Roland • MKS-50

The MKS-50 is a rack-mount version of the Alpha Juno. It has the same synth engine and architecture, with some added features like 16 programmable chord memories, the ability to store velocity, volume, panning, de-tune, portamento and other similar parameters within each patch you create. The optional and highly recommended PG-300 will give you traditional slider type control of all editable tone parameters which include DCO (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 more.
Its sound is not quite as warm as the previous Juno's but it's still a nice addition to any techno synth rig. Other features include better MIDI implementation than previous Roland synths, a nice LCD display, an LFO capable of a very slow rate for some cool sweeping effects, and a great bass sound (especially nice for acid basslines) and noise effects! It is used by Überzone, Astral Projection, Fluke, Future Sound of London, Pet Shop Boys, and Vince Clarke.
Can do nice Juno string pads. Not sensational, but good, musical, useful, and reasonably warm soundning. Some leads can be quite fun too.
FIlter is not bad, but also not sensational. I prefer the Juno 106 filter. Not sure if the circuit is very different, but sweeping the MKS-50 filter via MIDI CC can be a bit steppy. Unfortunately, I think on-board controls are still preferable.
I paid $US180. I think at $150 to $200 it is appropriately priced. I'm happy to have it in my rack.
If you're into the genuine roland sound, go for it. If you like the Drexcyia, Dopplereffekt thing... you will like it a lot.
I managed to coax nice unison sounds from it. I set it so that every voice uses it's own channel and I use the pitch wheel(s) to detune the voices. I need the daw's sequencer to do that however. lol it's a bit of a pain in the butt but it works and sounds soooo good.
Not ''powerful'' in technical terms but it's sound sends shivers down my spine so I can't ask more for the 185 bucks I paid for it. Kind of like the Korg Poly 800. It should be added in the the ''related & alternatives'' list. Definately.