Before the TR-808 and TR-909 changed hip-hop and dance, the CR-78 changed pop. Here's the story of the last Roland organ-top rhythm machine.
EXPLORE HISTORY
The Roland TR-808, used on Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s alluring 2013 hit, “Drunk In Love,” is an essential bed upon which to create a masterpiece.
Often credited as the first deep house cut, “Mystery of Love” is a blueprint for the genre. Its pattern continues to captivate dancefloors.
Using the TR-808, vocoder, and modular synthesis, the enigmatic duo created a modern dance classic.
Before hip-hop was the world's most dominant musical genre, several groundbreaking women blazed a fiery trail for others to follow.
Key Figure: The Piano Takes Center Stage
Jake Uitti
A new generation of piano-playing frontpeople is carrying the torch for the instrument, bringing its legacy into new genres and formats.
A Few Minutes with AMÉMÉ
Alexander Dias
AMÉMÉ reveals the ways his eclectic musical DNA helps him blur the lines between melodic techno, Afro, and deep house.
Sam Gendel and the AE-30: Film, Album, Instrument
Ari Rosenschein
Acclaimed musician Sam Gendel took the AE-30 to Iceland to create an album and documentary. Learn how the Aerophone Pro inspired the project.
Andy Bell: Taking an Electronic Ride with GLOK
Ari Rosenschein
Legendary British musician Andy Bell creates immersive electronic worlds in his new project, GLOK. Read about the role Roland gear plays.
David Rosenthal: Always in a New York State of Mind
Ari Rosenschein
For David Rosenthal, Billy Joel’s keyboardist and Musical Director, NYC is home. Learn how he helped arrange an all-star tribute to the city.
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.
EXPLORE TECH AND TREND
If music has no boundaries, why does its genesis usually occur within four walls? Biomusic is rooted in non-human sounds.
The When We Were Young music festival is a niche celebration where emo fans reunite to soak in nostalgia and fuel the resurgence of pop-punk’s popularity today.
Musical mad scientist Dolly Spectra discusses using her body as a MIDI controller in performance, community, and the future of electronic pop.
In our new quarantine reality, many of us work from home and socialize through a screen, making technology increasingly central in our lives.
The Roland Lifestyle brand builds on the company's legacy while looking to the future. See how it's introducing Roland to new generations.