Roland JD-800

This synth is huge!, weighs a tonne, built like a panzer tank. Its like being sat at the controils of, the starship Enterprize, with so many, sliders, buttons, and switches.and, wouldnt look out of place, on A, Stelf Bomber, with its design contours.

It's sheer size, could, be off putting. the presets, pretty cool, especialy with a bit of tweeking, crisp, very thick powerful sounding. you can make some pretty evil sounding noise, that will scare the pants off you, and make your neighbours move out, and take holly communion, or contact an excersist. 64 presets in all, youd think there had been more, for the time it was produced. more suited to, someone with experience of abstractive synthesis, but, as a novice,youll still, be able to blow your mind, just by, twideling, the controils.

This synth, has a mind of its own, just a simple twiddle of one of the controils, makes such an incredible diffrence to the sound.you could spend the rest of your life just twiddling away, to your hearts content, in synth heaven.

Although your partner, may feel neglected, and upset, your not twiddling them.

This beast, has so many controis, it would rival, the contoil panel, of Heathrow airport, or, JFK. The keyboards not too bad, ive come across worse. Not, weighted keys, but, touch sensitive, on this synth, really blows you away. just when you think the sounds finished, it comes back with the most, incredable, sounds at times.

Turning this thing on, and youll be dazzeld, by a stunning array of, L.E.D,s. in the dark, youll be away in fairy land. after a few drinks, youd have a, dazzeling performing light show, to, give you an extra high........., oh sorry, where was I?. Oh yes.

Dosent have a, sequencer, or, apprigator, but this is a classic synth, with great sounds, and incredable sonic potential, to rival, a lot of other synths out there.

You are only limited by your imagination, or lack of it. Id say, this is the, most expressive synths, ive ever owned,so I cant really comment on others really. only to say,if you cant express your self on,this synth,it would be unbelivable.

This is a Digital synth, with, anolouge controils. people go on about digital, sounding cold, not as warm as, anolouge, fair comment,but I dont mind so much, ad I like some of the quality charicteristics. ie, spacey, clear, almost clinical sounding.

Digital synths, always inspire me to write movie sound track kinds of music. there are plenty of, great sound pads.and,solos too.
It would suit, possibly, every type of music. Rock, pop, ect. and has been used by, many artists out there.especialy in the 90s. Not sure about, Hiphop, trance ect. never used it, look elsewhere for that.

Like I said before, this is built like a tank, and is very, heavey!. around, 15 kilos. so, not the most gig friendly, as was the, vintage synths of old. unless your Arnold swartzaniger, or superman, you may have a problem.
I have researched a lot about this synth, and found owners claim, some of the buttons need, to be pressed hard to work. and, that the, keys were set, on a base with glue, that, is prone to melt, at higher tempretures. I dont really know myself, never had that trouble.

This is a Roland synth, Ive always found Roland uk, ok, but, not always, having spares, for older synths. Try looking at. vintage planet.com on the net, they maybe able to help, with new switches ect.
I bought mine over the internet, second hand from a shop. in Reading uk. M... Man. It was in such bad condition, and, faulty. so be warned!.

I think this synth, is, a future classic one of the best synths, so Im told, Roland produced. and, worth a look if your a collector, or , old school hardware fan.

They can, still be bought rather cheaply at the moment. there were apparantly, only a few thousand made, with most owners, reluctant to sell, these things are set to get rarer, and be in more demand in time.
I think my experiance, with the seller, and size of the beast, has put me off, buying another. Although vsts are not as good as the real thing in my opinion, ill wait for a vst version to come out. takes up, too much room, Ive already got a , Korg Triton, Roland Jp8000, Microkorg, Korg o1 wfd. Roland Juno 106, Yamaha sy85, Novation ks4, Roland w30. Korg electribe Ea1 Mk11, variouse vsts.

I bought mine, after reading all, the reviews and comments. and, sound wise, and veratility, didnt dissopoint me,one bit.lovely synth, sounds amazing.

Software-version on my JD-800 is 1.01 and works stable (as I would expect from a Roland-Synth).

The are a few factory preset-sounds which are inspiring, but most of them are unusable. As most people already said: this is a SYNTHESIZER, and it sounds best when you program your own sounds.

Editing patches is so much fun on this thing !! I really love sliders, as you can move up to 3 or 4 sliders simultaniously for incredible live sound-changes. There is a slight amount of zipper-noise when moving sliders fast (minus one point), but I don't consider it a big problem.

I was fortunate to get both English manuals with the second hand unit and a Dutch manual at the local music store. The English manuals are complete (if not too...) Tne Dutch manual is a bit childish. On the other hand, I needed the manual for only a few thing, as the panel practicly speaks for itself.

Polyphony is reasonable (max. 24). It's an "old" synth by now (1991), so don't expect it to play complete complex multitimbral compositions, but that's not a real problem with modern sequencing-software.

I don't really like the keyboard. Mine makes irritating clicking noises when played hard. It doesn't feel real solid and has a really plastic touch (minus one point). And the aftertouch needs a LOT of pressure to be activated (minus one point). I am afraid to break some keys, so i don't use it much. I've read that there are solutions to the aftertouch-problem, so I'll be cheching that later.

The FX are quite good for a 1991-FX-processor. Only the Chorus is bit weak. Stereo (L/C/R/) delay is really cool !!

64 Memory locations is not much, but there are good Patch-organizer programs around. Loading a complete bank (64 sounds) into the JD via Sys-Ex takes about 12 seconds, and there are loads of really nice soundbanks to find on the web.

MIDI-implemtation is ok. Sliders send sys-ex data. It would have been better if they would send controller-data, but it's better than no midi-controll at all.

Aah, this is why i wanted to write this review. I've had many digital synths through the years (Korg O1/W, Wavestation, Kurzweil K2000, Yamaha Motif6 and XS7, but this is the MIGHTIEST sounding (digital) synth of them all. In general I don't like Roland synths that much. I prefer the much more refined sound of the modern Yamaha synths, but this is one Roland synth I always wanted to have. It was a dream come true to finally get one (I traded it for my Motif6, which I didn't need anymore because I bought the XS7). And I absolutely don't regret it. Man, is the this a beautiful synth. Let me get one thing straight: it's a DIGITAL synth and it also SOUNDS digital. Don't expext it to do cutting sync sounds (I'm looking for a JD-990 for that) or weird analog filter-stuff with it. But I'm NOT saying that it doesn't sound warm or full. On the contrary, the sound is HUGE, it's better than anything Roland produced after the JD-series. Shimmering pads, souring solo's, spooky FX-sounds, thick basses, this thing is Space All Over The Place!!!! In terms of synthetic sounds it definatly blows away my new XS7 (which is really beautiful as well).

Now I'm looking out for a JD-990 to expand my JD-corner with sync, FXM, Ringmodulation, tone panning and expanded modulation ......

Built quite solid, I have confidence in taking it out on the road. One thing I have to say about Roland products in general, is that they are very reliable. I don't expect any weird thing thing to happen to the synth. And when it does, the technicians of Roland are still around repairing all their products.

Customer support in The Netherlands is done by Roland in Belgium, and I have to give them my complements on the service. They are friendly and know what they are doing and saying.

If it was stolen, I would be VERY, VERY SAD, and I would definatly buy one again if I could. This is the only instrument (besides my Rhodes-piano) of which I'm sure that I'll never sell it. I'm really looking foreward to expanding my JD-800 with the JD-990, since it's possible to control the parameters of the JD-990 with the sliders of the JD-800. And the JD-990 has some nice additional sound-creating features. I'm looking out for the WAVE-cards as well.

