oh yes the alpha juno 😃 (big smile here) imagine this.. Netherlands, 1995 in a large sport arena with room for 10. 000 people. the event still has to begin so the lights are still on. the first people are getting in and on stage paul elstak, Patrick van Kerckhoven and other dutch gabber producers are preparing their set. then paul elstak, just for fun, presses one key on the alpha juno... an extremely loud and and thunderes sound fills the hal. 1000 people go completely bezerk! people are cheering, clapping and yelling. what an atmosphere and a energy! amazing how just one sound can stirr up the crowd like this 🎉 amazing times, amazing synth 💖
About 4 years ago (2017), I found a FB marketplace ad and walked away with a mint condition Alpha with the original Roland hard case for under $200. It was a very lucky day indeed.
Back in the 90's I used to be a volunteer Youth Worker for my local council and one of the services provided was a "Music Workshop" where teenagers could come and learn music. We had an AJ-1 and two TR drum machines (along with a Kawai K1, Yamaha SY22 and the wonderful Roland W-30) I have great memories of using all this kit and especially the "Hoover Machine". Sadly due to financial cuts the council sold off all the instruments and I missed out getting any of it. Great vid and one last thing, I did download a VST named "Phutura" which kind of reminds me of the AJ-1 and the Hoover sounds it made.
Great video. I am a jazz bassist getting into techno/house and you have helped me understand the basic DNA of hardcore techno which I was never able to understand fully. The classic parallel minor triads of techno music come from this machine. and all the rest. Insightful. Thank you very much. Also, your depiction of all the early 90's records that immediately started using this sound in the aftermath of Beltram is also of great help. Good job. Chapeaux. Blake
Heck ya. Great video and the best I've seen about Alpha Junos. This is what I live for and the nostalgia is the best feeling ever. Kind of a somber sweet feeling for sure. I finally got an Alpha Juno 1 in mint condition about a month ago. Dude actually dropped it off to me to my door! Ive been on the hunt for one forever. The stars apparently lined up and wallah, Juno 1 time. Sweet vid. Appreciate you.
Really really awesome videos you produce. Not only do you make a sufficiently thorough and up-to-date review of the unit, but you tell how it fits into electronic music history and provide a few programming examples. That's the perfect recipe for my taste ✌️🙏
I still have in my studio my alpha Juno 1, my 1st synth bought new in 85. A great sounding machine, it was my strings & pads provider for decades. And yes, its main drawback is the lack of self resonance in the filter.
Wish I'd bought the one my friend was selling in the 90's. Now I need to know how to get one without my wife finding out. It's been something that's been burning inside of me for years. Great video as always, many thanks.
Nice video. I love Roland DCO synths. When I got an Alpha 1 it totally cured the GAS I had for a 106. I highly recommend the D-tronics programmer, it makes it a real joy to mix the waveforms and program that complex envelope.
I bought one a month ago for $200 and it's my 1st hardware synth. I'm a total synth noob so I still need to spend more time with it. Seems to be fully functional too.
awesome video! your machine is in great condition too. just got my alpha juno 2 back from the shop, very timely! been messing around with the Patch Base editor for it. Cheers!
In '86, I could finally afford my first synth. I wanted the Alpha Juno but it was over $1000. I ended up with a DX27. That sound still brings back memories of playing it in the music store.
Oh man, trip down memory lane. In my early twenties at that time, visiting hardcore/gabber clubs almost every weekend (goldfinger rosmalen). But also the club and mellow tunes at that time in belgium (highstreet). pfff gettiing old
Ahh, the Alphas. I always get nostalgic whenever I see or hear them. Sold my second one 2 years ago, since it was only collecting dust, but now you've made me wanna buy another again :) great video as always, thank you!
Got one in October 2020 and prices currently start at $200 more than I paid. That's still about 1/2 of a Juno 106 and about 1/4 of a Juno 60, though. Thanks for the video, very informative. Plus the things just sound damn good.
Well we've been given the task of finding a producer who came up with a technique which inspires a piece of music we're to write. Although I'd heard the sound before in many rave tracks over my youth, I'd never really known what the sound were until Tony De Vit used it in Are You All Ready, hardhouse/hard nrg became my first love for well over a decade because of that record, seemed a fitting choice for my first assignment.
Indeed, I hope that the next model expansion will be either the Alpha Juno or the JP-8000 (or both :D) If it happens I'll surely be reviewing them on my channel and compare against the original.
I own 3 of them, made a lot of tracks with it for loads of famous like mokum, industrial strength, Gabberhead and many more! Still in use, same with the TR909
But is so not the same. You might in fact use a virtual version, they sound almost exactly the same. The coolness of the alphaJuno is the package. It may not sound as cool as a Juno-60, but they are absolutely lovely to play.
