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!
Archive
Suzanne CianiAn icon of electronic music, Suzanne Ciani has blanketed the world with her rich, flowing compositions for over three decades. |
MatmosFor every talented musician who’s dreamed of being discovered, we present Matmos. Their encounter with Björk is a story for the ages. |
BTThe V-Synth takes flight with BT, the pioneering electronic-music producer, film composer, and solo recording artist. |
Kevin AdamsOn tour with country star Lee Ann Womack, Kevin Adams makes the magic happen with a sole RD-700sx. |
Monte NeubleWith Mariah Carey at Live 8, Monte Neuble and his Fantom-X were seen by billions of viewers. He's also toured with Jessica Simpson, Snoop Dogg, and more. |
Forrest RobinsonForrest Robinson has thrown down megawatt funk with TLC, and soulful pop with India Arie. Now he’s V-Drumming for Japanese superstar Utada Hikaru. |
Hot Hot HeatWith a wiry, compact frame and unruly mop of hair that rivals Sideshow Bob, Hot Hot Heat frontman Steve Bays is hard to miss. |
Kumbia KingsFamous for their blend of cumbia, reggae, R&B, pop, & hip-hop, the Kumbia Kings are attracting audiences young and old. |
Josh HarrisRemixing the Backstreet Boys with a V-Synth XT. Here's how Josh Harris remade their track into a club anthem. |
Lanar “Kern” BrantleyKern Brantley has been laying down deep-pocketed bass and serving as MD for a cavalcade of top stars, most recently for Destiny’s Child. |
OrbitalThe beloved brothers of synth music have thrown in the towel. Paul and Phil Hartnoll, collectively Orbital, have signed off with The Blue Album. |
YesYes practically invented prog-rock. Roland met up with the legendary band on the eve of their 35th anniversary world tour. |
MadonnaMadonna has returned to the road for her 2006 Confessions tour. Wait 'til you see keyboardist Marcus Brown's new all-white Roland rig! |
Monsters of the MVArmand Van Helden, Jermaine Dupri, and Ahmed Oliver talk about their move to the MV, and how they’re using it to create hit music. |
HandSonic SummitBashiri Johnson, Brad Dutz, Luis Conte, Richie Garcia, and Taku Hirano — five hand-drumming masters who know how to platinum-plate a track. |
Switchfoot“Letdown” isn’t a word you’d normally associate with a band on top of the charts, but Switchfoot’s Beautiful Letdown CD was beautiful indeed. |
Mercy MeIt was the song heard ’round the world, the "Song of the Year" with massive crossover radio play. “I Can Only Imagine” put MercyMe on the global map. |
Keith HillebrandtMeet the master programmer/remixer who helped sharpen the edge of Nine Inch Nails, U2, David Bowie, P. Diddy, and more. |
CobaWho says accordion isn’t a rock-star instrument? Coba is a musical hero in Japan, and is steadily increasing his “market share” around the world. |
EvanescenceEvanescence is the Grammy-winning Best New Artist of 2004, a genre-bending tech-rock quintet with a radio-friendly mix of crunch and melody. |
Ming & FSHailing from Hell’s Kitchen, Ming & FS know how to cook a track. Many know the NY-based duo for their famous Nissan “Shift” TV commercial. |
The KillersFrom Los Angeles to London, The Killers have sent shockwaves through the music world. See how they're using the SPD-S onstage. |
Gil SmithIn L.A., a city packed with red-hot players, only a lucky few are plucked from the pack and dropped into the hot seat. Meet Gil Smith, MD for Faith Evans. |
Roger Manning, Jr.He’s a man of many hats, many talents, and many synths. Roger Manning, Jr. is a top-call keyboardist, songwriter, and a long-time user of Roland gear. |
Herman JacksonAmerican Idol continues to be the biggest show on primetime TV. Keyboardist Herman Jackson has joined the famous house band for Season 5. |
Billy SheehanVoted the “Best Rock Bass Player” five times in Guitar Player magazine, Billy Sheehan and his trademark sound and style are legendary. |
Kelly McGuire“The Roland VS recorders have changed how I work," says engineer/producer Kelly McGuire. "They have elevated my results." |
VS Planet RadioAn inspiring "workaround" to the corporate broadcast barrier is Internet radio. Of particular relevance to the Roland community is VS-Planet Radio. |
Bob StoryDenver area guitarist Bob Story has leveraged his skill as a performer, writer, and producer to build and manage OilPan Studio. |
Richard BonaRichard Bona is a master of the bass, with incredible precision and speed. His tools of choice? V-Bass, D-Bass, GR-20, and a BOSS Loop Station. |
John WackermanGet the inside story on Drum Duets Volume 1, one of the most ambitious and unique recordings in recent drumming history. |
Tris ImbodenProof positive that older can be better, Chicago is tighter than ever. Much of that credit goes to their rock-solid drumming anchor, Tris Imboden. |
Alain CaronAlain's latest album, 5, features the Roland V-Bass on every song. For the past year, Alain has toured Europe with Mike Stern. Most recently he added a Roland D-Bass amp stack to his stage setup. |
Billy Duffy Of The CultSee what Billy has to say about his career, past and present, and his trusty companions, a Roland JC-120 amp and pedalboard filled with BOSS. |
Eric Daniels & Monte NuebleRead what Mariah Carey’s talented keyboard team had to say about getting the gig, sharing the keyboard parts onstage, and building their new Roland rigs for the Adventures tour. |
Albert MenendezRoland US spent an afternoon with Albert during Shakira’s recent stop at the Arrowhead Pond Arena in Anaheim, California. Here’s what he had to say about his latest Roland discovery, the Fantom-X. |
Vinnie ColaiutaRevered by musicians everywhere as arguably the greatest drummer in the world, Vinnie Colaiuta has become a percussive legend in his own lifetime. He talks to Roland about his stellar session career and the joys of the Roland HandSonic. |
Steve RutledgeOn the road with Steve Holy and in the studio, Guitarist/Producer Steve Rutledge uses BOSS pedals to get that country sound. |
Eugene RobertsWith a stack of Roland keyboards in tow, “Mr. Roland,” a.k.a. Eugene Roberts kicks up his feet and talks about life on the road with John Legend, his custom-made Roland sneakers, and more. |
Jamie MuhoberacYou may not know his name, but you’ve probably heard his keyboards. From Bob Dylan to the Goo Goo Dolls, Jamie Muhoberac has been behind the scenes, helping artists fulfill their vision. |
Kevin ToneyWith his unique blend of pop sensibilities and jazz flavor, Kevin Toney has staked his claim as one of the biggest players in contemporary jazz. |
Brian LeBarton & Justin StanleyBrian LeBarton & Justin Stanley rely on Roland to bring Beck’s genre-crossing “Information” tour to life. |
Marcus JohnsonMarcus Johnson has is made quite an impact in the contemporary jazz world and the KR-117M is helping him deliver his music live. |
LadytronFind out how this UK foursome has won over scores of fans and made their mark as pioneers in today’s ever-expanding electronic music scene. |
Freddie RavelSee this GRAMMY nominated producer, #1 recording artist, and revolutionary speaker in action on a Roland digital piano. |
Scooter VineburghThis longtime drummer and hand percussionist has evolved into a bona fide songwriter and producer thanks to Roland’s HandSonic Percussion Controller. |
MV-8000The MV-8000 is unstoppable, as Roland has announced yet another free software upgrade for it. Let's explore these and other great features onboard this powerful machine. |
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