V-Drums World Championship 2 winners at the Frankfurt Musikmesse

During the recent 2013 Musikmesse music fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Roland held the international finals for the V-Drums World Championship 2. From a field of top drummers representing 16 different countries, Issah Contractor from Canada grabbed the crown with a masterful performance blending impressive drumming chops and a thorough command of the modern technology in Roland’s electronic percussion products.

The V-Drums World Championship 2 Explained…

Roland’s annual V-Drums World Championship gives drummers everywhere a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against other Roland electronic percussion players. This year’s contest was the biggest yet, with nearly 5,000 participants competing during national preliminary rounds in countries around the world. The grand finale took place on April 11, 2013 at the prestigious Südbahnhof music club in Frankfurt, with well-known German drummer Dirk Brand serving as the host for the evening. The event was also streamed live to Internet viewers around the globe on the V-Drums World Championship international website.

The night featured inspired drumming by players from the United States, Sweden, Italy, Mexico, Hungary, Switzerland, China, Turkey, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Spain, and Canada. Each earned a trip to the finals by winning national V-Drums competitions in their home countries. In Frankfurt, every finalist played an original drum performance using the TD-30KV V-Pro® Series V-Drums, OCTAPAD® SPD-30 Percussion Pad, and SPD-SX Sampling Pad.

A group of seven judges assembled for the finals included noted drummers Brand, Craig Blundell, Tommy Snyder, and Florian Alexandru-Zorn, plus music journalists Mark Van Schaik, Rich Chamberlain, and Axel Mikolajczak. They scored the contestants’ performances in areas of technique, style, stage presence, overall creativity, and creative use of technology.

See the V-Drums World Championship 2 slide show

V-Drums World Championship 2 winner: Issah Contractor

Naming a winner was a tough call, as all the players delivered jaw-dropping displays of drumming prowess. When the smoke had cleared, Issah Contractor came out on top with a performance that featured looping on the SPD-30, sample playback from the SPD-SX, multiple meter shifts, impressive double-kick chops, and unique playing of melodies with the V-Drums’ pads.

V-Drums World Championship 2 runner-ups Jaime Edwin de la Rosa & Lars Nijman

Second Place went to Jaime Edwin de la Rosa from Mexico, while Third Place went to Lars Nijman from the Netherlands.

In an interview after his win, Issah talked about how he’s excited to use the powerful technology in V-Drums to forge a new melodic direction in drumming. “One cool thing about the TD-30 is the step sequence function,” said Issah. “I believe that can be utilized very uniquely in the future. I’d like to see if I can push that boundary. It could be really something that is groundbreaking. Although there are notes on the drums, it feels a little devoid over the harmony aspect, and I think the V-Drums would be awesome for trying to put that forward.”

If you’re a drummer based in the United States and want to enter for the V-Drums World Championship 3, check the V-Drums contest page at RolandUS.com.

Check out our V-Drums World Championship 2 playlist on YouTube to see final performances from all the contestants, plus interviews with the top three players.

V-Drums World Championship 2 Performances

Do you agree with the judges? Tell us who you think the winner should be.

Related links and articles:

• Pat Kennedy V-Drums Training Camp
• Brendan Buckley Judges V-Drums Semi Finals
• Meet the V-Drums U.S. Finalists
• The Benefits of Electronic Drums

Electronic dance music DJ and producer Richard Vission discusses his use of the INTEGRA-7 in his remixes and original music productions.

Richard Vission has been a preeminent house DJ and producer in Los Angeles since the late ’80s. His musical career started when DJ culture was first taking flight in Los Angeles, becoming known for a freewheeling mixing style that cycled through dozens of records per hour. He took the same frenzied sound into his production career, scoring big in 1992 with the sports-anthem classic “Jump” as a member of The Movement.

Static Revenger’s First Look at INTEGRA-7

Since then, Richard has produced and remixed top dance tracks for artists such as Donna Summer, Radiohead, Todd Terry, Lady Gaga, RuPaul, Ace of Base, Taylor Dayne, Crystal Waters, The Black Eyed Peas, Madonna, and many others. In 2001, he earned a GRAMMY nomination as Remixer of the Year. For over two decades, Richard’s hosted Powertools, the longest running mix show on U.S. radio. Powertools airs weekly on KPWR (Power 106 FM) in Los Angeles, and is syndicated in other markets.

As a busy producer who works on up to ten songs at any given time, Richard needs fast access to great sounds. That’s why he’s recently turned to the INTEGRA-7 SuperNATURAL® Sound Module, calling it Roland’s “best sound modules, all in one.”

We recently talked with Richard about his long career, current projects, and how he’s integrating his newly acquired INTEGRA-7 into his everyday production process.

INTEGRA-7

How many projects do you work on at a time?

