Roland Alpha Juno 2 | The best Roland synth ever?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ย. 2024
- In 1985 Roland released the last of their analog Juno synths, the Alpha Juno 1 and 2.
Excellent synths that failed to impress the world at the time where everyone wanted digital synths and samplers.
The 5 octave Alpha Juno 2 with velocity and after touch is still my fav master keyboard and I love it dearly.
Sound examples start at 16:57
The lush pads/strings, warm basses perfect for synth-pop, solo leads smooth as butter and a very slow LFO all contributes to my addiction to this synth.
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Growing up I listened to so much synth-pop and it's only natural that my own music takes inspiration from many of the acts I loved back then. I still love them and listen to them!
Howard Jones, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Erasure, Thompson Twins, Tears for Fears, The Human League, Propaganda. FGTH, Ultravox, OMD, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Giorgio Moroder, Jean Michel Jarre, Jan Hammer, Alphaville, A-ha as well as loads of artists doing what is now called Italo Disco. And many more great acts like Nik Kershaw, Spandau Ballet, Wham, Dire Straits ++
One of the best dream come thru in life is when you visit a friend's house and they tell you...Hey you play keyboards right? there's an old one somewhere down there that we wanna throw away, we're cleaning up the junk! You search the basement only to find out it's a Alpha Juno 2 waiting to be rescued...
Awesome!
Got a perfect condition and working Alpha Juno 2 at a neighborhood garage sale for $8 about 5-6 years ago. Best picking find ever (for me).
Oh, that's sweet!
I will pay you twice what you paid for it, want to double your money? :)
@@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene It's a keeper! 😀
What a bargain.
Got to love those
I bought the Roland Alpha Juno-1 as my first synth, brand new, in 1986.
I STILL HAVE IT
That's actually impressive, lol.
Me too
Cool. I have an Oberheim Xpander and a Jupiter 6, but I bought one of these with the programmer a couple of years ago because it sounds good.
For pads and synth strings the Roland Juno's and JX's are even today unbeatable.
I begged my parents to buy this synth for me when I heard it in the local music store. It just sounded so much better than anything else in the store and I still use it. Great to see people finally appreciating this great synth!
A favorite here. ;-)
i have the rack version with programmer 🙂
Had my alphaJuno-1 since 1987 and it still is in my main lineup today. The pads and string sounds are some of the best I have ever heard.
It sounds so unique in that it sounds both digital and analog at the same exact time, like it inhabits this special dimension that is forbidden to other synths.
@@fortheloveofnoise Really is nothing like it out there.
Bought one on Reverb a few years ago in mint condition, had never left the guys home studio. Even came with the hard plastic Roland case. Love it.
You’re so right about this synth being great for synth-pop.
Gotta love the Juno 2 :) May first analog poly - still have it over 30 years later.
You should drag it out and do a video on it!
@@NathanChisholm041 Haha.. already have. Check out my 'Battle of the Junos: Juno 106 vs Alpha Juno 2'
My school had one of these and I played it for hours and hours. So easy to programme and get great sounds out of :)
Oh man youre giving me nostalgia here. This was my first serious synth, it cost shitloads back then but was worth every penny, It was a ground breaking piece of kit, my favourite sound was Synrise. So good to hear those sounds again. Thanks. I had the alpha juno along with a boss dr rhythm drum machine. then stepped up to a Yamaha DX7s. Then i added a Yamaha QX5FD sequencer. Then i sold the alpha juno and got a Roland D70 synth (Which was a wet dream of sound and playability back then). I added a Yamaha SY22 synth to my kit. Oh what happy days!
used to have one. sold it because it was useless in a cover band where i needed a decent piano sound. one of those things you regret 25 years later.
I can certainly relate to that. I did the same with a Roland JX-10 :|
at least you still have your D50 :D
I sold my Roland Jupiter-8 with Encore MIDI in mint condition for 2'200$ in 1995...
