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
At the top of the 1990s, Prince was eager for new sounds. The JD-800 was the go-to synth on a lengthy run of albums by the prolific artist.
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
One of the most distinctive polys of the ’80s, the JX-3P is the secret sauce on tracks from movie themes to quirky indie cuts.
Dive into this companion to the first phase of a three-part NTS radio series tracing the TR-808 across continents and cultures.
A Few Minutes with Divide and Dissolve
Ari Rosenschein
Multi-instrumentalist and composer Takiaya Reed creates heavy sounds that transcend genre boundaries—and even countries.
Careers in Music: Pete Korpela on Percussion for Film, TV, and Beyond
Nate Duchene
The prolific percussionist shares how an insatiable curiosity for rhythm fueled his journey from Helsinki to Hollywood.
Careers in Music: Jon Theodore of Queens of the Stone Age
Jamie Franklin and Tom Wonnacott
Meet the man on the throne for the Josh Homme supergroup and learn how he uses V-Drums with traditional percussion to create sonic landscapes.
A Few Minutes With Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins
Keith Nelson Jr.
The Grammy Award-winning producer behind scores of massive hits traces his signature sound to his Roland beginnings.
Urban Voices Project: Making the Neighborhood Sing
Emma Madden
Find out how the Los Angeles nonprofit organization has played a key role in helping participants secure both housing and employment.
A Few Minutes with Snarky Puppy
Danny Turner
The outfit’s latest rekindles its bond with the Metropole Orkest, as Bill Laurance’s harmonic style enters new orchestral and jazz frontiers.
A Few Minutes with TEED
Danny Turner
An intimate quest for connection, the latest release from TEED is a shimmering, memory-soaked blend of tender synths and emotional clarity.
A Few Minutes with Home Front
Ari Rosenschein
For these Edmonton synth provocateurs, punk is more than a genre. Find out how the term grounds them in decades of DIY efforts.
Careers in Music: Dan Nebe of Team Musicare
Ari Rosenschein
Learn how the pandemic-born music organization provides “inclusive, real-world creative arts experiences” in this exclusive conversation.
A Few Minutes with Ben Marc
Ari Rosenschein
Jazz, hip-hop, classical, and experimental sounds coalesce in the bassist’s music. Find out how he’s created a space for his unique style.
EXPLORE TECH AND TREND
Members of the Glastonbury Class of 2025—Colm Conlan, Dani Bernard, and Will White—give us the inside scoop from the festival this year.
Sample the worldwide scope of 404 Day 2026 with this overview of community-driven SP-powered events, showcases, workshops, and more.
Artificial Intelligence is making its way into music. Investigate the wild new world of AI and how it's reshaping the creative landscape.
Verzuz and Rolling Live Studios point to a streaming future. Roland worked with both camps, helping up the sonics to match their visuals.
The crown jewel of your creative space can look as good as it sounds. Use these tips to incorporate your piano into your home design plans.