This stuff really helps me understand what to look for in a synth. There are soooo many choices nowadays and understanding the features in depth is super important! Thank you so much Sonicstate!
Roland did a fantastic job on these. They don't sound 100% like the originals, but they sound close enough, and, most importantly, they sound how I REMEMBER the originals sounding. That is, they have the same character and vibe, and are incredible musical. I owned a JX3P for 20 years, and a 106 for 5 years, and have since sold both. I've picked up the JX03 and JU06, and I absolutely love them both. Sure, they could do with some more performance-orientated control, but for the the price and size, they are wonderful, capable machines full of useful options.
I contacted roland about the lack of CC and this was the response they sent me. Hope it happens :P "We have already been letting the engineering teams in Japan know that users could use more options via MIDI, so we are hoping they could release an update in the future to add some of these types of features. We can't promise anything, but are hoping. Best Regards, Product Support Roland Corp. U.S."
CCs for DAW automation, and for the buttons and sliders to be used to control other synths via USB MIDI would be a no brainier. I'd buy it immediately.
+pheotus this is a pretty big omission for sure, it kindof baffles me - anyways Roland seems to be on top of the firmware stuff with the Aira's so surely they're willing to take the time to add a bit to these as well - it will make the reviews even more glowing!
+kassie2k4 The System 1 transmits most of the useful Midi CC messages, i.e., filter cutoff, resonance, etc. I contacted Roland about the JX-03 weeks ago and they pointed me to its more sparse midi implementation worksheet. This is one sticky point from an otherwise well thought out, fairly well implemented product.
Hoping, does not guarantee sales, they should pull their finger out and sort it or at the least commit to it. Let's be honest they are supposed to be the experts how an earth did that pass through to release without controllable parameters? Cash in with minimum expense that's how!
The sequencer responds to transport control. What I've enjoyed doing is having the JX-03 controlled by the Analog Keys, using it as another 16-step track, 4-voice addition to the AK. The two sound fantastic together, and the delay and reverb on the AK sound great on the 03. I'll be doing a live performance next week using this set up along with a looping pedal. Tons of possibilities for live improv with this tiny set up.
+Admiral Quality The issue with this 106 is the voice chips are dying. Just like every other 106 out there. Get those replaced and it'll sound wonderful =o]
+Larry Kleinke I've seen that happen and it didn't cause noise like that. You usually lose functionality or entire voices. (On my old music partner's '106 it caused several voices to not make any waveshape except a narrow pulsewidth. So we built a song around it! ;) )
Such a good emulation. If you want the legendary sound, sliders, sequencer I think this is rather good. There's some folks out there already controlling MIDI CC's..so velocity can be achieved. I think there's probably 4 people in the world that could distinguish the differences in a blindfold test.
Of course the 106 is beefier than the JU06, but I think the JU-06 would be very fun to take with you and play at a park with headphones. If you're concerned about the low end, that can be fixed to some extent using effects such as a simple low end boost EQ or Waves LoAir.
The 4 voice poly is a big killer for me. And no, I am not going to chain two together. I hope they come out with a JU-08 eight voice model. Then I would be a player.
+mattsynth A couple of my favorite synths are only 4 voices: MS-2000 and Analog Keys. These Boutique units work quite well with the limitation. With creative uses of delay and reverb you can still do pads with long tails, and by using the 4-voice limitation as a sound design feature, rather than a limitation, interesting things can be done.
+John Smith Not at all. Limitations often breed creativity. The most creative time in my life was when I was recording music using a broken 4-track, a guitar with only 4 strings, shoes in a dryer for drums, and a $5 mic purchased at Radioshack. Recorded 8 albums with this set up and other similarly-limited set ups. The best synth patch I've ever made was made on the Microkorg, and uses the 4-voice limitation as part of its design. This is all while owning and using dozens of more complex synths with more features. Creativity flourishes with limitations, and is often killed by endless possibilities and features.
+Daniel Davis Two bass notes and a triad is the least amount of notes I would use for a pad. This is why most great analog synths are 6 or 8 voices. I also have a Analog Four but I only use it for mono sequencing like it was designed to do. Juno's were great pad synths because they had 6 voices so why would Roland not make this at least 6 voice? I think they fell short on this one in quite a few areas. I will save my money for an 6 or 8 voice model and better CC control.
+mattsynth Whatever works for you, works for you. That's the only criteria one should follow when purchasing the tools needed for creative projects. I made this album (one of my personal favorites) with the Microkorg as the only synth - I'm sure you'll agree that the 4-voice limitation isn't noticed. carlsagansghost.bandcamp.com/album/korgambient So that works for me. :)
I have to agree with you. I always admired (from afar) the performance aspect of the JUNO 106. So in my opinion, I think they really screwed the pooch on this. I went with the JU-06 over the JU-06A just to get a little closer to that by having the pitch/mod at least standalone. But the ribbon style is just not *nearly* close to the same feel
My first synth was a Juno-6 (damn I learned a LOT on that thing!), and never realized the 106 had the addition of portamento(!) Great review (as per usual). My next synth was a JP-6. Part of me wishes I'd never sold it... after 17 years use.
I used to own a Juno 106 - 1985 build year I think. It was in perfect condition inside and out, but the voice chips started dying. Replaced one of them, it all worked for about a week, then a second voice chip went, so I replaced that one as well. After those two I just got sick of keeping the thing maintained. Soldering a 30 year old circuit board and then calibrating each chip with a scope just made me want to murder something. The clone chips are damn expensive, too. So to hear that this JU06 sounds almost identical to the real thing (bar a slight different in volume) means I'll be ordering two of them ASAP so I can daisy chain them together for 8 voices.
Honestly with the used prices of them now I’d just get another one and poly chain it, 8 voices of Roland’s ACB tech for under 500 dollars is a great deal
Wonderfully insightful as always, Nick. Let's hope that the Roland engineering team implements the improved performance functionality and MIDI continuous controller compatibility for the faders. Peace.