In the studio, I’m working on nine or ten songs at one time. Usually, the norm is about seven in the pop world and about three in the EDM world. There’s just a constant flow. For good or for bad, I’m one of those tweakers—I’m never, ever done until it’s done done. You know, sometimes we’re writing pop stuff and we’ll be editing those vocals and working melodies out, and then at night I’ll be working on an EDM track. We’re also developing new tracks at the same time. It’s just ongoing, like nonstop here for us.

How does the INTEGRA-7 help you with your workflow and the demands of your schedule?

What’s cool about the INTEGRA-7, what I really like about it, [is that] it’s going to cut down on my time that I have to go searching for sounds. Right now, in the computer, we probably have 50 [virtual instruments] to choose from. But it’s very nice to know that I can get a lot of answers for what I’m looking for in my head [faster from the INTEGRA-7 hardware]. The INTEGRA-7 is going to make things really, really cool and help the workflow work faster.

Also, working from the INTEGRA-7 Editor for the iPad just makes it a little cooler. Looking at a sound module, sometimes it’s just difficult to get your head around it. The way [Roland has] laid it out in iPad form is very, very simple—touch here, press here, touch there—as opposed to [going] into different pages. An iPad just makes it [more fun].

How do you think other musicians and songwriters will use the INTEGRA-7?

I think the INTEGRA-7 is going to be used by a lot of different people, from studio rats like myself to live musicians. I can see every band wanting to have access to all these different synths when you’re on the road; you’d probably have to bring 20 different synthesizers to bring what’s in that box on the road. I think for songwriters, too, they just want access to a lot of different sounds to get their ideas out.

You’ve been ahead of the curve for a long time with EDM groups like The Movement and Stranger Days. Could we possibly see you forming a new group in the future?

I always like to look at history; history always repeats itself, but with a twist. And I think it’s really cool to see DJs play music, and I think the next thing for an EDM fan is to actually go and watch the person play the music. I mean, the best EDM show in the last 20 years is Daft Punk. So I think there’s going to be an evolution of that. Kids are going to be like, “There are a million DJs out there, but I want to play my stuff live.” I think you’re going to soon see four, five people on stage. I think that’s going to be the next thing. I think an electronic outfit having access to all the sounds that the INTEGRA-7 has is going to help them. If you’re doing your records live, you’re going to need access to a bunch of different sounds.

INTEGRA-7

How does the INTEGRA-7 inspire your creativity?

The INTEGRA-7 is great for inspiration, because it has so many different sounds, from brass to synth sounds to live piano, and a lot of new sounds, which is really cool. I mean, it’s just amazing to get ideas down or take your production to the next level. Anytime there’s something new that comes out, it’s definitely inspirational. [The INTEGRA-7] has old sounds too, and a lot of people have never discovered those old sounds, so to bring them back in the mix is very cool.

One other thing I think is dope about the INTEGRA-7 is the history of sounds that it has, especially a lot of the old drum sounds that I’m always searching for. One of the first drum machines I ever touched was a Roland TR-909. So to have access to that history in the INTEGRA-7, and their history of all their synths from the old JUNOs on down, it’s just pretty amazing and cool to have all that at your fingertips. It’s a JP-80, and it also has every SRX board. It’s like your best sound modules, all in one.

Related links and articles:

• Static Revenger’s First Look at INTEGRA-7
• Kurt Kesedar on How to Create the Electro Wobble Bass
• The Making of “Egypt, Egypt”
• 5 Tips for Choosing an Audio Interface

Wes and the Mob Dawgs with Sammy Hagar at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

At the 2013 Winter NAMM Show, Roland Corporation U.S. invited its valued dealers to enter a drawing for the opportunity to attend an all-expenses-paid weekend retreat at the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas. Wes Faulconor, the owner of Explorers Percussion in Kansas City, Missouri, had his name drawn randomly from the many entrants, winning a three-day experience at the camp’s permanent home near the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on the Vegas Strip. From March 7-9, 2013, Wes enjoyed a jam-packed schedule of rehearsals, performances, recording sessions, and clinics, topped off with the chance to drum with legendary rockers Sammy Hagar and Steve Vai.

Special-Edition Rock and Roll Fantasy Camps, Powered by Roland

Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas provides musicians and music fans a unique opportunity to jam with renowned rock stars, write and record original songs, and perform live before large audiences at Rouge, a lounge in the MGM Grand. Campers get to play pro gear from Roland and BOSS during their stay, including TD-30KV and TD-15KV V-Drums kits, the RD-700NX stage piano, GA-series guitar amps, ME-70 guitar effects, and more.

Wes is a lifelong drummer and percussionist with over 40 years experience, and he plays some piano and guitar as well. He opened Explorers Percussion in 1984, which quickly became one of the leading drum and percussion shops in the Kansas City metro area. Explorers carries a full line of major brands, including the electronic percussion lineup from Roland. They also offer educational events, private drum lessons, and regular drum clinics led by national and local artists.