@@thomaskolb8785 If you're talking about the sound, I'm sorry but they are the same. I've had both. If you're talking about user experience, I'll take my MKS-50 and PG-300 over an alpha 1 or 2 any day thanks.
@@EstuaryMists Yes, I know they have the same innards. I actually had an AlphaJuno1 for a long time and when trying to save some studio space, I sold it and replaced it with the MKS-50. But for me, the MKS-50 was not at all as fun to play. It didn't give me the same immediate tactile satisfaction. I guess I am just not a rack-synth type of guy!
@@thomaskolb8785 I totally with that sentiment. Back in the early / mid 90's I tried to get as much into racks as possible for space reasons but over the years have moved back to keyboards with tactile surfaces for that very reason. I guess the one thing that Roland got right with the rack versions of their synths was that a programmer could be connected. Truth be told, I've only kept my MKS50 because I have the PG-300. It makes the programming experience so much more enjoyable.
Congrats on your AJ! I had one from 1999-2004 and i recently bought a second one because i missed the special sound a lot! Has very nice sawtooth sounds for leads and pads. I like the warm analogue sound a lot!
Interesting stuff! Alpha Juno 2 (we only called it Juno 2) was my first real synth back in 87 which I'd as a real synth instead of the Yamaha PSR-6100... a play-at-home device a store keeper managed to sell me a year earlier claiming it was the best on the market, ha ha. Well although I only played more or less with factory sounds (I did not understand programming and I didn't know anyone who knew how) I remember thinking it was not good enough, although I liked the sound of the Juno 2. Everyone talked about the DX7 and the Roland D50 which had just been released. Digital was the sound everyone wanted, including me. A year later I bought the JX-8P which at the moment felt a little like the wrong move and the next year I finally had the D50, by flipping my Juno 2. If someone had told 15 yo me, that you could do almost anything and any sounds with these devices, if you just start digging into them properly. :-)
I have an early Alpha 1 (with some different presets) plus the PG300 controller. Due to its size, i use it more often than my 106. But i think, you really need a controller to unlock the full potential of the synth.
I found programming it not too much of a hassle but I do have a controller as well (mostly because that specific controller can translate midi cc automation from cubase to sysex in an easy way)
Agree, I am not sure anyone can edit this with the on board controls better than me, but I can easily see why a physical controller would be a life changing different experience. After 35 years of playing mine, I didnt realize it was analog. I then started to use it for leads with pride.
Thanks. Now I'm gonna bend my brain trying to emulate that Sawpulse on my synths XD. Would really like to... temporarily get my hands on one of these now for sampling
Top video thx. Just for the historical purpose, the first ever to use the hoover sound in a techno track was mundo Muzique:Tranztechno ep. Beltram found it interresting and wanted to push it further in puting the sound into another synth filter. ; )
I've got one of these and it's totally unique among the lot. It's great when combined with a nice reverb and delay. The filter isn't great, but it's sufficient. I'd recommend it for choppy saw bass timbres and mellow, evolving pads.
@@Estuera No, they're not. Certainly not compared to the other Juno synths. A similar line from Roland that is very reasonable on the used synth markets (but is more of a pro line) is the JX8P and JX3P. I've got a JX8P and it can do even more than the Juno line, but sells for less than half the price of the Juno synths right now. It lacks the famous Juno chorus effect, but it has more flexible oscillator, filter, and MIDI options, and the modulation capabilities are also better. It's closer to the alphas, though, in that it has mostly membrane keys, but any of the modern MIDI controllers can be used to control all of the parameters with sliders and knobs if that's your thing. I just use a Ctrlr - based vst plugin and do it all right from my DAW, though (there is also a Ctrlr module for both alpha Junos and it works great with those synths, too). Now, if I can only find a nice, cheap used Jupiter 8. ;)
The JX'es are quite interesting as well indeed. For me personally they seem to miss a bit of an own identity though but that might be because I never really looked into them that much. And let me know when you find that cheap Jupiter 8 ;)
It's true indeed. The D- series have this option, not too surprising as it came out not that long after the Alpha Juno. It's digital though and won't sound exactly the same but it is a pwm on a saw oscillator. I had a D-20 on loan from a friend in the studio not that long ago but for some reason didn't really try if I could make an Alpha Juno like saw.
You got one that’s great, I’m still looking haha. I hope you will do an old school hardcore/breakbeat recreation 1992 era, something like 2 slices of jam - Pressing on ya mind 👍
Thank you for this great hoover and Hoover history video. The Elektron Analog 4 might be able to create this sound, it has Saw with PWM, Sub-OSC, and Pitch Envelope.
