Synthesizers&KeyboardsSound Module/ Tone GeneratorModular SystemsDrum Machines, Percussion SynthsOtherDJSoftwareSamplers
Electric GuitarsProcessors, Effects, PedalsAmplifiersTuners&metronomes

Roland Alpha Juno 1

Analog Synthesizer

DescriptionImagesVideoTech specsCompatibleFAQComments

Alpha Juno 1 1Alpha Juno 1 2Alpha Juno 1 3Alpha Juno 1 4Alpha Juno 1 5Alpha Juno 1 6
Product Images: click to view fullsize version.
Roland Alpha Juno 1
Roland Alpha Juno 1
500.00 street price

The Roland Alpha Juno 1, introduced in 1985, is an analog polyphonic synthesizer. Produced until 1987, it was priced at US$895/ UK£575. It uses soft touch buttons and a single dial for programming, but the optional Roland PG-300 programmer made every MIDI parameter editable with a dedicated slider or switch.

The Roland Alpha Juno 1 has 6-voice polyphony, monotimbral operation, and 1 DCO per voice with pulse, saw, square, and noise waveforms, plus a sub-oscillator. It features a triangle LFO, analog 4-pole resonant low-pass filter, and multistage envelope generator (3 Level settings for 4 Time stages). The Alpha Juno 1 does not offer aftertouch or velocity expression, but its keybed is much lighter. It has 128 patch storage (64 user, 64 preset) and a chorus effect.

The Alpha Juno 1 uses an 'Alpha dial' for editing, with some parameters having dedicated selector buttons. It offers expanded oscillator choices compared to the Juno-106, including multiple pulse and sawtooth waves, and a sub-oscillator. The synthesizer features a multi-stage envelope design with eight parameters and a Yamaha DX7-style envelope chart on the control panel.

It includes a programmable chorus effect, improving upon the Juno-106's fixed dual-rate chorus. The Alpha Juno 1 has a 49-key keyboard and plastic body with metal chassis underneath. It supports MIDI for external control.

Roland released the HS-10 as the equivalent of the Alpha Juno 1 for the home market.

While not initially very popular, a factory preset dubbed the "hoover sound" later became popular in jungle and rave music. After 30 years, the Alpha Juno 1 has gained appreciation among vintage analog gear enthusiasts due to its sound quality and comparative reliability, with few major issues except occasional need for internal battery replacement or keybed contact cleaning.

P.S. Pay attention to the fragile plastic body, especially near the rear screw holes.

Country of origin / production: Japan

Favorites   Recommend product to a friend

E-mail*
More info
 
Usage area
Synthesizer 
Usage Design/ Form Factor
With Keys 
Archetype
Hybrid, Digital+Analog 
Polyphony
Voices6
Tone Generator / Sound Synthesis
Oscillator Type DCO (Digitally Controlled Oscillator)
Oscillators per voice1
Sub-Oscillators per voice1
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Sine
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Saw
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) White Noise
Programs/ Voices/ Timbres
Single Voice Preset64
User-defined Single Voice64
Filter
Low-pass Filter (LPF) 
24dB 
Envelope Generator (EG)
Attack 
Decay 
Sustain 
Release 
Effects
Chorus 
Arpegiator/ Portamento
Portamento 
MIDI
General MIDI (GM) 
MIDI in/ out
IN 
OUT 
THRU 
Keys
Type Synth Action
Velocity Sensitivity No
Aftertouch No
Size4
Number of Keys49
Built-in controllers
Pitch Bend/ Modulation Lever 
External controllers
External Control Panel 
Case/ body
Plastic 
Color
Black 
Production start1986
Production ended

Please log in using the form below or register to be able to order goods and services.

Username
Password (4 to 16 characters)

Rent

Roland MKS-50
/5 0

  Hybrid Rackmount Sound Module/ Tone Generator   600.00 U.S.Dollars

The Roland MKS-50 was an analog synthesizer module released by Roland in 1986. The MKS-50 was basically an 1U rack-mount version of the Alpha Juno. It has the same synth engine and architecture, with some added features like 16 programmable chord...

Roland PG 300
/5 0

  Alpha Juno 1, 2/ MKS-50 External Control Panel   400.00 U.S.Dollars

The Roland PG 300 is a MIDI controller designed for use with the Roland JV-1080 and JV-2080 synthesizers. It is a programmable controller that allows users to control various parameters of the synthesizers, such as filter cutoff, resonance, envelope...

Roland Alpha Juno 2
/5 0

  Analog Synthesizer   600.00 U.S.Dollars

The Roland Alpha Juno series, introduced in 1985, includes two analog polyphonic synthesizers: Alpha Juno 1 and 2. Produced until 1987, they were priced at US$895/ UK£575 for the Alpha JunoJ-1 and US$1,295/ UK£799 for the Alpha Juno-2. They share the...