Packrat's Juno-106

Playlist:

Packrat's Juno-106 - Part 1 Published on Mar 27, 2013

"I don't normally do repairs for others, but this is a very special case: In this playlist I service and recondition the actual Juno-106 that was the inspiration for one of my fave Packrat comic strips by the infamous artist David C. Lovelace of UMOP dot COM fame.

Don't worry. This is the only time on the Syntegrator channel that I will read a comic out loud to you complete with character voices. That said, it's nice to know those two years I spent at acting school in my youth finally came in handy for something... ;-)"

Packrat's Juno-106 - Part 2 Published on Mar 27, 2013
"A quick once-over of this fairly pristine unit. The reverence shown by Packrat to his 'True Love' definitely applied to the real synthesizer behind the comic strip!"

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Roland Juno-106 Mounting & Changing Voice Chips

Juno-106 - Series 4, Part 4

Published on Oct 3, 2012 by Syntegrator

"This video is all about sourcing the parts (with part numbers and vendors) to recondition a Juno-106 to the same standards as mine. I show the voice chip socket/pin parts that I have finally decided on, and then show a good affordable CPU board battery clip (good for other synths too) and finally show the IEC power receptacle I am using to rid my old synths of their lamp cords, pig tails and 2-Prong Roland cables."

See this post for the Juno-106 Voice Chip Repair Video.

Update:

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BT's Kiwi-106

Published on Sep 27, 2014 Syntegrator
Introduction Re-Published on Sep 30, 2014

"This latest Kiwi-106 upgrade playlist features an intro video from grammy nominated artist BT who has an amazing story to tell!"

Great story.

BT's Kiwi-106: Part 2

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Juno Blues - Restoring Roland Juno-106 Blue Buttons

Juno's Blues - p1.m2ts

YouTube Published on Jun 10, 2012 by Syntegrator

"A comment came in explaining that Acetone will restore the original blue of Juno-106 program selector button caps: In this video playlist we see if this is true or not!"

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ROLAND JUNO 106 : VOICE CHIP ISSUES & How to Test

Published on Mar 11, 2016 EXPLORING AUDIO

"The Roland Juno 106 was released in February of 1984 and has become a legendary instrument in the history of synthesizers. However, it’s also well known for being somewhat tempermental.

The most common problem with Juno 106’s is the voice chips suddenly dying. The chips were just not meant to be used for 30+ years. Apparently, the coating that Roland used on these chips will begin to conduct electricity and this causes issues the voice chips. Removing this coating will fix this issue and extend the lifespan of the chips! This doesn’t work in all cases and I strongly recommend doing outside research before opening your Juno up but it does seem to fix the issue the majority of the time.

I strongly recommend watching Syntegrator’s Juno 106 videos [posted here]. Most of this video is heavily based on the information he presents there and before you ever open a Juno, check out his stuff first!"

KIWI-106 Upgrade for the Roland Juno-106 Now Available

via Kiwitechnics

"It's been a long two years to keep things quiet, but it's time for Kiwitechnics and Psicraft Designs to let everyone in on the big big secret: Kiwi-106 is now shipping! Guided by such gear luminaries as Dave Lovelace (the creator/author of Keyboard magazine's Packrat comic) and the YouTube channel Juno-106 expert Syntegrator, Kiwitechnics and Psicraft have brought this beloved synth classic out of the 80s and put it where it belongs: The heart of your 21st century studio. An expanded synthesis architecture with dual envelopes and multi-waveform LFOs is only the tip of the creative possibilities that any Juno-106 can now possess. Comprehensive routing of controls, high resolution parameters, and eight groups of 64 patches expand the Juno-106's synthesis capability many times over, but this we're not done yet. Add in a six voice polyphonic 124 step sequencer and a pattern generator to the mix and Juno-106 becomes a new class of instrument. Now design and implement a totally modern MIDI implementation suited for modern stage and studios and provide a free Vyzex professional instrument Mac/Windows editor/librarian along with the price of admission and what do you have? Modern Brains and Vintage Brawn, baby. The Kiwi-106!"

