Alpha Juno-2: That Hoover Synth!

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  • Опубликовано: 15 янв 2025

Комментарии • 481

  • @thebkstank2095
    @thebkstank2095 2 года назад +319

    Synthesizer engineers in the 80s were legally mandated to provide at least one line graph on synths

    • @skaneverdies
      @skaneverdies 2 года назад +10

      It's definitely a weird decision. I've never referenced them myself and don't imagine anyone else does. I suppose it's on brand for the maximalist 80s?

    • @Peter_S_
      @Peter_S_ 2 года назад +11

      @@skaneverdies It was the dawn of post-ADSR reality and that's what it took to introduce the world to the new paradigm.

    • @Psychlist1972
      @Psychlist1972 2 года назад +20

      It was actually useful back then, because this envelope was slightly more complex than others of the time.

    • @DarkSideofSynth
      @DarkSideofSynth 2 года назад +25

      Those who didn't comply were sentenced to 5 years of blindfolded DX7 patch programming in the desert. True story!

    • @GizzyDillespee
      @GizzyDillespee 2 года назад +6

      We also used to sit toddlers on precarious stacks of books. Now we use the Amazon box that the allegedly new broken highchair came in. Either way, the important thing is they don't heed what we say - they copy what we do.
      The DX7 graphics were useful, and then everyone else wanted to seem arcane enough that they might need graphs, too. People really are aggressive lemmings. It was half cargo cult, half trying to ride the coattails.
      It's helpful, the first time through, to see a diagram of envelope stages. If you had brain damage, it might be helpful to see them every time. When there's more than 4 stages, people go nuts. Right now in the USA, we're talking about taking Canada, under the pretext of commienazis, just because nobody will stop us. Baha Mexico - it's called Gulf of California, so it makes sense to extend California, to have access. And BahaMas is just a different suffix, so we may as well take that. And Columbia too, for nostalgic reasons.

  • @VarionJimmy
    @VarionJimmy 2 года назад +146

    I bought a broken alpha Juno 1, about 15 years ago. It cost me $2. When it arrived I opened it and found a screwdriver.
    So I thought it was a nice deal after all.
    Then I tried to power it on. The display and menus worked and I saw the problem. It was …midi-related:
    “Local Off”.

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +35

      Crickey, that's quite the deal!

    • @Peter_S_
      @Peter_S_ 2 года назад +12

      Deal of the century there!

    • @wceinar
      @wceinar 2 года назад +3

      Haha very funny. Have had mine for over 20 years.

    • @SolidtraxNL
      @SolidtraxNL 2 года назад +4

      "Local Off" - Legendary! 🤣 - what a deal!

    • @MeeperDude45
      @MeeperDude45 Год назад +7

      I almost threw away my old MKS-50 last year, which was broke for decades. Fortunately I checked the accu battery inside, so my MKS-50 is hoovering again. ;-)

  • @Fenix_the_12
    @Fenix_the_12 2 года назад +56

    В такое тяжёлое время только подобные видео и помогают отвлечься. Спасибо

  • @psychedeliccarrie5921
    @psychedeliccarrie5921 2 года назад +17

    Those first two drum hits activated my flight or fight response.

  • @thomasdebercey1709
    @thomasdebercey1709 2 года назад +14

    The moment I heard the alpha drummer demo was the exact moment I realized this was probably the same synth SAW used for the iconic tom-fill intro to "Never Gonna Give You Up". Excellent video mate

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +1

      Yep, it's only dawned on me since it was mentioned in the comments! Hilarious.

  • @8MoonsOfJupiter
    @8MoonsOfJupiter 2 года назад +5

    Re. the now infamous 'hoover' sound: "But by law, I am legally obliged to show it" - love it! Keep up the great work, Alex!

  • @danielpirone8028
    @danielpirone8028 2 года назад +1

    As always - a fantastic video. You never fail to inspire, educate, and bring a smile.

  • @MoCheez
    @MoCheez 2 года назад +1

    I'm watching this great and refreshing video while sitting next to my Alpha Juno-1, which is my best buy this year, by far. Thanks, mate!

  • @naswalt
    @naswalt 2 года назад +4

    The best synth in my collection! It just fell into my lap by chance so thank you for explaining some about this gear

  • @Flat8G
    @Flat8G 2 года назад +2

    Good memories and awesome production as always! Back as a poor teen in the early 90s the Juno-1 was my first analogue synth and I actually loved programming it!

