Mr. Oizo’s “Flat Beat” was an infectious song written for a Levi's® ad starring an orange puppet named Flat Eric. At its heart was the TR-606.
EXPLORE HISTORY
In 1982, a new synth dynasty set the tone for the '80s and beyond. Get the entire tale of the sonic and cultural impact of the Roland JUNO-60
Roland’s global headquarters sits in Hamamatsu, Japan. Take a tour of this charming seaside town and learn how Roland fits into its history.
Sometimes, a song’s intro transports us back to a specific time. Learn how the CR-78 formed the playful rhythmic bed for "Heart of Glass."
The D-50 ushered in a new era of popular music that crossed all genres. Hear the synth in action with this varied selection of tracks.
Egyptian Lover and the Art of Staying Gold
Kyle Eustice
Egyptian Lover—born Gregory Broussard—began his love affair with the Roland TR-808 as a teenager. It has been his muse ever since.
LLNN: Brothers Creating Sound and Fury
Ari Rosenschein
The siblings of LLNN share a lifetime of gaming and music. They discuss unorthodox sound design, Roland gear, and the mystery of their name.
A Few Minutes with Stas THEE Boss
Jake Uitti
The bicoastal artist discusses the joy of sharing new musical sounds, making cosmic connections, and crafting beats with the DJ-808.
John P. Kee: A Lifetime of Uplifting Audiences with Song
Jake Uitti
Since he was a young person, music has brought joy to John P. Kee. Now he shares that same experience with audiences all over the world.
A Few Minutes with Scanner: Pursuing Immersive Sound
Andrew Emil
Robin “Scanner” Rimbaud explores many genres—from avant-garde to accessible. Find out how he’s gone from tape recorders to art institutions.
A Few Minutes with Gattobus: From Roland Fan to Family
SIRMA
Gattobus received his first Roland keyboard at 16. Find out how he became a sound designer for the SYSTEM-8, FANTOM, JUPITER-X, and others.
A Few Minutes with Rance Dopson: Visionary Dreamer
Ari Rosenschein
As a founder of 1500 Sound Academy, multi-instrumentalist/producer/writer Rance Dopson uses his experience to help young musicians grow.
A Few Minutes with Rarelyalways: Manic Expression
Ari Rosenschein
Rarelyalways opens up about his eclectic influences, the unpredictable ways inspiration strikes, and how he sometimes denies his identity.
A Few Minutes with Mndsgn: Expanding Possibilities
Kat Bein
Mndsgn has spent over a decade exploring inner truths as danceable moods. Find out why creating his latest was such a rare artistic pleasure.
Jacknife Lee: Studio Adventures and Philosophy
Ari Rosenschein
Jacknife Lee has produced U2, REM, The Killers, Snow Patrol, and more. Still, his hunger for innovation means he never rests on his laurels.
EXPLORE TECH AND TREND
Alin Dimitriu, Saint Ezekiel, Lightfoot, and Ski Beatz share the challenges and rewards of sample pack creation and give tips to producers.
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.
Collab is a new iOS app from New Product Experimentation (NPE) at Facebook that helps people make music together. Learn how to utilize it.
Follow DJ Skratch Bastid and Pro A/V expert RomeDigs as they reflect on the power of combining livestreaming with in-person performance.
Electronic music producer Christopher Kah highlights Roland instruments in ECHO, his new immersive 3D audio performances.