@Woody Piano Shack - Just get another DX7 to get a decent piano sound. It's perfect for that ;)
One tends to have money enough to buy one again 25 years later. Just saying. :)
I could listen to these demo's of older synths all day long,
Cheers! :D
I still have mine that I bought bran new with the PG-300 programmer. I thought of selling it many time but could not do it. It's the first synth I got and I have an emotional bond with it. Combining it with a multi FX really make it shine and that's how modern synths get their luscious sounds. Very nice demo thank you..
What a beautiful rich sound the Juno 2 has. Thanks for shining a little love light on this exquisite piece of musical hardware!
My pleasure, it's easily the best of the Junos :)
The Roland Juno keys are ones of the best I ever played.
Saw: 3
Pulse: 3
Sub: 5
Noise: 1
PWM: 127
PWM Rate: 102
Chorus: 92
Alpha owners will know... :)
recipe for dance floor napalm
Espen may be the 80s, but that sound certainly rocked the 90s :)
I'm guessing, is it bigger, bolder and better than all the other sounds?
@@streglof There is no other :)
plz sample it, I'm dying to know...
Just beautiful. And a very interesting time period for synths in general. The "buzzy" extra waveforms they added kind of remind me of the Casio CZ series, like they were trying to meet it in the middle between classic analog and new digital. Like the CZ series was trying to make digital more friendly and accessible, while the Alpha Juno was trying to make analog look and sound more digital.
Good conclusion. I can agree to your thoughts.
I have the Casio CZ-101 and I thought of it as soon as I heard Espen start playing on his Juno 2.
I was thinking PPG sounds.
I have this love affair with mine and I will never sell it. I own this synth (Alpha Juno 1) for 11 years now and to this day it never bored me. I love the way the programming goes. I've been asked many times if it does'nt bother me to not have the hands on controls as the, for instance, juno 106 has and the answer is "no". Sure there is the PG300 to control all parameters, but I think the charms of the synth is the time you have to put in to when programming it. I simply love the sound, capabilities and versatility of the synth. Either you're into soft pads or harsh techno sounds, this is the one!!
I agree on programming the synth. No need for the PG-300 here either.
24:10 that soft pad is superbe
25:00 that brass is so bassy and warm
I was inspired 9 months ago by this video and recently managed to pick up a Synth Plus 80 for a couple of hundred dollars, so happy!
Congrats!
I used to help run a Music Technology workshop for young adults back in the early 90's (run by the local council) and we had an Alpha Juno 1. This video brought it all back to me and you just recreated my performances of "Walk of Life" - same keyboard, same preset but you just played it better! Alpha Juno was a great piece of kit. Thanks for this video.
Thanks for saying! That Dire Straits track is always my way of testing organ patches on any synth ;-)
I agree, this is an amazing synth and add the mpg50 controller and it just gets even better!
Yep, great synths, I've had a Juno 1 for the last 30 years, still a favourite 👍
Best ‘stache ever! Mr Burt! 80s FTW! :D
It's gonna grow! ;-)
I concur. Obviously.
I use my Roland MKS-50 for over 25 years now for my creations. Combining it with my Juno-106 let the 80ies come back again ;-)
why would someone dislike a video like this?
Just the name Espen Craft says this man is a master living atop a beautiful hill with a studio full of synths
I do live at the top of a hill. Sort of. I have some synths as well. ;-)
As enjoyable to see you dissect these old gems of 80s popsynth bliss, as impressive is your musical/technical talent/handling. Thank you!
Thank you Fredrik! :)
this synth is sooo beautiful, magic sounds.
Amazing, the Juno2 was my first synth, bought new in the 80's. I have owned many, many synths since that first one....but it has always been undeniable the finest keybed I have ever used in synth action. It was the most controllable expressive synth action I ever played....not played another like it since. Since it was my first synth I just assumed all synths played like the Juno2...until I bought my next synth and every one after it....not as good, they all have been a disappointment. Sold it and my entire studio 10 years ago when divorce bankrupted me....miss it. Thanks for the memories :)
I m never getting married then!
Dont marry for looks. Dont marry for love. Marry for deep friendship.
Could not agree more! Have mine since '88 and would NEVER give it away.
Those sounds are out of this world especially the Pads! Wow!!
It's a very usable synth. ;-)
I bought an HS-10 because of this video. It is definitely a lifetime keeper.
