@adroharv9213]

@@IanWaugh I am Ian thanks and you too I hope. It's a good year so far despite everything.. Keep plugging away seems to be a good strategy

[@IanWaugh]

@@adroharv9213 Ha! Ha! Yes, it's the only strategy I know... 🤣

[@lostcrow]

You make some valid points regarding this synth. I was looking at getting one but noticed how small the sliders are.. for the type of music I want to do the res and cuttoff would take a hammering - that troubles me. The SYSEX thing, all be it niche, is still a very valid point. I've noticed Roland has dropped the ball pretty much with all the boutiques to some extent. Specially when it comes to having editing software. Consider that Behringer offered the TD3 for around £100 and the Roland TB-03 was 3 x this but yet behringer still supplied editing software to add, edit and save patterns

[@IanWaugh]

Yes indeed, it's a real shame to see how the once mighty Roland has declined in terms of design, implementation and support 😢 They seem more interested in promoting their software subscription

[@lostcrow]

@@IanWaugh you mean the software that has already been cracked and shared online via torrents... yeha i know the ones 😂

[@IanWaugh]

@@lostcrow Oh, I didn't know that 🤔 but I guess most software can be cracked

[@lostcrow]

@@IanWaugh can this JD-08 create the "Hoover" sound? ive asked around but cant get a simple answer that demonstrates it. I need something like this small synth thats not silly money that can create the sound. Cheers Ian

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Why do I respect your opinions I think you’re being overly negative: you need to take into account the price point of this synth, as well as the competition. It outperforms significantly on both fronts. It also sounds better than the JD 800 because it doesn’t alias at the high end anywhere as much. SysEx is a software patch, we can live in hope. But I do think they could have put longer faders instead of the space wasted on retro diagrams.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Rik - Thank you for your thoughtful Comment. I agree with you about the sound and the faders. As for Sys Ex - indeed we live in hope but, in my opinion, it should not have been released without it.

[@eurosimpliciti259]

Deciding between this and the Korg Minilogue XD, honestly I want a digital synth because I have 100% analog at the moment but if the faders are really that small, God knows how I'd even record basic filter sweeps in.... Being 19 I never even got to see the JD-800 when it first came out but from what I've seen, it goes way beyond the cheesy 90s soundscapes and I love it! Shame its so expensive now

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - As always, the choice is up to you and best to try both if you can. The JD-08 sounds great but it has so many limitations (which may or may not bother you) so you need to take these into account as well as the sound. The XD is pretty neat and a great synth fore the money 😊

[@twiglet2214]

I'd agree - the Minilogue XD - i've got the module - is a great little synth and sounds fantastic !

[@davebassP5]

I always try and learn use the inbuilt controls, as on a gig i wont have any software editors with me so if i need to tweak ill know exactly how to do it on the front panel. I’m also not a previous JD800 owner so have no presets i need to load. So yeah, for me i don’t care less about the Sys Ex and the one large file etc. ill buy this for what it is and work with it. The fact that it sounds fantastic and has many controls to program are the winner’s and only reason id buy it. The rest, well, everything has a learning curve anyway.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Dave - it may be fine for live gigs and if it suits you, that's great 👍

[@matthewgaines10]

I think the Boutiques are better than not having access to these devices at all. Not everyone was around or could afford some of these synths back in the day. Surprised it doesn’t sysex since the D-05 does support D-50 sysex. I disagree with you on the price. Image what a full sized modern JD800 would cost. You can also do the Roland Cloud thing but I tend to like hardware when possible. The only point of agreement we have is they could’ve gave users a pdf manual.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Matthew - Well, maybe 😊 But I think cramming a JD-800 into this format was a bit of a push and it's difficult to forgive the lack of SysEx. I think the D-05 is coompatible with patches from the original, too. Another poor JD-08 decision. All just my opinion, of course...

[@matthewgaines10]

@@IanWaugh Sometimes something beats nothing at all.

