We invited the Kitmonsters crew to our artist showroom to check out the new Integra 7 module. We also invited Laura Kidd from She Makes War, and top producer of the moment Amir (AKA Major Toms) who is also enjoying success with his band Rudimental. Our man Gareth showed them…
One of the most iconic guitarists of his generation talks effects, style and saxophones. Oh, and the small matter of closing the Olympics. Interview by Jamie Franklin, pic by Essy Syed. We catch up with guitarist Graham Coxon to talk about what effects he uses and what they mean to…
Roland has come a long way since its inception in 1972. Its synths, drum machines and effects have been used on some of the most famous records ever and have helped artists push sonic boundaries, creating new sounds and even radical new musical genres. Taking part over three dates in…
The Music Industries Association have announced the MIA Music Awards 2012. The awards celebrate the music instrument industry, honouring the most reliable and innovative current products. This year Roland is honoured to have had 9 different products nominated across 6 categories, including three products in the hardware of the year…
We recently caught up with Bernie Smith, keyboard player for Take That on their highly successful Progress Tour, where he used the Roland JUPITER-80 extensively. Bernie talks us through his favourite features of the Roland JUPITER-80 synth and shares with us how he uses it in a live scenario, from…
Roland relaunched the Jupiter range last year with the Jupiter-80, it caused quite a stir and not necessarily for all the right reasons. Firstly, comparisons with the Jupiter-8 weren’t entirely unexpected given the new keyboards name, although the analog purists weren’t appreciative that it’s focus was on emulating acoustic tones…
Become a synthesizer master with Roland’s workshops at Planet Synth and get an exlcusive Exploring Sound iBook for free. Have you ever wondered how to recreate the gurgling squelch of Daft Punk’s Da Funk or the haunting staccato of Kraftwerk’s The Model? Well wonder no more! Roland is hosting a…
The machine that put a smile on the faces of party people all over the world, without even realising: the incomparable TB-303 Bassline. It’s hard to make a definitive statement these days without kicking off an almighty flame war, but we’re going to make one anyway: the TB-303 is the greatest…
Can Blur do any better this year? Probably not. After a triumphant return to form, and another classic single from the boys in ‘Westway’ due to close the Olympics, we catch up with the unheard man who puts it all together. Mike Smith has toured with Jamiroquai, Brand New Heavies,…
Roland gear used by Rihanna, Jay-Z and more Hackney is probably best-known for trendy haircuts, urban deprivation and erm… the riots, but last weekend it was treated like a princess when the whole of the musical A-List swooshed by for BBC Radio One’s Hackney Weekend 2012. The lineup was jaw-droppingly…
Netsky is Belgian producer Boris Daenen, a 23-year old studio whiz and DJ signed to Hospital Records, the influential UK drum and bass label. Fusing killer hooks with crowd pleasing production, Netsky are playing to capacity crowds all over Europe. Check out footage from some recent gigs in Brussels – complete…
Issue two of PowerOn, Roland’s iPad music magazine, is now available for free from the App Store. Headlines include an exclusive interview with Graham Coxon, a look at how Netsky are changing the sound of drum and bass, and an indepth analysis of the troubles facing the music industry. As usual, the…