JD-800 Software Synthesizer

Owner’s Manual

© 2021 Roland Corporation 01

 Introduction
For details on the settings for the DAW software that you’re using, refer to the DAW’s help or manuals.

About Trademarks
VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
Roland is a registered trademark or trademark of Roland Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.
Company names and product names appearing in this document are registered trademarks or trademarks of
their respective owners.

2
 Screen Structure
Main Panel: Tone (Original Layout)
LAYER MESSAGE indicator
Lights up when a MIDI message is received.
[TONE A]–[TONE D] button
These buttons turn the partials on/off, and select Level meter
which tones are to be stacked when played.
Shows the output level.

ACTIVE
[TONE A]–[TONE D] button
These buttons select the tones to view/edit, and
show them on the panel.
When you select multiple tones, the tones that are
lit up is shown, and the edits you make apply to all
selected tones.
PANEL
* To select multiple tones, click a button while
holding down the [SHIFT] key. [TONE] button
When lit: the parameters are shown and can be Shows the tone parameter in the panel.
edited.
Ø Tone Edit (p. 4–p. 5)
When blinking: the parameters are not shown, but
can be edited (when you edit the tones that are lit
up, they become the same value).
[COMMON/EFFECTS] button
When unlit: the parameters are not shown, and Shows the overall settings for the patch and the effect
cannot be edited. MASTER TUNE parameters in the panel.
Ø Common/Effect Edit (p. 6–p. 8)
Adjusts the pitch.

PORTAMENTO
[ON] button
Turns the portamento on/off. When this is on, the
pitch of the second note you play glides continuously
from the first note.
[MENU] button VOLUME [PATCH] button [SOLO] button
OFF: Portamento is not applied, regardless of the
Use this to make various settings. Adjusts the overall volume. Displays the Patch Select window. Sets whether the tones play as single notes portamento time setting.
Ø “Setting” (p. 13) (monophonic) or as chords (polyphonic) when you play
ON: Portamento is always applied.
Ç É buttons [NAME] button multiple keys.
[UTILITY] button Recall the previous or next patch. Edits the patch name. MODE [NORMAL] button
[SOLO LEGATO] button
Use this to copy, paste and initialize the parameters. Portamento is always applied.
COPY: The selected parameters are copied to the Display (left) This effect is applied when SOLO is on. When this is
clipboard. on and you hold down a key and then play another
Shows information about the currently selected patch key, the sound of the second note played smoothly MODE [LEGATO] button
PASTE: The parameters copied to the clipboard are (sound). transitions from the first note without an attack. Portamento is only applied when you play in legato
pasted.
* Click inside this area to show and select from a list style (playing one key and then playing the next while
INITIALIZE: Initializes the parameters. of patches. [UNISON] button holding down the first one).
Turn unison on to play multiple sounds as a layer for
Display (right) each key pressed. TIME
Shows the parameter name controlled in the PALETTE When portamento is used, this sets the time taken for
and its setting (for TONE A–TONE D). the pitch to change. Higher settings cause the pitch to
take longer when gliding to the next note.

