Roland JD-08

Essential Information About the Roland JD-08 Synthesizer

• JD-800 Heritage: The "90s" digital grain and rich controller ergonomics, in a compact Boutique series format.
• Iconic Architecture: Four Tone structure and 108 waveforms for complex, evolving, and highly "electronic" textures.
• Creation and Performance: Polyphonic 2-part step sequencer, motion recording, and arpeggiator for lively patterns.
• Studio Ready: USB-C audio/MIDI interface, standard MIDI, and external clock input to synchronize an entire setup.

A Digital Classic Reinterpreted for Stage and Studio

The JD-800 (1991) marked a turning point in an era dominated by preset-oriented digital synths by putting direct controls back at the center of the experience. The Roland JD-08 carries on this spirit: a "hands-on" approach and a distinctive sound, while bringing improvements designed for modern production. You get the original 64 historic presets and a solid foundation to go further with modern memory and functions.

Who Is It For, and What Styles?

The Roland JD-08 is aimed at experienced musicians and sound designers who want to sculpt pads, leads, and basses with a confidently digital character, without navigating endless menus. It excels in electro, techno, synthwave, ambient, modern pop, and sound design (animated pads, textures, transitions). Its compact format also makes it an excellent choice for a minimalist live setup or an inspiring studio corner.

Features and Innovations

The JD-08 combines the JD-800 waveforms with advanced modeling techniques to recapture the feel of the original, with a contemporary approach. The architecture is based on a four Tone structure (A to D) controllable via a "palette" section and numerous dedicated controls: WG (waveform generator), LFO, PITCH/TVF/TVA envelopes, filter (TVF), and amplifier (TVA). To enrich your sounds, the built-in multi-effects (distortion, phaser, delay, chorus, reverb, etc.) add depth and a signature immediately usable in production.

On the composition side, the 2-part sequencer with 64 steps allows building polyphonic patterns and layering ideas (chords, basses, leads) while staying synchronized with the rest of your gear. Connectivity is clearly designed for hybrid setups: USB-C audio/MIDI for direct recording into a DAW, MIDI IN/OUT for controlling or being controlled, and EXT CLOCK IN to integrate with analog machines and modular systems. Finally, AA battery power and the built-in speaker make it a practical, portable module that's always ready to play.

Technical Specifications

Memory

• User Memory Sound Patch: 256
• User Memory Pattern: 128

Controllers

• PALETTE Section: TONE A to 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 to T4 sliders, L1 to 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
• Others: TONE A to TONE D buttons, LAYER-ACTIVE button, ARPEGGIO button, NOTE button, COMMON button, EFFECTS button, START button, EXIT button, VALUE knob, BANK 1 to 8 buttons, NUMBER 1 to 8 buttons, MANUAL button

Effects

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

Sequencer

• Step Sequencer: 2 parts
• 64 steps
• 8 notes per part (Polyphonic)

Display

• 7-segment, 4 characters (LED)

Connectivity

• 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 (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 with Ni-MH batteries: Approx. 6 hours (using batteries with a capacity of 1,900 mAh)
• Note: This can vary depending on battery specifications, capacity, and usage conditions.

Accessories

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

Options (sold separately)

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

Dimensions and Weight

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