Roland Alpha Juno-2

This is definitely one of the easiest to use synths I've ever worked with. Many different parameters such as envelope generator, waveform, filters, etc. can easily be made to your liking with the Alpha Dial. The presets are FANTASTIC! I don't think I've ever had a keyboard with presets as great AND usable as this. I suppose a patch editor could come in handy, but I certainly haven't had the need for one. The manual is just like all other Roland manuals I've encountered, and if you're familiar with them yourself you know what I'm getting at. If not, don't waste your time trying to figure the thing out.

The Juno-2 has 6 note polyphony which may hamper its usability for some people, however this is not a problem for me. For this reason, it would certainly make sense to use it on leads, but this is not the only place where it can excel. There is built-in chorus which adds expressiveness and depth to the sounds, and a chord memory which I would have to call as everyone before me has just plain weird; especially good for techno. There is a slot for a memory cartridge should you desire one, but the presets are enough to keep somebody occupied for a good long time. It has MIDI In/Out/Thru and a dynamics and aftertouch sensitive keyboard. The keys have a really nice feel and are not oversized like on some keyboards. For being from 1986, this synth has a more sleek look than many of the synths of today.

The sounds are terrific on this synth, although everyone will have their own preference from the banks. The pianos are horrible but they are also very good. What I mean is don't expect this to sound like a baby grand, but they sound so unrealistic that they are good synth sounds. Organs are nice, as are brass and wind. There are also some great percussion sounds like the Timps. But the best sounds have got to be the synth leads, pads, strings, and basses. I'm not kidding here- these are some of the absolute best synth sounds I've ever heard! The synth leads are not weak, but are power-packed and could cut through steel like you might expect from a Clavia Nord Lead. The strings and pads are incredibly soulful and can become wickedly dark. Plus, the basses are quite punchy and recognizable.

This keyboard certainly looks reliable. I got mine used and it looks brand new. And from what I've read by the people before me this thing could take quite a beating and still come out on top. I would certainly use this on a gig without a backup.

Never dealt with Roland customer support, though I hear it's the best in the business.

I've played a lot of synths in my time, and this one is probably the best and my favorite. I love this synth! It does everything I could want and more. I find it to be useful in live situations as well as in the studio. It is especially great for dance music, and has inspired me to no end. If you ever come across an Alpha Juno-2, it is DEFINITELY worth getting. But don't pay an astronomical amount of money for one, because they can be bought for under $200, although personally I would go higher for this baby. I use four keyboards in the studio- a Yamaha RM1X, a Kawai MS20, a Korg DS-8, and the Roland Alpha Juno-2; and out of all of them, this is my mainstay. You can't beat this one kids!

I'm the second owner of this great Synth and the previous owner has got to be missing it. I typically use the Juno-2 for home recording and I find the presets are great for 99% of the sounds I prefer. With no effort, the presets can be modified rapidly with the Alpha Wheel. Even those who are not well versed in the language of the Synth can effectively find the "right" sound via the Alpha Wheel. All the presets can be modified and the changes saved if the user desires. Also with the memory card, original sounds can be generated and stored.

The six-note polyphony may leave some Synth-heads feeling cheated. But I have no problems with this minor limitation. Some may think of the Juno-2 as strictly a lead instrument due to this feature.
The Juno-2 is perfectly suited for midi and Roland has provided a midi-in, out and through on this keyboard. The keys are velocity sensitive and the feel is great. Rapid notes are not ignored. There is no on-board sequencer on this instrument. The on-board 64 presets (8x8) are more than adequate, but the memory cartridge can double this, though I haven't found it lacking if the memory card weren't an option.

The strings, brass and winds effects on the Juno-2 lack a little in timbre. Some careful manipulating with the settings can achieve better, more realistic results with these presets. The piano presets, though interesting, are not quite to my liking as well. An off-board effects processor does the job, however, in getting the right depth and again, with the Alpha Wheel, there are some easy modifications and they sound great. The sustain effects with the Roland pedal are at the preset volume and will cut-out beyond the polyphonic limitations on this intrument. A variable volume pedal resolves this minor affliction. Yes, two pedals. It's easier than the three keyboard 64 pedal Wurlitzer at the Alabama Theatre, so no complaints.

Reliability is the foundation of Roland's products. I recorded and live-performed for years with a D-50. I will record for years with the Juno-2 accompanying my equipment. It's solid. I would never gig without a second instrument or backup. I've been burned once with that scenario, but my primary at that time wasn't a Roland either. I would have confidence in this instrument as a stand alone.

