How Starsky Carr has less than 50k subscribers... is astonishing! This guy makes some of the best synth videos on KZfaq! So if you have'nt liked and subbed, please do so now!

Absolutely beautiful, I'm always glad to see people enjoying an Alpha Juno in non-Hoover-related ways, it can do so much more than that!

Sold my Juno 106 and kept the Alpha + the Jx3p in my studio. Your great video made my decision valid :)

I’ve never regretted my Alpha; first synth I ever got and it’s served me faithfully. Super reliable once you get it cleaned!

Excellent comparison. I agree with the conditions. I don't use self oscillating filters anyway. I just bought an Alpha Juno 1 last week coincidentally, and I'm very happy with it.

i love juno synth, your videos are so helpful everyone who wants one must watch starsky carr baby

Thank you for this interesting video!

12:46 That watery smooth lfo modulation is so nice and "retro electro-psychedelic" sounding. Big fan of that sound, the 106 just has so much character.

I bought my Juno 1 (keyboard not sensitive, but the sounds are) new in 1987 I guess and still have it but seldom used it nowadays. It's as brand new with everything working. Nice to stumble upon this video giving me inspiration. As I'm mostly playing guitar it is located at its stand covered with a cloth to keep the dust away. Entertaining video, thanks!

Great video, perfect lockdown viewing.

Brilliant review.

Hey Starsky, I knew you were awesome, but I didn’t know you were this awesome. Use the aj2 live all the time. Never one issue. I’ll say it: best juno. Period.

Great video, some people say, alphajuno is difficult to program. It maybe bit time consuming because of only 1 rotary dial, however it is such a great small package filled with goodies, such joy to play and experiment with, cheers :)

✨Hooooover✨ haha, that with the sound gave me a good laugh. Really nice comparison as usual.

thanks for this video mate. Money is tight so I am not in the market for a 106 but have been wondering if the Alpha was the sleeper bargain people said it was and this video definitely proved it was.

great video! i think i might finally graduate from the JU-06 to the Alpha 2

You made me buy A2J, it needs some small repairs, cant wait to use it. :)

What an a amazing video. Watched this 5 times. Subscribed.

Great comparison, as usual. There were a lot of sounds there where I actually preferred the Alpha - mostly in ~ the second half of your vid. Both have some great sounds ... Argh, GAS! Lol ... Cheers! Be well - K

this is a great comparison and a great demo

Great video mate, cheers.

I totally agree with your conclusion.

Double glad I bought one at a pawn shop for $250. Love the iPG app as well!

Another really great thing about the Alpha is the size, especially the Alpha 1 which is smaller than the 2. It does look a bit like a home keyboard to me, but it sounds soooo good I don't care!

Love my MKS-50, which I've had since the 80s new. So. Many. Good. Sounds.

Great Job. Thanx from Brazil.

SOOOO helpful! Thank you!

This is a GREAT comparison video! you've put such a big effort on it... I've owned a J106 and I replaced it by a J60, which I love... either way, I still miss the J106 sub pads and was wondering to have one back again. By looking at your video, I'll definitely go for an Alpha Juno 2. I believe it will the best teammate for the J60. Thank you!!

Awesome video! Just picked up a Juno 2 from a pawn shop and this video is super helpful.

I get the impression from looking at the chip complements in the various Roland synths (found a "this synth has this oscillator and this filter" chart somewhere) that the aJuno was essentially a JX8p with just one oscillator.

Amazing work put into this comparision. Honestly im not fan of screaming self oscilating filter sounds and kinda like the one on alphas more, its smooooooooooth sounding in pads / strings. :) Anyways this vid also confirms that with alpha I dont need 106 for my setup at all. THanks and all the best.

Chord Memory FTW! 😂 - Excellent video again Starsky!

Awesome and thanks for the video, ended up getting a alpha Juno

Had both synths and came to exactly the same conclusions years ago, so I sold the 106. No point in having two synths that sound so similar, and the Alpha easily wins out on flexibility and reliability. And hoovers.

Fantastically of use. Thank you. I have a Juno 2 I bought new back then. Been working on restoring it. Almost done but the aftertouch is shot (high resistance if I remember correctly) and from what I've seen it's a scary procedure. I don't relish taking out all the keys, for starters. I had a friend with the 106 and the programmer with sliders which was amazing. I got the Juno Ctrl last year and I love it. Don't really think much about memory patches at all anymore - just grab the knobs.

