Alpha Juno 1/2? or best to save?

[ajdi123]

Hello there!
I'm a current bassist that is in love with electronic music. I've taken piano lessons for the majority of my life, and I'm fairly competent when it comes to basic composition and improv (though my music reading sucks, haha).

I'm looking into getting my first *real* synth. And I want it to be a keeper, because I've got too much other stuff to buy. Basically, I'd like to get a nice analogue synth that works well for acid bass lines as well as one with a good sound/lfo for a dubstep wobble bass. Pads and polyphony would be NICE, but I really don't care that much about it. I'm good at playing one note xD.

So I started looking into the Roland Juno 1/2. They look REALLY cool. The sounds are so slick, especially for the price. The only thing is, it seems like it's impossible for live sound manipulation. There are NO KNOBS! :0. My price range is prettty slim too. I've got max like $300, $350. MAX.

So I was wondering, is the alpha juno a good choice? or should I go with something like the korg poly 61? or go digital and sacrifice the glory of analogue?

Thanks guys and gals!
-AJ

[garranimal]

The Juno-1 was my first editable synth! For the kind of sounds you mentioned it would be great. Juno-1 can be controlled and edited in real-time from a sequencer or Midi controller using SysEx Midi data. The Roland PG-300 controller was made for this purpose back in the day. Or if you're comfortable w/ MIDI you can use a modern assignable-source MIDI controller - that is a different buyers guide topic altogether. The Juno-1 is 6-note polyphonic and the pads are fairly basic but good. And the strings are classic as well. There's built-in chorus, too.

[edfunction]

It's definitely one of the better options that can be had for little money. It's a great sounding synth. If you are really desperate for knobs then you can search for the programmer later, although that bumps up the overall price of course. It might also be worth looking at the jx3p too. I'd also recommend the sh-101, but they rarely come up cheaply anymore.

Another possibility would be to get a DSI mopho and one of the cheaper dx synths as a controller, you could get a wide range of sounds running the dx through the filter of the mopho and the sequencers would help for getting acid baslines and much more.

It depends how much you need it now. If you save a little then the possibilities open up.

anyway that's my 2 cents...

[Robonaut]

. Basically, I'd like to get a nice analogue synth that works well for acid bass lines as well as one with a good sound/lfo for a dubstep wobble bass. Pads and polyphony would be NICE, but I really don't care that much about it. I'm good at playing one note xD.

It's been a while since I played with one, but my recollection is that the filter on the Alpha Junos will *not* self-oscillate, which makes it less than stellar at acidy sounds.

For a little bit more money, you're probably better off getting a Juno 106, which gives you a better filter and much better interface (just make sure all of the voices work!).

[ryryoftokyo]

I like the Alpha Junos a lot...Can get very nasty if you know how to push them...Honestly, for a first board, I'd say go for it. Teaches ya the basics of analog synthesis plus a few exotic parameters. Presets are your fairly cheesy lot of 80s sounds..not good for much, but can give you inspiration. If you feel adventurous, you can crack the board open, crank the VCF trims so it opens the filter a bit more and you can replace some components on the output section of the board so it REALLY sounds great.

[Sir Ruff]

Another possibility would be to get a DSI mopho and one of the cheaper dx synths as a controller, you could get a wide range of sounds running the dx through the filter of the mopho and the sequencers would help for getting acid baslines and much more.

ditto to that, or get a tetra and do the same thing for 4-voice polyphony. If you want good dub/wobble bass, I would not point you towards any of the junos. The alphas in particular don't have great low-end, and sound more plasticy. They would be fine for acid however (a self-oscillaating filter is not really a pre-requisite for "acid").

My opinion would be to go for something like an esq1 or dw8000/ex8000. they're awesome for bass. The esq has slow-ish envelopes but the dw8000 does not. Or get a cheap VA - ms2000, ion, or similar. they have knobs and are good to learn on.

The best dub bass synth in my book is the korg ms-10, but they are not worth the price.

[vin14]

I wouldn't say the alpha Juno works well for acid basslines. It just doesn't scream the way you might like it to. I have to confess I'm not familiar with dubstep wobble bass, so I can't comment. The juno is still a great synth for the money though, perhaps more suited to techno and rave sounds. It also does a very nice sweeping pad. As for real-time control, you can do a small amount with the alpha dial, once you don't want to go from one extreme to the other in a single twist! There's also software options.