  • @fungibu7184
    @fungibu7184 2 года назад +138

    Yes, please! 10 minutes of distraction from what is happening in the world. Thank you!

    • @iHawke
      @iHawke 2 года назад

      COVID Ukraine

    • @XHALE303
      @XHALE303 2 года назад +19

      That only happens on your TV, not the world.

    • @marzacdev
      @marzacdev 2 года назад

      This!

    • @covert0overt_810
      @covert0overt_810 2 года назад +11

      Please… you couldnt locate ukraine on a map if your life depended on it…. its amazing how NPC react when the “news” tells them how to emote.

    • @illustriouschin
      @illustriouschin 2 года назад +4

      That's what Obama wants you to do.

  • @leapest
    @leapest 2 года назад +2

    During the 80's , I used one of these while on tour. I found it 100% dependable and I loved this board! Great video by the way!

  • @Ashfaq1999
    @Ashfaq1999 2 года назад +3

    Great video alex !! I remember first hearing this hoover sound on joey beltram ‘s mentasm track back in 1991 and on many rave tunes from that era. Amazing sound !!

    • @RichardKoper
      @RichardKoper Год назад +2

      Actually as far as I know the word Hoover was introduced by Human Resource, which introduced the sound with their Dominator track (still the best Techno track evah).

  • @s.fleming2441
    @s.fleming2441 2 года назад +7

    i have this in the Alpha2 and MKS50 version. If you buy the MPG50 controller you can combine them to have double the voices. Lov this synth, and I love the Alpha dial too!

  • @h0odie
    @h0odie 2 года назад +4

    My uncle gave me this synth when I was 18 and it still looks really nice in my studio.

  • @superserge
    @superserge 2 года назад +3

    Thank you, Alex!! I fell in love with this synthesizer while listening to the album "Experience" by The Prodigy. It was not only the Hoover sound, and - beautiful pads and effects.

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +2

      Ah yes, they did get a lot of use out of particular affordable synths like the Alpha and the Korg Prophecy. Very cool!

    • @AdeptusPsychonautica
      @AdeptusPsychonautica 2 года назад

      @@AlexBallMusic I don’t think they used the Prophecy much. I remember they used it a little bit on “Fat Of The Land”, but Liam Howlett absolutely slated the Prophecy in an interview with Future Music. I think he described it as a piece of shit 🙂

  • @garx0
    @garx0 2 года назад +11

    7:58 wow, that "stab harmony" is my favourite thing about 90s, but i didn't know they even implemented it in a synth, awesome feature (although everyone were doing it through samples anyway, i think)
    p.s. that little demo of chord memory reminded me of "Back With Me" by Luke Vibert

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +7

      Yeah, chord memory has been in synths since the 80s, but I think you're right that most examples of the sound were probably samples.
      The most fun use of it I've seen is the Hydrasynth. You can stick a chord in memory, define a scale or mode and then play arpeggios or chords of the chord in memory and it will adapt the harmony to stay in key. Clever stuff.

  • @hueyhueyhueyhuey
    @hueyhueyhueyhuey 2 года назад +1

    absolutely did it justice. great demos. thanks!

  • @davetbassbos
    @davetbassbos 2 года назад +21

    I'm in the minority but I actually love the look of these (and DX7 and JX-8P) They kind of look like they belong in a damp, dark and dreary synth pop music video, lol!

    • @josephmorrell5336
      @josephmorrell5336 Год назад

      Totally agreed - like they're from a 90s computer lab, it's so sick. Same w the Emulator III and the akai AX73

  • @endonyxoneaudio8644
    @endonyxoneaudio8644 Год назад +1

    I love this synth, it really is the soundtrack to my teenage years. I still hope that anybody makes a chorus pedal cloning the alpha juno chorus (instead the juno 106 which has been done so many times allready) it really gives a wide luscious layer to any synth sound you put through it.

  • @brujua7
    @brujua7 2 года назад

    Love the Jams, it is what makes me crave the videos.
    Thanks a lot!

  • @faylonbiryani
    @faylonbiryani 2 года назад +2

    Excellent as always! Sounded surprisingly good 👍

  • @adamharris7775
    @adamharris7775 7 месяцев назад +1

    The Roland Alpha Juno-2 patch "Kick" was heard in the 1985 Kidsongs version of the song "Skip to My Lou".

