Photo of Roland JD-800 and more gear in a studio and synths

Roland JD-800

$356.55 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (52)

2 Critic Reviews

12 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Roland JD-800

8 community setups

35 wishlisted

112 saved

Page last updated Jul 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 7, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (5)

$356.55 30 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $357

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Roland JD-800 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit 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

What type of synthesis does the Roland JD-800 use?: 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.
How many keys does the Roland JD-800 have?: 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.
Is the Roland JD-800 suitable for live performances?: 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.
What is the polyphony capability of the Roland JD-800?: The Roland JD-800 offers 24-voice polyphony, allowing for rich and layered soundscapes without cutting off notes during complex performances.
Does the Roland JD-800 have MIDI capabilities?: 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

Add video

SynthMania

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

Add review

PROS

Unique, digitally cold sound signature akin to JD-990
Easy programming with tangible controls for tactile feedback
Diverse sound creation, excelling in pads with deep modulation potential
Solid build quality, described as a "beautiful machine"
Used by renowned synth artists, indicating professional-grade quality
Versatile for various production styles, with layering capabilities and expansion options
Distinctive 90's era sounds with extensive editing possibilities via large control panel

CONS

Original presets described as "early 90's garbage cheese"
Known "red glue problem" that affects keyboard durability
Some units may have partially stepping slide controls
Requires occasional repairs, though deemed worthwhile by users
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

0 0

The JD-800 is known for its "Red Glue" issue, which requires servicing to avoid potential damage to the keys.
Source
0 0

The metal strips under the keys, acting as springs, are delicate and require careful handling during maintenance to avoid damage.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The JD-800 is praised for its hands-on UI, offering immediate control over parameters, unlike many digital synths.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The JD-990 combines JD-800's sound with added full samples, making it more versatile than the JD-800.
Source
0 0

The Roland XV-5080 closely recreates the JD-800's sound without the resonance bug, offering almost all waveforms from the JD series.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

D-50's display backlight often needs replacement, and some users experience headroom issues due to aging components.
Source
0 0

Cleaning the red glue involves using lye drain cleaner, which dissolves the glue effectively without damaging the keybed parts.
Source
0 0

Owners suggest preemptively caulking the underside of the keybed to prevent potential red glue seepage in older JD-800 models.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners report that the D-50's programming interface is not intuitive, favoring the JD-800 for hands-on sound design.
Source
0 0

High heat, such as from a heatwave, can exacerbate the red glue issue, causing weights to drop from the keys.
Source
0 0

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

0 0

Adding a PG-1000 programmer enhances the D-50's usability, though it may cost more than the synth itself.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The JD-800 is praised for its pad sounds and 101-style sliders, enhancing its playability in live settings.
Source

Critic Reviews

Roland JD-800

soundonsound.com

Roland's JD-800 Model Expansion for the Roland Cloud successfully revives a classic '90s digital synth with its distinct sound, capturing the essence that made it beloved. The inclusion of the original factory presets alongside new ones delivers a nostalgic experience, albeit with dated sounds. The lack of physical controls is a notable loss, but the plug-in impressively maintains the JD-800's appeal. Subscription service concerns and the steep price for a lifetime key may deter some, yet for enthusiasts eager to relive a unique sonic era, this re-imagining hits the mark.

positive

Full Review

Roland JD-800 - best (vintage) digital pad synthesizer? - GreatSynthesizers

greatsynthesizers.com

The Roland JD-800 remains a standout in the digital synthesizer world, celebrated for its analog-like sound quality and intuitive design with 59 sliders, making it a dream for sound programmers. Its ability to produce lush, complex pads earns it high praise, although its polyphony and some hardware issues, like the infamous red glue, are notable drawbacks. Despite these flaws, its unique sound and tactile interface continue to captivate enthusiasts, making it a worthy investment even decades after its release. For those who can maintain it, the JD-800 offers a powerful and satisfying synthesis experience.

positive

Full Review

Add review

4.5 out of 5

Based on 12 Reviews and 52 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

accentbuster

111

over 6 years ago

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.

acidsyndicate

over 9 years ago

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.

jimmarchi1

41029

9 years ago over 9 years ago

slow envelopes though

jordansynth

182

almost 10 years ago

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.

sara_richey

about 11 years ago

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.

jimmarchi1

41029

11 years ago about 11 years ago

aww man, that's a 2 sentence review that says it all. The JD800 is a fun synth from an era of boring crap.

sara_richey

11 years ago about 11 years ago

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.

jack_price

almost 11 years ago

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 !

verlaeckt_stephan

134

over 6 years ago

Vangelis Atmosphere

Only one mistake on the keyboard stops me from using this synth. Repair is necessary but also worthwhile.

cfeijao

367

over 7 years ago

Sintetizador digital

Uma obra de arte da Roland. Esse teclado é capaz de produzir sons como um analógico real.

morten_vammen

128

about 7 years ago

NICE, but midi is slow

Nice as a solo thing, don't try to send multi channel controllers...nice pads...