[@IanWaugh]

@@matthewgaines10 😄 That's true. But there are a lot of alternative 'somethings' out there 😊

[@deandavis325]

Great video, very informative and I agree Rolnd dropped the ball BIG time on the JD08 but with this boutique series hasn't been very favorable from the git go. Now the JD08 has 128 voices of polyphony but the JU06 only has 4 but the original had 6. Dirty pool Roland dirty pool !!! With that said it's a cash grab for Roland because they know we're in a recession and hate 'em or love 'em people ARE buying them. Long story short I just bought a JX08 and I'm ordering the star of the show JD08 probably next week. I own a butt load of synths....I can't be stopped !!! Cheers 😎

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Dean - Thank you and thank you for your Comment. The JX and the JD are great little synths and I'm sure you'll enjoy them and have loads of fun. It's just a bit sad that Roland didn't make them what they should have been.

[@rickr.mortis4821]

I'm into a bit of Synthism myself with 16 of them. lol

[@IanWaugh]

@@rickr.mortis4821 Hey Rick - I think synthesism should be added to the OED 😄

[@deandavis325]

@@IanWaugh, I concur. I've trimmed down the herd a bit. I'm down to 15 but I'm looking to add a couple more. There should be a support group but I probably wouldn't go (lol) As Tony Soprano would say..."Whaa ya gon do ???" 🤣

[@IanWaugh]

@@deandavis325 Hey Dean - Wow! I find it easier to avoid the hardware but I'm a sucker for cheap VSTs 😱 So, you gotta tell us what you got and what you're looking to add.

[@mylarmelodies]

Fair points - sounds like it needs a new home...I'll swap you something for it Ian!!

[@IanWaugh]

Sounds like it needs a re-design 😄 Would love to have swapped but, alas, too late: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDGnX6IZb6aqbs

[@svennilsson8719]

Excellent sounds and nice visual appearance but a big bug with MIDI channels 4 and 5. If you use the JD-08 in a MIDI multitimbral configuration your channels 4 and 5 will generate a basic waveform on the JD-08 no matter which channels you choose. It is impossible to eliminate them, this is a fundamental flaw of the software. We have been waiting for months for an update that eliminates this major bug.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Sven - Heck! Another thing for the list. Really poor show from Roland...

[@ASH-ou4cg]

months? Try over a year and a half and still nothing.

[@svennilsson8719]

If you use the JD-08 in a MIDI multitimbral configuration your channels 4 and 5 will generate a basic waveform on the JD-08 no matter which channels you choose. So a solution : press NOTE + Tone A or Tone B...every beginning of session...@@IanWaugh

[@IanWaugh]

@@svennilsson8719 Hi - Yes, a few users have mentioned this although without the solution so thank you for that 👍 I haven't used it in a multi-tumbral situation.

[@SebastianSnoeck]

correction : 1. these aren't wavetables but samples 2. 108 waveforms instead of 102 people are working on being able to transfer patches from the jd800 to jd08 and inverse

[@IanWaugh]

Good news but this is something Roland should have done at the outset...

[@schragemusik]

Thank you so much for the honest review. You just saved me (or my wife) £320. I had pretty much given up on Roland (mainly because of their dreadful 'release it and forget it' attitude) but was thinking that this boutique looked quite useful (for a small price). The lack of sysex puts me off almost completely. The inability to save and load single presets adds to the completeness of my being put off. The documentation seemingly even worse than Roland's usual poor offering is like a sort of 'icing of shit on the cake'. Thanks again.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Chris - Glad you found it helpful. . I don't know what's happened to Roland recently. Sadly under-impressed with most of its recent releases for one reason or another. I think they are concentrating on software which has more $$$ potential. Great sounds on the JD-08 but so many deliberate built-in limitations. It defies logic. Anyway, sold mine. They aren't as popular as I'd imagined - too many people watching this video 😄 - and I took a £100 hit but hey ho... Not all the Boutiques are so crippled if you want to check them out but there are also many other competing modules out there

[@Mouser24]

I never use any software editors for my synths when recording so I really don't mind about this missing feature but they need to make the manual available for download

[@IanWaugh]

Someone posted a link to a PDF but that Comment seems to have been removed.

[@Mouser24]

@@IanWaugh yeah I was looking for that link but can't find it, no worries:)

[@IanWaugh]

@@Mouser24 It's a nuisance...

[@Cri-oneakachrisbrown]

i like your presentation it sounds like a song....

