Roland Juno-G Alternative

Hey guys,

I've been interested in getting a keyboard for a while, so today I went to Sam Ash to check out what they had. (they have a better selection than most other stores in my area and I wanted to try out as many keyboards as possible to see what they all had to offer) Of all of them, my favorite (for the price) was probably the Roland Juno-G since it had a wide variety of sounds I liked and I really liked the sound selection interface.

I was somewhat troubled, however, by the fact that the LCD display on the floor model was busted. (I realized floor models get beat to hell, but this one was broken in a weird way - the display had split into 4 evenly sized rectangles, and 2 of these were completely filled in and unreadable, while the other two could be read without a problem - didn't look like the result of blunt force trauma) So I figured I'd come home, read the user reviews here, and see what people had to say about the thing.

The user reviews were good, but not great, with especially low marks for customer service. I'm looking for a reliable instrument, so I'm not sure this is the board for me. I'm worried about the display cracking, and if I'm getting it new I want the company to be able to provide some support.

So in short, do you guys have any recommendations for a similar board I could try out? I'd really like to spend a grand or less, although more isn't out of the question. Ideally I'd like an instrument that isn't impossible to find in stores - although I'll probably end up buying it online, I'd like to try it before I buy it. So any suggestions?

Thanks.

For that price, Yamaha MM6 and Korg M50 are it's competitors. I tend to lean towards Roland though.

BTW, I've had lots of keyboards and modules over the years, and I've never seen a broken display. It's quites rare IMO, and not likely to happen,

The Juno-G is known for problems with its display. Search on korgforums.com for details. A used Fantom-X6 is the best alternative to the Juno-G. The Fantom is a full workstation. The Juno-G and others in that class aren't. Even if you pay the full $1,500 price for the X6, you get a lot more for the money. It usually isn't very hard to find used X6's in good condition.

I counsel the new Korg M50. WAY Better sounds, better keys, better looks and build quality too IMO.

I spotted this too when I was testing Juno G, maybe Roland will somehow fix it...

I had the G for a good year and loved it but the screen reliability, random pitches when you boot up occasionally goes up or down half a semitone lack of roland support for the board all lead me to sell and buy a fantom x and I have never looked back I sold the G for the going rate of a fantom here in the uk and it was the best move I have ever made. Full multisamping more audio tracks better interface nicer key feel its just a beast I would stay away from the G if I was you and look at second hand Fantoms, Motif es and triton extremes they can be had s/h for the price of the G esp when you factor in ram CF cards and adaptors etc.

Tris

Better alternatives I suggest are a used Fantom X, Motif ES, or Triton Extreme locally through CL. All are pro boards not budget like the Juno G and are built like it. Better sounds, better build, and the same price if you look and are a bit patient.

isn't that what i just said lol :poke:

+1 for the Korg M50. Nothing to touch it in its price range. It's not a "budget" or "entry level" anything - just the real deal & based on the Korg M3 sounds.

And if you want to talk display and interface, the M50's Touchview is amazing.

Forget the overpriced and overrated "big two".

currently using the g while i had the mm6...well juno sounds good but when used with other keys sounds thin...cant really explain that....better go for a fantom...

No, it is a budget and mid level ROMpler keyboard.

It doesn't have sampling, expansion of the samples/ROM, audio tracks (or even audio inputs), aftertouch, nor multiple outputs besides the main L+R.

It's a step up from the X50, but a BIG step down from the M3. The M50 doesn't come close to the capability of any of the main workstations. You need a lot more than just a ROMpler containing basic sounds of the M3 to be a full workstation. As a ROMpler, it seems to be one of the better ones, although quite a bit more expensive than other ROMplers.

You're kidding right?

You can get a used Fantom X6 for less than the price of a new Juno G, if you look around a little. The Fantom X has a LOT more under the hood than the Juno, as well as any of the sub $1000 quasi-workstations by Korg and Yamaha.

my juno hasnt had any problems w/ display... It does one weird thing though... it will decide to transpose its self a 1/2 flat randomly... we have to tune the keyboard to the band

otherwise great board.

Fan-X is a very dependable board ...