Roland JUNO – 6

Roland began their JUNO keyboard series with the JUNO-6 model. It was released in 1982 and was one of the first analog synthesizers of it’s kind. It was a 61-note keyboard with movable sliders and knobs. Sound was created using four sections: the DCO (digitally-controlled-oscillator), the VCF (voltage-controlled-filter), the ENV (envelope), and the LFO (low-frequecy-oscillator) as well as the settings for an arpeggio. Each of these sections allowed you to create layers that impacted the output of the other, thus allowing you to create all types of synth pads, strings, basses, and organs.

But, being one of the first analog synthesizers had its disadvantages. The Juno-6 did not include MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) and there was no way for your patches to be stored. In fact, the MIDI(pronounced mid-e) protocol was established in the early 80′s. While the JUNO-6 was 6-voice polyphonic, it was limited on the number of preset sounds it had in its memory bank. But, the chorus effect made the sound bigger and bolder.

The Roland JUNO – 60

This keyboard was the successor to the JUNO-6 and it was very similar to that model. The major improvement was in internal presets. The JUNO-60 offered 56 additional new presets. The unit still did not include MIDI, but it had a sync interface called the DCB(digital control bus) and with the Roland MD-8 the signal information from the JUNO-60 was converted into MIDI for external control from other units. The unit still maintained its popularity with many major artist who continued to use the signature Roland sound on their major label releases.

The Roland JUNO – 106

The Roland JUNO-106 was a leap forward in this Roland series of keyboards when it was released in 1984. For the most part the external design was similar to the JUNO-6 and JUNO-60, but the internal specifications made the unit more flexible. The unit had full MIDI implementation and 128 internal sound memory slots. The full MIDI implementation allowed the unit to be controlled by a sequencer or computer. Later on, patch/editor librarian software was created that enabled users to create their own patches on the computer for unlimited patch storage.

Roland JUNO Fast Forward 15 Years

Nearly 15 years later, Roland revived the Juno series with the JUNO-D. The re-introduction of this keyboard looked nothing like its predecessors, but with the 2005 technology the new keyboard was able to maintain cost efficency while providing value to users with great sounds, higher polyphony, and an easy user experience. However, subsequent models in the series: the Juno-G, Juno-Stage, and Juno-Gi, brought back the tactile usability with knobs and sliders as parameter controllers as seen in the early Juno-6. The Roland Juno Series has been brought up to date with new technology while keeping the same concepts and ideals that began a music revolution.