Roland has brought the Juno back, but this is not an analog synth--it is a budget digital wavetable synthesizer. It may not look anything like its predecessors, nor does it sound like the classic analog poly-synth whose name it bears, but like those before it, the Juno-D offers a fairly robust package of synth sounds and potential in a streamlined, user-friendly interface at a reasonable price---making it a good entry-level keyboard.

The Juno-D comes with 32 MB of waveforms in its memory including Roland's stereo multi-sampled piano, and a whole range of synth sounds from vintage synths to GM2-compatible. Patches are organized in categories such as Piano, Guitar, Orchestra, etc. There are digital resonant filters, LFOs, multi-effects, phrase sampling, chord memory, five front-panel control knobs and a D-Beam controller so you can twist any of the hundreds of patches it ships with into your own more unique sounds. Those who want to program their own Juno-D sounds via computer, a Mac/PC editor is included.

A Limited Edition model was released which doubled waveform memory to 64MB and added extra patch memory storage (706 total patches, 66 are new) and featured some newly programmed sounds including an incredibly realistic piano based on 88-key stereo multi-sampled waves, a massive rock organ, '80s-era brass and electric piano, vintage synth sounds and many others.

As entry-level keyboards go, you can't go wrong with the Juno-D. It has hundred of quality Roland sounds at your disposal, and tweaking them is fairly easy. However, this is not a workstation (like the Juno-G) nor is it a retro re-make of the classic Juno series synthesizers. It offers Juno-like simplicity, yes, but more discerning synthesists and keyboard players may want to look elsewhere for better sounds or a more advanced keyboard than the Juno-D. In other words, the original Juno-series has nothing to worry about from this new Juno.

Phil

November 2, 2012 @ 9:33 am

I've heard Roland sounds are great. There are those that are loyal to Roland and others loyal to Korg (like with Canon and Nikon camera fans etc). I've heard that the Roland Di is really great and the price is very reasonable. Also the Roland Mobile Studio Canvas SD-50 which would be the equivalent of a new Roland XV Rack, I think, with over 1000 sounds, which I think are from the Juno/Fantom. Any advice for 2nd synth - Juno Di/SD50, Waldorf Blofeld, Korg PS60/Krome or new Yamaha MX49/61 or even SM Pro Audio V Machine bundle with Classic keys collection. Which 1 / 2 are best? Appreciate advice

ryan

July 24, 2012 @ 9:39 am

I fixed my "dead keys" issue with this synth.

I bought a Chemtronics circuit board repair pen from Radio Shack and used it to dab conductive ink on every key contact. The instructions on the pen suggest "heat curing" the ink for best performance. After I painted all 122 contacts, I put the rubber strips, contact side up, on a cookie sheet and baked them at 200 degrees F for about 30 minutes. I watched them to make sure they weren't melting or deforming in the heat.

Put it back together and it has worked well, but to preserve it I play it from a controller unless I need the extra keys.

Pepijn

July 9, 2012 @ 3:34 am

I have a Juno-Di and I like it very much. With some programming you can get nice weird sounds with it. By the way, you can use the Vocoder for any instrument - so you can even make your voice sound like an electric guitar (though I don't know why you would do that).

1xeach

June 5, 2012 @ 4:49 am

I use a Juno Di as "sound library" for bread and butter sounds, an imo it is a great source for all standards and even for weird sounds... Plus it got a (basic) vocoder ;)

Studio Annur

December 20, 2011 @ 3:07 pm

I added a Juno-Di to my rig last year and have been very happy with it. Huge library of sounds, great editor software to tweak and create your own sounds. Acoustic patches weren't too good (acoustic piano, guitar, string, brass/ reed) and required a lot of editing to get them up to par. Electric pianos, organs, clavs, synth string/ brass & pads were pretty good, but I mostly use it for the excellent synth leads and electric guitar sounds. The sound quality is a bit thin and 'wirey' and there is a definite lack of bass, but all in all, a very good mid-level synthesizer.

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