[@IanWaugh]

Wait till you hear the tune... 😄

[@omnisense5052]

I agree, the whole point with the JD800 was shaping the sound with tactility. Everything was there on the surface. The sound engine itself was not very special compared to what was around. The Korg Wavestation had potential with great fx engine, but it was all menu editing. The D-50 had a similar structure and also with great envelopes, but it was a pain without the programmer. It's weird they released this boutique after the vst version which I think is way more accessible with a decent midi controller with aftertouch. I wonder how much it would've cost creating a midi controller specifically designed for the vst instead, with all original JD800 controls? I think that would make more sense to be honest. The JD800 is a unicorn and should be treated as such.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Thank you for your comment. I can't see anyone producing a dedicated controller. If they were to do that they might as well bung in the software and we'd have a reissue 😄 Roland just go it soooo wrong with this...

[@omnisense5052]

@@IanWaugh No of course they want to bank on the legendary status like all the other boutiques. But I know many people are secretly disappointed because the boutique form seriously cripples what made it so good in the first place. I'm using a Novation SL Mk3 controller with the vst which is as good as it will get for me.

[@IanWaugh]

@@omnisense5052 Yes indeed. Sad and a shame. I think using the VST with a controller is probably a much better option.

[@pauldablue]

- I have a dead JD-800 in a cupboard, I really don't miss it, I have 3 boutiques and was thinking of getting the JX-08 but that saving everything as 1 file is kind of putting me off.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Paul - Yes, it's a crazy decision by Roland and deterring a lot of users 😢 They may fix the problem but I'm not holding my breath. I think the JX fits the Boutique format well so it's a double shame. But unless you're wedded to the format, there are other options...

[@mrz80]

How badly "dead" is your JD-800?

[@pauldablue]

@@mrz80 ~ couple of broken/snapped keys, turns on but screen says can't initialise. Edit: I've just got it out the cupboard and it said initialise Y/N but yes/no buttons did nothing, I popped the lid up unscrewed the pcb and put a screwdriver across the yes contacts and my JD-800 came to life, using program change/program selector in cubase to change patches. YES Edit 2: I have successfully used JDTools over at Github to convert JD-08 patches to JD-800 patches, it also has a merge command.

[@mrz80]

I was seriously considering a JD-08 to add to my MIDI guitar rig at church. As a bitymbral sound module it looked like it would be a pad monster. Then it all fell screeching to a halt when I found that, like almost everything else Roland, its USB interface is not class-compliant. That makes it an uncomfortable fit with my linux boxes. That said, it really DOES sound wonderful.

[@IanWaugh]

Yes, it is a pad monster but sometimes I wonder what's going on with the Roland design team.

[@mrz80]

@@IanWaugh Yeah, the lack of SysEx is a near-fatal flaw. It does occur to me though that given the lack of SysEx capability, the lack of class compliance would make a lot less of a difference to me. :)

[@IanWaugh]

@@mrz80 You have to take it for what it is. Shame all these things aren't pointed out in reviews, though...

[@mrz80]

@@IanWaugh I *did* wind up buying one when I saw a really good price on Reverb. I'm still not all that certain I'm going to keep it but I probably will because doggone it it SOUNDS soo GOOD. It's NOT a JD-800, but you can do so much with the basic 4-layer-ROMpler-plus-monster-filter model.

[@IanWaugh]

@@mrz80 Indeed. Could be worthwhile if the price is right 😊

[@dstrats]

Being a user of the Roland JP-08 (two of them to actually have 8 note capability, which doesn’t work that well) I totally understand your post here of the choices modern day Roland, makes. For instance, the only way to have those amazing Jupiter sounds from the original makers, presets 11-38 are from the OG unit, whereas 41-88 are totally not from the original JP8 so. I will say I was interested in JD-08 but listening to your reasonable views, I may just save my $. Thanks for the post.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Glad you found it useful. I struggle to understand how Roland is releasing such half-finished synths - such a betrayal of the Roland legacy. 😱 I sold my Boutiques (kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDGnX6IZb6aqbs) and seriously doubt I'll trust Roland enough to buy another one of their synths...

[@jeffevansmusic]

I reckon they will re release it some point like a Mk II version.

[@IanWaugh]

Maybe... But I sorta doubt itt. They could fix the current problems with a firmware update... Although as this thing has been out for ages that also seems doubtful...

