Roland today officially introduced the JU-06 Synthesizer Module.
The limited-edition JU-06 is an emulation of the iconic Juno-106 synthesizer. The new 4-voice JU-06 features 23 parameters controllable via the front panel and ‘classic Juno sound’ – complete with the much-loved Juno chorus effect.
There are some new additions too, including a faster LFO and continuously variable hi-pass filter (HPF). You can also slide the JU-06 into the optional K-25m keyboard unit for a self-contained, go-anywhere synth experience.
Here’s the official intro video to the Roland Boutique line:
The Juno-106 is sometimes described as one of the last great synths of the analog era, and it became a firm favorite thanks to its distinctive, warm sounds and instant sound shaping ability. According to Roland, the JU-06 module has all of the sonic character of the original, with accurate reproduction of the entire sound set including the classic Juno strings and the much-loved Juno chorus effect.
Like the other members of the Boutique range, Roland also added a few subtle improvements that weren’t found on the original models. The JU-06 gains a faster LFO and a continuously variable hi-pass filter (HPF) resulting in a super-smooth sound.
Built-in Step Sequencer
The onboard 16-step sequencer is a sonic scratchpad that lets you try out new ideas without bringing lots of gear — it can even be used without a keyboard. And if there’s no keyboard connected, the ribbon controller lets you preview the sound.
Optional K-25m Keyboard Unit
The JU-06 also works with the K-25m, an optional 25-key velocity sensitive keyboardl. Once docked in the keyboard, the module’s front panel adjusts to three positions for convenient access to the knobs and sliders.
Chain Mode
The JU-06 features a chain mode that allows you to connect two JU-06 modules using the MIDI ports and create one, 8-voice synthesizer. Adding additional modules adds another 4 voices of polyphony with each module. This is especially great when controlling the JU-08 from a larger external keyboard. You can even edit the sound from the master module and control both units.
Battery or USB Bus power
Some of the best music is made away from the studio, so the Roland Boutique series runs on 4xAA batteries, ready for when inspiration strikes. Alternatively, you can power the JU-06 via USB bus power.
USB audio interface for direct recording into your DAW
The built-in USB port also functions as a high-quality 24bit, 44.1 kHz audio interface, for a fast, simple and reliable way of recording directly to your DAW application. You can keep your favorite patches and sequencer patterns safe too, via the USB data backup function.
Features:
- Ultra-compact recreation of the iconic Juno-106 synthesizer
- Retains the feel, sound character and user interface of the original
- 23 of the original synth parameters controllable from the front panel
- Adds several additions not found on the original Juno-106, including a faster LFO and continuously variable HPF
- Chain mode allows two JU-06 to function as one 8-voice module
- Highly portable for mobile music making
- High-quality construction with metal front panel
- Dual ribbon controllers for pitch bend, modulation, and sound preview
- Battery-operated (4xAA) or USB powered
- 24 bit/ 44.1 kHz stereo IN/OUT USB audio interface
- Built-in 0.5W mini-speaker for instant enjoyment
- Compatible with optional K-25m keyboard unit
- Maximum Polyphony: 4 voices
- User Memory: 64 (8 patches x 8 bankss
- Controllers: VOLUME knob, Ribbon controllers 1, 2
- LFO Section: RATE slider, DELAY TIME slider
- DCO Section:
- RANGE buttons 16′, 8′, 4′
- LFO slider
- PWM slider
- PWM mode switch
- SQUARE, SAW buttons
- SUB oscillator slider
- NOISE slider
- HPF Section: CUTOFF FREQ slider
- VCF Section:
- CUTOFF FREQ slider
- RESONANCE slider
- Polarity switch
- ENV slider
- LFO slider
- KEY FOLLOW slider
- VCA Section: Control signal switch, VCA level slider
- ENV Section:
- Attack Time slider
- Decay Time slider
- Sustain Time slider
- Release Time slider
- CHORUS Section: CHORUS 1, CHORUS 2 buttons
- BANK 1–8 buttons: PATCH NUMBER 1–8 buttons, MANUAL button
- Effects: Chorus: 2, Delay
- Step Sequencer: 16 step, 16 pattern
- Nominal Input Level: INPUT jack: -0 dBu
- Display: 7 segments, 2 characters (LED)
- Connectors:
- PHONES jack: Stereo miniature phone type
- OUTPUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
- INPUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
- MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
- USB port: MicroB type (Audio, MIDI)
- Power Supply: Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 4, Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4, USB bus power
- Current Draw: 500mA (USB bus power)
- Dimensions: (W x D x H) 11-13/16 x 5-1/16 x 1-3/4″ (300 x 128 x 45 mm)
- Weight (including batteries): 2 lbs. 2 oz. (940g)
- Accessories: Owner’s Manual, Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4
- Options (sold separately): Keyboard unit: K-25m
The Roland JU-06 Synthesizer Module has a street price of about US $299. See the Roland site for more info.
new Jupiters and Juno re-creations from Roland! Awsome! Roland finally gets it! Of course, analog (like the originals) i can therefore only assume….right?
Nope…they are digital emulations
These are virtual analog. Analog would just be too much effort for Roland.
Oh, give it a break. There are many analog synths that sound awful. Analog instruments are expensive and complicated to make – there’s no way on earth that Roland could profitably manufacture a $299 analog module (remember, the wholesale price is probably in the $220 range).
