Roland Juno MIDI System Exclusive Info

This guide will explain how you can use MIDI System Exclusive Messages (SysEx) to achieve real-time control of all editable parameters of the Roland Juno 106, Alpha Juno 1, 2 and MKS-50. The MIDI SysEx information can be recorded, transmitted and replayed just like MIDI controller data, giving you fully automated and controllable parameter editing for these classic synths!

All you need is a hardware or software sequencer that is capable of outputting MIDI SysEx messages. Sequencers like Performer, Cubase, Logic, and hardware like the Roland PG-300 Controller have this ability. In the following guide, you will get the info you need to set-up continuous controllers or mixer maps that you can use within your sequencing program.

Roland Juno 106 Control

The Juno 106 will transmit SysEx messages through its MIDI Out port when the MIDI Function switch is set to position 3. Any slider moves or buttons pushed on the Juno 106's front panel will be transmitted and can be recorded into a sequencer - and played back in to the Juno-106! Any on-board editing you transmit and record into your sequencer will always be re-applied to the Juno 106 during playback.

However you may want to create your own programmer/controller for your Juno 106 using your Sequencer program. Simply set-up a Continuous Controller that will send MIDI SysEx Messages to your Juno 106 and use the following code-chart to create controllers for the Juno-106 parameters you want to edit.

I. First you must set the Juno 106's Midi Mode switch to 3 (on the rear).

II. These are the components of the system exclusive message:

F0 [Start Exclusive]
41 [Roland ID#]
32 [Function Type]
0N [N+1=MIDI channel (N=0-15, Chan 1=00)]
XX [Parameter number (0-09, 0A-0F)] see table below
YY [Variable value (0-127)] Should be left at 00
F7 [End of Exclusive]

III. Here is an example:
A SysEx message for editing the VCF Resonance Parameter on MIDI channel 1:
F0 41 32 00 06 00 F7

"06" Is the SysEx code for the VCF Resonance Parameter.
"00" Is the SysEx code for the variable start value of the current edit parameter.

Parameter Numbers (XX) For The Juno-106:

Extra Links And Resources:
Here is a custom console I made for Performer (Mac) that you can use to control these Juno 106 parameters from any version of Performer or Digital Performer.

Roland Alpha Juno 1, 2 & MKS-50 Control

The Alpha Juno 1, 2 and MKS-50 transmit MIDI system exclusive messages through the MIDI Out port whenever you do any editing via the alpha-dial or press any buttons. These SysEx messages can be recorded into a sequencer and played back! And any editing you've recorded will always be re-applied during playback and can be further fine-tuned.

You can create your own external programmer/controllers for your Juno using your Sequencer or computer. Simply create a Controller that will send MIDI System Exclusive Messages to your Juno and use the following codes to create controllers for the parameters you want to control.

I. First scroll through the MIDI menu and turn Exclusive Messages ON.

II. These are the components of the system exclusive message:

F0 [Exclusive]
41 [Roland ID#]
36 [Individual Tone Parameters]
0N [N=MIDI channel (N=0-F, Chan 1=00 Chan 16=0F)]
23 [Format type]
20 [unknown]
01 [unknown]
XX [Parameter number (0-23)] see table below
YY [Value (0-127)] Can be left at 00
F7 [End of Exclusive]

III. Here is an example:
A SysEx message for editing the VCF Resonance Parameter on MIDI channel 1:
F0 41 36 00 23 20 01 11 00 F7

"11" Is the SysEx code for the VCF Resonance edit parameter.
"00" Is the SysEx code for the variable start value of the current edit parameter.

Parameter Numbers (XX) For The Alpha Juno Synths:

(Parentheses indicated range of variable values 'YY' possible for the parameter.)

Extra Links And Resources:
Here is a custom console I made for Performer (Mac) that you can use to control these Alpha-Juno parameters from any version of Performer or Digital Performer.