Roland Alpha Juno-2

Like the AJ1, just an Alpha Dial and some membrane switches. Not too bad though, since it's a fairly basic synth. Never used the PG300, but one of these days I'll program my Edirol controller for it. PGs are a little pricey. Never needed the manual....except for once, when I needed to find out how to edit the chord function.

Basic analog synth. The oscillators I believe are VCO's that are digitally clocked. Voltage Controlled Filter does not self oscillate, but is very warm and squelchy. It's not as thick as a Juno106 or 60, but it has other strengths, and is way more reliable. The chorus is okay, but definitely adds some noise. The 2 had velo/aftertouch keys, but they were pretty troublesome and required constant upkeep. There was a memory cart slot, but I never used it. Even if the keys are bad, the midi response is excellent enough, just midi it up, through it in a corner, and forget about it. It'll outlast the next Ice Age.

Very retro sounding synth. In a good way. The chorus isn't as fat as the 106, but it's pretty decent. It's very versatile, just about any music style can and has used it.

Absolutely. This particular Juno2 I got from a pawn shop for a decent price. It reeked of cigarette smoke, and when I opened it to clean it, there was nicotine actually pooled up inside. Still worked perfectly.

Meh. Most majors pretend they never made things 5 years ago, much less 20. Roland has gotten better about making their manuals available for download though. They made this synth so solidly it's rare that anyone would need their help anyways.

I sold it because I already had an Alpha 1, and the keys were kinda a pain in the ass maintenance wise. Seeing as how I didn't use the added features of the AJ2, I sold it, and it's still making the rounds amongst appreciate musicians locally. :) If you can't afford the Moogs, Jupiters, etc, pick one of these up for a pittance. With a little patience and know-how, people will be asking you where you got that sound!

a real synth : so simple that you can fiddle around making random parameter and listen your way to a good result... thats what i did allmost 20 years ago when i bought my juno 2

very good sound source !
it needs a tour through some outboard effects, but then it becomes really thick n nice...
and very diverse... u can make really spacy soft and wild spaceship stuff.... and also it seems the hardcore trance umpaumpaumpaumpa people like it for that kind of music

i depend on it. no backup. i bought it in '86 or '87 and played hundreds of jobs on it.
it broke down completely once, but the repairman could fix it and even save my precious homegrown sounds...

its good. i like.

The presets on the Juno 2 have a very Eighties feel to them. The patches are easy to edit as long as you know what the parameters do! There is an "alpha" wheel to change data values and the parameters are also stepped through using this wheel.
The manual for this synthesizer is easy to use.

The polyphony is six voices, so when using long pad sounds the notes can drop off. But six voices was usual at the time.
There are no built in effects on the Juno 2.
The only expansion options are a memory cartridge (M16-C type) on the back. There is also a programmer available (very rare to find).
Normal MIDI spec for the period.
No on board sequencer.

The sounds are all analogue sounding. The oscillators are DCO though so come attempts were made to copy DX7 sounds.
This synthesizer would suit electronic type music. The Prodigy used one early on in there music.
The playing is quite exxpressive, touch velocity and sensitivity.

Quite reliable. Some notes tend to play loud sometimes. This is the touch sens. The rubber contacts under the keys can be prone to dust and hairs getting trapped underneath. This can be easily cleaned and serviced.
About 89% reliable for live use. It is 99% stable.

The unit can be easily serviced by third parties. Don't know much about the parts. There is one main board inside, not many servicable parts.

I have the rackmount version as well (MKS-50) which is used more.
I have had a Juno 2 for ages and still use a lot of the pad and bass sounds.
If it had a basic sequencer it would have siold more!

It's great at purely electronic sounds. Although having said that, I'm actually quite fond of the Flute patch, (mono mode + portamento of course) and then there are of course, those delicious Roland Juno Strings and pads. Also does very good leads and basses if you're willing to spend just a bit of time tweaking.
Editing is easy (especially if you grew up with Juno/Jupiter synths) but I would love to have the PG for live tweaking. (Although the "Brilliance" switch + a-wheel does okay for live filter sweeps and things)

I like the keyboard action - it has a secure feel to it and sits well for any patch regardless of velocity settings. Currently, the aftertouch is not working on mine which is a pity but I have downloaded those diags from the net about fixing and will hopefully get to it one day. I think the MIDI specs are good for a "basic" synth and it sits well in the middle of a MIDI chain of 4 (sometimes 5) boards that I use live. Only a built in chorus as per the other Juno's but this one is depth and rate adjustable which can come in useful for thicker textures. Have yet to run out of notes but hey - it has limited polyphony so one doesn't go playing forearm clusters unless they want to sound sillier than they look.

