Reviving the Sound of a Legend: June-21 VST
The world of synthesizers knows few instruments that have achieved such a cult status as the Roland Juno and MKS-50 series. Their warm, rich analog sounds have shaped music across various genres for decades – from 80s pop to modern electronica. Dreamers and enthusiasts around the world yearn to have access to these unique timbres. This is where June-21 comes in – an ambitious project designed to bring you closer to the magic of the classic Roland Juno/MKS-50 in the convenient VST plugin format.
What is June-21?
June-21 is an emulation of the legendary Roland Juno 1, Juno 2, and MKS-50 synthesizers. Developed by mikerodd, this plugin aims to recreate the characteristic sound and, as much as possible, the functionality of the original instruments. It doesn’t just imitate; it strives to understand and recreate the heart of a classic. The visual design is inspired by the Roland PG-300 controller, adding authenticity and recognizability for brand fans.
Key Features and Capabilities
June-21 offers several interesting features for those seeking classic synth timbres:
- Emulation of the Roland Juno 1, Juno 2, and MKS-50 sound engine.
- Ability to load and play original presets in .SYX format, allowing experimentation with sound libraries created for real instruments.
- Includes factory presets from the “Preset” and “Memory” banks of Roland Juno 2, providing a ready-made palette of classic timbres to start with.
- Interface styled after the Roland PG-300 controller, making parameter control visually familiar and intuitive for users familiar with the original equipment.
- Constant development and improvement: the project is alive and evolving, giving hope for further improvement of the emulation.
Important nuances and development status
It’s important to understand that June-21 is a project that is still under development as of December 2019 (according to the developer’s information). This means that it is not a perfect emulation and has certain limitations. The developer honestly states the following points:
- Not all timbres can be reproduced perfectly – some may sound very close to the original, others may differ significantly or not work at all.
- Some functions of the original synthesizers are not yet implemented, in particular:
- Portamento (smooth transition between notes).
- Chord Memory (remembering a chord to play with one key).
- Octave Transpose.
- The Aftertouch function (sensitivity to additional pressure after taking a note) will not be implemented by the developer.
Despite these limitations, June-21 is an interesting tool for experimentation and getting a share of that same “analog” charm. It offers a unique opportunity to work with original presets and explore soundscapes created on the basis of the classic Juno.
Who is this plugin for?
June-21 will be interesting for:
- Musicians and producers looking for free VST synthesizers with an analog character.
- Fans of the classic Roland Juno and MKS-50 synthesizers who want to access their sound in a digital environment.
- Experimenters who are ready to explore the possibilities of emulation and work with a plugin that is actively developing.
Technical requirements
The June-21 plugin is available in VST format and is compatible with the following operating systems:
- Windows (64-bit versions)
- Linux
It does not support AU formats and the MacOS operating system.
Overall, June-21 is an exciting project that, despite its development status, already allows you to touch the legendary sound. It is a great tool for freely adding classic synth colors to your music.