Wes Faulconer and Sammy Hagar at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

Quickly after arriving at the camp, Wes was put together in a group with three guitarists, with one of the guitarists also handling lead vocal duties. Michael Lardie, a multi-instrumentalist who plays with Great White and Night Ranger, served as camp counselor for the group, and played bass and sang backup as well.

During their three-day stay, Wes’ band—calling themselves the Mob Dawgs—wrote an original song, worked up a selection of cover tunes, and performed every night alongside other campers’ groups at the Rouge. “Everybody played different orders every night,” says Wes. “We were one of the most natural bands that were there, I think. There was a big NASCAR race in Las Vegas that weekend. There were a lot of fans there to see that, and the club was always packed.” Rouge features a top-flight sound system with gear from Roland Systems Group, including the M-300 V-Mixer and a REAC Digital Snake setup. Pro roadies are also on hand to help the campers as they perform. “They were really on it,” says Wes. “They were at the ready to assist everybody, such as adjusting drums and swapping out guitars when someone broke a string.”

Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis on the RD-700NX

Throughout the weekend, Wes and the campers got to hobnob with many famous players. “Joe Vitale was there, and Billy Sheehan was there too,” he relates. “That was pretty cool. Lita Ford and Tony Franklin came in as well. On Friday, Sammy Hagar came in. Each band got to go in and play one song with him. We learned one of his songs, ‘I’ll Fall in Love Again,’ within about an hour. That was a little bit of pressure, but it worked out pretty good. We jammed with him, and it was a lot of fun.

“On Saturday, it was the same thing with Steve Vai,” Wes continues. “Everybody played a song with him. After that, he jammed with Billy Sheehan and Joe Vitale, and he did a little clinic where he talked for about an hour. His clinic was really inspirational.”

Wes at the Rouge lounge for Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

Wes and his group also got to record their original song at one of the camp’s two studios in the MGM Grand, which are outfitted with Cakewalk’s SONAR X2 DAW software and Roland’s OCTA-CAPTURE audio interfaces, plus V-Mixers, Digital Snakes, and M-48 personal monitoring systems from Roland Systems Group. The band’s guitarists tracked with BOSS ME-70 guitar effects, while Wes played the flagship TD-30KV V-Drums. “They were great, with lot of nice sounds,” Wes relates. “I really like the new features and the sensitivity, which allows your drumming to be more expressive, just like on an acoustic drum kit. It was really nice. We recorded really quickly, and got a great sound. The Roland and BOSS guitar gear sounded really, really good too.”

TD-30KV V-Drums in the studio at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

Overall, Wes simply had a great time. “It was a real positive experience, and first-class all the way,” he says. “I really thank Roland for giving me the opportunity. I feel lucky and really grateful that I won it. I went out there without any agenda or high goals; I just played as good as I can play, and just gave it all I had. I wanted to make it more like a vacation, you know, and just play my butt off, just play for the music, and have a really good time. And that’s pretty much what I did.”

Wes’ stay at the camp happened to fall on his birthday weekend, making it even more special. “It was probably the best birthday I’ve ever had,” he enthuses. “On Saturday night, Billy Sheehan and a bunch of the other people at the camp sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me, and that was really cool. It was a nice fitting end for the weekend.”

Wes with Billy Sheehan at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

For more information about Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp, visit RockCamp.com.

For details about Roland and BOSS gear used at the camp, check out our Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp gear list.

Related links and articles:

• Special Edition Rock and Roll Fantasy Camps, Powered by Roland Gear
• Roland Insider: Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp Giveaway Winner
• Behind the Scenes at Rock Camp

Roland FP-80 Digital Piano

Roland has revamped its popular FP-series lineup with two all-new models, the FP-80 and FP-50. Compact and stylish, these instruments feature the acclaimed SuperNATURAL® Piano sound engine for superior tone and 88-note Ivory Feel keyboards for the authentic touch and expressiveness of an acoustic grand. Both pianos are equipped with built-in sound systems, with the FP-80 incorporating multi-channel Acoustic Projection technology for an even more natural sound.

Roland FP-50 Digital Piano in white finish with optional KSC-44 stand

The FP-80 and FP-50 are extremely versatile instruments that are ideal for a variety playing situations. Available in black or white finishes, their attractive looks and sleek styling are perfect for modern living spaces, while the compact design makes them easy to transport for gigs and rehearsals. In addition to great acoustic piano tones, the FP-80 and FP-50 are equipped with a wide selection of additional sounds, including SuperNATURAL-based electric pianos, organs, strings, synths, and more. Via Roland Wireless Connect, you can also enjoy the FP-80 and FP-50 with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

From home enjoyment to the music classroom to the performance stage, the FP-80 and FP-50 digital pianos deliver Roland’s top-level tone, touch, and versatility at affordable prices.

Learn more about the FP-80 and FP-50 at RolandConnect.com.