Thank you very much.. got to get that ipg app now

this is a very complete comparison. The Alpha Juno takes the prize for me. I can do without the self oscillating filter. The Alpha ticks all the typical Roland sound boxes otherwise. I used to have a Juno6 back in the early 80ies and since I hated it back then I never cared for it's successors either ( friend had them). I wanted the fat US sound so I went with Ensoniq ESQ1 back then . Now I can see that a typical Roland fits in very nicely in my synth Pallete

Great video Brilliant Bravo 👏

Great video. Thanks for putting in the time.

I never realized how close the AJ could sound to the 106, besides the filters of course. I loved the AJ2, as it is a great first analog poly these days. Not too expensive and can sound lovely, and like the 106, can make great basses. Personally, I always found the expanded saw waveforms quite useful, just for something different. The 106 sounds great, but it can get a tad boring at times, if you like sound design. I made a lot of good music with the AJ2 and JX-3P, another Roland that can sound very close to a Juno at times, but with a sort of bad interface. Really wish Roland would make a sort of Juno legacy edition. A best of Roland DCO poly, with all of the features of the Juno series in one. I’d buy it!

This is such a great vid and one I’ve watched many times! Part of matching sounds is dialing in the right chorus rate. I’ve measured and documented the chorus rate for all values from 0 to 127 on the Alpha Juno. I’ve also measured the chorus rates of all the Roland synths that I own and also the plug outs, so you can see which parameter value for the chorus rate will get you closest to whatever synth you’re aspiring to emulate. There is a chorus comparison video on my channel if anyone wants to check it out. There’s a link to my documented findings in the description as well.

Amazing video

I’m a giant fan of 106 the interface is next level there so dreamy sounding , and I really feel the Alpha can be just as dreamy.

I love my Alpha Juno-1, great comparison of these two great synthesizers A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Fits in a guitar case." You sir, are a wizard and I thank ye.

Absolutely excellent comparison. I've had my Alpha Juno 2 since the mid 90s, I learnt the hard way to hang onto it: previously I sold an SH-09 to someone who didn't look after it and for silly money (I think about £60 at the time) never again. I also have an Ensoniq ESQ-1 and I'm hanging on to that too. My Alpha Juno's contacts are a bit knackered so advice about getting that sorted would be great. Thumbs up and subbed.

The thing about 106's filter is that, to my ears, it tends to give 106 a more open overall sound, probably because of the high frequencies and harmonics the filter brings to the table. However, 106 has the very common problem with the voice chips, and that is an expensive maintenance. So in 2019, I'd say 106 has become more of a collector's item than a workhorse for a musician looking for those sounds. The better option if you just want the hardware, the sound palette, and don't have collector's money is, it seems clear now, an Alpha.

Thank you so much for this, I'm so picking it up. Saw it on craigslist for $300, hopefully I get it

nice video, just bought a juno 2 after seeing this. I already have a JX8P and 3p but as prices seem to be rising, Though I would take a punt

hi ya, excellent , in-depth video. I ove your vids. Having seen the Juno chorus comparison here i looked up the TC - electronic juno pedal and i'm not convinced. I wondered if you would do a vid on the pedal using your juno or any other synths for that matter. There are videos online (non scouser haha) but it doesent seem to have the same effect at all of the junos you played here. It may be because they are putting new stereo synths like the polyend and rev 2 's into the tc- electronic juno pedal mono signal which then turns it back into stereo? I dont know. Just wondered what your take on it was. :)

I have two Juno 106 synths (well, one is a 106 and one is there HS-60 version) and for some crazy reason, I want an Alpha Juno as well... There's something about them that I just really enjoy. I think maybe it's the inability to tinker on the fly allows for me to just enjoy the sound as is. If I can find a super cheap one, just might have to pick one up and maybe sell one of my 106s... Great video!

it's the 'mentasm' sound if i'm not mistaking, hoover is more of a general vacuum cleaner sound, hence it's name

The variable chorus of the Alpha Juno is much more valuable than the higher resonance of the 106 IMO. There are a lot of analog mono synths on the market that can do that sound. It would be interesting to compare the Alpha Juno to the Novation Peak, since they both use the fairly unusual numerically controlled oscillators with analog filters.

I have an AJ-1, I leave it on a shelf on the wall, use it as a module, controlling from BCR2000 and external fully expressive keyboard. So far, perfect for me, plus: the Chorus is crystal clear, no noise at all. Amazing! I had an AJ-2 before with a very hissy chorus, it really waters down the experience. A 106 is coming by and this video is perfect for that situation. I might be keeping only the Alpha after all, no room for an extra big keyboard, especially considering 106's voice chips situation. I'm not sure about the conditions of this 106 I'm about to get. But, of course things may change once the synth is in my hands...

