Roland Juno-D is a new ZEN-Core-powered stage Synthesizer series for gigging musicians, replacing the Juno DS keyboards from 2015.
ZEN-Core dominates the current Roland Synthesizer landscape. The engine can be found in different versions, whether in small, portable devices or flagship synths, with more or less features and voices. ZEN-Core is everywhere.
With the new Juno-D series, Roland is adding more synthesizers with ZEN-Core as their engine to its portfolio. These replace the Juno-DS series from 2015.
Roland Juno-D
Bye-bye Juno-DS, and welcome to the new Roland Juno-D series with three models: Juno-D6 with 61 keys, Juno-D7 with 76 keys, and Juno-D8 with a PHA-4 standard keyboard with 88 keys, escapement, and Ivory feel. The D6 and D7 offer synth-action keys with velocity and no aftertouch.
Roland states that they use the same high-quality keybeds as the FANTOM-0 series instruments. However, that’s the only difference between the three models. The rest of the feature set is identical.
All three models offer a ZEN-Core 8-part sound engine with over 3800 tones, ready to explore. It includes acoustic and electric pianos, vintage and modern synths, organs, orchestral instruments, world sounds, 95+ drum kits, and more. Not enough sounds? That’s no problem.
You can import new ZEN-Core tones from the Roland Cloud to the unit, including official Sound Packs and Wave Expansions. Plus, you can export them as well. Roland Juno-D is also compatible with the ExpansionEXZ series. Model expansions from the big brothers are, however, not compatible.
In addition, it’s possible to import WAV samples to recreate specific sounds on stage or spice things up with unique tones and sound effects.
Custom Sounds & Layers
You can tweak sounds with four sound modifier knobs and sliders. There’s little scope, but at least it’s tweakable, so it’s more than just a keyboard rompler. Dedicated buttons underneath the display offer access to 16 sound categories like bass, lead, and more.
With the Juno-D’s dual, split, and super layer functions, users can combine tones or assign different parts to the left and right hands. A favorite function allows users to recall tailor-made sounds for every song on the setlist quickly.
To refine your tones, it also hosts a ZEN-Core-powered multi-FX processor with 93 types known from other Roland synths: compressor, EQ, reverb, delay, chorus, and many, many more to choose from.
The new Juno-D series suits singers as it offers a 1/4-inch phone-type/XLR-type socket. You can customize your vocal sounds right in the unit with auto pitch, vocoder, and other effects.
Sequencing
As a nice addon, the series also has a built-in 8-track 64-step sequencer for each scene, which allows you to use the Juno-D almost like a groovebox. It has both real-time and step recording, TR-REC editing, and the ability to edit individual steps.
Further, eight phrase pads are also available to trigger rhythm patterns or mute tracks to shape arrangements on the fly. Besides this, it comes with a built-in arpeggiator and chord memory function.
Connectivity
Each JUNO-D model has balanced stereo audio outputs, a headphone jack, and MIDI in/out sockets. It also has a USB-C connector for data and audio and a USB memory port, which can be used to play back backing tracks and songs. The latter is also possible from a smartphone or computer via USB-C.
Talking about USB-C, the integrated audio/MIDI USB-C interface provides class-compliant support for a driverless connection to mobile devices and computers. Users can create and perform with their favorite music production software and infuse livestreams and music videos with pristine direct sound.
There is also an external stereo input mini jack and two-foot pedal inputs (hold, control). The instruments can be powered via AC or a standard USB-C mobile battery, making them ideal on-the-go solutions for mobile setups.
Not to forget, all three models also host a new color display, providing all the sound information you need.
First Impression
The Juno-D offers a wide range of features for an affordable price. I like that it is easy to transport (5.8k for the D6) and can be used anywhere, thanks to USB-C power, even outside the studio.
The features are “more of the same” as what Roland is offering here—another milking of the ZEN Core engine. I’m sure the new Juno-D will find friends here, just like the Juno-DS did. You get a lot of high-quality player sounds in a solid overall package.
Roland Juno D series is available now: D6 for $899,99, D7 for $1149,99 and D8 for $1299,99
More information here: Roland
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Novation BS II and the Arturia Minibrute both have aftertouch, so it can’t be THAT expensive to add the feature, but it’s another big “NO AT” from Roland. I guess if the 2nd tier Fantom line of products doesn’t have it, then no reason to expect here, eh?
Roland! Why call this a JUNO , when MILLIONS of musicians are waiting for a TRUE ANALOG POLYSYNTH? A TR-808, a JUPITER , a JUNO , do what you want but please STOP this digital insanity and come back to the REAL SOUND please!!!!
Having been around Roland from the ‘70’s I finally got it. Juno and Jupiter have always represented “price points” in a range NOT technology. Of course this insight is nothing new, Roland have been saying this for years. They are not interested (wedded to) any particular technology. Analogue, digital, VA, ETC.
JUNO is there budget entry level, Jupiter a higher level. They only used analogue in the 70’s and early 80’s cos that was all that was available.
We might not like it but Roland’s (and I’ve had plenty of their gear that never reached its potential because they abandoned it and moved on) approach/philosophy is to not to stick to what they see see outdated methods.
I’m afraid if you want Roland gear of old – you’re going to have to buy Behringer.
Roland keeps on the digital as it’s a very high profit margin compared to the real thing (analog). Behringer is the one who provides what we want now. Roland does not.
Analog means nothing, only the sound matters. Like it or not, Roland Zencore sounds incredible and is far easier to use and maintain. A Jupiter X or a Fantom are more powerful than many analog synth and can sound the same, maybe not in dreams and fantasy, at least in the real world. By the way, modern analog synth are pure small electronic cards like computers, unfixable and faster to produce: have a look at official reissues, they are not the originals, and it is the same with remakes by Behringer or others makers. Some people want dreams of the past, not reality.