Roland Users Group Insider

Owl City - Adam Young on Crafting Pop Mega-Hits at Home with Roland Synths

Welcome to Roland’s Insider, where you can read, watch, listen, and learn about Roland gear. Click the Artists tab for interviews with the world’s finest musicians, producers, remixers and more. Look for behind-the-scenes photos, videos and audio clips sprinkled throughout. Click Hands-On for valuable tips, tricks and techniques from Roland product specialists. In the News is where you’ll find info on the latest Roland-related events and happenings. And, last but not least, the Archive tab is your source for “vintage” features and how-to articles. Enjoy!

Artists

Jeff Loomis
Jeff Loomis

Since winning the Guitar Wars contest in Wisconsin at age 16, Jeff Loomis hasn’t stopped shredding.
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Eugene “Man-Man” Roberts
Eugene “Man-Man” Roberts

Eugene “Man-Man” Roberts has affectionately earned the name “Mr. Roland.” Find out why.
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Joe “Flip” Wilson
Joe “Flip” Wilson

Lady Gaga’s musical director discusses his long and successful career with Roland keyboards.
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Robert “Bubby” Lewis
Robert “Bubby” Lewis

Roland/BOSS power user, Robert “Bubby” Lewis, has played and recorded bass for an “A-List” of music industry powerhouse artists.
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Cori Yarckin
Cori Yarckin

See what one of Rolling Stone’s ‘Top 5 Up and Coming Female Artists’ has to say about the V-Studio 100.
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Owl City
Owl City

Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young's home-studio creations are almost exclusively a one-man show. Get the Insider scoop on his home and live setups.
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John Wackerman & Thomas Lang
John Wackerman & Thomas Lang

Go behind the scenes of the DVD recording session featuring John Wackerman and Thomas Lang recorded at the Drum Channel in Southern California.
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Tim Brennan of Dropkick Murphys
Tim Brennan of Dropkick Murphys

Thanks to Roland’s V-Accordion, Tim Brennan no longer struggles with bad stage sound night after night.
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Sean Murray
Sean Murray

Learn about composer Sean Murray’s behind-the-scenes use of SONAR X1 for the game ‘Call of Duty®: Black Ops.’
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Geared Up: Ke$ha
Geared Up: Ke$ha

At the center of Ke$ha’s live sound is her keyboardist, Jennifer Stone, who never expected her musical career to lead her from Nashville to being on stage with one of music’s biggest stars.
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Javier Colon
Javier Colon

For his new release, Javier breaks away from his urban R&B mold using SONAR. Watch the video.
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Lucina AX-09 Synthesizer
Lucina AX-09 Synthesizer

Pro players use Roland’s compact shoulder synth on stage with Lady Gaga, Usher, and other top stars
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Ben Lovett
Ben Lovett

Mumford and Sons’ Ben Lovett tells us about the V-Piano® and the FR-7x V-Accordion®, why he loves them, and why they’re perfect live and in the studio.
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Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead

SONAR X1 Expanded now plays a key role in the life of these road warriors.
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Isabella Summers
Isabella Summers

Isabella Summers of Florence and the Machine invited us to her studio in South London, explaining how she wrote the band’s award-winning record on her best mate, the JUNO-Di synth.
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Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga

Every show on the Monster Ball Tour is propelled by a band that’s as much a part of her live show as Gaga herself. Learn more about the people and equipment that make it happen.
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TC (a.k.a. “Spitfire”)
TC (a.k.a. “Spitfire”)

Armed with SONAR X1 and a V-Studio 100, Spitfire brings a lot to the musical table.
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Christopher Gorton
Christopher Gorton

Winner of the 2010 Roland U.S. V-Accordion Festival shares his thoughts about competing on the world stage in Italy.
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Brendan Buckley
Brendan Buckley

Shakira drummer Brendan Buckley is an international household name among those in the pro session and touring community of drummers.
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Derrick Murdock
Derrick Murdock

Learn about the VB-99’s role in Derrick Murdock’s (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Jay Leno Show) live setup.
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Gary Willis
Gary Willis

Bass virtuoso Gary Willis (Tribal Tech, Wayne Shorter, Allan Holdsworth, and more) shares his enthusiasm for the VB-99.
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Darryl Jones
Darryl Jones

Find out why Darryl Jones (Miles Davis, Sting, Rolling Stones) is extremely excited by the VB-99’s potential to expand his musical voice with the bass.
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Jin Akanishi
Jin Akanishi

Catch up with Japanese singer-songwriter and actor Jin Akanishi as he embarks on his first U.S. tour.
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Omar Hakim
Omar Hakim

Keeping an open mind is key to success in the music business. Find out why Omar Hakim’s passion for music and technology keeps him in high demand.
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Jon Gutwillig
Jon Gutwillig

Jon Gutwillig, guitarist for the jam-band Disco Biscuits, sees the VG-99 as “the beginning of the future for guitar.” Tune in to this BOSS Tone Radio transcript for details.
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Rusty Anderson
Rusty Anderson

What’s it like to jam with a Beatle? Rusty Anderson talks shop about sharing the stage with Sir Paul McCartney and working with Elton John, Willie Nelson, and others.
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Monster Tour: Monster Players
Monster Tour: Monster Players

