Features
The Juno-106 is a polyphonic synthesizer that can play six different notes at the same time. It uses analog technology but includes digital controls for its oscillators and adds a chorus effect for richer sound. Compared to its earlier model, the Juno-60, which had 56 patches, the Juno-106 offers 128 patches. It introduced Roland's performance lever, which allows musicians to adjust pitch and modulation during playing, a feature later used in many Roland instruments. The Juno-106 also added MIDI support and was among the first analog synthesizers to let users record changes to settings over time.
Impact
Artists who have used the Juno-106 include Jacob Mann, Vince Clarke, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Chvrches, Leftfield, William Orbit, Paul Frick from Tangerine Dream, Underworld, Reel 2 Real, Jam & Spoon, and Vangelis.
The Juno-106 was Roland's most popular synthesizer until the release of the Roland D-50 later in the decade. It remains one of the most popular synthesizers. In 1985, Roland released two versions with speakers already included: the Juno-106S and the HS60 Synth Plus.
The synth's popularity is still strong today, especially with EDM and artists such as Tame Impala, Daft Punk, Calvin Harris, Armin van Buuren, Mark Ronson, and Caribou among many others.
Hardware re-issues and recreations
The Roland MKS-7 Super Quartet is a synthesizer module that has separate sections for each sound. It uses the same 80017 filter chip as the Juno-106 for its bass sound.
In 2015, Roland introduced the JU-06, a digital version of the Juno-106 that uses Roland's Analog Circuit Behaviour (ACB) technology to recreate its sound. The JU-06 runs on batteries, has four voices, and includes 23 settings that can be adjusted on the front panel. It cost $299 when it was released.
In 2016, Behringer released the Deepmind-12, an analog synthesizer based on the Juno-106. It has 12 voices and cost $999 when it was released. In 2020, a software tool called the Deepmind – Juno-106 Editor was created by Momo Müller. This tool allows users to control the Deepmind-12 using a computer and has a user interface similar to the Juno-106.
In 2019, Roland released the JU-06A, a digital synthesizer that combines features from the Juno-60 and Juno-106. It includes the high-pass filter from the Juno-106, the envelope-controlled pulse-width modulation from the Juno-60, and a switch to choose between these filters on the front panel. It cost $399 when it was released.
In 2022, Roland launched the Juno-X, a modern synthesizer that uses digital technology to recreate the sounds of the Juno-60 and Juno-106. It also includes a new Juno-X model with a supersaw waveform, velocity sensitivity, and an Alpha-Juno-style pitch envelope control. The Juno-X’s control panel design is inspired by the Juno-106, and its sound engine is based on the Jupiter-X and Jupiter-Xm synthesizers.
Software emulations
In 2017, Roland offered software synthesizers that users could access online, including Cloud Juno-106. The yearly cost for the cloud subscription was $240 at that time.
In June 2020, Roland introduced Zenology plugins for Roland synthesizers, which included a Juno-106 emulator.
In 2020, Cherry Audio released the DCO-106 plugin, an improved version of the Juno-106 that cost $39 USD in 2020.
The Kayrock KR-106 project includes code and documentation for an open-source virtual analog synthesizer inspired by the Roland Juno-106. It explains the instrument’s design, such as how its oscillator, filter, and modulation systems work, along with development notes and other supporting materials.