[@kyma1999x]

not true...even on the original 4 tones shares same panel controllers, you'd have to multiply times 4 the panel to have complete phisically separated layout for every tones. the differences are envelope generators grouped into one section, same as double lfo section. it is very hard to squeeze so many parameters onto boutique format, maybe a d05 approach would have been better. e.g. jd has a complex fx section, without display parameters feedback like original it is so hard and tricky to work with, maybe an external editor would be a good choice.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - I think you've hit the main points here - it really should have been in a larger format and if they had included SysEx it would have been possible to write an editor for it.

[@onelibernull]

There’s a command line converter that converts between JD800 Sysex, JD08, and cloud formats called JDtools. It works great and would be nice if somebody could make a GUI (and editor) for it

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Thank you. This looks very interesting although I haven't tried it. For anyone interested it is here: github.com/sagamusix/JDTools I

[@Sonikbytes]

The boutiques remind me of the vintage Roland PG series of controllers which nobody complained about and the price for them is very high. I have JD-990 which has no sliders. I wish it had PG style controller but not being to use a librarian on Jd-08 is a bummer! People who said jd sound like 90's are basing their opinion on the presets they are ones who are lazy programming synths. Today modern synths still often use square and saws waveforms that was used in first early synthesizers. Funny how technology comes back in circles.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Yes, it seems many things come full circle. While we are nostalgic for the 80s, do you think people will be nostalgic for the 2020s in 40 year's time?

[@Sonikbytes]

@@IanWaugh In my opinion, technologicaly in 40 years we will be so light years advanced and incompatible with today's technology today that nobody will look on the past but nostalgia and museums will still be real as that is a human nature.

[@IanWaugh]

@@Sonikbytes Let's meet up then and check predictions 😊

[@Sonikbytes]

@@IanWaugh Monumental and pivotal times we are living in! Exciting but scary and worrying for most. On my timeline it's nothing but positive future. How about you?

[@IanWaugh]

@@Sonikbytes I don't have that much of a future to go so tend not to think about it 😄 People always seem to worry about new things. We are generally apprehensive about change but living is about continuously learning to adapt. Are we in a more utopian or dystopian world and society than we were 40 years ago?

[@ASH-ou4cg]

Yup. No sysex, no patch management, generic zencore filter and NOT the JD-800 emulated filter, no proper screen which would show proper waveform and parameter naming, no additional waveforms, which would be easy to include and with more than enough room on the internal memory to do so, the bug on channels 4 and 5, which give out a sound, but cannot be turned off, which proves that this was just a port over from Jupiter X, a bug that has been known for 14 months now and still not fixed.. The list goes on and shows that this is a half baked product.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Ash - Unfortunately, yes. Really poor design all round. It's amazing - shocking! - how Roland let this through the door😱

[@oc10121989]

thinking of getting it but the tiny faders and knobs, it just looks very uncomfortable like for the most of us, also, some of the values are from 1 or 0 to 100, i dont know how it was in the original, if it is lower than it is less accurate, awsome sound vs the original, if i had the original than maybe i would have bought this as well because they complete each other, the boutique playes with higher frequencies unlike the original, here is a link, i think it sums it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHayZJeFoLuCkKs

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - I don't think they should have tried to cram it into a Boutique. If you're happy with its shortcomings and like the sound... 😊

[@FrankPSF]

Completely agree! Had a JD800 that the ex-wife took possession of. I loved that synth more than any other that I own. Bought the JD-08 hoping for the best. The interface absolutely sucks!

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Frank - yes, shame. A real disservice kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDGnX6IZb6aqbuoo the 800 as well as 08 buyers 😢 I sold mine:

[@ten70four24]

Biggest beef I have is the manual is not in PDF. And the online manual is really badly laid out. Other than this, I think it is a great synth. I don't agree with a lot of the complaints here. I guess it really depends on what you are looking for. My reasons for buying this is for sound design, sounds and size. I agree with the software library idea too.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - if you're happy with it, that's fine 😊 There is a downloadable version of the manual - see pinned comment.

[@kennethross6289]

Roland probably didn't want this product to conflict with sales of their Roland JD-800 Software Synthesizer. They should have made their JD-800 software synth an editor for the JD-08.

