Roland JD-800 Repair, Restoration & Modification

The Roland JD-800 is a virtual analog synthesizer produced from 1991 to 1996. Like the D-50, it uses Linear Arithmetic synthesis, which combines samples with digital synthesis. There are 108 built-in waveforms, with the ability to expand this with cards. This is a JD-800 I acquired that was in sad shape - it was suffering greatly from the "red glue of death" - a common problem with Roland synths of the time. This epoxy failure causes sticky, red glue to drip out of the keys and into the synthesizer, gluing keys in place and destroying circuit boards. In this video, I show how I take the synth apart, fix the red glue mess, then do some modifications to the aftertouch and power supply.

Parts:

Silicone Buffer Hose: https://amzn.to/3zVVNGf
Silicone Lubricant Spray: https://amzn.to/3n68IxG
IEC Socket: https://amzn.to/3DYBKad
Dust-Off: https://amzn.to/3tVQbIb
Sodium Hydroxide: https://amzn.to/3xCJoEc
Replacement Felt: https://amzn.to/3Ofr4Io
Totally Awesome Cleaner: https://amzn.to/3OmY5SO
Lithium Grease: https://amzn.to/3tVpinT
Brake Cleaner Solvent: https://amzn.to/3NekW1I
Plasti-Dip: https://amzn.to/3n6xH3N

Tools:
Anhydrous Isopropyl Alcohol: https://amzn.to/3FYcfag
Pro Honda Spray Cleaner: https://amzn.to/3YN7Ak5
3M Spray Adhesive: https://amzn.to/3mg87wF
Vessel JIS Screwdrivers: https://amzn.to/3hN1RKE
Desoldering Pump: https://amzn.to/40bh8Vu
Soldering Station: https://amzn.to/3ofPgCz
DeOxit D5 Contact Cleaner: https://amzn.to/3mIihpT
DeOxit F5 Fader Cleaner: https://amzn.to/3KGZ8Nj
Rigol DS1054Z Oscilloscope: https://amzn.to/3VghKIw
Thermal (infrared) camera: https://amzn.to/3XbEIRk

Microphone Amazon: Rode PodMic https://amzn.to/3oxx4kT
Microphone Thomann: Rode PodMic https://www.thomann.de/gb/rode_podmic...
Microphone Boom Amazon: Rode PSA-1 https://amzn.to/3LlMum3
Microphone Boom Thomann: Rode PSA-1 https://www.thomann.de/gb/rode_psa1.h...

0:00 Introduction/Overview
1:59 Red Glue of Death
2:50 Initial Disassembly
4:14 Keybed Glue
5:21 Keybed Locking Strips
6:39 Removing Keys
9:24 Removing Rubber Actuators
10:14 Failed Buffers
10:35 Removing Glue From Keys
13:02 Epoxying Weights Into Keys
15:49 Removing & Replacing Buffers
17:43 Cleaning Key Contacts
18:30 Replacing Rubber Actuators
19:57 Reinstalling Key Springs
21:44 Replacing Keys - Problem!
22:36 Buffer Fix
23:42 Replacing Keys & Reassembling Keybed
24:38 Replacing Felt
25:24 Removing Glue From Case
26:00 Removing Circuit Boards
29:03 Cleaning Sliders
31:08 Replacing Switches
33:40 Reinstalling Circuit Boards
34:21 Power Supply Modification
38:09 Aftertouch Modification
38:33 DAC Linearity Check
38:59 Battery Replacement
39:12 Final Reassembly
39:59 Sounds of the JD-800

#Roland #JD800 #Restoration