Roland JUNO-2

This is a vintage synthesizer from the 80s. Though it is an analog synth, it has some digital controls, which made it a unique hybrid of the technologies. There are 64 presets as well as 64 user memory patches, meaning there is a lot of room to customize the sound. The digital controls includeDCO digitally controlled oscillators, LFO, bend, ENV, pulse, waveforms, noise, PW/PWM, high pass filter, VCF filter with freq/env/res/lfo/kybd, VCA envelope, chorus and others. There are really nice analog filters on it too. It's not new enough to be computer-updated and it is not rackable.

UTILIZATION

This is a pretty easy synth to use, honestly. The digital wheel controls all of the settings on it as well as the presets and the channels. Switching between sounds on the fly is tough, perhaps it's better suited to studio use for this reason, though I'm sure with practice you could switch it quickly enough to get comfortable for using it live at a venue. It's pretty easy to set it up and get it going too. The manual explains everything pretty clearly overall, there's certainly a lot to cover with it but it's all in there.

SOUNDS

The sounds made from this synth seem to be a little ahead of their time for a synth that was released in 1985. Most of it sounds like 90s rave-style stuff. Prodigy and Fatboy Slim are two of the more notable people who have been known to use this synth, and thus countless imitators have also used it for the same reasons. I think overall it doesn't have realistic emulations of real instruments, but that's not really why I would use it anyway, nor do I think anyone else would use it for that reason. One advantage that this model has over its predecessor, the Juno-1, is that it is touch sensitive. That's a big advantage for me personally, as I like to be able to control dynamics with my playing as much as possible. The effects are great, the analog filters are the best part about it. It's a great hybrid of analog and digital technology overall. It's capable of fat, booming bass sounds as well as spacey, high pitched effects. It's got it all really. It doesn't have the warmth of an old school Moog or something like that but it's still a great synth.

OVERALL OPINION

This is probably going to be pretty expensive nowadays. While I like the synth a lot, I'm not sure it's so unique that you can't find an acceptable MIDI patch to replace most of these sounds. Still, for live use, it's great. And really, you're better off with the real thing than a crappy plug-in. It's worth the price if you are constantly going to be using it. Otherwise it's not really. It's a fine sounding machine and it definitely has an old school vibe that would work well for a lot of people. It's not going to compete with 2010-style synths for top 40 club charts domination, but it's definitely got a nice character and it's versatile. Highly recommended.

See testing

USE

Synth easy to program. Pull-down menu on the screen thanks liquid crystal dial it ... We know and program what we want (within the limits of course) or quibble is based on an existing sound and arrive quickly create large foie well !!!

SONORITS

A real rgal vintage "roland". JUNO probably best to program its sounds ... The memory card allows you to save your sound. In his classic analog style.

NOTICE GLOBAL

Price quality ratio exeptionnel ... You have on hand a good master keyboard, a nice little synth 80's, a true JUNO and an analog synth vintage ... Apart potentiomtre for the games in real time it is really more than very well

The keyboard is quite correct, much better than some of my other synthesizers.

UTILIZATION

Operation is simple but if you do not like me hyper pointy analog synthesis, it is a bit confusing at first. The wheel is Foute, but be aware that it seeks.
I use an app for Ipad edit sounds, and frankly it's super convenient and cheaper than pg.

SOUNDS

The sounds are pretty good, large tablecloths, bass not bad at all, some effects correct.
Sounds relatively large, I was more than surprised.
Ls factory sounds are good starting points. It can sound hyper modern .... actually browsing the sound banks of sounds found in some well known artists!

OVERALL OPINION

I am super happy even if the PG ca be even better.
It sounds really good, seems very solid, has a proper keyboard .... honestly for the price it is deadly!

Features:

Keyboard: 61 keys, velocity, ATM.
Type Synthesis: Subtractive.
Polyphony: 6 voices.
Number of Generators: 1 DCO + 1 sub-oscillator.
LFO 1.
Envelopes: 1.
Filters: PB / PH simplified.
Sounds: 64 presets + 64 prog.
Combis: No.
Split: Yes.
Display: LCD.
Portamento: Yes.
Effects: Chorus.
Audio Outputs: Stereo.
External Storage Cartridge (64 sounds). Sysex.
Sequencer: No.

UTILIZATION

- The config is pretty simple, if we consider the wheel which gave its name to the synth as his girlfriend!
- Manual well-crafted, old ..
- Editing sounds via the interface or pg 300 or one of the various computer app.
- Note the quality of the keyboard, very flexible, the game is really nice.

SOUNDS

- Sounds suit me
- Expression + Velocity (Juno 2 only) and especially the rate of the chorus ADJUSTABLE!
- No effects (well apart Chorus, but it is part of the INTEGRAL circuit synthesis)
- This synth is legendary, we recognize most presets, for those who prefer to use, but its sonic possibilities are finally large enough to tilt a synth 1 (+ 1 sub). We note the rate adjustable Chorus, which changes the game in my eyes compared to other synths range Juno. The game is very original envelopes and opportunities are extended (ADSR ADDSR, AADSR, ADASR ...) This synth is very distinctive, the Chord Memory function will delight lovers of House will recognize that the very grain of the particular animal used in moultes productions.
We leave soon something big on this synth, I love the bass produced by single DCO (+ sub), I have a lot of synthesizers and bass produced by the latter are quite unique and very deep with this something hot / cold that I really like, I would say that the bass is gray.
I feel this machine a little each time that Roland and saw its price occaz is much more interesting than any analog VA or even at the same price.

OVERALL OPINION

- Possessed long ago sold, then finally bought here (with some good large galleys, anyway). I had a lot of gear manufacturer's Japanese, I have yet, but it is a little synth part, for me, I love it and am glad again.
- Perhaps the lack of parameters directly accessible on the front could be prohibitive for some, but the parameter. Summary There are 35 or 36, the alpha dial and menus are well designed, it sounds out easily without sighing and having fun. Note the excellent software that allows publishing alphaBASE via the computer, it is really well done (but I no longer use it, the computer is usually closed pdt studio sessions).
- Report Q / P super interesting to me, I think the coast will increase in the coming months, as bcp Roland gear this time. JX series is also very interesting, and synth are very good ..