Roland JD 800 VS Roland JD 800 Expansion Model Comparison - Worth every penny 

Oh yes :) It will never “get out of date” 😃😃😃

Sounds pretty old school to me. Thats the opposite of futuristic.

It def was used in a lot of dated pop in the 90s, but also has a good deal of use in the timeless sound of UK Chillout : klf, orb, fsol, space

​@@shaft9000 Ummm I didn't miss the 90s thanks!

Oh yes :) Love it, and the Iceman is my favourite 😃😃😃

🤠 Or you could get a JV module fitted with Dance & Techno expansion cards.

My pleasure ;) Thank you 🙏🏽😃

My pleasure :) Thank you 😃😃😃

My pleasure :-)

I’d also like to add gratitude for the great links you cared to attach@@GlennMainMusic Cheers!!!

That would be awsone 😃😃😃😃

Thanx man :-)

Tanks Barry :)

Thats great man 😃😃😃

Thank you, Yes it really sounds great :-)

Thank you so much :-)

Thank you so much :) I also believe that the velocity is the main purpose why it is a slightly differently sound sometimes ;)

@@GlennMainMusic I agree! the most important thing was, not just that the patches were the same each time, but you were play the exact same keys and chords. I don't think you could really tell the difference in a blind test ^^

@@GabePlaysYT - So true :)

Roland - SRX KEYBOARDS uses waves from this board

@@EuroDJ - :-) Cool

The Jupiter is full of good stuff. I haven’t had time to really dive into it.. but I just love it :)

You can get Roland VariOS and the VC-1 card for all the D-50 sounds. Granted, VariOS doesn't sound 100% like the D-50, especially the synthesizer (filtered) sounds, but the PCM based sounds are spot on, and cleaner sounding.

Thank you so much Mathias 😃😃

Yes, as far as I know it is the same file format, so you can upload your sounds :-) There is lots of memory for the new expansion, as long as you dont filled up your internal memory with lots of lotsa of custom sounds... :-)

Its a FANTASTIC replica of the mister synth 😃 And yes.. I had to stick to “original” music 😃👍😃 Thanx for your comment 😃

I did not try that option.. it would be nice to make programs and exchange sounds between hardware and software as well :)

My pleasure , and I am glad you liked it. And the plugin has even more than I showed you as well... 64 brand new sounds also :-)

Hello Bill :-) You buy a lifetime key for the model, and it can easely be downloaded and installed on your XM. If you go to this link (The manual for the 1.40 update.. You MUST update the xm to this) The update is special made for the JD 800 expansion. :-) Hope this helps :-) www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/jupiter-xm/owners_manuals/

@@GlennMainMusic Thanks for the info!

It all depends on the amount of memory you have left in the Jupiter. If you have lots of soundbanks and other "goodies" it might be lack of space, but you can check the memory usage "so far" on your synth. I did not erase anything on my XM, but I only had a few soundbanks oin it. Meaning, if you dont have installed a lot of stuff you probably have lots of space .-) I dont know if that answerd your question.. but I hope so .-)

@@GlennMainMusic yes, you answered my question perfectly. Thank you!

I would never sell my JD-800 either :) It is a great Synth - And i love the controls 😃😃😃😃

Thank you 😃😃😃

Do the "deep dive" into the synth man.. :-) I hop you enjoyed it.. but I still want to see one from you anyway :-)

@@GlennMainMusic I first need to get the Xm better as it's new to me too. 😁

@@Jarreenzo - I know the feeling.. I still have the same :-)

I would never sell it :) NOTHING beats the original .. but I must say that the Expansion Model is extremely close, and it think it is just a matter of velocity and some minor eq tweaking to make them the same .. but in a production mixed with other stuff you can not tell the original from the Expansion Model.... and people who listen to our songs does not have the comparison opportunity anyway... so I just love it ! But in short... no I will never sell the original 😃😃😃

Thanx Fred:-) Just had to add that song when the pianosound was so much the same :-)

@@GlennMainMusic not quite the same ...It seems to me in Dr Alban was used piano from Yamaha ... something like TG500

@@EuroDJ - The most common pianosound from that era is the Korg M1 piano (01 Piano).. That was used in almost every production back then.. But the JD 800 sounds very much the sa,me :-)

@@GlennMainMusic I think from that era JD/JV piano was the most consumed (in Eurodance90s and HappyHardcore90s) ... M1 - less, predominantly in House/EuroHouse 90s ;) .. TG55/77/500 - more rarely

:) That’s true :) Anyway I think that the JD890 piano is a great replicate 😃😃😃 And I don’t think that other than us (musicians and DJ) can tell the difference 😃😃😃

Thank you so much 😃😃

... hmmm.... I really don’t know 😃

My pleasure:)

The original is of course the “original”, and nothing can compare to it.But I think the bass is really great on the Expansion Model. But overall the original is easier to edit because of the layout, but I guess that also is a matter of preference and what you are used to. 😃

I still feel somehow the bottom end of the original JD800 is very hard to beat. Also editing on the instrument itself is also rather easy. No menus just every parameter right in front of you. But look its good to know this is a way out if your JD800 happens to finally die. Mine is in pristine condition and fully operational which is rather amazing.The JD is a rare instrument and the filters are totally unique and no later instrument has ever sounded quite like it. The VSynth is also a bit like that too.

