Roland Juno-106

The Roland Juno-106 is a synthesizer released by Roland Corporation in February 1984.

Roland Juno-106
Manufacturer	Roland
Dates	1984-1988[1]
Price	US$1095 UK£799 JP¥139,000
Technical specifications
Polyphony	6 voices
Timbrality	Polyphonic
Oscillator	1 DCO per voice (pulse, saw, square and noise)
LFO	triangle with delay and rate
Synthesis type	Analog subtractive
Filter	Analog 24dB/oct resonant low-pass, non-resonant high-pass
Attenuator	ADSR envelope generator
Aftertouch expression	No
Velocity expression	No
Storage memory	128 patches
Effects	Chorus
Input/output
Keyboard	61 keys
External control	MIDI

Features

The Juno-106 is a polyphonic synthesizer with six voices.[2] Whereas its predecessor, the Juno-60, has 56 patches, the Juno-106 has 128. It introduced Roland's performance lever for pitch bends and modulation, which became a standard feature of Roland instruments.[2] It also adds MIDI and was one of the first analog synthesizers to allow users to sequence parameter changes.[2]

Impact

The Juno-106 was used by artists including Vince Clarke, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Chvrches, Leftfield, William Orbit, Tangerine Dream, Underworld, and Vangelis.[3]

The Juno-106 was Roland's bestselling synthesizer until the release of the Roland D-50 later in the decade.[4] It remains one of the bestselling synthesizers.[2] In 1985, Roland released two versions with built-in speakers: the Juno-106S and the HS60 Synth Plus.[2]

References

1. Forrest, Peter (1996). The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers: Part 2: N-Z. Devon, England: Susurreal. p. 64. ISBN 09524377-1-6.
2. "The History Of Roland: Part 2". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
3. Peter Manning, Electronic and Computer Music, page 297, Oxford University Press
4. Colbeck, Julian (1996). Keyfax Omnibus Edition. Emeryville, CA: MixBooks. p. 104. ISBN 0-918371-08-2.