I own a Roland JP-08, with those small sliders. I have a technique for micro adjusting these. Lower the slider (toward yourself) below the sweet spot you are looking for, then place your finger on the panel behind the slider and roll your hand up. This rolling of the finger is extremely precise and will allow the less than one millimeter adjustments with complete control. This technique is actually more accurate that controlling 100mm sliders with your finger on the slider. I have my Boutiques on a computer keyboard slide out shelf and I can get right over the top of them for programing. No time in my 54 years playing keyboards have I gotten so much pristine powerful sound in such a small package and for such a cheap price. We keyboard players are BLESSED today!
You are rapidly becoming my favourite synth reviewer.....Nick Batt is looking over his shoulder haha ! Top man, good to see someone from my part of the country showing his synth knowledge to the community. Hope the channel continues to grow mate.
Thanks for your videos! One way of squeezing the most out of the JD-08 is realizing it's a mono engine...the Super JD-990 rack that came a couple years later offered the ability to pan the individual tones, but the JD-08 is mono through the insert effects A, and then the whole parts can be panned. The time-based FX B only apply to part A like you mention, they are stereo and can make the engine sound somewhat stereo. But if you're willing to apply FX outside of the JD-08, you can pan part A all the way left and part B all the way right and now you've got two discrete outputs with two JD-800 engines each with four independent tones and indepdendent sequencers. You can do whatever stereo making you want to each of those at zero sacrifice other than giving up the JD-08 FX B. Some newer engines like the JD-Xi are stereo and allow the different tones/partials to be panned individually which is nice to have a true stereo tone of course. I've also figured out how to import JD-800 patch banks but Roland didn't make it easy. While there is no sysex for librarians, there are librarians out there, and the bank converter thing from github does allow you to load the new bank in the D bank say, and then you long press save your favorites from that into the A-C banks and keep importing new banks into D. Difficult but livable once it's set up. The tweakbility and programmability of this hardware is nice and makes it worthy over plugins I think, at minimal cost in reach space. You don't have a traditional synth engine, there is no oscillator cross-modulation (also came in the JD-990), the filter is a digital monstrosity that's hard to control, and the whole thing is a bit chilly and digital sounding. But overall with nearly unlimited voices, two complete engines and the sequencer it's arguably worth it for contrast if nothing else. Not a complete win because Roland seems afraid of making it one...a JD-09 that offered everything from the 990 with this form factor plus an alphanumeric screen and easy patch management would be a hit I think...like a mini JD-Xi with a better user interface. The JD-Xi is their current hit still, they were going after the MicroKorg without worrying about chewing up their own product line.
Great overview of the synth. 90s synths may not be to everyone's taste, but if you have ever programmed a D50, the JD-800 was a Godsend! Sure, lots of filter stepping and digital artifacts, but otherwise it is a powerhouse of a synth that is very easy to edit. If I was looking for a 90s synth that was easy to edit, this might be the only one, unless you're looking at VA synths from the late 90s.
Now that I think about it, I wonder why Roland didn't try to improve on the heavy filter stepping. I get trying to keep it true to the original, but it would be great if they had a menu option to turn on high res encoding, or something like that. 256 values instead of 128 for example. I think the System 8 has that.
Thank you for putting this overview video together. After seeing your video (and Nick Batt's) I decided to add this JD-08 to my Studio Arsenal. I now have the Trilogy... JU-06A, JX-08 and this JD-08. I was a Recording Engineer, Musician and Studio owner in 1970 through 1990. I have owned and or programmed dozens and dozens of Synths from all of the top manufacturers. During the past year I started to build a new Home Music Studio to include a whole collection of Synths both Clones from the past and Newer designs like Digitone and HydraSynth. One Synth I never got a chance to work with was Roland's JD800. Well now I have my chance. Yes, it's a very specific 90's sound and some are "Cheesey" but others are quite beautiful. Overall it has great possibilities in a compact form. The Modern upgrades like USB, and Ext Clock in for using my Modular Synths. And Momo Müller has created an Editor for it. It integrates the Roland JD-08 into your DAW, gives you full access to all parameters, and unlocks automation. It is both standalone software and VST/AU plugin for macOS and Windows that gives you access to all parameters without activating individual tones. You get an overview of all layers in a single, easy-to-use interface where all four tones can be edited at the same time. The editor allows you to select sounds directly from the editor which is a very great function. it also has an assignable X-Y pad that gives you an additional level of modulation. Momo also added a random generator so you can generate new sounds at a push of a button. RU-vid does not allow for me to put a link to it but for anyone who wants an excellent low cost Editor you can find it doing a search on the Internet, just search Roland JD-08 Editor.
