Roland Juno-60 - MIDI problem

[XOXO]

Hello everyone,

I just got a JUNO-60 off eBay. It is in pretty good shape, everything works fine so far, the only thing I can't get to work properly is the MIDI system that at some point was installed into the JUNO.

MIDI-IN seems to work. I can trigger the JUNO via an external keyboard or drum computer. MIDI-OUT however does not prompt any reaction.

I have no clue what kind MIDI system was built into the synth, neither does the person I bought it from.

I know that some MIDI systems for the JUNO are pretty basic (note on and off), but I should be able to use the JUNO as a MASTER keyboard, right?

I'm especially looking for a way to control the Arpeggiator via an external clock, e.g. synch it to a drum computer.

Any suggestions? Photo of the MIDI system is attached.

Thanks a lot in advance!

[XOXO]

Here's the attachment.

[nms]

Congrats on the juno. You could always pop it open to check that the midi out is connected.

If you really want to get that thing rocking grab the new Minerva mod kit coming out in march. Midi control over every slider, extra LFOs, arp sync, 80 memory slots etc.

[XOXO]

Hey, thanks a lot for the reply!

Minerva seems really nice from what I've read so far. I'll Definitely keep it in mind.

I just wanted to find out if the MIDI system of the JUNO is working or not because it was part of the deal. Otherwise I'll complain with the seller.

I was thinking that it might have to do with the red push button, as in the Kenton retrofit. But following the Kenton instructions doesn't work either.

I just opened the Juno. Everything seems to be connected fine.

I'm going to take some pictures of the insides tomorrow and post them. Maybe someone can identify the MIDI system.

[XOXO]

Here are two (bad quality) pics of the JUNO's inside and its MIDI interface. Anyone able to identify the interface system?

[gdh]

Originally Posted by nms

Congrats on the juno. You could always pop it open to check that the midi out is connected.

If you really want to get that thing rocking grab the new Minerva mod kit coming out in march. Midi control over every slider, extra LFOs, arp sync, 80 memory slots etc.

I have just traded for a Juno 60, what is the Minerva mod kit as it sounds very interesting.

[nms]

If you don't have it midi'd already it's a no brainer. It's made by the same developer that did the best mod kit ever made for the Jupiter 4 (Io kit). He mentioned the mod also adds 4 (sine,sq,saw up, saw down) LFO waveform shapes which is wicked since normally the ju60 has only sine. Mono mode is a sweet addition too.


Minerva:

• MIDI control for all the sliders, switches and the keyboard back and forth
• Memory upgrade to 80 programs
• Pitch bend and Arpeggio Clock under MIDI control
• Assignable extra LFO and an extra mono ADSR for the filter
• Mono mode, Unison mode
• MIDI Program Change, SysEx dump for the programs
• Internal retrofit, no drilling installation,

Available from March for 129 EUR. http://www.midipolis.blogspot.com

[|-|]

Your internal kit is most likely receive only.

The Juno-60's DCB option does actually send AND receive data, but a lot of 'converters' send data to the DCB port, and don't receive.

Most companies assume your going to be sending midi only, and not the other way around.

The only way of sending midi info from the Juno 6 or 60 is the Roland MD-8 which I can confirm goes both ways as I used to have one.

The out port is probably acting as a pass through of the in port, so you can put the Juno in a chain. I doubt any info is being added to your stream.

BTW that Minerva mod looks stunning! Day 1 purchase for me even though I'm currently using a Pro-2000 for midi>DCB already.

[|-|]

Originally Posted by XOXO

I'm especially looking for a way to control the Arpeggiator via an external clock, e.g. synch it to a drum computer.

Any trigger output from a drum computer, can act as a clock. Just place them on a 16 step sequencer in sequence to how fast/slow you want a clock to trigger the arp.

Example:

TR-606/808/909 all have trigger outputs.

Send 1, 5, 9, 13 on a 16 step sequence to one of the trigger outputs on any of those direct to the Arp input on the Juno and it will follow perfectly.

To double up your Arp speed, send 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 and your Arp is x2

To half your speed only do 1 and 9 etc...

[XOXO]

Hey, thanks for the lowdown on triggering the Juno! Really appreciated. I only have an ALESIS HR-16 here, and tried it with that. I isolated a loud rimshot sequence. It works somehow but not quit the way intended. The Juno seems to miss some notes (even though they're all the same volume) which makes for some nice Arpeggio patterns. Maybe the HR-16's signal is not loud enough and must be amplified somehow. Anyways, I'm planning to get a 707, so that should work smoothly.

"Your internal kit is most likely receive only."

Hmm, but why then the extra OUT port if there is a THRU (which works, btw). I just checked, the OUT port doesn't function as THRU not an extra IN. And why the push button, that should be of some use, shouldn't it?

[XOXO]

Better pics!

[XOXO]

For what it's worth, pic with info on the connections.

