11-05-2021

Roland Juno 106 Vst Plugin

It's almost Christmas time and Roland have responded by releasing an early present for System-8 owners. The latest 1.11 update includes a Juno-106 ACB emulation plug-out amongst other improvements.

Roland Juno 106 Vst Plugin Free Download
Roland Juno 106 Vst Plugin
Roland Juno 106 Vst Plugin Free

Details about 25 Roland Plugins Plug-ins VST, RTAS, AAX for Windows (JUNO-106, TR-808, etc.) See original listing. Cherry Audio’s DCO-106 synth plugin is a juiced-up Juno-106 that won’t put the squeeze on your wallet. By Ben Rogerson ( Computer Music, Future Music, emusician, Keyboard Magazine) October 05, 2020. An affordable reimagining of Roland’s ‘80s classic. Despite its simple architecture, there’s something about Roland’s Juno-106 that keeps synth fans coming back for more. High Sierra and Windows 10 support is not yet available. Comes in 32 bit and 64 bit VST and Audio Unit Plug-In versions! All new features support popular VST and Audio Unit hosts with both an Editor and Patch Librarian. In the Host or as Standalone! The VST-AU JUNO-106 Editor™ is a real-time MIDI synth editor that allows you full control of every parameter of the sound on the Roland Juno-106™ synthesizer. Full hardware control of all functions available by USB connection to Roland SYSTEM-8 Synthesizer. Serves as computer-based editor for JUNO-106 PLUG OUT (pre-loaded in Roland SYSTEM-8 Synthesizer) VST, AAX, and AU compatible.

The latest SYSTEM-8 Update v1.11 brings the classic JUNO-106 to the Roland SYSTEM-8 Synthesizer. The JUNO-106 PLUG-OUT is a complete ACB reproduction with all of the features of the original - including two Chorus modes that define the 106 sound. The JUNO-106 now joins the iconic JUPITER-8 as a PLUG-OUT for the SYSTEM-8 synthesizer.

Bits:- 32/64bit (AAX, VST3, VST, Plug-Out) OS:- Windows 8 and 10. Identical software replica of the iconic Roland JUNO-106 synthesizer.

In this video, Repair from Toronto, Canada, share their thoughts on the new JUNO-106 PLUG-OUT. Watch the full video, with performance here:

After you install the update you'll notice the following additional functions:

The JUNO-106 PLUG-OUT is preloaded onto the [PLUG-OUT 2] button.
* To load JUNO-106 tone data, a factory reset after updating is required. Follow the procedure in 'Updating the Tone Data' to select the target item for the factory reset ('ALL' or 'PLUG-OUT 2') and execute the factory reset.
An effect setting screen was added to the menu items. Along with this, advanced setting parameters were added for DELAY/CHORUS and REVERB.
A SYSTEM-1 filter was added to FILTER VARIATION 3.
A mode for saving the tempo in patches was added ('PATCH TEMPO' in system settings).

If you're a System-1 owner and feeling disgruntled by the lack of a Juno-106 plug-out for your synth... there is an official reason from Roland. Here's what they say:

'Unfortunately the SYSTEM-1 cannot handle the processing required by the current JUNO-106 and JUPITER-8 PLUG-OUTs. The SYSTEM-8 far exceeds the power and functions of the SYSTEM-1 to be able to use polyphonic PLUG-OUTs.'

Read our in-depth review of Roland System-8 synthesizer here.

Full details of the changes in System-8 v1.11 update here.

To get your JUNO-106 PLUG-OUT, update your SYSTEM-8 in the Download section of the SYSTEM-8 web page: https://www.roland.com/global/products/system-8/

Roland Juno 106

In 1984 Roland released a new six-voice analog synthesizer named Juno 106 as part of the Juno series Roland products. At the time an advanced programmable poly synthesizer easy to program.

In Greek mythology, Juno was a goddess and Jupiter's wife.

This is still an iconic Roland instrument from the 80's like Jupiter 8 and D-50.