  • @KRAFTWERK2K6
    @KRAFTWERK2K6 2 года назад

    YAYY Guten Tag, Herr Alex. Thanks for this blast from the past. The (imho) best Alpha Juno from a time when Roland actually exploded with creative new ideas for exciting new electronic Instruments. I swear, Roland had been kissed by the Muse in the 80s with almost everything they touched.

  • @MattJohnsonJamiroquai
    @MattJohnsonJamiroquai 2 года назад +14

    You got some great sounds out of it!

  • @michaelpierce3264
    @michaelpierce3264 2 года назад +12

    theres no shame it doesn’t pretend to be anything else nothing sounds like it! I love mine!

  • @bnjmnwst
    @bnjmnwst 2 года назад +16

    Do you have a music channel, like where you release your own music? You make MUCH better synthwave music than almost any other artists on RUclips, and they seem to actually be making a serious effort. Get that stuff on the Tubewaves!

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +10

      Thanks Ben. I have a load of stuff here, both albums and also all the short demos I do online. alexball.bandcamp.com/

    • @CYPRNSOUND
      @CYPRNSOUND 2 года назад

      Agreed- the intro song is freaking out there... your music slaps dude!!!

  • @LousyFacelift
    @LousyFacelift 2 года назад +1

    These drum sounds were amazing, Alex! And yes, I'm going to say it - this is THE BEST JUNO ! (well... with a controller... and it's not really all that ugly, is it?) Vielen Dank für Deine großartigen Videos!

  • @Jacob-ur3lh
    @Jacob-ur3lh 2 года назад +4

    I have the Retroaktiv MPG50 Controller for it and it's pretty awesome because you can route multiple parameters to one fader. Alpha Juno is really underrated. I like that you can adjust the chorus rate. Love your channel man!

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад

      That's a nice feature! Hopefully show some Retroaktiv bits at some point.

    • @thesrabbit
      @thesrabbit 2 года назад

      You can adjust the chorus depth? I thought it was just on or off.

    • @Jacob-ur3lh
      @Jacob-ur3lh 2 года назад +1

      @@thesrabbit I misspoke you're right it's only the chorus rate you can adjust.

    • @thesrabbit
      @thesrabbit 2 года назад +1

      @@Jacob-ur3lh damn, I was hoping you found some secret setting. Being able to set the depth would be awesome!

  • @lo-firobotboy7112
    @lo-firobotboy7112 2 года назад +10

    The αJUNO looks like Roland was trying to copy Casio. I have mine sitting next to a CZ-101 and they look like twins, albeit slightly different sizes.
    The JUNOs are my favorite synths. My first "Real" synthesizer was my Juno-6 which I bought for $200 in 1989. I still have it as a daily driver and the centerpiece of my studio. I also have a 106 and an alpha Juno.

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +3

      Yes, I was thinking it's influenced by the Casios and also the Korg DW synths.
      Nice trio of Junos you have. I bet that's fun.

    • @liantrosretrospectiva4134
      @liantrosretrospectiva4134 2 года назад +1

      Actually Casio copied the Alpha Juno´s look in the HZ-600 synth

    • @lo-firobotboy7112
      @lo-firobotboy7112 2 года назад +6

      @@AlexBallMusic After the kids, and maybe the dog, my JUNO 6 is the first thing I'll grab if the house ever catches fire.
      No matter where I've lived, it's been sitting beside my desk hooked up to a TR-707 and a Casio expression pedal.
      Thanks again for another fun video!

    • @lo-firobotboy7112
      @lo-firobotboy7112 2 года назад +1

      @@liantrosretrospectiva4134 Casio CZ-101 came out before the alpha Juno. I think the guys from Casio and the guys from Roland were hanging out at the karaoke bar together. There seems to be a bit of cross-pollination.

    • @liantrosretrospectiva4134
      @liantrosretrospectiva4134 2 года назад

      @@lo-firobotboy7112 please read my comment again... I know the CZ101 came out before the AJ... what I'm saying is that Casio copied the AJ's look for their HZ600 synth.

  • @magaschicago
    @magaschicago 2 года назад +15

    So cool that you did this! I just happened to have re-added this baby to my arsenal yesterday. Keybed is a little wonky, so I'm controlling it with a Hydrasynth. The hours melted away. I'm also editing with an iPad!

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +1

      Yeah, it's a handy one.
      Have you tried using the Alpha as a layer on top of the Hydrasynth? I bet that would be something.