I've had only limited experience with Roland directly. I don't care for the manual with this instrument. The new user or the seasoned Synth veteran would toss it in the filing cabinet after the first couple of pages. I did. In that regard, I think Roland could do a better job. Roland's product reputation and reliability, however, more than makes up for that shortcoming.

After having this intrument, I would not want to part with it under any circumstances. I have listened to numerous sound files on the web produced by dozens of Synths by various manufacturers. They don't have anything on the Juno-2. I can replicate and near approximate any Synth sound I need or just want to hear. "Phat" base lines, grinding lows with all the oscillation and wave mod you can imagine. I've owned the Mini-Moog, an ARP Odyssey, an EML "ElectroComp 500" and various other Synths. I can get all of their "features" out of this Juno-2. I currently have only the Juno-2 and am re-building my rig.
I do have a Yamaha QX5 Sequencer, a Roland PR-100 Sequencer (complete with several hard to find "mini-disks" I might add), an Alesis Midi-Verb effects processor, and a Tascam Porta05. I chose the Juno-2 because it was a lot of keyboard in a small package and a great purchase price as well. I regularly visit the shops around town and play the new stuff and mess around with any vintage Synths they may have on the floor. I played the Juno-2 numerous times and made more than just specification comparisons. I don't think it can be beaten for price, reliability, ease of use, and functionality. I've played them all. I'm bragging. So what. You would too if you had this instrument.
Don't spend a ton of money on one of these. Private owners think they are rare. They're not. Any resonable and reputable keyboard dealer who has one of these will sell it for a fair price. If you are pushed to spend $400 on one, you are probably getting a bargain at this writing. They will increase in value.
Happy Synthing!

It is easy editing and storing patches
The preset sounds are of great quality except for the weak piano sounds

You can easily expand this great synth with a m64c memory cartridge
It has an inbuilt chorus effect,portamento and a bizarre chord memory
which is very useful

Capable of making great dance music sounds
It has got the best ever pad sounds
get programming and get great results
Great for dance music a must in every studio
The chorus effect is great

great reliable synth

very helpful and friendly customer support
great customer support when wanting to expand

I will never get rid of it it has been a great help for me making dance music.

It is a great inspirational synth
overall it is the best synth I've ever used

I can't complain. The presets are OK, although I could live without its weak imitation of piano. I actually perfer its cello to all other instruments I've heard so far. Outstanding synth sounds, nothing else I have can even come close. Patch editing is a breeze, dial it up on the alpha wheel then dial up the value you want. It might not have knobs and dials, but it certainly gets the job done. Lots of nice elements to control. The manual is typical Roland fare (i.e., garbage).

She's a 6-note polyphony machine, definitely lead material. If you want to play concertos, I reccomend that you go buy something else. I'm biased towards the Roland synth action keys, but they're fast and responsive to velocity. I've never had any luck getting the aftertouch to work, however. For such an early machine, Roland threw their whole weight behind giving this puppy all the MIDI you'll ever need. Nice built-in effects like portamento and a chord memory that's just downright bizarre. Expandable with memory cartridges, perfect for dumping your memory presets onto just in case the battery in her dies. No sequencer, I think it predates those...

This little keyboard packs a lot of sound, Roland "old skool," 8 banks of 8, with memory and cartridge options as well. This is definitely an early machine, the pianos, as mentioned earlier, are nothing worth writing home about, but it has some very rich strings, some great sweeps, and some of the most luscious pads I've ever laid ears on. And lemme tell ya, she's TOUGH. I've beaten and banged on her for 11 years or so and she still responds just like she did when she was new (you know, back when amps were steam-powered). If I could just get the aftertouch to work, this thing would be perfect. It's versatile enough to be used in any genre, but its spectacular synth sounds are best suited for rock, specifically prog, and maybe dance.

It's a Roland, do I really need to say any more? I think that the only thing that could break this thing is a hunk of Kryptonite. I would and have used this puppy on a gig without backup, in fact, I've carried it AS backup once or twice, and needed it when my newer equipment wimped out.

Never needed Roland tech support.

I'm glad that I have the Juno, and if anyone stole it I'd track them to the ends of the earth, beat them bloody and senseless, and take it back! I've beat the crap out of this thing for 11 years and she's still taking my abuse. I hate the fact that she only has 6 notes available at once, and I really wish that the aftertouch would work. But it works great for making music. Out of the misty dawn of the digital synth age, my Juno-2 still remains a mainstay in my rig.