[@IanWaugh]

Anything's possible in the world of Roland these days... Many companies offer a free software editor with their hardware. But in this case, the JD-08 and JD-800 are so incompatible a JD-800 editor simply wouldn't work...😢

[@RoyChartier]

If you want a JD-800, buy a used one. Nick & Starsky opined on the contrary of this review, and demonstrate that despite some limitations, is a sonic powerhouse available for under $400.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Roy - yes, indeed, it has a lot of good sounds but it's sort of interesting that the reviews don't mention the shortcomings referred to here and even more problems highlighted by users in the Comments. But defo great sounds 😊

[@johnhawranick8097]

I enjoyed your post. I also have the JD-08 and agree with all of your points, some more than others. While it would be nice to have a proper editor, I have struggled long enough now to be able to get by the way they designed it. That being said: when I had the opportunity to purchase the Juno X, I installed the JD-800 model with a lifetime key from Roland Cloud. Not only does this have a proper editor, but the new Juno's crazy 4-part system actually mimics the 4-part system of the JD-800 pretty well. Summing things up, I was just making the decision to box up the JD-08 in favor of the Roland Cloud version this afternoon. Funny how the timing was on that. I would still recommend the JD-08 to someone on a budget (who didn't wish to drop 2K on a synth just to buy a plug-in), as the sounds are epic and transcendent - certainly for the price. If all you want is the sounds, there you go. However, for someone who wishes to dive deeply into sound design or create patches for others to purchase, maybe look elsewhere. I'll keep the boutique, should I ever need a JD separate from my Juno, But I suspect, like its sister-synth the JX-08, it will be in that box for a while. Oh... and that awful LED panel! Whoever decided that was the way to go should consider resigning in disgrace. Sorry, Roland! That was a WIDE miss.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey John - Thank you so much for your Comment. Strangely, I have also been looking at the Juno-X and the JD-800 plugin. However, the miniscule LCD on the Juno and my failing eyesight are not a good match - Roland loves a good set of nested menues 😊 - so I probably won't go this roite although I may try it in a shop. Similar prob with the Jupiter-X 😢 Probably not so much an issue for normal folks. If I di get it, I would sell the 08 😱 Yes, the JX suffers from the same probs although I think the interface is more suited to the Boutique.

[@BobKlass]

It's almost like Roland left out features to separate the musicians who can make it sound good from those that can't. The exact same "version" of JD800 in the JD08 is what my Fantom 8 EX uses. Exact same (waveforms, filters, etc.), and I like it. It is easy to program on the Fantom or perform on with the JD08. Fantom has better effects, but JD08's are OK. They sound the similar. The JD08 is portable but professional, quiet.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Bov - Yes, it's almost like Roland doesn't have a musician in their synth design department 😄 But it you like it, that's fine 👍

[@Observe-n-Learn]

Maybe if they didn't hype the cousinhood of the JD-800 to it, you might not be so disappointed. In engineering, the term "feature creep" comes into play. Just adding one more RAM chip is easier to say, but impacts the entire design -- PCB size, layout, power requirements, cost, supply chain, frimware... the list encompasses every design aspect. Drawing the line on features is like the cutoff (pun intended) for a list of wedding guests. I just bought a JD-08 used for ~$300 U.S. It is a bargain, compact, great synth. If you can find a JD-800 for less than $1200 --- buy it. I would buy 4 used JD-08's instead. Beware the red glue !!!

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - yes, you're probably right. But it's not just the fact that it's not quite a JD-800, it has so many other shortcomings and missed opportunities as well as bugs (see some user Comments). But it does have some great sounds 😊 As long as you and other users know these things and are happy with them, that's fine 👍

[@neonether]

Yep, they dropped the ball on this one in many ways, primarily by not making a 1:1 emulation of the JD-800 and instead using the older ZENOLOGY programming. Carries over all the differences not only in waves, but in sound quality. And as for the design, don't get me started. Skip this one unless an editor comes out. Go for the LEGACY JD-800 in Roland Cloud if you want a digital version. I track with that and add in the JD-800 later, it sounds great and best captures most of the original magic.

[@IanWaugh]

Yes. It doesn't support Sys Ex so no chance of an editor. It really looks like this wasn't 'designed', more assembled from left-over ideas...