    • @anthonybrett
      @anthonybrett 2 года назад

      I use PatchBase on the iPad to edit mine. Are there any others or is that what youre using also?

    • @magaschicago
      @magaschicago 2 года назад +1

      @@AlexBallMusic Yeah, that's gonna be wicked; I can't wait to do that.. I haven't done that yet, as last night I got sucked into a time loop of Alpha Juno bass triplet controlled by the Hydrasynth's arpeggiator, while ribbon-theremin soloing Deckard's voice atop. Drums courtesy of the Isla S2400.😎

    • @magaschicago
      @magaschicago 2 года назад +3

      @@anthonybrett I'm using Alpha Editor on the i-Pad that my daughter left for dead.

    • @magaschicago
      @magaschicago 2 года назад +2

      @@anthonybrett You can edit everything and it's also got a bunch of cool presets and a random button !

  • @osiris5315
    @osiris5315 2 года назад

    Anything involving a Roland Alpha Juno deserves a thumbs up! 👍

  • @BabyGrandOz
    @BabyGrandOz 2 года назад +6

    What the? Yes, I remember well creating so many of the original sounds for the Alpha Juno series. Adrian Scott.

  • @majicboxstudios3996
    @majicboxstudios3996 2 года назад

    Alex this is a great video. Not surprising most your videos are!
    About five or six years ago I bought my first AJ 2 and then I bought another one because it came with a PG 300.
    Then I bought it’s brother, the rack mount the MKS 50.
    The MKS 50, Has exactly the same sound engine except the way it saves the patches is a little bit different and it has a DEtune function!
    (Going out on a limb and saying: Because they figured if people had the rack it was an expansion, so basically another OSC.)
    One thing I am going to say it was a lot of fun having 18 voices.
    The next thing I’m going to point out is all of the settings on this instrument get you closer to the sweet spot when doing sound design.
    At first I thought it was sort of hoaxie, you have only five choices per waveform on the DCO and so on. But yes they get you to that sweet spot
    just a little bit faster than if you had a full 80 or 100 mm slider. I’m sure there were a few compromises as well going that path.
    If you put this instrument, in a chart and compared its sonic spectrum with its 3 predecessors, it holds its own.
    The first three sound more rich and creamier, A little bit more lush. Whereas this one it can sit a little bit better in a mix.
    It doesn’t sound too overpowering and at the same time provides all of the sonic delight.

  • @Sui778
    @Sui778 2 года назад +1

    I've had my alphaJuno-1 since 1987 and still use it to this day. Was my first synth and it never has been out of my lineup. Programmed the hell out of it with the alpha dial back in the day. Was a bit time consuming but the results were worth it.

  • @billyruss
    @billyruss 2 года назад +2

    Picked mine up for £140 ten years ago - sold it for nearly three times that, and I can see they're creeping even higher. They had some great sounds; as always, you manage to coax some even more insane ones out of it 🙂

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +2

      £140! An example of what I was talking about. Yeah, drifting up and up now. Especially with a controller.

  • @jcchaconjr
    @jcchaconjr 2 года назад

    I bought an Alpha Juno-1 way back when - it was a step up from the Casio keyboard I had been using before getting my first “real” synth. I wish I could have afforded the 2, but the price of the 1 (about $750, IIRC) was all I could muster at the time.
    The two main things I gave up by getting a 1 were 49 keys vs. the 61 of the 2, and no velocity, but make no mistake, a lot of great sounds came out of my Alpha Juno-1! Funny enough, I thought that the Alpha wheel was the coolest thing about the synth! Maybe it’s the rose-tinted glasses of it being my first, haha!
    Great video! Hearing “What the?” again certainly brought back memories! I’m surprised you didn’t throw in a little UFO in there as well… Bank 88, if I remember correctly?

  • @Reyescult
    @Reyescult 2 года назад +1

    I love the aesthetic of the Alpha Juno 2, and despite owning a grip of far more powerful synths, it is absolutely one of my favorite synths. Especially with my upgraded display and MPG-50MKII. It just has that classic Roland magic.

  • @ReadAndReturn
    @ReadAndReturn 2 года назад +1

    Always wanted to get my hands on one of these. Beautiful synth!

  • @Mind-your-own-beeswax
    @Mind-your-own-beeswax 2 года назад

    Another great video Alex. Love the variety of synths you get and not only press a few buttons etc but genuinely play the things as they were meant to be played.

