Roland Mks-50
Synthesizer Module (1987)

 

The MKS-50 is the Alpha Juno module version with some minor enhancements but keeping same sound.

RACKMOUNT 1 rack unit.
The main panel features a LCD display, 1 knob and 17 buttons.

Rear panel terminal connectors:
- main signal out
- Midi interface
- tape interface

Front panel terminal connectors:
- headphones

 

 

TECH main 8 bits CPU M80C31 (MSM80C31F) manages 6 voices polyphony.
Each voice has 1 assigned DCO oscillator based on custom Roland IC RD87123, and each DCO is composed by 2 summable waveforms + 1 sub oscillator + 1 noise generator

 

OSCILLATOR DCO DETAILS:

wave Harmonic variations: Level width: range: pulse 3 - yes (3rd shape) 4' 8' 16' 32' saw 5 - yes (3rd shape) 4' 8' 16' 32' suboscillator 5 yes - 1 / 2 oct below white noise 0 yes - -

HEAR waveforms all pulses HEAR suboscillators waves HEAR pulse width HEAR sawtooth width

 

FILTER multimode VCF based on 6 X IR3R05 IC (also VCA), the VCF also provides a 15-levels keytracking system.

- lowpass at -24dB/Oct : with resonance that does not reach auto-oscillation - highpass: 4 scaled values

 

LFO a single delayed modulator and 2 destinations with individual depth values:

- LFO to DCO pitch - LFO to DCO VCF filter. HEAR LFO all shapes

 

ENVELOPE a single 4-stages + 3 time levels with polarity inversion EG-
In addition the VCA provides a 15-levels keytracking system

- DCO pitch - VCF filter cutoff - VCA amplitude with special gate mode

 

PERFORMANCE monotimbric machine with some special functions:

- octave transpose keyboard - 15 aftertouch levels (by Midi IN) assignable to VCF / DCO / VCA. - portamento - chord mode learn (it outputs Midi) - bender range 1 octave setting - key transpose

 

EFFECT section features an analog stereo chorus based on MN3101 + MN3009 IC like Juno-60 or Jx-3p with adjustable rate:

HEAR chorus mode on/off

 

MEMORY:
- 128 RAM slots.
- 64 RAM chords
Sounds must be saved to magnetic tape or Midi exclusives data dump

LEFT -BATTERY REPLACEMENT : change lithium battery model CR-2032 soldered to the mainboard. - Click to enlarge picture -

 

EDIT main panel lacks many real-time commands, but there are many computer software or it is possible to use the dedicated optional programmer model PG-300.

- VST AU Alpha JUNO Editor (MAC-PC / $$) PIC - Midiquest (MAC-PC / $$) PIC - MKS-50 (Atari ST / freeware now) PIC - CTRLR (MAC-PC-LINUX / free) PIC - Alpha BASE (PC / free) PIC - Alpha Juno Control (MAC / free

 

OS latest is Ver 2.1 11.07.86 burnt into a EPROM

LEFT - M5L27128K EPROM with OS - DOWNLOAD BINARY - Click to enlarge picture -

RELATED MODELS :

Alpha juno1 first of the series 49 keys	Alpha Juno 2 5 octave JU1 keyboard velocity and aftertouch	HS-80 consumer version of alpha Juno2
HS-10 - an alpha juno1 with different case.	PG-300 this programmer allows to fully edit the MKS module.

 

VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples set:

	-PHUTURA -SMC Joono VST	FREE
	REDOMINATOR	commercial VST plugin

 

AUDIO DEMO

Performance 1 + drum samples Performance 2 + drum samples Performance 3 + drum samples Performance 4 + drum samples Performance 5 + drum samples Performance 6 + drum samples FX: scary ohhhhohhhh LOL Organ: b3 analog Harpsichord: like a 8 bits Piano: analog poor Clavinet: naaaa Bass: funky Bass: mooga Bass: razor Bass: jumpy Bass: soft quiet Bass: attack Drums: analog kit Drums: timpani Ambient: system Ambient: chill Ambient: space Pad: murky

Pad: chorus Pad: time bandit String: LFO movement String: very simple Synth: WOOObled Synth: what's a hoover? Synth: Drill Synth: droning Synth: melodie d'amour Synth: rate by rate Synth: resonance up Synth: square world Synth: slippery when dry XP: waveforms all pulses XP: suboscillators waves XP: sawtooth width XP: pulse width XP: white noise and filter XP: lowpass and resonance XP: highpass mode filter XP: LFO all shapes XP: Chorus BBD RETRO: SANXION with TR-606

 

VIDEO SELECTION demo1 demo2 demo3

big picture

MANUAL

Service MANUAL/ schematics

original brochure

original ad

original advert

original brochure

original brochure

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