@@StarskyCarr I am just now trying to learn the editor. I am finding it a little confusing on how to set it up as a Stand Alone on my MacBook Pro. Momo's PDF instructions are a little confusing. I seem to have some of the functions working but not all, like the Pitch Wheel does nothing. I'd love to see you do a demo video of setting it up and using the Editor with the JD-08 and how to get the most out of it. Your videos are always so helpful! Cheers.
Great and well thought out demonstration of the JD-08’s capabilities and sounds. I’ve had my JD-08 for a month now and I’m loving it. I was skeptical of the boutique series all along…I took a chance and bought one. It blew away my humble expectations away. Thank you for your wonderful and very well thought out video. Btw….Klaus Schultz toured a bunch with the JD-800…. Bill Maryland
It is a Boutique…love it or hate it. Never flirted with the form factor, yet this module has got me excited enough to pull the trigger on combo of JD-08, TB-03, SE02, and K-25m (as a travel kit). Even if I had no interest, I am truly appreciative of the effort and great coverage from SC…let’s not underestimate the labour that goes into each video. Not a patreon, yet I still benefit… 🙏🏻
Well, this just got added to the wish list, xmas list. Amazing review! Would have never guessed this little beast had that kind of polyphonic ability! 64 notes made of 256 parts? That's a lot of creativity in a tiny box!
After watching this video, I made the final decision to order one and it will arrive tomorrow. I have the Roland JU-06A, SE-02, TR-08 and love all of the Boutique synths. I live in a small apartment and have no room for my Jupiter-80 so it is in my storage cupboard.
I love that you're using it as somewhere between a groove box and a Wavestation; it does have remarkable potential for live use like that! Brilliant demo and breakdown 🙂
Starsky- You should have a bunch of viewers all record filter sweeps on assorted gear then we all release them on the same day to short out the RU-vid ContentID algorithm.
I've got a JD-08 and struggle being creative with it as I find it very involved. Once the fun of presets dissipates, I'll be more inclined to create sound instead of writing compositions. Love the gear though. Awesome review. Thx!
A few years ago I wrote Roland a letter wondering why all the digital ACB re-issues of analog synths and not an actual digital re-issue of a digital synth, the JD800? They have responded with the JD08, which I am very pleased with. I was hoping for something bigger like in the size of a System8, but I will take the Boutique with a smile. I have owned Roland gear since the mid 1980s and when they went digital they have included Time Variant architecture in most menu synths, but since the JD800 we have not had this tactile control. These 8 stage envelopes in filter/pitch/amp were counter-intuitive to me in menus. But now we get to work TVF/P/A in the open....finally. Add to this 128 voices and 4 layers or 4partial architecture and we have some fun synthesis sound design to look forward to in this little synth, mostly long evolving sounds blending from beginning to front middle to end middle to end.
The JD-08 is an excellent synth that BADLY needs a software update to make it more functional, correct some bugs and give it the most important feature: direct sysex compatibility with JD800 sysex files , to load all those wonderful JD800 sounds without going through the routine of format conversion first.
It reminds me of Korg Wavestation/Wavestate to some extent, considering layers and manipulation of sound, including sequences, but it's not vector synthesis on JD-800/JD-08 and it is much easier to program than Wavestation/Wavestate, because programming on those is like composing complete music in one patch. But factory patches sounds beautiful, pads of course, it is pads machine heaven.