AJ, AJ2, MKS-50 or its emulations are the first way to go if you're looking for instant early '90s Techno sound. There are other synths with more aggresive sound, but they do not sound as menacing. Roland JX8P and Super JX have same voice chips, but their synthesis architecture is more complex. Their oscillators have much more modulating features, but they lack pulsewidth-saw waveforms, that are essential for hoovers.
I love the hoover sound none of my snyths have it so I sampled it and use it in alot of hardcore tracks. ...I bought the Roland j6 hoping it had the hoover sound on it as it's based on the Juno 60 but it didn't so sampling it works well enough
Lovely synth which I will never sell ! Find a sysex controller and it comes alive responds perfectly. I use a novation sl and everything is mapped adsr, cutoff, chorus etc etc 😁👌
Nice video. The hoover sound has something realy unique. I am searching the name of a famous hoover sound song. It had lots of short repeating hoover sound notes and now and then a voice said 'better' or something like that...
what i learned from this vid: the Alpha Juno is quite close to the Juno 6/60/106 line, is the only synth that does the "hoover" sound, the dutch love the Alpha Juno, and that i won't be selling my Alpha Juno anymore.
I hope you'll give us some tips on programming this synth -- really like that sound you've got in the background in the first few mins (not the hoover right at the start)
Great informative video again Jonas. Your RUclips channel invects you (again) with the hardware virus. If you keep this pace of expansion your studio setup, you could also make a video about constructing a new bigger studio ;). For me no problem at all. Looking forward to your new video's.
Awesome video!! The Alpha Juno is so versatile... Whether you're making (Happy) Hardcore, synth/pop/wave or really any strain of techno, this thing is your to go to synth. I believe another difference between the AJ1 & 2 is that the 2 has a memory cartridge slot where the 1 doesn't. The AJ might seem intimidating when it comes to programming sounds, but it really isn't bad. Besides, there is free editing software out there that will allow you to easily create or backup patches. I build my own midi programmer using an Arduino, in other words, plenty of options. Also, these units are a blessing to work on if you need to do any repairs.
Got my alphaJuno-1 in 1987 and it's been used in almost every recording I've done since. This synth isn't just good for techno. And I rescued a 106 from underneath someone's couch in the mid 90's. These two are monstrous as a combo.
now it's time to reveal the 'mystery' of a famous landlord stab .... haha 😂😂 (its not a mystery actually anymore, at least for me) but it would be great to see / hear your recreation vid!! hey man, you are doing a completely fantastic job, i'm watching today your 10th vid abt the oldschool sounds and I'm almost crying ... (45 today, haha)
Yes, I managed to get quite close with a PolyBrute as well. The thing is, those synths basically sound a bit 'too analog' for nailing this sound 100%. Part of the character of the Alpha Juno sound is that it can be quite aggressive but in a very stable way. This is probably because the DCO chip is fully digital before it gets fed into the analog filters. I haven't tried this yet but I have a feeling that the Microfreak could get very close, as long as you don't push the filter too much.
Hi Jonas, great video! Thanks for sharing your insights on the machine! I recently bought a Alpha Juno 1. On patch M-86 I found a sound called 'Arpeggiator', unfortunately not the famous 'What the' sound. The M-patches are obviously the memory patches that can be overwritten so maybe that had happened in the past with a previous owner, however, on the Synthmania website I found the 'Arpeggiator also to be a factory patch. So now I am a bit confused 😆. Do you know of different sound banks in the Alpha Juno 1 series? Thanks and keep up de nice videos!
There actually have been 2 versions of the factory presets depending on when the synth was produced. My Alpha Juno also had the bank without the 'What the' patch actually. You can change this though. Go to llamamusic.com/mks50/mks-50_patches.html and search for FACTORYB.SYX , That's the bank you are looking for. There also are instructions how to load it: llamamusic.com/mks50/mks-50_info.html#loadsave
Hello Jonas. Great video man. I'm working on a remix of Beltram's "Mentasm". Got most of the original sounds right. But i love the sound patch you show on 9:45 mins in the video. Can you tell me how you created that. It's very close to the original. And yes. I have the Alpha Juno. Grtz. Thomas Trance. Netherlands
I don't have the exact instructions but its basically tweaking the pitch envelope settings until you get it right. I'm pretty sure to recreate the mentasm sound you'll need to sample one note and than use that. The story goes that's what Beltram did, using an alpha juno sample on his ensoniq sampler.