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +1

      Thanks! I do love playing around with them.

  • @studiomilo
    @studiomilo 2 года назад +6

    The funny thing when this came out it seamed to me like the most futuristic design - like something from Star Trek. Turning the alpha wheel seamed cool to me - and look - actual letters for patch names ! Love my Alpha 1 - cute as a button.

    • @Johnsormani
      @Johnsormani 25 дней назад

      I had already bought a moog the source 3 years before and owned a dx7 so I was I used to alpha dials and membrane buttons

  • @roberttodd2414
    @roberttodd2414 2 года назад +5

    Very nice synths. I love how it looks. It's not true it's not sought after either, it may be cheaper than other junos but these have been well sought after since the early 90s for techno and hardcore and are probably as influential if not more on modern music than any other juno.

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад

      No doubt they never went out of fashion amongst those in the know (as you say), but there wasn't _broad_ appeal for them otherwise prices would have reflected that. They were peanuts only 10 years ago.
      Now they are _widely_ sought after and prices have gone up dramatically. That's what I meant, sorry if that wasn't clear.

    • @roberttodd2414
      @roberttodd2414 2 года назад +1

      @@AlexBallMusic nah I know what you meant Alex, I was just making a general comment. You know what my theory is on this though. It's the people who grew up in the 80s listening to new wave and dreaming about juno 60s and 106s didn't care about the alpha, then as they got to their 30s they started getting money so prices rose up. Now its kids from the 90s getting older and getting money so these later synths are getting the love.

  • @AdamTheAd-vanc3d
    @AdamTheAd-vanc3d 2 года назад +16

    The Alpha is such a kool (beast when it works.) Although it has that classic 80s roland sound it really can go beyond that. It's been a keeper in my arsenal for over 22yrs now . The Bassdrums you can produce with it easily destroy a 909 Bassdrum.
    Fantatstic video Alex :-)

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +2

      22 years! That is a keeper.
      Yeah, I was surprised by the walloping drums that came out of it!

    • @AnalogDude_
      @AnalogDude_ 2 года назад +1

      the 909 Bass drum consists of 3 vco's.
      the click at the beginning, the body and the decay or however you wanna cal it.

    • @AdamTheAd-vanc3d
      @AdamTheAd-vanc3d 2 года назад

      @@AnalogDude_ Fair enough still sounds inferior in my very strong opinion .

    • @AnalogDude_
      @AnalogDude_ 2 года назад

      @@AdamTheAd-vanc3d Well, you could clone it from the schematic of "introspectiv" (tr-)9090 clone and play with the resistor/capacitor values to give it another character.
      : )
      but you need a +15/-15 Volt psu, otherwise it will sound different.
      It's it a pretty hard circuit with various VCA's, envelops and what not.
      i got a Akai MPC X now and it can model any kinds of kickdrums via it's plugin.

    • @AdamTheAd-vanc3d
      @AdamTheAd-vanc3d 2 года назад

      @@AnalogDude_ True but I personally wouldn't as its by far not my fav type of kick drum . At one time it was the staple mainly because of the tr909s recognisable status and the constraint of options available. However people had weapons under their noses that could produce killer drums, unfortunately alot have been missed.
      This being said I'm taking nothing away from the 909 .

  • @bereantrb
    @bereantrb 2 года назад +1

    Got an Alpha Juno 2 in the 80s - still have it.

  • @morph-the-cat
    @morph-the-cat 2 месяца назад

    The outro sounds amazing!

  • @RobFlaxMusic
    @RobFlaxMusic 2 года назад +8

    That bass on the outro! Killer. I so appreciate you playing a synth "in context," btw. Great demo.

  • @alexdelaney6839
    @alexdelaney6839 2 года назад

    The outro jam is ace. Thanks, Alex.

  • @SolidtraxNL
    @SolidtraxNL 2 года назад

    Oh yes! A Alpha Juno-2 with a DTRONICS DT-300 controller. Guess what kind of setup we have got here in the studio 🙃 - Again an insanely good video. Love you style!

  • @XavierRadix
    @XavierRadix 2 года назад +1

    Wow. This synth does way more than I thought! Love it!