Related links and articles:

• New Product: RC-505 Loop Station
• New Product: BK-9 Backing Keyboard
• Roland Connect

Roland FR-8x and FR-8xb V-Accordions

Packed with features requested by the world’s top accordionists, the new flagship FR-8x (piano-type) and FR-8xb (button-type) V-Accordions take the digital accordion to an all-new dimension. With extremely natural playability thanks to newly developed Dynamic Bellows Behavior technology, more convenient battery charging, an expanded sound set, four multi-effects engines, an onboard looper, and much more, the FR-8x and FR-8xb bring players the most powerful V-Accordion experience yet.

Here’s a quick rundown of just a few of the great new features in the FR-8x and FR-8xb:

• True acoustic accordion feel—Roland’s new Dynamic Bellows Behavior varies the resistance of the bellows depending on the register and number of notes played, delivering the familiar and comfortable playing feel of an acoustic accordion.
• Simple battery charging—The onboard battery can now be charged easily with the included AC adapter, with no playing interruption during the charging process.
• A wide range of new sounds and effects—In addition to accordions from around the world, the FR-8x and FR-8xb give you instant access to a ton of versatile sounds, including organs, strings, brass, synths, acoustic and electric guitars, and even drums! On top of that, four powerful multi-effects engines provide a huge selection of studio-quality sound sweetening options, with independent processing for Accordion, Orchestra 1, Orchestra 2, and Orchestra Chord sections.
• All-new user interface—A large, recessed color display, logical panel layout, and three programmable chin switches make operation simple and intuitive.
• Built-in looper—This much-requested feature allows you to layer the many different onboard sounds to create instant accompaniment for backing and improvisation.
• New button-type keyboard in the FR-8xb—The redesigned button-type keyboard provides improved response, an authentic look, and lower noise.

And that’s not all—this just touches on what these powerful new flagship instruments can do! To explore these new V-Accordions in full detail, visit RolandConnect.com.

Related links and articles:

• New Product: BK-9 Backing Keyboard
• New Product: RC-505 Loop Station
• Roland Connect

Roland BK-9 Backing Keyboard

If you’re looking for a premium auto-accompaniment instrument that’s easy to carry and simple to use, then check out the BK-9, the all-new flagship backing keyboard from Roland. The latest addition to the popular BK lineup is truly a powerhouse performer, with over 1,700 professional sounds, a 16-track sequencer, USB recording/playback, and much more. It’s also filled with full-ensemble accompaniments in almost every musical style imaginable, letting you lead the world’s most versatile backing band as you play. Perfect for solo/duo performers, songwriters, and casual hobbyists playing at home or social gatherings, the BK-9 puts inspiration under your fingertips.

Check out just a few of the BK-9’s top-level features:

• Over 1,700 sounds and 70 drum kits, including 22 of Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL® sounds and 500 all-new tones
• 540 rhythm accompaniments, remastered with the BK-9’s superior tones and effects
• Studio-quality effects, including five independent multi-effects engines and dedicated mastering effects
• A simple user interface designed for performing, with dual displays, an intuitive panel layout, onboard mixing with faders, favorite tones, music assistants, and much more
• 16-track sequencer for song composition and Rhythm Composer for creating and customizing accompaniments
• Audio playback and recording via USB flash memory
• XLR mic input and video output for displaying lyrics and photos
• Free iPad apps for displaying lyrics, managing tones, and more

And that’s just the start! Learn all about the BK-9 Backing Keyboard at RolandConnect.com.

Related links and articles:

• Roland Connect Main Page
• New Products: FP-80 and FP-50 Digital Pianos
• New Products: FR-8X and FR-8XB V-Accordions

BOSS RC-505 Loop Station

BOSS has just introduced the RC-505 Loop Station, a new breed of looper that’s perfect for beatboxers, singers, club performers, and DJs. With its compact, tabletop design and powerful yet simple interface, the RC-505 gives you fingertip control of five simultaneous stereo loop tracks, a variety of recording and playback options, amazing real-time effects, and much more.

The RC-505: A New Concept in Loop Stations

Fueled by BOSS’ industry leading Loop Station products and annual Loop Station World Championship competitions, the live looping movement has exploded over the last few years. From the start, Loop Stations have been incredibly popular with guitarists, singer/songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists. But recently, increasing numbers of solo vocalists have been discovering the amazing potential of live looping as well. With just a microphone and a Loop Station, beatboxers and singers can perform in a highly creative and dynamic new way, using the incredible expressive range of the human voice to deliver jaw-dropping soundscapes, intense rhythmic onslaughts, and beyond.

Until now, Loop Stations have been designed mainly for floor use, so that instrumentalists and vocalists can operate them with their feet while performing. However, most vocal loopers prefer to use them at table height so they can manipulate the controls with their hands. The RC-505 is ideal for these modern performers, offering a powerful, dedicated device built for easy fingertip operation and maximum expression.

