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
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
Take a deep dive into the way streaming recommendations work—and how online algorithms shape our musical listening habits.
The TR-606 endures for its crisp, punchy sound, as well as trigger capabilities and extensive mods. Find out why it remains a classic.
Linafornia’s childhood and teenage years contained a broad range of melodies and tones.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the TR-808 and 808 Day, Tadao Kikumoto graciously offered his time for this exclusive conversation.
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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Charles “BLVK Samurai” Burchell is a music producer, rapper, multi-instrumentalist, and educator from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Darren is Percussion Product Manager for Roland Canada. He loves motorcycles, loud drums, and the great outdoors.
An LA-based booking agent with This Is Who We Are Now, Emily organizes Record Club Los Angeles, Presence, and many other events. Her work appears in L.A. Record and Razorcake .
Greg Phillips is the editor of Australia’s longest-running musician magazine, Australian Musician. Greg has also worked as a freelance music writer for publications such as Guitar and Bass and Bass Player .
TECH AND TREND
Electronic music producer Christopher Kah highlights Roland instruments in ECHO, his new immersive 3D audio performances.
Anyone has the chance to go viral on TikTok. All it takes is attention-grabbing content, strategic hashtags, and some luck.
When I launched my first crowdfunding campaign, I had only seven Spotify followers. The project raised over $26,000 for my project.
They say that for a career in music you need to be tenacious, and I had been throughout my twenties and beyond. Can you return to music?
From oil paintings to digital illustration, sculptures to industrial design, synthesizers as art are finally shining in the limelight.