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Since the beginning this site tryes to be a compilation center of the best sources for the JD800. Not a copy.
So please, visit the sites at the Links section for lots of much more very good information.
Gaining access to the internal parts of the JD-800 is a simple process but requires a little care.
Removing all screws may do your internal components fall.
You must remove only the screws AROUND the bottom and two screws in the center line, they are at 1/4 from side, and may be you can see a few bigger hole where thy fit to.
Sometimes the bottom have some "dust" acting like glue to.
Photo: Gwydion Elderwyn
How to remove the panel. JD-800 Manual. (click to enlarge) Source: Roland Co.
As a JD-800 lover, maybe you perceive I really love this synth, I was after this for a long, long, long time. To be clear, since 2002 when I got the JD-800 and created this site.
In a short, the JD-800 SE is a version with the Strings Card plus exclusive patches but the same original factory presets.
In practice, the JD-800 SE included all 5 cards.
In the early 91-92, people from Roland's Brazil asked for a group of very experimented Brazilian musicians to help create new patches for the JD-800.
This version received an entirely new set of patches not included in the factory presets.
But this was a problem too because almost all users forgot to save the internal memory into a memory card (not included), so those patches become lost for a long time.
So, if you have a JD-800 SE and restore factory presents, you will lose the SE version patches! This happened to most of them sadly.
After nearly two decades, I found someone who still has the patches saved plus the original prints included with that special model.
And yes, I have the JD-800 SE, but I was after such patches for a long time, and still, sadly I do have not the String Card (a really fantastic one).
The new patches were created due to the great work of:
Eric Persing
Adrian Scott
Paulot Roberto T. A. de Oliveira
Lucas K. Shirahata
Carlos Alberto F. Merussi (Pardal)
The patches:
After finding this, I commented in local groups and then another colleague made a simple video about it, and for sure the JD-800 SE deserves a better one, but he has not the String Cards and his machine sadly is in bad shape, using another keyboard as a controller.
The original credits to these great guys:
On this page below you can download this rare set of patches. Copyright @Roland Co.
Also see, this video to have a very simple idea, made by Tiago Mallen who is using a controller and without the String card.
Anyways, no matter who made what, I give thanks to this beloved great friend who gifted me with the original material after decades so we solved the mystery of the JD-800 SE!
Mr Katsunori is a well know musician and his reviews are always great!
In his words:
"The Roland JD-800 was an epoch-making synth that combined the operability of a digital sound source and an analog feel. The character that is clear and has a strong presence is wonderful even if you listen to it now! .. The famous no.53 piano is still very nice! Katsunori UJIIE"
Thanks to all lovers of the JD-800, here's a very complete work about the new PCB that has been designed by Guy Wilkinson with the help and manufacture of PCBWay.
We cited them in a recent topic too. Thanks, guys!
Please follow the link bellow for the very complete material I'm sure all you will love it!
