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Description
The Roland JD-990 is a classic digital synthesizer module that has captured the hearts of musicians and producers since its introduction. Known for its rich, lush sound and incredible versatility, the JD-990 offers a wide array of sonic possibilities, making it a staple in both studio and live settings. With its advanced synthesis architecture, the JD-990 provides a deep level of sound design potential, allowing users to craft anything from warm pads and atmospheric textures to aggressive leads and punchy basses.
One of the standout features of the JD-990 is its 4-Tone Structure per patch, enabling complex layering and modulation possibilities. Its compatibility with PCM cards and waveform expansion capabilities further enhance its sound palette, providing a virtually limitless range of timbres. Musicians and producers appreciate the JD-990 for its intuitive interface, which combines an LCD display with a hands-on control layout, fostering a seamless workflow.
The JD-990's flexible modulation options and array of onboard effects, including reverb and chorus, allow for intricate sound shaping and dynamic performances. Its MIDI connectivity ensures that this synthesizer module integrates smoothly with other gear, making it a perfect fit for modern setups.
Key Features:
- 4-Tone Structure per patch for complex sound design
- PCM card compatibility for waveform expansion
- Onboard effects including reverb and chorus
- Intuitive interface with LCD display
- MIDI connectivity for seamless integration with other equipment
- Advanced modulation options for dynamic sound shaping
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | Super JD-990 Sound Module |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1993 - 1996 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Digital Synthesizers, Rackmount Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Polyphony | 24 Voices |
FAQs
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What are the standout features of the Roland JD-990 sound module?
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The Roland JD-990 is known for its advanced digital synthesis capabilities, offering 24-voice polyphony and a wide array of editable parameters. It features a comprehensive MIDI implementation, allowing for detailed control and integration with other MIDI-enabled devices.
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Is the Roland JD-990 compatible with modern MIDI setups?
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Yes, the Roland JD-990 includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through ports, making it compatible with modern MIDI setups for seamless integration into both vintage and contemporary workflows.
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Can the Roland JD-990 be used for live performances?
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While the JD-990 is primarily a studio rackmount sound module, its robust MIDI capabilities and high-quality sound engine make it suitable for live performances when paired with a MIDI controller or sequencer.
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What type of synthesis does the Roland JD-990 utilize?
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The Roland JD-990 utilizes digital synthesis, offering a wide range of sounds and textures suitable for various musical genres, from ambient to electronic.
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How does the Roland JD-990 compare to the JD-800?
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The JD-990 is a rackmount version of the JD-800, providing similar sound capabilities with additional features like expanded polyphony and enhanced editing options, making it a versatile choice for studio use.
Videos
Espen Kraft
Roland JD-990 | From techno to pop, this could do it all in the 90s
Roland JD-990 | From techno to pop, this could do it all in the 90s
Espen Kraft
Roland JD-990 demo by Don Solaris
Don Solaris
Roland JD-990 - Superluminal Patches
Soundsauca
Roland JD-990 (Sound Check)
Tiago Mallen
Roland Super JD-990 Preset Demo Part 1
Aristotle Kumpis
Roland JD-990 Sound Demo (no talking) Custom Presets for Ambient and Electronica: Symbiosis Soundset
LFOstore
JD Worship - Roland JD-990 Demo
Soundsauca
Roland JD 990 Sound Demo Factory Patches
René Feuerlein
Reviews
PROS
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Easy to use interface
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Synth sound meets modern standards
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Ideal for pads, textures, synthesized sounds
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Sounds more analog than some analog synths
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Fat patches that are mind-blowing
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Easy programmability with a huge display
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Compatible with SR-JV80-04 Vintage Synth expansion for enhanced sounds
CONS
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Acoustic sounds may not be as realistic
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland JD-990.
Features and functionality
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Owners praise the vintage expansion for enhancing the JD-990's sweet sound, setting it apart from newer Roland JV models.
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The JD-990's filter clipping can be managed by adjusting resonance: below 50% at 0% keytracking and below 30% at 100% keytracking.
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Experimenting with structure settings 3 and 4 enables ring modulation and series filter configurations, useful for creating complex, evolving sounds.
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The JD-990 is considered more versatile for creating both realistic and experimental semi-acoustic/semi-synth patches due to its sample-based synthesis.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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To add custom patches, users recommend using a sysex dump with Sysex Librarian for Mac.
