The Roland JD-800 is a digital synth used by Prince. It uses a similar synthesis engine to the Roland D-50, but allows parameters to be edited with real-time controls, similar to an analog synthesizer.
Released in 1991, Prince first used the JD-800 on on the song “Letter 4 Miles”, released on the Diamonds & Pearls Super Deluxe Edition. It would become one of this preferred keyboards in 1990s, appearing on The Lovesymbol Album, Come, Gold Experience and Emancipation.
In the 1999 Keyboard magazine article, it was reported that Prince’s keyboard tech Takumi Suetsugu was doing something with two JD-800s and a hacksaw. It was speculated that in the article that these keyboards were being converted into a hybrid Purpleaxxe-style instrument, although the exact purpose was never revealed. Three intact JD-800s are currently in the collection at Paisley Park, suggesting that this project never went ahead.
The JD-800 was also used by Tommy Barbarella and Morris Hayes. Renato Neto used the rack version, the JD-990, on the Musicology tour.