With its five simultaneous stereo loop tracks and up to three hours of recording time, the RC-505 is also well suited for DJs and club performers. Via USB, you can load up the RC-505’s tracks with WAV audio files consisting of everything from sound effects to entire songs, then trigger, mix, and manipulate them sampler-style with the front-panel controls and effects.

BOSS RC-505 Loop Station—front view

Effects, External Control, and More

Powerful INPUT FX and TRACK FX make it easy to enhance or mangle live sounds and loops as you perform, with quick-access buttons for effects selection and dedicated knobs for real-time tweaking. Multiple inputs (all available simultaneously) include an XLR mic jack with phantom power, mono/stereo instrument jacks, and a mini-jack for hooking up a smart phone or music player. 99 phrase memories allow you to save your loop creations instantly, including all five tracks plus effects and playback settings.

BOSS RC-505 Loop Station—rear panel

The RC-505 can be operated externally via optional foot switches, an expression pedal, or MIDI devices, providing extended control for vocal performers and instrumentalists. The RC-505 also functions as a USB audio/MIDI interface, so you can integrate with your favorite DAW for audio recording, MIDI sync, and more.

Learn more about the amazing RC-505 Loop Station at RolandConnect.com.

Related links and articles:

• Roland Connect Main Page
• BOSS Loop Station World Championship 3: International Finals
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1

American Idol season 12 is underway with a new slate of contestants vying to reach the top spot and international stardom. Led by music director Ray Chew, the American Idol house band backs up every performer on live television, covering an enormous range of musical styles to perfection throughout the year. Working without a net before TV audiences of 20 million and beyond is a pressure-packed gig, for sure. To help get their jobs done, keyboardist Russell Graham and drummer Rex Hardy Jr. rely on Roland instruments to instantly deliver the top-level sounds and versatility they need every time, without fail.

In his duties as second keyboardist on American Idol, Russell Graham uses two JUPITER-80 synthesizers, plus a VP-770 Vocal & Ensemble Keyboard for vocoder sounds. “Over the course of the past year I’ve come to lean very heavily on the JUPITERs, not only for their sound quality and sonic richness, but also for the speed of programming,” he says. “I find the touchscreen navigation to be extremely intuitive and well thought out. I can do simple tweaks quickly, or I can go a few levels deeper and really get ‘under the hood’ of the sound.”

The impressive sounds that Russell achieves with his Roland rig are regularly noticed at rehearsals and on the set. “Without fail, every time we begin the rehearsal process for a TV show or live artist performance, someone asks me what these keyboards are and how I’m getting the sounds I’m getting,” he relates. Russell appreciates the great versatility of his Roland keyboards, and also their ability to achieve unique sounds. “As general-usage keyboards, the JUPITERs and the VP hold their own against anything else out there,” he says. “But aside from that, I’d say it’s about once a week that I do something keyboard-wise that simply wouldn’t have been possible with any other keyboard currently available.”

Drummer Rex Hardy Jr. employs the flagship TD-30KV V-Pro Series V-Drums set while working on American Idol. In addition to its great feel, he loves the ability to have quick and easy access to an incredible variety of drum and percussion sounds. “Using the Roland TD-30 gave me more versatility with sounds,” he says. “Considering we play so many different styles of music on American Idol, the TD-30 allows me to explore all types of sounds and feels that make each song sound authentic.”

Rex has expanded his TD-30KV with an additional PD-108-BC V-Pad for a side snare, plus a PDX-8 V-Pad for even more triggering options. “I have three to four main kits that I’ve set up to fit what we normally do on American Idol,” he says. “There are a few times where I may have to set up an ‘80s rock kit or an electronic disco kit, depending on the songs week to week. Being able to have options is amazing! When the kit is going through the house mains, it sounds killer.” Rex also plays an SPD-SX Sampling Pad, which he loads up with custom drum loops and auxiliary sounds that he triggers for song intros and other applications.

With his success using V-Drums, Rex readily encourages drummers to discover their many benefits. “Other pro players should definitely get into the TD-30 because it’s limitless,” he relates. “There is nothing you can’t do with this kit. I even implement it within my acoustic setups as well. The sounds are amazing, and you can tweak them to what you feel works. My advice is to try it and see what you think—you’ll love it.”

Russell is equally enthusiastic in recommending Roland gear to other keyboardists. “Playability, sound quality, versatility, reliability. They sound great, they play great,” he says. “Especially in TV situations, where deadlines are tight and everything is moving fast, they can be programmed and edited very, very quickly.”

Related links and articles:

• Russell Graham Interview on Roland Users Group
• Russell Graham Talks About His Roland Rig at the BET Awards
• Learn to Play Electronic Drums

At their permanent home in Las Vegas this spring, Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp will be hosting two special edition camps featuring some legendary names in music. Brit rockers Def Leppard will lead a four-day camp from April 4-7, 2013, while renowned guitarist Jeff Beck and Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson will guest star from April 18-21, 2013. A wide selection of top-line Roland musical instruments and recording gear will be featured as well, at the ready for campers to use as they explore their inner rock star yearnings.

