Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 [2023 Review]

61 key model digital pianos are being demanded by many musicians and of course, there are many models on the market. That makes it really difficult to choose which one is the best for your needs. In this Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 review, we will analyze these two successful digital pianos to see which one is better.

Even though Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 are both 61 key models, they have their own differences and unique features.  Both of them are portable and sound quite nice for their money, which makes them suitable for musicians who travel with their pianos a lot.

If you are interested in these models, keep reading our Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 review for more information below. We will discuss each of these digital pianos and their features to help you while figuring out which one is the best for your case.

Winner of Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61: Juno DS61

We know that we need to come to a conclusi̇on and pick a winner for Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61. Both products are strong synthesizers, as you can guess from the comparison that we have made above.

However, Juno DS61 has more functionality than Yamaha MX61, so our winner is definitely Juno DS61. First of all, Juno DS61 is a more affordable option and it offers more superior sound mixing tech. When compared with Juno DS61, Yamaha MX61 falls short.

You will be pleased with the improved outcome and results with both of them, and Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 are super lightweight for musicians who travel a lot. Of course, your decision is yours to make, and the most significant factor is that both synths are manufactured by a well-known, reputable company.

Since Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 are coming from reliable companies , we are sure both decisions will not upset you.

Juno DS61 Keyboard Review

Features: Roland is a good company that produces quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing instruments. The Juno DS61 has the weight and measurements that you would expect from a standard output keyboard, and it gives you exactly what you want.

See also  Williams Legato 88 Key Digital Piano [2023 Review]

While carrying this 61-key model on your hands will not be a problem, we recommend buying a carrying case just in case. This instrument is easy to carry around but you would not want it to get damaged while doing so.

Juno DS61 is a 61key digital keyboard and we consider it to be the best choice if you will be always on the go. DS61 is mostly made of plastic, with a few smooth aluminum parts containing the controls.

If DS61 falls, unfortunately, it will probably get scarred. However, the damage would not completely damage the instrument in a way that will make you unable to continue playing it. It can definitely withstand many hits and bumps with ease, thanks to its durable build quality.

The build quality is excellent overall, and we have nothing to complain about. The controls on the Juno-DS are all buttons, knobs, and switches. The controls are of fantastic quality, with a good amount of resistance to allow for specific parameter adjustments.

The only problem is, keys are heavy and beginners might need to take a little time to learn how to play. Other than that, there are some features that we really could not figure out what are they there for.

Pros
  • Keys feel nice
  • Quality sounds
  • Has lots of effects
  • Packed with features
  • USB audio interface
Cons
  • Heavy keys
  • Some unnecessary features

Yamaha MX61 Review

Features: Yamaha MX61 is one of the most compact 61-note boards on the market. It weighs only 20lbs, making it perfect for musicians who are constantly on the go. We can say that the build quality is only okay because the entire thing is made out of plastic. For that reason, you might need to invest in a good carrying case.

The controls of Yamaha MX61 is well placed and the synth-action keybed is equally effective. The four knobs placed on Yamaha MX61 are used for DAW functions while the instrument is in DAW Remote mode.

You can control other stuff here, such as filter cutoff, resonance, component volume, and FX send speeds, depending on the knob you are using. When playing live or in the studio, these controllers will surely come in handy to achieve the best sound.

See also  Casio WK 6600 Keyboard [2023 Review]

There is no DAW synth editor, and you cannot adjust the filter style or edit the voices with Yamaha MX61. Filter and amp envelopes are present, though. There are also LFO, panning, mono/poly modes, and portamento.

VCMs are very pleasant and you can use those to get some brightness and vividness. In the built-in library of this instrument, you can see there are many high-quality effects, delays, phasers, distortions, and many more to discover.

Pros
  • Looks good
  • Portable
  • Has a wide range of music library
  • Onboard FX is amazing
  • DAW integrated
Cons
  • Not all sounds can be used
  • Poor sound editing
  • Plastic

Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 Comparison

Whether it is Roland or Yamaha, we know that they are both well-known manufacturers when it comes to digital pianos or synthesizers that allow musicians to create higher-quality sound.

Overall, the MX61 is a capable digital piano with a number of useful features. It will suffice for those looking for their first digital piano, as well as those looking for good instrument that they can use both in their home and studio, thanks to its broad range of effects library.

We can say that MX61 is a decent digital piano to use for studio or DAW purposes. It is really easy to use and you can also connect it to a computer through some simple steps. Also, you can use Yamaha MX61 for piano lessons.

However, MX61 is no more than a preset digital piano that offers only a few editing features. For that reason, it can go nowhere beyond being a beginner tool and an introduction to the world of synthesis without making you feel overwhelmed. It can offer a good selection of pre-sets at an affordable price for sure.

When it comes to the Juno DS61, you might be shocked but some features of this digital piano are not very useful. That might be the biggest flaw of this device, but that is not even a big one.

There are phrase pads and mic-only effects on Juno DS61 and it is really fun to experiment with those. We can claim that Juno DS61 is a keyboard made to be on the stage. Why we say is that is because it is really easy to use Juno DS61 and it sounds amazing

See also  Williams Legato vs Allegro Piano [2024 Review]

when giving performances.

The onboard sounds are made by Roland’s SuperNATURAL sound system, so no surprises for why they sound fantastic. When it comes to buying it, however, we definitely recommend trying JUNO DS61 for yourself and see the difference it makes.

The controls are also well-made, the layout is simple and straightforward , which makes it perfect for beginners who have never used something like this before.

It is also a lot of fun to customize the patches of Juno DS61. Although having only three effects per patch might seem restrictive, the MFX section contains a wealth of unique effects to experiment with.

When it comes to price, there is a difference between Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61. Yamaha MX61, which is slightly more expensive, still manages to stay within reach.  Yamaha is around 1000 dollars and Roland sells around 700, which leaves a huge gap between these two in the market. 

Juno DS61 is a lightweight and gig-ready instrument that can offer some amazing pro sounds you can use on the stage. It comes with all the popular sound effects so you will have no trouble following the trends.

In addition to these, the wave expansion slot enables users to download new sound waveforms. Yama MX61, on the other hand, is equipped with VCM effects that most people adore.

There is a split/layer performance mode, 16-Part Multitimbral, and 128-note polyphony. In addition to all of these, there is a music production software included in the price.

Conclusion: Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 [2023 Review]

Choosing a decent synthesizer can be difficult and time-consuming at times. Especially if you discover that there are a variety of companies with comparable features and prices at the market or on the net.

Naturally, you would have difficulty deciding on the best product and making a final decision when it comes to the issue of Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 . For that reason, we looked at the Roland Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 comparison.

Both are from reputable companies. As a result, you need to do some research and find out which one is the best. But who has time for that? We already did the search for you and concluded that Juno DS61 is a better version of Yamaha MX61. We hope you liked our Juno DS61 vs Yamaha MX61 review and it was helpful.

Scroll to Top