  • @scottstevens7639
    @scottstevens7639 2 года назад

    Wow. Brings back memories…
    A band mate had this keyboard, although he didn’t make use of it much. More importantly, I myself had the rack version of this (I don’t even remember the model designation). And yes, I had the hardware programmer as well.
    The rack version was perfect for my purposes as it was the perfect pairing with Roland’s guitar synth setup, which I obviously had. A guitar has six strings - the synth has six DCO’s - funny how that worked out… The rack version was in fact intended to be paired up with their guitar synth architecture.
    So thanks for the trip down memory lane. God, I miss my hardware…

  • @Gazdatronik
    @Gazdatronik 2 года назад +3

    After this, I am convinced that the Alpha Juno was the culmination of a Juno that both worked properly and had "that sound"
    Also, the JX-3P instituted the menu diving experience.

  • @SlyHikari03
    @SlyHikari03 Месяц назад

    Eric Persing (who now works at spectrasonics) is the legend we have to thank for this patch for existing.

  • @iamonfire501
    @iamonfire501 2 года назад +3

    Very unique sound, great for retro music genres production

  • @GrumpyTim
    @GrumpyTim 2 года назад +1

    I remember reading about the first wave of Juno's in various synth mags, but I'd drifted onto other things by the time the Alpha Juno's came out - really great synth, but I probably wouldn't fall in love with it purely because of how it looks, which is kind of silly because it should really be about how it sounds!!! The additional controller would definitely make it a bit more loveable. Great video as usual Alex.

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +1

      Looks awful, has an awful interface.
      But...sounds great and there's external controllers! Bingo.

  • @martinlubitz3171
    @martinlubitz3171 2 года назад

    Nice video, Juno sounds really good. Thanks for sharing

  • @socialbeats1
    @socialbeats1 2 года назад +1

    Had one in the 80’s and finally bought one back about the 10 years ago from a famous Rave studio in Rotterdam…

  • @LaraSchilling
    @LaraSchilling 2 года назад

    Bloody brilliant machine that! I never really grew out of my raver phase, as you'll hear when I curate the 90s editions of what I told you about the other day :)

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +1

      Messy days. Thankfully the hoovers were on hand to clean it up.

    • @LaraSchilling
      @LaraSchilling 2 года назад

      @@AlexBallMusic Here's Johnny really should've been Here's Juno...!

  • @cf5914
    @cf5914 2 года назад +8

    The Alpha can easily nail 106 sounds and even JX3P stuff but can also go well beyond those two.

  • @petermgruhn
    @petermgruhn 2 года назад

    Nah... the looks aren't deceiving. It looks like a frickin' pain to use and you've said it's a frickin' pain to use. Looks are spot on.

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +1

      With the controller it's a doddle to use. Knob-per-function.
      Without the controller....yeah....

  • @Bernd_Bruening
    @Bernd_Bruening 2 года назад

    Excellent review, as always!

  • @JEANBRUCEnocturbulous
    @JEANBRUCEnocturbulous Год назад

    wow the funky jam at the beginning was something... btw don't stop it Dad, rave sound will never die.

  • @DuckTronic
    @DuckTronic 2 года назад

    Interesting and entertaining! Thanks Alex!

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +1

      So when do the hoover tutorials start on your channel? 😉

    • @DuckTronic
      @DuckTronic 2 года назад

      @@AlexBallMusic As soon as I own an Alpha Juno. 😉

  • @ivorydungeon909
    @ivorydungeon909 2 года назад

    I picked up an alpha juno, sometime between five and ten years ago, for a couple of hundred bucks. I also have a 106 (picked up about 20 years ago for what now seems like a bargain) and although the 106 is much more of a joy to program (and more resonant), your claim at the end, to the effect that it's a much interesting synth than earlier Junos, is spot on imho.

  • @gcoudert
    @gcoudert 2 года назад +17

    With hindsight, it was a pretty good synth. However, I was a Juno-60 owner when the αJunos came out so I was very disappointed when I tried one out. As far as its recent increase in value is concerned, I blame Espen!

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +14

      Espen is Mr Alpha, yeah. He doesn't use a controller either. What a masochist. 😂

    • @ivorydungeon909
      @ivorydungeon909 2 года назад +2

      @@AlexBallMusic Masochist? 😆

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +3

      @@ivorydungeon909 Dammit. Always mix those two up. Thank you!

    • @nazliuz
      @nazliuz 2 года назад

      😂

    • @majicboxstudios3996
      @majicboxstudios3996 2 года назад

      @@AlexBallMusic 😂😂😂😂😂

  • @torkgems
    @torkgems 2 года назад +3

    I really wish they brought this underrated gem back :')

    • @Jason75913
      @Jason75913 2 года назад +2

      We can only hope that Behringer clones it. Damn, I want one, love the sound.