I am using version 1.00 as of Feb.1 1991. The second manual is the reference manual that goes into more detail about how the JD-800 Synth can be set. The 2nd manual is in five parts with the first part, 144 pages, 2nd part - Multi-mode is 34 pages, 3rd part - System Settings is 24 pages, 4th part - Data Transfer is 14 pages, and the 5th part - Appendix is 64 pages that also give examples for some sounds and how each envelope can change the sound and why. After all of that you can now struggle to create sounds on the JD-800. After all of that around 3 months later you may begin to understand how to start making up sounds. After 30 years you still can make sounds up, being a full-time job. And then you can change them while you are playing in real-time. I wish you luck in programming this synth. Using pre-made patches or downloading patches that others have done will probably be faster but still, a person should learn the basics while attempting not to completely screw up any sounds that may be made. In fact, I suggest making a blank sheet for your home computer in which everything that is listed and every setting you make is stored as data to be recalled later like a Word document or Excel data sheet. Unless downloading data to be entered as a computer can do, then doing it manually will take lots of time. If you like doing this, then it can be fun, and if you get frustrated by it, then it may give you a headache and take hours to truly tweak one patch. Practice makes perfect.

The JD-800 16 channels and can be made poly or omni mode. There are 4 modes. Mode 1: OMNI ON, POLY. Mode 2: ONMI ON, MONO. Mode 3: OMNI OFF, POLY. Typical mode. Mode 4: OMNI OFF, MONO. It can recognized 0-127 true voices although 24-108 are only transmitted at one time. Change the octave of the patch. It is only 61 keys not 88 keys although all is there. Velocity of notes 1-127. Pitch Bender - 9 bit resolution or if you like about 5 octaves. Control Change has the usual which can be transmitted also in real-time. In fact, everything can be real-time moving the sliders while you play. It is only 24 voice at the most or one tone for a patch, while 4 tones for a patch will end up 6 notes poly. All can be stored on extra data cards and called up to change patches on the fly in real-time. Reset is an option. There are 108 waveforms with some better than others, like strings, synth sounds, piano, brass, usually drums sounds lacking.

This is the heart of the beast. Although the keyboard is light to me, meaning very touchy, use an expression pedal (or volume control), once use to it, it can be devastating, but still the touch is critical. Exercise those fingers for it is not like a regular piano, in fact far from one. The hardest thing to get use to is trying to play it correctly which remains a very-light touch to express anything. It will react to your playing but once again, the key will be down all the way before you can control your fingers well enough to use the features that is contained in the keyboard. The effects are good but added at the end of the chain of the patch although I like the equalizer, reverb, and chorus, and effects they also can be ruined when you set them if you do not take time to learn what each can do. That is another category of settings in the manual. The synth is 18-bit oversampled and better than my JV-1080 for sounding fat, full, tinny, or anything else in between. There is always the reset button because that is another work category - changing the sounds, creating those sounds, and even in real-time if you practice enough to learn it all. A person can truly create really bad sounds on this synth not knowing what to do. I prefer usual sounds like classical perhaps, but then again, this synth is programmable and it truly is programmable to extreme badness or extreme - Wows!

I have not traveled much with this synth, it sits inside. Otherwise I suggest a case for it although the few times I moved it, it is not a 450lb. Hammond Organ with Leslie. It weighs about 33lbs and the amp to amplify it with will weigh more by quite a bit and the music speakers to really turn it up. Otherwise it has been reliable but my synth needs some work with the unit and new batteries in it (ah- probably just new batteries). Otherwise not a fault with it ever working, although I tend not to try and destroy things. I suggest no drinks spilled into it, or anything of that nature. It is a computer in the end and all the care for a computer must be used along with cleaning only with a damp cloth and other electronic cleanings that may be needed to fully restore years of using it. My place is not dust free, so the dust and dirt around is not destroying it, so it is reliable but not in the rain or dampness outside. Use it only on a sunny day, for it is like Sunshine.

I have no experience with this option although I did ask how much it would cost to change batteries where I bought it. Otherwise, there has been no need to call the company except to say that the JD-800 still works 16 years later and probably will work another 16 years with taking care of the synth which is programmable, a programmable synthesizer which does not mean just calling up another patch but making sounds for a new patch, many of which can be stored (although again using a battery) on data cards for the unit. I suggest additional home computer data storage, and Exclusive Messages sent to that MIDI connection on that sound card in a music program to make many tracks of a recording although the real output to the real input of a sound card for wave file recordings will really be the Most!

I paid original price for it, and no you can not have it at any price ever. Get that through your head right now, and you will be better off. I been playing since I learnt accordian around the age of 4-5 years old, off and on. It is a very touchy keyboard though, not like a piano, and an organ also like the old Hammond organs, you usually end up pressing the key down all the way, but if you could control it, it all would be similiar, just a piano is better that way. This synth is not a Moog, or a new type just set the patch synth. This JD-800 is programmable, but still going from 20Hz to 20,000Hz will introduce in the high end, the usual synth type noise. With 18-bit oversampled waveforms, that will be better than the newer 16-bit seemingly compressed waveforms which will end up being noiser it seems and not quite as good. But no problem if you set the synths correctly and tweak the sounds, the JD-800 is still programmable and real-time which can not be done on some newer synths with categorized sounds emanating from those synths. Easier to use, yes, but the JD-800 is programmable, or did I not mention that. Programmable!

all straight forward once you get it, but
I hate the menues.

keyboard is not the best, I use an S90 to play this synth.
Especially when it comes to aftertouch. Cool features anyway.

This synth is not so hyped and can be bought quite cheap. Get it. It can sound very fat and rich depending on your programming. Nothing for beginners. Though it's digital, it can sound very analog. A unique character. "Dream pads" are very strong on this synth. Good for Techno/House pads.

10 points for this baby. I am glad that I own it.

No idea about software versions on this baby. The prests sound quite good, but 64 patches is a bit slimm, even for 1991. The anlaog-style patches would fool all but the most pedantic otaku types, but this is not the real reason for getting a jd800. I was lucky enough to get both manuals, the players guide and reference book, but these hardly get used - as the ad says, "it does what is says on the tin!"

OK, 24 notes of polyphony are standard, but this is split when more than 1 OSC is used. So using the 4 tones at once yields 6-note polyphony. The beast is 6-part multitimbral, but is best used as a sort of solo/performance synth, rather than a workstation. This allows use of 8 effects total, including EQ, various distortions, but multi mode is just the basic chorus & reverb. Again, another reason why this is a performance synth. An aftertouch and velocity sensitive keyboard add the finishing touch to Rolands' digital flagship, but no sequencer, or MIDI clock function to speak of.Cards are rarer than hen's teeth to find, I'm on the lookout on eBay for some sounds.

First of all, the filters. LP, BP, & HP. When using more than 1 OSC, a different filter can be assigned to each part. There are not many waves compared to todays souped-up sample based beasties, but I tend to agree with some users who think too many waves to scan through can end up slowing the creative process. They seem to suit most eventualties, The pianos and clavs are quite good, although some people feel this is not a strong point on the jd800, they should suit most styles. The electric guitar patches are awesome, making good use of the distortion. As I tend to write industrial-type sounds, a bit of dirt is always welcome. Even patches like the pan pipes, which I would normally shun, respond so well to playing, and can be tweaked so easily, they end up getting used. Aftertouch seems a bit stiff sometimes, but his is often to do with settings. Velocity seems very good, a nice stable keyboard, semi-weighted, feels quite professional

I've seen a lot of JD800s' on eBay with the odd fault pots, sliders, keys etc not working, etc - I've been quite fortunate in this is a near perfect example. I've heard that the battery is some bog-standard lithium thingy, so should slide in and out. I would hesitate to take this to a gig, due to its' size, and the fact it is 15 years old and getting hard to find jds' in good condition. But if I had to appear on TV or something - this baby looks cooler than any Fairlight or whatever, monitor or no. Fingers crossed I'll still be using this in another 15 years!!!