I received my this week, it's really complex to edit steps, but a small box have a lot potential, it's like 8 synth sounds in One ! For shure I will used a lot !! I really learn a lot in your video, next time make a little more slowly the part of edit steps per layer 😂👌 You Got It My friend ! Amazing Video, I don't know if you already make on Jx 08 , but also are amazing, for me more easily to created edit steps on it , sorry for my English .. Strong hugs 💪 Nell Silva
Nice! Been wanting one of these.. Had the 800 and a 990 back in the day and really enjoyed them. Now that the tech is so much smaller,it’s a no brainer I feel to get this. I once created the absolute EXACT bassline from World in my eyes in the 990, Had great velocity control and all,and always wondered if it was a Jd unit used,(it sounded that exact) but the timeline doesn’t match up,with the album coming out in 90’. Maybe it was an Expander on the album..🤔
I have never understood why people complain about the Boutique form-factor, it took me an afternoon or so to get used to the smaller controls, and then off I went. By the way, the LA-Synthesis engine was only in the D-50/550, with the stripped down 2nd generation LA-synthesis used in the D-5/10/20/110/MT-32. From U-series and the D-70 on it's straight PCM sample based, tied to a D-50 style filter/envelope system... but the "synth" partials that were so useful in the D-50 are gone.
Thanks… yeah trying to get every nuance in the videos results in me sounding like my grandad explaining the differences between different model railway gauges that are interchangeable but are actually based on independent systems. 😂😂 I have to consider who’s actually watching and why. Throwing in a bit of context works until you start going encyclopaedic!! There’s about 8 different edits of me trying to fit it into the development narrative without becoming Mr Grimprat the history teacher 🤔😀 sometimes I get the balance right sometimes not.
@@StarskyCarr Its not a huge distinction, since all the following synths are more or less D-50's - just without the LA side of the engine. I always thought the D-70 or the U-series even were what Roland wanted originally with the '50 - full PCM samples + TVF/TVA, but memory was so expensive back then. And they sure dumped the LA-synthesis fast, the instant memory prices dropped :-)
I’d love to see an editor and firmware update that lets you load your own samples into it. Some how converts them for you. This would be amazing. Nice to see a review that demonstrates how to make patches. This is why I bought it. I get on more with the JX-08 but the JD-08 has so much potential for digital exploration.
Nice review. Forgive me if I say that you look like and, even more disarmingly, sound like Sasha. I like the idea of Sasha having his own synth advice channel 🙂
Great video - probably the best demo I’ve seen of this so far and may have me tempted again. I had a JD800 for a couple of years in the early 2000s. Lots of faulty sliders so I never really got to enjoy it properly and it went up to the attic. I made the mistake of storing it on its end, so of course summer came along, hot attic and yep - red resin / gloop started dripping sideways (from the key weights in case anyone’s wondering) and caused loads of them to stick together. Piece of #### 🤣. I ended up swapping it for a JP8000 (which I’ve recently found has gone a bit faulty too 😫). Love the work, Starsky!!
They're very different. JX-08 is analog modeling, JD-800 is more sample + synthesis, late 80s/early 90s sounding, similar to the D50, JD-900, JV-1080 etc.
Great video! Learned a lot. Couple of questions: 1- MUST the patches be composed of four tones or can YOU decide, how many tones they’ll be made up of? 2- What is the red glue of death? Cheers!
Thanks… You can have 1-4 tones so just 1 if you like. The red glue of death was used in the original units that will eventually deteriorate and ‘melt’ killing everything in its path!
Copyright for a filter sweep? What's next? Copyright for changing the oscillator's octave? That's ridiculous, pathetic and sad... Great video Regardless!