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 Screen Structure

Tone Edit 1
LFO1 / LFO2 PITCH ENV TVF ENV TVA ENV
LFO2 works the same as LFO1.
VELO VELO VELO
[SYNC] button Use this to set how much the pitch envelope changes in response to Use this to set how much the TVF envelope changes in response to Set this to change the tone volume according to how hard you play
Turn this on to sync the LFO cycle with the tempo. how hard you play the keys. Set this to a “+” value to make the pitch how hard you play the keys. Set this to a “+” value to make the TVF the keys. Set this to a “+” value to make the tone louder when you play
envelope respond more when you play harder, and set this to a “-” envelope respond more when you play harder, and set this to a “-” harder, and set this to a “-” value to make the tone softer when you
RATE value to make it respond less when you play harder. value to make it respond less when you play harder. play harder.
When the [SYNC] button is off, the LFO cycle is set
irrespective of the tempo. The larger the value, the TIME VELO TIME VELO TIME VELO
shorter the LFO cycle. Use this to set how much the Time1 (time) value of the pitch envelope Use this to set how much the Time 1 (time) value of the TVF envelope Use this to set how much the Time 1 (time) value of the TVA envelope
When the [SYNC] button is on, the LFO cycle is set to changes in response to how hard you play the keys. Set this to a “+” changes in response to how hard you play the keys. Set this to a “+” changes in response to how hard you play the keys. Set this to a “+”
a note length. value to make the Time1 value longer when you play harder, and set value to make the Time 1 value shorter when you play harder, and set value to make the Time 1 value shorter when you play harder, and set
this to a “-” value to make the value shorter when you play harder. this to a “-” value to make the value longer when you play harder. this to a “-” value to make the value longer when you play harder.
DELAY
Sets the time it takes before the LFO effect begins
TIME KEY FOLLOW TIME KEY FOLLOW TIME KEY FOLLOW
after you press a key. The larger the value, the longer Use this to set how much the Time2–Time4 values (pitch envelope Use this to set how much the Time2–Time 4 values (TVF envelope time) Set this to change the TVA envelope time (Time2–Time4) according to
it takes for the LFO effect to start after you play the time) change according to the keys you play. When you set this to a change according to the key you play. When you set this to a “+” value, the keys you play. When you set this to a “+” value, playing higher notes
keyboard. The setting above 100 is “REL.” The “REL” “+” value, playing higher notes makes the time shorter (with the pitch playing higher notes makes the time shorter (with the Filter envelope makes the time shorter (with the AMP envelope time at C4 or middle C
setting makes the LFO start right after you release envelope time at C4 or middle C as the base value); and when you set time at C4 or middle C as the base value); and when you set this to a as the base value); and when you set this to a “-” value, playing higher
the key. this to a “-” value, playing higher notes makes the time longer. Larger “-” value, playing higher notes makes the time longer. Larger values notes makes the time longer. Larger values produce greater change.
values produce greater change. produce greater change.
FADE [L1] [L2] [SUSTAIN LEVEL]
Sets the time-based change of the LFO as it takes
[L0] [L1] [L2] [L1] [L2] [SUSTAIN LEVEL] [L4] These set the TVA envelope levels. Use these knobs to determine how
effect. Set this to “+” to make the LFO amplitude These set the pitch envelope levels. Use these knobs to determine how These set the TVF envelope levels. Use these knobs to determine how much the volume changes at each point in relation to the base pitch
gradually ramp up to maximum. Set this to “-” to make much the pitch changes at each point in relation to the base pitch. Use much the cutoff frequency changes at each point in relation to the (the tone level value).
the LFO amplitude gradually ramp down to zero. No “+” values for pitches higher than the base pitch, and use “-” values for base cutoff frequency (the CUTOFF FREQ value).
time-based change occurs when this is set to “0.” The pitches lower than the base pitch. [T1] [T2] [T3] [T4]
larger the absolute value, the more time required for [T1] [T2] [T3] [T4] These set the TVA envelope times. Larger values make the time to
change. [T1] [T2] [T3] These set the TVF envelope times. Larger values make the time to reach the next volume level longer (for example, T2 sets the time it
These set the pitch envelope times. Larger values make the time to reach the next cutoff frequency longer (for example, T2 sets the time it takes to go from L1 to L2).
[WAVEFORM] button reach the next pitch longer (for example, T2 sets the time it takes to go takes to go from L1 to L2).
These buttons set the LFO waveform. from L1 to reference pitch).

[OFFSET] button
Moves the center value for the LFO waveform (the
pitch or cutoff frequency) up or down.

[KEY TRIG] button

Sets whether to synchronize the start of the LFO cycle
with the timing you use to play the keys (“ON” to
synchronize, “OFF” to disable).