As mentioned in other posts, this is a SYNTHESISER so don't expect the Piano patch to sound like a Steinway. Judicious use of the onboard chorus plus outboard FX can really make this synth sound like something it's not. I use this board live and in recording and on one track where I used it for a rather frantic solo, an objetive listener actually asked: "Wow! Do you have a MiniMoog??!" So how 'bout that eh?? I think it can be a very expressive synth and works for many genres (I play with a Prog Rock group). Velocity response to filter is superb - I have a synth bass patch which can burble away quietly or make speaker cones concerned depending on how hard you play it. Pads float nicely in a mix, expecially if you roll off some of the bottom end of the filter

It has never failed me at gigs and I can think of at least three occasions where it has been an excellent backup when another board went down. It has been very dependable (oh, apart from a damaged bend wheel, it's broken inside and will spring up but not down) and I often wish my other gear would set up as simply.

N/A

I find the A-JU 2 a lovely and reliable little synth. My first ever synth was a Juno 6 (upgraded to a 60 which I still have and still use) so to happen upon a cheap and working JU 2 was quite a thrill (purchased from Cash Converters would you believe and it WASN'T overpriced - or stolen as far as I know!). If it ever died or was stolen I would be rather upset. It has become a staple part of sounds that I have used live and in studio. Live, it sits atop a three tier, a Sequential Prophet VS in the middle and an Ensoniq ASR-10 at the bottom (also controlling a VK-8M to the left of the VS and an SQ-R +32 in the rack). In the studio, it mixes company with a Korg Poly 800ii, an Ensoniq ESQ1 (currently not working - wish I could get it fixed), the Juno 60 of course (very interesting comparing parameter settings on these two!) an old Roland SH-3A, an original Rhodes Seventy-Three and an original (ie, ENGLISH) VCS 3 (the Ring Mod of which can turn the sweet little JU 2 into a cold hearted, merciless murderer!). There are times when I dearly wish the JU 2 had a second oscillator - now that would make it ... eeh! ah! ouch! ouch! H! - H! - H! - HHHHHHHOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT! On stage, it permanently runs thru an Alesis Quadraverb Plus which changes patches via MIDI from the JU (mainly Phasing, Delays and Ring Mod). So all in all, between it's warm pads, leads that can be tender or downright rude and basses that can kick anywhere between shins and testicles, this synth basically rocks for me.

Well... I've come to the conclusion that synths which have many different options (but don't have the knobs to control them) are too complicated; while synths that have too few options are just too simple. This sits right in the sweet spot between those two points. There aren't many knobs (unless you own the much wanted PG300 programmer), but there aren't many options to edit.

The presets are obviously old outdated (although, I found one preset which the Beastie Boys probably used to make their "Girls" track... Some of the synth bass and string sounds are interesting too)... But at least they can be edited.

I bought this second hand off ebay and didn't have a manual. But that was alright--I didn't need one. Editing on this is a piece of cake as long as you know the basic synthesizer terms (LFO, envelope, etc...).

The keyboard action is actually pretty darned good for it's age.

The FX are limited (basicly, just chorus)--but do make it sound better.

No expansion capabilities (unless you consider taking it apart and soldering in additional parts "expanding").

The MIDI implementation appears to be pretty good actually. I haven't actually done this yet--but I plan on controlling the variables using a Cakewalk Sonar Studioware Panel (over MIDI). Appearantly, all of the variables can be controled using MIDI CC messages. Luckily, I got a Juno 2 (as opposed to a Juno 1)--so I've got velocity and aftertouch on my KB.

No sequencer, no arp, no extras--it just makes sound when you press the buttons. For it's time and price--that's all that I would have expected it to do.

Now this is where this thing shines....

DO NOT BUY THIS KEYBOARD IF YOU'RE EXPECTING IT TO SOUND LIKE ANY REAL INSTRUMNET!!!! But if you WANT an electronic sound--this keyboard takes the cake.

I fell in love with this thing the instant I pressed the first key. I produce dance and electronica music... This is one of the first (good) old-school keyboards I actually bought. Up until that day--I thought that newer technology was the way to go. Not so.

