Roland Boutique Series: Our Top 5 Ranking of Roland's Classic Synth Reproductions

[@deffranklinart1089]

These lil beasts have saved my life during the pandemic. I keep them home, take them with me, and they always have me smiling. Thank you Roland!!

[@PrimitiveBaroque]

The JU-06A is my first synth. I love it. Though I grew up on the JUNO-106 through my father, now that I'm older I can appreciate it so it's a little nostalgic.

[@Sui778]

I have a 106 myself, but I need to recondition the voice chips.

[@garyturner5204]

I have had a Roland SE-02 for several years now. I highly recommend it because it has 512 patch memory locations with 128 user programmable, AND is one of the best Moog Model D clones out there. It was such a great idea for Roland to partner with Studio Electronics to create the SE-02! Also, the Roland SE-02 is an analog synth from the ground up with 3 oscillators, PLUS having 512 patch memory locations is gold! And it comes with MIDI and has CV and trigger inputs so you can connect it to Eurorack synths!

[@saroroot7535]

Love your video. For me, the small speaker is still valuable. Hope they will continue to put this in their future products.

[@DocHollidayGames]

I picked up the tr-08 for nostalgia, but the tr-06 gets a ton more use than my tr-08. It's odd he talks about the build quality of the tr-8 after discussing several other units, but the tr-06 and tb-03 have almost the same exact feel in terms of build quality, so not sure why that suddenly stood out to him compared to the others. He also mentions pattern length extension and panning options on the tr-08, but failed to mention those when mentioning the tr-06 earlier in the video even though it also has those features.

[@BioSoftStudios]

I love the ju-06a, juno has always been the synths of Roland that spoke to me because of affordability and ease of use

[@need2knowblue]

I love that Roland is making these. Now can they make them sound good again? These products sound like a sonic dumpster fire. Thanks 🙏

[@DubElementMusic]

imo thr ju06 sounds great

[@RoadhawK66]

I’ve not used all of them but the SE-02 is awesome, such a huge sound from a tiny box. Going to mod mine with bigger knobs ooerr😹

[@seekersystems]

Hi Alamo Music. SE02 not battery powered but thank you for highlighting the fact its not a straight minimoog clone.

[@zarcon85]

i became a fan of the series. by now i got 7 of them. i own some of the originals as well. i gotta say...i love them a lot...especially the mini 808. i got a real one, too...the 106 emulation inside 06 is phenomenal. i compared it to my original with brandnew osc chips....brilliant.

[@DiamondWoodStudios]

Are you referring to the Ju-06a or the original Ju-06?

[@zarcon85]

@@DiamondWoodStudios Ju 06-A

[@DiamondWoodStudios]

@@zarcon85 okay thank you! I have a JU-06 I wanted to sell it and get the Arp version but I figured I might aswell get a midi with the arp built in. Cheers boss! Hopefully one day I can have a whole collection as right now I only have the JU the JP-08 and the SE-02 which is a BEAST btw

[@MaximilianoSchneider]

The 06 is absolutely amazing! Has way more options and modern updates than the 08 and 09 (and I love the 08 and 09, but the 06 is so much fun and you can spend hours playing, so now is my favorite drum machine). If I had to make a list of my top 3 favorites I´ll probably put the TR-06 in the top, followed by the JU-06a and SE-02.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@ 3.38 I'm also guessing updating the firmware as and when necessary is another great advantage.

[@keeganhuff248]

Super helpful! Glad to have found your channel.

[@NigelMarston]

I thought I'd grab a couple of these boutiques but since I started with the JU-06a I dont think I need any of the others. Although I sometimes wish I hadnt sold my original and mint Juno 60 30-years ago this year, I acknowledge that it would have needed a lot of replacement components by now. This little JU-06a allows me to reminisce while controlling it from a really decent keybed.

[@wavester46]

The SE-02 is the only one that won't run on batteries I believe. The discontinued JX03 was underrated and is worth picking up if you want that 80's vibe. My next one will be the JU-06a to replace my mint Juno 60 I sold in 1996 :(

[@proxymerchant]

This video is great and from my hometown! Got my first guitar at the Alamo Music off 410! I own and LOVE the JU-06A and this video inspired my love for this whole series! Getting others soon....

[@RayyMusik]

What about the JP-08? And the D-05, which is my favorite Boutique synth because it had retained its 8 voices.