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 Screen Structure

Tone Edit 2
WG TVF TVA
WAVEFORM [A-TOUCH BEND] button [MODE] button KEY FOLLOW LEVEL
Click to select the waveform to play from the list that Sets whether MIDI aftertouch bend messages are This button selects the TVF filter type. Set this to make the cutoff frequency change according Adjusts the volume of the tone.
is shown. received (ON) or not (OFF). HPF: High-pass filter. This cuts off frequencies below to the keys you play. When you set this to a “+” value,
the cutoff frequency. This filter type is useful for playing higher notes raises the cutoff frequency [BIAS DIRECTION] button
GAIN [BENDER] button creating percussion sounds and the like that have a (with the cutoff frequency of the key you specified in
UPPER: Changes the volume of the high end from
distinctive high end. CUTOFF FREQ as the base value); and when you set this
Specifies the gain (amplitude) of the waveform. The Sets whether MIDI pitch bend messages are received to a “-” value, playing higher notes lowers the cutoff the bias point.
value will change in 6 dB (decibel) steps. Each 6 dB (ON) or not (OFF). BPF: Band-pass filter. This cuts off frequencies except
frequency. LOWER: Changes the volume of the low end from the
increase doubles the gain. for those around the cutoff frequency. This filter type is
bias point.
useful for making sounds with a unique character.
A-TOUCH MOD [LFO SELECT] button U&L: Symmetrically changes the volume of the high
[PITCH COARSE] knob LPF: Low-pass filter. This cuts off frequencies above
This sets the depth of vibrato that is controlled by and low end, centered around the bias point.
the cutoff frequency. Cutting off the high frequencies Selects whether to apply either LFO1 or LFO2 to the
Shifts the pitch in units of a semitone. aftertouch. Set the value to the maximum vibrato makes the sound more mellow. This is the most cutoff frequency.
depth you want when applying maximum aftertouch. frequently-used type. BIAS POINT
[PITCH FINE] knob LFO Sets the base key from which the volume is changed.
Finely adjusts the pitch in units of one cent. LFO1/LFO2 CUTOFF FREQ A value of 64 equals C4 (middle C).
Sets how much LFO1 and LFO2 affect the cutoff
Adjusts the intensity at which LFO1/LFO2 modulates Sets the frequency at which the filter that is applied to frequency.
PITCH RANDOM OSC. the frequency components of the waveform begins to BIAS LEVEL
Sets the width of change at which the pitch randomly take effect (the cutoff frequency). A-TOUCH Sets the slope of volume change respective to the bias
changes with each key press. To disable this random LEVER direction. Larger values produce greater change. The
Set this to make the cutoff frequency change according
change, set this to “0.” Sets the depth of vibrato that is controlled by the RESO to how much aftertouch you use.
change is inverted when this is set to a “-” value.
modulation lever. Emphasizes the portion of the sound around the cutoff
KEY FOLLOW When this is set for LFO1, the LFO1 waveform is used frequency, adding character to the sound. Excessively A-TOUCH
for vibrato; and when this is set for LFO2, the LFO2 high settings can produce oscillation, causing the Sets the degree to which the tone volume changes in
Sets the width of pitch change when the key is shifted
waveform is used for vibrato. Set this to “0” to turn sound to distort. response to aftertouch.
one octave (12 keys) up. To make the pitch change over
vibrato off.
one octave like regular keyboards, set this to “+100.”
To make the pitch change two octaves over the range ENV LFO SELECT button
of one octave, set this to “+200.” Set this to a negative This sets the intensity of the TVF envelope. Larger Selects whether to apply either LFO1 or LFO2 to the
value to make the pitch go down as you play higher values produce a greater change in the filter envelope. tone volume.
notes. To play the same pitch no matter which key you Setting this to a negative value inverts the envelope’s
press, set this to “0.” shape. LFO
Sets how much LFO1 and LFO2 affect the tone
volume.

PALETTE
TONE A–TONE D
The last parameter you used is assigned to the TONE
A–TONE D sliders, letting you set the same parameter
for each tone.

Display (right)
Last parameter used COMMON
[HOLD CONTROL] button
Sets whether the sound of the tone is sustained (held)
when you operate the hold pedal.

[VELOCITY CURVE] button

You can select from one of four curves, which affect
Values set for each tone how much each type of envelope is applied according
to how hard you play the keys. The envelopes that are
affected include the PITCH ENV, TVF ENV and TVA ENV.

