JD-800 Programmable Synthesizer

System MAME Musique 01/01/1991 0

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Description

Musical Instrument (Electronic) published 35 years ago:

JD-800 Programmable Synthesizer (c) 1991 Roland.

The JD-800 is Roland's answer to half a decade of hard-to-program synthesizers. Covered in sliders that act as dedicated editors just like a classic analog synth, the JD-800 is an extremely programmable and hands-on digital synthesizer. It is also an interesting and great sounding digital synth with incredible flexibility and control. Internal ROM based waveforms are combined to build your sounds. The sounds are based on Roland's D-50, but updated for the nineties with multimode filters - uncommon but welcome at the time.

- TECHNICAL -

The JD-800 came in a tough metal case capped off on the sides with large plastic covers.

- TRIVIA -

The JD-800 was Roland’s response to the rise of menu-heavy digital synths in the late 1980s, reintroducing a “knob-per-function” philosophy in a digital instrument.

It used PCM waveform samples as its sound source, which were then shaped using filters, envelopes, and modulation typical of subtractive synthesis.

The instrument became famous for its lush pads, evolving textures, and cinematic sound design capabilities.

Its front panel featured more than 100 sliders, allowing real-time manipulation of nearly every synthesis parameter.

It was widely used in film scoring, ambient music, and early 1990s electronic and pop productions. It has been used by William Ørbit, Emerson Lake & Palmer, 808 State, Ken Ishii, Astral Projection, Rabbit in the Moon, Depeche Mode, Underworld, Tangerine Dream, LTJ Bukem, Apollo 440, Jean Michel Jarre, ATB, Vangelis, Pet Shop Boys, Faithless, Luke Vibert, Mouse on Mars, Laurent Garnier, MC Hammer, Bushflange, Genesis, and Eat Static.

The JD-800 helped define Roland’s digital sound aesthetic of the early 1990s, alongside the D-series and U-series modules.
It could be expanded via PCM cards, allowing users to extend its internal waveform library.

Today it is considered a classic “hands-on digital synth” and remains highly sought after for its distinctive warm digital character.

- CONTRIBUTE -

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