Dive into this companion to the first phase of a three-part NTS radio series tracing the TR-808 across continents and cultures.
Meet the music director behind Afrobeats’ biggest names as he discusses his heritage, essential gear, and the genre’s future.
Meet the session sensation who’s shared stages with Olivia Rodrigo, Zayn, and Maisie Peters, and learn how she’s used keys to unlock a thriving career in music.
FEATURES
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Meet Jason Dasent: music producer, accessibility advocate, and the architect of Roland's first dedicated support resources for visually impaired V-STAGE players.
The early MTV icon reveals how he segued into Silicon Valley entrepreneurship and academia while remaining true to his creative impulses.
Juju and Jojo of the Los Angeles-based baroque pop outfit wax philosophical about their journey—at once melodic, aesthetic, and geographic.
The Berlin-based melodic disco powerhouse talks about his early years in an Italian village, vintage Roland, and how he’s always dancing when spinning records.
LISTENING GUIDE
Submerge yourself in this starting point for an experimental genre of rock music that floats, swirls, and unfolds.
Find out how 9th Wonder helped reshape the rules of sample-based production in the 21st century with this selection of classics.
Before hip-hop was the world's most dominant musical genre, several groundbreaking women blazed a fiery trail for others to follow.
From droning electronic pieces to spiritual soundscapes, these records offer a beautiful entry point into this immersive genre.
The trailblazer combined synthesizers, tight songwriting chops, and an evolving glam sci-fi image. Probe the outer limits of his discography.
Learn
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The 25-year-old British singer-songwriter behind one of R&B's most buzzed-about debuts traces his gossamer sound to the vintage synth that defined a generation.
Ahead of GROUPLOVE’s BeachLife Festival performance, drummer Ben Homola breaks down his hybrid setup, the gear that keeps him consistent, and more.
Discover performance-ready SP-404MKII effects that let you shape unique sounds, energize your live sets, and expand your studio creativity.
Sample the worldwide scope of 404 Day 2026 with this overview of community-driven SP-powered events, showcases, workshops, and more.
SOUND BEHIND THE SONG
Join us on a walk through the mysterious sycamore trees of Twin Peaks, as we unveil the secrets behind the show’s legendary opening theme.
Doctor Who, the sci-fi phenomenon, has taken many forms—and so has its theme. Discover how the 1980 version became a definitive classic.
Find out how David Bowie and Iggy Pop created a slapback-saturated swing that takes the listener on a hazy nighttime stroll through Berlin.
The cultural ramifications of "Big Fun" are difficult to measure. Inner City drafted the sonic palette for a movement.
TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Roland Future Design Lab
Designing Access: An Interview with Jason Dasent
Meet Jason Dasent: music producer, accessibility advocate, and the architect of Roland’s first dedicated support resources for visually impaired V-STAGE players.
Project LYDIA Phase II: Neural Sampling Evolved
Learn how Project LYDIA Phase II reflects what Roland Future Design Lab and Neutone learned from feedback and how the project is progressing.
Roland’s New Global Headquarters: Inside the Inspiration Hub
Roland has unveiled a new headquarters in Japan that unites R&D and administration staff under one roof in an inspiring workspace.
A Look Inside Roland Future Design Lab
Roland Future Design Lab lead Paul McCabe, Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation, discusses the group’s mission and future.
DRUMS
Electronic drums are easy to use, fun to play, and supply built-in learning opportunities. Learn all about why new drummers love them.
This guide will teach you how hybrid drums can benefit your drumming by helping you enhance, layer, and expand your sound.
For a top-of-the-line electronic drum kit, look no further than the TD-50X series. Every element combines for a superb drumming experience.
The V-Drums Acoustic Design (VAD) series combines the Roland technology drummers love with classic acoustic drum set styling.
With so many electronic drum kits to choose from, what’s the best intermediate choice? Roland’s TD-27 series provides the solution.
Our Contributors
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Based in Bath, United Kingdom Stuart is a veteran music tech journalist for outlets like Music Radar, Total Guitar, and more. In addition to his many publication credits, he was the editor of Rhythm.
Dustin Good is Product Manager for Synthesis at Roland Americas. He lives in Wakefield, Quebec where he experiments with all manner of synthesizers and electronics.
David Bellow, aka Lightfoot, is a producer, DJ, and educator based in Boston. A respected figure in the lo-fi community, Bellow also works with young creators at Berklee College of Music.
Darren is Percussion Product Manager for Roland Canada. He loves motorcycles, loud drums, and the great outdoors.
A FEW MINUTES WITH
Ali Stone's new single "Crudo," featuring ZENOLOGY, refers to a love that's pure, sincere, and gets better with time.
AMÉMÉ reveals the ways his eclectic musical DNA helps him blur the lines between melodic techno, Afro, and deep house.
The wandering artist speaks about early musical memories, capturing fleeting ideas, and how a sense of place influences her writing.
Drift through the sonic waters of Julianna Barwick’s ethereal vocal loops on a journey from her Los Angeles kitchen to the waterfalls of Iceland and the sun-soaked walkways of Paris.
Italian duo MARNIK discusses '90s inspiration, all-star collaboration, and how their V-MODA headphones can withstand a meteorological event.