I think it’s fair to say that Roland’s on a bit of a roll during 2022. Somewhat out of nowhere (and earlier than Roland would have liked – at time of publication the announcement was all over Facebook, a couple of gear sites and a bunch of large music retailers), they’ve announced the Juno-X.
Retailing at $US 1999, this unit contains engines for the Juno models (June 106, Juno 60) plus the Roland XV-5080 and RD-Piano engines. You can also add more via Roland Cloud. Availability is estimated as during May at this stage.
Let’s take a look at it – it’s obviously got some Juno 106 classic styling (click on any of the pics for the full-sized versions):
On first look and a read through the specs (see below), there’s a couple of interesting things that stand out:
- There are built in speakers which appear to be at the back of the unit – it’ll be interesting to hear how they sound
- It has aftertouch (who’d have thought that would end up being of note)
Roland have provided a 19-minute run through of the Juno-X as well:
My other initial thought after watching the video is: I like this synth but what gap is this filling in the Roland line-up?
The full specs for you:
Keyboard
61 Keys (channel aftertouch)
Sound Generator
ZEN-Core
Various MODEL sound generators
Parts
5 parts (Play part: 4, Rhythm part: 1)
Tones
Preset tone: 4,000 or greater
User tone: 256
Drum Kit: 90 or greater
Scenes
256
Effects
Multi-Effects: 4 systems, 93 types
Part EQ: 5 systems
Overdrive
Reverb: 8 types
Chorus: 5 types
Delay: 5 types
Mic NS / Compressor
Master EQ / Compressor
Arpeggiator
I-ARPEGGIO (Multi parts arpeggiator with playing detection)
Arpeggio Parts
5 parts
Controllers
Pitch Bend/Modulation Lever
Assignable Slider x 2
Assignable Switch x 3
Bluetooth
Ver 4.2
Profile Support: A2DP (Audio), GATT (MIDI over Bluetooth Low Energy)
Codec: SBC (Support to the content protection of the SCMS-T method)
Display
Graphic LCD 128 x 64 dots
Speaker Amplifier Power Output
4 W x 2
Speakers
Full range (3.5 x 8 cm) x 2
Tweeter 2 cm x 2
Connectors
HEADPHONES jacks: Stereo miniature phone type (front), Stereo 1/4-inch phone type (rear)
MAIN OUT jacks (L/MONO, R): 1/4-inch phone type
MAIN OUT jacks (L, R): XLR type
MIC INPUT jack: 1/4 inch phone type/XLR type
AUX INPUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
HOLD PEDAL jack
CONTROL PEDAL jack
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT)
USB COMPUTER port (AUDIO/MIDI)
USB MEMORY port
External Memory
USB Flash drive (sold separately)
Power Consumption
20 W
Dimensions
1,072 (W) x 333 (D) x 118 (H) mm
42-1/4 (W) x 13-1/8 (D) x 4-11/16 (H) inches
Weight
11.6 kg / 25 lbs 10 oz
Accessories
Startup Guide
Power cord
Options (sold separately)
Keyboard Stand: KS-10Z, KS-12
Pedal Switch: DP series
Expression Pedal: EV-5