The Roland JD-800 is a digital synthesizer that was manufactured between 1991 and 1996. It features many knobs and sliders for patch editing and performance control — features that some manufacturers, including Roland, had been omitting in the name of streamlining since the inception of the Yamaha DX7.

In 1991, Roland released the JD-800—a forward-thinking, digital synthesizer sporting a huge range of hands-on controls and a gleaming, complex sound. The instrument would soon find its way onto classic albums and numerous film and television scores, and it remains highly sought after to this day.

The Roland JD-800 is a '90s-era digital synth, featuring a multitude of tactile sliders and real-time parameter controls. Loaded with features, players get 100 built-in basic samples, multi-stage envelopes, Roland's effects suit, and the ability to layer four different synths for one patch.

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.

Apr 3, 2025 · The JD-800, a 24-voice polyphonic instrument, used an updated take on Roland’s proprietary LA Synthesis, first developed for the D-50. That 1987 synth used a combination of short PCM samples to form a sound’s attack portion.

The JD‑800 Model Expansion resurrects a unique and unashamedly digital synth from Roland’s past, usable with Zenology on a computer via Roland Cloud or with compatible Zen‑Core hardware.

JD-800 PROGRAMMABLE SYNTHESIZER KEYBOARD: Semi-weighted action, 61 Keys (with Velocity and Channel Aftertouch) MAXIMUM POLYPHONY: 24 Voices PARTS: Part 1 to 5, Special Part EFFECTS: Single Mode: 3 Band EQ, Distortion, Phaser, Spectrum, Enhancer, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Mix Out Filter

Combining the original JD-800 waveforms with advanced modeling techniques, the JD-800 Model Expansion brings the gleaming tone and monster sound-shaping potential of this vintage digital icon to your DAW and compatible Roland hardware.

In 1991, Roland released the JD-800—a forward-thinking, digital synthesizer sporting a huge range of hands-on controls and a gleaming, complex sound.

In 1991, Roland released the JD-800—a forward-thinking, digital synthesizer sporting a huge range of hands-on controls and a gleaming, complex sound. The instrument would soon find its way onto classic albums and numerous film and television scores, and it remains highly sought after to this day.