Juno G vs. Korg TR61 vs. Yamaha MO6

[william]

I know I am in a Roland forum but I need help deciding.
I could have gone to a Korg or Yamaha forum, but chose to post my question in here instead.

This will be my first keyboard workstation/synth and eventually I will be using the keyboard with music creation software on my PC.

Here is my preference right now and I am still doing research.

1. Juno G
2. TR61
3. MO6

Here is what I know so far.

I know they cost around the same.
Juno G has basic sampling feature and TR61 does not and have to purchase an extra hardware for that.
As far as polyphony goes I think Juno G has more, 128.
MO6 has I think 64.
As for polyphony on the Tr61, I couldn't figure it out.

"Polyphony:
62 voices, 62 oscillators (single mode)
31 voices, 62 oscillators (double mode)"
???

I have been reading throughout this forum and learning a lot.

Thank you all

p.s.
I did play the Juno G at Guitar Center and loved it even though someone messed the adjustments on the screen and I couldn't really see what I was doing.

[Diametro]

I really think you've answered your own question ... now you just need to act on it.

I don't think you're going to find too many people here to sway you away from the Juno-G vs. those other boards.

It comes to do 1) do you prefer the Roland sound and soundset? 2) Do you want the audio recorder?

EDIT: Well, of course, a Fantom X is going to make you MUCH happier ... but I've said it so much I'm starting to forget to now ...

[djchris]

Hi... Well, I've owned all three of 'em. Sounds like your price range is $1000. First, let me suggest looking at the Fantom XA- not the best keys, but it does have pad triggers, which can be huge. Great sound on both the Juno G and XA. I have an X7 in the collection now, but it sounds the same. How important is keybed to you? If it is, save a little and get a used X6. The Juno has very small keys, although they feel pretty good. The Xa has normalish keys, but they're very shallow and plasticky. The TR has absolutely horrible, wobbly keys that feel sharp on the edges, and the MO6 has the worst feeling keys I've ever felt. Great sounds, though, but terrible sequencer implementation. If you don't mind the smallish keys on the Juno, it looks great and is a lot of fun. The XA is a little better IMO, but has quite a cheap keybed. Sound for sound the Roland will win, although the piano on the MO is comparable to the X6 piano which the Xa and Juno don't get. So, play 'em all, and my greatest advice is to stay away from the TR- it's a lot of cheap samples in a cheaper plastic case; when you listen to its sounds dry, it's horrible. The MO sounds great, but is only 64 voices; the piano alone will eat it up with sustain pedal.

Save your duckets and get an X6! My guitar center sells 'em all day for $1500+tax (San Diego) I got my X7 for $1800+tax new in the box... Later

Chris

[calan]

Agree/Disagree.

Personally, roland's sound is very typical, either u like it, or think its over-whelmingly covered by FX.

TR series sounds warm, but dull. u know, like singing without any EQ adjustment.

Motif acoustic sounds feels fantastic. Nice overall "organic" sounding keys. Don'tk now bout its sequencer though, i love the RM1x features. don't know bout motif.

I'd go for Juno anyhow, because its still Roland. I love Roland, and i hope someday Roland pays me.

[calan]

you did mention that you're going to integrate it with your computer.

therefore, what sequencer software you use will ultimately affect your decision as well.

I know the Motif range ( uncertain which model of the motif ) has integration with Cubase softwares. So if you're a cubase head, perhaps motif will sound like a good choice ? Besides, Yamaha now owns steinberg.

I run Cubase 4, and i have a Halion One Bread-butter synth that incorporates wave/samples from the Motif range. think bout it.

Roland runs Sonar i believe ? since every juno comes with a copy of sonar.

[william]

djchris,


$1,500 + tax is not a bad deal. Maybe I'll drive down there.
It is listed for $2000 at guitarcenter.com

[djchris]

Call 'em up at the La Mesa store- ask to speak to Art in keyboards, tell em Chris sent you. He does $1500+tax all day, and a lot of other pretty sick deals.

Chris

[aron]

FWIW, I had the same choices and I chose the Juno-G. I kind of knew what I wanted, but I did try the MM06, MO6 and X-50 just in case. To me, all of them had fairly weak piano sounds, so it became a non-issue for me. What I wanted was a really light keyboard to take to certain gigs.

My main keyboard I use is an S90ES and it does sound great, but it barely fits in my car and it's heavy.

The Juno-G will be used along with an Emu XBoard. It's a great combination for live use and I will be testing it out tonight.

I haven't used Roland synthesizers since the 90's and I'm actually amazed that architecture-wise, the patches and performances are very close to what they were. Fortunately for me this means it was easy to understand.

I think the Juno-G is a very fun keyboard. I'd like a better tweaked acoustic piano sound (I'm working on it), but it's a great, fun keyboard.

Aron