A Juno 106 In Your Browser!

Who knew that the world of plugins would go to the browser, but this is something that is increasingly becoming commonplace. Here is a cool thing to have, a Juno 106 in your browser!

Browser based plugins are springing out of the woodwork. But this one holds a special place in my heart. The Juno 106 was one of the first vintage synths I could afford, and I used it to death. There is no denying Rolands influence on modern music, it can be felt everywhere. So much so is their influence that Behringer, one of our favourite digital equipment manufacturers have come out with an updated version of the synth, the Deep Mind 12.

This kind of sound development happening in the browser means that more and more, it becomes possible that the browser is the next development platform for music production. We are not far off from someone producing their first hit song in a browser-based delivery platform with absolutely free tools. The democratisation of music technology continues unabated!

Head on over to this page to check it out!

History (Vintage Synth Explorer)

The Juno 106 is a six-voice polyphonic and programmable analogue synth with one digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) per voice. While classic monophonic synths used two or three oscillators to create a fatter sound, the Juno-106 uses built-in Chorus to fatten up its sound to dramatic effect. The nature of its DCO meant it was stable and always in perfect tune but still warm and analogue. There is an excellent 24dB/oct analogue lowpass filter with plenty of resonance and self-oscillating possibilities and a non-resonant highpass filter. The programmable pitch/mod bender can be assigned to control the DCO pitch, VCF cutoff, and LFO amount all at once or individually.

The Juno-106 was the first MIDI equipped Juno, and its implementation is quite good. There are 16 MIDI channels available, and MIDI SysEx data can be transmitted/received from all the sliders and buttons for total remote control and sequencing capability. A switch on the back of the keyboard, next to the MIDI ports allows the user to switch between three types of MIDI modes: Keyboard and Hold data only; Keyboard, Hold, Bender, Patch selection data; or All data (including SysEx). Most users simply set it to MIDI Function mode 3 and forget it.

This synth is incredibly straightforward and very powerful. It’s SH-series derived panel layout is easy to understand and very hands-on. Use it to generate lush pads, filter sweeps, and funky bass lines and leads. The Juno-106 is an awesome learning tool for anyone new to analogue synthesis, as well as an electronic musician’s dream for its warm analogue sounds coupled with modern features like MIDI and memory – all at a very reasonable price.

The Juno-106 is one of the most loved and used synthesisers by professionals and hobbyists alike! William Ørbit, Überzone, Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Autechre, BT, Vince Clarke, Moby, 808 State, Underworld, Leftfield, Fluke, Josh Wink, Todd Terry, Depeche Mode, Eat Static, Biosphere, The Prodigy, The Shamen, Bushflange, Cirrus, Astral Projection, Apollo 440, Faithless, Union Jack, Computer Controlled, Pet Shop Boys, Sneaker Pimps, Erasure, Freddy Fresh, Rabbit in the Moon, Kevin Saunderson, Jimmy Edgar, Laurent Garnier, Vangelis, Sigur Ros, and the Chemical Brothers have used this synth extensively! It belongs in your studio!