I phoned Roland in the off-chance they had some cards lying around - no joy there, but thet answered my call quickly enough. I've heard they are quite good for repairs, but I hope I will never need to find out the hard way.

Now if this were stolen, I would walk the earth until I found the person responsible, and bring him to a bloody reckoning. Oh yeah. I consider this to be well worth the money I paid, and would buy it again. I have been playing since 1979, and own some cool synths, some VA synths - Korg MS2000, ER-1, Roland SH32, Redsound EleVAta. I have recently started buying DIGITAL to get some unusual tones - Waldorf Microwave XT, Evolution EVS1, Korg Wavestation SR, and now the jd800. This is a synth I have always wanted but could never afford until recently. What I want is - for Roland to re-release this superb synth again, with a few more "bells and whistles", like all original PCM data from the cards loaded, I would certainly pay #2000 GBP for that!
So, COME ON ROLAND. Instead of releasing thing like the Juno-D and Juno-G (which, design-wise, show a nod of the head the Roland Legacy), give the kids what they want - and give us the jd800 MK2. NOW.
The world is listening...

There is nothing to bother about using this keyboard unless u are using MIDI. The presets are not that good as they use the factory raw waveforms. It is a synth that use wavwforms (PCM)as its source foritstone generator. But still there were good string dounds in the factory preset. Editing patches is the easiesty and the keyboard's main idea of production, although most use it in gigs. I could make my own sounds without taking down parametyer lists and stuff, as it was done with a couple of movement of sliders on the board.I have described the other datails in another review.

See my oth4er review

Believe me, i have a Korg Trinity Pro, and a Roland FantomX, still they cannot beat the jd fromthe chracter of its sound. It is very unique and i realized it soon after i started playing it. In my point of view its is definitely a hit in its time and even today,something like the JD-800 could be a top model synth which could have inrroduced to the market from another company.
The pianos are good not excellent because sound reproduction is not its purpose in music. It is a synth, but still capable of generating some sound which are very nice and real llike. Distortion guitar with hthe modulation and the traspose wheel is fun to play very realistic disrtotion guitar.

when i purchased it, it was like hell (only the keybed ). Roland keyboards face a serious proiblem ion asian countries. The gum which binds the weiughts to the keys getmelt and ruin the whole thing. so i had to remove the gum with kerosene oil. Also two key pads were replaced during the last year. The conductive sheet underneath the keys is made of a very very unreliable flexible polastic that of the similar sheet we find in computer keyboards. Not at all good for such a professional product...But fortunately i found that the felible conductive sheet of Roland U20 synthesizer is equivalent to the JD's. Soi used a U20's sheet instead.
At gigs i cannot solely depent on it due to the bugs, especially in MIDI connections. So i use it with a backup.

Never

If it were lost or stolen, would you buy it again, believe me its better than KORG Trinityin many aspects. But toexperience that you must own a JD (only 24000 units were produces in 1991)

Bios 1.01.

with all those sliders it's the easiest synth to program. The manual II is just superb and the best Roland has ever written.

If you see one in a second hand store don't judge it on the preset sounds, these are not the sounds what this synth can produce!

Nothing much to say. The String card is a must have! On ebay these rare cards (pn-jd80-04 and so-jd-04) are being sold for lots of money.
Expect to pay between 150 and 300 Euro!

Everyone writes polyphony (6 when u use 4 tones) is a disadvantage.
I don't think so as you get FAT sounds.

I also have 2 JD990's and it's great you can use the JD800 sliders to edit sounds on the JD990.

This is the BEST sounding DIGITAL synth. It sounds FAT, I even dare to write WARM! It creates everything you want oberheim obxa, jupiter 8,minimoog sounds, yeah they sound digital but FAT and STABLE, never out of tune. It can also create incredible effects, vox sounds, crazy electric guitars, everthing you can imagine or almost everything.

In January 2006, I've seen people selling JD 800's for 400 Euro! I will buy them all! One day they will cost as much as a jupiter 8 now...I hope.

Compare it with a fantomX, triton, and other synth. Even with vintage cards installed they do not sound as BIG as the JD800.

Aftertouch is great but after playing the keyboard a lot aftertouch is stiff to use. you can solder a trimpot across R27 (don't detach or remove R27, attach in parallel), and aftertouch becomes adjustable!

You can use it for all kinds of music but if you want trompets, pianos buy a romples like the fantom X.

Very well made, shame they din't use wood as in the old juno days.

Here in Belgium i give Roland a 10!

Overal rating:

I got 2 JD800's and 2 JD990's(one with vintage board installed). Does that say enough?

I just LOVE these instruments. If Roland would ever produce a more modern version (but with the same OVERALL SOUND --> FAT) more samples, more gadgets I would buy it immediately. Still looking for a JD800 which looks like new.

Very straightforward as most parameters have a dedicated slider or button so you rarely have to go into a menu.
The system for choosing which tone element of a patch you are editing could be better, at the moment there are 4 buttons and you have to use another button to toggle the function of the 4 between on/off and editing. When editing I find Im always toggling the function back and forth, so the JD loses a point for that, 8 buttons would be ideal.
Apart from that its ridiculously easy to use, the panel with all its controls is pure luxury.
Hardly needed the manual, if you understand subtractive synthesis and the function of oscillators envelopes and LFOs you are pretty set.

Well the main feature is the control surface in my opinion, thats what sets this apart. It lends itself to sonic manipulation in a way that most digital synths with their 2 line LCD and buttons cant reproduce. Same goes for software synths which have dozens of controls which have to be adjusted with a mouse. Of course you can just buy a controller keyboard for the soft synth, then you have come full circle back to the JD800.
Having said that the synthesis architecture of the JD is basic by todays standard, sample playback with only 104? waveforms and 4 waveforms per patch, with envelopes and LFOs etc. No fancy resynthesising, morphing, additive, neuronal, whatnot structure here, just subtractive synthesis.
No sequencer, arpeggiator would have been nice, and basic effects.

Well sample playback and only 104? wave forms and a basic subtractive synthesis engine but it just sounds right, fantastic leads, basses, brass, (analog derived sounds) with a fairly squelchy filter for a digital synth. Also great for metallic, airy, strings, FX spacy stuff, drones, plinks, plonks, boings, roars, wind (thats wind as in wind blowing through trees not flute, oboe), beautiful pads and evolving sounds.
Not so great for your drums, and realistic piano, orchestral instruments, but thats missing the point, I use it for synthesis, if you want imitation use a sampler.
I found hundreds of patches for this on the net and some of them are as beautiful and playable as any ive heard on any synth whatever the cost.
The sound is recognisably digital but it has warmth and squelch, just dont expect it to sound like an analog, though in a mix I doubt many could tell the difference.
Would work for any style of music requiring imaginative sounds.

It came out in 1991 so 15 years old now and still going strong.
Ive had problems with some of the inc/dec buttons needing very firm pressing, but the keyboard and sliders are still fine.
Its becoming too rare to gig with in my opinion, but I would use it.

So far Ive been able to get every fault serviced by Roland, not that there have been many apart from the buttons.

I give it a ten, looks fantastic, easy to use, reliable, reasonable cost second hand, not too old so still servicable, and the range of sounds you can get out of it is amazing, its like a sonic tardis, very economical in the waveforms but such a range. oh and plenty of patches and support on the web.
Ive been playing for about 7 years and have about 20 synths and a computer sequencer home studio. I make mostly "electronica" but love experimenting and experimental musics with soul. I also do theatre sound design and film soundtracks, I now have two!, its possibly my favourite all round synth and I use it all the time.

its very straight foward. The singe and multi modes are very self descriptive, but MIDI implimentaiotn is tedious. There are few bugs that give problems time to time, if nt a very good board..