I think that Roland should look at this instrument that they began making almost 20 years ago and start making synths like this again. The perfect combination of digital technology with analog technology (DCO's, VCA's, and VCF's). That makes this synth have that warm analog sound--with the controls of a digital synth. You can still get the tweaked out sounds (and distortion) by "messing up" your parameters--which you just simply can not do with many of the advanced digital synths today.

I do wish that this thing came with more filter options, though (it only has a HPF).

One problem with mine (but this may only be with mine) is that I notice sometimes that there's a lot of noise on it. Sometimes when I've got MIDI information going to it--noise comes across to the analog lines. It's one of the pitfalls of analog technology (especially older analog technology before the days of power-isolated circuitry).

Hasn't frozen yet...

I have to contsantly adjust the volume slider depending upon which patch I'm on because some options make patches really loud--which others don't (I have to vary it from 2/10 to 9/10).... So if I were playing live--I would really watch out for how loud it is getting when switching patches.

It's been around for about 20 years and will still probably be around in 20 years.

I've dealt with Roland once (to get an upgrade on my SP-808)... They were all right--but definitely not great. It takes them forever to get anything done and they seem to make everything so complicated.

If it were lost or stolen, I would try to buy another or possibly a different Roland with the same technology (DCO, VCA, VCF)... I was actually looking in to buying either an Alpha Juno, Juno 106, or possibly even a Juno 60... It just so happened that I saw an awesome deal on this Alpha Juno and figured I would try this one first. From what I've heard--the Juno 106 and 60 are also very cool (they have more hands-on controls, too).

The software is not updatable, this was made prior to software updatable synths. The presets sound like an analog synth, Roland style. Editing patches is a breeze even from the Alpha Dial knob. A patch editor makes a huge difference though and the PG-300 programmer (which is slightly rare) makes it downright simple. The filter can be recorded and modified via the Aftertouch knob if Aftertouch sensitivity is set on the filter.
The manual is translated from Japanese and it doesn't cover everything. The manual is available in PDF format at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alphajuno-mks50/

The synth is 5 voice polyphonic, although it is not multitimbral. Keyboard action is what you expect from a synth, although a million times better than a cheap porta-type generic keyboard (you know what I mean, no names), it still isn't a piano, but who wants piano action on a synth anyways?

The only effect that is built in is the Chorus. Which is an amazing Roland chorus, and is pretty much the best chorus for the Hoover sound, although not limited to that one sound.

The Alpha Juno 2 is expandable with a cartridge.

MIDI controllers: Velocity (Alpha Juno2 only), Aftertouch, Modulation, Pitch Bend.

No arpegiator or sequencer onboard, although easy enough to do with a computer.

One feature that is not mentioned too often and it is a feature that is Unique to the Alpha Juno Series: There is a Chord Memory, the Chord memory can be STACKED and you can have a 5 voice monophonic sound such as a bass or a hoover or a lead... Try that on an Access or a Nord without parameter surfing to no end.

It has true analog 24 decibel filters, and a digital oscillator... need I say more??

For what it does, mono-timbral analog, it's one of the best, alongside it's cousins, the MKS80, the Super Jupiter.. I think you get the idea.

HAH REALISTIC INSTRUMENTS??? If I wanted realistic instruments I would hire a real instrument player!! LAFF!! This is a Synth and that first question doesn't even apply. It sounds like a synth!!!

This synth will work well with any synth based music, prog rock, disco, techno, rock, industrial, electro, hip hop, new age, whatever, make your own category <here>. Although I wouldn't say it fits in too well with a bunch of fiddlers.

The 1 effect, which is the chorus is bad ass if you ask me, although many nay-sayers would of course disagree and they can go eat lead chipped paint for all I care.

Does it react to my playing? Let me just say that speakers can be blown with this thing, and they HAVE been blown with this thing.

It reacts great to velocity and aftertouch.

The sound of this thing really depends on the sound of the cables. I suggest using a direct box (which converts unbalanced to balanced). Plug the unbalanced outputs into the direct box with a very short cable, and have as long of a balanced cable as you need. Balanced cables are made to go long distances and keep the sound quality better, but they require a direct box.

This is an analog monster that can shred and tear anyone a new one, or make a baby cry, your choice.

I've dropped mine enough times that I'm surprised it's still working. I'm sure beer could be spilt on it and dried off no problem (DONT TURN IT ON IF IT'S THE LEAST BIT WET)

The only problems I've heard of going wrong with this board are lost keys, broken pitch sticks, but that will happen with any keyboard. I wouldn't say this was a Mac truck but it's not supposed to be.