[@Sui778]

They don't make em anymore - most of these boutique models have limited runs so if you wait too long to buy one they'll be gone.

[@Lucrativecris]

@@Sui778 I only like the D-05

[@easytoremember9000]

Nice programming of the tr-08. Interesting to hear a different time signature played on it.

[@raytbrown2]

Thank You for the video! I learned a bunch. Can I get you a grip for your table? Wobbles more than a rocking chair in an old folk's home.

[@0713dm]

Love my boutiques. I understand the criticism but as an intermediate synth user, it was a great place to start, and continue! Got JX-03, TR-09, TB-03, TR-06… and looking to get an SE-02 too… massive tekkno insanity 😆

[@detroittrickster3327]

what do you like better the tr-06 or the TR-09

[@0713dm]

@@detroittrickster3327 they both have their uses. I guess the 09 is closer to the original playability. The 06 is much more versatile. I love the 06/03 combo so I tend to use those.

[@alexwestconsulting]

se-02 is best. it's a keeper. acb is 2020's VA technology. as good as it is, it's limited to 4 voice poly, so just a matter of time before a faster cpu brings a better VA.

[@MykytaFediaiev]

Great overview, huge thanks!

[@MrMortimer0122]

How would you characterize the difference between the TR-08 and TR-06 and which would you recommend for someone with roots in classic rock, but also dabbles in blues and alternative? Thanks!

[@joeanderson8839]

Analog is an important tool for a performance. Analog moves more air through the speakers than digital. You get what I mean when you layer the Analog sound with a digital sound. You get the realistic sound from the digital that moves air through the room with the Analog. I was on the road in the 80s. We had 6 keyboards on stage and a drum machine. I like the idea of being able to do everything from one keyboard. But I also believe in utilizing all of the available technologies in a performance. Old Analog keyboards will only play 6 to 8 notes of polyphony. Every keyboard player should own at least one.

[@neonpop80]

I dont understand, you can connect these to keyboards like Yamaha Refaces and they'd make their own sounds? Sorry Im new to this but into it

[@LousyFacelift]

You can use a small dedicated add on keyboard (Roland K-25 m) or use a MIDI keyboard (like a Reface) connected to their MIDI in port to play them.

[@redcomn]

Now that jd-08 and jx-08 were released will you update this list?

[@Sui778]

Just wish Roland would have given the JU-06A six voice polyphony. I have a JU-06 already and would have gotten the updated version had they added a little more polyphony. Think they have wised up to that seeing as the newest JX-08 has 20 voice polyphony.

[@Rsonixtunes]

The JX-08 is SO good. I may end up just selling the JU-06A

[@Sui778]

@@Rsonixtunes I'm keeping both.

[@beloyaraistov8007]

Thank you very much for your videos, your channel is GREAT

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

Can’t believe that you left the TR09 out man, probably the best sounding of them all! 🚨

[@asoundlab]

Mentioned when we shot this that it hadn’t shipped in the us yet...agreed...will likely revisit soon

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

@@asoundlab The video is really good all the same 😃, I’m loving this series that you’re doing!

[@tadknuf7979]

Do you think you could get a similar sound out of the Behringer Model D as you could out of the SE-02???

[@maccagrabme]

Yes

[@tadknuf7979]

@@maccagrabme ooh, ok cool.

[@happyjessus]

You can't store it though 😉

[@garyturner5204]

He did not mention that the Roland SE-02 includes 512 patch memories, 128 of which are use programmable. The Behringer Model D has NO memory storage (which the original Moog Model D also did not have patch memory storage). I had a Behringer Model D and it sounded great, but I also got the Roland SE-02 and it sounds just as great, but also has patch memory storage of 512 made me seek the Behringer Model D. I love the Roland SE-02 for its sound and portability. Great deal on a great and improved Moog Model D clone!

[@Zeal808]

Dude the Tr-06 is now the dark horse...awesome video! Liked. The 08 has no effects though sorry..the 06 on the other hand ;)

[@matthewwilson3673]

I think the se02 will be my first synth, the korg minilogue xd module will probably be second

[@matthewwilson3673]

@@sheateeley1 got a polyend tracker, polyend/dreadbox medusa, and korg kaoss pad 3 and korg kaossilator pro +, they all make samples and synth lines pretty fun

[@henrikpersson4698]

i think the tr06 is hugely underrated in this context - has way more trigger outputs etc, and just way more functionality than the 09 and 08.