"The Kiwi106 Upgrade features:-
•512 Patches can be stored and edited. 128 Factory Patches are preloaded
•Patches are stored in Flash memory so no battery is required.
•Bend Controls (DCO, VCF Bend, LFO Mod Level & Portamento) are stored with the Patch
•MidiCC & Sysex support for all parameters and Midi Sysex support for Patch Dump & Load
•NRPN & Sysex variable parameter control supports 12 bit for 4096 parameter steps
•Patch Editor Control of Parameters (PE firmware v5.2 or higher). Free PC/MAC editor is available from Kiwi-106.com
•Key Assign Modes are Poly I&II, Unison Legato & Staccato, Mono Legato & Staccato
•Pedal & Front Panel Button Note Hold modes
•Portamento in Unison, Arp & Chord modes
•DCO Key Assign Detune available in all key modes except mono
•Internal Clock that can be used to clock the Arp, Sequence and/or Pattern and can optionally generate a midi clock
•Two independent envelope generators. Each ENV Mod can select from ENV 1 or 2 and be Inverted or Normal
•Two independent Low Frequency Oscillators with 6 waveforms each. LFO2 random2 wave can be clocked from the Internal clock. Each LFO Mod can select from LFO 1 or 2. LFOs can be plus and minus base note or plus base note only. Each LFO Mod can be inverted.
•Aftertouch, Modulation Level and Dynamics via midi. Dynamics can optionally control the VCA and/or VCF. The Dynamics have been modeled on the Juno-2 with both the VCF & VCA mod turned on by default for a more natural and expressive play. This brings new life to every patch in the Kiwi-106.
•Arp/Seq/Pattern Clocks can optionally display on the KeyT LED and LFO 1 and LFO 2 clocks can optionally display on the Group lights
•Key transpose allows transposition to any key with a range of plus 2 or minus 1 octaves. Sequencer key can be shifted while playing
•Compatible midiCC control set for all Kiwitechnics products
•Comes with metal LabelCHORD MODE
•Any chord with up to 6 notes can be set and played from any keyARPEGGIATOR
•The Arpeggiator can be independently clocked from the Internal or External Clocks, LFO2, Pattern Output or midi clock divided by 3,4,6,9,12,18,24,36,48,72,96,128,144,168 or 192.
•Arp modes are Up, Down, Up and Down, Random, 0 to 3 octaves
•Arp can be Started, Stopped & Continued using Midi Commands
•Arp state is saved with a Patch. This allows the Arp to play automatically when a Patch is loaded
•Appeggiator will Output Midi DataSEQUENCER
•8 separate 124 Max step Polyphonic sequences can be created and stored
•Sequences can be edited
•Sequencer can be Started, Stopped & Continued using Midi Commands
•The Sequencer can be independently clocked from the Internal or External clocks, LFO2, Pattern output or midi clock divided by 3,4,6,9,12,18,24,36,48,72,96,128,144,168 or 192.
•Sequence state is saved with a Patch. This allows the Sequencer to load and play automatically when a Patch is loaded
•Sequencer will Output Midi Data and can have an independent midi channelPATTERN GENERATOR
•8 Pattern Generator patterns can be saved and edited. The pattern can be any length between 2 and 16 steps
•The Pattern Generator can be independently clocked from the Internal or External clocks, LFO2 or midi clock divided by 3,4,6,9,12,18,24,36,48,72,96,128,144,168 or 192.
•Pattern Generator can be Started, Stopped & Continued using Midi Commands
•Pattern Effect can be faded from no effect to full effect.
•Pattern state is saved with a Patch. This allows the Pattern Generator to load and play automatically when a Patch is loadedEDITOR
•A comprehensive editor (PC & Mac) is supplied with the upgrade and can be downloaded here. This has been developed by Psicraft under the Vyzex brand

Sonic Mayhem's Kiwi-106

Published on Jan 12, 2015 Syntegrator

"If you've played Tron Evolution, Dead Rising 3, Mass Effect 3 or even Quake 3 Arena, then you've already heard Sonic Mayhem's work in the gaming industry: In this new playlist I take a fairly beaten up Juno-106 belonging to Sonic Mayhem himself and give it the old Syntegrator transmogrification into an 'as-new' Kiwi-106 with custom hardwood chassis and black Jupiter style overlays from SynthGraphics!"

