The Roland JD-990 Super JD is an updated version of the Roland JD-800 synthesizer in the form of a module with expanded capabilities, which was released in 1993 by Roland Corporation. JD-990 is a multitimbral synthesizer utilising PCM sample-based synthesis technology.[1] In a sense it is not a true module version of a JD-800 as it has many expanded features and as a result the two are incompatible in exchanging presets. It is equipped with 6 MB of ROM containing sampled PCM waveforms, four sets of stereo outputs that are assignable to individual, internal, instruments, and standard MIDI in/out/through ports. JD-990 has a large LCD display[2] and programming takes place through a keypad on the front panel of the unit. The unit can generate multi-timbral sounds reminiscent of the vintage analogue synthesizers but is also capable of generation of modern digital textures. There are several expansion boards available for JD-990 that can be installed in the provided expansion slot in the chassis of the unit.[3]
| JD-990 Super JD | |
|---|---|
 JD-990 | |
| Manufacturer | Roland |
| Dates | 1993-1996 |
| Price | United States: $2,195 United Kingdom: £1,445 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Polyphony | 24 voices |
| Timbrality | 7 + 1 Drum part |
| Oscillator | 6MB of PCM ROM with 195 waveforms (expandable to 16MB), 4 waveforms (tones) per patch |
| LFO | 2 per patch |
| Synthesis type | Digital Sample-based Subtractive |
| Filter | TVF (Time Variant Filter): Lowpass/bandpass/highpass-filters with resonance |
| Attenuator | TVA envelopes, TVF envelopes and pitch envelopes |
| Aftertouch expression | Yes |
| Velocity expression | Yes |
| Storage memory | 3 banks of 64 patches (expandable), 3 drum kits with 61 sounds |
| Effects | Chorus, Reverb, Delay, Phaser, Spectrum, Enhancer, Distortion and EQ |
| Input/output | |
| Keyboard | No |
| External control | MIDI |
Features
editThe JD-990 had the following[4] features which were not available on the JD-800:
- Expanded wave ROM (6 MB vs. 3 MB)
- Ability to use an 8 MB expansion board from the SR-JV80 series
- JV-80 patch import
- 4 additional outputs
- True stereo engine
- Individual panning of each tone in a patch
- Oscillator sync
- Frequency cross-modulation (FXM)
- Matrix Modulation
- Modulation of the same destination from multiple sources
- Oscillator structures that allow ring modulation and serial dual filters
- Additional LFO waveforms: sine, trapezoid and chaos
- MIDI CC control of parameters
- Tempo sync delay
- Polyphonic portamento
- Analog Feel. Adds a very subtle pitch modulation to the basic waveforms intended to recreate an analogue synth's 'drift'
- Performance memories
- Additional multitimbral slots
- One patch can keep full effects in multi mode
Expandability
editThe JD-990 is compatible with the following:
- The SR-JV80 series of expansion boards. The SR-JV80-04 Vintage Synth board includes 255 patches programmed specially for the JD-990.
- The SL-JD80 series of waveform & patch cards released for the JD-800.
- The SO-PCM1 series of waveform cards.
- The JD9D series of patch cards developed specifically for the JD-990.
Factory Sounds
editThe Factory presets of the JD-990 were created by Eric Persing and Adrian Scott.
Notable users
editThe JD-990 has been used by artists such as Klaus Schulze,[5] Paul Shaffer,[6][7][8] Steve Duda,[9] Vangelis, The Prodigy, Apollo 440, ATB, and Mirwais.[3] Apollo 440 used the JD-990 for atmospheric sounds on the track "The Machine in the Ghost", on the album Gettin' High on Your Own Supply.[10] On the Faithless song "Insomnia", the pizzicato hook is from a JD-990, with added reverb.[11]
References
edit- ^ "JD-800: COMPARABLE SOUND MODULE". roland.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ "The History Of Roland: Part 4 |". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
- ^ a b "JD-990 Profile on Vintage Synth Explorer|". vintagesynth.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ "Roland JD-990 revolutionary concept two decades later".
- ^ "Catching Up With Klaus Schulze". KeyboardMag.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ "Paul Shaffer's Keys to The Late Show". KeyboardMag.com. Archived from the original on 22 Mar 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ Regen, Jon (March 2010). "Paul Shaffer - The Soul of Late Night TV" (PDF). Keyboard. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 Jan 2023.
- ^ Ferrante, Michael (January 24, 2006). "Shaffer's Keyboard Rig Setup?". Sweetwater Sound. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
- ^ "Steve Duda Ponders Programming and Production". KeyboardMag.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- ^ "Apollo 440: Gettin' High On Your Own Supply". Future Music. No. 220. November 2009. p. 20. ISSN 0967-0378. OCLC 1032779031.
- ^ Snoman, Rick (2004). Dance Music Manual: Tools, Toys, and Techniques (2nd ed.). Focal Press (published 2012). p. 87. ISBN 9781283709583. OCLC 819507201.