[@jeffevansmusic]

Ok firstly the JD08 is based on modelling. They have NOT put the entire electronics of the original JD800 inside this thing. (It would never fit!!!) But the model is very good I believe though. I have the actual JD800 and really there is no comparison at all. I would not recommend going out and getting a JD800 either. It will cost you an arm and a leg! And you will have issues with it as well. (It took me a bit of time and money to get mine 100% perfect) The best approach is mentioned here. Get the Juno X or Jupiter X and then get the JD800 expansion. Then all your sliders and things will be much better. Now good news is there is some software called JDTools which can convert JD800 sounds over to JD08 and the other way around as well. Also LFO Store has just released today a full bank of brand new sounds for the original JD800 (And also the JD08 and Zencore versions) Its amazing. People are making banks of very new and fresh and exciting sounds for some very old synths and its just wonderful.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Jeff - Thanks for your super comment 👍 On a technical point, there's no reason why Roland could not have accurately emulated the JD-800 on the JD-08 even if it took a little more RAM. It's a deliberate hobble 😢 Otherwise 800 and 08 patches would be interchangeable. JD Tools is a bit techy for many users and even the developer says conversions won't be accurate because the two engines are not the same. I'm afraid I stand by my original assersion. However, it is great to see developers producing sounds for The JD-08 as it does have a super sound engine. For anyone interested in investigating JD Tools, here's a link: github.com/sagamusix/JDTools

[@kaybhee6]

truths on cons

[@BassFunMusic]

SUPER ♥ JD 08 love - sub 643

[@IanWaugh]

Thank you very much, greatly appreciated 👍

[@sullycliftona]

/// guaranteed you’ve changed your opinion a bit aswell .. interesting to know in which way… please give consideration to helping my problem below in comments… if u do I might consider subscribing

[@IanWaugh]

Not changed my opinion presented in this video. Great sounds but, due to aspects mentioned in the video and comments from other users below, I was uninspired by it and disillusioned with it - see video referenced in my previous reply. Sorry I can't be of any further help 😢

[@sullycliftona]

K. … seems like no body on you tube that deals with Syn t s can do me a favour .. thanks anyway

[@IanWaugh]

@@sullycliftona Sorry to hear that. I no longer have the unit so can't help I'm afrais...

[@palindromial]

I think what you're touching on here regarding MIDI is really part of a larger (and of course idiotic) trend we see throughout the industry. Lots of companies (from personal experience Novation and Roland, but I am sure others are just as guilty) have been reducing their MIDI stuff to the bare minimum they can get away with. I mean even if they do in fact use MIDI for things (as Novation used to do with their Circuit) they don't document anything anymore, forcing people to reverse engineer everything. Instead they want you to use THEIR driver and THEIR app and THEIR whatever. And the purpose is clearly to cripple the hardware so badly down the line (as soon as they no longer support it) that you'll have to buy new hardware. Another area in which this is apparent is multi-timbrality. This was really big in the 1980s and 1990s and it's also been abandoned by most manufacturers. There are old synths (and not even very expensive ones) that are actually 32-part multi-timbral meaning you can play 32 different sounds at the same time (using 16 MIDI channels each on 2 MIDI IN ports). These days if a synth can play TWO different sounds it's actually already noteworthy. Strangely enough very few people seem to mind any of this. Only people old enough to remember the late 80s/early 90s? Only people who don't want to use Windoze or OS X? The rest of the world seems to be happy with their intentionally crippled, planned-obsolescence, way-to-expensive noise makers. (Sure, the DAW fixes everything. But that's really not the point. Nobody really NEEDS hardware synths at all anymore.)

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Well, lot of things to think about there. I'm not so reliant on hardware these days so maybe a lot of the cuts and shortcomings have passed me by. I tend to mix hardware and software which probably demands less of both 😊 I had a SY77 back in the day and recorded entire pieces with it via a (computer-based) sequencer. I guess people who want to do that sort of thing have to buy several synths 😱 At the turn of the year I predicted that more and more synth 'manufacturers' would turn to software and that's happening. The times they are a-changing - not always for the better....