New synth

Cherry Audio decided to make a model of the original synth with some modern add-ons.
Like in a lot of other fields it is easier to sell something that people already know and with the number of new soft-synths released rebranding could be a selling point.

Does it sound like the original

When you make a model of a hardware synths users will expect it to sound like the original while most users have never played the original.
in the end, a lot of users do not care or know if it sounds like the original but it has to sound good and it does.

The synth plugin

In modern soft synth terms, this is a mid-range plugin modeled from a famous hardware design. In today's softsynths, it is not an advanced synthesizer but close to the original.

It is built around a digitally controlled oscillator with the usual waveforms, noise, a sub-oscillator, and envelope controlled filter- and amp. The sound is analog but digitally controlled. With the noise generator, it can do simple 80´s drums and percussion.

A synthesizer with a clear design and easy to program with a surprisingly wide range of sounds. A lot easier than the Jupiter 8 and D-50.

Voices

The original unit has up to 6 voices and this plugin has up to 16 but adjustable from 2 to 16 voices.
The voices can be set to Poly, Mono, or Unison with a detune spread for spreading like reese basses. This makes programming big pads with up to 16 keys and thick basses in unison mode easy.

A simple but great arpeggiator

The built-in arpeggiator is simple compared to other synthesizer plugins but still effective in collaboration with the Delay effect for interesting patterns.

Tempo sync

The original did surely not have tempo-synced parameters but this one does.

The following can be synced to internal or external tempo/host tempo:

LFO
Arpeggiator
Delay effect

The filter

The filter is an important part of the variation in the sounds a synthesizer can produce.
Though it is not a Moog Ladder filter the primary filter is a resonant 24 dB lowpass filter that can oscillate and make divebombs if you turn the resonance to the max. It also has a secondary non-resonant high pass filter for filtering the bottom out when not needed.

The filter can be controlled by the envelope but the synth only has one envelope that the filter and amp can share. An extra envelope would have been nice but then the larger Jupiter 8 is the choice.

MIDI Learn

The synthesizer has an easy GUI midi learn system for setting up your hardware controller to control the plugin.
For each parameter, you can create a control with min, max, cc code, and curve. Min- and max sets the range for the parameter controlled.
Along with the standard MIDI program change feature, this is great for both studio and live performance.

The synth Effects section

Like other synths, this is saved by the effects. Turn off all effects and you hear the simplicity of the design.

The plugin has 3 effects. The chorus from the original hardware and reverb and delay added by Cherry Audio.

Chorus

The chorus effect

The chorus sounds like the famous Roland chorus that also has been modeled in a few plugins on their own. The chorus effect quickly became an iconic effect with its distinct dual-mode Roland sound.

TAL Sofware and others have made VST plugins of this chorus.
Check out the free TAL-Chorus-LX.

Delay

A simple delay effects with 3 parameters and a mix

The original hardware synthesizer did not have a Delay effect but Cherry Audio decided to add one.

Delay parameters:

Tempo synced time
- Standalone and host synced to tempo
Feedback
Damper
- The delays are lowpass filtered to make it cut less through over time
Mix

Reverb

A reverb effect with room, plate and hall types

Performance and CPU Usage

This is not a lightweight plugin but it has zero latency and reacts to midi program change making it useful for live performance. Cherry Audio might have modeled the individual components in the original synthesizer.
Compared to other synths, the CPU usage is in the higher end but it varies with the preset settings.

CPU usage compared to Arturia Pigments, TAL U No,
Omnisphere, and Massive X

Pros and Cons

If you need an analog synth model from the 80´s, this plugin is a fair choice within most user's price range.

Presets and sounds

This synth is good for:

Pads
Roland character bass sounds
- A different bass than Moog and DX7
- With Number of voices and detune it can do fat basses
Arpeggiated sounds
- Combining the arpeggiator and the delay can make interesting patterns
80´s keys

Pros

Stand Alone version
Resizable window
- Dynamic and not just in predefined jumps
VST3 support
Zero-latency
Preset browsing via midi program change
- This makes it good for live performance use controlled from a hardware unit.
The low price ($25 on sale)
- Even lower than Waves plugins

Cons