Roland Alpha Juno-1, Alpha Juno-2 & MKS-50
Underrated classics with a futuristic edge

The Roland Alpha Juno-1 and Alpha Juno-2, released in 1985, marked a bold new chapter in Roland’s Juno legacy. A year later, Roland introduced the MKS-50, the rackmount version of the Alpha Juno engine, aimed at studios and MIDI-driven setups.
At first glance, the Alpha Juno series looked like a departure from the beloved Juno-60 and Juno-106. Gone were the rows of sliders—replaced by a single data wheel and a menu-based interface. But under the hood, these synths were ahead of their time.
What makes the Alpha Juno so special?

The Alpha Juno is not just another Juno. Its digitally controlled oscillators feature the famous “saw-pulse” waveform, allowing for continuously morphing shapes that deliver aggressive basses, metallic leads, haunting pads, and—of course—the legendary “Hoover” sound that defined early rave, techno, and hardcore.
Add to that:

• A punchy Roland low-pass filter
• Snappy envelopes
• Solid MIDI implementation
• Built-in chorus with unmistakable character

The result is a synth that sounds clean yet raw, digital yet warm—perfect for techno, electro, synthwave, house, and cinematic textures.

The Alpha Juno-2 adds velocity and aftertouch via its 61-key keyboard, while the MKS-50 delivers the exact same sound engine in a compact rack format—ideal for modern hybrid studios.
Programming made easy: PG-300, Juno Control & BCR-2000
Because menu-diving isn’t everyone’s favorite sport, Roland released the PG-300 programmer, a dedicated hardware controller that brings back hands-on control with real knobs—transforming the Alpha Juno and MKS-50 into true tweak machines.
Today, you also have modern solutions like Juno Control, which lets you edit sounds quickly and visually via software, making sound design intuitive and fun again.
And for MIDI maniacs like us 😉

I’ve created a custom template for the Behringer BCR-2000, allowing it to function just like a PG-300. With this setup, you get affordable, hands-on control over every important parameter—perfect for deep sound design, live tweaking, and studio workflows.

Vintage soul, modern control
Whether you’re after classic Roland vibes, brutal rave basses, or unique digital-analog hybrids, the Alpha Juno-1, Alpha Juno-2, and MKS-50 remain absolute gems. Pair them with the right controller, and they shine brighter than ever.
Welcome to The MIDI Maniac way of doing things. 🎛️