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!

Mark

June 26, 2012 @ 10:33 am

It's not that over rated and its not that bad, I don't know what people are carrying on about. Juno 60's go for as much if not more on ebay then the 106's and the trade off is simple. The 106 has midi and more patch memory but no way to modulate the oscillator pulse with the envelope, the 60 has no midi but the "punchier sound quality" due to the envelope oscillator modulation. As for the Jx series, again a trade off. Two OSC, but no pwm and no hands on control without a programmer. As for the JP's well the analogue ones are obviously better. As for digital ones, that's debatable.

Centaurus

June 21, 2012 @ 6:40 pm

People who claim this synth sounds boring must rely heavily on the on-board effects of other synths. Remember, the only effect the 106 has in chorus. So if you want it to sound like a more advanced synth, you'll need to add some mojo to the signal chain. And believe me, when you do it right, the 106 is a dream machine.

Marko

June 17, 2012 @ 5:18 pm

I have one for sale. Any reasonable offers?

aphadaphaler

June 13, 2012 @ 1:46 am

I'm using an mks-7 with a peavy pc1600x fader box, all of the 106 sysex seem to work with the mks-7. The only thing i haven't been able to figure out is how to send the button sysex strings. The manual has examples of control changes, and lists bytes for various buttons functions. Anyone have sysex strings for the buttons, chorus on/off or saw on/off for example.

Michael

June 8, 2012 @ 1:22 pm

There is also a rare model called the Juno-106s, which has two speakers like the HS-60.

Picture:
http://www.synthark.org/soundofmusic.se/juno106s.gif

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