MusicRadar

It may be sample-based, but the Stage shares its look with the original analogue Junos.

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• Review

Back in 2005 the Juno brand was resurrected with the launch of the Juno-D sample playback synth. While many were disappointed that the new Junos were not analogue synths (as before), they've still proven to be very popular.

The Juno Stage continues down the sample playback route, but this time puts the focus on live performance.

Overview

This is a neat looking synth. It feels very well-made yet it's very light at only 9.8kg (21lbs approx). The switches all feel positive and the dials are responsive and sturdy enough to take plenty of on- and off-stage abuse.

A quick overview of the front panel shows up a few intriguing features. The first (on the far left) is a metal flap concealing a USB port for plugging in a USB memory stick for reading and saving sounds/info.

The Juno Stage can read (in real-time from a USB stick) MIDI files, AIFFs, WAVs and MP3s and add them to playlists (using the included DAW playlist editor) for putting live sets of backing tracks together. You can also play your iPod through the Juno and remove vocals, or use the built-in mic input to sing along with dedicated reverb. Very karaoke, but very practical.

The Juno also has a dedicated click output available when playing back Standard MIDI Files. It's good to see the D-beam included - this is great fun both sonically and visually and enables control of many user-definable parameters such as filter cutoff or LFO in true theremin-style.

The Mode area deals with selecting patches. The Patch button enters Patch mode, enabling selection of preset/user sounds via the panel (or footpedals) which can be made up of up to four PCM waves.

The Performance button puts 16 of these sounds into a multitimbral set for external MIDI control. This mode is also used for setting up splits and the dual button enables two patch layers. This is very easy to set up on the go.

Also in this section are buttons for accessing the parts (layers) within a Performance sound, the MIDI controller function menus (the Stage has comprehensive controller functionality) and the Piano mode button that gives instant access to the Juno's piano and EP sounds.]#

There are 1,027 preset sounds plus 256 GM2 sounds onboard, but unfortunately, only 256 user writeable slots, (though additional sounds are available via SRX card expansion). Preset patches can of course be edited and then stored to this user area.

The centre section is dominated by a monochrome display which is generally clear, though in the effects routing mode, it does become a little cluttered and cryptic.

To the left of the display are controls for accessing the deep editing pages, including envelopes for filter, pitch and amp, a MIDI matrix for assigning MIDI control to virtually any parameter, two LFOs, plus a 16-step LFO for evolving sounds and detailed parameter editing for the arpeggiator and drum sound sets/patterns, effects and more. You can also store your favourite patches and banks for direct instant recall using Favourite mode.