Roland JD-800 vs. JP-8000?

[carpetcrawler]

Hi There!

I'm really interested in getting one of these synths. I want to use it mostly for lead-synth stuff.


What's the deal? Where are the differences between these synths and what is your user-experience?

[-=AnatomiC=-]

Jp is famous for it's super saw waveform.
I've heard some sweet leads with it (JR type leads)...
It is a bit expensive, because it's one of the most popular synths eva.
Unless you are electronic music producer, I would not take it, though. There are other options.
Personally, I would love to have it.
Also notice that rack version (jp8080) is superior to jp8000 in some aspects.

Can't say much about Jd 990 - it will be cheaper, because it's much less popular synth. Though I've heard good leads with it also, I think. Some people love it - ask Alex Argento, from this forum - he has one.
It's also a ROMpler (but with lot's of real time controls, I see) while jp80x0 is a Virtual analog.

[Analogkid]

At one time or another, Ive owned both the JD and JP. I found the JP was better for more hummmmmm odd sounding things, dance, trance. not that it wont do much more than that but I liked the pads, sweeps and leads better on the JD800. The only things i didnt like about the JD was Rolands weird name on the controlls. It was a little confusing at first. Plus I think almost all JDs have that damn key stick. Sooner or later you need to open up the case and free some sticking keys- usally black ones. The glue on the contact strips gets tacky and the keys start to stick. Also I think the sound cards for the JD are GREAT!!! but pricey

Thats my 2 cents

[Omega Monkey]

Well, firstly you should know that they are completely different synths overall. Really the only similarities are the abundance of physical controls, that they are both made by Roland, both make sounds, and both have a "J" in the name.

JD-800=rompler from the very early 90s. Excellent especially for pads and "digital" sorts of sounds (big chimey things and whatnot).

JP 80x0 is a virtual analog, which means it is a digital emulation of an analog synth architecture. So it's aimed at leads, basses, "warm" (mostly) pads, etc...

So really it depends on what you want and what your tastes are in terms of sounds.

[carpetcrawler]

Thank you all for replying. That's very good of you!


I heard the Roland JP-80x0 has a characteristic, it clicks when you close the lp (low pass) filter on fast attack patches using the cutoff slider. These clicks doesn't sound good at all, what's the reason?

[Analogkid]

Thank you all for replying. That's very good of you!


I heard the Roland JP-80x0 has a characteristic, it clicks when you close the lp (low pass) filter on fast attack patches using the cutoff slider. These clicks doesn't sound good at all, what's the reason?


I cant say I ever noticed a click?:confused:

[Taurus]

There's a click/popsound sometimes at the beginning of a keypress of a sound, but a little less attack will solve it, and its only hearable with certain sounds. Don't worry about it, its and exaggerated problem.

[-=AnatomiC=-]

I actually bought one couple of days ago (JP-8000) - for a ridiculous price and in very good state :cool: (notice that I always wanted it) I'm glad that I skipped Sh32 - piece of crap IMHO (after some research), not even real VA.

This machine is sweet - IMHO better than it's clone, the sh201.
It outperforms my Radias in some aspects also! (man, I want to get my rig back, to compare them)
Has a much deeper synthesis than you would expect from a 12 year old digital synth!
Effects are just awesome! (chorus/delay)
Well, it was very expensive when it came out (about 2700 bucks lol)

And you do have to keep your eye (or rather ear) on those clicks - you hear them a lot, but they can be removed.
What I like about it, that when you change values, you never hear those annoying jumps from low to high or vise versa - they change smoothly.

Still a bad-ass synth with character! I think I'll detach the rack from Radias-K, just to make place for it on top of my FX.

Edit: it get's only 4.5/5 on sonic state - but I have red most reviews. People who rate it lower than 4 ust compare it to analog synthesizers (analog purists, as I call them - they expect it to sound as analog synth) or people who post some info about it and rate it 0. lol....

[Taurus]

Can I alternatively recommend the Korg R3.
Its got the Radias engine. I own both this one and the JP-8000 and I think the R3, at 700USD, outperforms the JP in a lot of ways.

Still, its less keys, no ribbon and less knobs. But hey you get a vocoder as well in return, plus its got a warmer sound than the JP.
Worth checking out.