Other than that there's not a whole lot of analog synth out there for that money. Vintage options are certainly limited. If you don't mind a modern-day machine you could look at the DSI mopho.

I would suggest saving, a Juno 106 would certainly fit the bill. It can scream, has real-time controls, and sounds great, brighter and more raw than the alpha, which is a bit dry sounding. If you can get a good one for say $500 - 550 (not sure what they go for on the other side of the pond) I'd say it would be well worth taking the time to save the extra cash.

[Pro5]

I say get an SH-101 if you only need mono It will be both a keeper and do exactly what you are after all with instant access. Only downside for you perhaps is no patch storage.

An obvious answer I suppose.

The AJ (or indeed a 106) is a 'nice' first synth for sure - nothing wrong with either. Though I prefer a 3P over both for sound, for a newbie the 3P may not be so cool as it has a far wider range of sound and doesn't always sound 'sweet' like the far more restricted junos (made that way on purpose I assume - pre-canned sweet spots with limited control). And if you really just want bass, then the Junos will serve you better then if I'm honest.

AJ while not as good in the filter as 106 (and 6/60) does have an interesting osc setup and is usually far cheaper so a good first synth. Get the AJ2 over the AJ1 - great keybed (I parted my AJ2 out and kept the keybed and fitted it to my polysix who's stock keybed is a POS)

Oh and I say a big NO to the Poly61!!! Polysix is a GORGEOUS sounding synth, the Poly61 isn't.

[Richard Gear]

A JX-3P is a bad choice for a starter. But a Juno 6/60/106 will get you loads of fun.

I heard nice things about the Alpha Junos, not sure but they might be a little more complex to program than a Juno.

[Pro5]

A JX-3P is a bad choice for a starter. But a Juno 6/60/106 will get you loads of fun.

I heard nice things about the Alpha Junos, not sure but they might be a little more complex to program than a Juno.

I wouldn't say it was a 'bad choice' just not the best it's good in one way that it's dirt cheap compared to Junos, under valued and has a lot of room to grow - would prob be better with a PG programmer though for a total beginner to see it as 'fun'. Junos for hands on are of course a better choice for a beginner just what they were made for in the first place! (Same as the SH-101 no doubt; so not a slur)

Had all 3 AJs (1,2,MKS-50) and Juno 6 and yeah the AJs involve a ton of menu diving and wheel winding which isn't really any more fun and in fact 'harder' (and more annoying) than the JX-3P's way of doing things (1 slider and 1 function per key press in edit mode) you have to actually dial in the parameter on the AJ's which is very tedious, then hit value and dial in the value..... but it didn't bother ME too much and you can hook up a generic midi box to them easily (unlike 3P which needs a mod or the expensive original PG).

Junos problem (and SH-101) is that they are fairly highly priced for what you get - though I stand by the 101 as being a lot more than meets the eye at first glance, can do quite a bit with it when you get to know it and I enjoy it far more than I ever enjoyed my AJs or Juno 6!! Mono V Poly would come into play here though. A juno 106 at a decent price would make a nice starter synth for sure, the problem is finding one at a nice enough price - as i'm sure in time the OP would find it fairly limited and want more synths. Many who started with Juno (my first real synth was a Juno 6 back in early 90s) eventually get a little tired of the 'samey' nature of much of their sound, albeit a nice enough sound.

Would suggest the OP listen to as many YT demos as possible and clear up his intended use more specifically. I would still say if he's really only into bass/mono that an SH-101 would be a nice choice but would take more cash - failing that a cheap Alpha Juno 2 with generic programmer ~ £250 all in.

[gunark]

I really like my AJ, its oft ignored and full of surprises (saw width modulation anyone?!). While it can't self oscillate, it is very 'wet' at higher Res. Does great pads, can beastly with the chord memory and does a great Terrorist type wobble Jungle bass. Its also the Hoover machine. Also it has a simple MIDI sysex setup so there are loads of easy PC and Mac editors. For the money it costs, the AJ is a bargain - I kept it over my 106.

Check the track below, the main bass is an MC202 but the rest is all AJ bring rude as you like