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 Screen Structure

Main Panel: Common/Effects (Original Layout)

BEND EQUALIZER
BENDER RANGE A-TOUCH BEND SENS [EQUALIZER] button
Sets the amount that the pitch Turns the equalizer on/off.
DOWN UP changes in response to aftertouch,
Sets the negative pitch bend Sets the positive pitch bend range. in semitones. This changes the LOW MID HIGH
range. For example, setting this to For example, setting this to “12” pitch of all four tones at the same
“48” makes a range of four octaves makes a range of one octave up. time. FREQ FREQ FREQ
down.
Sets the frequency of the low Sets the frequency of the middle Sets the frequency of the high
range. range. range.

GAIN GAIN GAIN

Sets the gain of the low range. Sets the gain of the middle range. Sets the gain of the high range.

Q
Sets the width of the mid-
frequency range. Higher values
make the width more narrow.
To make fine adjustments, hold down the
[shift] key while you drag.

KEY RANGE PATCH COMMON LEVEL

GRP-A (effects on the top row)
TONE A–TONE D Adjusts the volume of the patch. [GRP-A] button
Sets the key range for each tone. Use this when you Turns the effect GROUP A on/off.
want to play different tones over different zones on
the keyboard. Specify the lower and upper limits for LEVEL
the ranges to set.
Adjusts the OUTPUT LEVEL for effect GROUP A.

GRP-B (effects on the bottom row)

DRY-WET
Sets the balance between the sound after it passes
through effect GROUP A (dry) and the sound that
passes through effect GROUP B (wet).

LEVEL
Sets the output volume.

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 Screen Structure

Effect Edit 1 (GRP-A)

Drag the label at the top of each effect left and right to change the order of each effect.

DISTORTION PHASER SPECTRUM ENHANCER

[DISTORTION] button [PHASER] button [SPECTRUM] button [ENHANCER] button
Turns the distortion on/off. Turns the phaser on/off. Turns the spectrum on/off. Turns the enhancer on/off.

TYPE DRIVE MAN MIX BAND [SENSE] knob

Sets the type of distortion. Sets the amount of distortion. Sets the basic frequency from Sets the level of the phase- Sets how easily the enhancer
MELLOW DRIVE: Softer which the sound is modulated shifted sound. 1 4 effect is applied.
distortion with a slightly darker LEVEL with the phaser effect. Sets the gain (amount of boost/ Sets the gain (amount of boost/
sound.
Sets the distortion output level.
cut) in the 250 Hz range. cut) in the 2000 Hz range. [MIX] knob
OVERDRIVE: Distortion that DEPTH Sets the ratio at which the
resembles a vacuum tube amp Sets the depth of the phaser 2 5 harmonics generated by the
being driven. modulation. Sets the gain (amount of boost/ Sets the gain (amount of boost/ enhancer are mixed with the
CRY DRIVE: Distortion that cut) in the 500 Hz range. cut) in the 4000 Hz range. original sound.
emphasizes the high end. RATE
MELLOW DIST: Gives the feeling
Sets the cycle of the phaser 3 6
of distortion playing through a
modulation. Sets the gain (amount of boost/ Sets the gain (amount of boost/
large amp.
cut) in the 1000 Hz range. cut) in the 8000 Hz range.
LIGHT DIST: Strong distortion
with a bright sound.
RESO
FAT DIST: Thick distortion that Sets the amount of feedback for
emphasizes the low and high the phaser. Increasing the value WIDTH
ends. creates a more unusual sound. Sets the bandwidth for changing
FUZZ DIST: Distortion that’s the levels, common to all bands.
even more powerful that FAT
DIST.

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 Screen Structure

Effect Edit 2 (GRP-B)

Drag the label at the top of each effect left and right to change the order of each effect.

CHORUS DELAY REVERB

[CHORUS] button [DELAY] button [REVERB] button
Turns the chorus on/off. Turns the delay on/off. Turns reverb on/off.

