Roland MKS-50 Resources

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The 1985 Roland Alpha Juno analog synthesizer is known for its warm analog filter, complex envelopes, and rich-sounding DCO. Alpha Junos have been used by such artists as Legowelt, M83,  Joey Beltram, Human Resources and Liam Howlett of The Prodigy. It has also become a must-have for Belgian Techno producers, mostly for it’s unique chorus and pitch envelope that produce the infamous Hoover sound found on such tracks as ‘Mentasm’ by Joey Beltran and Human Resource’s “Dominator”.

In 1987, Roland released the MKS-50, which is a rackmount version of the Alpha Juno 2 with a few added features. Production of the Alpha Juno ceased in 1987, however they remain one of the best vintage analog polysynth bargains on the market today. The Alpha Juno 1 is the cheapest of the 3 units, but it does not have a velocity sensitive keyboard. However, you can use an external keyboard with velocity sensitivity to take advantage of this feature in the Alpha Juno 1.

Below is are useful links and resources that will help you get the most from your MKS-50 or Alpha Juno keyboard. As always, this is a work in progress and if you haven anything to add, feel free to leave it in the comments section.

Initialization

  1. To initialize the unit to Mono Mode, turn it on while holding the Number Buttons 3 and 7
  2. To initialize the unit to Poly Mode, turn it on while holding the Number Buttons 4 and 8

Sys-Ex transfers

  1. Connect MIDI Out and MIDI In cables between the MKS-50 and the computer
  2. Press [ TUNE/MIDI ] and the display will read TUNE > 442 <
  3. Press [ PARAM ∇ ] and then press [ VALUE ∇ ] until all of the settings look like this;
    1.       MIDI CHANNEL=  1
    2.       MIDI OMNI   = OFF 
    3.       MIDI PROG.CG= ON  
    4.       PCH ASG MODE= ON 
    5.       TX C.M. APR = ON 
    6.       TX PATCH APR= ON 
    7.       TX TONE APR = ON 
    8.       MEM. PROTECT= OFF
  4. Press [ DATA TRANSFER ] then press [ PARAM ∇ ] until the Display reads Bulk*Load (Notice the *Asterisk* !!!)
    • Use [ VALUE ∇ ] to select between Bank A [T-a] or B [T-b]
  5. Press [ VALUE ∇ ] until the Display reads Bulk*Load [T-a] (Notice the *Asterisk* !!!)
  6. Press [ WRITE ] and the display will read Bulk*Load -Run-
  7. Use a SysEx loader program on your computer to send the SysEx file to the MKS-50 (See the TONES page for Factory Preset *.SYX Files)
  8. The MIDI MESSAGE LED on the MKS-50 front panel should now be flashing while the data is being sent
  9. If successful, your screen should read Bulk*Load ..END.

Saving Sounds

  1. Make sure “Memory Protect” is Off.
  2. Push the Write Button once to initiate
  3. Push the Write Button again to confirm

Editors & Librarians

  1. Fun fact – you can NOT edit the parameters of the Alpha Junos with Continuous Controller data. To do this, you will need an editor capable of sending sysex data to your synth. Below is a list of my favorite editor/librarian software apps for creating, storing, and transferring sounds to and from your Alpha Juno:
  2. Alpha Juno Editor is a commercial editor for Ableton Live that reads and writes patches and parameter changes in realtime within Ableton. It also allows Automation and Midi mapping of all parameters.
  3. Juno Alpha Editor is a freeware editor for Roland Juno 1/2 and Roland MKS50. It runs under the open source CTRLR format, and is compatible with Linux, Windows, and MacOS.
  4. Snoize Sysex Librarian is a Mac based freeware app that uses System Exclusive messages to transmit and receive patch date from MIDI synths. A must have if you own a MIDI equipped vintage synth.
  5. Patchbase Roland MKS-50 Editor and Librarian is a Mac based editor and librarian available for Mac and iPad. Edit any parameter, organize patches, create random patches, and more.

Hardware Programmers

  1. Retroaktiv MPG-50 mkII is a fully featured MIDI programmer for the popular Roland Alpha Juno 1 and 2, and the MKS-50 rackmount synthesizer. It has the ability to translate CC to Sysex, and and intelligent patch generator.
  2. Roland PG-300 released in 1986 was the OEM hardware programmer for the for Alpha Juno 1, 2, and MKS-50.

Programming Tips

  1. The MKS-50 is a one oscillator synth with the option to add a sub oscillator and/or white noise.
  2. A Patch consists of a Tone and the performance control functions. The MKS-50 can retain up to 128 different Tones and 128 different Patches.
  3. Pulse Width Modulation only works on the Pulse Wave 03 and Sawtooth Wave 03.
  4. Set the Keyboard Tracking for the Filter to 0 when creating Bass Sounds.
  5. The MKS-50 has both a High Pass Filter and an analog Low Pass Voltage Controlled Filter. They can be used separately or simultaneously for a Band Pass Filter effect.
  6. Here is a link to the original PDF manual for the MKS-50.

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