I got the JU & the JX, one thing I hated was the modelled Chorus noise... Check out the Manuals at Roland, they have been updated, and you can now turn off that noise, and use C2 ribbon as Mod Hold
Great review. It sounds pretty authentic, but editing looks painful. Really wish they would bring out bigger versions of these. Good that they are modules, so the prospect of an 88 note Juno with weighted keys is now possible :)
+kassie2k4 My guess is that they were originally intended as plugouts, but they had an warehouse full of 16-bit/44khz DACs to get rid of, so they made this product line. Why else would they only promise these in limited edition?
there was an Update last year which - according to the Version History - says, that it now reacts to Control Change. Does that mean that it finally receives and processes MIDI-CCs? Like the sound, but no MIDI-CC would be a no go
I posted the complete SysEx chart on Roland Clan forums if anyone is interested. Good to here that Roland may implement CC in the Boutiques but they are sending 8bit (0-255) rather than CC (0-127) so even if implemented you may loose some resolution. Been playing with all 3 for the last 3 weeks and very happy. Great review Nick... waiting for the JP-08 review which so far is my least favorite although lots of fun
Meant to say, the complete SYSEX for the sliders and knobs... still to complete the switches as I have been using Kenton Control Freak to allow greater control of the small faders on all 3 boutiques.
Nice review once more Nick thanks, been waiting for you to take a look at these units. I've pre-ordered this and a JP-08 myself, and although the price is really good for what you get, I am disappointed to see you can't externally modulate any of the slider parameters though. Ahh well, I guess you can't have everything! Maybe Roland will allow this in a software update, I really do hope so, as it is so fundamental to exploring their full performance potential. They have certainly done a great job updating/extending the AIRA series functionality that way. And I particularly love that Tomita-esque "submarine radar" like sound at 10.58.
Nick, you're one of the only people that I'd tolerate a crackling synth in a review XD Barebones MIDI implementation?! What the hell... Clearly everyone will want to use this with an external controller. Absolutely fucked that up. And using those touch sliders instead of the classic, much-appreciated, tried and true, X-Y Roland pitch/mod, that was a fuck up, though I imagine everyone will be using this with a MIDI controller other than the joke of a keyboard they are trying to hawk with it. Built-in delay is a good call, though. Your review of this is what I've been waiting for to really see how these stand up! I'll wait to see your take on the Jupiter-8 version, but I think I'm going to have to go with an *Audiothingies P6* in the end for my next analog-modelling poly. But I do congratulate Roland on a mostly well done job with the ABC technology. It does sound exactly how I'd want it. Too bad about the performance issues.
I don't think they really had stage performance in mind with these, since that was a large critical comment you had. These are desktop versions for DAW users who want to branch out, or for home studio recording (in my opinion). It's also for retro enthusiasts who don't want to pay over a grand for a fixed up original.
Nice. Big effort as usual. The chorus comparison was good and it sounds pretty good. More comparison I would like to hear is with the filter open or swept. I don't think there was any patch where the filter was open much at all or swept. In other demo videos they sound pretty good when static and filter closed (JP-08 too) but not when filter is opened. The other comparison I would have liked is polyphony, the demo was almost exclusively monophonic. The DCO interaction with each other is a major part of the Juno sound.
Great review! The sound has exceeded my expectations. I particularly like the sounds starting at 11:55. However, there really should be more control possibilities including CV/Pedal Ins. Instead having an optional flimsy keyboard, a CV expander (similar to the ones Moog made) routable to the Boutique modules makes more sense to me- especially considering Roland's recent foray into the world of Eurorack modular.
That Juno 106 has failing VCF/ VCA hybrid chips; when they fail the voices can crackle, stick on or go silent. As an ex Roland senior engineer, I know this very well.
14:14 says it all "it's working, for me". end of review. You can tell Nick is impressed with the 106 "feel" he is getting form the JU-06. I had posted on another vid how the lack of full midi control was a deal breaker, but I have since ordered the JU-06. Its small foot print, and its price point, as well as my lack of poly synths, (having only an original Novation Nova) is why I took the plunge. I have decided to get all three. I have had a Jupiter 8 and I loved it, but it's size and its age (having it serviced) was in the end the deal breaker. I have missed its sounds but for me it becomes more about placement in the mix and the amount of space one has. From messing about with a couple of these from friends who have to have the latest toys first, I have come to the conclusion that all problems with fader size and midi control are trumped for having small excellent sounding emulations of three classic synths that literally can fit into a shoe box for $1000usd to cool to pass up. Thank you Nick for the excellent unbiased videos, keep fighting the good fight!
Hmmm... Roland do You hear Us? We need Juno 106 Mark II :) Not Juno 106 Mark 1/2 .... So Juno 106 with Kiwi is still the king of this category. I think after this release, all Juno 106 prices will be in the sky :) You will read on the ebay: Is not JU-06! Btw nice toy and on couple of other side, well done. I like this compact format.
Hi Nick. What kind of output cable did you use in this video? Obviously 3.5mm jack on one end, but how did you connect it to the audio interface? I just bought one and i get a lot of noise. I use a 3.5mm jack to rca, and then rca to 6.5mm jack plug. Tested with two different cables but noise non the less. Theres no noise when i use a headset. Hope you have time to help med :)
Great video - just got one of these off or Reverb - wondering what kind of keyboard controller you are using...? Thanks so much for your insight and videos!
Good review Nick, as always. I think they sound very nice and have been modelled well. I personally will be skipping these little synths though but for many people I can see these being put to great use.
