The more we dug into the Roland JD-Xi polyphonic synthesizer, the more trouble we had putting it down. This hybrid instrument is more powerful than its price tag suggests. Find out more here.
In case you weren't sure what day it is today (it's 808 Day) here's a reminder video showcasing the "blink and you won't realise it's a clone" Yocto 808-style drum machine and sequencer.
The Roland TR 808 has not only shaped much of the electronic music we listen to and make since its release, it's also become nearly ubiquitous with the idea of beat making and many styles of music.
Roland's Scooper is a programmable scatter effect module with CV/Gate and its compatible with Eurorack! Here's what happens when you combine it with the AIRA VT-3. The results? Just awesome.
Take this with a pinch / shovel of salt. We're not sure Roland would see value in re-releasing an analog TB 303 to compete with the AIRA TB-3, but many companies are re-issuing classic synths...
The AIRA range of hardware music machines are inspiring to get hands on with. In this tutorial, Sara Simms shows how easy and satisfying it is to create techno tracks using the TR-8, TB-3 & MX-1.
Available as a VST and AU plugin for Mac and Windows users, Pure606 from Monade Sounds is a sample-based library from an original Roland TR-606 drum machine with and without vintage processors.
The Roland VT-3 is a portable, accessible vocal processor useful for studio producers and performing DJs. In this tutorial, Lynda Arnold offers three ways to use this box of wonders creatively.
The new Boss RC-202 Loop Station is designed for fingertip looping and aimed at the electronic musician, performer and beatboxer. The features by themselves are impressive.
Soquelle has created a free sample kit from our Roland TR-808 drum machine and E-Mu SP-1200 sampler. Get the classic TR-808 bass, snare, clap and hi hats!Â
Cluster Sound has announced the release of CS-808, a Max For Live drum collection faithfully reproducing the sound of the Roland TR-808, based on 1,331 samples.
The dates and venue for the 6th Torino Synth Meeting have been announced. It's a unique event for synth and music making enthusiasts with cool exhibitors like Moog Music & Arturia and performances.
Whether or not you want to mess about with your pristine (or beat up) vintage analog synthesizer, this OLED display hack featured on Hackaday is too cool not to talk about.
Roland are well and truly in the eurorack camp with their System-500 series of 5 modules. They've also been working on the A-01 which fits into the Boutqiue's keyboard and does a whole lot of control.
What do you get when you take some of the inspiration behind the Roland Boutique synths with a controller in mind? The A-01 hybrid MIDI / CV controller with an 8-bit synthesizer inside too.
Fancy adding some vintage sounds to Ableton Live? Cluster Sound tells us their latest releases is SH-101, a multi-sample collection for Ableton Live based on the vintage Roland SH-101.
Hardware synthesizers have continued their revival in 2015 proving that demand for tactile music machines is alive and kicking. Here's 5 of our favorite hardware synths released this year.
Using a mouse or trackpad to control your music software is limiting. We asked YOU the brand of your primary MIDI Controller, and with almost 25,000 answers... Here's the results!
The Roland AIRA TR-8 and TB-3 demand to be played, tweaked and performed with. In this tutorial for beginner users, Sara Simms shows how to create an Acid House beat and bassline using these machines.
As if pattern sequencing 808-style wasn't already fun enough, Roland's TR-REC is a music game app that is set to bring music making (game-style) to the masses for iOS and Android users.
The Christmas & Winter Holidays are fast upon us. Whether you're thinking of a gift for a music making friend/relative or for yourself, here's 15 music gifts bound to improve the festive cheer.