Roles:

Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Experimental

dk8moore

306

almost 12 years ago

Mother of all modern synthesizers

Historic keyboard, totally '90s sounds, infinite possibility of editing with its large - full of fader - panel. It's very fragile (due the famous "red glue" issue that compromises the keyboard itself)

elias_kapravelos

105

over 10 years ago

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

Steve Hillier

Composer

Dubstar

Verified via Photo

Roland JD-800 pictured in this photo from the Dubstar comeback show of April 2013. Steve also references the JD-800 repeatedly on this website https://www.dubstar.com

和泉宏隆公式チャンネル

Keyboardist

T‐SQUARE

Verified via YouTube

At 3:25 you can clearly see the massive panel of the JD-800 on Izumi's top tier. "Even in the fog of war, the tank is still visible."

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)

[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.

Folk, World, & Country

Alternative Rock

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland JD-800, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Roland Juno-106 Synthesizers

Yamaha DX7 Synthesizers

Roland D-50 Synthesizers

Roland Jupiter-8 Synthesizers

Steinberg Cubase Music Software

Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer Drum Machines

Akai S1000 Audio Samplers

Roland Super JV-1080 Sound Modules

Korg Wavestation A/D Synthesizers & Sound Modules

Oberheim Matrix 1000 Sound Modules

Community setups

Show yours

jamie_breustedt

Gear IQ 124

chahxeex

Gear IQ 139

maarten_van_der_vleuten

Gear IQ 109

alix_marie

Gear IQ 127

teodor_pop

Gear IQ 135

colman_jones

Gear IQ 163

rettervondunkel

Gear IQ 770

rettervondunkel

Gear IQ 770

Similar

Add recommendation

1 alternative for Roland JD-800, curated by the Equipboard community.

Roland Boutique JD-08 Synthesizers

$319.00 - $479.99

10 available stores

4.5 (2)

cheaper alternative

Improve this

More Roland Synthesizers

Roland Jupiter-8 Synthesizers

$19,498.06

1 available store

5.0 (43)

^# 3

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

181 artists using

Roland Juno-60 Synthesizers

$2,000.00

1 available store

5.0 (91)

^# 11

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

265 artists using

Roland AIRA SYSTEM-1 Synthesizers

$279.18 - $1,763.18

2 available stores

4.5 (82)

^# 21

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

53 artists using

Roland Gaia SH-01 Synthesizer Synthesizers

$325.00 - $1,332.49

3 available stores

4.5 (73)

^# 23

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

59 artists using

Roland JD-Xi Interactive Crossover Synthesizer Synthesizers

$499.99 - $719.99

10 available stores

4.5 (86)

^# 26

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

26 artists using

Roland AIRA TB-3 Synthesizers

$309.99 - $915.00

3 available stores

4.5 (92)

^# 27

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

52 artists using

Roland System-8 Plug-Out Synthesizer Synthesizers

$1,469.00 - $2,159.99

8 available stores

5.0 (28)

^# 29

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

25 artists using

Roland Boutique JU-06 Synthesizers

$479.99 - $1,099.00

2 available stores

4.5 (63)

^# 31

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

35 artists using

Roland Juno-106 Synthesizers

$954.71

1 available store

5.0 (192)

^# 35

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

374 artists using

Roland JP-8000 Synthesizer Synthesizers

$734.39

1 available store

4.5 (65)

^# 38

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

110 artists using

Roland Boutique SH-01A Synthesizers

$350.50 - $494.99

10 available stores

4.5 (29)

^# 40

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

27 artists using

Roland D-50 Synthesizers

$196.76

1 available store

4.5 (67)

^# 41

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

164 artists using

Roland SE-02 Synthesizers

$404.99 - $819.99

9 available stores

4.5 (38)

^# 48

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

22 artists using

Roland Jupiter-6 Synthesizers

$4,295.00

1 available store

4.5 (38)

^# 49

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

85 artists using

Roland SH-101 Synthesizers

$1,115.34

1 available store

5.0 (92)

^# 51

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

249 artists using

Roland TB-303 Synthesizers

$2,199.00

1 available store

5.0 (73)

^# 58

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

155 artists using

Roland JD-XA Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer Synthesizers

$2,199.99 - $2,639.99

8 available stores

5.0 (12)

^# 59

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

32 artists using

Roland JX-8P Synthesizers

$149.00 - $368.00

2 available stores

4.5 (48)

^# 60

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

76 artists using

Roland JUNO-DS 61 Synthesizer Synthesizers

$799.99 - $837.73

5 available stores

4.5 (19)

