Juno-106 or Alesis Ion?

[Divyx]

Any1 has both? Which one would you choose and why?
I'm not interested in sequencing capabilites, atleast much.
I'm asking cause i'm getting either one.

[elektro80]

These are two wildly different beasts.

IMO, the only thing the Juno 106 is really good at is sounding like a Juno 106. If that is what you want and you can live with that, then by all means buy one. If one of your favorite artists have been known to own a Juno 106 then perhaps it is cool to get one for sentimental reasons.

I´m not really saying the 106 is all bad, but it kinda does what it does and either you need that exact sound or you don´t.

The Alesis Ion is absolutely OK. It is pretty versatile and it generally sounds pretty fab. The interface is however not as accessible compared to the Juno 106 ( gross understatement ).

However, if you for some reason like the 106 and also the Ion, then consider a combo consisting of the Roland SH 201 and the Alesis Micron. Or you could look into the Korg Radias? Don´t buy that Radias keyboard.. get a decent 76 key controller instead.

[rh2y]

I'm not 100% certain, but I think Alesis may have discontinued the Ion. It doesn't appear on the Alesis US website anymore, nor do the QS series. Just the Andromeda (yay!), the Fusion, and the Micron.

In fact, the Ion is now listed under "legacy products".

I don't know if that helps your decision, or just muddies the water. I'm sure some dealers probably still have new ones in stock.

I don't own a 106 or an Ion, but I have heard some fairly impressive Ion demos on the web. [/img][/left]

[elektro80]

It is discontinued.. yes..

[elhardt]

I don't know why this isn't being answered correctly. The Juno-106 is a limited bland synth that is for those who don't want to explore any interesting sonic territory or create new or interesting sounds and their music usually reflects that too. People who buy it are of the same simpleton mindset as those who buy an SH-101. If you want an advanced architecture with lots of filter types, modular-like modulation matrix, multiple oscs, multi-timbral, expressive performance controls, and want the potential to do interesting things, then the Ion runs circles around the Juno.

If the Ion is discontinued, you can always buy a used one. After all, the Juno-106 has long been discontinued.

[v-un-v]

[elektro80]

[elektro80]

I forgot about the studio orgone. That factor must not be underestimated.
Discussing these issues rationally is hard.

It is completely possible to make great recording with inexpensive decent microphones and cheap preamps. OK.. but in order to build some cred you simply have to blow silly sums on high end boutique gear. Some of the expensive stuff is excellent, but in most cases a cheaper mic and preamp will get you there if you understand room issues and pay some attention to the gain chain and the mic placement. Often it even helps some if the player can handle his instrument without taking out an eye or setting fire to the building.

The 106, 101 and the rest of the sad 80s stuff are no longer inexpensive. They have become studio orgone. Get a Waldorf Blofeld instead and use the rest of the money for a really decent 76 key synth action controller with afterouch. You might even have some money left for paying the rent. Then.. later.. when the ION can be had for a pint and a kiss .. strike!

[elektro80]

[sunny pedaal]

why does this topic appear on the a6 site, bit confusing, probably a software mistake, could it be brought back to the appropriate place please?

[v-un-v]

[elektro80]

[elektro80]

Anyways, I had one of those YAWMs just now.

I just ordered an Alesis ION. Alesis is dumping the remaining stock and the ION is now disgustingly cheap. Actually, some sell the Micro Korg for more than the ION is going for over here.

I know the ION fairly well already. The only bad thing I can say about it is that the keyboard action is on the slightly tacky side of OK, but I´ve always been pretty anal about the keyboard feel.. so.. please ignore that comment..

[kvnvk]

at various times I've owned both a Juno 60 and Alesis Micron. the Juno was o.k. for what it was, but as mentioned, fairly basic. the Micron too sounded good but was a pain to edit, so at this point I own neither. if given a choice I'd definitely take an Ion over a 106.

[soundwave106]

The Juno 106 from my perspective is one of the best beginner synths around. It is very easy to edit and it sounds really good. Having said, it has one or two sounds and not much more. That is why I don't own it anymore. Nonetheless, there are some sounds the Juno 106 did that are fairly unique -- notably any sound that uses the chorus (it's a noisy but nice BBD type), plus the piercing resonance of this and some of the other budget Rolands is about the most up front out there. That's a lot of space for the sound though, and I actually think softsynths may come close enough to some of the textures these days.

I tried to like the Alesis Micron, and ended up not really using it much. I have an Alesis Andromeda and there really was too much overlap where the Alesis Andromeda creamed the Micron sound. Plus, the editing was painful. It's a good VA in a pinch though.

[Divyx]

Hi folks. =)
Thanks a lot for sharing your views, now i know i wouldn't had been happy with 106. Luckily though the 106 was sold before i got my hands on it.

However, the guy who was selling it seems to have some stuff left, cause he mentioned he is selling JX-10 with PG800 and i now reserved it to myself.

I'm in horrible situation though, in order to get one i'd need to sell my last remaining piece of digital world ( Fantom-XR rack ). Price from Jx-10 and PG-800 is steep i think, almost 800 euros. :/

All the day i keep thinking if it's worth it or not since i don't have any hands on experience from that thingy.... lol...

Any1 here owns or owned JX-10 /w pg800?

Br: Divyx

[elektro80]

You are selling decent synths like the Fantom-XR in order to buy stuff like Junos and JVs? Why?

[Divyx]

Good question.
It's because andro turned me into analog gear junkie. I'm almost only interested in analog/hybrid synths anymore...
Fantom-XR has a lot of potential but roland didn't think it's usability through too good.
It has alot, and a lot of really nasty problems, not to mention that most sounds are poo ( specially its pianos ) minus its orchesteral things for which it is pretty awesome thing.

I like to use stuff that not many people uses. Usually you see clavias, korg tritons and fantoms on gigs.

I've used andro on 4 gig now, so i only started to carry it on with me 2 weeks ago. It's blown sound techs ears away, it feels great when people say how good sounds you have. Awesome synth.

Anyway, i can't help that i'm addicted to those oldies and new analogs too.
That's the reason. =P

[v-un-v]

106 or Ion? Well now it's time to make your minds up!;

Axel F

[ar2jr]

I would not go for that JX over the Juno 106 or 60 ... no way in hell man. I would get rid of the Fantom for an analog but not the JX. I've always really liked the 106. Not as much as the 60 (it just really does sound nicer and warmer) but it is a killer synth that simply sounds good. The SH 201 is downright insulting considering the history Roland left behind. The SH101 and the 106, as well as anything from that era of Roland make that thing look like a plastic (tonally and physically) piece of shit that it is. Like I say, downright offensive.

And for the record... there is nothing simple about the 106 or the 101. It's as simple as the way you approach it. Don't expect a modular (unless you want to go to town on modifying the 101) and you're fine. If you are looking for raw sound, these are excellent and still used sources. They are also a lot of fun to use and are the kind of pieces that very quickly generate recordable results (this is a subjective term but I feel people get the sense of what I am talking about considering the context).

As for the Ion, I was always a fan of the board and I had an Andromeda for a long time. There was just something cool about the Ion, had a very different sound. It's a shame it didn't take off as well as it should have. For the price the deal was incredible. I would pick one up if I had the chance.

Anyways, different strokes for different folks...

-matia

[elektro80]

I can only say that the Ion was a smart choice for me. It´s excellent. Too bad I didn´t have it way back in 81.