May 13, 2013

V-Combo VR-09 – Made for Live Playing

OV Valle [Roland US] Product News keyboards, Organ, Synth, VR-09 154 Comments

5 Practical Features of the V-Combo VR-09

V-Combo VR-09

The V-Combo VR-09 is designed from the ground up to be the ultimate keyboard for live players. It is designed with dedicated knobs, sliders and buttons that allow you to choose your instruments and also shape sounds quickly and painless without having to dig into menus. In the following videos our resident synth ninja, Ed Diaz dives into the VR-09’s synth section, splits, layers, piano, organ, drums and on board looper.

Update Your VR-09 to Version 1.03

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May 1, 2013

VS PREAMPS Truly Capture Your Performance

Robin Kelly [Roland US] Product News Audio Interface, DAW, Mac, OCTA-CAPTURE, QUAD-CAPTURE, recording, STUDIO-CAPTURE, VS-PREAMP 3 Comments

Preamps are the Ears of Your DAW

Roland VS PREAMP

When choosing an audio interface, preamps are often overlooked despite the significant role they play in determining what a recording actually sounds like. A well-spec’d audio interface with bad preamps will result in a bad recording. Why? Because preamps are the ears of your DAW. How well a preamp performs determines the sound quality of your recording. More

April 5, 2013

FP-80 and FP-50 Digital Pianos

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News digital piano, FP-50, musikmesse, Piano, roland connect 23 Comments

FP-80 & FP-50 Debut at Musikmesse 2013

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. More

April 5, 2013

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

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News Accordion, FR-8X, FR-8XB, musikmesse, roland connect, V-Accordion 12 Comments

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

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

April 4, 2013

BK-9 Backing Keyboard

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News Backing Keyboard, BK-9, keyboards, musikmesse, roland connect, Sequencer 2 Comments

BK-9 Debuts at Musikmesse 2013

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

April 4, 2013

BOSS RC-505 Loop Station

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News boss, guitar, Loop Station, musikmesse, RC-505, roland connect 81 Comments

RC-505 Debuts at Musikmesse 2013

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

March 28, 2013

V-Drums Friend Jam for Kids

OV Valle [Roland US] Product News drums, Family, HD-3, Percussion, TD-4KP, V-Drums 3 Comments

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

March 28, 2013

TB-303 Acid Flashback

OV Valle [Roland US] Product News Acid House, Bass Line, EDM, keyboards, TB-303, Throwback Thursday, Vintage 50 Comments

The Fall and Rise of the TB-303

Author: Oz Owen

Image from ‘Forward to the Past 2’ on PokerFlat Recordings. www.pokerflat-recordings.com

The machine that put a smile on the faces of party people all over the world, without even realizing—the incomparable TB-303 Bass Line. More

March 25, 2013

10 Original BOSS Stompbox Design Elements

Gary Lenaire [Roland US] Product News BOSS effects, guitar, Stompbox 3 Comments

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

March 13, 2013

BOSS Showcases at SXSW

OV Valle [Roland US] Product News Adaptive Distortion, BD-2, Blues Driver, boss, CH-1, Chromatic Tuner, DA-2, DD-7, Digital Delay, distortion, DS-1, guitar, Loop Station, Metal Zone, MO-2, MT-2, Multi Overtone, RC-3, Super Chorus, TE-2, Tera Echo, TU-3 1 Comment

Test Drive These BOSS Pedals at the Austin StompBox Exhibit

Here’s what we shipped to Austin for you to play!

Going to SXSW? Our new pedals are, too! Join BOSS at SXSW this year during the the first edition of The Austin StompBox Exhibit hosted by The Deli and Delicious Audio. This free, interactive, in-the-headphones display of guitar effects pedals will take place Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16, at the Austin Clayworks Gallery on 1209 E 6th St. BOSS is showcasing the brand new line of Multi-Dimensional Processing pedals alongside some of the tried and true BOSS classics. Curious to see what a stompbox exhibit looks like? Here’s a picture of the 2012 StompBox Exhibit in Brooklyn, NY. Don’t forget to bring your guitar so you can test them out in person! Here’s a preview of the BOSS pedals on exhibit. More