Roland Juno-106
The Roland Juno-106 is a synthesizer released by Roland Corporation in February 1984.
Roland Juno-106 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Manufacturer | Roland |
Dates | 1984-1988[1] |
Price | US$2000 GB£1600 JP¥220,000 |
Technical specifications | |
Polyphony | 6 voices |
Timbrality | Polyphonic |
Oscillator | 1 DCO per voice (pulse, saw, square and noise) |
LFO | triangle with delay and rate |
Synthesis type | Analog subtractive |
Filter | Analog 24dB/oct resonant low-pass, non-resonant high-pass |
Attenuator | ADSR envelope generator |
Aftertouch expression | No |
Velocity expression | No |
Storage memory | 128 patches |
Effects | Chorus |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | 61 keys |
External control | MIDI |
Features

The Juno-106 is a polyphonic synthesizer with six voices. It is an analog synthesizer but with digitally controlled oscillators and chorus effects.[2][3] Whereas its predecessor, the Juno-60, has 56 patches, the Juno-106 has 128. It introduced Roland's performance lever for pitch bends and modulation, which became a standard feature of Roland instruments.[2] It also adds MIDI and was one of the first analog synthesizers to allow users to sequence parameter changes.[2]
Impact
Artists who have used the Juno-106 include Jacob Mann, Vince Clarke, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Chvrches, Leftfield, William Orbit, Tangerine Dream, Underworld, Reel 2 Real, Jam & Spoon, and Vangelis.[4]
The Juno-106 was Roland's bestselling synthesizer until the release of the Roland D-50 later in the decade.[5] It remains one of the bestselling synthesizers.[2] In 1985, Roland released two versions with built-in speakers: the Juno-106S and the HS60 Synth Plus.[2]
The synth's popularity continues to the present day, specially with EDM and artists such as Tame Impala,[6] Daft Punk,[7] Calvin Harris,[8] Armin Van Buuren,[9] Mark Ronson,[10] Caribou[11] among many others.
Hardware re-issues and recreations
In 2015, Roland release the JU-06 sound module, a digital recreation of the Juno-106 using the Roland ACB technology. It is battery powered, has 4-voices and 23 parameters controlled from the front panel.[12] It cost $299 at the time of the release.[13]
in 2016, Behringer released the Deepmind-12, an analog synthesizer inspired by the Juno-106 which features 12 voices.[14] It was priced at $999 at the time of release.[15] In 2020, developer Momo Müller released an unofficial PC MIDI editor with the interface of June-106, called the Deepmind - Juno-106 Editor.[16]
In 2019, Roland released the JU-06A, which is a digitally based synthesizer combining the JUNO-60 and JUNO-106. It has the continuous high-pass filter of the 106, the envelope-controllable pulse-width-modulation of the 60, and the filter of both switchable from the front panel.[12] It cost $399 at the time of the release.[17]
Software emulations
In 2017, Roland released some software synthesizers in the cloud, including Cloud Juno-106. The cloud subscription cost $240/yr at the time.[18]
In June 2020, Roland released Zenology plugins for Roland synths, which includes a Juno-106 emulator.[19][20]
In 2020, Cherry Audio released the DCO-106 plugin, a juiced up version of the Juno-106 which was priced at $39 USD in 2020.[21][22]
TAL-U-No-LX by ToguAudioLine is one of the most popular emulations of the Juno-106[23]
References
- Forrest, Peter (1996). The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers: Part 2: N-Z. Devon, England: Susurreal. p. 64. ISBN 09524377-1-6.
- "The History Of Roland: Part 2". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
- Corporation, Roland. "Roland - JUNO-106 | Software Synthesizer". Roland. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- Peter Manning, Daft Punk, Electronic and Computer Music, page 297, Oxford University Press
- Colbeck, Julian (1996). Keyfax Omnibus Edition. Emeryville, CA: MixBooks. p. 104. ISBN 0-918371-08-2.
- "Tame Impala". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- "Recording Random Access Memories | Daft Punk". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- February 2012, Future Music20 (20 February 2012). "Interview: Calvin Harris on software, hardware and hit-making". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- "Armin Van Buuren". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- "Mark Ronson". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- "Caribou's Dan Snaith on His Decade-long Electronic Music Evolution". tapeop.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- "Roland Icon Series: The Juno-106 Synthesizer". Roland Resource Centre. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- March 2016, Dan Goldman 20 (20 March 2016). "Roland Boutique JU-06 review". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- Ltd, Magnolia International. "Behringer | Product | DEEPMIND 12". www.behringer.com. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- April 2017, Bruce Aisher 16 (16 April 2017). "Behringer DeepMind 12 review". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- guest (2020-01-31). "Behringer DeepMind 12 Gets Unofficial Juno 106 MIDI Editor". Synthtopia. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- "Roland JU-06A Review". MusicTech. 2019-10-04. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- "Ten Of The Best: Analogue-Style Synth Plugins - Page 10 of 11". Attack Magazine. 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- July 2020, Ben Rogerson01 (July 2020). "4 classic Roland '80s synths are coming to the Zenology plugin: the JX-8P, SH-101, Juno-106, and Jupiter-8". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
- Abrons, Sara. "Roland Intros ZENOLOGY Software Synthesizer Plug-in – rAVe [PUBS]". www.ravepubs.com. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
- October 2020, Ben Rogerson05 (5 October 2020). "Cherry Audio's DCO-106 synth plugin is a juiced-up Juno-106 that won't put the squeeze on your wallet". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- Anatomy, Synth (2020-10-04). "Cherry Audio DCO-106 Plugin, New Roland Juno-106 Emulation With MPE Support". SYNTH ANATOMY. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- "TAL-U-NO-LX by TAL-Togu Audio Line - Plugins (VST, AU)".