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New Products: FR-8x and FR-8xb V-Accordions

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FR-8x & FR-8xb Debut at Musikmesse 2013

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

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. More

New Product: BK-9 Backing Keyboard

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BK-9 Debuts at Musikmesse 2013

Roland BK-9 Backing Keyboard

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. More

New Product: BOSS RC-505 Loop Station

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RC-505 Debuts at Musikmesse 2013

BOSS RC-505 Loop Station

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. More

Pat Kennedy V-Drums Training Camp

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How to Prepare for the V-Drums World Championship

This is an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at U.S. National Champion Pat Kennedy preparing for the V-Drums World Championship 2. He’ll be representing the U.S. during the V-Drums World Championship in Frankfurt, Germany on Thursday, April 11, 2013. And Roland is giving everyone around the world a front row seat to watch the event live, online! Check the V-Drums contest website for all the streaming details, and join us for the show if you can. Go Pat! More

US’ First V-Accordion Orchestra

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25+ Perform in V-Accordion Orchestra United States Digital Accordion Orchestra

Meet the United States’ first digital accordion orchestra, the New England Roland V-Accordion Orchestra. Organized by Springfield, MA Roland V-Accordion dealer Sam Falcetti, this unique digital orchestra features more than 25 accordion players with a wide range of musical perspective, including accordion contest champions, semi-professional accordionists, students and accordion hobbyists. The orchestra’s premier performance is scheduled during the 51st annual New England Music Festival, the weekend of April 5, 2013 in Newton, MA at the Newton Marriott. More

V-Drums Friend Jam for Kids

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Interactive V-Drums Software for Kids

The V-Drums Friend Jam Kids is a free software download for children to build drumming skills and compare their progress with other V-Drums users around the world. A special version of Roland’s acclaimed V-Drums Friend Jam software designed for young drummers, V-Drums Friend Jam Kids provides a fun way to practice and enjoy playing drums. More

Roland On Stage with American Idol

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Rex Hardy and Russell Graham on American Idol

Rex Hardy Jr. and Russell Graham of American Idol

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. More

10 Original BOSS Stompbox Design Elements

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What makes BOSS guitar stompboxes the world’s best-selling effects pedals?

When the original BOSS overdrive stompbox, the OD-1, was first released way back in 1977, it looked very different from any other stompbox of the day. Where others were simple squared-off aluminum boxes crudely screwed together, the OD-1 was a smooth cast-metal body. It had no little button to step on to turn it on or off like the others. Most of the OD-1’s surface was the stompbox for the switch. Instead of the commonly used simple click switch that always caused an audio line POP when pressed, the OD-1 had a silent electronic switch under the pedal that never made a sound. More

The Making of “Egypt, Egypt”

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Dublab & Red Bull Present Key Tracks

Key Tracks: Egyptian Lover “Egypt, Egypt” from Red Bull Music Academy on Vimeo.

In January, the Red Bull Music Academy debuted their Key Tracks series with dublab, an LA based non-profit public broadcasting Internet radio station. We were pleased to learn that the series opened with Electro legend Egyptian Lover who happened to make his monster 1984 track “Egypt, Egypt“ on a Roland TR-808 drum machine and a JUPITER-8 synth. In this video, the Egyptian Lover takes us back a couple of decades by recreating his original tune and talking about his inspiration for the song. Check it out!

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