The Juno-106 is a very common and widely used analog polysynth. It continues to be one of the most popular analog synths due to its great sound and easy programmability. It was the next major incarnation of the Juno-series, following the Juno-60. While it has virtually the same synth engine as the Juno-60, the 106 added extensive MIDI control making it one of Roland's first MIDI-equipped synthesizers. There was also increased patch memory storage, up to 128 patches instead of the 56 patches available in the Juno-60. However, the Juno-60 is often said to have a slight sonic edge over the more advanced 106. The 60 had the ability to modulate oscillator pulse from its envelope and has a "punchier" sound quality.

The Juno-106 is a six-voice polyphonic and programable analog synth with one digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) per voice. While classic monophonic synths used two or three oscillators to create a fatter sound, the Juno-106 uses built-in Chorus to fatten up its sound to dramatic effect. The nature of its DCO meant it was stable and always in perfect tune but still warm and analog. There is an excellent 24dB/oct analog lowpass filter with plenty of resonance and self-oscillating possibilities and a non-resonant highpass filter. The programable pitch/mod bender can be assigned to control the DCO pitch, VCF cutoff, and LFO amount all at once or individually.

The Juno-106 was the first MIDI equipped Juno and its implementation is quite good. There are 16 MIDI channels available and MIDI SysEx data can be transmitted/received from all the sliders and buttons for total remote control and sequencing capability. A switch on the back of the keyboard, next to the MIDI ports allows the user to switch between three types of MIDI modes: Keyboard and Hold data only; Keyboard, Hold, Bender, Patch selection data; or All data (including SysEx). Most users simply set it to MIDI Function mode 3 and forget it.

This synth is incredibly straightforward and very powerful. It's SH-series derived panel layout is easy to understand and very hands-on. Use it to generate lush pads, filter sweeps, and funky bass lines and leads. The Juno-106 is an awesome learning tool for anyone new to analog synthesis, as well as an electronic musician's dream for its warm analog sounds coupled with modern features like MIDI and memory - all at a very reasonable price. And still the Juno-106 has an even cheaper alter-ego in the form of the HS-60 - a hobbyist version with built-in speakers.

The Juno-106 is one of the most loved and used synthesizers by professionals and hobbyists alike! William Ørbit, Überzone, Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Autechre, BT, Vince Clarke, Moby, 808 State, Underworld, Leftfield, Fluke, Josh Wink, Todd Terry, Depeche Mode, Eat Static, Biosphere, The Prodigy, The Shamen, Bushflange, Cirrus, Astral Projection, Apollo 440, Faithless, Union Jack, Computer Controlled, Pet Shop Boys, Sneaker Pimps, Erasure, Freddy Fresh, Rabbit in the Moon, Kevin Saunderson, Jimmy Edgar, Laurent Garnier, Vangelis, Sigur Ros, and the Chemical Brothers have used this synth extensively! It belongs in your studio!

andy

May 14, 2013 @ 1:18 pm

Amazingly simple architecture, produces fat and organic bass/leads and pads. Best of all is the noise generator when combined with the LFO and filter makes some of the most amazing wind effects I've heard. Ours unfortunately has developed the chip issue others have talked about, be very weary about buying S/H because of it, if possible ensure you've a repair guy with spares.
Still, one of my all time favourite boards, for producing a sound of real depth and colour- love it!

soundtrackband

March 21, 2013 @ 4:09 am

To clarify, the soaking in solvent removes the vinyl material that was applied to the chips and somehow over time melts or shrinks? and somehow compromises the signal. Very odd treatment but it worked in my case.

soundtrackband

March 21, 2013 @ 4:04 am

This synth is well-known and often in a haggard state. The one I got had a dead C -1, then once I opened up and cleaned it, the notorious chip problem emerged.
After some research, I bought solvent, analyzed which chips (2 of them) were bad, desoldered and soaked them (you have to buy the better soldering gun with the air [beep] er attached). Resoldered them in and voila - perfection. I didn't even have to order the replacements you can get from Germany (not cheap).

I also bought a JX-3P for nostalgia, and that's a worthy and reliable keyboard, but the J106 is much thicker and versatile.

Mathyou

March 16, 2013 @ 12:15 pm

Dan Whitford from Cut Copy used the Roland Juno 106 for a live performance once.

nitemoves

February 22, 2013 @ 1:46 am

Limited, yes. Overpriced, absolutely. 1 osc per voice so no detuning voices and only 1 adsr to share between the amp and vcf. unison mode is a joke.

but at the same time, i love this synth and use it alot, second only to my polysix and arp odyssey. A great synth if you can find one for 3-400 bucks.

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