@starsky Carr First, let me say that I am not trying to be disrespectful. I am no troll. However, as a fellow synthesist of over 30 years, I'd like to clarify something. There are quite a few people that compare the ROM-based Rolands (including the U-20, D-70, JD-800, JD-990, JV-1080, JV-2080, and others) with the D-50/D-550. They're VERY DIFFERENT instruments. You can say that the D-50 was Roland's first step into the digital domain, but unlike the ROM-based oscillator instruments that followed, the D-50 had two synth waveforms (saw and square) and a collection of small PCM samples to serve as attack transients or percussive loops. To further clarify, the "samples" CANNOT be filtered. ONLY THE SAW or SQUARE WAVES. There are no such generated waveforms in the JD-800. All oscillators utilize a sample that is filtered. I'm not trying to be nit-picky (no matter how it sounds). This is a BIG difference in the architecture of the instruments. Most of my patches made on the D-50 don't even use the samples. The D-70, on the other hand, is a ROM-based instrument. It has more in common with the U-series than the D-50/D-550. It's true that the D-50 was the first time I used a Roland instrument that had Upper and Lower Tones with each consisting of two partials. But having digital waveforms instead of samples made the sound very different. I owned a D-50 for over 20 years and I still own my D-550. I've always loved this instrument since it was first released. I also love the JD-800 and would have bought one years ago if it weren't for the fact that every time I tracked one down locally, it had the red glue issue and the keybeds were in some state of non-function. I may buy one of the JD-08 Boutiques. (I certainly wouldn't have to worry about the red glue issue!) Again, I apologize and hope that I'm not sounding like someone who is missing the bigger point. It's just that as someone who is passionate about synths and who has purchased specific models over the years for their capabilities, I find it frustrating that SO MANY PEOPLE think that the D-50 is a ROM-based instrument when, in fact, it could be considered one of the first virtual analog instruments. However, unlike the JP-8000 and JP-8080 and other brands' contributions, the D-50 didn't have a nicely laid out interface. And for anyone who wants to bring up the PG-1000, I owned one of those for 20 years too and it is NOT NICELY LAID OUT. It may have over 50 multi-function sliders assembled in a compact surface, but I wouldn't call that inviting or inspiring to program. The JP-8000 and JP-8080, sure! The Clavia Nord Leads? Absolutely! The Korg MS-2000? You betcha! Anyway, I've babbled enough. I loved the video and I'm a delighted subscriber. Your content is always exceptional and you approach these instruments from a perspective of a fellow musician who is very practical. I respect that. I appreciate that. And I usually find that your observations are spot on. I just wanted to take a moment to clarify a minor issue because I hear so many others putting the D-50 into the same grouping and it really is a different instrument. Thank you for your patience. Peace to you, good sir!
All fair points.. I did record a section showing the differences using the cloud versions of both, but it completely killed the flow of the video. I can normally edit stuff so I keep the salient points but couldn’t find a smooth way of doing it without re-recording some stuff. I thought in the end that pointing to PCM etc would suffice for most. ie Mentioning the lineage without going into detail. … seems I was wrong !! 😀
@@StarskyCarr I appreciate your response. Thank you. I also understand that when creating content, we find ourselves carefully treading a tightrope in an attempt to remain balanced and true without needlessly upsetting people. That is no easy feat. I didn't mean to be a malcontent. I had just finished viewing another video before yours that stated that the D-50 was the first of Roland's PCM instruments and was their first ROMpler. It's important if we are to speak of these instruments that we avoid misinforming people and breaking down our valid historical narrative. Again, thank you for all that you do. I've been an appreciative subscriber for years. Perhaps we'll have to good fortune to chat someday in the real world beyond the electronic confines of RU-vid or FaceBook. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy and respect what you do. Peace.
I have a problem with my Roland JD08 . After varying amounts of time it auto shuts off . Any ideas ? Is the an auto shut off setting that needs to be turned off ?
Hi Starsky. Thanks for a great and helpful video ! I've just bought a new JD 08 and out of the box all controls are set to their lowest positions. I'm having a problem getting the nice Preset tones as I'm new to synths. I've scoured the Manual but it doesn't give any demo settings ! If you could give me any starting settings please Starsky it would be much appreciated ! ( I've searched RU-vid but can't find anything.) Thanks again for a nicely presented video. Kind Regards . . . .Eddie.
My understanding is that only the internal sequencer can play two patches. Unlike the JX08 I don’t think this can layer two patches or split them. But I would love it if some one could explain how to do it.
