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Average Price: $357
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Description
Embrace the nostalgia of the '90s with the Roland JD-800 Synthesizer, a digital synth that combines the best of both analog and digital worlds. Known for its touch-friendly interface, it comes with an array of sliders and real-time parameter controls that add depth and dimension to your music. This synth stands out for its impressive layering feature that allows you to combine four different synths into one patch. Although its 24-tone max polyphony may not be limitless, it's more than enough to create a rich, layered sound. With 100 built-in basic samples, multi-stage envelopes, and Roland's effects suite, the JD-800 provides a versatile platform for your sonic experiments.
Key Features:
- Touch-friendly interface with multiple sliders and real-time parameter controls
- Layering feature to combine four different synths into one patch
- 24-tone max polyphony
- 100 built-in basic samples and multi-stage envelopes
- Comes with Roland's effects suite
- Low-, high-, and band-pass filters
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | JD-800 61-Key Programmable Synthesizer |
| Finish | Carbon |
| Year | 1991 - 1995 |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Semi-Weighted |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Number of Keys | 61 Keys |
| Polyphony | 24 Voices |
FAQs
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What type of synthesis does the Roland JD-800 use?
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The Roland JD-800 is a digital synthesizer that utilizes sample-based synthesis, allowing for a wide range of complex and textured sounds suitable for various musical genres.
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How many keys does the Roland JD-800 have?
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The Roland JD-800 features a 61-key keyboard with full-size, semi-weighted keys, providing a responsive playing experience for both studio and live performances.
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Is the Roland JD-800 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Roland JD-800 is well-suited for live performances, offering hands-on control with numerous sliders and a robust build, making it easy to adjust sounds in real-time.
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What is the polyphony capability of the Roland JD-800?
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The Roland JD-800 offers 24-voice polyphony, allowing for rich and layered soundscapes without cutting off notes during complex performances.
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Does the Roland JD-800 have MIDI capabilities?
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Yes, the Roland JD-800 is equipped with MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, enabling seamless integration with other MIDI-compatible gear and DAWs.
Videos
SynthMania
Roland JD-800 - the 64 classic factory patches
Roland JD-800 - the 64 classic factory patches
SynthMania
Roland JD-800 Synthesizer - sounds part1
RetroSound
Roland JD-800 | The Mothership of 90s Synths
Espen Kraft
Roland JD-800 one of the best digital synths ever?
synthlegends
Holy Grail of Synths - The Roland JD-800 (Scum Night)
Vulture Culture
Best of Roland JD-800 Synthesizer ~ RetroSound Demo
RetroSound
Reviews
PROS
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Unique, digitally cold sound signature akin to JD-990
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Easy programming with tangible controls for tactile feedback
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Diverse sound creation, excelling in pads with deep modulation potential
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Solid build quality, described as a "beautiful machine"
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Used by renowned synth artists, indicating professional-grade quality
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Versatile for various production styles, with layering capabilities and expansion options
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Distinctive 90's era sounds with extensive editing possibilities via large control panel
CONS
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Original presets described as "early 90's garbage cheese"
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Known "red glue problem" that affects keyboard durability
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Some units may have partially stepping slide controls
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Requires occasional repairs, though deemed worthwhile by users
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Limited multi-channel controller support for solo performances
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland JD-800.
Build quality
Features and functionality
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The JD-800 is praised for its hands-on UI, offering immediate control over parameters, unlike many digital synths.
Source
Comparisons
Setup and maintenance
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D-50's display backlight often needs replacement, and some users experience headroom issues due to aging components.
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Cleaning the red glue involves using lye drain cleaner, which dissolves the glue effectively without damaging the keybed parts.
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Owners suggest preemptively caulking the underside of the keybed to prevent potential red glue seepage in older JD-800 models.
Source
User experience
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Owners report that the D-50's programming interface is not intuitive, favoring the JD-800 for hands-on sound design.
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High heat, such as from a heatwave, can exacerbate the red glue issue, causing weights to drop from the keys.
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Despite extensive repairs, owners consider the JD-800 a valuable piece of their collection due to its iconic design and distinctive sound.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Adding a PG-1000 programmer enhances the D-50's usability, though it may cost more than the synth itself.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 12 Reviews and 52 Ratings
111
The wavetable classic by Roland with the monster interface
Got it once cheap from the previous owner and used it in a couple of productions. The sound is kind of special & digitally cold (very similar to the JD-990). Slide controls in my unit are partially stepping, but it has no "red glue problem" until now.
My fav synth ever!
I owned many synths but this big fellow remains in my studio. For me the Roland JD800 has the best sound and feel. He is easy to be programming and I use it for his great pads. The Roland is used by many great synth artist like Klaus Schulze, Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre and that is not for nothing. If you find one and you buy it probably you won't regret it.
41029
slow envelopes though
182
The greatness of the D-50 matured.
A solid mixture of virtual analog and early 90's esqe wave ROM style synthesis. It is known for it's pads but I feel like it is great for most types of patches. The multi-stage envelopes and deep modulation potential allows you to add much more depth and variance to your patches to give it a dense and lush quality few synths can come close to.
70
Perfect for upbeat dance music. Very versatile. Layered sounds are BIG!