[OHM GHOST]

Could it be the button toggles between receive or send...not both simultaneously?
I also trigger my 60's arp from a rimshot sample,reamped through my mixer...works fine.

[|-|]

Originally Posted by XOXO

Hey, thanks for the lowdown on triggering the Juno! Really appreciated. I only have an ALESIS HR-16 here, and tried it with that. I isolated a loud rimshot sequence. It works somehow but not quit the way intended. The Juno seems to miss some notes (even though they're all the same volume) which makes for some nice Arpeggio patterns. Maybe the HR-16's signal is not loud enough and must be amplified somehow. Anyways, I'm planning to get a 707, so that should work smoothly.

I don't know the exact technical specs of a trigger unfortunately. I do know that any X0X box will trigger the Arp extremely reliably. I can't ever recall having a dropped note through triggering.

Originally Posted by XOXO

"Your internal kit is most likely receive only."

Hmm, but why then the extra OUT port if there is a THRU (which works, btw). I just checked, the OUT port doesn't function as THRU not an extra IN. And why the push button, that should be of some use, shouldn't it?

I'm not sure why they added the IN/OUT/THRU but my guess is that maybe it was planned but wasn't implemented. Or possibly the kit doubled up for other vintage synths that may have had that capability? I really don't know, but I'd going to say I highly doubt it's going to send it's notes also.

As for the red push button, that will be a programmer button. This will allow you to set the midi channel of the kit. How that specific kit functions is beyond me, but that's always what the red buttons are for.

If it's working now, I wouldn't mess with programming. Unless you have the kit's manual, your probably going to do a lot more harm than good.

[gdh]

Originally Posted by nms

If you don't have it midi'd already it's a no brainer. It's made by the same developer that did the best mod kit ever made for the Jupiter 4 (Io kit). He mentioned the mod also adds 4 (sine,sq,saw up, saw down) LFO waveform shapes which is wicked since normally the ju60 has only sine. Mono mode is a sweet addition too.


Minerva:

• MIDI control for all the sliders, switches and the keyboard back and forth
• Memory upgrade to 80 programs
• Pitch bend and Arpeggio Clock under MIDI control
• Assignable extra LFO and an extra mono ADSR for the filter
• Mono mode, Unison mode
• MIDI Program Change, SysEx dump for the programs
• Internal retrofit, no drilling installation,

Available from March for 129 EUR. http://www.midipolis.blogspot.com

thank-you, I just emailed him. Are you buying one? the Juno should be arriving in a few weeks and would like to midi it to my P08 as they should complement each other nicely. I owned a JP8 for 20 yrs, sold it a few yrs ago and thought I'd try the Juno just for that vintage Roland character. Don't have any desire for another JP8. The sequencer is coming with it as well so I should have some fun with it. The other one I've seen recommended for the Juno is: http://www.chd-el.cz/index.php?id=422

[gdh]

Just rec'd this from Lazlow re: Minerva
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The good news: development is 90% done so I can tell you a quite complete specification for Minerva.
This is an internal retrofit but non-destructing. You or your tech man have to solder a special add-on socket to one of the Juno board.
The Minerva is plugged into this socket. When the board is plugged Minerva is in action and when no board in the socket the original Roland CPU is working. The installation of the special socket involves precision soldering but otherwise the installation is easy and straightforward.
The MIDI sockets placed on a plate which is a direct replacement for the original plate with the DCB sockets.
So no need to drill the chassis and the original DCB sockets are not harmed either.
Minerva adds full MIDI on the keyboard, sliders and switches back and forth, also MIDI Program Change.
Pitch bend is under MIDI control as well and Arpeggio Clock can be synced to MIDI Clock.
The program memory is upgraded to 80 patches from the original 56.
There is an extra LFO with high speed option for audio modulation, 5 basic waveforms (triangle, square, saw, reverse saw, random) and is also can be triggered like en envelope and can be synced to MIDI clock. The extra LFO can be assigned to pitch bend, VCF, VCA, PWM, noise level, sub level, resonance.
An other extra mono ADSR is included for filter modulation.
First two Minerva prototypes are tested recently and release is expected in March.
Price will be 129 EUR plus 10 EUR for shipping. Everything included in the kit and I am writing a detailed installation guide with photos.
I give premium customer support including online assistance, service tips and customization on demand.
Minerva firmware can be upgraded via MIDI, feedbacks and suggestions are welcome.

[waveterm]

Looks like a Groove Midi kit to me.

WT

[minime123]

wow, this new retrofit sounds great. im looking forward to trying one out!
that guy needs to work on a new jupiter-8 retrofit next!
mini

[Xero]

Originally Posted by minime123

wow, this new retrofit sounds great. im looking forward to trying one out!
that guy needs to work on a new jupiter-8 retrofit next!
mini

the encore kit is pretty sweet for jp8 but theres definitely a few things that could be improved here and there...