JD-800

Name: JD-800
Price: 149 USD
Author: Roland

by Roland · Synth · JD-800 digital synth emulation

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JD-800 is Roland's software version of its 1991 JD-800 digital synth, using the original 108 waveforms with four tones layered per patch.

It has the seven-effect chain and 3-band EQ, with 64 original and 64 new presets; it comes with Roland Cloud membership.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Ambient & Cinematic.

Keywords: 90s, bright, hardware emulation, monophonic, pads, classic, digital classic, modulation matrix, organ, polyphonic, sound design.

What it does

JD-800 is Roland's software version of its 1991 digital synthesizer, famous for its slider-covered panel and bright PCM sounds. Roland says it is crafted "to sound and behave exactly like the original hardware", using the original waveform data.

Waveforms: the original 108 JD-800 waves, with gain, coarse and fine pitch, pitch random and key follow per tone.
Four tones per patch: four complete synth layers in each patch, with more polyphony than the hardware.
Filters: a resonant multimode filter (TVF) per tone, with its own envelope, key follow, LFO and aftertouch control.
Envelopes and LFOs: time-variant pitch, filter and amp envelopes with velocity, time and key follow, plus two LFOs with sync, delay, fade, offset and key trigger.
Effects: distortion, phaser, spectrum, enhancer, delay, chorus and reverb, reorderable by drag and drop, plus a 3-band EQ.
Play modes: solo, legato, unison and portamento.
Presets: the 64 original factory presets plus 64 new patches from sound designers, with user banks.

It runs at 44.1 to 192 kHz. Roland offers it through Roland Cloud membership with a 30-day free trial.

Source: Roland product page

When to use it

JD-800 is the pick when you want the real early-90s Roland digital sound, built on the original waves and presets. Compared with Omnisphere 3 and Pigments 7 it is far narrower, but it gets you those crystalline pads, pianos and dance presets straight away, without building them from a huge library. Unlike Diva, which models analog circuits, its character is bright and digital rather than warm. Compared with Roland's D-50 it is brighter and more direct, with a filter on every tone and four layers instead of LA synthesis. Its editing is deep but tone-by-tone, so it suits players who are happy working with the mouse.

Best for: 90s digital pads, pianos, bells, organs and classic dance presets.
Genres: dance, house, pop, electronic and film.
Look elsewhere if: you want analog warmth (Diva or JUPITER-8) or a huge modern sound library (Omnisphere 3).

What producers say

Buyers say it sounds just like the hardware; the main complaint is about hands-on control.

Sweetwater users rate it 4.7 out of 5 from 3 reviews; one called the sounds "incredible" and another "as good as it gets".
Praise: the original presets plus 64 new ones, and easy editing compared with owning the hardware.
Criticisms: MIDI controller mapping works per tone rather than globally, so one user found mouse editing easier.

Sweetwater user reviews

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $149
Roland: see store

Tutorials and reviews

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