To fully use this synth, you can connect it to the controler PG800, but it's rare and expensive. There is a cheaper option with an iPad, a midi interface for iPad, and a very low Price app iPG800. Turn on the midi system exclusive on the AlphaJ, open the app and select the interface dedicated to AlphaJ. Then you get a very complexe enveloppe, LFO, oscillator tuning ect ... Every sound preset modifies the settings of your virtual controler ipg800, so it's better than a physical pg800 ;-}
(Edited) I remember I sold mine 5 years ago because I thought the sound paled next to the Waldorf Q that I still have and couldn’t justify having it. I kinda regret it now, if only because I could sell it by twice the price already XD and watching this triggers my interest on it again anyway ^_^ Cute piece of gear anyways. Lovely memories in your video, I kinda remember seeing “Thunder” compilation CDs in a local record store in Spain in the late 90s... I’m sure I know that logo form before... (Edit)By the way Boss chorus pedals (eg Waza CE-2) can REALLY take any decent synth really close to the Juno territory.
Yeah those cd's where all over Europe in early to mid 90s. I've heard from someone who worked for the record company that owned the rights that it made massive amounts of money.
@@Estuera Wow, thanks for sharing. It was one of those things that stuck in my mind for years, wishing I had bought one to hear what they were about. But with time I started to think I made it up! Checking out for magazines and CDs, sweet memories. I really enjoyed the video :)
The synth that was responsible for many of the rave anthems over the years.
oh yes the alpha juno 😃 (big smile here)
imagine this.. Netherlands, 1995 in a large sport arena with room for 10. 000 people. the event still has to begin so the lights are still on. the first people are getting in and on stage paul elstak, Patrick van Kerckhoven and other dutch gabber producers are preparing their set. then paul elstak, just for fun, presses one key on the alpha juno... an extremely loud and and thunderes sound fills the hal. 1000 people go completely bezerk! people are cheering, clapping and yelling. what an atmosphere and a energy! amazing how just one sound can stirr up the crowd like this 🎉 amazing times, amazing synth 💖
Great times 🎉
About 4 years ago (2017), I found a FB marketplace ad and walked away with a mint condition Alpha with the original Roland hard case for under $200. It was a very lucky day indeed.
An Alpha Juno-1 or 2 ?
Its a good price in both cases anyways 👍
@@Estuera Alpha Juno-1
Back in the 90's I used to be a volunteer Youth Worker for my local council and one of the services provided was a "Music Workshop" where teenagers could come and learn music. We had an AJ-1 and two TR drum machines (along with a Kawai K1, Yamaha SY22 and the wonderful Roland W-30) I have great memories of using all this kit and especially the "Hoover Machine". Sadly due to financial cuts the council sold off all the instruments and I missed out getting any of it. Great vid and one last thing, I did download a VST named "Phutura" which kind of reminds me of the AJ-1 and the Hoover sounds it made.
There are many Alpha juno 1/2 on the second hand market between 300 and 500€.
Used in 95% of my old hardcore tracks ;)
Great video. I am a jazz bassist getting into techno/house and you have helped me understand the basic DNA of hardcore techno which I was never able to understand fully. The classic parallel minor triads of techno music come from this machine. and all the rest. Insightful. Thank you very much. Also, your depiction of all the early 90's records that immediately started using this sound in the aftermath of Beltram is also of great help. Good job. Chapeaux.
Blake
Heck ya. Great video and the best I've seen about Alpha Junos. This is what I live for and the nostalgia is the best feeling ever. Kind of a somber sweet feeling for sure. I finally got an Alpha Juno 1 in mint condition about a month ago. Dude actually dropped it off to me to my door! Ive been on the hunt for one forever. The stars apparently lined up and wallah, Juno 1 time. Sweet vid. Appreciate you.
there is nothing like an alpha , still love my 1986 aj1
As much as people hate on the Roland Boutiques, I would grab a Alpha Boutique in a heartbeat.
I'm looking forward to "Let's make a gabba" video.
Yeah it seems inevitable that one is going to happen eventually 😁
That would be awesome
Bring it on!
Yeah.
I can't wait for a 90s gabber video!
Really really awesome videos you produce. Not only do you make a sufficiently thorough and up-to-date review of the unit, but you tell how it fits into electronic music history and provide a few programming examples. That's the perfect recipe for my taste ✌️🙏
Love this! Greetings from UK! Big up you! Big up DJ Paul, Pengo, Ruff Neck Alliance, Lock Jaw! We love you
I still have in my studio my alpha Juno 1, my 1st synth bought new in 85.
A great sounding machine, it was my strings & pads provider for decades.
And yes, its main drawback is the lack of self resonance in the filter.
The sound of the childhood of a lot of people here! Great explanation!