[@XHALE303]

Innovating is the last thing Roland did the past 20years, they never did it previously & still didn't, cause all the fans wanted was analoge.

[@klstay]

Nope. 4 voice single model VST host with TINY controls. Map a controller with proper sized interface to PC/iPad and run any VST you want instead. SE-02 however is all discrete VCO/VCF/VCA for those who understand what that means.

[@acaposotta]

Great video. I have them all (all the boutiques). Do you have all the line too?

[@MeExpressing]

Great break down of the units 👍🏼💪🏼, very informative

[@Dvd7111]

Se-02 can do a lot more in sequencer and song mode

[@RAGINxxXxxCAJUN]

The VP-03 and the one that emulated that Jupiter 8 are my favorites

[@kevinsturges6957]

Same here. I have both of them.

[@fratoni3654]

Om 🎶🌟

[@robertsteinberger5667]

I guess the number one has been replaced by the new jx3p?

[@breakdancinfool]

Weren't were supposed to be able to load these emulated synths into Aria/SYSTEM ONE? So many promises made for SYSTEM 1

[@captn_hanky]

As a long time owner of the originals I have to say this about the boutiques: TB03 is a total disaster. for example..when you use the random pitch feature notes can go much too high, sounds terrible and metallic. TR08 sounds good at it´s own but gets lost in the mix SE02 the tiny knobs drive you insane (the se02 is analog so the tiniest movement changes everything very fast) ..the sequencer is terrible, for example you have to store the hardware midi output (USB, MIDI, intern) on EVERY PATCH (you can not change the hardware midi out globally) SH01 sounds way to sterile JU-06 is ok The best machine of the boutiqes is the TR09, this tiny machine is a beast, fun and powerful I found this little demo for the 09 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmaUnqSPjZp6otE There are several other problems I faced with the boutiques ..line out from one machine into line in of the other machine giving noise ..

[@miskatonicuniversityavclub202]

could i control these with an s49 from NI?

[@detroittrickster3327]

in midi yes

[@oguzisk9204]

Love archuria

[@smitlag]

I was lucky to grow up in a time where synthesizers were so new that they were like discovering an unknown color. It was the same for many guitar sounds and effects. Today really the world has gotten use to both analog and digital sounds to a point of boredom. One thing for certain is that musicians did more with less back in yesteryear.

[@RaquelFoster]

As much as I like a couple of these, I just can't buy new gear with a USB Micro-B connector for power. Especially not for $400. If they want to be cheap and not include a power adapter they can use a sturdy full-size USB B connector or a reversible USB C connector. But when I see that Micro-B connector all I can think of is how I'm gonna plug it in backwards a couple times and damage it then throw it across the room. Every phone manufacturer stopped using that connector by the end of 2016. But Roland kept using it another five years after it was completely dead. Now I gotta convince myself I need a JX-08 (with USB C) if I wanna play with one of these things.

[@Rsonixtunes]

The JX-08 is so damn good. I power my Boutiques with 4 AA rechargeable batteries (try Panasonic enelooop brand) I may end up selling the JU-06A because the polyphony is inferior to the JX-08. This with the D-05 and you have late eighties bliss :)

[@patriciaoudart1508]

One word for me, mobility. Power supply 9v pedal multi supply when you have few or lot of them, so sad some are discontinued, WHY? New to come?... I have my tiny home mobile studio project, so will be in solar power supply. Every synth not using home electrical supply is welcome for me if the sound can integrate the big box system easy to move in few minutes, fully operational. That's my tip. So in that way I'm listening the sound, but also looking If I can integrate them in a rack line. I have the initial Juno 6. For me the remake don't reach the original. But I will see, this is hard to multiply the boxes One for three keyboards, MasterSL88, MasterCME-UF70, and the Roland Jupiter 60, so perhaps a second box with three original 80's keyboards, but I loose a part of my solar hability, they uses more Watts lot weight, as if I can have power supply solar to domestic current, and master piano88 are also heavy. Anyway, the Roland boutique is for me the ability to extend my Roland sounds to those legendary synth's, in a very portative way, what I stand is other Roland legendary sounds, more than a model in particular, would like Roland to do as Berhinger, original circuitry reproduction driven numerically, the best sound solution, in a same shape than their boutique series, to be compatible, or in the 19" rack form. This is what I stand for. When splitting a 88 keyboard, you can have three keyboard in one, that's why I don't want a portable master midi piano touch keyboard. In all that, In Texas you are going to see People more mobile with tiny homes or Van, so those instruments are a part of human future, that have not to relie to domestic current. The sound must be demonstrated by musicians, because those instruments can sound better than the factory patches same for Berhinger, but, the more you add effects, the less I like how they sound. I have effects racks to do better, at low use of them. Sounds matter.

