Software Synthesizer

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Vintage Digital Icon

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. Thanks to our advanced modeling engine that incorporates the original waveform data, you can now have the unique sound and experience of this vintage digital icon in a modern software instrument.

+ Features

  • Authentic sound and behavior with advanced modeling and original JD-800 waveforms
  • 64 presets from the original JD-800, plus 64 new presets crafted by top sound designers
  • Detailed recreation of the JD-800’s two-stage multi-effects section with drag and drop reordering
  • Seven effects including chorus, phaser, enhancer, distortion, spectrum, delay, and reverb
  • Detailed, realistic interface that’s resizable and includes alternate views
  • Expanded polyphony versus the original hardware
  • VST3, AAX, and AU with support for Apple silicon

The return of the hands-on synth.

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 massive control-laden panel and an unapologetically electronic sound palette. With its player-focused workflow, evocative sounds, and powerful effects, the JD-800 was a favorite for top electronic music producers throughout the ’90s and beyond.

JD-800 Software Synthesizer | The return of the hands-on synth
JD-800 Software Synthesizer | A different kind of synthesizer

A different kind of synthesizer.

Using D-50-style waveforms with multimode resonant filters, the JD-800 took a different approach to other synthesizers of the day and offered a glimpse at the exciting future of hybrid synthesis. Each of its four layers is like a complete synthesizer in its own right, with flexible modulation routing and time-variant amp and filter envelopes. This unique architecture, complex tonality, and immediate hands-on experience has endeared the JD-800 to many hard-core synth fans over the years.

Authentic JD-800 sound and behavior.

The JD-800 Software Synthesizer is painstakingly crafted to sound and behave exactly like the original hardware. Rather than simply a bunch of JD-800 samples, we used the original waveform data along with advanced modeling techniques to perfectly recreate the big, bright, spacious sound that only the JD-800 can deliver.

Special effects.

A key ingredient of the JD-800’s sound was its formidable multistage effects section. It’s been carefully recreated here and enhanced with an expanded view perfect for realtime tweaking. In addition to a master EQ, there are seven effects that can be rearranged via drag and drop to customize your signal flow. Choose from distortion/overdrive, enhancer, spectrum equalizer, phaser, chorus, triple-tap delay, and a selection of reverbs, each with multiple parameters that vastly change the sonic character.

JD-800 Software Synthesizer | Special effects
JD-800 Software Synthesizer | Waveforms

Sounds that inspire your music.

Instantly create with the large sound selection, including 64 original presets from the JD-800 hardware that transport you straight back to the ’90s. There are also 64 new presets, expertly crafted to show how inspiring and evocative the JD-800 can be in a modern context. Or simply dive into the huge array of controls and create never-before-heard sounds that make your music stand out.

JD-800 Software Synthesizer | Sounds that inspire your music
JD-800 Software Synthesizer | A thoroughly modern software instrument

A thoroughly modern software instrument.

While the JD-800 sounds exactly like its vintage counterpart, it’s wrapped in a modern plug-in designed for today’s creative environments. The hyper-realistic interface is resizable for high-resolution screens, and VST3, AU and AAX formats ensure it works with your favorite DAW. While the sound is huge, it’s kind enough to your CPU to run multiple instances with lots of polyphony. And it natively supports Apple silicon for the highest level of performance on modern Macs.

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Specifications
Part
1 part
Patch
4 tones layered
Waves
108 waves
LFO1/LFO2
SYNC SW
RATE
DELAY
FADE
WAVEFORM
OFFSET
KEY TRIG
WG
WAVEFORM
GAIN
PITCH COARSE
PITCH FINE
PITCH RANDOM
KEY FOLLOW
A-TOUCH BNED SW
BENDER SW
A-TOUCH MOD
LFO1
LFO2
LEVER
PITCH ENV
VELO TIME VELO TIME KEY FOLLOW L0-L2 T1-T3
TVF
MODE
CUTOFF FREQ
RESO
ENV
KEY FOLLOW
LFO SELECT
LFO
A-TOUCH
TVF ENV
VELO
TIME VELO
TIME KEY FOLLOW
T1-T4
L1-L4
SUSTAIN LEVEL
TVA
LEVEL
BIAS DIRECTION
BIAS POINT
BIAS LEVEL
A-TOUCH
LFO SELECT
LFO
TVA ENV
VELO
TIME VELO
TIME KEY FOLLOW
T1-T4
L1, L2
SUSTAIN LEVEL
EQUALIZER
3-Band (Low/Mid/High)
Effect
Distortion
Phaser
Spectrum
Enhancer
Delay
Chorus
Reverb
Controller
SOLO
SOLO LEGATO
UNISON
PORTAMENT SW
PORTAMENT MODE (NORMAL, LEGATO)
PORTAMENT TIME
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Patches per bank
64 patches
* User can make new user banks.
Plug-In Formats
VST 3.6 (64 bit)
AU
AAX
System Requirements Mac OS
Minimum Operating System
macOS 10.14
Host Application
VST version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: V2 Audio Units compatible
AAX compatible
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 or better (Quad-core CPU recommended)
Apple M1 Chip
RAM
2 GB or greater
Storage Space
150 MB or greater
Display resolution and Colors
1,600 x 800 dots or higher, 16.7 million colors or greater
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
System Requirements Windows
Minimum Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)

* This does not work with the Windows(R) RT.
* This does not work with the Windows(R) Phone.
* This does not work on the virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC, or Boot Camp.
Host Application
VST version: VST 3.6 compatible
AAX compatible
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 or better
RAM
2 GB or greater
Storage Space
150 MB or greater
Display resolution and Colors
1,280 x 900 dots or higher, 24 bits Full Color or greater
Other
You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
* Although Roland has tested numerous configurations, and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the JD-800 Software Synthesizer, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the JD-800 Software Synthesizer based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements.
This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved.

Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
Sound Design: The Art of Layering with the Roland JD-800

Sound Design: The Art of Layering with the Roland JD-800

The JD-800 dominated the '90s with massive textures and a front panel that pushed limits. Learn to create immense layers with the instrument.Read more…

Roland Engineering: The Story of the JD-800

Roland Engineering: The Story of the JD-800

The JD-800 was a slider-packed synthesizer designed to bring sound creation back to music-making. The engineers tell the tale of the classic.Read more…

Digital Dreams: Eric Persing and the JD-800

Digital Dreams: Eric Persing and the JD-800

Explore the inside story of the iconic JD-800 from legendary sound designer Eric Persing, a key figure in its development.Read more…

Listening Guide: Sounds of the JD-800

Listening Guide: Sounds of the JD-800

The JD-800 is front and center in this sampling of tracks by legendary artists. Explore these classics and fall in love with the '90s again.Read more…

Downloads

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner's Manuals