JUNO-X: A Legacy Reborn
Few synthesizers have blazed trails like Roland’s JUNO duo of the 1980s. Powered by the same conceptual architecture, the 60 and the 106 synth engines delivered instantly recognizable polyphonic sound. The JUNO’s sempiternal sonics have long awaited a worthy heir, and the JUNO-X has arrived to pick up the mantle. This wouldn’t be a proper continuation of the JUNO lineage if it didn’t have its own evolution of its predecessors’ engines. Sweetwater’s premier synthesists are elated to report that the ZEN-Core more than delivers, donning an enhanced version of Roland’s trademark Super Saw waveform that is paired with an equally worthy Chorus III mode. The JUNO-X sits in the pantheon of iconic time-bending synths, effortlessly oscillating between past and future and gracing us with its presence in the present — and we’ve barely scratched the surface.
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A brief history of time travel
The JUNO-X’s sonic profile is a “greatest hits” of Roland’s most robust offerings. Tap into the JUNO-60’s rich, DCO-driven sounds and rock-solid arpeggiator. Or channel the JUNO-106’s classically cool polyphonic portmanteau. Explore everything from acoustic instruments and vintage synths to a variety of percussive and world sounds, thanks to the 900 onboard PCM-based presets of the XV-5080. Conversely, you can hone the atmospheric RD series of stage pianos to accommodate any number of moods. For the extra-motivated aural adventurer, the JUNO-X’s built-in mic input imbues you with the full power of the Vocoder Model, allowing you to fuse any X synth to create evocative, character-filled soundscapes spanning art shows to robot rock. Roland’s Model Expansions let you drive the ZEN-Core engine into even more terrain, accessing sounds of the Jupiter-8, JD-800, SH-101, and other classics, alongside sound-design tools like the Vocal Designer, sample packs, and more.
ZEN-Core and the art of synthesizer maintenance
It may be the most accurate way to describe the JUNO-X as being the contemporary answer to the question: What makes a JUNO a JUNO? Roland’s anthropological deep dive yields the modern iteration of classic JUNO interfacing — intuitive, straightforward, and powerful as ever. Responsive sliders, satisfying tactility, and a sensible layout mean easy access to the features and functions you need, whenever you need them. The LCD adds the possibility for greater depth and exploration without being intrusive, too, which is great for sound design, preset recall, and more. Three assignable switches and two assignable sliders accompany Roland’s famous pitch bend/mod lever, offering even more ways to flex this synth’s muscles. The JUNO-X also introduces creative spaces called Scenes, providing a 256-slot bank for global setups, including parameters for four instrument spots, a dedicated drum part, I-Arpeggio settings, effects, and more.
Sonic cartography and you
The JUNO-X discards the single-DCO shackles of its forefathers, taking full advantage of its technological heft by allowing you to layer multiple sounds from any source (internal to the JUNO repertoire or from Model Expansions) up to four deep at once. Unleash never-before-heard blistering synth leads that can raze any track. Build brand-new bass lines from the ground up, delivering massive tones with any number of characteristic quirks. Design pads and soundspaces that can transport the audience to another dimension. Looking for more depth? The JUNO-X’s editing software lets you fine-tune the most microscopic details of any sound, scene, effect, and more. Configurations are practically limitless, and the JUNO-X’s dynamic polyphony across all four sounds will arm you with the tools necessary for any creative odyssey.
Tonal texture at your fingertips
The JUNO-X’s onboard suite of effects and sound-modeling tools grants you the control you need, and the newly introduced Chorus III is only the beginning. Toggle the trademark Super Saw in the oscillator module, dialing in waveform blends, sub frequencies, and more. A master effects parameter accompanies five types of delay, eight types of reverb, five types of chorus, overdrive, and compression modification. Control LFO, HPF, filter, and envelope parameters on the fly, and store what you need into preset and Scene banks. For added rhythmic realization, choose between the retro arpeggiator of classic Roland canon or the future-facing, DAW-compatible I-Arpeggiator, injecting flavors of musical motion to your sound, thanks to its use of crafty algorithms.
Roland JUNO-X 61-key Synthesizer Features:
- Over 4,000 presets from historic Roland products, including the JUNO-106, JUNO-60, XV-5080, RD series of pianos, and classic Vocoder Model
- Model Expansions for incorporating even more Roland history and sound-design technology, offering nearly endless options for sonic exploration
- Newly engineered Super Saw oscillator, Chorus III effect, and more that use ZEN-Core Synthesis to deliver a worthy holder of the JUNO gauntlet
- Can layer up to 4 different sounds for unparalleled tone design opportunities
- Intuitive interface that enables straightforward sound design and modification
- Ergonomic arrangements that encourage breezy workflow, setup recall, and preset management with Scenes (up to 256 global setup presets)
- Free JUNO-X Editor software included to give you even deeper access to making your sounds your own
- Classic design and robust hardware that seamlessly blend satisfying tactility with precision control
- Aftertouch and assignable sliders and switches that provide a great range of expressivity
- Retro arpeggiator and I-Arpeggiator that can be freely toggled to allow for greater rhythmic flourish
- USB audio/MIDI interface and USB memory port for data backup, computer connection, and more
- Onboard stereo speakers (inspired by the JUNO-106S) and Bluetooth compatibility that make it easy to jam along to any accompanying track
- Dedicated microphone input that includes its own effects to model inputs and vocoded sounds
- Multi-effects suite that includes multiple forms of reverb, delay, chorus, EQ, compression, and overdrive
- Output jacks for hold and control pedals that allow for expansion of expressive control
- 3.5mm and 1/4-inch headphone outputs, L/Mono and R 1/4-inch main outs, and L/R XLR outs