Thank you so much :) I Will do a key-fix. I have done some fixing og other synths so I think I will manage, but thank you for the tips about the contacts. I will let you know if I need some help 😃😃😃

😃I will fix😃😃

@@GlennMainMusic It's a bit frightening to do the mod but worth it.

I know, but I have fixed several touch sensitive keyboards. Especially my synth that I use in pianobar gigs… people tend to spill beer and all kinds of drinks into it 😂😂😂

Oh yes , they are growing in popularity when it gets a “new face”. I learned during the years that all the vintage synths is better to be kept in a safe place. Sooner or later you will need them again 😃😃😃

You can test it for free for 30 days, but Roland cloud is a very very nice place to have all your synths 😃😃😃

Thank You Very Much Sir

If you are using the Roland cloud and the Zenolgy you Will find the plugin in your DAW of choice :) If you are using Cubase, you might have to «allow» Cubase to put it on the plugin list :) Hope That answerd your question :)

Oh yes :) It is so nice to have the “good old synths back” when they make real good VST. True about the knobs... but there are some controllers you can use for it. It has Midi CC learn in the VST :)

Oh yes man :) with today’s technology we can shape almost every sound to our own liking... and it’s also a matter of what kind of genre or what the synths role in the song or setting. Overall I just love the sound of it :)

That’s awesome - Feel free to post the link here if you like 😃😃😃

@@GlennMainMusic soon you will have it 👍👍👍. Thanks for you comparison video.

Yes. You can add effects that’s in the Jupiter XM to the sounds 😃

@@GlennMainMusic yeas, but if use only as software it's isn't?

I am But sure about That.. i only use the Jupiter XM for This ..:)

Oh yes man 😃

Thank you 🙏🏽 I would say that if you put this in a “mix” you would probably tweak it with eq and effects anyway.. so I think that no one could tell it’s a “copy” anyway 😃😃😃 I just love the fact that in 2021 I can buy the JD800 for a great price again 😃😃😃

Yes :) It’s mine for the rest of my life 😃😃😃

@@GlennMainMusic But do you need a lifetime key to put in the X,or can you downloaded from pro?

Thank you so much 🙂

That is correct... My "bad"... I guess it was the D50 he used for that sound.. I do belive the original pach is from D-50... :-) I just thougt the sound was so familiar.. so I made a guess .. LOL.. But you are right.. I could not have been the JD 800 sound... :-)

@@GlennMainMusic Yes, the preset was from D50, it's called "Afterthought" and it's preset 84

I know.. just love it :)

I do agree. but I think it has to do with the velocity. But after all I dont think someone can hear the difference when its played alone or in a mix with the rest of the "band" .-)

@@GlennMainMusic yeah absolutely! I commented before you said that you think it has to do with velocity 😊

It is a little monster :)

Yes they do :) I’m the mix - no one will hear the difference.. because there are almost none 😃😃😃

More or less identical? Lol

Roland Cloud has it as «VST»… in a way :) :)

😃😃😃

That night be , but that is just an eq-fix I believe. When you hear this synth in the mix I don’t think anyone is able to feel the difference 😃

You get a "lifetime key" for it on the Roland Cloud, But you need a zen core compatible unit to install it.. or you can use it with the Zenology synth/plugin from Roland Cloud :-)

@@GlennMainMusic : thank you.

Ohhhhj…. So sad… :( It’s a shame to just have it under the bed … it should not be so much work to fix the keys… I will open my one if the days, and I will fix it 😃

@@GlennMainMusic The keys were good for just 6 months or so. Then some start dropping out again. I see one of your keys have no velocity (always loud). Would be great if you show me how to fix as i tried it once,..without succes, lol.

distortions

And one other thing I forgot to mention is that if you compare two JD 800 hardware synths , you will probably hear slightly different between them as well :) 😃😃😃

@@GlennMainMusic On a different scale, yes. I am talking about a more clean digital sound vs. artifacts from historic d/a converters and op-amp. This is rarely modeled in emulations of digital synths (like DX7) and I think it contributes substantially to what makes the 90s sound.

This said, the modern Roland offer got more tempting for me from this addition.

