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Roland Juno-106

1984Synth
Gear breakdownRoland Juno-106

The Roland Juno-106 is one of the most popular analog synthesizers ever made. Released in 1984, it put six voices of warm analog sound, a lush built-in chorus and MIDI in an affordable keyboard, and it was Roland’s best-selling synth until the D-50.

How it sounds

Each voice has one digitally controlled oscillator, which keeps it in tune, plus a sub-oscillator and noise, all run through a resonant 24 dB low-pass filter. The chorus gives pads and chords their famous width, and the bass patches are round and heavy. It was one of the first analog synths to send its knob moves over MIDI.

The hip hop connection

The Juno-106 is best known in electronic and pop music. In rap it’s a common studio synth for basses, pads and stabs rather than the star of a famous record; a Juno-106 was photographed in Kanye West’s studio during the 808s & Heartbreak sessions, but it isn’t credited on specific tracks.

Buying one today

The weak point is the 80017A voice chips, whose coating breaks down and makes voices drop out or distort. Play every voice before you buy; replacement chips are available. Don’t confuse it with the Juno-6 and Juno-60 or the later Alpha Juno.

Roland Juno-106 videos: demos, history and breakdowns

Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer ~ Best of RetroSound Demo
Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer ~ Best of RetroSound DemoRetroSound
The Mighty Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer
The Mighty Roland Juno-106 SynthesizerDoctor Mix
Vintage Roland Juno 106
Vintage Roland Juno 106Perfect Circuit

More gear that made the sound

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