Damn! Good one! Doing retrowave and 80's sound design and Depeche Mode like stuff also music like Electric Youth. Need of good pads, melodies and sawwy basslines (I do have Polysix software version with the fat line bass), that kind of stuff. Comparing Uhe Diva, Behringer DM-12 (upcoming) and this JU-06 ...which one would you pick in terms of...playability, ease of use and varieties of sound/pads etc if you had to pick 1 or 2? Like the display of DM12 and ofc Diva. Thanks for the good review!
I think the Gaiia is better set up? But this is an affordable option if you wanna experience the good from the past. She might be old but still has the look and Roland got to eat?
Dialing in the sequencer speed with the slider is interesting..... but is there a way to dial in an exact BPM? I didnt see the LED Screen displaying anything when he was adjusting the speed. I'm guessing arp. Speed is separate from tempo?
Repair on the 106 'should' be fairly easy. (my career was in electronics repair) Just change out the capacitors, keeping note of the polarity with a dot on the board for the negative side if it's not marked on the main boards. They sound dried out and just do a good cleaning of the contacts for the keys, sliders and all pots with a 91% isopropl alcohol. After they are cleaned over, spray a microfiber cloth with good 'ole WD-40 and wipe them down leaving a very thin layer on it all and that should do it. Generally it's the capacitors that will be the majority of it's issues. Also, check all the soldering around the IC's, limiting resistors and everything in the power supply as heat will cause the solder to haze and slightly detach from the main board pads and the components soldered. Had to do all this to a Roland Poly 800 a few years back. Once it's all cleaned and re-lubed, you should wind up with it sounding like it came out of the box new again. :) (WELL worth the effort, i believe... i'd do it)
Hi there! I have a small but important cuestion: Can the 08 do all the stuff that 06 does? I think is possible for the two oscilators that 08 have... i really can use some help on this one.. thank for read and answer!!!
So I was considering a Juno boutique but as soon as the 106 bass came on I was pretty sure of which I will get. Great review though, the patches are just deligthfull
I own a 106 and it's a bit poorly at the moment was thinking. Should I swap it for one of these or just bite the bullet and pay to get my real Juno fixed
Hi, I know that if I modify an existing patch I can save it overwriting it, but if I create e new patch starting from manual mode, how can I save it? Thanks a lot.
quick question! can you chain modules that are that are not the same model, like a ju 06 and an 08... it feels like such a waste to have two of the same when one is only a slave
Today is May 25th 2018 and I just ordered a JU-06 for $460. The price is going up by the day it seems. Only 2 on amazon. One for $780, the other brand new over $1500.
I'd like to see a full-size, 5-octave version of these; maybe all 3 in one large box will larger faders and knobs, or a hybrid of them taking the chorus from Juno, and best features of other two combined..
Thanks for doing this! I'm with the unimpressed crowd. As you point out, they sound pretty close, but the performability just isn't there. We usually expect *more* features on a digital emulation too, not less. Why is there no velocity sensitivity added to the voice? Most software emulations of a classic synths do that. And the 4 voice thing is just silly (certainly if they can do a 4 voice JP8 they can do a 6 voice Juno-106 with the same processing power) and it's a slap in the face that you have to buy a second one (with redundant front panel, which certainly represents most of the cost of the unit) and even then, can't get the correct number of voices of the original. (More isn't always better. Voice stealing behavior was important and certain riffs with long release times that worked with 6 voices won't sound the same with 8.)
+inthefade Well, in that case they're modelling what the original Juno-106 did (though with only 4 voices in unison instead of 6). Because they're DCOs, they're always in perfect tune, but they also end up with slight phase differences in their triggering due to digital jitter in the DCO timing, making it alternate randomly between different slight phase offsets every time you retrigger a note. (Sounds like a static flanging effect that only shifts when you retrigger a note.) We certainly used this to effect, back in the day, though it was such an obnoxious effect we didn't pull it out much. (And though this reviewer thinks the unison mode wasn't really a feature or was an "Easter egg", the Juno 106 manual states on page 22: "Pressing Poly 1 and Poly 2 at the same time will turn the Juno-106 to the Solo unison mode, therefore it can be played as a monophonic synthesizer that assign [sic] 6 voices to each key pressed.") They did at least add the solo (single voice) mode to these Boutique ones, which the original didn't have. That's actually useful.
Admiral Quality That static flange sound is the exact reason why I think it should have a unison voice detune. Unison just isn't very useful without being able to detune, IMO, whether it accurately emulates the 106, or not. And as you said: "We usually expect more features on a digital emulation too, not less." The Polysix emulation that Korg released has a wonderful unison detune with stereo spread, and it is one of my go-to VSTi's, when I'm not using hardware. Even just putting in a multi-button function that makes the 4 voices go to a fixed detune spread between +/-15 to 20 cents would make me happy, but a MIDI CC accessible function that can detune between +/- 0 to 50 cents would be even better. Just my thoughts on it. Doesn't seem as if it would be hard to implement, and it would go a long way. I think I'm going to pick up the Audiothingies P6 instead of any of these, in the end, anyway.
+inthefade True, they could have emulated the old behavior AND added a new detune function. But you'd probably have to access it through some opaque combination of buttons and using the mod strip as a slider. (And people complain about software being awkward to use!) When I heard him say in this video that the sliders didn't respond to CC messages I thought I might have found a good opportunity to write a little utility to convert to it's Sysex messages. (I've written a Juno-106 sysex to CC converter before that I used for controlling organ sim software - worked great and the Juno had just the right amount of knobs and buttons to map everything in a way that almost made sense!) But according to our reviewer here, apparently it only sends its control data when it's chained to another unit, so it wouldn't work. It also probably isn't real Juno-106 Sysex. That would be too useful! (Maybe it's not even MIDI Sysex at all, it might be their own proprietary protocol over the USB connection.) Actually, if anyone could test that for us that would be great. Can you record, on a sequencer capable of recording Sysex, slider movements into your sequencer and play them back into the JU-06 and have it respond to them? And if so, is it sent only through USB or does it work through the 5 pin MIDI in/out too? (This reviewer says no.) If it works in either type of connection then I could potentially make a plug-in to convert it to CC and back.
