The 1980s were a pivotal time in hip-hop’s development. Listen to these ten songs that helped define the decade.
EXPLORE HISTORY
Travel back in time to the year 1985 to find out what makes the JX-8P so unique among the Roland polysynths and why it remains so beloved.
"The Bay" has a sun-drenched video and JUNO-60 hooks galore. Metronomy's Joseph Mount explains why it's easy to love but wasn't easy to make.
Explore the show's haunting theme song and learn how the composers leaned on vintage synths, including the Roland JUPITER-8 and SH-2.
Doctor Who, the sci-fi phenomenon, has taken many forms—and so has its theme. Discover how the 1980 version became a definitive classic.
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.
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.
EXPLORE TECH AND TREND
K-pop groups increasingly claim the spotlight on the world stage. Industry insiders give us insights into what makes the style so popular.
Through social media, our personal and artistic lives bleed into each other. What does this mean for musicians developing their branding?
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.
Learn how the biggest musical acts are challenging audience attention spans by releasing lengthy albums in today's marketplace.