Wish I'd bought the one my friend was selling in the 90's. Now I need to know how to get one without my wife finding out. It's been something that's been burning inside of me for years. Great video as always, many thanks.
Get the plugin version.
A friend of mine found one in a thrift shop in Loudoun VA for $20. He gave it to me as a gift. Works great.
I sold mine not long ago
@@fantasyproduct1042 I sold mine to fund 106, price was about same
It’s a small keyboard, hide it under the bed
Nice video. I love Roland DCO synths. When I got an Alpha 1 it totally cured the GAS I had for a 106. I highly recommend the D-tronics programmer, it makes it a real joy to mix the waveforms and program that complex envelope.
I bought one a month ago for $200 and it's my 1st hardware synth. I'm a total synth noob so I still need to spend more time with it. Seems to be fully functional too.
Another elegant Roland design. I love the Alpha Juno.
Endlich ein vernünftiges Info-Video über den Juno.
Bedaanks!
I just got myself an Alpha Juno-2. It's such a lovely sounding synth. I can't wait to dive into it. :)
Great small analog! Warm, fat and juicy sound.
awesome video! your machine is in great condition too. just got my alpha juno 2 back from the shop, very timely! been messing around with the Patch Base editor for it. Cheers!
In '86, I could finally afford my first synth. I wanted the Alpha Juno but it was over $1000. I ended up with a DX27. That sound still brings back memories of playing it in the music store.
Oh man, trip down memory lane. In my early twenties at that time, visiting hardcore/gabber clubs almost every weekend (goldfinger rosmalen). But also the club and mellow tunes at that time in belgium (highstreet). pfff gettiing old
Thanks a lot for Estuera. I just picked up an Alpha Juno 1 myself. This video was important to tease me after watching it over 20 times ;-)
0:36 DJ Paul! DJ Paul!! Paul Elstak is still so young there. Time flies when having fun...
Love these sounds so much
Ahh, the Alphas. I always get nostalgic whenever I see or hear them. Sold my second one 2 years ago, since it was only collecting dust, but now you've made me wanna buy another again :) great video as always, thank you!
I have been _almost_ buying it for quite a while. Finally pulled the trigger and it doesn't disappoint.
Thank you for this cool video about the Alpha Juno synthesizer!
There is also a rack version of the Alpha Juno, the MKS-50. Very rare these days.
i just now realized who you are, man gotta say i've spun a ton of ur tracks back in the day as a trance dj, now im diggin ur channel!
Got one in October 2020 and prices currently start at $200 more than I paid. That's still about 1/2 of a Juno 106 and about 1/4 of a Juno 60, though. Thanks for the video, very informative. Plus the things just sound damn good.
Awesome mate, I'm doing an assignment on the hoover sound at uni and this is very handy, thank you!
That's a very interesting assignment to get
Well we've been given the task of finding a producer who came up with a technique which inspires a piece of music we're to write. Although I'd heard the sound before in many rave tracks over my youth, I'd never really known what the sound were until Tony De Vit used it in Are You All Ready, hardhouse/hard nrg became my first love for well over a decade because of that record, seemed a fitting choice for my first assignment.
great house music tutorial / synth history lesson!
Highly underrated. The Synthbrass patches are amazing as well, as are the leads you can create. 🔥
The juno 1 was my first brand new synthesizer back in 1986 it had every sound that a keyboardist needed.
This video made me appreciate the Alpha Juno more. Dank je!
My pleasure :)
YESSS - keep the RAVE content coming - this channel is soooo good :)))
thanks! demystified some classic techno sounds!!!
Absolutely brilliant video mate. Just answered some questions I’ve had for over 15 years ;)
Brilliant video mate, well done
Just realised I’ve previously commented on this vid haha, it still deserves x2 the respect ;)
Cool video,, I have the boutique version juno and I love it so much.
This is a great demo
Great video as always! I love the alpha juno, I'm hoping for an alpha j model expansion for the Roland zen core instruments.
Indeed, I hope that the next model expansion will be either the Alpha Juno or the JP-8000 (or both :D)
If it happens I'll surely be reviewing them on my channel and compare against the original.
The most important ingredient is already in Zen Core - the "Juno" waveform.
That's a fact. I even managed to get quite close in this video: ruclips.net/video/TMMB8iCIX5U/видео.html
I own 3 of them, made a lot of tracks with it for loads of famous like mokum, industrial strength, Gabberhead and many more! Still in use, same with the TR909
Basically everything you need for old school hardcore.
@@Estuera absolutely my friend! they are my main ingredients in the studio, i am one of those guys who still work with analog gear!
Excellent video, really enjoyed it. Don’t forget, there’s the MKS-50 for those that don’t need keys at all!