[@MottiWolkenbruch]

Great, this video cost me at least CHF 1500.

[@user82938]

chasey

[@s.fleming2441]

it's hard to hear Behringer thrown in with the others who have actually created the history of synthesizers, but ok... I guess Alamo must be getting leaned on by Uli to push Behringer products harder like so many other stores I've heard from.

[@andrew3606]

Eh these are entry level options and Behringer has made cheap versions of the same synths. Makes sense to mention, and Everytime he said they were worse

[@derosabike]

Don't understand the Behringer hate really. No one complains about all the Strat & Tele clones or Tube Screamer, RAT clones or Pultec, Neve, Neumann clones nor the AC Cobra, Jaguar, Porsche Speedster clones - the list goes on. They are providing a service that meets a need at a reasonable price that younger creative people can enjoy and aspire to - Roland could do likewise if they so chose but their path has been chosen as one of innovation rather than recreation.

[@joeanderson8839]

I miss the Roland D50.

[@fredlupin]

Compared to behringer recreation, acb is a bad joke....Nice to have compact instruments but connection, minijack micro usb are toy features. JX03 has only one user bank which is crazy as a digital plugout....

[@HEC9]

Don´t give a JU06A for this guy!!! They are fighting!!! hahaha

[@djjohnnykey]

4 voice polyphony is unacceptable though. Deep Mind 12 is a much better choice. I think Roland went with the slick box marketing/packaging and did not intend to match or surpass the originals.

[@LousyFacelift]

Yes, the polyphony issue is most irritating. They now came up with a new plug out version of the Juno 60 for the System 8 and they even made it FREE which is quite awesome considering their relatively poor history regarding product support after release but on this one they gave it eight voices instead of six which can be seen as a plus but again sounds different of course...

[@antonhosinsky3090]

well, the Prophet-5 was only 5 voices. Classic harmony is 4 voice and modern harmony usually reduces everything to 4 note chords. You can do a lot with 4 vocies.

[@fairweatherfriends.]

Deep mind doesn’t sound like this

[@project-95]

4 voice polyphony sucks but I can live with it. Jupiter Xm is there if you need the polyphony and all the vintage sounds covered.

[@djjohnnykey]

@@project-95 Agreed.

[@AeonHorus]

Such a shame that the plonker who is playing these instruments has absolutely no clue whatsoever what he is doing. The host didn't even know what he was on about neither half the time....

[@garyturner5204]

Exactly. Next time he should make a list of all the synths he is “reviewing” along with any differences each unit has. For me the glaring point on the Roland SE-02 “having batteries” proved to me right up front this guy was more clueless than he should be to do a video like this. Lame is not the case here, incompetent and clueless are the case with this guy.

[@sullycliftona]

Ten years ?? Bloody hate privalaged kidz’. Summorizing their knowledge of other peoples say so

[@Therefugee72]

Sorry dude, but your synth demo’s are very irritating. Just tell what they do next time

[@lukakoprivica]

You're not a synth guy, unfortunately. I like your videos, but this one is a dud.

[@RAGINxxXxxCAJUN]

That SE-02 sounds like ass!! I'm surprised that how people here saying how great it is. Sounds like a digital sewer. Just my opinion don't get mad

[@djmarcatkins01]

I have one... you're very wrong. He doesn't do the best job of showcasing it though...

[@fairweatherfriends.]

It’s the “player” He didn’t even use poly. Stupid arpeggiators.

[@fairweatherfriends.]

He seems to have no clue how to make it sound good. I don’t own one but could tell pretty quick that he was sucking

[@matthewgaines10]

It's a synthesizer. It makes sounds. It can sound like a vast amount of different things. Don't like you heard, look at different reviews and hear it sound different than what you just heard.

[@DiamondWoodStudios]

Studio Electronics raw tones sound wonderful in my opinion, but I do understand the grunge sound you’re talking about

[@rubenzemog]

ridiculously small and mediocre sounding

[@Shape84]

Plastic toyz.

[@MusicZeroOne]

Metal actually.