Many analog synths sound awful? So why would you want a virtual version? At least the original had 6 voices of awful!
Why not just get a plugin like Diva? What are you getting here beyond a plugout synth in a cheap plastic box and mini keys?
Oh boy. Let’s see. Because Diva doesn’t sound anything like these? Also it’s a plugin that requires a computer? Also these are not cheap plastic boxes. Great idea to actually touch something, or read up on something before spreading misinformation. These are mostly metal with great solid controls. Minikeys are optional and even then the mini keyboard is at least half metal So what say you now?
You’re right. Diva sounds better.
it s made of metal bitch
Lol!!!
Are the JDXi, JDXa and SYSTEM-500 not analog from Roland? Answer: Yes. Yes they are.
Yesterday I was able to compare the JU-06 vs a Juno 106 and sonically the JU-06 is just similar to the 106, the chorus on the JU-06 helps, however the Juno 106 still feels and sounds more “organic”more alive. JU-06 sounds sterile and way too much digital in studio monitors. For those who never played a Juno 106 the JU-06 will sound like a very good option, but believe me, once you try to sit the JU-06 in the mix, you will face a lot of issues to make it blend with the rest…sincerely Amax
So right, you hit the nail.. this is been a problem of many if not all virtual analog synths since the days of the microKorg.. great sound on isolation (obviously you can’t compare it to an analog synth), but then is very very tricky to make it work in a mix
Interesting. Several professional people have said the exact opposite. That you can only make out the differences in isolation, whereas in the mix you can’t tell what’s analog and what’s VA if it’s been competently programmed. Ten years ago.
Hey Z. I think that it depends on the technique as well on the skills of the engineer…I do this for a living,,,and let me tell you that indeed it is hard to sit this module in a mix, but again and as always…everything it depends on the eye of the beholder 😉
Just run it through a tube amp/saturator to give it some grit and call it a day. Will still dave you, like, $8K.
I wonder if running this through a hot mic preamp would add enough harmonics to bring it back to life a bit? Can’t change the source, but it could help.
Is it just me or is this thing missing an entire bank of patches? Where did “Group B” go? I love my old Juno 106.
it sound exactly the same you nerd
question is: do I buy the modules or wait until they become Aira plug-outs??
Take my money. The Juno 106 was my first synth and these look like a lot of fun for a reasonable price. Hopefully the sound is as accurate as the Aira line.
I am happy about the price!
When I first saw the leaks I was thinking $599.
This could be a lot of fun for not too much money.
Amazing!!! but this feature “Chain mode allows two JU-06 to function as one 8-voice module” is the best part in my opinion and the price, it seems to me very attractive.
Maybe I’m a bit on the cheap side lol but £300 including the keyboard seems overpriced to me!!
Price isn’t so attractive in the UK. For the same price you could buy an actual Juno 106 and then you get the real deal!!
Really? Juno 106’s are CHEAP in the UK then! If that’s accurate, you guys are lucky.
will it simulate the classic juno-106 voice chip failure?
Lots of early chips fail, not just these. Try repairing Curtis based synths. Or anything with a top octave divider.
Or for that matter, anything from the 70s that has any CMOS chips at all, Those had a designed 15 year lifespan.
hate to say this but they one up yamaha reface line,
non- keyboard modules with keyboard OPTIONAL, hmm
plus it looks like a fuller size keys
According to the MIDI Implementation charts from the Roland manual page, these only handle CC1, 11 and 64, and there’s no sysex support. Hopefully this is a documentation error since surely there must be a way to record and playback knob motions other than mod and expression.
It’s the same as the Aira line. The MIDI implementation charts are bare and they’ll get around to fixing them due to complaints. We know there is cc control because you can plug one module into another and have the knobs control both synths.
Mm I wonder if you could use the built in step sequencer to drive other synths via the midi out.
These are all very cool and I hope they sell like hotcakes, but I’m ready to see something new and forward-looking. Not recreations of past victories, but future classics worthy of their own “boutique line” thirty years from now. One step at a time, I suppose.
16 steps at a time more like lol!
What, the JD-Xi isn’t enough with real analog again? The MX-1? The entire Aira line System 100? The fact that they made a 400 dollar battery powered synth that sounds like a 7000 dollar synth and have the full knobs and everything everyone’s been clamoring for years? The V Synth series? What exactly is it going to take to be “innovative”?
After watching some demos of these – they rule. What a practical and effective tool for live musicians. I do not want to lug vintage synths on tour or even out to shows. These sound great and are SO USEFUL for playing shows.
He’s got a video up on the JX-03 as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFAmvnXuOis
One thing i wish all of these newer desktop modules and grooveboxes had is a class compliant powered usb host on board so that you can just plug on usb controllers
I’m also an original Juno 106 user and i find this emulation accurate, exciting, affordable… and portable!!! now I can bring back those great sounds of my old juno to the stage again!
Yet I can’t make de DP9 recognise it as an audio interface… ¿any hints?
Also cannot get the USB audio to show up in DP 9. No one can.
Question: Would I be able to poly chain this module to a Dave Smith mopho keyboard to achieve greater polyphany (5 voices total)? Or would the mopho keyboard simply have to be used as a midi for the module?