Indeed, the MKS-50 is the shy brother of the Alpha's. Same sound in a discrete package :D
But is so not the same. You might in fact use a virtual version, they sound almost exactly the same. The coolness of the alphaJuno is the package. It may not sound as cool as a Juno-60, but they are absolutely lovely to play.
@@thomaskolb8785 If you're talking about the sound, I'm sorry but they are the same. I've had both. If you're talking about user experience, I'll take my MKS-50 and PG-300 over an alpha 1 or 2 any day thanks.
@@EstuaryMists Yes, I know they have the same innards. I actually had an AlphaJuno1 for a long time and when trying to save some studio space, I sold it and replaced it with the MKS-50. But for me, the MKS-50 was not at all as fun to play. It didn't give me the same immediate tactile satisfaction. I guess I am just not a rack-synth type of guy!
@@thomaskolb8785 I totally with that sentiment. Back in the early / mid 90's I tried to get as much into racks as possible for space reasons but over the years have moved back to keyboards with tactile surfaces for that very reason. I guess the one thing that Roland got right with the rack versions of their synths was that a programmer could be connected. Truth be told, I've only kept my MKS50 because I have the PG-300. It makes the programming experience so much more enjoyable.
Great review.
The 1 finger chords at 7:30 give instant Streets of Rage vibes
Congrats on your AJ! I had one from 1999-2004 and i recently bought a second one because i missed the special sound a lot! Has very nice sawtooth sounds for leads and pads. I like the warm analogue sound a lot!
Indeed, I already used it for a nice warm pad in a track I did earlier this week. Lovely synth.
Interesting stuff! Alpha Juno 2 (we only called it Juno 2) was my first real synth back in 87 which I'd as a real synth instead of the Yamaha PSR-6100... a play-at-home device a store keeper managed to sell me a year earlier claiming it was the best on the market, ha ha. Well although I only played more or less with factory sounds (I did not understand programming and I didn't know anyone who knew how) I remember thinking it was not good enough, although I liked the sound of the Juno 2. Everyone talked about the DX7 and the Roland D50 which had just been released. Digital was the sound everyone wanted, including me. A year later I bought the JX-8P which at the moment felt a little like the wrong move and the next year I finally had the D50, by flipping my Juno 2. If someone had told 15 yo me, that you could do almost anything and any sounds with these devices, if you just start digging into them properly. :-)
Great video, thank you 😀
Great video! One of my favorite synth. It can do a lot more than house and techno.
Indeed. Its very versatile
Its got useful sounds for any genre
Another solid review.
My first synth ever! !!
I have an early Alpha 1 (with some different presets) plus the PG300 controller. Due to its size, i use it more often than my 106. But i think, you really need a controller to unlock the full potential of the synth.
I found programming it not too much of a hassle but I do have a controller as well (mostly because that specific controller can translate midi cc automation from cubase to sysex in an easy way)
Agree, I am not sure anyone can edit this with the on board controls better than me, but I can easily see why a physical controller would be a life changing different experience. After 35 years of playing mine, I didnt realize it was analog. I then started to use it for leads with pride.
Loving your Channel Jonas!
Thanks :)
Thanks. Now I'm gonna bend my brain trying to emulate that Sawpulse on my synths XD. Would really like to... temporarily get my hands on one of these now for sampling
Top video thx. Just for the historical purpose, the first ever to use the hoover sound in a techno track was mundo Muzique:Tranztechno ep. Beltram found it interresting and wanted to push it further in puting the sound into another synth filter. ; )
Great video, now I'm lusting after an alpha juno😅
I've got one of these and it's totally unique among the lot. It's great when combined with a nice reverb and delay. The filter isn't great, but it's sufficient. I'd recommend it for choppy saw bass timbres and mellow, evolving pads.
And (for now) they aren't completely overpriced yet on the vintage market.
@@Estuera No, they're not. Certainly not compared to the other Juno synths. A similar line from Roland that is very reasonable on the used synth markets (but is more of a pro line) is the JX8P and JX3P. I've got a JX8P and it can do even more than the Juno line, but sells for less than half the price of the Juno synths right now. It lacks the famous Juno chorus effect, but it has more flexible oscillator, filter, and MIDI options, and the modulation capabilities are also better. It's closer to the alphas, though, in that it has mostly membrane keys, but any of the modern MIDI controllers can be used to control all of the parameters with sliders and knobs if that's your thing. I just use a Ctrlr - based vst plugin and do it all right from my DAW, though (there is also a Ctrlr module for both alpha Junos and it works great with those synths, too).