Features are oK for its time, buts it really lacks an Arp, a sequencer is not a must when compared to its hugh ability to make new sounds.

Honestly, when i saw this first, i thought "What is this?" then i started to explore this little by little, downloded a manual and a sysex loader now i use it in GIGS. Wonder ful sounds, pads, bells, winds, although reviewers say that the piano is not stunning, i thouroughly disagree. I have many piano patches which are far more better than the sounds on XP-80. Even yamaha TYROS cannot compete the digital crispness this beast has.

Not very realiable, the key bed is weak, also had problems with the rubber touch pads, but this can be replaced by the same set of pads of Roland U-20.

Never dealt with Roland

If its lost or stolen i would definitely buy one. I am 25 years old and i have been playing for 12 years. I had Yamaha PSS-16, PSS-290, Casio CTK-550, Kawai FS-630, Casio CA-110, Yamaha DX-7, Yamaha PSR-730, Roland JV-80, and i am currently using a PSR-3000. This product has its own characteristic sound which others can never compete with!!! Its unique and it is a JD-800

This is a very nice synthesiser with a very smooth yet gutsy sound. I came to this only ever having owned analogue synths (because the upfront cost of digitals was always too expensive) and I had never had much experience playing with digital synths anyway. So I was very pleasantly surprised when I first switched this thing on and played the first patch, "Millennium". Wow! I'd heard samples of this synth on the net before, which made me want to get one in the first place, but even so I had no idea it would sound this good! When I played my SH-2 next to it, I was almost ready to chuck it in the bin!

However, despite the plethora of dedicated sliders and buttons, it is not the piece of cake to program that you would think it should be. This is because it is really four synths in one, so all those controls are not really dedicated in the true sense of the word. They are a common set of controls for four different synth parts. Plus there are a number of button presses (that are not intuitive) to go through before you can really start making sounds from scratch.

Having said that, the manual is very good and you wont have trouble learning from it, although it is the size of a phone book!

I think the features have been well documented in previous reviews.

Despite what I said about it not being as user friendly as it would at first appear, it is probably still a great deal easier and less frustrating to use than a any similar synth that features digital parameter access, rather than sliders and knobs.

Compared to any old analogue synth, this machine is a huge step up in terms of it's features, but probably doesn't touch the stuff that is available now.

This thing makes the most beautiful, interesting and evolving sounds, and it is very beefy too. Whovever says that digital synths sound thin in comparison to analogue synths has obviously never heard this machine. Cold yes, but thin? Absolutely not!

All I can say is that I'm astounded at the quality of sound that it produces! I think I gradually started believing the hype that analogue synthesisers have an inherently more interesting sound than digital synthesisers. But after purchasing this machine, I can't think what those people are talking about! You can press a key on this thing and the sound shifts and evolves in the most fascinating and intricate ways, and when you think it's finally stopped and is just going to fade out, something else starts happening to the sound! Then you press the key a little harder and something else starts happening altogether! ....and the sound quality! Absolutely superb! It certainly sounds colder than an analogue synthesiser, but it also has a much more dynamic and full spectrum sound than any analogue I've ever heard.

Now that I've finished rhapsodising about the machine, I'll just point out that it actually does some decent impersonations of other intruments too. For example, the piano. It's certainly nothing to write home about, and it wont replace a dedicated electric piano, but it is usable. It also does some very convincing guitar solo sounds.

Works fine, except there are a couple of buttons that sometimes need a hard push. It is very solid and heavy. I certainly don't think you should have to worry about it carking it on stage.

Don't know.

I think it's great! I bought it to replace my Juno 6, because although I liked certain aspects of the Juno, I was sick of the Juno not having the power I wanted from it's pads. The JD800 has lived up to and in fact exceeded my expectations.

If it had an arpeggiator I think I would try to do something obscene to it!

Out of all the presets, I like about 4 of them. Editing is easy (slider heaven, almost as fun as an ARP 2600 and you don't need patch cords). The manuals are helpful if you need specific info, but don't try learning how to program the JD-800 from the manual, it is much quicker to jump in a experiment

Polyphony on the JD-800 is low. It is listed as 24 note (assuming you ae playing a sine wave)... in reality 8-12 note is more closer to the truth. I use the effects in a few of my patches, but generally I use an outboard effects processor.

I bought this keyboard as a control panel for my JD-990. I have just recently started using it as a synthesizer. I love the sounds I can create on it and I actually like to play it. It unfortunately is a little neglected because I had just bought an M-Audio Pro-88 (with more knobs and sliders than an ARP 2600) to control my XV-3080 and had no desire to buy the JD-800, but I got it CHEAP so I grabbed it to resell and decided to keep it. Someday soon I'll give it the attention it deserves

I have never had a problem with a Roland product that I couldn't fix myself (all the way back to my Jupiter 8). Gig with it, Yes

I've recently had good luck calling Roland support when I needed help setting up the 800 to control my JD-990.

If lost/stolen I would replace it if I could get it for under $550. I have been playing since 1975. Don't know it well enough to love it, but I like the control you have (sliders again). Can't find anything to hate or even dislike about it except the polyphony and the weight, but I use it as a "lead" synthesizer play 70's vintage stuff, so I'm usually using it as a mono synth and the low polyphony doesn't matter to me. Right now it is more in the way, but I can assure you that is a temporary thing.

ROM version 1.01
Presets are not the best, but 1-2 are really good
Patch editing is easy - so many sliders!
I bought it third (fourth?) hand so I only can wish there was a manual..

Polyphoni is enough, if you use it as second synth in a studio, but sometimes I wish there was at least 32. Nice keyboard, but not as good as the Yamaha DX7's.
It has built in effects, their use is medium. The JD800 can be expanded with cards. MIDI is implemented, no sequencer, no arp.

It can sound very expressive! Has nice fat basses and really analogue-like, rich sounds and great digital FX. Very nice to play, it reacts as I play, so no hitches..

No idea yet, I have it only a week or so, but all sliders and knobs are still working (hey, it is more than 12 years old!)

No idea

I sure would buy it again, was hunting for this gem for years :)
I play synths for quite a while now, the JD800 joind a Korg Triton and a Yamaha DX7-II FD.
The JD800 can only be loved, it is great in design and capabilities -sounding good even after a Triton. I wish Roland would still make this great synth with expanded capabilities like 64 poly, arp and eventual a sequencer. Last words: if you have the possibility BUY one!

Software v. 1.03 iirc.

I bought my JD-800 used so can't comment on the presets (never reseted it) but sound creation with this machine is so easy that it'd be a shame to use JD-800 as a preset synth. The sliders aren't in there for nothing. I got only the first part of the manual and I must say that it's rather good by Roland standards. I managed to find everything I was looking for rather easily (MIDI implementation, mostly). The synth itself is so simple to use that you don't have to consult the manual at all for basic functions/editing.

JD-800 uses a 4 tones-per-patch -structure now common in most of their newer s+s synths. Unfortunately each tone eats one voice of polyfony. Coupled with rather meager polyphony of 24 you very often end with polyphony of 6-8 notes, which allows you to play synth-type sounds without noticing significant dropouts. Despite being 6-part multitimbral you can't really expect to play back complete orchestral masterpieces with this machine. Certainly a player's synth.

Keyboard action is light, fast and reassuringly solid. Roland keybeds have always been very good in my experience. Keyboard if velocity and aftertouch sensitive but I can't bring myself to push the keys hard enough to trigger the aftertouch without having to fear breaking something. You can get around this by assigning aftertouch to an expression pedal, which I highly recommend. JD-800 comes with traditional Roland pitch/bend stick which, as you probably know, is good for the primary function but sucks for modulation due to minimal traverse. You also have to push the stick quite hard to trigger the modulation. Consequently I only push the stick at the base to avoid breaking it. It probably wouldn't, as with the keyboard, but I it's a cheap price to pay for your peace of mind.

