Synthesist and sound designer Espen Kraft shared this video preview for Alpha Juno Pad Heaven, a new sound library for the vintage Roland Alpha Juno synthesizers.
It’s all about pads, pads, pads, says Kraft:
“Pads, strings and sweeps. I’ve also thrown in some ambient arps. It’s all about fat and lush sounds, perfect for synthpop, soundtracks, ambient or whatever your creativity demands.”
The library features 64 new patches (a full sysex bank) for the Roland Alpha Juno-1/2, MKS-50, HS-80 and all VSTs that can import original Alpha Juno sysex bank files.
Pricing and Availability:
Alpha Juno Pad Heaven is available now for $15 USD.
Ok. So this is from my perspective and my own opinion. I think one important (and very fun)part of being an ‘electronic musician’ is the knowledge to create from scratch either ‘new sounds’ or recreate those we hear in countless of our favorite songs or genres. This knowledge coming from either ‘trial n error’, just fooling around, watching youtube videos, etc……… In the case of the alpha (which is one of my favorite digital synth for such learning experience). The flexibility and capacity to ‘experiment’ I this synth is amazing. and such is the case that the ‘Hoover’ sound is so particularly for this piece of equipment and it has been used in indefinitely countless bangers. I don’t know. I know that I am also a very old cheap bastard (yeah one of those that never orders a ‘salad’ as a main course if I go out for dinner).but I would hesitate a lot before buying a patch. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Sincerely
Sid
People are creative in different ways, and the point is to have fun.
If you’re into sound design, great. But, if you’re more into playing music, that’s OK, too.
Vangelis played presets, and he did just fine.
Some sound designers create their own music. Some electronic musicians create their own patches.
Alpha Junos are almost like hidden weapons. They’re simple enough to be real winners for layering and lively enough to do solo parts well. With one of these and a D-50, I feel as if I have the best of the Roland world on demand. Not their pianos, of course, but otherwise, there’s a ton of Jupiter to be had. The Juno-2 is also a solid 5-octave controller with a synth section. Great set, Espen.
The Alpha Juno is very underrated. It’s one of the best synths if you want classic analog pad sounds.
The DCOs mean that it sounds analog but stays in tune, and the built-in chorus gives it a rich sound, even though it’s got a single voice architecture.
You can pick them up starting around $400 still, which is a steal considering how good they sound.
I bought an Alpha Juno 2 just two months ago, and I am proud when I say that I only bought that synth for the Hoover patch. I have a few more analog polys but needed some mighty Hoover sounds, in the classic Alpha Juno style.
maybe synthesizers aren’t your thing – if you go preset shopping for such a simple thing.