In a rare event involving one entire band, Def Leppard fans can spend four days with members of the group, jamming out to their biggest hits. Two weeks later, campers will have the opportunity to meet and play with Beck, one of the most influential guitarists of all time, and Wilson, writer of some of the most celebrated songs in American music history.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas gives music fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to jam nightly with legendary rock stars, write and record original songs, and perform on stage before live audiences at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Campers also have an exclusive opportunity to use world-class music equipment from Roland and BOSS.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp main facilities are located two minutes away from the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. There are 12 rehearsal studios, plus a “Big Room” with a professional stage, large-scale sound system, and concert lighting. Each space features Roland instruments, including TD-30KV and TD-15K V-Drums, GA-212 and GA-112 guitar amps, BOSS ME-70 and ME-50B multi-effects, and the RD-700NX stage pianos. Additionally, the studios all feature pro recording setups with SONAR X2 Producer music production software and Roland OCTA-CAPTURE audio interfaces.

RRFC Rehearsal Room

The camp also has two professional recording studios, located on the main casino floor at the MGM Grand. These are outfitted with Roland gear throughout as well. The studios feature large windows that allow casino visitors to watch as campers record tracks and jam with famous rockers.

RRFC Recording Studio at the MGM Grand

RRFC Recording Studio at the MGM Grand

Both the main facilities and the studios at the MGM Grand feature a full slate of professional sound gear from Roland Systems Group. This includes V-Mixers, REAC Digital Snakes, and M-48 personal monitoring systems. An M-300 V-Mixer and Digital Snake setup is also in use at the Rouge Lounge in the MGM Grand, where campers perform nightly during their stay.

RRFC “Big Room” (Roland M-480 V-Mixer in the Foreground)

Stop by our Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Flickr gallery to see more of the camp’s impressive facilities.

For more information about Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, including the upcoming special edition camps, visit RockCamp.com.

For details about Roland and BOSS gear used at the camp, check out our Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp gear list.

Related links and articles:

• Roland Insider: Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Giveaway Winner
• Behind the Scenes at Rock Camp
• Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis on the RD-700NX
• Rock Fantasy Camp’s New Home
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Gear List

Attention iPad users—there’s a great new way to get inside info on the latest Roland and BOSS gear, industry insights from pro musicians, and more. And best of all, it’s free! With our PowerOn digital magazines, you can keep up on the gear and artists you love, right from within the Apple Newsstand app on your iPad.

Packed with rich multimedia content and interactive features, our PowerOn mags offer lots of cool and interesting stuff for musicians:

• In-depth interviews with pro players, with info about how they use Roland and BOSS gear in their rigs
• Hot music industry news
• Detailed profiles of Roland and BOSS equipment
• Tips, tricks, how-to articles, and much more

Two different versions of PowerOn are published by Roland U.S. Both are available as free downloads at the Apple App Store.

Click a title below for a direct link:

• PowerOn Roland Users Group Magazine
  
• PowerOn BOSS & Guitar Edition
• PowerOn Global Version available for download outside of the U.S.

Screenshots

Screenshots: PowerOn Roland Users Group Magazine

Screenshots: PowerOn BOSS & Guitar Edition

A Continuing Tradition

If you’re a longtime Roland and BOSS user, you might remember the Roland Users Group and BOSS Users Group print magazines. Each of these titles was published for over 20 years, with new issues coming out about three times annually. They were available for free at all Roland and BOSS dealers, and were also sent directly to subscribers via mail. Around 2005, both Roland Users Group and BOSS Users Group moved to the web, where they’re still going strong today.

Blast from the past

PowerOn magazines from Roland U.S. are digital versions of these two popular print mags, reborn in paperless form for easy, portable access from your iPad. Of course, the iPad format also brings a huge range of hip, modern features, including audio and video content, interactive options, and lots more fun stuff.

Visit the Apple App Store and get PowerOn now!

Related links and articles:

• PowerOn Roland Users Group Magazine at the Apple App Store
• PowerOn BOSS & Guitar Edition at the Apple App Store
• Roland Users Group on the web
• BOSS Users Group on the web
• PowerOn Global Version available in the Apple App store outside of the U.S.

Enter for a chance to win an RC-3 Loop Station pedal autographed by John-5, Steve Stevens, Billy Duffy, Herman Li, and Darryl Jones. Contest ends April 5, 2013.

On Friday evening, January 25, 2013, loop artists from 12 different countries gathered at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney to compete in the international finals for the BOSS Loop Station World Championship 3. Held as part of Roland Connect during the 2013 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, the finals event was an exciting conclusion to the BOSS global competition that began in the summer of 2012. Over 500 looping fans were in attendance, with another 8,000-plus viewing live on the web as the event was streamed online.