***** Then it wouldn't be able to reproduce the original sound. Or you mean just one or two detuning settings instead of a slider? Yeah, I guess that could suffice. Still, a lot of secret button combinations to remember.
Helllo sonicstate, can i ask something about my JX-03, how to clock the sequencer with my tr8. they are connected over MIDI cable out from TR8 and in JX-03 but when i change the BPM of my drummashine the sequencer of JX does not respond. It does not receive the Midi clock , why ? Thanks
Nine months after this Roland updated the JU-06 and added all the MIDI CC controls. If someone was selling a MIDI controller… Except it was a metal MIDI controller that was a black Juno replica, and it had 17 light-up sliders that sent CC info, and it had light-up pitch/mod touchstrips, and it sent 64 program changes, and it had a 16-step sequencer that could hold 16 patterns… People would want that! But as soon as you throw in a 4-voice VA synth calling itself a Juno 106 they’re going to forget everything else and crucify you in the comments! 😂
Haven't tested the units myself, but I believe the JX-03 might be the most usable of the series - usable in terms of having enough precision to find that sweet spot you talked about, since the JX-03 uses knobs instead of faders.
I had a Juno 106 for a while, because I couldn't afford what I really wanted at the time, and I remember being underwhelmed by it when I had it. I get the nostalgia....however I wouldn't spend the full retail for a recreation of it.
'You can't assign the pitch bend to the filter'. I think that sums up very nicely how limited these things are. Roland should try to compete with Clavia (Nord Lead) & Dave Smith, just to name these two, instead of fabricating toy boxes.
Very nice review! I want one. Just a side note, the clicky keys from the controller are really intrusive when trying to really listen to the sounds....
Bank 58, quite Eno-esque there 😎, it sounds as though Roland have got really close with this one even listening through you tube. If you feel that you can get 'lost' in it that is good for me....the audio being 44100 and 16bit, is that a problem as it is putting me off.
Hi Nick I do love the way you perform those reviews a lot. But what bothers me lately is that clunky keyboard you use. These plastic keys making such noise that I find it really difficult to listen to close to the sounds you're playing particular the attack phases of a given sound mostly masked by the noise of the keys you hit. Best Kirk
I'm a beginning player with some cheap ass yamaha keyboard but I love to play synth pop songs (I've already learnt tons of them but sounds are average) and I think about buying Juno-06 with k-25m. What do you guys think about it?
A 4 voice polyphony! Nice. As soon as I get back to 1986 I'll buy one of those.
You have the best, most informative, useful reviews of gear on the planet. thanks and cheers.
Nick is absolutely the best.
This stuff really helps me understand what to look for in a synth. There are soooo many choices nowadays and understanding the features in depth is super important!
Thank you so much Sonicstate!
Roland did a fantastic job on these. They don't sound 100% like the originals, but they sound close enough, and, most importantly, they sound how I REMEMBER the originals sounding. That is, they have the same character and vibe, and are incredible musical. I owned a JX3P for 20 years, and a 106 for 5 years, and have since sold both. I've picked up the JX03 and JU06, and I absolutely love them both. Sure, they could do with some more performance-orientated control, but for the the price and size, they are wonderful, capable machines full of useful options.
I contacted roland about the lack of CC and this was the response they sent me. Hope it happens :P
"We have already been letting the engineering teams in Japan know that users could use more options via MIDI, so we are hoping they could release an update in the future to add some of these types of features. We can't promise anything, but are hoping.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S."
CCs for DAW automation, and for the buttons and sliders to be used to control other synths via USB MIDI would be a no brainier. I'd buy it immediately.
+pheotus this is a pretty big omission for sure, it kindof baffles me - anyways Roland seems to be on top of the firmware stuff with the Aira's so surely they're willing to take the time to add a bit to these as well - it will make the reviews even more glowing!
+kassie2k4 The System 1 transmits most of the useful Midi CC messages, i.e., filter cutoff, resonance, etc. I contacted Roland about the JX-03 weeks ago and they pointed me to its more sparse midi implementation worksheet. This is one sticky point from an otherwise well thought out, fairly well implemented product.
I LOVE my JP-08 And plan on getting the JU-06 i hope they have a software update.
Hoping, does not guarantee sales, they should pull their finger out and sort it or at the least commit to it. Let's be honest they are supposed to be the experts how an earth did that pass through to release without controllable parameters? Cash in with minimum expense that's how!
We did thankfully get those cc modes for the Boutiques in the end
The sequencer responds to transport control. What I've enjoyed doing is having the JX-03 controlled by the Analog Keys, using it as another 16-step track, 4-voice addition to the AK. The two sound fantastic together, and the delay and reverb on the AK sound great on the 03. I'll be doing a live performance next week using this set up along with a looping pedal. Tons of possibilities for live improv with this tiny set up.
I think we should take up a collection to help Nick get his 106 serviced. :)
+Pete Brown It's the power filter caps. I can hear the electrolyte boiling out of them. ;)
+Admiral Quality The issue with this 106 is the voice chips are dying. Just like every other 106 out there. Get those replaced and it'll sound wonderful =o]
+Larry Kleinke I've seen that happen and it didn't cause noise like that. You usually lose functionality or entire voices. (On my old music partner's '106 it caused several voices to not make any waveshape except a narrow pulsewidth. So we built a song around it! ;) )
+Pete Brown I had mine fixed back in 2008 still works great. synthspa.com/juno106_voicechips.html
I had a 106 with occasional crackling noise. I wish I kept it.
Sonicstate, best JU 06 review so far. As expected.
Such a good emulation. If you want the legendary sound, sliders, sequencer I think this is rather good. There's some folks out there already controlling MIDI CC's..so velocity can be achieved. I think there's probably 4 people in the world that could distinguish the differences in a blindfold test.
