Skip to main content
Analog Specs
Roland199124-voice polyPolyphonic Keyboard$$$Premium($800–3,000)

Roland JD-800

Producers wanting hands-on, slider-based control over a genuinely dense and distinctive 90s digital synth engine.

Strengths

  • A wall of real sliders and buttons gives genuinely hands-on, real-time control over a digital synth engine — a rare combination for its era
  • Rich, dense PCM-based pads and textures became a signature 90s digital synth sound still sampled and referenced today
  • Because everything is a physical slider rather than a menu, sound design is dramatically faster than most digital synths of its generation

Trade-offs

  • Physical size and slider count make it heavier and less portable than most digital workstations of its era
  • Individual sliders and buttons are a common wear point on well-used vintage units, and full recaps/repairs can be costly

Full Specifications

Full technical specifications for the Roland JD-800
SpecificationValue
BrandRoland
ModelJD-800
Era1991
Typical Price TierPremium ($800–3,000)
Voice ArchitecturePolyphonic (24-voice)
Polyphony24 voices
Oscillator TypeDigital PCM (multi-layer)
FilterDigital resonant low-pass/high-pass per tone
Keys61
Built-in SequencerNo
MIDI EquippedYes
PatchingHardwired panel with sliders (real-time hands-on control over a digital engine)

A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.

Match Score Explorer

Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Roland JD-800.

50
50
50
50
This deckRoland JD-800
Match55
Flexibility78
Portability30
Ease of Use58
Tonal Neutrality55

Ranked against 55 other decks

  • Flexibility48
    Portability88
    Ease of Use80
    Tonal Neutrality32
  • Flexibility55
    Portability78
    Ease of Use70
    Tonal Neutrality42
  • Korg 707
    Match61
    Flexibility45
    Portability88
    Ease of Use62
    Tonal Neutrality50
  • Flexibility65
    Portability45
    Ease of Use78
    Tonal Neutrality45
  • Flexibility72
    Portability42
    Ease of Use75
    Tonal Neutrality40
  • Flexibility80
    Portability68
    Ease of Use30
    Tonal Neutrality48
  • Flexibility60
    Portability65
    Ease of Use62
    Tonal Neutrality32
  • Flexibility65
    Portability60
    Ease of Use35
    Tonal Neutrality58
  • Flexibility48
    Portability82
    Ease of Use32
    Tonal Neutrality58
  • Flexibility50
    Portability90
    Ease of Use45
    Tonal Neutrality30
  • Flexibility48
    Portability62
    Ease of Use70
    Tonal Neutrality35
  • Korg M1
    Match54
    Flexibility68
    Portability42
    Ease of Use52
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility62
    Portability48
    Ease of Use68
    Tonal Neutrality35
  • Flexibility55
    Portability62
    Ease of Use65
    Tonal Neutrality30
  • Korg X5
    Match53
    Flexibility48
    Portability62
    Ease of Use45
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility55
    Portability58
    Ease of Use42
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility65
    Portability55
    Ease of Use40
    Tonal Neutrality50
  • Flexibility58
    Portability55
    Ease of Use65
    Tonal Neutrality35
  • Flexibility58
    Portability60
    Ease of Use62
    Tonal Neutrality32
  • Flexibility62
    Portability55
    Ease of Use30
    Tonal Neutrality60
  • Korg Z1
    Match52
    Flexibility78
    Portability50
    Ease of Use28
    Tonal Neutrality52
  • Flexibility78
    Portability42
    Ease of Use32
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility68
    Portability35
    Ease of Use48
    Tonal Neutrality58
  • Flexibility55
    Portability50
    Ease of Use62
    Tonal Neutrality42
  • Flexibility68
    Portability45
    Ease of Use62
    Tonal Neutrality32
  • Flexibility48
    Portability70
    Ease of Use32
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility70
    Portability25
    Ease of Use68
    Tonal Neutrality35
  • Korg 01/W
    Match50
    Flexibility65
    Portability40
    Ease of Use35
    Tonal Neutrality58
  • Flexibility42
    Portability52
    Ease of Use68
    Tonal Neutrality38
  • Flexibility58
    Portability30
    Ease of Use70
    Tonal Neutrality38
  • Flexibility75
    Portability42
    Ease of Use22
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility45
    Portability58
    Ease of Use55
    Tonal Neutrality38
  • Flexibility75
    Portability35
    Ease of Use35
    Tonal Neutrality50
  • Flexibility62
    Portability42
    Ease of Use45
    Tonal Neutrality45
  • Flexibility42
    Portability55
    Ease of Use60
    Tonal Neutrality38
  • Flexibility68
    Portability28
    Ease of Use62
    Tonal Neutrality32
  • Yamaha DX7
    Match48
    Flexibility60
    Portability40
    Ease of Use35
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility68
    Portability22
    Ease of Use65
    Tonal Neutrality35
  • Flexibility45
    Portability55
    Ease of Use65
    Tonal Neutrality28
  • Flexibility58
    Portability45
    Ease of Use32
    Tonal Neutrality58
  • Flexibility62
    Portability40
    Ease of Use35
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility65
    Portability35
    Ease of Use42
    Tonal Neutrality45
  • Flexibility68
    Portability55
    Ease of Use42
    Tonal Neutrality22
  • Flexibility40
    Portability45
    Ease of Use75
    Tonal Neutrality25
  • Flexibility62
    Portability25
    Ease of Use68
    Tonal Neutrality30
  • Flexibility70
    Portability25
    Ease of Use30
    Tonal Neutrality58
  • Flexibility62
    Portability30
    Ease of Use38
    Tonal Neutrality55
  • Flexibility22
    Portability55
    Ease of Use78
    Tonal Neutrality30
  • Flexibility48
    Portability45
    Ease of Use52
    Tonal Neutrality38
  • Flexibility65
    Portability45
    Ease of Use38
    Tonal Neutrality32
  • Korg Delta
    Match42
    Flexibility48
    Portability30
    Ease of Use55
    Tonal Neutrality35
  • Flexibility52
    Portability25
    Ease of Use55
    Tonal Neutrality35
  • Flexibility58
    Portability15
    Ease of Use55
    Tonal Neutrality30
  • Flexibility92
    Portability10
    Ease of Use22
    Tonal Neutrality35
  • Flexibility65
    Portability8
    Ease of Use55
    Tonal Neutrality28

Maintenance & Supplies

As an Amazon Associate, Analog Specs earns from qualifying purchases.