OK, Espen, you've done it. Today I went and bought Alpha Juno locally for like $260 (clearly a no-brainer)
Excellent, congrats! :)
Alpha Junos are lovely, I have the rarest one, the HS-80, which is an Alpha Juno in a different black case with speakers. It sounds dreamy.
Agreed. First synth I ever bought. It’s my #1 bass synth and a pad monster. Also makes some lush drifting style analog leads.
Only now that we are at the presents... not one of the better sets. There’s a few I like but mainly disappointing to the potential of this synth.
I agree. My fav synth. But on the internet it doesn't get the attention it deserves coz Alpha 2 was made for a guys who can play with two hands, not for knob twisting youtubers. You made the best review on it so thank you very much!
Cheers!
I had one in 1986, traded it in on an Oberheim Matrix 6 and always regretted it. The Alpha Juno 2 sounded better for our soul cover band. Our bassist liked it even more than the DX7. He couldn't understand why every band he saw had a DX7 but I guess that's why he played bass and not keyboards.
Because the DX7 is cold and lifeless and sounds terrible unless you send it through a bunch of tube gear? 😂
@@sub-jec-tiv because DX7 only has cold high end it sits in the mix without any need for EQing !
You have some of the best synths in your studio! That's why I love coming by and virtually drool over your museum quality, collection :D
Have a great weekend Espen! Thanks for sharing this.
My pleasure Raymond, thanks for watching and commenting! :)
Oh Man! You've reminded me how great this thing is. Time to get mine down form the attic and create some Covid-19 patches!!!!!The lockdown collection 2020!!
great time with Espen and old synths ! so nice moments, Thanks
The League of Morons are legion.
Really regretting selling an alpha juno for $100 before i knew anything about synths, bunch of old gear passed through my hands that id kill to have today
This was my first synth when I turned 18 - and I still love that sound and expressivity.
I got one as a teen and I still use it. I have it as master keyboard for all recordings, including those on my channel. There is a really nice depth to many of the sounds! Thanks for this nice video!
Thanks! Yes, it's a wonderful master keyboard for me as well.
I love this synth so much for those vintage sounds...!
Can everyone please stop bragging about how cheap they got their Alpha Junos... and let me cry in peace.
They’re likely full of crap anyways 😂
that string sweep is mental
this is so beautiful!
Espen my man, you were 100% right. I never understood the hype, till I got my A Juno2. Absolutely IN LOVE with the way it sounds! Honestly its just as good as my 106....if not better!
Excellent news! :-)
Beautiful sounds, some of the best analog sounds I've ever heard. People always seemed to think less of the Alpha Junos, possibly because of the lack of sliders? I had a Juno 106, have played a Juno 60 and admire the slightly different but interesting sound of the Alpha Junos. Additionally the touch sensitive Alpha Juno keyboard would tend to nudge me in favor of the Alpha 2 over the others.
Yeah, I've sold off all my other Junos through the years. I've kept the Alpha as it can do all the sounds from the other ones AND more. ;-)
Yeah the velocity sensitivity is a huge plus. I also think the filter is smoother sounding, kind of like the jx8p
kiko 1 I agree, I’m a fan of that smoother sound that the Jx8p/Alpha Junos have. My Juno 106 (that I sold years ago) definitely sounded brighter and with a sharper filter sound. I like the 106, but could live without one. I want to buy an Alpha Juno though!
Scored a Juno 1 about 6 months ago. I have never had so much fun. This video is super helpful!
Excellent, congrats! ;-)
Such a great synth. I bought the midiclub controller and now have hands on knobs and sliders :)
Thanks so much for the video! I own one, since the 90's. I used to have a sort of love/hate with it. In the beginning I used to listen to it only using headphones and the sound seemed fairly good, but a little flat, thinking it was about its filter shared on all its voices. But one day I linked it to a pub's P.A., equalized and with a little reverb.... It changed so much!!!! It breathed!!Exciting! The StringOrgan patch that the keyboard player used (I don't know if edited or not...) in my Pink Floyd tribute band years ago, in the intro for Shine On sounded as a mistic experience!
Roland need to do a reface version of this. They're so hard to get now.