Treat it with respect and it will respect you back.

I have never dealt with Roland, I have never talked to them. I suspect they could be good or bad for various reasons, but I cannot judge them unless I hear from them.

I can say that for the most part that I haven't heard anything good about Rolands tech support, but what company has good tech support?

Needless to say this synth is WAY out of warranty, if Roland is cool they will fix it, but it's doubtful as the techs that were there when it was made are most likely long gone.

One place to look or ask is at the Alpha Juno MKS-50 site:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alphajuno-mks50/

The people on there are friendly and don't have a bunch of egos like many newer synths have. There is a whole different attitude with older synths like this. So if that is customer support for an old synth I'll give it a 10.

I would definitely replace mine, I've had one for years.

I've been playing for almost 24 years now. I own more gear than I can list or care to list. It's not about the gear, it's how you use it. Kinda like a member.

This "product" was marketed against the DX-7, neither of which are anything like each other and sound completely different, they just LOOK similar, those bastards taking away our knobs... who was dumb enough to get rid of knobs in the 80's??

The only other synths really worth comparing it to are the Roland Jupiter and JX synths, they all have "The Roland Sound". I have yet to hear a Software Plug-in get it just righT. (to the T)

Right. I've had this Juno2 for about 4 days now. By now that Alpha Dial is really easy to use for editing the controls (I strongy disagree to the people that find it hard but there's a thing i have called patience!) I also use "EzAlpha" to control it which is easy to set up! Only slight problem is that my index-finger > little-finger is a small range and it hurts my poor little fingers when holding a bank (say 1) and then a patch 8 to save a sound i've made.

Well it's a good and super synth with those usual Juno'y things, DCO, VCA, VCF, ENV and LFO. No apeggiator but you can do that via MIDI anyway. I love the chorus (when it's slow it's like a flanger/phaser) chord-mem < Brillient, espeshely when used with that portemento, also MIDI IN/OUT/THRU ;o)

Sounds are FAT! I've seen people say that the sounds a "weak"??? you idiots! those fools probably have the bass turned all the way down on their amps coz when i got it i nearly blew the bass speaker and things start shakin around in my room, the only way people think it might sound "weak" is by LOOKING at it and not PLAYING it because the interface makes it look cheezy and weak (I guess) It's GOT THOSE JUNO STRINGS! also the hoover and other Rave'y type sounds - blips and bleeps and GUZOWAAAHAWAWAH OOMPH PING ZINGA GAAASSSHHH BOOOM! type sounds! haha! some of the presets are crap! but only a few are good (you know which ones i'm going to mention don't you!) Timps, UFO, Flute, Celo (good emulation!) Electro tom and some of the strings and organs.

Well, the aftertouch didn't work until me dad opened it up and put the little strip back in place on the left (not sure how it came out anyway)

Nope! heh, Roland don't care about their old products it seems, any work you want done you have to do it your self!

If you want a synth! GET AN ALPHA JUNO 1/2 they are great! not jokin! get one now! www.ebay.co.uk www.sospubs.co.uk www.loot.com They are a bit hard to find in the UK i think, most of them are probably in Holland/Belgium cause they love those hardcore sounds (around mid 1990s anyway).

It's not a multi-timbral synth, it's a typical simple 1 oscillator (+sub osc.) -> filter -> oscillator design... structurally it couldn't be much more difficult. Editing on the Alpha Dial is sure more cumbersome than having knobs galore, but I find that the serial list of parameters generally follows the signal path and is quite simple. This is contrast to some softsynths with bad parameter layout where one can't figure out the signal flow by looking at the screen.

Typical Roland of the era... there should be enough resources on the net... what can I say? Of note: the EG has multiple stages making it much nicer than the typical ADSR model, while not being excessively elaborate like the D-50 or Casio CZ's (that had too many stages IMHO). "Nicely adequate" is how I'd put it. The abundance of waveform types isn't something I find too exciting, since the filter defines the character of this synth much more than the oscillator... at least for my style of programming. An extra EG would have given it a 9.

This synth was made... 86-ish? Presets are obviously dated. I was a "programmer snob" back in those days and programmed every sound I used; so what I use out of this unit is tailored to my preference. This high rating also has to do with the fact that this was my first polyphonic synth and I learned as I went along.

