The RolandJD-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. The JD-800 thus became very popular with musicians who wished to take a hands-on approach to patch programming. The introduction in the manual states that Roland's intention with the JD-800 was to "return to the roots of synthesis".
The JD-800 employs Linear Arithmetic synthesis (introduced and made famous by the Roland D-50), which combines sample playback with digital synthesis. The JD-800 has 108 built-in waveforms, which can be expanded via PCM cards. The waveforms span a variety of categories such as analog synthesizers, acoustic instruments, and voices. Many of these waveforms are very short and are used primarily for the attack portion of a sound, while longer ones are used for the sustained part of a sound. The JD-800 was Roland's first instrument to have its core presets developed entirely in the United States, under a short-lived branch of its R&D-LA office in Culver City, California. The core sampled waveforms and factory presets of the JD-800 were created by Eric Persing.[2]
A patch, or single sound, in the JD-800 consists of up to four tones. As every tone consists of an almost completely independent synthesizer voice, a patch could be considered a combination of up to four different synthesizers. In Single mode the JD-800 plays one patch at a time, but in Multi mode it is possible to play five different patches over MIDI, plus a "special" patch. The special patch has different waveforms assigned to the 61 different keys on the keyboard, so is used for drums and percussion sounds. The JD-800 has one effects section. In Single mode, seven effects can be used simultaneously, in series, so all tones in a patch go through the same effects. In Multi mode, three effects can be used at the same time, with all patches sharing the same effects, though any of the patches can be routed to bypass the effects.[3]
Editing and playingedit
Using the Layer buttons, the four tones of a patch can be switched on and off while playing. When in Edit mode, the Layer buttons are used to choose which tone can be edited using the sliders on the front panel. The Palette sliders allow the player to edit the last active parameter of all four tones individually at the same time. While playing, the Palette sliders can be used like a mixer to set the balance between the four tones in a patch.[3] However, due to the limited accuracy of the sliders, and because edited parameters jump from the value in memory to the value corresponding to the position of the slider, moving the sliders while playing tends to cause sudden jumps in the sound.
The JD-800 manual states: "[T]he original purpose of the synthesizer was to 'create sound'. It's easy to simply select a preset you like, but that sound will always be 'someone else's sound'. We at Roland asked, 'Why don't we return to the roots of synthesis; the enjoyment of creating original sounds?' … 'Creating sounds' may seem like a highly technical process, but it's actually just a matter of moving a slider to make the sound change! This is easy for anyone, and the sounds that you get will always be your very own."
JD-990edit
Roland released the JD-990 Super JD in 1993. This is an enhanced, rackmount sound module version of the JD-800 with a larger display, and the ability to expand the device with PCM cards for extra sounds.[4]
Roland JD-990 rack
Expandabilityedit
The JD-800 was expandable by the inclusion of slots for PCM cards (for additional wavesforms), and RAM cards (for additional patches). Roland produced a number of expansion kits consisting of a pair of cards — a PCM card containing new samples, and a RAM card containing a bank of new presets.
"Retro review: Roland JD-800 synth". Future Music. No. 20. Future Publishing. June 1994. p. 42. ISSN 0967-0378. OCLC 1032779031.
"JD-800 sounds". Future Music. No. 32. Future Publishing. June 1995. p. 25. ISSN 0967-0378. OCLC 1032779031.
"Roland JD800". Music Technology. June 1991. pp. 26–32. ISSN 0957-6606. OCLC 483899345.
External linksedit
Vintage Synth Explorer page
Harmony Central reviews
JD800Center -Fan page
JD-800 page at Dancetech
Retrosound - JD-800 info, demo and pics
JD-800 Info/pictures/sounds (Flemish/Dutch)
Convert JD-800 Sysex messages to CC messages
Polynominal JD800 manual, schematics and audio demos
GreatSynthesizers JD-800 test report and audio demos
December 07, 2023
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Roland JD 800 news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message 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 The JD 800 thus became very popular with musicians who wished to take a hands on approach to patch programming The introduction in the manual states that Roland s intention with the JD 800 was to return to the roots of synthesis JD 800ManufacturerRolandDates1991 1996PriceUS 2 895UK 1 699JP 300 000Technical specificationsPolyphony24 voices using 1 tone 6 voices using 4 tones 1 Timbrality5 1 drum part 61 note assignable Oscillator3 MB of PCM ROM with 108 waveforms 1 MB expansion 4 waveforms tones per patchLFO2Synthesis typeDigital Sample based SubtractiveFilterResonant multi mode lowpass bandpass amp highpass referred to as TVF Time Variant Filter Attenuator3 multi stage envelopesAftertouch expressionYesVelocity expressionYesStorage memory64 patches 256 KB RAM cardEffectsChorus delay distortion EQ phaser spectrum reverb enhancerInput outputKeyboard61 KeysLeft hand controlPitch modulationExternal controlMIDI Contents 1 Technology 2 Editing and playing 3 JD 990 4 Expandability 4 1 PCM add on cards 5 Notable users 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksTechnology editThe JD 800 employs Linear Arithmetic synthesis introduced and made famous by the Roland D 50 which combines sample playback with digital synthesis The JD 800 has 108 built in waveforms which can be expanded via PCM cards The waveforms span a variety of categories such as analog synthesizers acoustic