BT's Kiwi 106 - Part 5 (Sonic Mayhem Part 2)

Published on Jan 15, 2015

"Analogue Renaissance have just announced a new generation of their Juno-106 filter chip replacement, and fortunately for BT and Sonic Mayhem, I happen to have been sent three of the first sets to leave the factory- One's for BT, one's for Sonic Mayhem, and one's for showing at the NAMM show next week!"

Sonic Mayhem's Kiwi-106: Part 3 - The Panel Board

Published on Feb 1, 2015

"A detailed coverage of the rebuild process for Sonic Mayhem's Juno-106 panel board: Tact switches, LEDs and Sliders are all subject to removal and replacement with new parts."

BT's Kiwi-106: Part 7 (Sonic Mayhem Part 4) - Pre-NAMM All Nighter

Published on Feb 3, 2015 Syntegrator

"Usually I sleep a few hours the night before flying down to Anaheim to exhibit at the Winter NAMM show, but this year I had KIWI synthesizers to finish building for our booth! Both BT and Sonic Mayhem's rebuilt KIWI-106 units have their panel boards completed, and we also have a quick look at the completely remanufactured KIWI-3P that we'll be taking to the show."

Kiwi-106 Upgrade Process - Part 1

Published on Jan 16, 2014 Syntegrator·360 videos

"This is the process to take a Juno-106 into the 21st Century with the Kiwi-106 Upgrade. In this video (part 1) I put in the Kiwi-106 CPU board and pull the Juno's voice board for upgrading in part 2..."

Kiwi 106 Upgrade Process, Part 2

Published on Jan 16, 2014

"The details of de-soldering the original Juno-106 voice assigner chip, soldering in the Kiwi-106 interface sockets, mounting said interface board into the sockets, soldering the voice assigner chip into the swap-back board, installing the upgraded voice board into the Juno-106 and finally performing the optional LED brightness modification. Feel free to skim this one - It's certainly no action movie... ;-)"

Roland Juno-106 Keyboard Synthesizer with Kiwi Upgrade - Custom Syntegrator Build 524772

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction


"Roland Juno-106 Keyboard Synthesizer with Kiwi Upgrade.
Mint Condition.
This special Kiwi 106 was built by Syntegrator, the author of all the Kiwi upgrades pc and mac editors.
It has Jupiter style Kiwi 106 graphics and custom wood ends and front (under keys).
You can download the editors and manual from Syntegrator's Kiwi-106 website.
The Kiwi 106 has many upgrades including 8 patch banks instead of the original 2.
This unit is wired for US 120 volts. Power cord included."

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Roland Juno 106 Synth w/ KIWI Upgrade, Custom Graphics, & Metal Side Panels

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This Juno has been rebuilt from the chassis up. Includes all new voice chips, custom LED upgrade, LED mod wheels, updated power supply and chord, Jupiter graphics overlay, custom designed metal cheeks, new gasket overlay to protect sliders and pots, replaced pots and sliders where needed and latest KIWI software update. Rebuilt by Syntegrator. This Juno has been played less than 5 times since its rebuild. It's in immaculate condition and extremely unique. It's a perfect addition to any vintage synthesizer collection."

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Juno 106 Faders: New Old Stock!

Published on Mar 19, 2014 Syntegrator·370 videos

"In past videos I have shared part numbers and sources for replacing your Juno-106 tact switches, battery clip, power entry module and the sockets and pins I use in my rebuilding process. In this video I share a rare find: A source for NOS (New Old Stock) Juno-106 faders."

SynthGraphics Overlay Installation Secrets

Published on Jul 3, 2014 Syntegrator

"In an earlier video I demonstrated the installation of a Kiwi-106 front panel overlay by SynthGraphics using the supplied instructions. In this video I share the technique I have refined for a hassle-free overlay installation during my synthesizer rebuilding process.

Also, stock Juno-106 owners take note: In this video I share a first look at SynthGraphics' new Juno-106 front panel overlay, which is a must have if your classic machine's front panel hasn't weathered the last 30 years as well as you'd like. At the same low price as the Kiwi-106 front panel overlay, the Juno-106 front panel overlay a great option for a quick and effective panel restoration. Score another hit for SynthGraphics!"