The synth can be expanded with memory and waveform cards. I got the M-512E data card for patch storage. JD-800 internal bank can store whopping 64 patches. This is actually enough for my bread and butter sounds but is lacking when you need to store some project-specific sounds simultaneously and don't want to spend all your time moving your patches to your seq/comp. I also got the Strings Ensemble card for it and I must say it's absolutely superb (as mentioned by other reviewers). If you get a JD-800 definitely consider hunting down M-256E/M-512E data card and SL-JD80-04 Strings Ensemble waveform card - you won't be disappointed. Data cards are easier to find since they were used in later Roland models but it's the SL-JD -series that's going to be difficult.

I've found the MIDI-implementation on JD-800 to be absolutely horrific. Slider movement is sent via sysex so it's rather easy to clog the MIDI stream. The unit is also prone to crash if the MIDI stream gets too dense. It is thus recommended to stop the JD from sendin slider data over MIDI - haven't missed it so far but it certainly limits its use as a controller. JD-800 got no sequencer or apreggiator. I don't miss the former since everyone probably uses a computer for sequencing nowadays. Arp would be nice but I haven't missed it too much since I generally wouldn't use this synth for arp sequences anyway. Generally worth 10 but I substracted one point for poorly thought out MIDI-implementation and another for low poly (by today's standards) and sucky modulation lever. Also, the unit uses some kind of Roland-specific 2-pin power connector. It would be rather tedious to change, too (I opened the unit to investigate this possibility). If you happen to lose the power cable you're SOL. Better get some spares. Luckily they're commonly available.

Now we're talking. Generally, the JD-800 sounds just plain superb. You can't go wrong with cd-quality waveforms (as opposed to 16/32 of JV-series) coupled with sweet filters and clean converters. JD-800 is famous for pads and strings but I assure you that it rocks for all kinds of synth sounds. Use 3-4 detuned tones, add in some chorus and you got leads so thick you'd never imagine they were actually produced by a digital synth. This kind of analogue warmth is the synth's major strength that sets it apart from most digital synths. Roland engineers even included a Pitch Random -parameter for analogue emulations. Acoustic emulations aren't its forte, however. You can still produce rather good piano/electric piano/organ (distorted organs are cool) patches for live use. For studio you'd probably want to use something more authentic.

This synth would probably work well for any kind of music needing good synth sounds, especially Pads/Strings. If you're looking to cover every corner you'd better get a Kurz or other suitable workstation.

The synth utilizes velocity and aftertouch very well and is rather expressive, in my opinion. Onboard effects are very good even by today's standards. The effects are grouped into stereo effects (chorus, reverb, delay) and mono effects (phaser, distortion, spectrum, enhancer). You can use _all_ of them in single mode if you wish (as you would use effect pedals) but lose the mono effects in multitimbral mode (not a big loss, imo). The Phaser effect is rather weird in my opinion but sounds very good nevertheless. Distortion is also very useable and doesn't kill the sound. It's especially good for organ and lead patches. Overall, I can't help but to give it full 10. It's not the most versatile synth out there soundwise but it certainly does its thing verywell.

The synth weights about 15 kilos or so and is reinforced by a solid metal chassis from inside (even though part of the cover is plastic). The sliders and buttons are top-notch, too. The synth got a very low profile so it'd be rather difficult to bust a slider/button accidentally. Still, get a hard case for it.

Dust might kill the sliders in the long run but if you keep your unit clean you shouldn't have too many problems. My only complaints are the low-quality cursor and inc/dec keys. They're all bit sticky on my unit and were the first to break on couple of units I know of. The other buttons are big and inspire confidence (haven't caused me any problems even though I bought mine second-hand). I would certainly take this baby everywhere without backup. Heck, I could even use it to shield from bullets without having to fear it getting busted (the metal sheets are _thick_). Minus one point for the inc/dec buttons and slider dust hazard.

I don't know about Roland tech support in general but Roland Finland has always answered my e-mails promptly and usually with the information I was looking for. Generally very professional and helpful (especially considering I had bought my unit second-hand) so big props to them.

I've been playing the piano for about 15 years and synths for over 5 years. Currently I own a Nord Lead 2 in addition to my beloved JD-800 and they compliment each other well (NL2 produces all kinds of gritty/aggressive stuff the JD-800 isn't so good at). I've owned Roland XP-series synths before and actually consider the JD-800 a huge upgrade. If my JD-800 was lost or stolen I'd weep for a week and scour all the ad sites in existence for a replacement. I wouldn't however pay as much as I paid for this one (albeit it was in near-mint condition and came with the rare data card). I'd however weep for a year if the cards were in the unit at the time it was lost/stolen as they're almost impossible to find. I play progressive rock/metal purely as a hobby. JD-800 has taken me to a new level soundwise (I wish other digital synths were so quick to program) - now I only wish I had enough skill to use the unit's sonic potential to fullest. If you need a fantastic digital synth and happen 500 spare bucks burning in your pocket you should certainly consider acquiring this masterpiece until they are all gone (only 24.000 produced according to bluesynths.com).

I believe the software version is 1.01
I have the first manual, but not part 2.
Most of the presets sound good, a few are really crap.
Editing the patches is difficult at first and a lot of moving sliders about at random is the best way to start. Once you find out how the ADSR works and how to set it, it becomes a lot easier.

The polyphony is good once you learn how to set the levels of ADSR.
The built in effects are average. The Phaser doesn't seem to operate as a phaser at all. You can play around with them a bit though, but they don't always sound very good. I have not tried any cards in the synth yet, so I cannot comment on that. The synth is very MIDI compatable, and they keys are very pressure sensitive.

The Piano, Flute & Pizzacato strings are amazing. Some of the other sounds are OK. There are a few crappy sounds, but it is to be expected that not every sound will be great. This synth would work very well for soundtracks, semi-classical, dance and 80's style music. The onboard effects are average. You can tweak them a lot with the sliders however. When you set the ADSR correcty the synth responds very well. If you don't get the right settings, you can get frustrated by the time it takes between notes. It can be a very responsive synth.

This synth is 13 years old and still works correctly. There is nothing majorly wrong with it at all. A couple of the buttons require a stiff press, but nothing is broken. The synth itself is very heavy, so you have to watch it when you lift it incase you bang it on something, but it is quite sturdy. This synth can easily be the main instrument in a band. It is not the perfect synth. It isn't a Moog. it isn't a Jupiter 8, but all in all, it is an excellent all round synth.

I have not dealt with Roland at all about this synth, but in the past they have always responded to my enquiries.

I would definetly get another JD-800 if mine was damaged or stolen (unless I could get a Jupiter 8 for the same price :P) I have not been playing it for long. I have played an SH-101 and the JD-800 kicks it's ass (apart from the fact that the 101 is a real analogue).
I wish the JD-800 had an appreggiator. Apart from that, I cannot fault it really. It helps me to make music. It has some lovely pads and string sounds.

I think it's software is version 1.01. Some of the presets are OK, but the rest of the patches sound too generic for my taste. With all these sliders there's no excuse for not using them to program your own sounds! That's what this machine is for. I think it's pretty easy to program, and an editor wouldn't make a big difference. The manual is good but I don't use it at all.

24 voices of polyphony. You're going to eat them really fast if you try to layer too many sounds.
The keaboard has an excellent feel, and the effects are really good, especially for 1991.
I think the only expansion yo will ever need is the RAM card. I have the Standard Drums Card and there are some good sounds on it, though.
I haven't used its MIDI capabilities extensively. All I can say is that I wish I could use CC's instead of SysEx to record fader movements.
No sequencer.
I don't think it's very flexible by today's standards. You only have one multi patch and limited polyphony, but, who cares? I think GREAT SOUND is what matters here.