^# 64

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

18 artists using

Roland FA-06 Synthesizers

$614.00 - $1,199.00

3 available stores

4.5 (26)

^# 65

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

15 artists using

Roland Boutique JU-06A Synthesizers

$344.00 - $479.99

10 available stores

5.0 (12)

^# 69

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

22 artists using

Roland JX-3P Synthesizers

$495.00

1 available store

4.5 (56)

^# 71

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

87 artists using

Roland MKS-50 Synthesizers

$940.00

1 available store

4.5 (19)

^# 74

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

18 artists using

Roland Juno-6 Synthesizers

$1,221.43

1 available store

4.5 (42)

^# 80

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

87 artists using

Roland AX-Edge Keytar (Black/Red) Synthesizers

$918.00 - $1,249.99

9 available stores

5.0 (5)

^# 98

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

15 artists using

Roland Juno-DS 88 Synthesizers

$888.00 - $1,199.99

5 available stores

4.5 (21)

^# 100

in Synthesizers Rank

Who’s using this:

8 artists using

Roland Boutique JP-08 Synthesizers

$7.53 - $479.99

2 available stores

4.0 (69)

Who’s using this:

42 artists using

Roland MC-202 MicroComposer Synthesizers

$596.24

1 available store

4.5 (26)

Who’s using this:

34 artists using

Roland Alpha Juno-2 Synthesizers

$417.38

1 available store

4.5 (40)

Who’s using this:

37 artists using

Roland JU-06A Synthesizers

$344.00 - $479.99

5 available stores

5.0 (3)

Who’s using this:

3 artists using

Roland SH-2 Synthesizers

$953.99

1 available store

5.0 (13)

Who’s using this:

31 artists using

Roland Jupiter-80 76-Key Synthesizer Synthesizers

$1,534.11

1 available store

4.5 (19)

Who’s using this:

45 artists using

Roland A-300PRO Synthesizers

$69.80 - $699.00

3 available stores

5.0 (12)

Who’s using this:

6 artists using

Roland V-Combo VR-09-B 61-key Stage Performance Keyboard Synthesizers

$652.00 - $1,888.00

7 available stores

4.5 (16)

Who’s using this:

6 artists using

Roland Alpha Juno-1 Synthesizers

$403.91

1 available store

4.5 (28)

Who’s using this:

19 artists using

Roland TB3 Synthesizers

$599.00

1 available store

4.5 (17)

Who’s using this:

12 artists using

Roland Juno-Di Synthesizer Synthesizers

$125.00

1 available store

4.5 (38)

Who’s using this:

25 artists using

Roland SH-201 Synthesizer Synthesizers

$440.63

1 available store

4.0 (45)

Who’s using this:

20 artists using

Roland Jupiter-Xm Portable Synthesizer Synthesizers

$1,252.00 - $1,869.99

9 available stores

4.5 (7)

Who’s using this:

8 artists using

Roland Jupiter-X 61-key Synthesizer Synthesizers

$2,200.00 - $3,189.99

10 available stores

5.0 (4)

Who’s using this:

8 artists using

See also: Synthesizers, Roland, Roland Synthesizers, Budget Synthesizers

Gear Guides

8 Best Synthesizers: Guide to Your First Hardware Synth 2026

Equipboard Gear Guides

8 Best Synthesizers: Guide to Your First Hardware Synth 2026

Michael Pierce + 1 more

Updated September 2024

The Teenage Engineering OP-1: Features & Workflows

Equipboard Learning Center

The Teenage Engineering OP-1: Features & Workflows

Juan Spinelli

Updated August 2025

Equipboard Gear Guides

Best Vocoders for Music Production

Mason Hoberg

Updated October 2025

6 Best Grooveboxes 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide & Reviews

Equipboard Gear Guides

6 Best Grooveboxes 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide & Reviews

S. Jino

Updated May 2025

Added to Equipboard on 06-16-2013 by

equipboard

Gear IQ 4934

Pricing and availability

Description

Product specs

FAQs

Videos

Reviews

PROS

CONS

Owner Insights

Build quality

Features and functionality

Comparisons

Setup and maintenance

User experience

Mods and upgrades

Use cases and applications

Critic Reviews

Roland JD-800

Roland JD-800 - best (vintage) digital pad synthesizer? - GreatSynthesizers

The wavetable classic by Roland with the monster interface

My fav synth ever!

The greatness of the D-50 matured.

Perfect for upbeat dance music. Very versatile. Layered sounds are BIG!

The JD800 is my favorite ROLAND synth of all times !

Vangelis Atmosphere

Sintetizador digital

NICE, but midi is slow

Mother of all modern synthesizers

Ambiance.

Artist usage

Album Usage

Genre Usage

Used With

Community setups

Similar

More Roland Synthesizers

Gear Guides

Most Popular Synthesizers

Most Popular Brands