Juno 60 / Dim D / Dim C shootout

[Wolfenstadt]

Here's a tiny comparison of some of Roland's chorus devices! The synth sweep is played on my sweet, sweet Juno-60. I know this is a really limited test, but hopefully some of you will find the clips useful!

DRY
http://soundcloud.com/ulvulv/sweep-juno-dry

JUNO-60 INTERNAL CHORUS
http://soundcloud.com/ulvulv/sweep-juno-internal-chorus

DIMENSION D
http://soundcloud.com/ulvulv/sweep-dimension-d

DIMENSION C
http://soundcloud.com/ulvulv/sweep-dc-2

SBF-325
http://soundcloud.com/ulvulv/sweep-sbf-325

[Mr. Varaldo]

Thank you for the comparison

I actually like the Juno-60 onboard chorus the best out of all these!

[CfNorENa]

I think I like Dimension D setting 4 the best -- but only by the slimmest of margins over setting 2 on the Juno 60. So I'll just stick with the latter for now

Thanks for sharing.

[Wolfenstadt]

Originally Posted by Mr. Varaldo

Thank you for the comparison

I actually like the Juno-60 onboard chorus the best out of all these!

Lol yeah same here - in this application! It is very thick and syrupy, which can be great, or not, depending on the source and the available sonic real estate in the mix. Nothing like it for those ultralush sweeping pads though! Yum!

[check_your_head]

thank you very much for this!
the built-in one is my favourite.

[Xero]

roland def knew what they were doing when they put that chorus on the juno 60...when used right it really is pretty amazing...although i'm always amazed how nice the juno sounds without it when i'm making patches

[itisnick]

Well one thing for sure, you can see and hear a chorus-ed noisefloor breathing on the Juno once the sound decays.

I've never quite understood why recent internet debate over the Juno chorus focuses on Rolands high end, loaded with parts, Dimension D rack unit. That's a subtle, multiple BBD based sound meant as I understand it to widen a stereo image. I would think the goal of the Juno was to compensate for it's single DCO being used when higher end synths used a pair of VCOs. So the chorus I'd think was supposed to add some thickness you'd get with detuned VCOs. I doubt they are a match, but I'd think a fixed low stereo setting on something like the Boss CE3 would make more sense as something closer

oh, fwiw, those wanting a cheap sort of like a Dimension C, the Behringer Chorus Space-C CC300 seems to be an analog low cost approximation. How close or not close it comes of course has to be tempered with the $30 or so retail price.

[Shy]

Enjoy.

[Serpentine]

I liked the Juno-60 chorus the most, but perhaps it's because it is what I'm used to hearing.

If I get time I'll contribute to this thread later on, comparing the Juno-6's chorus to the Juno-6 through an RS-09's chorus/ensemble.

[wakestyle]

cool! thumbsup

[CalvaryBand]

I know it doesn't pertain to the above samples but so far my favorite Roland choruses have been in the RS-202 and the Jupiter 4. I don't know the exact chips used and they might even use the same ones but so far they seem to have the perfect depth to me. I prefer the Juno 60 onboard in this situation and i think it's doing the heaviest modulating, benefiting the Juno immensely (it sounds very thing without it).

The Behringer pedals do sound really nice. The CC300 is extremely subtle, not a decent substitution for onboard chorus. The CD400 is very bright and sparkly sounding; great for arpeggios but not so great for bass. Seemingly high failure rate on the behringers, though...

[flat earth]

Superb post. and a great help as regards to my Dimension D thread. thumbsup

Oddly, from all your examples, the Dimension C, setting 4 was the one for me. (although I listening through crappy netbook speakers at the mo)

[golden beers]

thanks OP!

the dimension D is quite subtle. it does sound like the UAD version.

wonder if someone can post some dimension D vocal examples?.

[Jetty]

Excellent thread.

First to mention J.... or A.... gets shot.

[Justynfromnz]

What a great Post! Thanks! but is the dimension C Clipping? I really like the d setting 2 ... It was a bit subtler than the 60's chorus. They're all bloody good though.

[Arcadia]

For me, Juno onboard chorus sounds best. Then the 2nd example from Dimension D. Great comparison, thanks!

[CfNorENa]

One of the things these clips show is that you don't need to drop a fortune on either a boring and overhyped Jupiter 8 or an ugly and digital-sounding Andromeda to get some great sounds.

[OCDaveWilcox]

Does the 106 have a Dim-D like chorus? I've got one right here. Kinda sounds like the ocean though lol.

[Muser]

It might be possible to monitor the effects live on a Roland VP-9000.
if you can do that, that should be good. they should have a great set of roland FX in those and lots of the different Roland Chorus's including the The D. They are very good too if the V-Synth is anything to go by.

you can do that via the live inputs on a V-Synth but sadly it's not possible to get live through on a Roland VariOS. :/

Some of the Roland Hard Disk recorders have a good bunch of Roland effects in them too. you can also add cards to them. but I'm not sure how many types of FX they have in those.

From what I remember the D was used to widen the sound field in mixes so it left more space for the things in the center of the mix. and to do that without it sounding like the effected sound was obviously chorused.

