Roland has announced the JUNO-60 Software Synthesizer, the latest addition to the company’s series of software-based instruments available through Roland Cloud.
The original Roland JUNO-60 hardware synth helped define the sound of ’80s music and is still highly prized for its vintage vibe and character. With the JUNO-60 Software Synthesizer, this influential keyboard is now available as a modern software instrument for Mac and Windows DAWs.
Released in 1982, the JUNO-60 — with its single DCO, fat sub-oscillator, and characterful VCF, plus massive swirling chorus effect — has found its way onto innumerable tracks through the years. Powered by Roland’s proprietary Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology, the software version aims to recreate the sonic experience and approachable architecture of the JUNO-60.
The JUNO-60 Software Synthesizer looks to fully capture the original’s balanced magic and enhance it with useful modern additions. According to Roland, the filter has been modelled “to perfection”, and users have the ability to switch to the HPF circuit of the next-gen JUNO-106 and its characteristic bass bump. The oscillator range has also been extended, and there’s a second envelope for extra flexibility. Polyphony has been expanded to eight notes, with the option to limit it to the original’s six (or less) for an old-school vibe.