@@marcusfreeweb - Thats great man :-) It is woth every penny in my oppinion :-)

I am just like you man, I just love the fact that these good old synths are “back” And to my ears, this one is a very good Re creation of a great synth :) Thank you for the nice comment 😃😃😃😃

@@GlenJDiamond I just got it installed, and wow! Totally worth it just for the memories and feels alone. The on final consideration for me is space, I only have room for one big beast keyboard, and that's the Jupiter-X. Just being able to drop it in and play, is amazing. Thinking about the Jupiter-Xm and how you can now take a JD-800 anywhere. So cool!

Nothing will ever beat the original 😃😃😃

not sure how it works on the JPX but on the JUNO X the Part Level faders let you adjust each part on the JD-800 sound. As a JD-800 owner I can also say...this things sounds 98% the same as a real JD-800. It sounds so good it changed my mind about Zencore and pushed me to buy my JUNO X, which is an excellent synth. Slight difference in sound, 99% would never know.

😃😃😃😃😃😃

I understand what you mean, but I now use the editor for it on my mac, and it works very well. I must admit that I have seen better interface, but I still love the synth. Maybe you should check out the Jupiter X.. the big one.. it is more "Roland" :-)

Yes :) 😂😂😂

@@GlennMainMusic in that case, I guess it sounds 100% identical! 😂

It sounds different imho, not better. Original has more bite on high end and attack on notes, while expansion always tend to sound les bitey and more polite, but on some it manages to get very close, on some dont, but does it mean something to one who using those sounds, probbably not. Depending on taste and need i guess.

That is so true :) And that is what I tried to express in the video as well. For me they sound “the same”. If you put the expansion model in a mix with other gear you can not tell the difference ;) But yes.. I love having the “original” ... and now I have two in a way 😃😃

😂 She ? Well.. I think you know what I meant anyway.... that was a bit a awkward comment... but at least you saw the video 😃😃 And that’s a good thing 🤘😎🤘

So true :) But still they sound soooo Nice 😃

The best things in life is for free they say.. but sometimes you have to pay too 😂😂 But I think it’s worth it anyway 😃😃

It is soooo close to the original :-) Thank you :-)

I believe that all the synth manufacturers that made “hits” in the 80’s wants to make the “new musicians” able to have a taste of the best (in my opinion) time in music history. With the possibilities “new” producers have today I it’s a very good chance to make great music again. It’s back 2 basics in a way 😃😃😃 And we (the old school musicians) just love to get the great stuff back.. as of many of us did get rid of during time...😂

@@GlennMainMusic yeah i suppose so i fell out with roland after i had a jd-xa and that was just one synth i really would have taken a sledge hammer to i luckly swapped that for a jupiter 50 which to be fair was actrually a good synth it wasn't fantastic but you could tell it wasn't just reworking an old idea like they seem to be doing a lot now cause supernatrual engine was pretty good and the jupiter was alright but i think the problem is since the roland corp went bust and moved into the hedge fund owned thing i just think they just using the name and they seem a company thats lost its way its been coming for a while really that its a shame to see that but if your company doesn't bother with R nD anymore and innovation really and just repackages ideas cause persoanlly it just seems like their reworking the back catalog and some stuff thast roland rejected and putting it into their synths and its not a business model that can last really i mean lok at what korg are doing i bought a wavestate and to be honest its best synth i have ever owned and i sold all my hardware not long back just never used it and found the vsts better then the hardware so it all had to go but yeah i hear you i suppose it depends on what music your making as well me personally i just make old skool english acid house and jungle techno and techno so they don't do it for me

@@GlennMainMusic and yeah not everyone can afford 20 big ones on a jupiter 8 and the sad one with that is i used to see them on ebay 15-20 yrs ago going for 2 grand and the worst one i experienced andf i hate myself i was working past one of them pawn shops and there it was in the window a tr 909 for 40 quid and i didn't know how much they were worth but i knew what it was and yep i let it go and yep i hate myself that was in 20o5 that

I think it sounds a bit «bigger» due the velocity settings... i guess i play a bit softer on regular keys ... anyway its a great Modul Expansion 😃😃😃

I did not dive deep enough to hear that. But sound wise I think it’s very good. But the “Original” is always the best one no matter what you try to copy :) Thanx for the info by the way ;)

Maybe they will do a Acb version but in all honesty no one is going to listen to your track and complain that the filter is all wrong, we need to give some praise for being able to get this in a plugin or plugout to hardware as the prices on the original are getting ridiculous and in all honesty not worth it for most people who just want the patches of the OG and to have a bit of fun.

@@maccagrabme - That is so true :-) Thank you :-)

@@maccagrabme+1 I can understand Jupiters prices going crazy but for JD800 its just stupid. For that money today you could get much better newer tech synths

🤘😂🤘