Roland have announced the Juno-X, the latest incarnation of their classic Juno synthesizer, featuring an all-new ZEN-Core powered sound engine with a Super Saw waveform, along with recreations of sounds from legacy Roland instruments.
The instrument comes equipped with a 61-note keyboard with channel aftertouch and a familiar hands-on panel inspired by the original 1980s instruments. Up to four tones can be layered together, and a wide selection of modern effects are available. The two chorus modes from the original Junos are present, with a new third mode which Roland describe as having “even more fatness and swirl”. Users are able to combine these modes, providing a total of seven different chorus effects. There are built-in stereo speakers for monitoring, and Bluetooth support to enable audio streaming from mobile devices.
Models making a return include those from the Juno-60 and Juno-106, the PCM-based XV-5080, acoustic pianos from the RD series, and an expressive Vocoder. Expansions from Roland Cloud are also supported, giving players the ability to load optional titles such as the JUPITER-8, JD-800, SH-101, Vocal Designer, and more. Integrated support for Roland Cloud Connect is provided, which allows subscribing users to browse, audition, and load Model Expansion titles and other Pro membership content directly to the keyboard via Wi-Fi. Roland are making ten free Sound Packs available with a Juno-X purchase.
In terms of connectivity, the Juno-X provides both balanced and unbalanced audio outputs (on XLRs and quarter-inch jacks respectively), a stereo audio input via a mini-jack, and MIDI In and Out on DIN connectors. An XLR/TRS combo connector allows a microphone to be connected either for vocal performance or use with the on-board Vocoder, whilst a headphone output is available on another quarter-inch jack. A USB Type-A socket is available for data backup, with a second Type-B socket for audio and MIDI communication with a computer.
We are looking forward to getting hold of the Juno-X for an in-depth review.
The Juno-X will be available in May for $1999.99 in the US, with UK pricing still to be announced.
