Roland JD-990
The Roland JD-990 Super JD is a module version of Roland JD-800 synthesizer with expanded capabilities, which was released in 1993. JD-990 is a multitimbral synthesizer utilizing 'wave-table' sample-based synthesis technology.[1] It is equipped with 6 MB of ROM containing wavetables, 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 | |
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JD-990 | |
Manufacturer | Roland |
Dates | 1993-1996 |
Price | US$2,195 UK£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
The JD-990 had the following 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
The 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
The Factory presets of the JD-990 were created by Eric Persing and Adrian Scott.
Notable users
The JD-990 has been used by artists such as Klaus Schulze,[4] Paul Shaffer,[5] Steve Duda,[6] 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.[7] On the Faithless song "Insomnia", the pizzicato hook is from a JD-990, with added reverb.[8]
References
- "JD-800: COMPARABLE SOUND MODULE". roland.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- "The History Of Roland: Part 4 |". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
- "JD-990 Profile on Vintage Synth Explorer|". vintagesynth.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- "Catching Up With Klaus Schulze". KeyboardMag.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- "Paul Shaffer's Keys to The Late Show". KeyboardMag.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
- "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.
Further reading
- "Roland JD-990". Music Technology. June 1993. pp. 26–9. ISSN 0957-6606. OCLC 483899345.
- "Simply the best?". Sound on Sound. June 1993. ISSN 0951-6816. OCLC 793945771.