I always lusted after the original. But the faders on the JD-08 really put me off. So it's nice top see a great little work around. Might have to invest in one after all?
Hello, first of all, congratulations on this good video, I am looking for the battery kit used on I can’t dance of Genesis which is that of the JD 800 at the base. Is he also on JD 08?
I use a M-Audio Oxygen Pro to control the JD 08 and almost every parameter "CC" can be assigned to the sliders and knobs for realtime control and editing. It beats using the small sliders on the unit.
I have a question. It's noticeable this synth doesn't adhere to regular midi parameter data. The JD08 faders only go to 100, when everyone knows midi goes up to 127. Does this have any implications when modulating the JD via a midi sequencer ? Is there any confliction at all ?
I don't know from experience but I wonder if it means you lose access to the hit the final 27 values? Good question. The DX7 also went to 100 btw. so it's not on its own.
@@StarskyCarr It could be you retain the full 127, but some increments on your sequencer will not have any impact. For instance 64 will be 50, but 63 doesn't make 49. You'll have to place your sequencer on 62 to make 49. Anyhow that's how i expect it'll work. Strange nobody highlighted this in any JD-08 videos. It will cause slight annoyance. The comparison videos are fantastic by the way. Keep up the good work mate.
Yes… it’s all automated and you can contest them but they’re never cleared until the time lapses - ie no-one does anything. During that first month is when the majority of viewers find it and it’s shown in suggestions a large portion of the world can’t access it- so it’s easier to remake it and edit those bits.
@@StarskyCarr Man thats a pity ^^ This System is so f****d! Technology and AI/Machine Learning advanced so much and Listening back to the claimed Song, i really don't understand why a System this flawed is in use when People that earn something on the Platform or even depend on the Revenue!! Needs to change!!
Hello .I have recently bought a jd08 I'm trying to get the arpeggio to sync in FL studio 10 I'm using midi in and out to my sound card .I don't see a sub menus to set the midi clock to external on the jd08 if anyone has this problem or knows anything I would appreciate the feedback thanks
Got the JD-08 recently and I own a slowly dying JD-800. The thing that gets me is - it’s pretty good, but for reasons passing understanding, they only have the first half of the factory patches from the original. Plenty of user patches, and all the tones of the original, but missing the second half of the patches (and they’re mostly the ones I like). Has anyone managed to figure out if there’s a way to get all the JD-800 patches onto this either from the Cloud version or the original? Or do we have to manually figure out each patch from my original and program them in and save? Really wish I’d just bought the lifetime key from Cloud for $150 instead of spend $400. Shame as the JD-08 is pretty good otherwise.
Copyright strike for moving a fader or turning a knob. What an absurd world we now live in. I'm sure the Steve Hillage of the 70s would have thought so too
@@madmaxamali9699 not really 😂 you need a piano sound on part a and a string in part b for example. But I couldn’t explain it easily. Although it’s not that difficult. The starting point it’s to find the right samples. A good way to work it out would be to take a free month of Roland cloud and download the JD800. Find a piano and find a sting … there may even be the sound you’re after on a patch bank.
Wait...what? You got a copyright notice for a filter sweep? How does that work? If the filter sweep can trigger a copyright claim does that mean that if one used said filter sweep in a song it would also trigger a copyright claim? That's just weird...and stupid...and really really stupid....smh
I do not understand the heavy interest in this synthesizer. I would really like a detailed review on jx08. In my opinion it sounds much better. Thank you👍✋
They sound different. I need this sound, my other gear covers the sounds jx-08 does. Not many synths sound like this and are this versatile. Thanks Starsky.
JD-800 was the last real product Roland released. After it all has been awful, especially the actual products that are just computers with knobs to try to fool rookies and newcombers making them believe do sound as the real ones.Get a Nord Rack 2 or 4 instead, since they do not fool clients with their pc´s.
I have no respect for Roland anymore...They are not innovating anything the company is dead. The only synth they have now is the SE-02. Behringer DeepMind is better than anything Roland made in 25 years. Behringer is my most highly respected company now.