Of course the 106 is beefier than the JU06, but I think the JU-06 would be very fun to take with you and play at a park with headphones. If you're concerned about the low end, that can be fixed to some extent using effects such as a simple low end boost EQ or Waves LoAir.
oh look at that poor poor 106, it must have gone through hell and back :)
+ollilaboratories Looks like mine :(
The 4 voice poly is a big killer for me. And no, I am not going to chain two together. I hope they come out with a JU-08 eight voice model. Then I would be a player.
+mattsynth A couple of my favorite synths are only 4 voices: MS-2000 and Analog Keys. These Boutique units work quite well with the limitation. With creative uses of delay and reverb you can still do pads with long tails, and by using the 4-voice limitation as a sound design feature, rather than a limitation, interesting things can be done.
+John Smith Not at all. Limitations often breed creativity. The most creative time in my life was when I was recording music using a broken 4-track, a guitar with only 4 strings, shoes in a dryer for drums, and a $5 mic purchased at Radioshack. Recorded 8 albums with this set up and other similarly-limited set ups.
The best synth patch I've ever made was made on the Microkorg, and uses the 4-voice limitation as part of its design. This is all while owning and using dozens of more complex synths with more features.
Creativity flourishes with limitations, and is often killed by endless possibilities and features.
+Daniel Davis
Two bass notes and a triad is the least amount of notes I would use for a pad. This is why most great analog synths are 6 or 8 voices. I also have a Analog Four but I only use it for mono sequencing like it was designed to do. Juno's were great pad synths because they had 6 voices so why would Roland not make this at least 6 voice? I think they fell short on this one in quite a few areas. I will save my money for an 6 or 8 voice model and better CC control.
+mattsynth Whatever works for you, works for you. That's the only criteria one should follow when purchasing the tools needed for creative projects.
I made this album (one of my personal favorites) with the Microkorg as the only synth - I'm sure you'll agree that the 4-voice limitation isn't noticed.
carlsagansghost.bandcamp.com/album/korgambient
So that works for me. :)
You're right. I bow to you, all knowing synth master.
if they can't make a replica that makes the price of the original drop, they should try harder.
Laughed way too hard at this...
The type of people who buy expensive vintage synths rarely buy them for the sound
I have to agree with you. I always admired (from afar) the performance aspect of the JUNO 106. So in my opinion, I think they really screwed the pooch on this. I went with the JU-06 over the JU-06A just to get a little closer to that by having the pitch/mod at least standalone. But the ribbon style is just not *nearly* close to the same feel
My first synth was a Juno-6 (damn I learned a LOT on that thing!), and never realized the 106 had the addition of portamento(!) Great review (as per usual). My next synth was a JP-6. Part of me wishes I'd never sold it... after 17 years use.
I used to own a Juno 106 - 1985 build year I think. It was in perfect condition inside and out, but the voice chips started dying. Replaced one of them, it all worked for about a week, then a second voice chip went, so I replaced that one as well.
After those two I just got sick of keeping the thing maintained. Soldering a 30 year old circuit board and then calibrating each chip with a scope just made me want to murder something. The clone chips are damn expensive, too. So to hear that this JU06 sounds almost identical to the real thing (bar a slight different in volume) means I'll be ordering two of them ASAP so I can daisy chain them together for 8 voices.
So it's actually a JU-04?
Its a deceiving name for sure
Honestly with the used prices of them now I’d just get another one and poly chain it,
8 voices of Roland’s ACB tech for under 500 dollars is a great deal
Wonderfully insightful as always, Nick. Let's hope that the Roland engineering team implements the improved performance functionality and MIDI continuous controller compatibility for the faders.
Peace.
I got the JU & the JX, one thing I hated was the modelled Chorus noise...
Check out the Manuals at Roland, they have been updated, and you can now turn off that noise, and use C2 ribbon as Mod Hold
Great review. It sounds pretty authentic, but editing looks painful. Really wish they would bring out bigger versions of these. Good that they are modules, so the prospect of an 88 note Juno with weighted keys is now possible :)
System 1 Boutique plug outs anyone ? - nice review Nik, looking forward to the Jup & JX reviews... The JU-06 is nice & all, but it's no Juno 60 :(
+kvfive maybe after these supposedly "limited editions" run out they'll port them over to the system-1 :) it sounds like a good idea to me
Damn I will have to shell out £1000 for one now plus find a double window ledge to plonk it on
+kassie2k4 Wouldn't surprise me. I'm holding on to that thought!
+kassie2k4 My guess is that they were originally intended as plugouts, but they had an warehouse full of 16-bit/44khz DACs to get rid of, so they made this product line. Why else would they only promise these in limited edition?
A Great review, Nick. Just waiting to hear/see the jx03 and jp08 boutique reviews.
The best electronic device reviews on YT. Thanks :)
I LOVE the JU06! Super lush and simple to use. Great demo!
Thank you for this review. But why have you left out the JX-03, which is the most interesting of the Boutiques, if you ask me?
there was an Update last year which - according to the Version History - says, that it now reacts to Control Change. Does that mean that it finally receives and processes MIDI-CCs? Like the sound, but no MIDI-CC would be a no go
18:05 I love that you refer to your Juno 106 as an old lady Nick! 😍 haha (and 8:30) Thanks for all these amazing reviews over the years!
Very nice review. Also at 14:04 I couldn't stop hearing Rufige Kru - Dark Metal.
I posted the complete SysEx chart on Roland Clan forums if anyone is interested. Good to here that Roland may implement CC in the Boutiques but they are sending 8bit (0-255) rather than CC (0-127) so even if implemented you may loose some resolution. Been playing with all 3 for the last 3 weeks and very happy. Great review Nick... waiting for the JP-08 review which so far is my least favorite although lots of fun
Meant to say, the complete SYSEX for the sliders and knobs... still to complete the switches as I have been using Kenton Control Freak to allow greater control of the small faders on all 3 boutiques.
the "a little bit more..... low, low....." expression is priceless. Almost wanted to say balls of fire i think... :-)
very nice review, I purchased a JU-06 before you posted this video. Thanks for the comparisons.