There is a reason I own 3 of them. Amazing!
I remember these at the music store when I was finally going to get my first synth. I wanted one but they were more than I could afford. I finally had to choose between the Yamaha DX-27 and the Casio CZ-101. I ended up going with the DX-27, and was lost trying to wrap my head around carriers and modulators. Not a great introduction to synth programming but I still had a lot of fun with it. Really wish I'd had a Juno though. That was the sound I wanted.
My experience exactly!
DX27 as first synth.. May God have mercy
the dx27s was my first synth!
My first synth. Still have it. Great machine
I had one of these briefly... I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Seems that I should have spent more time tinkering instead of just listening to the presets. Great demo!
Thanks! It's definitely more to this synth than the presets ;-)
Hi Espen
First of all, congratulations on the new full time job ;-)
Thanks to this video a year ago, i’m now also a proud owner of a second-hand Roland Alpha Juno 2 myself.
Very happy with this synth, wonderful sounds and very easy to operate, i like it a lot.
Only the display makes a very disturbing high frequency noise, i hope a can replace it myself.
Excellent, congrats! Thanks! :)
I have MKS-50. (Rack version of Alpha Juno) - Really great synth.
How easy/difficult is it to program without the PG-300 or an alternative programmer?
@@Shred_The_Weapon It's not terrible but you will thank yourself for getting software programmers, like "Alpha Base"
ShreadTheWeapon pain in ass.
My friend gave me one of these in jr high. I've had it for like 10 years now I love it. I never knew it was considered really nice till a few days ago.
The Alpha Junos and the JX-8P are my favorite Roland synths. I still have the Juno 1 that I bought for next to nothing back in the mid 90s, along with a PG-300. It even came with the original sheet music holder, which makes a nice stand for the PG. I would still buy a Juno 2, if I ever come across one for sale at a reasonable price.
Sold my Juno2 when I wanted to work to fully work from in the box. I still miss the great feeling of that keyboard.
Recently hooked up a digital controller from my iPad for my Juno1. Very good cheap option if you don't want to pay outrageous prices for a pg-300.
curious what app you are using for this?
@@therealcarlmarti It's called ipg-800, for ipad. You'll also need a yamaha md-bt01 MIDI/bluetooth unit for the back the Juno. Mine works flawlessly.
First an foremost, thank you for your videos. I have watched all of them, many several times! Second, I just picked up my own RAJ2 and you are 110% correct, it is a really great keybed! Sounds amazing as well, cheers!
Congrats! :D
I sold my juno 1 when I wasn't using it at the time. And I felt like there were "better" synths out there for me to explore. I also didn't know much about synthesis then and thought it was limited. Smh.
I have a jx-3p with programmer, and I love it, but it just can't make bass sounds like the alpha juno. And I miss the weird plasticy bouncyness of the filter. I was missing it so much recently that I broke down and ordered an MKS-50, a juno 1 in a box. This time I'm going to see if I can get a PG-300 to make it a more visceral experience. But either way, I will NOT sell it this time.
Admire your work Espen, keep putting your passion into your videos. 40 minutes dedicated to the AJ, love it.
Thanks for the story. I have some horror stories about stuff I let go very cheap because I didn't find value in it at the time. ;-)
@@EspenKraft I actually have sold some technically "better" synths than the aj and felt 0 sellers remorse like the hs60, oberheim matrix 6, korg dw8000, novation Peak and the virus a. I didn't feel like I was going to regret selling any of them but for some reason the AJ I did regret. Funny how that works out.
Currently, I have 3 AJ-1s and a AJ-2 on the way. You could say I like them too.
they just need to re-release the exact same synths from the past and profit ffs...korg did the ms20m, and it's what I needed.
You never seem to run out of bullets Espen...Amazing & incredible!
Thanks David! :)
Very nice, Espen. I’d read that the synth wasn’t as “warm” as some of the other Junos, but I think it sounded very nice, and some of those string pads were gorgeous-especially with a bit of the Eventide effects.