Used this for about 20 years. I love the versatility and layering. If possible, get the Dance expansion.
41029
aww man, that's a 2 sentence review that says it all. The JD800 is a fun synth from an era of boring crap.
70
So sweet and bright and just fun! At 60 I am getting back into music. Lots of rust but am so exited! Love your baby.
67
The JD800 is my favorite ROLAND synth of all times !
The JD800 is not that big, the sound is like an enhanced Roland D50, very clean and with presence, millions times than the JV line. I Love It !
Vangelis Atmosphere
Only one mistake on the keyboard stops me from using this synth. Repair is necessary but also worthwhile.
128
NICE, but midi is slow
Nice as a solo thing, don't try to send multi channel controllers...nice pads...
105
Ambiance.
Only one word can describe this synth. Ambiance,death,disease. Or at least that's how I make mine sound like.
Artist usage
Add artist
Among the items sold on Corgan's official Reverb.com shop.
The Roland JD-800 is a synthesizer used by Prince in the 1990s. It appears on albums from Love Symbol through to Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic.
In the video "INSIDE: Charlie Puth Home Studio" by Caleb Simpson on YouTube, Charlie Puth is seen in his home studio with a Roland JD-800 synthesizer to his right at the start of the video, which he later highlights at the 3:00 mark.
Martin Gore can be seen playing a Roland JD-800 in this photo.
Se le puede observar en esta presentación en el 3:35 con más claridad.
Carl Cox uses the Roland JD-800 Synthesizer in his project "Carl Cox Collective - My Life In Music," as detailed on Loopmasters.
In an interview with Red Bull Music Academy, Jean Michel Jarre mentions the Roland JD-800 Synthesizer as one of his favorite synths.
Liam Howlett once acquired a JD800, though he says he quickly regretted his decision: "I played a JD800 in a shop, and thought it was pretty cool; it seemed to have the analogue feel. So I thought I could get all the analogue sounds on other equipment (...) When I got the JD800 home, I knew within a week I wasn't happy with it. I'm definitely getting the Minimoog back!"
He's also using a Roland JD800, Korg T2 and Yamaha SY77 and SY99 - a nice selection of electronics, if you can afford it.
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Inside the album "You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby", on the bottom left is the JD-800
Specified in this December 1, 2016 equipment overview video. It is also mentioned in this July 1999 Sound on Sound interview and this July 14, 2020 Music Radar interview covering Wakeman's top five synths.
Sound on Sound, July 1999, "Rick Wakeman - Recording Return To The Centre Of The Earth"
"For touch‑sensitivity, I used the brand new Fatar keyboard. Close your eyes and it really is like playing a piano. All of the piano on the album is real piano [a Steinway 9‑foot]. For soloing, my favourite keyboard is the Minimoog. After the Minimoog, my second favourite is the Roland JD800, which I MIDI up with other instruments. It's interactive — I love being able to fiddle with the knobs as I play. From Roland's point of view the machine was almost a total disaster. They brought it out at a time when people didn't want to play around with sound, but that's all changed. I have a sneaking suspicion that the JD800 will be discovered by some spotty little 19‑year old, who thinks 'this is great' — it'll appear on Top Of The Pops, and then we'll all be searching for JD800s! Other favourites include Korg's 01W ProX and X5DR."
Music Radar, July 14, 2020, "Rick Wakeman on his top 5 synths: 'I suddenly had an instrument that could give the guitar a run for its money'"
“I hope you’ll indulge me with one digital machine. By the time the ‘90s came around, synths were getting pretty boring. It was all about presets. Here you go, lots of lovely sounds that we’ve programmed for you. I didn’t want that. I wanted a synth that you could get your teeth into.
“This was the first digital one that reminded me of the early days… plenty of knobs and sliders to play with. And even though it was digital, it had some nice, analogue-y sounds.
Album Usage
The Roland JD-800 has been featured on the following albums:
Insomnia
Faithless (2025)
Gentō
Steve Rothery & Thorsten Quaeschning (2025)
Face It Alone
Queen (2022)
The Painter
William Orbit (2022)
Sand, Moon & Stars
Carl Cox (2021)
I Was Born To Love You (Live at Summer Sonic, Tokyo, Japan / 2014)
Queen & Adam Lambert (2020)
Synthwaves
Ulrich Schnauss & Thorsten Quaeschning (2017)
Foje
Foje (2017)
SILENT HILL2 （Original Soundtrack）
Akira Yamaoka (2001)
Sinfonía Para Adolescentes
Sui Generis (2000)
Return to the Centre of the Earth
Rick Wakeman (1999)
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic
Prince & Prince (1999)
You've Come A Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim & The BPA & Norman Cook (1998)
World Receiver
Tetsu Inoue (1996)
Made in Heaven
Queen (1995)
Very (2018 Remaster)
Pet Shop Boys (1993)
![Roland JD-800 as heard on [Love Symbol] by The New Power Generation & Prince & Prince (1992)](https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/album/image/23004/love-symbol.jpg)
[Love Symbol]
The New Power Generation & Prince & Prince (1992)
Sugar Tax
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1991)
28 Gun Bad Boy
A Guy Called Gerald (1991)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland JD-800, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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