Roland Juno D-88 Review – Owners Thoughts

As a gigging musician and someone who has spent way too many hours obsessing over keyboards, I’ve come to appreciate what makes a great keyboard. When it comes to an 88-key weighted action keyboard that balances playability, sound quality, and gig-ready features, the Roland JUNO-D88 stands out.

I’ve owned and toured with multiple Roland boards over the last 10 years, and if there’s one thing they consistently nail, it’s the keybed and piano sounds—two things that matter the most when you just want to sit down and play.

Now, let’s dive deep into the details.

Check out more of Roland keyboard reviews here.

Overview: The JUNO-D88 at a Glance

Roland has long been known for producing quality digital pianos and synths at varying price points, and the JUNO series has always been about versatility and affordability. The JUNO-D88 is no different—positioned as an all-in-one solution for players who need an 88-key weighted action keyboard with great sounds, an intuitive interface, and a lightweight design suitable for gigs and studio work.

Unlike the Yamaha MX88, which competes in the same price range, the JUNO-D88 offers a superior keybed, a richer piano experience, and a better layout for live performance. Yamaha’s MX88 might be lighter and have strong sounds, but its keybed doesn’t hold a candle to Roland’s PHA-4 Ivory Feel action.

Let’s break down what makes the Roland JUNO-D88 a fantastic pick for musicians.

Contrary from many budget-friendly synths, the bass sounds and guitar tones are usable in a live setting. And let’s be real,Roland menus are infamous for being convoluted, but surprisingly, the JUNO-D88 is easy to navigate, making it a solid choice for gigging musicians who need quick access to essential sounds.

**The Juno D88 recently made it into my guide to synthesizers for live performance.

Key Action and Keybed

If you’ve ever played a Roland digital piano, you know they take key action seriously. The JUNO-D88 features the PHA-4 Ivory Feel hammer-action keybed, which feels remarkably close to an acoustic piano. It’s responsive, expressive, and makes playing a joy—something that’s often overlooked in synth-oriented keyboards.

In comparison, the Yamaha MX88 uses a Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action, which, while decent, feels much lighter and less refined than Roland’s PHA-4. If you’re a pianist transitioning to a digital stage piano, the JUNO-D88 is hands-down the better option.

For gigging musicians, this means you get an action that feels like a real instrument, without being overly heavy or sluggish. And if you’re using it as a master controller in the studio, it provides the tactile response needed for expressive playing.

Sounds

A great keybed is nothing without stellar sounds, and the JUNO-D88 delivers big.

The Juno D88 delivers where the Juno series has always shined and that’s in the pads and synth leads.

If you’re looking for a deep sound design workstation, the JUNO-D88 might not be your first choice. It has a ton of presets (over 3,800 sounds), but editing them isn’t as immediate as editing a dedicated synth with more hands-on controls. If you’re looking for true sound manipulation, a dedicated MIDI controller with VSTs might be a better fit.

Pianos: Melt Piano is a Standout

The acoustic pianos are easily some of the best in this price range. The Melt Piano patch, in particular, is beautiful, expressive, and deeply playable. Whether you’re playing solo or in a band mix, Roland’s ZEN-Core sound engine ensures you get a rich, detailed piano tone that cuts through.

The Yamaha MX88 also has good pianos, but they lean towards brighter, thinner tones, which don’t always work well in every musical setting. Roland’s pianos just feel more natural and full-bodied.

Electric Pianos and Organs

The JUNO-D88’s electric pianos are solid, with a nice range of Rhodes, Wurly, and FM-style patches that respond well to dynamics. The organs are also very strong, providing a warm and full sound that works great in live settings.

This is an area where I’ve seen numerous people knock of the Juno D88. I went into the electric pianos expecting not to love them, and to be honest; I thought they were solid.

Bass and Guitar Sounds

One of my biggest gripes with many keyboards is that bass and guitar sounds are often unusable. Not here. The basses are thick and punchy, and the guitar tones sound convincing—a rare find on a synth in this range. The acoustic guitar and searing lead guitar patches stand out as particularly strong, making them a great choice for layering and live performances.

Synths and Pads

I had the privilege of playing the original Juno series in the studio for my band Vinyl Theatre’s second album, Origami. I fell in love with the pads immediately. The pads on the Juno D-88 deliver, which is an area I feel Roland always delivers.

Layout

I personally like the layout of the Juno D-88. It’s built with gigging in mind, as the buttons are all illuminated and can be seen in a dark environment. All of the controls also feel solid and not as cheap as other options at this price point.

Ease of Use

Roland has a reputation for complex menu diving, but the JUNO-D88 is refreshingly easy to use. It features dedicated selection buttons, real-time sliders, and a clear layout, making sound selection and editing a breeze.

Compared to the MX88, which has a more dated UI and limited hands-on controls, the JUNO-D88 feels much more user-friendly for live performance.

Connectivity and Portability

Roland built this keyboard with gigging musicians in mind. Here’s what stands out:

• Balanced stereo outputs for plugging into a PA or interface
• USB-C for audio/MIDI, meaning easy integration with DAWs
• Mic input with vocal effects, including reverb, compression, EQ, vocoder, and auto-pitch
• Battery-powered option (USB-C mobile battery) for ultimate portability
• Lightweight for an 88-key weighted keyboard (31.96 lbs), making it manageable for gigs

The Yamaha MX88 lacks a mic input and some of the advanced connectivity features, making the JUNO-D88 a better all-in-one stage and studio solution.

Be sure to check out my guide to keyboards for gigging here.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent keybed with realistic piano feel
• Great selection of pianos, basses, and guitar sounds
• Easy-to-navigate interface, especially for a Roland
• Versatile connectivity options including USB-C and mic input
• Lightweight for an 88-key weighted synth
• Solid onboard effects and vocal processing features
• Expandable with Roland Cloud sound packs
• Strong acoustic guitar and searing lead guitar tones
• Organs are solid and gig-ready

Cons

• Not ideal for deep synth programming or sound design
• Limited real-time control compared to some competitors
• Effects routing could be more flexible
• No built-in speakers, which is common for these types of keyboards

Specifications and Features

• Type: Keyboard Synthesizer
• Sound Engine: ZEN-Core, 8-part
• Analog/Digital: Digital
• Number of Keys: 88
• Type of Keys: PHA-4 Standard Keyboard; Escapement, Ivory Feel
• Velocity Sensitive: Yes
• Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Lever, 4 Sliders, 4 Sound Modified Knobs
• Pads: 8 Pads
• Number of Presets: 128 Scenes, 2 Banks, 128 User
• Presets: 3800 Tones, 95 Drum Kits
• Effects Types: 8 Reverb/Mic Reverb, 10 Chorus
• Arpeggiator: Yes
• Sequencer: 8-track, 64 Steps Max
• Audio Playback: WAV, AIFF
• Storage: USB Flash Drive (sold separately)
• Audio Inputs: 1 XLR-1/4″ Combo, 1 1/8″ (aux)
• Audio Outputs: 2 1/4″ TRS (main)
• Headphones: 1 1/4″ TRS
• USB: 1 Type A (storage), 1 USB-C (audio, MIDI)
• MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
• Pedal Inputs: 1 1/4″ (hold), 1 1/4″ (control)
• Expansion: EXZ Series
• Power Source: PSB-5U AC Adapter (included), USB Powered
• Height: 5.43″
• Width: 54.84″
• Depth: 13.97″
• Weight: 31.96 lbs

Wrapping Up

For the price, this is one of the best you can get right now. Whether you’re on stage or in the studio, the Roland JUNO-D88 delivers where it matters most.