Roland JD-08 synthesizer

‌Digital classic. Modern flair.

With its retro workflow, evocative sounds, and powerful effects, the JD-800 was a favorite for top electronic music producers through the ’90s and beyond. Combining the original JD-800 waveforms with advanced modeling techniques, the JD-08 delivers the exquisite hands-on sound design of the original, along with hugely expanded polyphony, a two-part polyphonic sequencer, and other modern updates.

Inspiring sound design at your fingertips.

By the early ’90s, preset-driven digital synths with limited hands-on controls dominated the landscape. The JD-800 changed all that in 1991, bringing the synthesizer world back to its roots with a control-laden panel and an aggressively electronic sound palette. The JD-08 includes 64 presets from the original hardware and perfectly recreates the four-tone structure, 108 waveforms, and unique two-part multi-effects that are at the core of the JD-800’s intricate, evolving sound.

Expanded sound for the modern age.

While the original design of the JD-800 is retained in this modern version, there are a range of updates that take the experience to another level. New patches plus 256 memory locations let you dive deep into the huge array of controls to create new sounds for your music. And with expanded polyphony and two-part multitimbral capability, there’s even more room to stretch out your sonic ideas.

Music that moves.

Once you’ve locked in your patches, fire up the two-part polyphonic sequencer and start programming leads, basslines, or basic chords to sync with other pieces in your electronic ensemble. And to bring some animated movement to your sounds, tap into motion recording and the onboard arpeggiator to make your musical lines dance.

MIDI, USB, and external clock input.

The JD-08 features a built-in USB-C audio/MIDI interface, so you can play, record, and synchronize with all types of computer production software. Full-size MIDI I/O is also available for interfacing with other MIDI hardware. There’s even an external clock input for driving the JD-08’s onboard sequencer and arpeggiator from vintage analog instruments and modern Eurorack systems.

Specifications:

User Memory

• Sound Patch: 256
  
• Pattern: 128

Controllers

Rear Panel

• POWER switch
  
• VOLUME knob

PALETTE Section

• TONE A--TONE D sliders

LFO Section

• LFO SELECT button
  
• RATE slider
  
• DELAY slider
  
• FADE slider
  
• WAVEFORM button
  
• OFFSET button
  
• KEY TRIG button

WG Section

• PITCH COARSE knob
  
• PITCH FINE knob
  
• PITCH RANDOM slider
  
• KEY FOLLOW slider
  
• WAVE FORM knob
  
• LFO 1 slider
  
• LFO 2 slider

PITCH/TVF/TVA ENV Section

• TIME KEY FOLLOW slider
  
• T1--T4 sliders
  
• L1--L4 sliders
  
• SUSTAIN LEVEL slider
  
• ENV SELECT button

TVF Section

• MODE button
  
• CUTOFF FREQ slider
  
• RESO slider
  
• ENV slider
  
• KEY FOLLOW slider
  
• LFO SELECT button
  
• LFO slider

TVA Section

• LEVEL slider
  
• BIAS DIRECTION button
  
• BIAS POINT slider
  
• BIAS LEVEL slider
  
• LFO SELECT button
  
• LFO slider

TONE A--TONE D buttons

• LAYER-ACTIVE button
  
• ARPEGGIO button
  
• NOTE button
  
• COMMON button
  
• EFFECTS button
  
• START button
  
• EXIT button
  
• VALUE knob
  
• BANK 1--8 buttons
  
• NUMBER 1--8 buttons
  
• MANUAL button

Effects

• Distortion, Phaser, Spectrum, Enhancer, Delay,Chorus,Reverb

Step Sequencer

• 2 part
  
• 64 steps
  
• 8 notes per part (Polyphonic)

• Display: 7 segments, 4 characters (LED)

Connectors

• EXT CLOCK IN jack: Mono miniature phone type
  
• PHONES jack: Stereo miniature phone type
  
• OUTPUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
  
• MIX IN jack: Stereo miniature phone type
  
• MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
  
• USB port: USB Type-C(R) (Audio, MIDI)

Power Supply: 

• Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 4 or Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4
  
• USB bus power

• Current Draw: 500 mA (USB bus power)
  
• Expected battery life under continuous use: Ni-MH battery: Approx. 6 hours (When using batteries having a capacity of 1,900 mAh.)
  
• * This can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries, capacity of the batteries, and the conditions of use.

Accessories

• Quick Start
  
• Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"
  
• Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4
  

Options (sold separately)

• Keyboard unit: K-25m
  
• Boutique Dock: DK-01

Size & Weight

• Width: 300 mm x 128 mm x 49 mm
  
• Weight (including batteries): 840 g

Package includes:

• Roland JD-08 x1
  
• Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x4