It's not almighty, but definitely plays an irreplaceable role in my setup. I like it for dark pads, strings, and for layering sounds on top of digital synths (where I do use a lot of presets or third-party samples). Often works much better for me than using compression or reverbs to bring out the fundamental freq.'s of the notes being played.

Oh, and for the format-music makers, a 909-type bass drum on this thing sits very nicely in a mix, somewhat of a surprise considering that floor-thumpin' bass isn't necessarily a strength of this unit.

This thing has been in constant use for... 15 years now, and has flown 4 round trips between Japan and the U.S. One key only outputs velocity 127 at this point, but that's simple wear or a need for cleaning :-)... It's nothing short of a miracle that the battery hasn't died out on me yet; I haven't figured out how this is possible...

By the way, I owned two units at one time, and the one I bought later had a more sturdy chassis than the earlier one. The earlier unit would flex when I held the unit by the sides. Also, the earlier unit had a hard-wired power cord, the latter having a 2-prong IEC-type detacheable power cable.

Never needed it for this synth.

It is a 10 for the role it plays in my setup, but then again that would include the sentimental factor and the cost performance back when it first came out. By 2001 standards it would be an 8 for me, although I'd definitely buy it again if it were stolen since my soundmaking assumes its presence after all those years.

Incredibly easy to use, especially when editing patches. The alpha dial is one of the better things Roland ever invented. I'm the original owner, had the thing 15 years, and maybe opened the manual twice. A retarded chimpanze could operate this with no problem.

I'm knocking off two points because it seems inferior now, but back in the day, this had everything going for it. 6 note polyphony might not seem like a lot, but for creating nice analog sweeps and chord strikes, it does the job well.

Rich analog synth sounds. Nothing comes close. Now the acoustic pianos and horns leave something to be desired, but that's not what I use it for anyway. Full-blow cheese-o-rama 80's synth sounds. Now I hear it's getting to be quite popular again with the trance stuff. You can get some pretty wild sounds if you just noodle around with it for a little while.

I've had this thing for 15, and it's been dropped, kicked, beaten, and had stuff spilled and fall on it. Never one problem. I cracked it open a few years ago to clean the contacts under the keys, but that's the only maintainence I've done on it. You could probably drop this off a 4th story balcony, and it would play fine.

Never had a use for it.

If you're looking for a great-sounding, and easy to use synth, this one is for you. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles like a sequencer and things like that. It's just a flat-out workhorse. T'm dreading the day when this thing is either stolen or breaks.

The Alpha Juno-2 is very easy to use - in fact, I used it for over a year without even opening the manual, and still, this was my very first synth! However, programming the Juno-2 is easy as well, and many of the sounds really benefit from some tweaking.

Actually several of my own songs have been built on specific sounds that I have created with this beauty. I found the manual helpful for editing the patches, but I have not used any external editor for altering them.

The unit lacks somewhat in polyphony - you get six notes sounding at once. Since the Juno-2 is very fat-sounding, however, this is usually not a problem. The major drawback is of course that it's not multitimbral. On the other hand, you could perhaps buy several units for a reasonable amount of money today. And once again - since the unit sounds fat, you wouldn't want to use that many units simultaneously anyway (perhaps one for the base line and one for lead or chorus). Another drawback - no built-in FX (or sequencer, for that matter).

If you find it, I suggest you buy the expansion board, since it's so easy to create your own sounds and you need to back them up somewhere.

For the money, it sounds great. Of course, you _can_ get better-sounding lead synths, basses, sweeps and choruses, but these are very WARM, FAT, and ANALOGUE-sounding (the unit is half-analogue). You can use the Juno-2 for 80's synth music, techno, and so on. I wouldn't recommend using the acoustic replicas of the Juno-2, however.


The Juno-2 responds to aftertouch, but does not produce aftertouch itself. However, it produces velocity changes (as opposed to the Alpha Juno-1) and it's keys have a nice synth playing feeling - great for runs.

Well, some of the Juno-2's have a problem: it's A and B keys can sometimes function very badly (not respond at all or just create a 127 velocity sound - very irritating during a gig. Be sure to check this out if you are going to buy a unit second-hand!

Also, during a gig of my (former...) friends, the volume fader got ruined, but I blame that on them. Otherwise, the Juno-2 works very well, despite I've used it on a regular basis for fourteen years.

I have never tried the customer support.

This unit is a gem - I once wrote in a CD booklet: "The three most valuable things in life are women, red wine, and a well-tuned Juno-2". I think this says it all.

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.