You can program icredible sounds with this machine and, sure, it's capable of making some good emulations too, but I only use it for
synthetic, non-real sounds.
The keyboard reacts very well to velocity and aftertouch.
Definitely a synth for prog rock/new age/electronica.

Mine has been around for ten years and will be for another twenty, I hope. Anyway, I don't think I can say too much about it's reliability because my JD has spent most of its life without beeing punished on the road.

I haven't dealt with Roland too much. I'm sorry, I can't give my opinion on that.

If it were stolen or lost I would definitely buy it again (if I only had the money!). I REALLY LOVE THIS SYNTH!!!

I'm using the 1.01 version of software.
The JD-800 is easy of use, because all envelope parameters is in the panel and has direct acces

*The polyphony is 24 tones.
*The sound is 16 bits 44100 hz
*The effects are fantascic, because is very complex. The JD-800 has:
REVERB, CHORUS, DELAY, DISTORSION, PHASER, SPECTRUM, ENHANCER, EQUALIZER
*The system of sound generator have 4 TONES
*The envelopes are very complex, for example this system is more complex that Korg Karma, Triton.

*The sounds are excellent because the sound generator is very efficient.
*The JD-800 have very good analog waveforms and EXCELLENT EFFECTS, *and is fantastic for created electronic music.
*The keyboard have Velocity and aftertouch sens and very fast respose.

Is very good becuse have more of 50 faders.
I have the ROLAND JD-800 Made in 1991, and I change the slider of value (I open the JD-800 and soldering the potenciometer) and 4 button of menu (Page and Cursor), the rest of Synthesizer is perfect.

*My SYNTHESIZER ROLAND JD-800 WAS REPAIRED FOR MY, because the service is high $price$.
*Technical information:
The potenciometers of panel is 30mm 100 K ohms B (mono)
The Petenciometer of volume is 30mm 10 K ohms B *2(stereo)

*The JD-800 is fantastic I love the Envelopes Generator because are very complex and have a pitch env, the 4 tones generator and love the EFFECTS.
*The JD-800 was me very good for created music.
*For my is complicated that the memory save 64 Patches

Yes, this is a digital "monster" full of knobs, sliders, etc. Presets? NO, this is a synth that YOU must program at all!!
The manual is interesting, but I have no sympathy for manuals...

Very easy to use, good keyboard - expandable, but I have no cards.
No sequencer.

Classical digital sounds, but I don't like presets. Very good reaction to velocity and aftertouch.

I am Italian so i have requested the Italian manual: in a very few time the company have send to me the italian manual . Very well done!

This is my only real digital synth, one of the best I've ever heard. Very good sounds (if you works very well with knobs and sliders)
The only synth comparable in Korg wavestation.
If stolen, I surely buy it again (if possible - this is an instrument of 1991....!)

The manual was a breeze to go through if when I had questions that I couldn't figure out on my own.

It doesn't have an on board sequencer, but you can midi it up to one.

It reacts really goot to velocity and after touch. I thought I would break the keys because I have to push down really hard to get the after touch. I've had it for 9 years and the keys still work as if I took it out of the box an hour ago.

Yes I've used it by itself quite a few times and it works great. The only thing I wish it did was cut through guitars a bit better with some of the lead patches. It doesn't replace the minimoog as far as bass sounds but, it can work if you don't have a bass player.

I've had to get it repaired once and that was because the modelation part of the pitch bender, when you push the bender up to modelate, it wasn't working. I also had the volume contact cleaned.

I originally bought this synth because I wanted some fat oberheim like brass, pads, minimoog basses and leads. Since it was the first synth that I owned that I could program right on the front pannel, it's really easy to use, just start pulling sliders. I've been able to modify and save quite afew new sounds with it. Sounds can be made with a combination of 1 to 4 parts. The mixer for these parts comes in handy for volume of an indivdual parts and well as a multitude of other assignments if you desire. I usually go to the envelope and reprogram things how I want. It also has a pitch envelope which is fun to play with on occasion. It doesn't compare with the minimoog but it sounds wonderful when you play it with a minimoog. It's a good multi-tamberal instrument to hook up to a computer or sequencer. I just wish it came with real drum sounds instead of percussion sounds. If you want drum sounds, you need to buy some soundcards for it. Genesis used some of the percussion sounds on the song "I Can't Dance" the strings were used by Sting on "Fields Of Gold" and were also used on the Genesis song "fading Lights."

Duh! Unlike the Korg Wavestation, there are bonz sliders on this synth. Sheesh, have you evolved to the five finger stage or what?

Here's a freebie tip from the Roc Doc for anyone that is lucky enough to own one of these suckas: turn on your sequencer, and hit RECORD. Now, start moving sliders on the JD-800. DON'T play any notes, but just randomly move faders for a couple of minutes (we know, we know, make sure the door to the bedroom is locked), HIT rewind, turn the tempo down to about half, NOW hit PLAY on the squencer. Start playing the keyboard and open up your ears for killer sounds. The moment you get something groovey, hit stop on the sequencer and then hit SAVE on the JD. You now got yourself a killah patch.

Acceptable polyphony because the strength of this synth is ATMOSPHERE. Get that straight right now. It's not a Bach machine, it's not a Steinway. Trying to use this thing for mazzive polyphony is like trying to race a Jeep. It ain't built for fat, snakey, analogue like lines. Effects are medium at best. But one of the coolest things is the little mixer section with four faders in it. You can cross fade and mix different sounds you've set up in four discreet locations.

All the guys below telling you how this thing is easy to program into PHAT analogue land are well meaning, but they're missing the point. You know what this sucka does...COLD. Mr. Freeze. The JD-800 is not some closet Nord Lead 2. It's not trying for switched on anything. instead it's a closet Wave Station in early nineties drag. If you are trying to do analogue sounds on this, you're trying to do KORN on a Ramirirez classical guitar.


This is a precise scalpel of a synth. It is a deep spaced freighter combined with wonderfully rightous analogue like sliders that are touch sensitive, and immune to a lot of mumbo jumbo LED programming. (No freaking red light VEGAS forescent show on this thing). It 's smooth and soothing, but it will take you down into sub arachnoid space! You can get massively cool sounds with the sliders and suddenly find yourself in a pocket. It's like a date with a really, really voluptious, curvacious, foxy, snarky babe, who hwas a brain like Carl Sagan and a tab of something groovefunktious in her purse. BILLION AND BILLIONS of possibilites here, all courtesy of the controllable chaos deep programmed into JD-800's samples!.

And don't believe she doesn't got da powah!!! Da thump you -- it's got it! Da Grooove thang -- it's got it!. We have generated phaser like seismic waves that were so cold, so intense, that the audience in the middle of a kind of warm and fuzzy deadhead bliss out were suddenly finding themselves rotated on their collective sacrums by the sheer laser like TONE of this beast. It's like a neutron fire hose! It is the TEXTURE MOTHER OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!! Think layers of cold particle lightwaves temping you into the abyss!

We've only had one problem. The digital analogue converter blew out, and was easily, and inexpensively repeaired, unlike my poor Oberheim OBXA which died a long, slow, horrible death due to parts that were no longer avaiable! WAAAAAAAAAAAH

Havne't head to deal with Roland, but I'd say they're pretty good.

What we love about JD-800 is how far it takes us into deep, deep space. It would be nice if it had a random, patch generator, but if it did it could go to the gig by itself and we could just stay home. A synth with an IQ this high should really be working for the CIA right now.

I have analog modular and other digital synths to compare with and I think that the JD800 stands on par with an analog modular for ease of use. But a true modular has more routing possibilites, but also less waveforms generally. Don't think of many ways that it could be improove as for usability except for the effects which are hard to access and have few parameters and soudn halfbad.

