JUNO-106: A Present from the Past
A playlist that celebrates the continued versatility of this classic synth
Since its release in February of 1984, Roland’s Juno-106 has appeared on innumerable recordings. This analog polyphonic synthesizer—the third in the Juno line, following its older siblings the Juno-6 and Roland Juno-60—opened a Pandora’s Box of sonic paintbrushes and quickly became genre-defining. From the Black Eyed Peas to Daft Punk, Sigur Rós to Tame Impala, it’s nearly impossible to find a style untouched by this legendary keyboard.
Thirty-four years on and neophyte producers and artists alike are as hip to the possibilities of this storied synthesizer as their predecessors. Today, Team Roland Cloud brings you a playlist that celebrates the continued versatility of the Juno-106. We highlight lesser known acts: artists past and present who use and take inspiration from this classic synth. Each of these deep cuts celebrates the breadth of character of this one-of-a-kind instrument.
An original Juno-106 is both scarce and pricey, but subscribers can enjoy unlimited access to the identical software replica of the iconic keyboard in the Roland Cloud.