Joe Sparacio [Roland U.S.], Author at Roland U.S. Blog

About Joe Sparacio

Posts by Joe Sparacio:

MIDI: The Essential Standard Turns 30

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30 years of midi
In the early 1980s, Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi and Sequential Circuits founder Dave Smith had a dream—a simple interface that would allow all electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other and with computers. To make this dream a reality, these pioneers brought together an unprecedented coalition of manufacturers from the United States and Japan, and soon the Musical Instrument Digital Interface, or “MIDI,” was born. 30 years ago, the 1983 Winter NAMM Show hosted its landmark public unveiling, where Roland and Sequential Circuits demonstrated the first two MIDI-equipped synthesizers “talking” to each other via this new universal communication standard. More

JUPITER Synth Legends Giveaway

JUPITER Synth Legends Giveaway

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UPDATE: The entry period has ended. Thanks to all who participated. The winner will be announced on or about December 21, 2012.

Enter for a chance to win a JUPITER-50 fully pre-loaded with all the sounds from the JUPITER Synth Legends Volume 1 collection.

With the JUPITER Synth Legends sound collection, Roland is proud to unveil a series of free sound libraries for the JUPITER-80 and JUPITER-50 synthesizers. Featuring all-new Tones, Live Sets, Registrations, and arpeggio patterns, the collection uses the powerful and flexible SuperNATURAL® sound engine to capture the essence of a number of historical synths. The Live Set architecture and multi-effects capabilities of the modern JUPITERs are fully maximized as well, giving players a huge selection of “dream patches” comprised of the most legendary synths ever produced.

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New Roland Products for November, 2012

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TD-4KP
V-Drums® Portable
With its small footprint and innovative folding design, the TD-4KP V-Drums Portable is the ultimate e-kit for mobile drumming and small spaces.

GR-D
V-Guitar Distortion
V-Guitar technology in a Twin Pedal with bold, high-clarity distortion and synth tones only possible with GK processing.

GR-S
V-Guitar Space
V-Guitar technology in a Twin Pedal with super-spacious tones and multi-string emulation only possible with GK processing.

BK-3
Backing Keyboard
Portable, self-contained backing keyboard with built-in sound system, high-quality sounds, rhythms, and Music Assistants.

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Windows 8 drivers available for OCTA-CAPTURE, A-PRO series and more!

Windows 8 drivers available for OCTA-CAPTURE, A-PRO series and more!

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Roland has been making interfaces for music on computers since 1984 with the original MPU-401. The near 30 years of experience and understanding the importance of keeping pace with technology is clearly demonstrated with the release of Windows 8 drivers on October 26th, which is the same day Windows 8 began shipping.

To ensure delivery on the Windows 8 release, Roland’s engineering team has been building and testing the new drivers alongside the Windows 8 beta releases.

If you own any of the products below and have Windows 8 please download the drivers using the links below.
All CAPTURE series interfaces including the OCTA-CAPTURE USB Audio Interface and QUAD-CAPTURE USB Audio Interface have Windows 8 drivers available in both 32- and 64-bit formats.

The A-PRO series is also fully supported including the A-800PRO MIDI Keyboard Controller and new A-49 MIDI Keyboard Controller.

Here is a full list of Roland products that already have Windows 8 driver support: www.RolandUS.com/Win8

We hope you enjoy Windows 8 and the new drivers!

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Roland Nominated for Multiple TEC Awards

Roland Nominated for Multiple TEC Awards

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Roland’s GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer, RH-A7 Headphones, and R-26 Field Recorder have all been nominated for 2012 Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards in the categories of Outstanding Technical Achievement for Musical Instrument Amplification & Effects Technology, Headphone/Earpiece Technology and Recording Devices respectively. TEC Award Nominees are determined through a multi-step process comprising more than 200 prominent professionals from all areas of the audio industry. Members of various professional organizations and qualified subscribers to leading pro audio publications may register online and vote for the TEC Awards using a secure online ballot during the month of November. Visit http://tecfoundation.com/tec/voting.html to learn more about how you may be eligible to vote.

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Roland Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Giveaway

Roland Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Giveaway

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UPDATE: The entry period has ended. Thanks to all who participated. The winner will be announced on or about November 14.

In celebration of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp’s 15th Anniversary and Roland’s 40th Anniversary, Roland Corporation U.S. is honored to announce the first ever Roland Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Giveaway. One lucky Roland fan will win a chance to rock with Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction and The Who’s Roger Daltrey this January in Las Vegas. Monthly installments of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp’s highly successful music-magic experience are scheduled to take place at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and will feature top-line Roland musical instruments and recording gear.

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Big BOSS Giveaway

Big BOSS Giveaway

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UPDATE: The entry period has ended. Thanks to all who participated. The winners will be announced on or about December 15, 2012.

We’ve gone berserk…AGAIN! Every two weeks you could win a BOSS pedal autographed by one of these five guitar heroes: Dave Navarro, Steve Vai, Steve Stevens, Jeff Loomis or Herman Li. The grand prize is $1,000 is BOSS gear. That’s six chances to win. Enter today!

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Roland CONNECT 2012

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roland connect 2012

It’s fun to have great new products to announce. The cutting-edge INTEGRA-7 SuperNATURAL® sound module brings together our awesome SuperNATURAL sounds and our acclaimed SRX-Series sound library. Singers won’t believe the amazing pocket-sized VT-12 Vocal Trainer. The eBand® JS-10 takes jamming to a whole new level. And how about our battery-powered PA and acoustic guitar amps? New MIDI controllers, the DUO-CAPTURE EX, and SONAR X2 bring the pro-level fun to the studio. There’s digital piano news, too, with the DP-90/-90S and more, including Piano Partner for iPad. And let’s not forget the hot Version 2 software for the RD-700NX and RD-300NX.

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Win a CUBE-XL BASS Amp Signed by Derrick Murdock!

Win a CUBE-XL BASS Amp Signed by Derrick Murdock!

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UPDATE: The entry period has ended. Thanks to all who participated. Congratulations to Brad Rubac, our winner. Enjoy your new, autographed CUBE-20XL BASS amp!

Roland is giving away a CUBE-20XL BASS amp autographed by respected session and touring bassist Derrick Murdock, noted for his long-running late-night TV stint with Kevin Eubanks and The Tonight Show Band. To enter, visit the Roland U.S. Facebook page by September 6, 2012, answer a simple question about the CUBE-XL BASS series, and fill out a short entry form. One winner will be selected at random from entries with the correct answer. Good luck!

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Inside Info from Music Pros at the New Roland Artist Relations Blog!

Inside Info from Music Pros at the New Roland Artist Relations Blog!

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We’ve just launched our all-new Roland AR Blog, where we’re sharing our interactions with the world’s top music pros as we visit them on tour, at rehearsals, on TV soundstages, and other insider spots. You have full access to exclusive video conversations with famous players, where they not only talk about their favorite Roland and BOSS gear, but also discuss their latest projects, share insights on the music industry, and offer advice on how to survive in today’s competitive music scene. In addition, the Roland AR Blog showcases up-and-coming bands around the U.S. and teachers pushing the envelope in music education, and will feature guest posts from many well-known artists.

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