24 voices which of course are eaten quite fast if you use all four layers (8 voices ;). But I don't often don't need more than 2 layers for a good sound so it is okey, and if you own other synths its just fine.

Speaking of midicapabilities I haven't tried to hard but it would have been nice with some more modulation possibilities and control change destinations.

Shimmering and special pads and strings are the best to my ears and You can do lots of synthy sounds and cool basses. It is perfect for my style, but I guess thats cause I am a dance/trance/techno/ambient man.

It was broken when I got it but I guess it had been a bit abused. But I could get spares and replace the faulty knobs myself(no technical diploma - mind that!) and since then it has worked good, but for a few lockups when switching in and out of effects edit while running seqences on the computer.

Good I guess since they had the parts I needed, but I'd like to have a digital copy of the manual.

Mail me a copy if you got one

It is easy and add the flavour to my sound that analog synths just doesn't have so I wouldn't trade it for anything right now.

And as so many others have stated it looks smashing too.

Pretty easy to use initially, but programming sounds is slightly more involved than a true analogue synth with the 4 tones Software Version is V1.01 and I believe this was the last update (and you may need this version to program the JD-990, but I may be wrong)

OK, low polyphony but look at those sliders and lights! I have some of the PCM cards (Standard Drums, Rock Drums, String Ensemble and Brass). The String card is fab and sits permanently in the JD. The Drum cards are good and I've sampled all the drums so that I don't have to swap my cards around. Given that I always erase brass patches from synths when I get them home it may be a surprise to find that the Brass card is actually very good and will be sitting in my JD-990 for now.

Very good for non-realistic sounds. Pianos not great but strings (both 'real' and 'analogue') are fab, as are basses (tweak in some Pitch Random) and some brill pads. I find the aftertouch a tad hard to get going without really pressing the keys. As I don't want to knacker my keyboard I reassigned the aftertouch to my expression pedal (which is a neat JD feature). I use the JD in multitimbral mode which loses the nice effects (distortion, phasing etc), but switch over to Single mode to actually record the individual MIDI parts with all the effects, plus you seem to lose gain from the outputs in multimode.

I did get this repaired once. The volume slider had got scratchy and the Inc down button was a bit 'sticky', plus I had the software updated. That is the only minor problem I have ever had, although I do worry about all those sliders going one day.

I only ever dealt with Phil Delahaye of Delatronics who repairs Roland stuff and is a great chap to know if you have any Roland kit. He's based in North London.

If this went walkies I probably wouldn't replace it with another as I have all the JD-800 sounds plus more on my JD-990. I used to use it as a master keyboard but I now use a PC88 which is great as a MIDI controller and also means my JD's keboard will be less likely to die. I would miss all those sliders and LEDs though.

This box of tricks is very easy to use , I've had it for 2 weeks now and I have covered everything on my own patches.
I didn't get a manual with it so I cant comment , I think the only thing you may nead a manual for is to learn about the FX setup

Polyphony is 24 this is devided by the number of voices each performance uses so it avereges on about 6 note poly.
It has slots around the back for data and wave cards but I don't have any so I cant comment on there quality.
It has a nice light action keyboard but not as light as a cs2x.
The fx section has 2 groups , 1 is for mono the other is for stereo.
You put the fx types in the order that you want them to be used (like guitar pedals)then you decide if the fx is on or off.
So far I can't see how (if its possible) to route different voices thru seperate fx in one performance.

The acoustic intruments sound quite good and its easy to modify them to your desired sound.
The analog emulations are very good and this is why I bought the synth.
The general sound out of the synth is fat and smooth with a high frequency shimmer that you don't normally get with other equipment.
The one thing I cant seem to create is the FAT trance lead sound , it just sounds too smooth? If anybody has a good trance set please send it to me :)
Compared to my poor cs2x , the sound from this synth is amazing , the cs2x just hasn't got the balls for basslines or pads etc.

When I bought it (S/H from a shop) a few of the buttons where sticking and a value slider wasnt working correctly , a quick phone call to Roland and a new slider was here the next day. Easy to fit and now its perfect working order :)
The synth is built very well and sturdy BUT sliders seem more prone to dust than knobs so I wonder how long I have left in the other sliders.

Very good , they where friendly and the service was like lightening

If this synth was lost or stollen I would definatly replace it.

I am fairly new to the synth scene and have only just really got into it over the last year. This synth is definately the prize puncher from my setup (cs2x/a3000/v50/m3r/juno2/poly800) and I find myself using it for a lot of things - its the easy slider controls that do it, why bother tinkering with FM synthesis when you can create the same noise in 1/10th of the time on this box?
So far Im happy with my purchase apart from most of the sounds I have got off the internet seem to be too old to use - more geared towards the sounds of when this synth was first released and not really much of todays style (I AM TALKING DANCE MUSIC THO)

I paid #500 for this synth in the UK, but I have seen you lucky ppl in the USA get them for lots less , its just not fair :(

I think the next synth I will buy will be the rackmount version JD-990 with the vintage board to try and compliment my setup.
If anybody has one that they would like to swap for a V50/Poly800/Juno2/M3R please get intouch :)

Version 1.1, no bugs except for MIDI SYSEX overflow/crash behavior...
forced reboot.
The factory presets pretty much suck...they are for store demos.
The programs you can make are amazing. Big fat chuffy Hammon B-3's,
clunky electric Rhodes, amazing acoustic, electric, and grunge/slach guitars (seriously), and, ofcourse, pads of all sorts. The same sort of moving, pulsing stuff that the Wavestation and K5000 do...
(I'm not sure how the JD creates the effect of motion, but it does.
Ofcourse it is more sublte than a tinkly wavestation sequence or whatever, but it definately moves.)
Very warm, think sound. Probably the warmest, thickest digital I have heard. It reminds me of running digitals like a DX through an analog filter or some high end tube preamp...who knows what Roland did on those A/D converters, but they are hot.

The voice itself is simple...almost a 1990's version of a Juno...
osc, filter, amp. 1 envelope for each, and two LFO's.
(The filter does have 3 modes, and the LFO's have 5 waveforms).

the power comes from simple layering.
This is crude component synthesis...and it works.
You break down a sound according to it's dominant structures, and
model each of those with one tone.

another thing I like, is the almost complete absence of any hierarchy in the tone/voice structure....
64 programs, each program can have up to 4 tones.
thats it.
No seperate splits, layers, combi modes or anything.

It actually makes sense, and is pretty cool in practice.
(Each tone has key zone limits, so you can program splits...)

The live panel is what sets it apart...Tb-acid style knob tweakin...
it's a little quantized, but not bad. Amazing programming speed.
I will never use an LCD window again LOL....
Seriously I think it enhances creativity because you can just bounce around and change things and very quickly mold the sound into the desired patch....very cool.

The manuals are fine.
Nothing seems missing and everything is covered enough.

A pool of 24 single tones inside.
you decide how to use them....
Layer up to four, and get 6-voice polyphony.
Layer none (1) and get 24 voices.

Easy and flexible...the tone on/off buttons are like performance controls...you can add/subtract tones on the fly...
a little like the TS-10's "patch variation" buttons...
this also means you could increase the polyphony for a key part of a song, then turn them all on for a cool solo or something...

Great FX...arranged like guitar stomp boxes, rather than typical multi-bussed workstation FX....
and I think they sound better...you have 8 basic types, not 89 types, you know?.
distortion (awsome distortion...very warm sounding....)
phaser (very nice, like an old analg phaser effect)
enhancer (dynamic high freq exciter effect)
spectrum (fixed reso filter bank/eq thing...very cool)

Stereo chourus...everything from swirling JUNO hell to subtle stereo
spreading....nice.

3-tap stereo delay...simple but useable.