Nice review once more Nick thanks, been waiting for you to take a look at these units. I've pre-ordered this and a JP-08 myself, and although the price is really good for what you get, I am disappointed to see you can't externally modulate any of the slider parameters though. Ahh well, I guess you can't have everything!
Maybe Roland will allow this in a software update, I really do hope so, as it is so fundamental to exploring their full performance potential.
They have certainly done a great job updating/extending the AIRA series functionality that way.
And I particularly love that Tomita-esque "submarine radar" like sound at 10.58.
Nick, you're one of the only people that I'd tolerate a crackling synth in a review XD
Barebones MIDI implementation?! What the hell... Clearly everyone will want to use this with an external controller. Absolutely fucked that up.
And using those touch sliders instead of the classic, much-appreciated, tried and true, X-Y Roland pitch/mod, that was a fuck up, though I imagine everyone will be using this with a MIDI controller other than the joke of a keyboard they are trying to hawk with it.
Built-in delay is a good call, though.
Your review of this is what I've been waiting for to really see how these stand up! I'll wait to see your take on the Jupiter-8 version, but I think I'm going to have to go with an *Audiothingies P6* in the end for my next analog-modelling poly. But I do congratulate Roland on a mostly well done job with the ABC technology. It does sound exactly how I'd want it. Too bad about the performance issues.
I don't think they really had stage performance in mind with these, since that was a large critical comment you had. These are desktop versions for DAW users who want to branch out, or for home studio recording (in my opinion). It's also for retro enthusiasts who don't want to pay over a grand for a fixed up original.
Nice. Big effort as usual. The chorus comparison was good and it sounds pretty good. More comparison I would like to hear is with the filter open or swept. I don't think there was any patch where the filter was open much at all or swept. In other demo videos they sound pretty good when static and filter closed (JP-08 too) but not when filter is opened. The other comparison I would have liked is polyphony, the demo was almost exclusively monophonic. The DCO interaction with each other is a major part of the Juno sound.
Great review! The sound has exceeded my expectations. I particularly like the sounds starting at 11:55. However, there really should be more control possibilities including CV/Pedal Ins. Instead having an optional flimsy keyboard, a CV expander (similar to the ones Moog made) routable to the Boutique modules makes more sense to me- especially considering Roland's recent foray into the world of Eurorack modular.
+Steven Morris If they had implemented even basic CV pitch/gate in/out, every eurorack geek and their mother would have bought one.
That Juno 106 has failing VCF/ VCA hybrid chips; when they fail the voices can crackle, stick on or go silent. As an ex Roland senior engineer, I know this very well.
That sucks man do you think its worth it for 200? I just brought one lol
@@GullySyde28 200 what, Reals, Dollars, pounds? I would say definately in all cases
14:14 says it all "it's working, for me". end of review. You can tell Nick is impressed with the 106 "feel" he is getting form the JU-06. I had posted on another vid how the lack of full midi control was a deal breaker, but I have since ordered the JU-06. Its small foot print, and its price point, as well as my lack of poly synths, (having only an original Novation Nova) is why I took the plunge. I have decided to get all three. I have had a Jupiter 8 and I loved it, but it's size and its age (having it serviced) was in the end the deal breaker. I have missed its sounds but for me it becomes more about placement in the mix and the amount of space one has. From messing about with a couple of these from friends who have to have the latest toys first, I have come to the conclusion that all problems with fader size and midi control are trumped for having small excellent sounding emulations of three classic synths that literally can fit into a shoe box for $1000usd to cool to pass up. Thank you Nick for the excellent unbiased videos, keep fighting the good fight!
Hmmm... Roland do You hear Us? We need Juno 106 Mark II :) Not Juno 106 Mark 1/2 .... So Juno 106 with Kiwi is still the king of this category. I think after this release, all Juno 106 prices will be in the sky :) You will read on the ebay: Is not JU-06! Btw nice toy and on couple of other side, well done. I like this compact format.
Brilliant review! Thank you! I can't wait to get these asap!
thank you for great work you guys did. liked and subscribed.
Hi Nick. What kind of output cable did you use in this video? Obviously 3.5mm jack on one end, but how did you connect it to the audio interface? I just bought one and i get a lot of noise. I use a 3.5mm jack to rca, and then rca to 6.5mm jack plug. Tested with two different cables but noise non the less. Theres no noise when i use a headset. Hope you have time to help med :)
Great video - just got one of these off or Reverb - wondering what kind of keyboard controller you are using...? Thanks so much for your insight and videos!
Hey man i just one up from my local. I use a keystep 37
great and honest review - as always. thank you, nick
Good review Nick, as always. I think they sound very nice and have been modelled well. I personally will be skipping these little synths though but for many people I can see these being put to great use.
Both these videos are excellent! Thanks!
How about JX-03...?
Good review! Too bad that the MIDI implementation is so poor. What were they thinking?!
Damn! Good one! Doing retrowave and 80's sound design and Depeche Mode like stuff also music like Electric Youth. Need of good pads, melodies and sawwy basslines (I do have Polysix software version with the fat line bass), that kind of stuff.
Comparing Uhe Diva, Behringer DM-12 (upcoming) and this JU-06 ...which one would you pick in terms of...playability, ease of use and varieties of sound/pads etc if you had to pick 1 or 2? Like the display of DM12 and ofc Diva. Thanks for the good review!
I think the Gaiia is better set up? But this is an affordable option if you wanna experience the good from the past. She might be old but still has the look and Roland got to eat?