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The JD-990 can simultaneously edit multiple tones by holding one tone button and tapping others.
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The JD-990's encoder is a unique part no longer produced, caution is advised to preserve its functionality.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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A teardown video on YouTube guides users through the screen replacement process for the JD-990.
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For RAM card upgrades, ensure compatibility with the JD-990's smaller, deeper card aperture.
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A popular modification is upgrading the screen to a black on blue background, costing around $200.
Source
Comparisons
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The XV-5080 is functionally similar to the JD-990 but includes JV series samples and fixes the filter bug where high resonance causes clipping.
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The JD-990 offers more oscillator waveform options, including full looped samples of strings and flutes, compared to the JD-08's single-cycle wavetables.
Source
Software and compatibility
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 22 Ratings
236
Just awesome! Roland's best synth ever!
It's quite easy to use, and the synth sound is totally up to today's standards. Only the acoustic sounds may not sound as realistic, but who gives a f*? This thingy is perfect for pads, textures, synthesized sounds! For me personally this is a highly valuable machine because Mike Oldfield used this extensively for his best album (IMO) named "The Songs of Distant Earth" in 1994.
243
Amazing synth. Almost everything it does sounds great
Even though this synth is digital, it sounds more analog than some analog synths (is that even possible?)! Some of the patches are so fat, it's mind blowing. What's also great about this one is its very easy programmability. Thanks to the huge display, you can see what you do as you are editing. If you can get your hands on one, make sure to get it together with the vintage synth expansion card for the best sounds!
411
Notes
Equipped withSR-JV80-04 Vintage Synth - perhaps the last digital synthesizer from Roland
Artist usage
Add artist
"This one has my go-to Analog Brass! I have a lot of usual choices for instruments in my mind"
"I used a Waldorf Microwave XT, Korg Prophecy, Roland JD-990, Clavia Nord Lead 2 Rack, and an E-mu E6400.
Found on Jerome's Website.
Persing is the founder of Spectrasonics, a company specializing in developing World Class software 'virtual instruments' since 1994. He has produced dozens of the sampling industry's top selling titles and gone on to create the award-winning Omnisphere, Keyscape, Stylus RMX, Trilian, Atmosphere and Trilogy software virtual instruments. Eric's ground-breaking instruments and sound libraries are the best selling and most widely used in the world. Spectrasonics products are in constant use on thousands of major film, television, music, game and multimedia productions.
In addition to being the Creative Director of Spectrasonics, Eric was a longtime consultant and the Chief Sound Designer for Roland Corporation Japan from 1984-2005, creating the key sounds for many popular Roland synthesizers, samplers, CD-ROMs, expansion boards, processors and groove devices - from the vintage Jupiter and JX series, to the legendary D-50, D-70, JD-800/990, R8, S-series samplers, JV-880/1080/2080, the Sound Canvas, JP-8000/8080, MC-505/909, The V-Drums, XV-5080, Fantom series, the V-Synth and many more.
Listen on the equipment page of artist's website, also seen in studio photos and interview videos
At [15:42] Paul Shaffer plays sound that was used on the Late Show with David Letterman opening theme. [I-61 2-way Slide]
Kurt Ader, known for his work with KApro, uses the Roland JD-990 synthesizer, as indicated on his Facebook page.
Marty: "My main tools are the Emu E4XT Ultra, and Proteus 2000, Roland JD-990, and XV-5080, and the Kurzweil K2500X. I've got a ton of plug-ins for Pro-Tools and Digital Performer. I haven't switched over to an entirely software based studio but I probably will at some point. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways, and sometimes the old guys are just lazy."
In this photo the JD990 can be seen on the left side of the rack.
In this Instagram video, Monolithic can be seen using the Roland JD 990.
In the video titled "Studio Tour!" by Alex Ball, at 7:01, he reveals a list of devices connected to the MOTU MIDI Express 128 MIDI interface, with the Roland JD-990 appearing first on the list, confirming its use in his studio setup.
Don Solaris highlights the enduring appeal of the Roland JD-990, noting that many professionals, including film composers and producers, preferred it over the popular JV-1080 due to its superior sound quality. Despite the JV-1080's initial popularity, the JD-990 remained a staple for those who valued its exceptional audio performance.
Album Usage
The Roland JD-990 has been featured on the following albums:
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-990, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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