Some of the sounds and parts you played brought me back to 1985-‘86. Maybe some day I’ll figure out how to stay there. 😉
Thanks man! Yeah, it sounds just as "warm" as any other Juno synth and why shouldn't it. It's a Juno ;-)
Vaporwave will get you there lol
27:15 great Trance sound
Daaammmmn... Why have I not heard of this before? I always thought the 106 was the best synth out there. I connect with the sound so much. This sounds spot on just like it, and I'm looking on reverb and they're going for less than 1/3rd the price of a 106.... my lucky day??? LOL.
Ahhhhh that sound right at 33:00.... Sooooo warm!!!!
Lookin good as usual! Not many guys can rock a 70's mustache like that.
Nice, thanks! It'll have to go pretty soon I think ;-)
Black lodge approved
Windom Earle might think otherwise... ;-)
Used Alpha Juno 2 as a second keyboard when i did cover-and boatgigs in 2012-2015. Great pads, bells and leads. With the Juno i used Korg Triton Le, so the synthesis was mixture between 80's and 90's. These instruments qualified also with the modern stuff. Songs by Lady Gaga, Maroon 5 etc and of course they ruled when the 80's hits started roll over during our set. Great memories. Great synth. Thanks.
Cheers!
This was the first Synthesizer I ever played when I was a preteen back in the good old nineteen eighties, Wow, and then my dad bought me a 'Yamaha DX711D' I remembered we were looking around downtown in this Music Shop and the owner didn't had any DX7s all he had at the time was a Roland D50, but we eventually got the DX later on, this brings back memories.
What a glorious synth
One of my all time favourites. Back in the mid-eighties I was drooling over the Alpha Junos in the musicshop, but I couldn’t afford it. Now I have had 3 AJ-1’s and one AJ-2. Even though I have a 106 I’m still holding on to my AJ-1 with PG-300 -it has a high nostalgic value to me and sounds beautiful.
Nice demo, Espen 👍
Thanks Peter! SOunds like you have all the Alphas you need there! :)
Thanks for the video. It was my first synthesizer in the 80's, but it was the Alpha Juno 1 and had no sensitivity on the 4 octave keyboard. Also only 6 notes of polyphony, but it gave me a wonderful time. I still have a cassette tape with sounds created by me. Hopefully one day I will be able to listen to them again...
They are still possible to get hold of. ;-)
J’ai eu le MKS-50... l’expandeur des Alpha Juno 1 & 2... Génial !!!
When I was 14 I saw the Juno 2 at my local music store. I remember I would walk the long way home from school a lot of the time , just to play it for a few moments.
These were a bit like the korgs dw series in a way. L❤ve my AJ 2, till death do us part !
The fact the chorus is variable is a one up on the xx6 type juno's.
If you spend time with it , you realize its versatility.
Thankyou E.K about time someone sung the Alpha Juno's praises.
Thanks! I agree with you on everything :)
I have both, Dw8000 and this one, and decided to keep them because I think they complement really well each other. Two fantastic synths.
Thank you for the video. I can see that you like this synth a lot and it reminds me how much I liked them too. 😃
Used to have the MKS50 and PG300 programmer. Sold it to buy a Prophet 6. I dont regret it but I still kinda miss it. It's all about the chorus.
PW on SAW.
@Luke Still no regrets. I had to sell that kit to help fund the P6. I'm glad I did because the chorus was very noisy and power supply was on its way out.
The sound is exceptional. Been looking for one!
Basically this was Roland's way of reviving the analog synth by making it function similar to a DX-7. The way you program is directly the same though this one has the Alpha Wheel, instead of a slider.
@Luke it was very popular at the time, almost all synths from the 80s were menu driven
Alpha Juno 1 here, controlled by a JX10 (where you get the additional Juno 2 benefits btw). Combined and layered together is all I need for my "Analog" section of home studio. Nice demo.
Cheers!
Loved the little tribute to Twin Peaks you included while demoing that bass patch! I bet the Alpha Juno would be perfect for recreating the signature synstrings from Laura Palmer’s Theme as well.
Gotto have some TP in there... to stir up Windom Earle a little.. ;-)
Finally bought this baby, found it for 150 euros! Its finally fully repaired by my tech friend, and its on a way to my home. Cant wait to try it.
