Roland Juno-106 VS Juno-106 Gravitational Slingshot Synthesizer Comparison

On the bottom tier is the wonderful Roland Juno-106 in all its original glory. No mods, no apologies. Going against the upper tier Juno, not only are the Gravitational Slingshot chips installed but also having the Analogue Renaissance waveform chips as well. I'm auditioning the same patches as loaded on both. Are you ready for a showdown? Which one comes out on top?

These patches are available for download at GUMROAD Audio recorded direct to iPhone via Roland GO:Mixer Pro-X via Soundcraft EPM6 Mixer. Aside from some normalization, no additional effects or processing were used.

Be sure to check out my REVERB STORE for gently owned gear and cool Eurorack modules for sale

Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer - That Juno Sound (no talking)

Today I'm auditioning some of my original patches the Roland Juno-106. I just love the 106 for those plucky arps, sweepy portamento pads, classic chorus circuit, weird resonance chops, and not forgetting those basses. The range of sounds inside the simple architecture is littered with sweet spots. I've lovingly crafted a bank of patches to harness these attributes, now these patches are available at Gumroad. Audio recorded direct to iPhone via Roland GO:Mixer Pro-X via Soundcraft EPM6 Mixer. No additional effects or processing were used.

Be sure to check out my cool pre-owned gear and hand-made eurorack modules in my Reverb Store.

Alfa AS3109 VS IR3109N Quick Comparison

Many have commented about my last video why I fool around w/ reclaiming the old chips when Alfa has some remakes on the market. So here's a quick comparison of the Alfa AS3109 remakes vs. IR3109N OTA chips in my 101-VCF tester module. For me the Alfa behaves quite differently with regard to signal clipping and output magnitude. Enough as to not recommend them as a 1-to-1 replacement in vintage synths and the reason I don't use them in my own modules. It's too bad, I enjoy using other kinds of Alfa chips 3320/3340/3350 in other filters and my 101-VCO.

Be sure to check out my cool Eurorack Modules available in my Reverb Store.

Time-Saving Methods of Rescuing IR3109N OTAs from 80017A Wafers

Today I am sharing spilling the beans on my 80017A wafer-stripping and chip reclamation methods. Over time I have developed my own system for improving the speed and success of reclaiming coveted IR3109N SMD OTAs in decent quantities. These OTAs are used in my 101-VCF, JP6-VCF, and JU60-VCF eurorack modules. Even with time-saving measures, I easily spend way more time reclaiming the chips than actually building these modules. And the main reason I call my endeavors a labor of love, it's all for you my friend.

0:00 | Intro
0:31 | The 80017A Wafer Encapsulation
1:52 | My Method for Removing the Black Resin
4:21 | Extracting Chips from the Wafer
6:26 | Mounting the Chip to a DIP ADAPTER

To purchase a 101-VCF, JP6-VCF or JU60-VCF and other cool eurorack modules visit my Reverb Store to check availability.

Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer Troubleshooting/Repair Quiet Voice

Today I'm investigating an issue with a Roland Juno-106. Voice #4 is a lot quieter than the others. And it's not a calibration issue. 99% certain it is NOT the brand new voice chips I put in as seen in a previous video. Troubleshooting will confirm that statement. So what else could it be? Maybe something EVERY 106 owner will want to be pro-active about mitigating?

This video is posted for general information about my experiences. Always observe safety working on electronics, and never tinker around inside power supplies without first unplugging the power cord. De-soldering components on the Juno-106 must be done VERY CAUTIOUSLY to avoid lifting very tiny delicate traces. If you're not sure about anything, there's no shame in taking your instrument to a qualified service technician.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro + Symptoms
0:35 Voice Chip Swap Test
1:06 Looking at the Wave Chip output
1:56 Waveform Chip replacement
2:23 Testing
2:51 Voice Board inspection and Remedy
3:19 Re-testing, did it work?

Be sure to check out my cool eurorack modules in my Reverb Store :D

Roland Juno-106 w/ Gravitational Slingshot Chips Overview + Demo

Today I got a special package from Syntaur, the USA distributor of Analogue Renaissance products. It's a set of six 80017A-GS VCF/VCA replacement upgrade chips for the Roland Juno-106 synthesizer. What's involved to install them? How do they sound? I'll demonstrate - but you be the judge!

0:00 Talking
- What are the Gravitational Slingshots?
- What I did to prepare for installation.
- A word on testing/calibration: it's absolutely required
- A minor caveat about my particular synth.
4:17 Audio Demos
- Listen to this w/ some nice headphones.

Audio recorded direct to Tascam DR-05
No additional effects.

Roland Juno-106 + Eurorack DEMO [Tesla Coil]

The Juno-106 has landed once again in the studio. I put together a little sequence on the BSP. And a warm saturation bassline in Eurorack.

Juno-106 | Timefactor | Big Sky: Arpeggio and swells
2xADSR | 4023 VCF (self resonance): Kick
Synth Box | JP6-VCF | 2xVCA | 106 Chorus module: bass line
Transistor-82 | Spring Tank Reverb | EMW VC Pan: Percussion
Modulations/Triggers: Batumi, Varigate4

Recorded live in 1 shot to Tascam DR-05
Some post processing in Cubase 7.

Feedback 106 Chorus Demo DIY SMD Version X-Vive Eurorack

Here it is. My fully assembled 106 Chorus by Feedback electronics.
I am not affiliated w/ Feedback or this project.
Just here to give a demo.
And to give some 'feedback' from my build of the surface mount version.

How difficult is the SMD version to build from a bare circuit board?
What are some pitfalls on this build?
How does it sound with the re-issue X-Vive chips?

0:00 Opening - Demo w/ Pittsburgh Synth Box PWM
0:30 Talking - MN3009 BBD Chips and X-Vive Re-issues
1:17 Demo w/ M-Audio Venom Polysynth Sawtooth Patch
1:34 More Talking - Building the SMD version
Demos...
2:57 Pittsburgh Synthesizer Box - Square, Saw, Tri
4:24 Synthesis Technology E352 - Wavetable
5:10 Future Retro Transient
5:34 Arturia Drumbrute Impact
6:34 Mutable Instruments Rings
7:50 Venom Polysynth "Super Juvee" Patch

Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.
No other effects.

Ibanez Bi-Mode Chorus Pedal Demo w/ Synthesizers #9 [Roland Juno-1]

In this video I demonstrate the Ibanez Bi-Mode Chorus with a Roland Alpha Juno-1 synthesizer. This is a vintage analog chorus from the 80s that uses Panasonic BBD Chips. It has only one chorus line like most pedals. However it is modulated by two LFOs w/ corresponding width (amount) knobs on each! How does it sound with a synthesizer? You be the judge.