AJs seven stage envelope,slow LFO sweep and multiple Pulse.Sawtooth and Sub options win it for me.

Got recently ALJ2, still need to learn to program it properly, so far i like it, but i think it sound bit thiner then Juno 106. Sounds are quite limited in terms of different sound(to me a lot of presets sounds prety much like variation of the same sound), but what it do, it do it great in its unique way.

Really cool video. IMO, you get a Juno 106 because it's fun as hell to play. If all you care about are replicating some sounds, then just get an Alpha or even a decent VST / sample library. There are so many ways to get close to the sound of a Juno 106. However, I haven't found anything that is close to as fun as playing the real thing. I've thought about selling my Juno several times. I don't have a good place to store it, dealing with a stereo instrument is always a headache, and no velocity sensitivity so it can't double as a useful midi controller. However, every time I play it I fall in love again and just have so much fun.

diggin the fact that after all this time,from when S C did this vid, and from when the 106/@juno came out,they are still relevant to todays music,can still fit right in with any genre and are thoroughly enjoyed by players and player/techs like myself of all ages.

I kind of view the self-resonant squaling as when the filter shits the bed. Plenty of sweep patches in the Alpha that sound REALLY great(it's a great sounding filter compared to the 106 up until the 106's shits the bed lol), I kinda like the AJ's filter better too......A SEM filter isn't self resonant either but it's still one of the best filters probably ever. I have little use for self-resonance. I'll go with the AJ for my taste.

You missed a controller -- the Novation ReMOTE series of controllers can program the Alpha Junos.

The Alpha's oscillators sound very good. Tonally they're very similar to the 106, except the 106 seems to have a bit more bite and fuller sound that becomes more obvious as the filter is put into the mix. The filter on the Alpha sounds great, too, but doesn't go far enough! I'm not a fan of the Alpha's interface but I think that's offset by the ability to use presets and a modern control app. To me, they sound different enough that I'd probably want the Juno 106 if I'm specifically looking for that 106 sound, or the Alpha for it's greater versatility. The Alpha can mimic the 106 to a degree but I feel like the digitally-controlled stuff sometimes loses parts of that range that you get with the fully analog stuff and that seems to be the case here. In a lot of your examples I can tell the difference between the two without looking at the screen, although even when it doesn't match it perfectly the Alpha still sounds great. The Alpha makes a strong case for itself just in the programability and the possibility for presets, so yeah, it's a great synth! You're right though, if you have other synths that can replicate that squelch, then the Alpha makes the 106 kinda irrelevant.

Enjoyed yer video. Alphas envelopes get flack for being slow . Not snappy enough. It can't be denied in my experience. Just means you need another synth for fast attack parts. No prob.

It seems like it should be possible to mod the Alpha's filter to allow for that extra resonance that's in the 106. Most ICs will have these as external components. Might be worth looking into :)

Hi Starky, great comparison. I have a Juno 106 with the Kiwi 106 upgrade, which adds a lot of new functionality, but I have just purchased a Roland HS-80 and would like to know what editor you were using with the Alpha Juno please?

I love the alpha/mks 50 for its pure versatility. Thou the filters on the ju 6xx series far better. Why roland went for the diffrent filter for the alphas is beyond me. Having said that the variable chorus on the alpha is a winner for me :-). Apart from all that wikid wikid comparison vid and that High Pass wave distortion thingy was very intresting and handy to know 👍👍👍

If you can get an alpha juno 2, hold onto it. Fantastic synth and probably the best keybed I've ever used on a synth, so it makes an amazing master controller in addition to sounding good.

Really good shoot-out. I had an Alpha Juno 1 years ago. Ended up selling it. I replaced it with the Redominator VST.

Very interesting.

I owned both and I prefer the 106. KZfaq videos can be deceiving (just look at people talking about how great the Jupiter Xm sounds and then play it yourself compared to a Juno or Ob6, etc.). The alpha will make you smile, but the 106 will make you cry. There's a reason it's still used in studios across genres to this day. I've never enjoyed the hoover or chord memory sounds and I prefer the 106's filter, both in terms of resonance and just general sweeps, etc. The Alpha Juno 2 is admittedly the better value, but the heart wants what it wants. I go to my juno for flawless pads, bells, plucks, and basses. I'd love to see a comparison of the Alpha Juno, the 106 and the 60, as the 60 is now $2000+ used. Juno Battle Royale, make it happen.