Basic stereo reverb...hell it's reverb. it works and it's simple and it's nice.

easy to use...seperate editing via the LCD/data slider///

It has 2 card slots in the back...PCM wave cards and basic M-256 Roland patch memory cards....
The PCM cards are nice to have...I wont bash them for what they don't do....a minimoog ain't a workstation either, you know?

MIDI, basic controller stuff. Program change remapping, upper/lower transmit, some filtering...great SYSEX on all sliders between, say,
two JD-800's or a 990 (or computer)...

No sequencer, no arpeggiator....oh well.

Amazing sounds.
As I've said.
Great acoustic emulations and beyond (yes...Learn to program!...it can be done...)
Awsome pads, moving, swirling....

some pretty nice squaky distorted acid shit from hell...
I had a delay with feedback at 98%, and just had a knob twistin sound from hell going on...
very cool.
Nice for soundtrack, special effects, odd noises that sound sampled but were synthesized...

I'm glad nobody wants these so I can buy them all cheap.
I will have 50 of them layered together someday...

they are that cool.

this is neato nifty...
you take out like 18 screws...and the whole hood pops up on hinges...
even has a hold-back cable...
every board is one deep...mostly empty space in that steel shell.

EASY to work on. EASY to fix.
Wonderful from a tech standpoint.

After you've ripped open a JV-80 or something, the JD-800 is like a dream...like working on an old 1950 pickup, where you could climb inside the hood..
(seriously).

It's built to tour. Built to last. the side panels can get beat and scuffed up. but they do their job....the panel, sliders, etc. are always protected. I have never seen one that had any moderate-minor damage to the panel or display....he design works well for damage protection.

Well, I dO have a backup, but yes I would.

I have never tried...sorry I have no info on this.

If it were stolen I would buy another.
I have been playing since about 1975. I own much gear, really pointless to list....typical live/studio/home studio set up...

I love the sounds, really hate nothing about it.
Everything MUST have some limits, especially consumer products...
or you could never afford them...

I think it is as powerful as anything out there, with the right "pilot"...I'm saying it is a performers/programmers instrument...as such the presets suck and it doesn't come to life until you really get into it....

I wouldn't change it a bit...thats what new models are for...

It is part of my music....

Nothing else I need to share at this time.
I hope my rambling comments help you in your decision making.

Take care.

Very easy to program. Time-consuming (x4 tones)...it would be nice if the sliders were relative (i.e. if you make "active" all 4 tones for any given parameter, they would "lock" at their present value, instead of all jumping to the same value...

Fine for a '91 model, I suppose.

Great, big, flashy Roland pads...actually great for Foley/Sound FX/dub work, I have found...Actually I don't think it sounds all that different from any other synth you'd demo in a music store...
they all have the same sort of "big, flashy crap"...

Here we go. I recently bought this off of Harmony's classifieds.
Overall, it seems in good shape. It has been used, obviously. Some dings and scratches. No signs of major damage.
After 2 days, it died. Finally on a whim I re-soldered the main power leads to the transformer, and it lives again...
As a tip on any older kybd...crack the case and check the solder!

I'm guessing this is a symptom of crappy work at the factory 10 years ago...just check to make sure, before you get mad and spend $300 getting it fixed.

Also, mentioned in another Roland review (a JP-8000 I believe)
the JD-800 will go crazy, lock up, and put on a wild flashing light show when the Midi stream gets too dense. A power-off/"reboot"
fixes everything. (I was demo-ing a bunch of Sysex patches from a PC when this happened.)

?
I will say their websites tend to suck...IMHO

I've always wanted one, so now I have one. I knew what I was getting, and am very happy with it.
Infact I plan to buy more (!) ...*if* I can verify the condition a little better before hand. Nothing less than a "9" next time...
condition-wise this one here is probably a 6.5-7.
I hate little scratches and dings...but I'm a pickey bastard..LOL

If not, I will figure out a way to repaint the case...the lettering will be tough...possibly lazer-cut dry-transfer labels?

Uh, unless you are someone that understands programming a synth the old-fashioned way of grabbing a knob or slider for the SPECIFIC parameter, this guy would be VERY intimidating. If you want to just pull up the patches and play or tweak a little, it's fairly easy. I don't know of a bona-fide patch editor for it, but with the entire front panle covered with controls and a dedicated editing display, I don't think it needs one - would probably slow me down anyway. Manual - the first manual I have EVER read from Roland that was genuinely usable. It's separated into 2 parts; basics and advanced.

It is 24-voice polyphonic - wish it had more, but it sounds huge enough with what it has. There are 3 global effects for the whole thing, typical of Roland stuff since the late 80's; Chorus, EQ and Reverb. In single mode, it has 5 additional ones you can put in the order you want, and use or not use them. They are Enhancer, Distortion, Phaser, Delay, and Spectrum. It would have been nice if they had included more types of effects, ie. Rotary, but you can't have everything. The quality and controllability of the built in's are good, obviously a dedicated effect unit would do better in this category, but this is a synth first. No onboard sequencer - this is a SYNTH! What is extremely cool about it is that it can send and receive controller info for perameter changes for EVERYTHING!. If you have a sequencer that can record and play back all this stuff (makes the data stream very heavy) it is fantastic to really do on the fly morphing of sounds. Great for electronic music.

Patches are created by using up to 4 'Tones' at once, so sonic capabilites are virtually endless. Roland put out a bunch of sound card sets for the JD - I have most of them and they sound great. I especially like the strings and brass sets. The internal sounds are great as well, and they primarily went after the typical synthesizer tones for the internal ones. Between the card sets and internal sounds, I can recreate just about anything with it. The velocity and aftertouch sensing are very controllable for each patch/sound that expressivity can be customized to a great degree. I have had countless people think it is a vintage Moog, Sequential, Arp etc. synth with some of the sounds that I have emulated on it. The pitch random parameter really makes it have the old oscillator drift characterstic. The only thing about trying to make it sound vintage is the overall sound quality of it is so clean that you almost need to run it through a tube preamp of some kind to dirty it up a bit. Even though it is fully digital I have never had trouble to get fat sounds out of it. All the patches that I use I have either created from scratch or done some huge tweaking of the presets. Since each 'tone' in a patch can have it's own keyboard range setting, velcotiy cross-fade, etc. sound complexity can get really interesting.

I bought mine new when I worked for a dealer (at cost!) and will NEVER, EVER part with it!!! It has been banged around quite a bit, in typical Roland fashion has not had any troubles from that, and doesn't even have many dents in it. I have always transported in a hard case, so it has been well protected when I'm not playing it. The only difficulty I have ever had with it is I have had a few of the center black keys break up at the pivot point. (I am very heavy handed when I play, especially the piano-type sounds) I had the thing for about 5 years befor this happened though, so I would atribute it to normal wear and tear from my playing style. After I replaced them (were about $5 each) I got a different board to use for piano so I wouldn't destroy any more keys. When I talked to Roland about it, they said they had gotten complaints for this problem from a few other players, and it was for the same reason. Since then I haven't had any problems.

I called Roland about the key problem, they passed me around a bit before finally telling me to go to my local dealer and just ordering the replacement keys from them. It only took a couple of weeks to get them once they were ordered, so parts response was pretty good. Unfortunately it was typical Roland fare for customer support, which from what I read and hear is the only real complaint anybody has about them.

Lost, stolen broken beyond repair I might kill myself (NAH!, just find another one. If someone stole it, they better run to the other side of the galaxy to keep me from finding them. In my opinion there never has been nor probably will be another synth like the JD. Yeah, Roland made a rack version of it, but programming it is a pain in the butt, and that's partially what made this bad boy such a great board. So many of the factory patches are inspiring both musically and sonically, there are times that I can spend hours just messing around with it by itself,a dn I have so much other gear to work with!