RC-3 giveaway ends April 5, 2013

The large audience enjoyed an entertaining evening of inspired and innovative performances, with all the loop artists delivering high-level musical presentations. Ultimately, Grison Beatbox of Spain claimed the looping title with a mesmerizing beatboxing performance that featured impressive technical skill with his RC-300 Loop Station and VE-20 Vocal Performer effects. For his efforts, he earned $3,000 in BOSS gear.

Now in its third year, the BOSS Loop Station World Championship spotlights artists around the globe that make fresh and inventive music with BOSS’ industry leading Loop Station products. This year’s international finals showed how the relatively new and wildly expressive art form of live looping continues to evolve at a lighting pace, with the artists performing an eclectic array of music styles with vocals, effects, a huge range of instruments, and full-throttle musical creativity.

All 12 loop artists were winners of BOSS Loop Station competitions held in their home countries throughout the latter part of 2012. Regions represented were the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Iberia, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Central Europe.

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Related links and articles:

• The Art of Looping
• Meet the Loop Station World Championship 3 Judges
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1

Published by Jude Gold

Jude Gold is a true Renaissance man in the world of guitar. He splits his time between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, working as a session player and sideman for many artists, including Jefferson Starship, Brendon Small, Miguel Migs, JGB, Eddie Money, and more. He’s also a noted guitar journalist with Guitar Player magazine, with hundreds of interviews and articles to his credit. To top it all off, Jude is a devoted educator who served as the Director of the Guitar Program at the esteemed Musicians Institute for four years and is currently an instructor there.

Catch Jude Gold this weekend in L.A. for the debut of Brendon Small’s Galaktikon at The Roxy during Wesfest.

While he’s a highly versatile player and proficient in many different styles, Jude is noted for his signature “full-contact” slap-guitar playing. With a unique, energetic approach, he abuses his axe with slaps and taps to produce rapid-fire rhythms, harmonics, and raw funk grooves. You can sample Jude’s impressive and entertaining playing in this style by firing up YouTube and searching for his debut music video, “Funkytown.”

Jude Gold on Facebook

Jude has been a BOSS player for a long time, and he currently uses a wide range of BOSS stomps for his various playing activities. He also employs the Roland G-5 VG Stratocaster®, which he loves for its instant access to different sounds and altered tunings. For Edition 35 of the BOSS Tone Radio podcast, we talked with Jude about his diverse career, favorite BOSS gear, and more.

To listen to the complete conversation, visit BOSS Tone Radio.

You’ve played a lot of gigs with Jerry Garcia’s band, Eddie Money, Greg Howe, Stu Hamm, Jeff Berlin, and others. Are there any that stand out?

Oh man, there are so many. I guess for me, it always comes down to the same thing though, which is the reason why many of us play guitar—once in a while, we all have those gigs where your feet don’t touch the ground, you know? For whatever reason, everything is just working and the music is flowing through you and you’re playing stuff that you didn’t even know you could play. I live for those moments, and those moments can happen anywhere. I think that’s the beauty of music. You never know when that magic can happen, and I do remember those gigs.

You’re definitely into the groove, and you describe your playing with the terms “deep pocket” and “evil funk.” What do they mean to you?

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Related links and articles:

• Play an Entire Live Set with Just the GT-100
• G-5 VG Stratocaster Review
• Guitar Amp Roundtable

Led by guitarist Billy Duffy and vocalist Ian Astbury, British post-punk band The Cult is still going strong after nearly 30 years. Formed in 1983 and strongly influenced by classic rockers from the ’60s and ’70s, the group unleashed a hard-edged sound with shades of psychedelia that presented a strong contrast to the drum machine-driven synth pop that led the UK music scene at the time. Powered by Duffy’s melodic riffage and Astbury’s bluesy wail, the essential ’80s albums Love, Electric, and Sonic Temple saw the group evolve in an increasingly heavier direction, a tradition carried on today with their latest release, Choice of Weapon.

From the very beginning of The Cult, BOSS and Roland gear has been at the heart of Billy’s guitar tone. BOSS stomps have been his pedalboard mainstays for three decades, while the Roland JC-120 amp and its built-in chorus effect has a permanent home in his backline. “She Sells Sanctuary,” recorded in 1985 and one of the band’s most enduring songs, features this setup prominently, with multiple BOSS pedals and JC chorus shaping the tune’s memorable guitar intro.

BUG recently sat down with Billy to discuss The Cult’s music, his thoughts on tone, and his long history with BOSS and Roland. He also gave us a demonstration of how he developed the classic sounds in “She Sells Sanctuary” and “Fire Woman,” another iconic song that showcases Billy’s unique style.

When did you start using BOSS pedals?

The first time I got my hands on a BOSS pedal was really early in ’83. A guy called Jamie Stewart joined The Cult [on bass] when we put the band together in England. He used to be a guitar player, so he came with guitar effects. He handed them over and said, “I won’t be needing these anymore.” One of them was a BOSS Super Overdrive, which I’ve pretty much used until today. That was the first time I’d seen a BOSS pedal. Very quickly thereafter I started getting into BOSS delays—the old DM-2, the analog one, and I think it was a DD-2. And then I used a [BOSS] flanger. I never used chorus, because I always used [the built-in chorus in] my Roland JC-120.

