French house rose to prominence in the 1990s. Let these ten classic tracks take you on a journey through this eclectic style.
Meet seven successful Broadway musicians who carved their own paths to the stage and into the orchestra pit.
18 mins read
This legend was around at the start of the Los Angeles rap game. The self-proclaimed Willy Wonka talks N.W.A, 808s, and his own futurism.
From Joni Mitchell to Steely Dan, Tom Scott reflects on unforgettable moments from iconic collaborations that shaped his career—and left a lasting impact on the musical landscape.
FEATURES
See All »
The wandering artist speaks about early musical memories, capturing fleeting ideas, and how a sense of place influences her writing.
9 mins read
The legendary musician and composer reflects on his musical upbringing, the power of digital wind instruments, and key collaborations.
From genre-blending origins to raw, emotional techno, Death in Vegas charts Richard Fearless' singular sonic journey through a vintage lens.
DEEP DIVES
Linafornia’s childhood and teenage years contained a broad range of melodies and tones.
Nashville has seen changes over the years, mirroring the growth of its entertainment industry. These musicians contribute to the fabric of Music City.
It’s been a long journey for the tech house genre. We trace its history and development from the earliest days to the present.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the TR-808 and 808 Day, Tadao Kikumoto graciously offered his time for this exclusive conversation.
The Roland and BOSS Lifetime Achievement Awards honor artists while providing a timeline of how these musicians and instruments shaped music.
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.
Leftfield came from the same primordial soup as the greatest British dance acts. Explore this iconic track and the TB-303's role in it.
Detroit’s enigmatic duo Drexciya submerged themselves in Afrofuturist myth. "Rublicks Cube" is a transcendent TR-606 classic.
Here's how the artist's omnipresent '90s hit "Praise You" harnessed the Roland TB-303 to become a radio and dancefloor sensation.
SPOTLIGHT
From rock and roll frontwomen to Grammy-nominated artists, learn how these musicians are achieving their sonic dreams.
18 mins read
Our Contributors
See All »
Darren is Percussion Product Manager for Roland Canada. He loves motorcycles, loud drums, and the great outdoors.
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 .
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
Artist/designer/musician Yuri Suzuki talks about his love of Roland gear, creating 808303.studio, and musical life during quarantine.
Run a search for “Octapad” or “Octapadist,” and you'll find a vast musical community. Learn how the instrument became a household word.
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.
From oil paintings to digital illustration, sculptures to industrial design, synthesizers as art are finally shining in the limelight.
Drummer XR blends drumming, green screen, and mixed-reality professional Matt Workman's immersive 3D world-building chops.