February 26, 2018

Roland and BOSS Present Lifetime Achievement Awards to Thomas Dolby and Steve Vai

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists, Industry AIRA, analog synth, Drum Machine, drums, guitar, JEM, JUPITER-4, JUPITER-8, keyboards, monkey grip, MTV, Passion and Warfare, Piano, recording, She Blinded Me with Science, Steve Vai, Synth, Synthesizer, Thomas Dolby, Tone Capsule, TR-808, TR-909, vocals, Waza

Legendary Music Artists Honored for Their Important Career Contributions

Thomas Dolby (left) and Steve Vai.

At the 2018 NAMM Show in January, Roland and BOSS presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to synth-pop and electronic music pioneer Thomas Dolby and guitar virtuoso, artist, and producer Steve Vai. These annual awards recognize innovative music artists for their important contributions to the industry while using Roland and/or BOSS gear throughout their careers. Dolby and Vai join an exclusive group that includes past recipients Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Jean-Michel Jarre, and Andy Summers.

September 9, 2017

The 30th Anniversary of the D-50 Linear Synthesizer

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists, Product News #909day, 1980s, 1990s, Arco Strings, Chris Lord-Alge, D-50, Digital Native Dance, effects, Enya, Eric Persing, Fantasia, Greg Wells, Jean-Michel Jarre, Jimmy Jam, keyboards, LA Synthesis, Michael Jackson, MTV, new age, new wave, Pizzagogo, R&B, Roland Boutique, Roland Cloud, Soundtrack, Steve Levine, Synthesizer, Terry Lewis

Celebrating One of the Most Influential Electronic Musical Instruments of All Time

Roland D-50 Linear Synthesizer

Way back in 1987, Roland unleashed its very first all-digital synthesizer onto the world. That instrument was the D-50 Linear Synthesizer, and its massive impact on the music industry is still felt to this day. Powered by the groundbreaking Linear Arithmetic (LA) synthesis approach and onboard digital effects, the D-50 produced breathtaking sounds that no one had ever heard before, and musicians everywhere lined up to get their hands on this amazing new instrument. The D-50’s bold voice dominated the popular music, film soundtracks, and commercial jingles of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, and its iconic, highly recognizable preset patches still sound as fresh and inspiring today as they did 30 years ago.

Starting on 909 Day (September 9, 2017), Roland is kicking off a yearlong celebration to honor the 30th anniversary of this giant in the history of synthesis. The festivities begin with the launch of the dedicated D-50 30th Anniversary web page, which features interviews with the original D-50 engineers, the sound programmers who developed the D-50’s presets, and the artists and producers who made such influential music with the legendary synth. At the same time, we’re also introducing the new D-05 Roland Boutique module, a spot-on D-50 recreation that brings the genuine D-50 experience to the music creators of today and beyond.