A funny story about that: the first gig I ever did with The Cult was in a club in Oslo called Rats. We kind of debuted the band out of the UK. We did our first Led Zeppelin copy, which was “play outside the UK first, get your chops up, and come back.” So we did a gig in Oslo, and they gave me a thing called a JC-160, which I believe was a 4×10 [version]. I’ve never seen one since. That was the first amp I ever used [live with The Cult].

What is it that makes BOSS pedals appealing to pro players like you?

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Related links and articles:

• Meet the Loop Station World Championship 3 Judges
• Steve Stevens V-Guitar Experience Interview
• Guitar Amp Roundtable Discussion Part 1

Featuring shred-masters Herman Li and Sam Totman, the British power metal band DragonForce delivers a high-adrenaline, twin-guitar onslaught that takes no prisoners. Riffing together with incredible precision at dizzying speeds, the virtuoso duo were recently recognized for their skills by axe fans around the globe, earning the Number 11 spot in a Guitar World readers’ poll that chose “The 50 Fastest Guitarists of All Time.”

Playing with accuracy at such a blistering pace requires the mindset of a world-class sprinter, with the adoption of a tenacious workout ethic and disciplined practice regimen. What does Herman Li use to help keep his chops in shape for the rigors of the stage and studio? The eBand® JS-10 Audio Player with Guitar Effects, of course! Like an increasing number of pro players, Herman has found that eBand’s convenient, all-in-one approach and great sound makes his practice inspiring, productive, and fun.

We caught up with Herman before he hit the road again to support the latest DragonForce release, The Power Within. During our visit, he discussed how he uses eBand, his favorite BOSS pedals, his thoughts on tone, and much more.

Lots of pro players have discovered eBand. Why do you use it?

I use the eBand because for many years I looked for a solution so that I can practice easily when I’m on tour. It’s always been difficult to move an amp onto a tour bus—it takes so much space. Or backstage, people care more about putting their riders around. [Laughs.] The eBand is so small, and it has everything I need.

In the past, I’d have a little amp and it never sounded really good. And it didn’t have any effects, [and I’d have to] plug my phone into my computer to get some sort of backing track to jam with. With eBand, you basically get everything in one. I can tune my guitar. I have my backing tracks, which I can store, and copy across from my computer onto it.

What specific features do you like to use in eBand?

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Related links and articles:

• Play an Entire Live Set with Just the GT-100
• Win a Steve Stevens Autographed G-5 Strat
• G-5 VG Stratocaster Review

Miami-based rapper Pitbull is riding high, enjoying worldwide mega-success with his 2011 release Planet Pit and his latest release Global Warming. The CD showcases the sharp-dressed Cuban-American entertainer’s engaging charisma and features collaborations with a who’s who of today’s hottest music artists, including T-Pain, Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, and many others. Planet Pit is was smash around the globe, spawning four hit singles in the U.S. alone, including the chart-topping “Give Me Everything” with R&B sensation Ne-Yo. Pitbull recently turned in a guest spot of his own, appearing on Jennifer Lopez’s hit “On the Floor.”

Known as “Mr. 305” and “Mr. Worldwide,” Pitbull is always in the spotlight, on the road nearly non-stop for the last six years delivering his South Beach EDM sound to millions of fans. With a roster of personnel dubbed “Team Pitbull,” the artist has assembled a close-knit family of musicians, managers, and support staff for his travels around the globe. The Agents, his backing band, features a number of highly skilled young players from Miami’s multi-cultural music scene; with their backgrounds in jazz, salsa, rock, and pop music, these talented and versatile musicians bring Pit’s dynamic sound alive on stage with a unique edge, using an arsenal of Roland keyboards and samplers to get the job done night after night.

“Our relationship with Roland has been great from the very beginning, and I couldn’t be more thankful,” says drummer, programmer, and musical director Omar Tavarez. With a SPD-SX Sampling Pad set up next to his acoustic kit, Omar has a full array electronic percussion at his disposal to bring the sounds of Pitbull’s records to the stage. He’s recently transitioned to Roland’s latest sampling pad after years of using the previous-generation SPD-S. “When I first started the gig with Pit in 2008, I was using the SPD-S,” says Omar. “I personally bought my first SPD-S because I knew that the Roland gear was just right. It was hip, it was something different, something new, and now [the SPD-SX] is the continuation of something great.”

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Related links and articles:

• Omar Tavarez Explains Production Technique – MIDI Mapping Samples
• Omar Tavarez (Pitbull) Explains Playing Songs Live vs. The Album Recording
• Omar Tavarez (Pitbull): How I Use the SPD-SX