Charles Haynes and Pete Kuzma discuss Roland® electronic percussion and keyboards on Lady Gaga’s latest tour.
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Artemij Pavlov & Sinevibes
Artemij Pavlov & Sinevibes

If you’ve ever wondered who comes up with some of the sounds for Roland synthesizers, then meet Artemij Pavlov.
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Peter Erskine
Peter Erskine

Grammy® Award-winning drummer, composer and producer talks candidly about USC’s groundbreaking electronic drumlab.
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Scott Houston
Scott Houston

Roland-sponsored artist Scott Houston has a true passion for making the joy of playing piano accessible to the casual music lover.
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Eric Troyer
Eric Troyer

Eric talks about getting punched by bouncers, working with John Lennon, and why he chose the Roland VP-770.
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Hubert Gall
Hubert Gall

Meet the man behind the accordion in Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ and find out why he relies on Roland.
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Myron McKinley
Myron McKinley

Pianist, producer, and songwriter Myron McKinley, currently musical director with Earth, Wind & Fire, believes the V-Piano gives keyboard players something to call their own.
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George Duke
George Duke

With more than 30 years and dozens of albums under his belt, George is still touring and entertaining audiences. Find out more about this living legend.
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Doug DeAngelis
Doug DeAngelis

There is one constant in this successful composer, keyboard player, music director, and improviser’s history: Roland keyboards.
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Jetro da Silva
Jetro da Silva

While collaborating with artists such as Whitney Houston, Jamie Fox, Patti Labelle, and others, Jetro da Silva has found the best combination of touch and sound in Roland’s flagship RD-700GX.
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Frank Gambale
Frank Gambale

Look inside the mind of a true musical innovator and at the BOSS gear that plays an integral part in this “Sweep Picker’s” music.
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Lisa Harriton
Lisa Harriton

Find out how this respected jazz pianist and singer uses Roland keyboards to amp up Smashing Pumpkins’ sound.
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Ladytron
Ladytron

Ladytron reveals secrets for translating the excitement and mood of studio productions to the stage.
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Adrian Belew
Adrian Belew

As one of the first guitarists to embrace guitar synthesis in the early ’80s with Roland’s GR-300, Adrian Belew has taken guitar tone to the moon and back with Roland. Find out what he’s doing these days with the VG-99.
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John Oates & Jed Leiber
John Oates & Jed Leiber

John Oates, half of the best-selling duo Hall & Oates, along with co-writer, producer, and keyboard player Jed Leiber leaned on Roland to create Oates’ forthcoming solo release “1,000 Miles of Life.”
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Asia
Asia

The original lineup of iconic ’80s band Asia is back — in top form — and rocking as hard as ever.
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Brian Culbertson
Brian Culbertson

Chicago-native Brian Culbertson has emerged as one of the brightest stars of contemporary jazz. Learn more about Brian and see him in action with Roland.
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Kevin Ricard
Kevin Ricard

Whether he’s recording with Christina Aguliera, Kenny Loggins, and others, or groovin’ on American Idol, percussionist Kevin Ricard turns to Roland to get the job done.
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Jan Stevens
Jan Stevens

Find out how this Emmy-nominated composer and multi-instrumentalist uses Roland instruments to create a unique musical personality for some of TV’s top-rated shows.
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Taku Hirano
Taku Hirano

When he’s touring with top notch acts such as Fleetwood Mac, Whitney Houston, Bette Midler, or Lionel Richie, percussionist Taku Hirano reaches for Roland.
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“Weird Al” Yankovic
“Weird Al” Yankovic

With hilarious parodies and polka-laden originals, “Weird Al” Yankovic has gained legions of die-hard fans around the world. Now he’s sporting a Roland V-Accordion.
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Eugene Roberts
Eugene Roberts

On tour with Kanye West, keyboardist and programmer Eugene Roberts relies on Roland and BOSS to create a larger-than-life sound and stage show.
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Carlos Lopez
Carlos Lopez

From rock, pop, R&B, and soul to Latin, swing, jazz, and beyond, Carlos and his bandmates keep the stars dancing.
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Daniel Powter
Daniel Powter

Daniel Powter writes catchy pop tunes and Roland instruments are part of his process. Learn how Roland digital pianos helped him have a bad day.
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Todd Hunter
Todd Hunter

His eclectic musical background and unique jazz sound, have made this San Diego-born jazz pianist a “seasoned road warrior” with artists such as Brian Setzer and Dionne Warwick.
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Shiny Toy Guns
Shiny Toy Guns

After building a grassroots following on the internet, avid Roland users Shiny Toy Guns are embarking on a tour that includes some of the biggest music festivals in the world.
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Marc Yu
Marc Yu

He started piano lessons at age 3, and has gone on to perform at some of the most prestigious venues in the U.S. See this piano prodigy in action on the KR-117M.
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Will Ray
Will Ray

Unorthodox B-bendering, ring slides, and BOSS. Find out how this Hellecaster sculpts his unique sound.
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Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree

Psychedelic. Experimental. Progressive. Roland and BOSS gear help Porcupine Tree explore the edges of modern music.
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