Should i get ju06 boutique ore system 1m?? Have to decide now! System 1m has 4osc!and cv gate! But ju06 sounds so nice.
If in Chain mode they have perfect Unison of controls through midi there has to be a way to access them through a firmware tweak.
Hi Nick,
any news on the sync with the MX1? I mean if is a ACB device. Will i be able to sync it to my MX1 like the tr8 or system 1?
Dialing in the sequencer speed with the slider is interesting..... but is there a way to dial in an exact BPM? I didnt see the LED Screen displaying anything when he was adjusting the speed. I'm guessing arp. Speed is separate from tempo?
Repair on the 106 'should' be fairly easy. (my career was in electronics repair) Just change out the capacitors, keeping note of the polarity with a dot on the board for the negative side if it's not marked on the main boards. They sound dried out and just do a good cleaning of the contacts for the keys, sliders and all pots with a 91% isopropl alcohol. After they are cleaned over, spray a microfiber cloth with good 'ole WD-40 and wipe them down leaving a very thin layer on it all and that should do it. Generally it's the capacitors that will be the majority of it's issues. Also, check all the soldering around the IC's, limiting resistors and everything in the power supply as heat will cause the solder to haze and slightly detach from the main board pads and the components soldered. Had to do all this to a Roland Poly 800 a few years back. Once it's all cleaned and re-lubed, you should wind up with it sounding like it came out of the box new again. :) (WELL worth the effort, i believe... i'd do it)
Hi there! I have a small but important cuestion: Can the 08 do all the stuff that 06 does? I think is possible for the two oscilators that 08 have... i really can use some help on this one.. thank for read and answer!!!
Acetonise 106's 80017a chips Nick ! nice review ;)
Looking to get a new 'toy' but already own the Tal U No LX soft synth, so not sure if this is worth it. Nick, have you compared them at all?
I've got one of these and its superb!! Good review man :)
So I was considering a Juno boutique but as soon as the 106 bass came on I was pretty sure of which I will get. Great review though, the patches are just deligthfull
spacezignul but the hassle of a 106? Is it worth it when you're almost there?
I own a 106 and it's a bit poorly at the moment was thinking. Should I swap it for one of these or just bite the bullet and pay to get my real Juno fixed
Andy Brereton both 😊
What causes the crackling noise and how do you get rid of it? See 4:03
The 106 does have a lower end
Is the orange USB cable you're using in this review from the CME Xkey?
What cords are you using exactly to power and output? I'm having trouble with my ju 06 with white noise and feedback?
Hi, I know that if I modify an existing patch I can save it overwriting it, but if I create e new patch starting from manual mode, how can I save it? Thanks a lot.
quick question! can you chain modules that are that are not the same model, like a ju 06 and an 08... it feels like such a waste to have two of the same when one is only a slave
I've heard that it's best to record in mono, especially when making club-friendly tracks. Since the ju-o6 is only stereo, is this a huge drawback?
Not really, mono is better for bass sounds, but you can just pan them central or just use one output.
Rad, thank you!
The latest update fixed the sending and getting of Midi CCs
Where do you download the firmware?
106 is the sweetest sounding synth ever made
Today is May 25th 2018 and I just ordered a JU-06 for $460. The price is going up by the day it seems. Only 2 on amazon. One for $780, the other brand new over $1500.
Very well explained good technical experience on synths.
I found both machines indistinguishable. Only the 'analog' crackling gives a hint which is the original.
If Roland reissued the Juno PROPERLY I would buy one in a heartbeat. But with this, you're better off dropping 50 bucks on TAL-U-NO v2...
I'd like to see a full-size, 5-octave version of these; maybe all 3 in one large box will larger faders and knobs, or a hybrid of them taking the chorus from Juno, and best features of other two combined..
Great Review! Must has one of those babies (if not all). Please get that poor Juno 106 fixed, I seem to remember mine going the same way,
nick, does it come with the 1/8'' Y audio cable?, you didnt state that, you just said it doesnt come with the Micro USB cable.
Hi Nick, just wondering - you mentioned it has limited midi capabilities. Can you send patch changes to it via midi?
it's about time!!!
the juno-106's hpf gives a low boost when set to 0. i wonder if the ju-06 does the same
Thanks for doing this! I'm with the unimpressed crowd.
As you point out, they sound pretty close, but the performability just isn't there. We usually expect *more* features on a digital emulation too, not less. Why is there no velocity sensitivity added to the voice? Most software emulations of a classic synths do that.
And the 4 voice thing is just silly (certainly if they can do a 4 voice JP8 they can do a 6 voice Juno-106 with the same processing power) and it's a slap in the face that you have to buy a second one (with redundant front panel, which certainly represents most of the cost of the unit) and even then, can't get the correct number of voices of the original. (More isn't always better. Voice stealing behavior was important and certain riffs with long release times that worked with 6 voices won't sound the same with 8.)
+Admiral Quality I agree they should have added some more functionality. Unison mode should feature a global detune, at the very least.
+inthefade Well, in that case they're modelling what the original Juno-106 did (though with only 4 voices in unison instead of 6). Because they're DCOs, they're always in perfect tune, but they also end up with slight phase differences in their triggering due to digital jitter in the DCO timing, making it alternate randomly between different slight phase offsets every time you retrigger a note. (Sounds like a static flanging effect that only shifts when you retrigger a note.) We certainly used this to effect, back in the day, though it was such an obnoxious effect we didn't pull it out much. (And though this reviewer thinks the unison mode wasn't really a feature or was an "Easter egg", the Juno 106 manual states on page 22: "Pressing Poly 1 and Poly 2 at the same time will turn the Juno-106 to the Solo unison mode, therefore it can be played as a monophonic synthesizer that assign [sic] 6 voices to each key pressed.")
They did at least add the solo (single voice) mode to these Boutique ones, which the original didn't have. That's actually useful.
