Roland JUNO-DS 61-Key Lightweight Synthesizer Keyboard with Professional Sounds - Perfect for Live Performances, Studio Recording & Music Production

I am a former Yamaha Motif owner and I loved how Yamaha had a powerful onboard sequencer within there workstations. No need for a computer or DAW. Then I purchased the Korg Kross 2. (still trying to figure it out).I now purchased my first ever Roland Workstation and this baby is lit! It not only has some of the best sounds ever but to have an onboard pattern sequencer that loops and you can "chain" patterns together to make a complete song without the use of a Computer, DAW.I though I would never find another synth with so many features since the Motif. I was wrong. The Roland Juno DS61 is as simple as I could have ever wanted. It is so easy to lay down a track, mix it and save it via internal memory or USB card.The best features are how the entire Keyboard is laid out. It is easy to understand and navigate and the owners manual is pretty detailed on how to make the best use of your new toy.You can "cue" up a pattern that you created, name it and then simply chain it to another pattern and thus having a complete song. EXAMPLE: Intro, Main, Chorus, Middle, Ending and so on.You can save everything in real time in a matter of seconds. reload it and simply assign a setup to a pattern as well. The vocoder is a good as it gets. Puts the Korg to shame. Sampling features are a blast and easy to use and assign a sample to a pad or into a pattern.The LCD display is extremely well organized and easy to view. What I noticed about this Synth that is is very similar to the Old Ensoniq VFX-SD. The case and layout with the buttons and screen remind me of Ensoniq. If you forget to turn of the Synth, it will let you know and then you can set it to auto off as well.If you are into making music and don't want to struggle using a DAW or laptop and need to jam right out of the box, then this is the workstation for you.PROS:Runs on batteriesWIRELESS (ready) YES!!!Has a heavy duty power ON/OFF buttonSimple sequencing with all the bells & whistles like Quantize, step, pattern, punch in out, loop etc.Well organized LCD screen & layout of the keyboardAssigning a sequence or pattern to a performance (A+)CONS:Only has an 8 track sequencerIf you can compose with 8 tracks you will be fine! If not, you can then hook it to a PC, or do what I did...MAKE IT 16 TRACKS: HERE IS HOW! Record your first 8 tracks to USB card. then load it back in and have it play while you record 8 new tracks.You can mix all your tracks prior to saving to USB or internal memory.Pan, Fad, Volume, tuning, bass, etc.Then save your patterns in MP3, WAV... reload it into memory and hit play on the pattern sequencer while you record 8 new tracks of a total of 16. (first 8 are now combined into 1 pattern).EXCELLENT BUY!You gotta get this!This keyboard, for its form factor, is outstanding. Well done Roland.This keyboard is great but it’s very over the top. Not user friendly at all. Hard to even just record a song. 1000s of effect but some are out dated and not needed. The effects sound great and you can fine tune it to your liking. It’s a great keyboard but just not user friendly. Takes a while to get used to it.Roland has always made quality instruments and the Roland Juno DS is another fine example of a Top notch keyboard at a decent price. When I first got the keyboard, all i had was studio quality pair of headphones and it sounded terrific.When I finally attached it to a sound system, I was some what disappointed. Then I went into the Master EQ settings under the System Settings Edit and played with the settings until I got a very warm, rich sound for my external sound system.I do like the fact that you can combine patches to create multi layered patches that sound absolutely amazing! The keys feel perfect, and the whole board feels like a well made instrument that will last for many years to come. For $850 on Amazon, it's a fantastic buy for the money!My only minor complaints would be the lack of a "local" switch on the board itself, and the drum patches are subpar as far as quality. If you are looking for the highest quality drum patches available I would highly recommend Superior Drummer 3 by Toontrack...Best VST I have ever used. Expensive but well worth it!If anyone would like to know what settings I used on the Master EQ switch feel free to contact me.My daughter uses this keyboard at her music school so I bought it for her use at home. She loves it. Great quality with all the options she needs. Just be aware it requires an external sound system unless you’re happy to always wear play in headphonesThe keyboard is light, fun and sounds great. However you should know that the keys are slightly truncated making it harder to play with your fingers in between or on the black keys.I was skeptical about this Roland piano keyboard at first, but once I received it, it changed my mind. It sounds great and is perfect for gigs. The only downside is that, if you are using this as a daw or usb midi device you can not have an usb audio interface plugged into your computer along with the Roland DS76. If you plan to use this keyboard for gigs, practicing, teaching or without any other usb audio device. It works like a charm. It doesn’t sound as good as my Roland-FA 08, but it is close with some similar features.I've been playing for 60 years, several bands, now I play at contemporary church services, weddings, events, etc. I wanted a light, portable synth with great sounds and the JUNODS61 exceeds my expectations. 61 keys is not a limitation if you know how to play and move octives when you make patches. With the light touch keys I can fly across the keyboard. I made 100 Favorites with wonderful rich, complex variety. Instrument samples are excellent. I can play this thing for hours. Easy to transport, sets up fast. Best live performance synth I've ever owned. Get one!This is an amazing sounding performance synth with only the barebone necessities. Step sequencer but no MIDI sequencer (Who needs one with computer DAW software anyway?) around 1300 voices and decent layering capabilities. Also available as an 88 key model but I only had room for the 61.The pianos, synths, organs and orchestral voices are all professional sounding and cover a wide range of needs.For the serious beginner or the advanced amateur this synth has everything one needs in a simple, well laid out package.It was a great keyboard, but I couldn't use it in my set-up. I'm still waiting for my refundJuno DS was released in 2005. Still worth itFantastic. Love everything about it. Exceeded my expectations