Now, if I can only find a nice, cheap used Jupiter 8. ;)
The JX'es are quite interesting as well indeed. For me personally they seem to miss a bit of an own identity though but that might be because I never really looked into them that much.
And let me know when you find that cheap Jupiter 8 ;)
d50 have a pulsewith funtion on the sawtooth too
It's true indeed. The D- series have this option, not too surprising as it came out not that long after the Alpha Juno. It's digital though and won't sound exactly the same but it is a pwm on a saw oscillator.
I had a D-20 on loan from a friend in the studio not that long ago but for some reason didn't really try if I could make an Alpha Juno like saw.
An Alpha Juno 2 was my first analog synth :D I still have a MKS-50 in the closet I may be getting back into action in a couple weeks...
goosebumps
You got one that’s great, I’m still looking haha. I hope you will do an old school hardcore/breakbeat recreation 1992 era, something like 2 slices of jam - Pressing on ya mind 👍
Thank you for this great hoover and Hoover history video. The Elektron Analog 4 might be able to create this sound, it has Saw with PWM, Sub-OSC, and Pitch Envelope.
AJ, AJ2, MKS-50 or its emulations are the first way to go if you're looking for instant early '90s Techno sound. There are other synths with more aggresive sound, but they do not sound as menacing.
Roland JX8P and Super JX have same voice chips, but their synthesis architecture is more complex. Their oscillators have much more modulating features, but they lack pulsewidth-saw waveforms, that are essential for hoovers.
I love the hoover sound none of my snyths have it so I sampled it and use it in alot of hardcore tracks. ...I bought the Roland j6 hoping it had the hoover sound on it as it's based on the Juno 60 but it didn't so sampling it works well enough
In a lot of the old school tracks the alpha juno sounds were samples as well so that's definitely a good way to achieve that classic sound as well.
I’m old enough to remember these synths first hand LOL
Really nice to see the embrace
Loving the vibes man great stuff ❤️
You are talented.
Lovely synth which I will never sell ! Find a sysex controller and it comes alive responds perfectly. I use a novation sl and everything is mapped adsr, cutoff, chorus etc etc 😁👌
Nice video. The hoover sound has something realy unique.
I am searching the name of a famous hoover sound song. It had lots of short repeating hoover sound notes and now and then a voice said 'better' or something like that...
The track you're looking for might be 'Thunderball - Bonzai channel one'
@@Estuera Yes. Thank you.
Wait?! How old are you lol? Dude. Great video too, the young bloods definitely need this
My dad had an α-juno 2, which I have now. I really want to learn how to program it since I've only really played around with the presets
what i learned from this vid: the Alpha Juno is quite close to the Juno 6/60/106 line, is the only synth that does the "hoover" sound, the dutch love the Alpha Juno, and that i won't be selling my Alpha Juno anymore.
I hope you'll give us some tips on programming this synth -- really like that sound you've got in the background in the first few mins (not the hoover right at the start)
It will most probably return a couple of times on the channel yes.
@@Estuera brilliant, I need to really get to know mine and use it properly
My mate at music uni had one in mid to late 90s and I thought I was more fancy with my korg 01/W - I didn’t know what I was missing though.
Great informative video again Jonas. Your RUclips channel invects you (again) with the hardware virus. If you keep this pace of expansion your studio setup, you could also make a video about constructing a new bigger studio ;). For me no problem at all. Looking forward to your new video's.
Haha, this all is very true 😁
Awesome video!! The Alpha Juno is so versatile... Whether you're making (Happy) Hardcore, synth/pop/wave or really any strain of techno, this thing is your to go to synth. I believe another difference between the AJ1 & 2 is that the 2 has a memory cartridge slot where the 1 doesn't.
The AJ might seem intimidating when it comes to programming sounds, but it really isn't bad. Besides, there is free editing software out there that will allow you to easily create or backup patches. I build my own midi programmer using an Arduino, in other words, plenty of options.
Also, these units are a blessing to work on if you need to do any repairs.
Bro Mentasm!!!
Got my alphaJuno-1 in 1987 and it's been used in almost every recording I've done since. This synth isn't just good for techno. And I rescued a 106 from underneath someone's couch in the mid 90's. These two are monstrous as a combo.
good stuff
9:24 ist diesen bassdrum correct?
jaaaaah 😁
now it's time to reveal the 'mystery' of a famous landlord stab .... haha 😂😂 (its not a mystery actually anymore, at least for me) but it would be great to see / hear your recreation vid!!
hey man, you are doing a completely fantastic job, i'm watching today your 10th vid abt the oldschool sounds and I'm almost crying ... (45 today, haha)
Nostalgia, it can be rough :D
interesting video!
