Museum, artist incubator, distro, and record store—Submerge and Underground Resistance represents the interconnected Detroit music community.
These inspiring female producers have left their marks on the music industry and continue to carve space for newcomers.
A group of eclectic Icelandic artists offer unique perspectives on electronic music performance, their home country, and more.
FEATURES
See All »“Axel F” is the inescapable theme song of the classic '80s romp Beverly Hills Cop. Learn about the oddball hit and its pioneering creator.
Jane Weaver's latest album is a self-contained universe. The artist discusses shaking up her studio process, cinema, and the groove.
Social media can reinvigorate vintage hits and help them reach broad new audiences. Here are some classic songs that got a second spin.
The prolific player shares her thoughts on touring with RAYE, finding success in the music industry, and her Roland gear.
The brainchild of housemates recording late-night jams onto cassette, Night Tapes explains the process behind their atmospheric dream pop.
LISTENING GUIDE
Here's a place to start exploring the massive catalog of Madlib, one of the finest producers to ever touch a beat pad.
Many artists and releases played a pivotal role in shaping the L.A. Beat Scene. Here's a variety of key sounds from a unique musical moment.
Before hip-hop was the world's most dominant musical genre, several groundbreaking women blazed a fiery trail for others to follow.
A string of artists and labels shaped trance across the '90s and early aughts. Here's a selection of tracks from the genre’s golden age.
For the uninitiated, we provide a roadmap to the formidable discography of rap’s foremost supervillain: MF DOOM.
Learn
See All »The “Purple Rain” drum parts by Bobby Z. provide a classic example of how to play a power ballad for maximum emotional impact.
The JD-800 dominated the '90s with massive textures and a front panel that pushed limits. Learn to create immense layers with the instrument.
The drumming on the eternally funky “Let’s Groove” demonstrates how powerful disco rhythms can make listeners get up and move.
Josh Manuel discusses hybrid drumming and how he uses Roland electronic gear to enhance his performances with Kane Brown.
Explore the history and sound of the Roots' beloved track, “Mellow My Man," and learn to play some of drummer Questlove's iconic patterns.
SOUND BEHIND THE SONG
German DJ/producer Alex Ridha is best known as Boys Noize. His stomping 2010 tech-house track “1010” was built around a modified TR-707.
At the heart of the classic is its use of the TR-909. The drum machine's crisp attack evokes the heady world of NYC and its fashionistas.
Starkly beautiful, “Can You Feel It” is an iconic piece of 20th-century dance music. Mr. Fingers created it solely on the JUNO-60 and TR-909.
Detroit’s enigmatic duo Drexciya submerged themselves in Afrofuturist myth. "Rublicks Cube" is a transcendent TR-606 classic.
GAIA 2
SPOTLIGHT
Live electronic music performance creates a unique interaction between performer and listener. Discover how it is both exciting and transformative.
DRUMS
With so many electronic drum kits to choose from, what’s the best intermediate choice? Roland’s TD-27 series provides the solution.
During 2020, many of us turned to creative pursuits while at home. For Simon Gottliffe, his positive escape came from drumming.
Learn to use the Roland TD-17's rich features to improve your drumming in a clear and simple way with this Ultimate Guide.
Explore how the themes and drums on "Come as You Are” intertwine, then download the V-Drums kit to capture the Nevermind drum sound.
The "Superstition" groove reminds us that, alongside his songwriting and musicianship, Wonder is one of the greatest drummers around.
Our Contributors
See All »Ari is Global Editorial Content Manager for Roland. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two dogs and enjoys the woods, rain, and coffee of his region.
Evan's work has appeared in a host of print and online publications, including Rolling Stone, Wired, The Fader, and Tenderly.
Harold Heath is a former DJ and producer who writes about music for DJ Mag, Mixmag, Attack Magazine, and others.
Jason is the Editor-in-Chief of EDM.com. He also DJs and produces electronic music under the moniker Fluencee.
A FEW MINUTES WITH
The bicoastal artist discusses the joy of sharing new musical sounds, making cosmic connections, and crafting beats with the DJ-808.
Jubilee grew up in Miami where the 808 shaped her sonic DNA. She talks about keeping spirits high and how music creates community.
The composer uses everything from a youth choir to the MC-202 to bridge the gap between electronic and organic, ancient and futuristic.
Where some people see a sampler, Lionclad sees a world of possibilities. She shares about mixtapes, puppet shows, analog synths, and more.
Few names are more synonymous with New York house than Roger Sanchez. The legendary DJ talks about process, philosophy, and Roland Cloud.