  • @stevenmann9769
    @stevenmann9769 2 года назад

    I had one of these about 33 years ago. Damn good wee beast.

  • @lundsweden
    @lundsweden 2 года назад +2

    The Trinity of the synth world Juno 6/60, 106 and Alpha!

  • @allanjazzera7630
    @allanjazzera7630 2 года назад

    That Jupiter Arp at the end is gorgeous!

  • @soepil
    @soepil 2 года назад +1

    Ah yes! My high school had one of these in the late eighties. One of the first synths, I ever played, together with the Korg Polysix.

  • @roms303
    @roms303 2 года назад

    I got my Juno 1 in 1985 I loved it so much!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @lars-fenin
    @lars-fenin 2 года назад

    thanx.. still love my mks 50 (a-juno2) also for pads, strings and dub-stabs/chords.
    the chorus ist beautiful...

  • @markkusmierz3756
    @markkusmierz3756 2 года назад

    I have the Juno 1 that i bought used in 1990.It still serves as a useful sonic tool for my music.

  • @Synthshop
    @Synthshop 2 года назад +1

    I see a Jupiter 6 in your video. When are you gonna do an in-depth on the Jup6 ?

  • @DragonGrafx-16
    @DragonGrafx-16 2 года назад

    I have 2 Alpha Junos... a Juno-1 and an HS-80... one of my favorite synths for bass.

  • @wallmenis
    @wallmenis 2 года назад +1

    Ah yes. The alpha junos are quite underappreciated. Nice to have one more video about them!

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад +1

      I think everyone has cottoned on in the last few years, but they are still a bit under appreciated, yeah.

  • @pieterkok7486
    @pieterkok7486 2 года назад +1

    This was my first synth, and I still have it and love it (never had problems with the aftertouch). It sounds so much bigger than a single-oscillator synth, and the strings are among the best out there (M-22 Rich Strings anyone?). I did early on ('87?) lament the lack of knobs/sliders, but that did not prevent me from programming the hell out of it.

  • @ChrisP3000x
    @ChrisP3000x 2 года назад

    I had one. One of my favorites.

  • @RikMaxSpeed
    @RikMaxSpeed 2 года назад +1

    My first synth!! Loved it, awesome sound for all that it only had 1 oscillator.

  • @Lantertronics
    @Lantertronics 2 года назад +2

    I predict prices on these to skyrocket after this video. :)

  • @martinlund4510
    @martinlund4510 2 года назад

    Amazing machines. I've owned a Juno-1 now twice - simply because it was (then) a very affordable analog polysynth in a very small package, had 64 memory locations and never had tuning issues or any other technical challenges, even for being 35+ years. Was my main analog board live for many many years because of this (long before the real revival of analog modelling and so on).
    Oh, and DTronics make really amazing PG-clones 😃

  • @DarkRacer93
    @DarkRacer93 2 года назад

    Just saw an Alpha Juno 2 without the power chord at a goodwiil that i work at. Too bad that i coudn't buy it, but i started watching videos about the hoover sound. And then you upload a video on it. Thanks😎

  • @JobimSynthMusic
    @JobimSynthMusic 2 года назад

    I've spent two years with an 106 and an alpha, but with other analogue poly synths too: matrix 1000, poly evolver, and others . The alpha is versatile but sounds slightly muddier than the 106; I also had the versatile and also no-knob synth matrix 1000, which feels less muddy, and it's only a rack module instead of a keyboard. The alpha has a programmable analogue chorus, but then I have that same chorus in the super bass station rack module with an audio input. At the end, kept the 106 , the alpha started feeling like one too many, in my tiny homestudio room. I think if I had the mks50, module version of the alpha, I'd keep it.

  • @alvaroapablaza5471
    @alvaroapablaza5471 2 года назад

    sweet! Dtronics gave me an affordable knob per function controller for my Roland D-05! I have always ignored the alpha on the used synth market not really knowing why, I would totally grab one. thanks for this

  • @theshyguy1580
    @theshyguy1580 2 года назад +25

    I had no idea how good this thing can do drums!
    Almost sounded like the toms from Rick Astley.

    • @DaveG207
      @DaveG207 2 года назад +11

      I read somewhere this week that it WAS an Alpha Juno used for those. Can’t swear that’s true but it really does sound very close.

