In the early 1980s, the synthesizer world was a bit of a wild west. You had these massive, temperamental analog beasts that sounded incredible but were a total pain to deal with. They’d drift out of tune just from a change in temperature, and if you wanted to save a sound, you pretty much had to write down all the knob positions on a piece of paper. Then along came the Roland Juno-6.
The Juno-6 wasn't the biggest or baddest synth, but it was a game-changer for a very simple reason: its digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs). This meant it stayed in tune, which was a huge deal for live performance. It had a gorgeous, lush sound, especially with its famous built-in chorus effect that could make a single oscillator sound fat and massive. And while it didn't have a patch memory like its successor, the Juno-60, its all-slider interface was so intuitive and immediate that you didn't really need one. You could get the sound you wanted in seconds.
Because of this killer combination of great sound, reliability, and ease of use, the Juno-6 and its siblings became a staple for a ton of artists. You hear that classic Juno sound all over 80s pop. While its successors like the Juno-60 and Juno-106 are often cited for some of the biggest hits, the Juno-6 laid the groundwork. Bands like The Cure famously toured with the Juno-60, and its sound is all over their albums. A-ha's "Take on Me" features that signature bright, arpeggiated synth sound that’s pure Juno. Eurythmics used the Juno on "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," and you can hear its fat, rich character on so many of their tracks. George Michael was a big fan, reportedly using it for every part on "A Different Corner."
But the Juno's legacy isn't just in 80s pop. It's had a long life in electronic music, from the early days of Chicago house with artists like Fingers Inc. (Larry Heard) to modern indie acts. The Cure, Billy Idol, Berlin, and Enya all used the Juno to craft their distinct sounds. In more recent years, artists like Tyler, the Creator, and Disclosure have brought the Juno back into the spotlight, proving that its warm, analog goodness is just as relevant today as it was over forty years ago. The Juno-6 might have been the starting point, but its simple, perfect design created a sound that’s been a part of music history for decades.