If you’re in the market for a vintage single-oscillator analog synth, then it’s pretty likely that the Roland Juno 60 and Juno 6 are two of your candidates. But which keyboard is better?
In the following article, I will:
- Compare and contrast these two popular synths by Roland
- Teach you a bit about Roland’s vintage synths as a whole
- And help you decide which model is ultimately the best one for you
The Juno 6 was a synth made by Roland for a few years in the 1980s – and was first released in 1982. The same year, the company took the 6’s design and juiced it up. Thus, the Juno 60 was born, and its production continued for the next two years (1982-1984).
That’s all to say that vintage Juno synthesizers are highly sought after. Roland still makes a Juno synth, but the ones in production go by Juno-X (this specific one aims to combine the best of these vintage synths with new technology, according to the maker). If you’re a musician/keyboardist, getting schooled on these synths is great.
If you really want to nerd out, check out our post on the entire history of the Roland Juno (with free samples).
Roland Juno 60 Vs. Juno 6: Which is Better?
If discussing sound quality in isolation, the difference between Juno 60 and Juno 6 is negligible. The differences lie in the features — Roland Juno 60 can save and recall patches, and has an in-built arpeggiator. Unsurprisingly, these extra features mean you’re also spending more.
Comparison Chart
Even though the Juno 60 and Juno 6 were only released a couple of months apart, there are some other key differences between these two instruments. Namely, the DCB port, DCO, and retail price.
| Juno 6 | Juno 60 | |
| Number of keys | 61 | 61 |
| VCF | 6 | 6 |
| VCA | 6 | 6 |
| ENV | 6 | 6 |
| Chorus | Yes, 2 types | Yes |
| DCO | No | Yes |
| LPF | 24-decibel LPF | 24-decibel LPF |
| HPF | Continuous | 4 settings |
| Envelop Generator | Yes | Yes |
| Portamento | Yes | Yes |
| Hold | Yes | Yes |
| Clock input (arp) | No | Yes |
| Number of Voices | 6 | 6 |
| Oscillators Per Voice | 1 | 1 |
| Number of patches | 56 | 56 |
| Memories | No | Yes |
| DCB Port | No | Yes |
| Price Range | Around $2k | Varies widely- up to $7k |
Key Differences
Connectivity/ Sequencing
You can sequence on a Juno 60 but not on a Juno 6 because of the DCB port (or lack thereof). You can think of a DCB port as being a predecessor to MIDI. It’s similar, except it allows for a note on/off.
High-Pass Filters
Some say that the difference in the model’s high pass filters also results in a (very) minor difference in sound quality, but this doesn’t make much sense –The inner workings of the Juno 6 and 60 are just about identical. So how do the instruments sound a little bit different?!
Nobody knows for sure– but it may have something to do with the way they were calibrated.
Oscillator’s
The Juno 60 was the first to get a digitally controlled analog oscillator, which means that the sound generation is going to be the same as that of the Juno-6, but it’s a bit more reliable/consistent.
Similarities/Shared Features
As a whole, the Juno 60 is basically an improved Juno 6. The chassis is very similar and has mostly just added features. Both instruments have the same 61-key setup, the same polyphony, and a similar sonic result.
Amplitude/ Filters/ Envelopes
Both models have the same number of voices/ voltage control filters/ voltage control amplifier(s) and envelope filters. There are 6 of each, respectively.
Effects
The Juno 60 has a really unique-sounding chorus that is, oddly enough, sort of…fuzzy. Somehow, this makes it even more charming. While both instruments do have choruses, they don’t have the same exact ones.
The Juno 60 is far more renowned for its chorus than the Juno 6. Sadly, both instruments lack the later Juno 106’s portamento (fancy-speak for smooth slide from one note to another).
Juno 60: Pros & Cons
Once dubbed the ‘bride of Jupiter’ (cleverly so, for those who know your Roman mythology, you know that Jupiter and Juno are married…), the Juno 60 has much going for it.
| Pros | Cons |
| Similar to the Juno 6, but with more features | Not a ton of features |
| Accessible controls that are easy to use | Unable to do wide pitch bends |
| More hardy in extreme temperatures than its predecessors, very stable overall | Much pricier than the Juno 6 |
| Has a modern-feeling arpeggiator (syncable) | No continuous HPF |
| Nostalgic, warm timbre | No portamento |
| The sounds have a lot of character | |
| Pairs analog sound with digital features and tuning | |
| A broad range of timbres and emotive qualities, from sounding warm and vintage to futuristic or quirky | |
| Easy to make one-take recordings with | |
| More compact than its predecessor, the Jupiter | |
| Has an extra slider | |
| 1 oscillator per voice |
Is not that many features compared to modern synths a con…or is that a pro?! Modern instruments often give me decision fatigue; perhaps the Juno line’s simplicity makes it get the juices flowing in so many artists.
Juno 6: Pros & Cons
The slightly older Juno 6 has most of the same ‘pros’ as the 60, but the lack of MIDI control and storage are dealbreakers for some. Personally, I think it’s better to get the Juno 60 unless you’re really after that continuous HPF.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy for newbies to use (few buttons) | No patch memory storage |
| Has that nostalgic warm tone | No DCB port |
| Includes a continuous HPF | The sound is slightly less focused than the 6 |
| Less expensive than the Juno 60 | It can’t do wide pitch bends, either |
Pricing
Getting vintage instruments is always interesting because the prices vary so much. The Juno 6 tends to cost about $1,700-$2,500, whereas the Juno 60 ranges from $2,400-$7,500. But given that you can sequence with one and not the other, that difference seems a bit more logical.
A Newer Sibling: The Juno 106
I thought I’d leave an honorable mention to the newer Juno 106, which is another polyphonic analog synth with 6 voices. It’s a fair bit more versatile than the two instruments we looked at today, as it has many more patches than the others (128 patches vs the Juno 60’s 56).
However, many users have noticed that the Juno 106 sounds remarkably different from the Juno 60 and 6 timbre-wise. I dove into some forms and learned that many musicians prefer to use the Juno 60 and Juno 106 for different types of voices ex…Recording with percussive sounds vs recording more melodic lines on keyboard-type voices. This synth is typically known as being ‘punchy.’
FAQ
Why Are Junos So Popular?
I have two answers:
- They’re popular now because they’re nostalgic.
- They got popular in the past because…Once upon a time, polyphonic synthesizers were expensive. Like the Juno 6, these early Junos cost under $2,000, a price lower than any other on the market. A $1,2000 synth allows hobbyists to purchase this instrument for the first time.
What Other Synths Are Comparable to Roland Juno’s
Roland’s flagship Jupiter synth is a name you’ll also hear, albeit generally a bit more expensive (as in $25,0000 on eBay expensive…). Other more expensive competitors released around this time include the Sequential Prophet-5 and the Oberheim OB-X.
Another vintage instrument from the Jupiter line worth checking out is the Juno 8 model, which came just before the 6.