You can approach the hoover sound with a Rev2 since you can modulate osc shapes, add chorus and play in chord mode but for sure it is not the same....
Yes, I managed to get quite close with a PolyBrute as well. The thing is, those synths basically sound a bit 'too analog' for nailing this sound 100%. Part of the character of the Alpha Juno sound is that it can be quite aggressive but in a very stable way. This is probably because the DCO chip is fully digital before it gets fed into the analog filters. I haven't tried this yet but I have a feeling that the Microfreak could get very close, as long as you don't push the filter too much.
Wow este era el sonido que usaba dj dero en casi todas sus producciones
At 10:38 I got that catchy tune from Gabber Piet, gosh 🙉
Really ? 😂
@@Estuera Not your fault pal; great video indeed that makes me wanna buy an Alpha 😉
I can certainly recommend it :)
Superb from Netherlands. People crave the 106. They are wrong. Juno 1 and 2 beats a dx7. I used to work with Dennis Amsterdam. Bedankt en tot zeins.
I was fifteen when "mentasm" was released. Loved it immediately ... is the alpha juno also used in "are am eye" (commander tom)?
You can hear it indeed in "Are am eye". It sounds like it could be sampled though from another track and not using the Alpha Juno directly.
@@Estuera Yes, that's what I thought - the attack seems to be a little "cut". Anyway, "Are am eye" is one of the alltime favourite classics to me.
So that is why typical raver filter sweeps are so slow. Everybody had to stick their dirtiest finger in dails and twirl them! :-)
Mystery solved ;)
still own all of the thunderdome cds :)
Hi Jonas, great video! Thanks for sharing your insights on the machine! I recently bought a Alpha Juno 1. On patch M-86 I found a sound called 'Arpeggiator', unfortunately not the famous 'What the' sound. The M-patches are obviously the memory patches that can be overwritten so maybe that had happened in the past with a previous owner, however, on the Synthmania website I found the 'Arpeggiator also to be a factory patch. So now I am a bit confused 😆. Do you know of different sound banks in the Alpha Juno 1 series? Thanks and keep up de nice videos!
There actually have been 2 versions of the factory presets depending on when the synth was produced.
My Alpha Juno also had the bank without the 'What the' patch actually. You can change this though. Go to llamamusic.com/mks50/mks-50_patches.html and search for FACTORYB.SYX , That's the bank you are looking for. There also are instructions how to load it: llamamusic.com/mks50/mks-50_info.html#loadsave
Thanks! I’ll have a look
Hello Jonas. Great video man. I'm working on a remix of Beltram's "Mentasm". Got most of the original sounds right. But i love the sound patch you show on 9:45 mins in the video. Can you tell me how you created that. It's very close to the original. And yes. I have the Alpha Juno. Grtz. Thomas Trance. Netherlands
I don't have the exact instructions but its basically tweaking the pitch envelope settings until you get it right.
I'm pretty sure to recreate the mentasm sound you'll need to sample one note and than use that. The story goes that's what Beltram did, using an alpha juno sample on his ensoniq sampler.
To fully use this synth, you can connect it to the controler PG800, but it's rare and expensive. There is a cheaper option with an iPad, a midi interface for iPad, and a very low Price app iPG800. Turn on the midi system exclusive on the AlphaJ, open the app and select the interface dedicated to AlphaJ. Then you get a very complexe enveloppe, LFO, oscillator tuning ect ... Every sound preset modifies the settings of your virtual controler ipg800, so it's better than a physical pg800 ;-}
The best sound in Dance music
Can you make a video about the development of the square wave kick or nu style hardcore. Like neophyte one of these days.
(Edited) I remember I sold mine 5 years ago because I thought the sound paled next to the Waldorf Q that I still have and couldn’t justify having it.
I kinda regret it now, if only because I could sell it by twice the price already XD
and watching this triggers my interest on it again anyway ^_^
Cute piece of gear anyways. Lovely memories in your video, I kinda remember seeing “Thunder” compilation CDs in a local record store in Spain in the late 90s... I’m sure I know that logo form before...
(Edit)By the way Boss chorus pedals (eg Waza CE-2) can REALLY take any decent synth really close to the Juno territory.
Yeah those cd's where all over Europe in early to mid 90s. I've heard from someone who worked for the record company that owned the rights that it made massive amounts of money.
@@Estuera Wow, thanks for sharing. It was one of those things that stuck in my mind for years, wishing I had bought one to hear what they were about. But with time I started to think I made it up!
Checking out for magazines and CDs, sweet memories.
I really enjoyed the video :)
Wasn't there a hoover preset?
Edit: Ohhh you created the patch manually first! Awesome
I love my AJ2!