[@JamesBRey]

I bought one and regret it although I like the sound and polyphony very much (and I own a real JD-800 and a JD-990 for comparison). Four major problems for me in addition to what Ian discusses: 1) Ground hum using the USB interface when connected to the computer for DC power. Only way around this is using battery power or using a USB wall outlet which means no USB connectivity to the computer for MIDI or system tasks. 2) No compatibility to vast JD-800 / JD-990 sound banks / patches - so essentially you are limited to factory presets and whatever you build on the unit itself. 3) Unwanted extra synth tones on two MIDI channels (4 and 5) that cannot be turned off. Really bad when you only have 16 to work with for a small rig and want to use other synths on those channels. 4) No firmware update in over a year despite obvious problems that need addressing. Very bad support from Roland in this regard. 😞

[@IanWaugh]

Hi James - Thanks for your Comments. Hope they help potential buyers. Not much to add - I think it's all been said 😢

[@ASH-ou4cg]

I put the Boutiques through a DI Box. This eliminates the noise as well.

[@williamnaman3570]

They need to redesign a new version with a 19" case.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi William - I'd go for that 👍

[@williamnaman3570]

@@IanWaugh It has a beautiful sound. I remember seeing the 800 for the first time. It was so nice to see pots and sliders over the past years of film switch panels.

[@IanWaugh]

@@williamnaman3570 Hey William - Yes, it looked great and, thanks to the controls, you could actually use it 😊

[@williamnaman3570]

@@IanWaugh It looks like they could have removed the sequencer, or put the controls on the front edge, to give them room for long sliders.

[@IanWaugh]

​@@williamnaman3570 Hi William - yes, they could have done many things. My main contention is that they shouldn't have tried to cram it into a Boutique format 😢

[@deadsoapbox]

this workflow design is not downscalable

[@IanWaugh]

It's certainly not...

[@PerAnkh418]

Why aye man! Yet, it's still a canny synth. Ye can it whack it!

[@IanWaugh]

Someone should have whacked some sense into the designers! 😄

[@richardhermans4457]

I remember your comments about the negative design and lack of features in your first video. Great sound although having been a former JD800 owner, I think the A/D convertors in it contributed a bit to it's wonderful sound. It's a shame, they didn't make it in a larger format, and not corners by not including standard features. The Roland D50 was my first full sized synth keyboard, later the JD800, JD990, XP50, 1010, 1080, and maybe 1 or 2 I left out. They WERE the standard back in the day, but it seems they're more interested in releasing the classics into the pay per month CLOUD. And why is it Korg is whippin their butt in the release of analog gear. It seems the budget heads in accounting over at Roland are running the show...it's like they consider analog to be a nasty word..ugh! Hey Roland..."I got your cloud" lol btw my friend, you have a typo in your title. ;)

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Richard - loved the D-50 but I was heavily invested in my SY-77 😊 You've had a lot of great syths Yes, I think Roland is concentrating on the cloud. Software must be more profitable than hardware. The new CEO is a marketeer, not a musician. But hardly an excuse for short-changing their products - and customers. Thanks for the heads-up. Fixed, My eyes 😢

[@richardhermans4457]

@@IanWaugh I think it's great you're sharing this information, and perhaps saving someone from spending their hard money expecting full features. So now, people can be aware and make the decision of whether the negatives are deal breakers...good job! I wanted to let you know by private message about the typo, but you have no YT message or mail that I could find. heck, I don't think I do either...lol I love the sound of the SY 77, and remember watching Rick Wakeman have one in his rig while touring with Yes. FM programming made my brain hurt, I'll stick with simple subtractive. lol

[@IanWaugh]

@@richardhermans4457 Thanks, Richard. I do my best 😊 Have added YT Contact info but I'm easy to find on FB 😊

[@thetruewillmakeyoufree8234]

I belive Roland has lied to us with the boutique products. They are based on their new technology and not on the one they represent to start from. Then, they have ignored us about bugs and a proper manual. Not to talk of the lack of librarian and user bank building capabilities. That makes the JD08 that is potentially a great and powerful synth, a true toy coupled with the ridiculous speaker and the unreadable display. I bought one boutique and I had enough. Also I don't think I will give to Roland more of my money in the future. They are not longer what they were used to be.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Yes, what you say is true. Thiis is a shambles of a synth. Roland is more a software company than a synth manufacturer. Very disappointing... 😱

[@tommorello8628]

The price tag upsets me when it comes to the jd 08 boutique. Its like... why should I spend 400$ when I can get the JD 800 roland cloud version for 150$? With all the issues present Im not sure if it would be worth the extra 250$ just to have that hands on experience.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Tom - Well, it's Roland and I think the Boutiques are a little over-priced. They are aimed at a market so others may disagree. However, the hands-on experience of the JD08 is among the worst of the Boutiques. Also my opinion but that's why I made the video 😊 Not sure I'd want to pay $150 for a single software instrument either but that's just me 😊 Hope you're happy with your decision whatever you decide.