[Wolfenstadt]

Originally Posted by Muser

It might be possible to monitor the effects live on a Roland VP-9000.
if you can do that, that should be good. they should have a great set of roland FX in those and lots of the different Roland Chorus's including the The D. They are very good too if the V-Synth is anything to go by.

you can do that via the live inputs on a V-Synth but sadly it's not possible to get live through on a Roland VariOS. :/

Some of the Roland Hard Disk recorders have a good bunch of Roland effects in them too. you can also add cards to them. but I'm not sure how many types of FX they have in those.

From what I remember the D was used to widen the sound field in mixes so it left more space for the things in the center of the mix. and to do that without it sounding like the effected sound was obviously chorused.

I wouldn't count on the digital recreations of these to deliver the goods. I have a V-synth now, and used to have a VS-2480 (harddisk recorder). Their built-in effects are good in their own right, but none of them come close to the real deal, IMO.

To whoever pointed out that the Dim C is clipping; yeah, there was some weird clipping noise going on. I think either the output jacks are dirty or the battery was at fault. I don't know really, I will have to check it out.

[Serpentine]

EDIT: Now with combined chorus.
Here is a comparison of the Juno-6's chorus and the RS-09's chorus sounds
Sounds in order:
1. 'Dry' Juno 6
2. Juno 6 chorus I
3. Juno 6 chorus II
4. Juno 6 through RS-09's chorus I
5. Juno 6 through RS-09's chorus II
6. Juno chorus I through RS-09 chorus I
7. Juno chorus II through RS-09 chorus I
8. Juno chorus I + II through RS-09 chorus I
9. Juno chorus I through RS-09 chorus II
10. Juno chorus II through RS-09 chorus II
11. Juno chorus I + II through RS-09 chorus II





http://soundcloud.com/kong-selecta/chorus-comparison-juno-6-and-rs-09-1

[Yoozer]

Can you add just one small snippet to the demo where you enable both the RS-09's chorus and the Juno's chorus?

I should hook my Juno up to the Behringer Dimension D clone pedal that I have, too.

[Serpentine]

Originally Posted by Yoozer

Can you add just one small snippet to the demo where you enable both the RS-09's chorus and the Juno's chorus?

I should hook my Juno up to the Behringer Dimension D clone pedal that I have, too.

Sure thing. Give me half an hour. I've got some stuff to do..

[drosophila]

Damn you all. This thread is making me want to buy a Juno.

[Serpentine]

Originally Posted by Yoozer

Can you add just one small snippet to the demo where you enable both the RS-09's chorus and the Juno's chorus?

Done. See the original post #21

[clusterchord]

well dimension D and chorus are two different effects, and serve different situations. which is quite obvious from the examples.

Juno chorus sounds very um.. chorusey?, and quite an obvious/electronic sounding version of one. i do prefer some other, more natural choruses much more, like CE-2, JX8/10 on-board chorus, or diamond halo etc.

Dimension D in its first example is just phenomenal, if you want widening to stereo field plus subtle thickening, without the obvious effect. second example has more modulation, but again it sounds more organic than typical uniform/predictable chorus like junos. and is also well blended with the source , without taking over.



to the users of JH dimension D... how close is it to the original in sound ?

i know JH always uses some newer BBD chips like TDA in his clone circuits.. which sound very different from the Panasonic/Mitsubishi stuff that Roland used.




what i'd really like to make, with original chips is a clone of ensemble chorus form Synthex. i think that's one of the best ensembles, warmest smoothest and magical at the same time. that and original solina/eminent stuff.

[golden beers]

Here's some UAD plug in tests for you.


UAD DIMENSION D plug on setting 1:
http://soundcloud.com/golden-beers/juno-uad-dimension-d-1

UAD DIMENSION D plug on setting 4:
http://soundcloud.com/golden-beers/juno-uad-dimension-d-4

UAD DIMENSION D plug on setting ALL:
http://soundcloud.com/golden-beers/juno-uad-dimension-d-all4


UAD Roland Chorus Ensemble plug on setting classic, medium intensity:
http://soundcloud.com/golden-beers/juno-uad-ce-1-classic-medium


UAD Roland Chorus Ensemble plug on setting classic, full intensity:
http://soundcloud.com/golden-beers/juno-uad-ce-1-classic-full


UAD Roland Chorus Ensemble plug on setting classic, vibrato, medium depth:
http://soundcloud.com/golden-beers/juno-uad-ce-1-vibrato-medium


it's interesting to note here that i COULD NOT mix down in 'dual mode' only classic, for some buggy reason the thing kept switching back to classic mode. i even tried automating it, which worked fine until export mixdown.

it may be because i was using the automapped version. no idea... i'm on cubase 4.5.2

2 examples of the UAD stock chorus here. very, very powerful. so many settings, 3 different chorus algorithms not to mention all the very chorusy and flangy delays you can get out of it...
http://soundcloud.com/golden-beers/juno-uad-stock-chorus-1

http://soundcloud.com/golden-beers/juno-uad-stock-chorus-2

[Yoozer]

Originally Posted by Serpentine

Done. See the original post #21

Wow. Juno chorus I through RS chorus I is great. Thanks!

[flat earth]

Nice one Golden beers thumbsup

Thanks for posting those examples.

[tonevision]

Originally Posted by flat earth

Nice one Golden beers thumbsup

Thanks for posting those examples.

I agree, but with vsts I can't play live. I only can mix.