Roland Juno-X: Full Review

The Roland Juno-X is a polyphonic keyboard that has iconic classic tones from the Junos of old, but with added modern features and versatility.

With a familiar design and the best sounds from the Juno series, the Juno-X is a great modern update to the classic synth.

The Vintage Sounds of the Roland Juno-X

Vintage sounds are timeless. Whether it’s classic rock musicians cherishing old guitars and amps or modern indie musicians playing with ‘80s Casios, the eternal sound of vintage instruments has enticed musicians for decades. Of course, the problem comes when trying to acquire such instruments. Roland’s Juno-6, an iconic synth used in many hits from the ‘80s, can still cost a pretty penny on the used market. But with Roland’s new Juno-X, you can get vintage sounds in a modern package. The Juno-X has spot-on emulations of the Juno-6, Juno-60, and Juno-106, as well as a variety of other sounds, MIDI inputs, balanced XLR outputs, and a built-in drum sequencer and vocoder. Whether you’re making music in the studio or performing live, the Juno-X is the perfect tool to scratch your vintage itch.

The link to purchase a Roland Juno-X  from Amazon can be found here

Modern Convenience of the Roland Juno-X

The Roland Juno-X is an amazing modern keyboard that provides vintage Juno-style tones and sounds with modern convenience. Its polyphonic design allows you to play multiple notes at once and its digitally controlled oscillators keep the sound in tune. With its amazing array of sounds, balanced XLR outputs, MIDI input and output, a built-in drum sequencer, vocoder, and built-in speakers, it offers effortless versatility. It even has the same look and feel as the classic Juno keyboards of the 80s. Whether you’re jamming solo or jamming with a band, the Juno-X provides an amazing sound and easy to use controls.

Tech and Sounds with Roland Juno-X

The Roland Juno-X packs an impressive amount of tech into a sleek, retro package. It offers three different versions of Roland’s classic Juno chorus, plus an array of other sounds and a built-in drum sequencer. The Juno-X also features digitally controlled oscillators, which allows it to remain in tune between uses. Meanwhile, the balanced XLR outputs and MIDI input and output let you use the Juno-X as part of a more expansive recording setup. Its built-in speakers provide a convenient way to play it without the need for any additional external equipment. All of this makes the Juno-X an incredibly versatile synthesizer that offers vintage sounds and modern convenience.

Build Quality of the Roland Juno-X

The build quality of Roland’s new Juno-X keyboard is impeccable and feels super premium. From the familiar knobs and switches, to the balanced XLR outputs, MIDI input and output, and mic input with a vocoder included, you can tell that Roland really put a lot of effort into this model. The speckled metal panel and wooden sides, reminiscent of the classic Juno design, top off the look. You can feel the quality as soon as you start playing it, and it is sure to bring back many memories of the classic ’80s sound. This synth is the perfect modern keyboard for anyone who craves the vintage Juno sound.

The link to purchase a Roland Juno-X from Amazon can be found here

Roland Juno-X features: The Recording Tool, MIDI, and Vocoding

The Juno-X is an incredibly versatile recording tool. It features balanced XLR and TRS outputs for record-quality sound, as well as a headphone port that still manages to sound surprisingly clear. MIDI input and output are also supported, allowing for the Juno-X to act as a MIDI controller for other sounds, as well as receiving MIDI from a computer for the onboard sequencers or synths. Additionally, a built-in vocoder is available, giving the Juno-X even more potential.

The Juno-X also offers a range of sound-shaping capabilities, including three different versions of Roland’s classic Juno chorus. Easily flip through hundreds of excellent presets to find the perfect sound for any project. The familiar knobs and switches make the Juno-X an inviting instrument to those who are familiar with vintage synthesizers. Even those who don’t have analog understanding will be able to use the instrument without getting too into the weeds.

Pros

• Digital controlled oscillators that stay in tune
• Includes emulations of Juno-6, Juno-60 and Juno-106
• Built-in drum sequencer and speakers
• Balanced XLR outputs
• MIDI input and output and mic input for vocoder

Cons

• Expensive compared to other Roland models

Bottom line regarding the Roland Juno-X

With a familiar design and the best sounds from the Juno series, the Juno-X is a great modern update to the classic synth. Whether you’re making music in the studio or performing live, the Juno-X is the perfect tool to scratch your vintage itch.

FAQ’s regarding the Roland Juno-X and Polyphonic Keyboards

1. Is the Juno-X analog or digital?

According to attackmagazine.com:

• The key selling point for the Juno-X is undoubtedly the two bundled classic Juno models, Juno-60 and Juno-106. Like all the other ZEN-Core-based models in the Roland stable, they use a virtual analog synthesis system that the company calls Analog Behavior Modeling (ABM).

2. How many oscillators does the Juno have?

According to Roland.com

• The Juno-106 uses six digitally controlled oscillators, capable of producing a sawtooth, pulse and sub-octave square waveforms.

3. What is considered a good amount of polyphony?

According to digitalpianoreviewguide.com

•  A polyphony of 128 is much more reasonable and gives players more flexibility in their piano. This would be a good minimum polyphony for the average player. We’ll look at some digital pianos and their maximum polyphony.