Kiwi-106: Sound Demo 1

"A compilation of the demonstration performances by Syntegrator and David C. Lovelace. If it's wicked shredding, it's Dave, if it's simple notes held on or a particularly evil 8th note bassline, it's the Kiwi-106 Sequencer as programmed by Syntegrator.

The patches played are from the Syntegrator Sound Set, soon to be posted to kiwi-106.com."

See this post for the complete video series on The Packrat's Juno-106.

Packrat's Patches: The Conversion

Published on Jan 23, 2014 Syntegrator·362 videos

"Recorded in the final hour before I packed up the gear for the 2014 NAMM show, here is the conversion process for getting Juno-106 patches into the Kiwi-106 format."

You can watch all parts of the service performed on Dave's Juno-106 here.

Update: and apparently this is now a NAMM post. :)

Namm 2014 Part 1 1

Published on Jan 23, 2014 Syntegrator·363 videos

BTW, the series of videos linked above is as extensive as it gets for synth repair. Highly recommended if you are interested in what goes into keeping our vintage synths alive.

BT's Kiwi-106: Part 8B - 8D

BT's Kiwi-106: Part 8B (Calibration - iOS Tuner Apps)

Published on Feb 8, 2015 Syntegrator

"In this part of the calibration I show some of the best iOS tuner, oscilloscope and frequency counter apps I found that work with the microphone input. Then I try them all out to see if they work as calibration tools."

BT's Kiwi-106: Part 8C (VCF Resonance - VCA Gain)

Published on Feb 8, 2015

"Featuring my new 'Syntegrator Calibrator' device, here are more calibration steps as I proceed towards performing the Super 12-Tone Calibration in the next video."

BT's Kiwi-106: Part 8D (Super 12-Tone Calibration!)

Published on Feb 9, 2015

"In this video I explain my 'Super 12-Tone Calibration' technique to get perfect 12-tone filter tuning in A-440 on any Kiwi-106 equipped Juno-106. Share and Enjoy guys..."

All parts here.

Answers to Questions 1 - Juno 106 Module Board Test Points

Published on Jul 13, 2014 Syntegrator

"I was asked via private message a question concerning early model Juno-106 module boards - These are missing test points 14-19 as shown in my calibration videos. This video covers the specifics of the early revision module board and explains how to find the equivalent test points on the appropriate trimmer controls."

Packrat's Juno 106 - Part 27

Syntegrator·356 videos Published on Aug 27, 2013

"Now that Dave's Juno-106 has been completely rebuilt, let's give it a calibration to finish the game! Here's the first of three parts that document the process... although you might need a drink or two to get through them all... ;-)"

All parts here.

Packrat's Juno 106 - Part 29

Published on Aug 28, 2013 Syntegrator·358 videos

"In this video I complete the calibration of Dave's completely reconditioned and repaired Juno-106. Is this the end of the playlist? We'll have to wait and see... ;-)"

All parts here.

http://umop.com

Kiwi-106 Version 2: Sneak Peek #1 (HD)

Published on Dec 4, 2014 Syntegrator

"I am now working on clearing the Kiwi-106 Version 2 firmware and editor for release, and preliminary results are looking and sounding very cool! Here I check out the sonic potentials of the new LFO Tempo Sync capabilities of V2.

For anyone new to Kiwi-106, it's a complete hardware upgrade for the Roland Juno-106 that remakes it into a modern instrument that unlocks the potential of the classic analog Juno-106 sound engine.

Check out http://kiwitechnics.com and http://kiwi-106 for ordering and product information. V2 is going to be a free upgrade for all V1 users, of course!"

Answers To Questions 2: Juno-106 Panel Board Installation Secrets

Published on Jul 18, 2014 Syntegrator

"I was asked via private message to demonstrate how I install the Juno-106 module board to ensure all the buttons, faders and LEDs line up properly. Whether it's a Kiwi-106, an original metal panel or one with a SynthGraphics overlay, the tricks and techniques remain the same. This video details my approach in and covers all the relevant bases as I demonstrate the process."