Admiral Quality
That static flange sound is the exact reason why I think it should have a unison voice detune. Unison just isn't very useful without being able to detune, IMO, whether it accurately emulates the 106, or not.
And as you said: "We usually expect more features on a digital emulation too, not less." The Polysix emulation that Korg released has a wonderful unison detune with stereo spread, and it is one of my go-to VSTi's, when I'm not using hardware.
Even just putting in a multi-button function that makes the 4 voices go to a fixed detune spread between +/-15 to 20 cents would make me happy, but a MIDI CC accessible function that can detune between +/- 0 to 50 cents would be even better.
Just my thoughts on it. Doesn't seem as if it would be hard to implement, and it would go a long way. I think I'm going to pick up the Audiothingies P6 instead of any of these, in the end, anyway.
+inthefade True, they could have emulated the old behavior AND added a new detune function. But you'd probably have to access it through some opaque combination of buttons and using the mod strip as a slider. (And people complain about software being awkward to use!)
When I heard him say in this video that the sliders didn't respond to CC messages I thought I might have found a good opportunity to write a little utility to convert to it's Sysex messages. (I've written a Juno-106 sysex to CC converter before that I used for controlling organ sim software - worked great and the Juno had just the right amount of knobs and buttons to map everything in a way that almost made sense!) But according to our reviewer here, apparently it only sends its control data when it's chained to another unit, so it wouldn't work.
It also probably isn't real Juno-106 Sysex. That would be too useful! (Maybe it's not even MIDI Sysex at all, it might be their own proprietary protocol over the USB connection.)
Actually, if anyone could test that for us that would be great. Can you record, on a sequencer capable of recording Sysex, slider movements into your sequencer and play them back into the JU-06 and have it respond to them? And if so, is it sent only through USB or does it work through the 5 pin MIDI in/out too? (This reviewer says no.) If it works in either type of connection then I could potentially make a plug-in to convert it to CC and back.
***** Then it wouldn't be able to reproduce the original sound. Or you mean just one or two detuning settings instead of a slider? Yeah, I guess that could suffice. Still, a lot of secret button combinations to remember.
Helllo sonicstate, can i ask something about my JX-03, how to
clock the sequencer with my tr8. they are connected over MIDI cable out
from TR8 and in JX-03 but when i change the BPM of my drummashine the
sequencer of JX does not respond. It does not receive the Midi clock ,
why ? Thanks
Nine months after this Roland updated the JU-06 and added all the MIDI CC controls.
If someone was selling a MIDI controller… Except it was a metal MIDI controller that was a black Juno replica, and it had 17 light-up sliders that sent CC info, and it had light-up pitch/mod touchstrips, and it sent 64 program changes, and it had a 16-step sequencer that could hold 16 patterns… People would want that! But as soon as you throw in a 4-voice VA synth calling itself a Juno 106 they’re going to forget everything else and crucify you in the comments! 😂
Nick, will you be reviewing the other Boutiques?
+Serge Warner I have done the JP08, but niot had time to do the JX-03 - hope to - depends on how long I can hang on to them
+sonicstate Nick cheers from colombia hope to see the jp 08 soon! I'm looking forward to your review to buy one or not
+sonicstate Really looking forward to your JP-08 review. Well, my wallet isn't.
Haven't tested the units myself, but I believe the JX-03 might be the most usable of the series - usable in terms of having enough precision to find that sweet spot you talked about, since the JX-03 uses knobs instead of faders.
+Serge Warner so will there be a video on the jx 03?
I had a Juno 106 for a while, because I couldn't afford what I really wanted at the time, and I remember being underwhelmed by it when I had it. I get the nostalgia....however I wouldn't spend the full retail for a recreation of it.
Karl Fest common sense thank you
Can you use the chorus for a signal coming into the Ju-06 via the input on the back?
11:50 got me in the feels idk why
'You can't assign the pitch bend to the filter'. I think that sums up very nicely how limited these things are. Roland should try to compete with Clavia (Nord Lead) & Dave Smith, just to name these two, instead of fabricating toy boxes.
Very nice review! I want one. Just a side note, the clicky keys from the controller are really intrusive when trying to really listen to the sounds....
Falls quite short.
4 voice? Really? In this day and age?
Limited midi?
Either make it or don't, but don't insult us with a half arsed effort.
Bank 58, quite Eno-esque there 😎, it sounds as though Roland have got really close with this one even listening through you tube. If you feel that you can get 'lost' in it that is good for me....the audio being 44100 and 16bit, is that a problem as it is putting me off.
Hi Nick I do love the way you perform those reviews a lot. But what bothers me lately is that clunky keyboard you use. These plastic keys making such noise that I find it really difficult to listen to close to the sounds you're playing particular the attack phases of a given sound mostly masked by the noise of the keys you hit. Best Kirk
Fair comment. I wanted to not use something too big. As you can imagine, most others would dominate the shot .
+sonicstate Maybe just gate your mic track so we don't hear it unless you're talking.
I honestly only noticed it at the beginning of the vid, then I zoned out, but I did notice it.
I'm a beginning player with some cheap ass yamaha keyboard but I love to
play synth pop songs (I've already learnt tons of them but sounds are average) and I think about buying Juno-06 with k-25m. What do you guys
think about it?
It’s a very good little synth to start off on without spending a crapload of money!
Hi, why didn't sonic lab review the boutique jx 03?
when the click of the midi controller keys is louder than the synth volume....
nice video! how is the xkey connected to the JU-06? via the laptop? or directly in the JU-06?
+Oscar Roberto Brouwer midi out of the xkey if I recall
thanks was not aware the xkey had a midi out, thought usb only
would love to know how it compares to existing emulations
That's where the small size really gets in the way of the usability.
Is it possible to transpose the sequences liek on the JX-3P or Sh-101 ??
Will this be compatible with the usb slots in the Roland Mx-1 (audio&midi) ? would be nice:)