RATE LEFT/CENTER/RIGHT TYPE EARLY REFLECT

Sets the rate of modulation for the chorus. Higher ROOM1/2: A reverb that simulates a room. ROOM2 has Sets the sound level of the direct reflections from the
values produce a faster rate. SYNC FEEDBACK a more reflective and brighter sound than ROOM1. walls and the early reflections after the original sound
Turn this on to synchronize the delay times of the left, Sets the feedback value, meaning how much of the HALL1/2/3/4: A reverb that simulates a concert hall. is produced. This is an expression of the distance from
DELAY center and right delay sounds with the tempo. center delay output signal is sent back to the effect The types 1–4 differ in room size, reflections and so on. the sound source (the original sound) to the walls.
input. Set what percentage of the normal phase/ GATE: A reverb to which a gate is applied. This mutes Larger values indicate a shorter distance to the walls.
Sets the delay time for the chorus. This sets the time
it takes from the start of the original sound to when TAP reversed phase (+/-) of the output signal goes back to the reverberations at a fixed time. This parameter is disabled if the “GATE,” REVERSE,” or
the input. When this is set to “0,” no feedback is applied. “FLYING1/2” early reflection types are selected.
the chorus effect begins. Larger values produce longer Sets the delay time. REVERSE: Makes the reverberations grow louder and
When the center delay sound feeds back, a delay sound
delays, creating a wider sound. When the [SYNC] button is off, this is set in increments then mute at a fixed time. The early reflection level and reverb level work
with feedback is input to the left and right as well.
of time (msec). FLYING1/2: Pans the reverberations from left to right separately. For this reason, the early reflection can
DEPTH When the [SYNC] button is on, this is set to a note (FLYING1) or right to left (FLYING2). still be heard even when the reverb level is “0.”
Sets the depth of modulation for the chorus. Higher length.
values produce a greater modulation depth. HF DAMP PRE DELAY
LEVEL Sets the frequencies to cut in the high-frequency This sets the pre-delay time, meaning the time it takes
FB These set the left, center and right delay sound levels. portion of the reverberation. The high-frequency for the reverberations to sound after the original sound
Sets the feedback value, meaning how much of the portion of reverb sounds decays differently depending is heard.
chorus output signal is sent back to the effect input. on the wall material. This parameter simulates this kind Larger values give an impression of being in a larger
Set what percentage of the normal phase/reversed of high-frequency decay. room.
phase (+/-) of the output signal goes back to the
input. When this is set to “0,” no feedback is applied. TIME
Sets the reverberation time. Higher values produce
LEVEL longer reverberations.
Sets the volume for the chorus sound.
LEVEL
Sets the reverberation volume.

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 Screen Structure

Mini Panel (Compact Layout)

Level meter
Shows the output level.

MESSAGE indicator
Lights up when a MIDI message is received.

[MENU] button PALETTE

Use this to make various settings.
Ø “Setting” (p. 13) [LEVEL] [CUTOFF] [RESONANCE]
[ATTACK] buttons, Parameter name
[UNISON] button
display (combo box)
Turn unison on to play multiple sounds as a layer for
each key pressed. Selects the parameter to operate using the palette.

VOLUME TONE A–TONE D

Adjusts the overall volume. Sets the selected parameter for each tone.

Ç É buttons
Recall the previous or next patch.

[PATCH] button
Displays the Patch Select window.

Display (left)
Shows information about the currently selected patch
(sound).
* Click inside this area to show and select from a list
of patches.

Display (right)
Shows the setting controlled by PALETTE (TONE A–
TONE D).

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 Patches and Banks
1. Click the [PATCH] button.
The Patch Select window opens. Bank
[NEW] button [LOAD] button A “bank” contains 64 patches.
Bank
Creates a new empty bank. Loads a bank from a file. By switching banks, you can access a large number of patches.
[DELETE] button [SAVE] button A bank can be saved as a file. Patch 1-1
Deletes the selected bank. Exports a bank as a file. Patch 1-2
Patch 1-3

Patch 8-8

The selected patch is

highlighted.

Switching Banks
1. Click the Bank field.
The bank list window opens.