Congrats! :D
@@EspenKraft Thanks. :)
Still have mine in its road case "As New" with one memory card...or should i say memory "Brick"...awsome synth!
Always wanted one... Finally got a mint Mark 2 today... Absolutely beautiful... Lucky enough to also have a CZ 1000 which shares some of that glorious 80's membrane touch..
I remember when this video came out, I ended up buying one. :D
Cheers! :D
Just bought one too xD
The Alpha Juno 1 was one of my first synths, I have it over 30 years. It’s the one I learnt synthesis on. I have a Juno 106 for nearly as long, and as much as I like the Alpha, the 106 is by far my favourite of the two.
We all have out favorites! :D
@ghost mall The alpha is arguably the best value 80s analogue, it’s a no brainer. I hate using words like warm and lush to describe how synths sound, but to me the 106 just sounds better. I’m an attempt to describe them them the the 106 is more raw and the alpha more tame. The 106 chorus is noisy but magic, much better than the alpha, arguably it is the 106 sound. The 106 filter can really scream with the res up, the alpha can’t. The 106 has a better hands on interface. On the other hand, you can pick up a 3rd party controller for the alpha and it is still great value overall. It has aftertouch (the 1 over midi only, I think the 2 has it on the keyboard ). It has a more complicated envelope generator and a few extra wave variations, so can make counts the 106 can’t. Finally it’s more reliable. My only issue in 30 years is the lcd backlight no longer works. My 106 has had a dead battery, dead voice chip and recently the patch memory has stopped working.
@ghost mall The 106 and the Alphas used different filters. The Alphas used the same filters as the Jx-8p, interestingly enough. I've always been nuts about the -8p; maybe that's why I get along fine with the Alphas. :D
Cheapest Roland analog I’ve ever found. $70 back in 2015. The tone is fantastic too
Where can i get one too for that price.? Or around that price. I have been looking everywhere
Long time watcher and bought the Juno alpha one. Just because love this video and the use in modern music thank you dude!
Congrats man and thanks for watching! :)
Great video Espen! I think you just added a few hundred dollars to the Juno’s market price 😀
I hope so! ;-) thanks
oh! I love blade runner’s sound track! Vangelis is a genius!
Roland did a couple of these "analogue pretending to be a DX7" type synths. The JX-8P is the other one that springs to mind. Both sound great.
Alpha Juno has that Hoover ("What the?") preset doesn't it?
PS - The tash makes the video a further 10% more enjoyable.
Yes, the "Hoover" sound by Eric Pershing became a Techno anthem sound. I've always felt that the Alphas has been let down by that sound as so many has missed all the other smooth sounds it can produce.
I can only let the tash grow from here on... much to the horror of my loved ones ;-)
@@AlexBallMusic Pershing is such a nice guy and a great sound guy. I can still remember reading his "synth clinics" in Keyboard magazine and such in the 80s and I learned a lot from him there. I also bought some of the earliest Spectrasonics audio format sample libraries and the quality was always stellar. I hope the world remember him more for some of the D-50 sounds than the hoover ha-ha. Anyways, the Alpha is a cornerstone in my mellow, polished and smooth sounds. I've always stayed away from spikey resonant sounds, I'm way to "chart synth-pop" for that hence my reluctance to 70s synths ;-)
I feel sorry for both of them being 'emasculated' in such a way in order to try to look like a DX7 - but it is a reminder of times gone by and that there was indeed a time when analog meant coarse, 'unrealistic', and actually to fat in the real sense.
Definitely keep the 'tache - it suits you! I grew "friendly mutton chops" in honour of Lemmy from Motorhead and my loved ones overcame their initial horror eventually!
Espen Kraft that hoover preset is iconic amongst anyone that listened to Techno music which was made famous by many of the top dance acts over the past 30+ years and featured predominantly in 1.000’s of different records where the Hoover was the dominant sound/synth from Detroit to Berlin. That’s definitely a positive legacy to leave behind. Nothing epitomises rave & techno like the beloved Alpha Juno and that hoover in particular much like the TB-303 to Acid music. Iconic synths ❤️
Love my alpha juno 1! my first analog so grateful! :)