    • @rogerspacebucks450
      @rogerspacebucks450 2 года назад +5

      @@DaveG207 I saw that in another video.

    • @EstuaryMists
      @EstuaryMists 2 года назад +6

      They are the Tom’s used. If you’re interested, I demonstrate them in my recreation of Never Gonna Give you up on my YT channel (using an MKS-50).

    • @roberttodd2414
      @roberttodd2414 2 года назад

      it's not great at drums but those are the toms from rick astley

  • @DJRickValeOfficial
    @DJRickValeOfficial Год назад

    Classic ❤💯

  • @RobertDorschel
    @RobertDorschel 2 года назад

    Give me a few days... I have to recover from the initial viewing of this great vid. Then I'll write real stuff. Just had to pop in here tonight after the first viewing.
    The Alpha Juno-1 was my very first synth. I bought it new in 1986 and still have it.

    • @AlexBallMusic
      @AlexBallMusic  2 года назад

      Look forward to your breakdown as an expert on the subject. :)

  • @ProckGnosis
    @ProckGnosis 2 года назад

    Yeah, the interface and graphics are pretty "Casio CZ-looking" and definitely of its time. Through the last 20-25 years, I can think of half a dozen times times I almost bought a used one in a 2nd-hand store or whatever. Just never did. Lol...and you're still nicely catering to your deutschsprachige fans. Gut gemacht!

  • @issiewizzie
    @issiewizzie 2 года назад +2

    I like the chord memory function I wonder if that can be replicated in a VST

    • @artvandelay3282
      @artvandelay3282 2 года назад

      You can just transpose the chord on the piano roll. I'm sure you could do it with the chord modes on some of the daws.
      OR, If you have an Arturia keystep, it has chord memory built in

  • @juanocordoba
    @juanocordoba 2 года назад

    Thanks for making videos

  • @SockSockson
    @SockSockson 2 года назад

    Would love to see you cover an Elka Synthex.

  • @lukebussey5218
    @lukebussey5218 2 года назад +1

    thanks for showing off the controller!

  • @mu_zines
    @mu_zines 2 года назад

    +20 points for the excellent vid, but I have to knock a point off for sleeve continuity… 😉 Loadsa bangers in this one too… are you planning on an album release of the best of You-tunes?

  • @DestroyER82
    @DestroyER82 2 года назад

    Alpha Juno-1 is still my workhorse synth, with controller (both sw or hw) are the options of various patches pretty substantial and sound is amazing. I got it for that bargain you talked about. I had also JU-2 for another bargain, but got rid of it because I prefer that smaller slimmer version and mostly controlling it from DAW anyways (JU-1 accept dynamics / aftertouch through midi). Aftertouch you didnt covered works pretty good, all you need to plug in controller on which it actually works and you are in. ;-)
    Awesome demonstration and all the best.

  • @mrkd4del
    @mrkd4del 2 года назад

    Legally obligated to demo the hoover! :D (Outtro is awesome!)

  • @ProSimex84
    @ProSimex84 2 года назад +1

    I've got one and a midiclub junoctrl controller. It's a blast

  • @charliea697
    @charliea697 2 года назад

    Good. I enjoyed that. Thanks.

  • @pizzagogo6151
    @pizzagogo6151 2 года назад +1

    Thanks Alex! I bought a broken one cheap few years ago, thought I’d sell it as wouldn’t be worth keeping it as well as a 106. I was dead wrong! As you explain it’s a great synth, quite different to the 106. Don’t agree about the look I like it’s minimal 80s look😀 but of course its biggest flaw is stupid lack controls - but that’s easily dealt with now. At least it has cartridge storage as well. However it does make it easy to transport as it’s really compact and no controls that can get broken off! A bit of trivia I discovered I have Japanese version which doesn’t have doesn’t actually have “what the” in its preset rom!

  • @carlosserrano3985
    @carlosserrano3985 2 года назад

    I knew you would like it Alex, I got mine very cheap and in excellent condition, I try to get a programmer but prices were higher than what I paid for the synth itself, instead I use my tablet with a free app and there is also a VST for the PC.
    Nice video, cheers!
    Jupiter 6 Next?

  • @Unifono2012
    @Unifono2012 2 года назад

    Sounds amazing

  • @lemon2125
    @lemon2125 11 месяцев назад

    It was also used all over Time 'n' Place by Kero Kero Bonito which has some of the coolest synth sounds ever