BASS? Juno 106 or Alpha? Or MC-202

Which do you prefer? I really want a 106.

I have a 202, its quite nice for bass and acid sounds. No midi, I don't like so much. And the frequency slider is scratchy. I've also got an Alpha Juno (MKS-50) which I've never rated for bass - I think pads and leads are lovely but not bass. Maybe I am doing it rong. I've never made a hoover on it because a previous owner screwed up the What The? patch and I never bothered to recreate it.

Also, how do things like pads compare between the Alphas and the 106? Is it worth having both?

I never liked the 106 for bass too much. I liked the aJunos better. I'd keep the MKS and 202. Plus, the 106s have failing ships in them.

I had a 106, and its ships failed, so yeah, avoid.

MC-202 for bass. Get a midi/cv converter for control.

Hey, I've got your old 106, and it works great

I use it waaaaaay more than the MKS-50

It works because I put a lot of effort into it to fix it! That doesn't help other 106 owners that don't know how or can't fix 'em. So generally, I just say "avoid the 106, IT'S GONNA DIIIIIEEEEEEEE...!"

Except yours, of course.

you could make lots of $$$ fixing those synths

A Juno60 is a great alternative to a 106...I've used it for bass a number of times with great results.

thanks!

I've always liked the Junos, how close are the 60 and 106? I dont really care to buy a DCB to midi box for the 60 but it's be OK. Alternatively there's the 6, and I could just play it but its the midi that appeals to me.

I've read midi-to-cv converters arent ideal for the 202 bec there is lag due to the 202's CPU. Is this true? Fine for programming it but not for controlling it in realtime. I've had luck with that 202-hack program for getting midi files to the 202 in the past.

202 sounds so good to me though, it sounds alive.

Should I really give the MKS-50 another chance for bass?

First off don't sell the 202 ever!! (don't make the mistake I made)

Juno 106 is not an ideal bass synth.

I highly suggest any simple 1 OSC synth that has 2 ENV's.

for example

Moog MicroMoog

Yamaha CS-10

Korg MS 10

JEN SX1000

Roland SH-1

or even a simple Roland like an SH-9

Yes, the 202's CV/Gate has to pass through the digital section to reach the synth engine. This causes a slight delay. Rumor has it that later models have this fixed, but i don't see how. They can be modded to bypass the digital section though.

The Juno-6/60 have a much nicer sound than the 106. They're much fuller and richer. Really good for bass. But yes, they lack MIDI. So than can be a downer. Dive back into your MKS-50. They're really nice sounding!

I actually like the Juno-106 for bass. I don't think you can go wrong with it, plus it has MIDI which if you go with the 60, you'd have to have installed or buy an interface for.

I, too, had one voice ship fail on mine, but I took it to the local boat repairman and he fixed it.

+100

it no big deal to make the "true CV/GATE" modification on 202. and it is very well documented. you should add a filter CV input while at it, as well. after that, its just a question of picking up a midi-cv like Kenton pro solo, or something.

and it most definetely would be my choice for bass out of the three.

"(don't make the mistake I made)" hehehe.... thx! Actually I had a SH-101 too which I sold for about what I paid and I miss it.

I really like the idea of the CS-10 or the older Roland SH models, they look so cool!

Thanks for the encouragement on the MKS-50!

Thanks everyone else too.

You might want to look into the Bass Station. Those are great as well.

mks-50 is a beast.. its a pad machine but you can also get some heavy duty bass going too

however, these are almost essential to get to the really good stuff on it:

mks-50 is a beast.. its a pad machine but you can also get some heavy duty bass going too however, these are almost essential to get to the really good stuff on it:

PG-800 essential for the MKS-50? Hmm?

I've owned almost all the Junos (not the 6, not their rack versions, and not then new wannabes) and a couple of JX8Ps and an MKS-70, and like the JX for pads and the Junos for bass. The Juno 60 is my favorite, and the difference between that one and the 106 was bigger than I thought. Very, very fat sound for a one oscillator DCO synth.

oops i was thinking of the mks-70... thats the beast

dunno about the 50

I agree that you can get fat basses with the MKS-70, but then you have the slow attack, which is a bit of a bummer. I actually still use both that one and the JX-8P for bass now and then, though - it all depends on the music.

Yeah, It I think that was the main reason I sold the MKS70, slow env. Oh wait, that and it was the worst synth to program without the editor. Editor was so essential.