The legendary songwriter and performer discusses Roland synthesizers, positive thinking, and music’s power to transform.
Synthesizers in music production brought about a massive cultural shift. Take a trip into this groundbreaking genre.
8 mins read
Jim Keltner has been a go-to session drummer since the '70s. From ex-Beatles to Bob Dylan to Steely Dan, here’s a taste of the legendary player.
The trailblazer combined synthesizers, tight songwriting chops, and an evolving glam sci-fi image. Probe the outer limits of his discography.
FEATURES
See All »Synthesizers in music production brought about a massive cultural shift. Take a trip into this groundbreaking genre.
8 mins read
Find out how the art-rock classic “O Superman” kicked off Anderson's career by transforming the mundane into the sinister.
Learn about the legendary percussionist's family legacy, powerhouse collaborations, and career highlights.
The Roland and BOSS Lifetime Achievement Awards honor artists while providing a timeline of how these musicians and instruments shaped music.
DEEP DIVES
Linafornia’s childhood and teenage years contained a broad range of melodies and tones.
METZ discusses the band’s history, helping small venues survive, and playing their new album live at the Toronto Opera House.
Roland was a key part of the sampling movement—redefining what music could be. Take a guided tour of Roland samplers from past to present
The TR-606 endures for its crisp, punchy sound, as well as trigger capabilities and extensive mods. Find out why it remains a classic.
It’s been a long journey for the tech house genre. We trace its history and development from the earliest days to the present.
SOUND BEHIND THE SONG
At the heart of Tangerine Dream’s hypnotic “White Eagle” lies a secret—one kept between the band and a pair of JUPITER-8s.
Detroit’s enigmatic duo Drexciya submerged themselves in Afrofuturist myth. "Rublicks Cube" is a transcendent TR-606 classic.
In the mid-'80s, there was little edgier in the mainstream than NYC’s notorious Beastie Boys, and "Paul Revere" was their origin story.
Returning from an infamous hiatus, James Murphy leads LCD Soundsystem through a dark labyrinth of dance-punk rhythms.
SPOTLIGHT
From rock and roll frontwomen to Grammy-nominated artists, learn how these musicians are achieving their sonic dreams.
18 mins read
Our Contributors
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Brian Lamb AKA Unit:E is a Roland Cloud Academy instructor and admin of the MC-707 and MC-101 Facebook user group. As a DJ, he's participated in countless events across Hawaii and the West Coast.
An MI veteran, Clint was one of the founders of Emagic North America and worked at both Apple and Line 6. A passionate music fan, he heads The New Music Collective.
Web media on the topic of synthesizers and music production tools.
Jessica Roemischer is an award-winning pianist and storyteller, and a beloved teacher. In unique performance events, podcasts, and writings, Jessica uplifts the human spirit through the evocative power of word and music. New York-born and raised, she lives in Sydney, Australia. Find out more at www.pianobeautiful.com.
TECH AND TREND
If music has no boundaries, why does its genesis usually occur within four walls? Biomusic is rooted in non-human sounds.
In our new quarantine reality, many of us work from home and socialize through a screen, making technology increasingly central in our lives.
There are specific things musicians can do to foster wellness and stay creative, despite the challenges we all face right now.
Welcome to the world that’s grown around SP-404 custom skins and beyond. Get lost in the art and hear from the creators in their own words.
When I launched my first crowdfunding campaign, I had only seven Spotify followers. The project raised over $26,000 for my project.