instruments and voices Many of these waveforms are very short and are used primarily for the attack portion of a sound while longer ones are used for the sustained part of a sound The JD 800 was Roland s first instrument to have its core presets developed entirely in the United States under a short lived branch of its R amp D LA office in Culver City California The core sampled waveforms and factory presets of the JD 800 were created by Eric Persing 2 A patch or single sound in the JD 800 consists of up to four tones As every tone consists of an almost completely independent synthesizer voice a patch could be considered a combination of up to four different synthesizers In Single mode the JD 800 plays one patch at a time but in Multi mode it is possible to play five different patches over MIDI plus a special patch The special patch has different waveforms assigned to the 61 different keys on the keyboard so is used for drums and percussion sounds The JD 800 has one effects section In Single mode seven effects can be used simultaneously in series so all tones in a patch go through the same effects In Multi mode three effects can be used at the same time with all patches sharing the same effects though any of the patches can be routed to bypass the effects 3 Editing and playing editUsing the Layer buttons the four tones of a patch can be switched on and off while playing When in Edit mode the Layer buttons are used to choose which tone can be edited using the sliders on the front panel The Palette sliders allow the player to edit the last active parameter of all four tones individually at the same time While playing the Palette sliders can be used like a mixer to set the balance between the four tones in a patch 3 However due to the limited accuracy of the sliders and because edited parameters jump from the value in memory to the value corresponding to the position of the slider moving the sliders while playing tends to cause sudden jumps in the sound The JD 800 manual states T he original purpose of the synthesizer was to create sound It s easy to simply select a preset you like but that sound will always be someone else s sound We at Roland asked Why don t we return to the roots of synthesis the enjoyment of creating original sounds Creating sounds may seem like a highly technical process but it s actually just a matter of moving a slider to make the sound change This is easy for anyone and the sounds that you get will always be your very own JD 990 editRoland released the JD 990 Super JD in 1993 This is an enhanced rackmount sound module version of the JD 800 with a larger display and the ability to expand the device with PCM cards for extra sounds 4 nbsp Roland JD 990 rackExpandability editThe JD 800 was expandable by the inclusion of slots for PCM cards for additional wavesforms and RAM cards for additional patches Roland produced a number of expansion kits consisting of a pair of cards a PCM card containing new samples and a RAM card containing a bank of new presets PCM add on cards edit Roland later released eight add on cards for the JD 800 SL JD80 01 Drums amp Percussion STANDARD SL JD80 02 Drums amp Percussion DANCE SL JD80 03 Rock Drums SL JD80 04 Strings Ensemble SL JD80 05 Brass Section SL JD80 06 Grand Piano SL JD80 07 Guitar Collection SL JD80 08 AccordionNotable users edit1 Giant Leap 5 A Guy Called Gerald 6 Armin van Buuren 7 Coldcut 8 Faithless 9 Future Bible Heroes 10 Gary Barlow 11 Jean Michel Jarre 12 Kevin Moore ex Dream Theater Labrinth 13 Laurent Garnier 14 Mouse on Mars 15 Rick Wakeman 16 Tom Lord Alge 17 Tony Banks Paul Shaffer 18 References edit Reid Gordon January 2005 The History Of Roland Part 3 1986 1991 Sound on Sound Retrieved 6 May 2016 Eric Persing Roland History Spectrasonics net Retrieved 22 April 2021 a b Roland JD 800 Owner s Manual PDF Archived from the original PDF on 2011 08 21 Retrieved 2011 08 21 The History Of Roland Part 4 www soundonsound com Retrieved 2018 07 17 Bell Matt February 2003 1 Giant Leap Sound on Sound Retrieved 4 June 2018 The Classic Album A Guy Called Gerald 28 Gun Bad Boy Future Music FM230 September 2010 page 20 Senior Mike August 2009 Armin Van Buuren Sound on Sound Retrieved 4 June 2018 Coldcut Ninja Tune Sound On Sound October 1997 Archived from the original on 10 January 2012 Faithless Insomnia The Making Of A Dance Anthem retrieved 2023 09 21 Inglis Sam January 2003 Future Bible Heroes Stephin Merritt Chris Ewen amp Claudia Gonson Sound on Sound Retrieved 4 June 2018 Gary Barlow Recording Production amp Songwriting Sound On Sound November 1998 Archived from the original on 16 September 2014 Jarre Jean Michel 1993 Chronologie Media notes Sturrock Patrick November 2010 Labrinth Producing Tinie Tempah Sound on Sound Retrieved 4 June 2018 Doyle Tom April 2005 Laurent Garnier Sound on Sound Retrieved 4 June 2018 Tingen Paul November 2003 Mouse On Mars Sound on Sound Retrieved 4 June 2018 Rick Wakeman Equipboard equipboard com Retrieved 2022 01 17 Tingen Paul April 2000 Tom Lord Alge From Manson To Hanson Sound on Sound Retrieved 4 June 2018 Ferrante Michael January 24 2006 Shaffer s Keyboard Rig Setup Sweetwater Sound Retrieved 2023 03 19 Further reading edit Retro review Roland JD 800 synth Future Music No 20 Future Publishing June 1994 p 42 ISSN 0967 0378 OCLC 1032779031 JD 800 sounds Future Music No 32 Future Publishing June 1995 p 25 ISSN 0967 0378 OCLC 1032779031 Roland JD800 Music Technology June 1991 pp 26 32 ISSN 0957 6606 OCLC 483899345 External links editVintage Synth Explorer page Harmony Central reviews JD800Center Fan page JD 800 page at Dancetech Retrosound JD 800 info demo and pics JD 800 Info pictures sounds Flemish Dutch Convert JD 800 Sysex messages to CC messages Polynominal JD800 manual schematics and audio demos GreatSynthesizers JD 800 test report and audio demos Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Roland JD 800 amp oldid 1176400213, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