2. Click the bank that you want to recall.

By pressing the [Ç] [É] buttons located at the right of the bank field, you can switch to the
next or previous bank.

[WRITE] button [RENAME] button [READ] button

Saves the edited sound as a Renames the selected patch. Loads a patch from a bank. Exporting the Bank
patch in the bank.
Exports a bank as a file.

“ i ” symbol 1. Click the [SAVE] button.

When you place the mouse cursor (mouse pointer) over this, a The file name input window opens.
list of shortcuts appears.

2. Enter a file name and save.

The file is exported.

Importing a Bank
1. Click the [LOAD] button.
The file selection window opens.

2. Select a file and load it.

The bank is loaded.

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 Patches and Banks

Creating/Deleting a Bank Patches

JD-800 Software Synthesizer manages 64 patches as one bank.
Creating a bank
Click the [NEW] button to create a new empty bank. Loading a Patch
Here’s how to load a patch that’s saved in a bank. When you load a patch, its settings are shown in
Deleting a bank the edit area, allowing you to edit the settings.

Deletes the selected bank. 1. Click the number of the patch that you want to load.
1. Select a bank as described in “Switching Banks” (p. 10). 2. Click the [READ] button. Or press the Return (Enter) key.
The patch is loaded.
2. Click the [DELETE] button. * You can also load a patch by double-clicking the patch number.
A confirmation message appears.

3. Click [OK] to delete the bank. Saving a Patch

Follow these steps to save your edited patch to a bank.
Renaming a Bank
1. Click the number of the patch in which you want to save the sound.
1. Select a bank as described in “Switching Banks” (p. 10). 2. Click the [WRITE] button.
2. At the left of the bank field, click [Ë] button. The patch is saved in the bank.

3. Edit the name and press the Return (Enter) key.

Renaming a Patch
1. Click the number of the patch that you want to rename.
2. Click the [RENAME] button.
3. Change the memory name. (Up to 16 letters)

Changing the Patch Order

Drag the patch numbers to edit the order of the patches.

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 Patches and Banks

MIDI Learn Function Cancelling

Here’s how to associate a MIDI control change with a sound parameter, so that the parameter can be
controlled by that MIDI message.

Procedure

1. Right-click the sound parameter controller (knob or slider).

2. Choose “Forget MIDI CC.”

1. Make only one of the ACTIVE [TONE A]–[TONE D] buttons light up for the tone in
which you want to set a MIDI control change message.

2. Right-click the sound parameter controller (knob or slider).

3. Choose “Learn MIDI CC.”
4. Operate your external MIDI device to transmit a control change message.
NOTE
5 MIDI control change messages are only set for the tone parameter controllers shown on the
main panel.
5 You can’t assign a MIDI control change message to a single tone parameter controller and
use that to operate multiple tones.
5 You can’t associate more than one MIDI control change with a single controller. Only the
most recent setting is used.

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 Setting
Menu
1. Click the [MENU] button.
2. Select items.
A µ is shown for the selected item.
Item Explanation
Original Layout This is the conventional screen layout.
Compact Layout The screen is shown in a smaller format, without using extra space.
Zoom You can change the size (zoom factor) of the main window using the mouse.
Revert MIDI Control Reverts the mapping of MIDI control change messages to the desired tones (A–D).
Mapping for Tone
A/B/C/D This clears all existing MIDI control change message mapping.

Clear MIDI Control

Clears all MIDI control change mapping.
Mapping
Voice Limit Light
Specifies the maximum simultaneous polyphony.
Voice Limit Middle
You can reduce the load on the CPU by lowering the polyphony.
Voice Limit Heavy
Authentication... Performs user authentication for the JD-800 Software Synthesizer.
Help Displays help.
About Displays information about JD-800 Software Synthesizer.

Utility
1. Select the target (parameter, tone or patch) you wish to operate.
2. Click the [UTILITY] button.
3. Select items.
Item Explanation
COPY The selected parameters are copied to the clipboard.
PASTE The parameters copied to the clipboard are pasted.
INITIALIZE Initialize the parameters.

13