Alpha juno was my first and is fantastic

Starting to look at the Alpha but they've become quite expensive now as well

Yes, this w as of use to me, somewhere and I reached the same conclusions ie. Sell the 106 as the chips will die. One other dual edged sword about the 106 is that when you move the sliders you can't actually initially see what setting the sound you've just called up is at, so live e. g. you might rezz your sound out of the audible range on the first note. An argument against having memories and doing the squealchy bits on a dedicated old mono..

I completely agree with your conclusions. Nothing wrong with the 106, but the AJ2 is a bargain and more reliable. I have that iPad app and I love the way the parameters change with the patch. Just brilliant.

Have you ever tried the chord memory for an octave hack instead of a chord say like 1c above and perhaps 1c an octave higher for 3-note chords or perhaps 3 octave C's for lead basses or leads etc etc doing that would almost get past the single oscillator you could do fifths as well for 3 note's

the alpha sounds cleaner and more controlled (less 'analog'? tho I know both are analog/dco/vcf) but it seems like both have their place

Hey, Mr. Carr... Did you ever tried to match the 106 chorus settings on the Alpha...? I don't have a 106 to do it myself... If you don't mind to spend a little time with them, plese give us the numbers for both settings... Thanks for your help...!!

So in your opinion who wins in bass department? Is the AJ bass identical to 106 minus the extra waveforms for AJ of course? Pads obviously shine with 106 sweet filter so no debate there.

Great video. I have the Alpha Juno and am wondering how to you connect the iPad to the Juno. What cable/interface do you use? Cheers.

Excellent vid! Which oscilloscope prog did you use?

Great comparision - Thank you ! Which software you are using for the Spectrum analyzer ? looks cool and functional.

I know the Mr fingers “can you feel it” bass was created on the Juno 60or106? But how can you create that sound on the alpha juno2?

Even industrial muzak has become war-like ... a production at best.

Can anyone identify the scope software being used?

Cheap tip - if you don't want to spend 300+ on a programmer for the Alpha's just get a Behringer BCR2000 which can learn sysex from the units - then you can programme them to tweak all parameters in realtime. Cost ~100 bucks or less now used.

I want one . There's a Mac or iPad controller for it from Coffeeshopped patch base. I'll be getting their Proteus1 editor iPad . They're 29 each

I had a Juno 60. In the end I couldn´t stand the noise floor of the chorus anymore. It´s a pain in the a** during breaks or pauses. I thought about a noise gate exclusively for the Juno but no, I sold it and never regretted it.

Please review and compare TAL-U-NO-LX. +we would love some presets to download for it! THANKS cool channel!

Juno one kills 106. Great video. I've had 6, 60, 106 1,

i prefer the alpha because its less cliche and has a more rubbery bouncy sound

Hey love your video. I just wonder if there is any possible way to initialize the patch on Alpha Juno?

nice video.... agree also the alpha is more flexible but for me the juno sounds a bit warmer ad has a much better filter. own an mks 50 though...)

Hi, great video thanks! just a question: to use the app controller for alpha Juno, needs to connect through a computer? I mean, how Alpha juno does it connect with the ipad? thanks

great video :) not ever selling my AJ2 ! :D I don't suppose you saved the patch created at @12:35 ? Or any quick pointers on how to get there? ;) Thanks!

Would you mind sharing the settings you are using for the sawtooth sound at 5:00 for the Alpha Juno? That's such a sick sound.

Hey Starsky, if they both were the same price and the only synths you had, which would you keep?

Fantastic comparison buddy, I used to love my old alpha juno 2, i sold it not so long ago,and i have regretted it ever since, one of the worst decisions i ever made. Any way do you know of any plugin that model the chorus of these old Rolando :)

The Junk is more 80s, the 106 is more, er... 90s! I had the Alpha 1 but didn't really appreciate how powerful it was at the time, I just know it had started to sound very dated by 1989.

Need an Alfa Juno 2 boutique NOW

maybe higher resonance mod for alpha juno is possible. there is information that says you can get higher resonance when higher voltage cv is applied to the chip, and I see a voltage splitter in the resistor array in the path. bypassing pin2 and pin11 of the array with another resistor may work. problem is I am not rich enough to take experimenting risks. is there anybody willing to examine resistance value?

Both good. I have the alpha juno 1 instead.