[@lovemadeinjapan]

It's funny how the Frankensynth remained a frankensynth under miaturisation.... Luckily English has a nice word for it: obnoxious.

[@IanWaugh]

🤣 Love Frankensynth

[@dragangeorgiev5868]

Bla, Bla, Bla :)

[@IanWaugh]

Most eloquent... 😊

[@deegee8645]

I bought a JD800 back in 1992/3, but never thought it sounded as great as its looked. was like a glorified ROM player, albeit with sliders. hated the sample&synthesis thing compared to my analogs... so got rid.

[@IanWaugh]

Hey Dee - That's interesting. Never knew the JD-800 but like the idea of 'analogue' control with all the sliders. Do like the JD-08 sound engine although still debating whether to keep it or not...

[@jutubjestzlem]

Sigh, so many anti-consumer decisions here by Roland :(.

[@IanWaugh]

True, alas. Roland seems to be moving increasingly to a software model. The concern is that design decisions such as those behind the JD-08 will continue into new hardware releases. You might arguably say that less thought is being put into recent releases with the tiny LCD on the Juno-X for example. Sad days...😢

[@mrz80]

@@IanWaugh If software is the way forward, I may as well save my hardware money and just keep going with a raft of plugins and pick up a couple of Launch Control XLs for a bazillion knobs and faders :D

[@IanWaugh]

@@mrz80 Software is certainly cheaper and more powerful but it's still nice to twiddle knobs and faders 😊

[@mrz80]

@@IanWaugh *nod* hence the Launch Control XL (s - at just a shade over a hundred clams used it's tempting to get a couple :) ). Two dozen knobs, 9 faders, some switches, and nearly infinitely configurable. I can map almost every control on pretty much every one of my main plugins (well, except for EightVoice maybe :D ). Being able to turn a knob rather than click/drag makes sound design and tweaking a lot friendlier.

[@IanWaugh]

@@mrz80 Yes, that's a really neat controller 👍

[@streettrash_sid]

I like the JD 08 synth. Ain’t got space for a unpractically huge JD800.

[@IanWaugh]

Good! 👍 😊

[@onemaxlight]

i bought it 3 days ago.. pity i find your video only NOW. i confirm everything you said. so nice the sound, so DRAMATIC to use, change something, no editor (in 2024 is it possible? this is something DISTURBED) when Korg WS, OPSIX has very superb and instantaneous FREE editors and librarians. don't know if send it back to amazon! i cannot take a university degree to configure and save a sound or try to load a JD800 patch.. ABSURD I bought the MoMos editor, but please... few € , ok, but throws out of window. This GUY knows what is an EDITOR? Another university degree to learn to configure it, and also.. IS IT ABLE TO SHOW THE PARAMETER OF THE SOUND YOU SELECT ON THE INSTRUMENT?? i was not able to do it and see it! the locations (A+B, C+D, 1.11, 1.12...)do not correspond to the banks on the instrument. If you select the sound A12, the parameter in the EDITOR do not show the fader positions and the right WAVE it is sounding NOW. you click on WAVEs and it change but do not SHOW the BASIC configuration of the sound... AND TO SAVE IT?? .. in 2024, MAC, DAWs... really disappointed

[@IanWaugh]

Hi Max - Sorry to hear that. Roland has really dropped the ball with this one 😠 The Momo editors only edit the buffer, not the internals - no sysEx so it can't be done. I no longer have the JD (kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIDGnX6IZb6aqbs) but I heard someone had developed a librarian to edit the single file banks the JD saves to your computer. Might be some help but doesn't make up for the JD's other failings

[@chizmo7]

I played the Jupiter-8 “boutique” and thought it was a joke. I actually felt embarrassed it was so stupid. I own a JD800 and of course there is no comparison. I could imagine using these in a portable way like taking it backpacking or on a vacation but in my home studio? I don’t think so.

[@IanWaugh]

Hi - Thanks for your Comment. I really think Roland has lost the plot with many recent hardware releases. It has a new CEO with a marketing background so I don't think things will improve... 😢