New Roland JD-08 Recreates JD-800 Synthesizer In Boutique Form Factor

Roland today introduced JD-08 Sound Module, a recreation of the original Roland JD-800 in their compact ‘Boutique’ form-factor.

The JD-08 includes 64 presets from the original, and recreates the four-tone structure, 108 waveforms, and unique two-part multi-effects behind the original JD-800’s sound. It also features a condensed version of the hands-on JD-800 control panel, giving you a wide range of sliders, buttons, and knobs for direct control.

The JD-08 features a built-in USB-C audio/MIDI interface for working with computer production software, along with full-size MIDI I/O for connecting with other MIDI hardware. An external clock input is also available on each unit, allowing users to drive the onboard sequencer and arpeggiator from vintage analog instruments and modern Eurorack systems.

Like all Roland Boutique modules, the JD-08 can run on USB bus power or batteries. It also includes a built-in speaker for mobile sound monitoring. And when mounted in the optional K-25m Keyboard Unit, the JD-08 can be used as a compact, all-in-one synth with 25 velocity-sensitive keys.

Features:

  • Four-part tone structure, multi-phase time variant envelopes, and palette sliders
  • Includes the original 64 presets plus 21 new presets
  • Detailed recreation of the JD-800’s unique two-stage multi-effects section
  • Editable distortion, phaser, spectrum, enhancer, delay, chorus, and reverb
  • 64-step, two-part polyphonic sequencer with random pattern generator
  • Onboard arpeggiator
  • Two-part multitimbral with expanded polyphony
  • EXT CLOCK IN to drive the internal sequencer and arpeggiator

Availability & Pricing

The Roland JD-08 Sound Module will be available in the U.S. in January 2022 for $399.99 USD.

40 thoughts on “New Roland JD-08 Recreates JD-800 Synthesizer In Boutique Form Factor”

  2. It’s a shame the JD-08 doesn’t include waveforms from any of the expansion cards, particularly the SL-JD80-04 String Ensemble card, or for that matter some newer waveforms from the JV-series of synthesizers. Still, the JD-08 is a lot more interesting than any of the virtual analogues in my opinion.

  3. instabuy for me, btw, Roland hasn’t been posting polyphony for the newer Boutiques. They said in the YT comments that its “Up to 120” notes depending on voice complexity

    1. the sweetwater spec is for the polyphony of the sequencer, which is confusing, per Roland on the YT demo the number of voices is “up to 128 depending on voice complexity”

  6. Always wanted the full size, but they all broke down at some point. It definitely makes more sense to do a digital synth like this in this factor, but those faders are too short to do anything with.

    1. i agree, maybe when they started the boutique line this market was ripe (and still is) but these ‘seem’ to be just their Roland Cloud VST’s in a box. i don’t know if they’ve noticed other companies doing very well on actually reissues, maybe they’ll jump in, but Roland reissues have certainly been a hot topic and and wish for years.

    1. The Boutique synths have been a big hit, precisely because they are small.

      You see a lot of people complain that nobody releases synth modules any more because they have no need for another keyboard. Here’s a company doing it, successfully, in a format that a lot of people like.

      You clearly are looking at it from a ‘cup is half empty’ perspective, that it’s a JD-800 for Barbie.

      For many of us, though, it’s an inexpensive synth module that – unlike most rack-mount synths – also has a complete set of controls.

      That’s what people like about the Boutiques – you can have a complete collection of synths – each very affordable – and put them on a shelf when you’re not using them, or fit a full rig on your desk.

      Very handy, unless your goal is to heat the house with all your keyboards.

      1. Yeah, I agree that being small has advantages; however, not this small. A larger size, even just a few inches on each side, would be a more preferable module in my book.

  13. The original synth was something I lusted after. Years later and time hasn’t been kind.to the JD series. They’ve changed and so have I. What was once cool is now cheesier than Father Christmas at a fondue party.
    Perhaps I’ll change my mind when Roland release the limited edition ‘red glue’ version of the K25.

  14. I’ll take a JD800….hats off to Roland’s Boutique line….but alas it’s just a
    Boutique synth. It’s sits in the shadow of the JD800! It’s amazing how Roland
    Shy’s away from reissuing the JD800. It’s a shame.

    1. Ok….I stand corrected…re-reviewed the specs and viewed You-Tube videos….n looked at Klaus Schultze history with the JD800…..pre-ordered a JD-08 …..gonna give it a spin….

  15. As owner of the original JD800 (bought new in 1991), this boutique reissue is a joke. It has no screen like that found on the bigger JD. You’d need the screen to read the parameter-values of all four parts simultaneously, as well as the effects section … and pretty much much everything else too.

    No screen, no thanks!

    Roland did a fantastic job with the D-05. Why wasn’t the JD-08 designed the same way as close as possible to the JD800, like the D-05?

    Yes, this boutique is a joke.

    1. After the glow wears off, they’re all pretty bad compared to the originals. I got the D05 and shelved it almost immediately, same with the JP8,A01, and EP3.

      Fool me once…

      The DK keyboard is horrendous.

  17. Does anyone understand how you program this? The JD800 has more parameters than the knobs and faders that are here, right? and on the JD800 you have a screen and a menu? so how do I program this one? do I have to use a computer?

    1. Probably a ploy to get you to subscribe to the roland cloud, for the editor that is inevitably coming… which defeats the purpose of having hardware in the first place.

    2. You can’t even program it externally from the JD-800… not compatible. Also lacks 4 out of 6 timbral parts. Also lacks the Aftertouch parameters to LFO-pitch depth, Filter and Amp, which on the JD-800 can be used to bypass the steppy filter cutoff slider (which is super-small on JD-08, btw) for smooth manual filter sweeps from Exp-pedal, Aftertouch, Knob-Pot or an external MIDI controller with a knob or slider.

      Pretty much a heavily butchered JD-800… such a shame. I just hope Behringer shows ’em how to do it properly!

  18. Sounds OK, the compact boutique line is not such a terrible idea, but those tiny faders are just ridiculous fetishism. If they had switched them for pots it would have been vastly easier to use and sounded just as good.

  19. Apparently this is not ACB but is ZEN (inferior but more voices). Voice count for JD should be 8 voices ( 2 independent layers with 4 Tone layers each (8 voices) and the JX is 4 voices per each sequencer ( 8 voices). These boutiques run at 44/48/96 and 192Hz ( which is amazing).
    They should of at least added the JD-990 waveforms or the JD drum kits too. They want you to use Roland Cloud versions for all the sound expansion and use these boutiques as controllers for the vst.

  22. Do you know if the JD-08 could be used as a controller for the roland cloud JD 800 recent VST or the zenology version please ?
    Does the Roland cloud presets could be sent somehow to the jd-08 and vice versa or these are too different technologies ?

    Thanks

  23. I had a JD-800 in the ‘90’s and inexplicably sold it along the way. I just bought the JD-08 and am delighted. It’s about the sound, which I feel Roland really got right. I don’t have room in my studio for all the synths I love and know, and the Boutique series is a great solution for me. Cheap, storable, and faithful to the originals. If you don’t like them because of size, don’t buy them, go pay big bucks for an aging original. I’ll keep this.

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