Original SP-404 designer Kenji Yamada and current project leader Takeo Shirato discuss the 404 concept, its widespread popularity, and more.
Break down the techniques to create 303-based sounds, complete with step-by-step programming tips and real-world track references.
Roland uses a “V” to indicate instruments embodying a specific set of virtues. Learn about the engineering process culminating in V-STAGE.
FEATURES
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Relive the inspiring performances, exclusive product debuts, and groundbreaking discussions showcased at the 2025 NAMM Show.
David Bellow, aka Lightfoot, and Michele Darling explain the process of establishing a groundbreaking SP-404 course at Berklee.
Leftfield came from the same primordial soup as the greatest British dance acts. Explore this iconic track and the TB-303's role in it.
Peer inside this idiosyncratic fest with four unique acts from spring 2025 who discuss their artistry and what makes CRSSD so special.
LISTENING GUIDE
Jim Keltner has been a go-to session drummer since the '70s. From ex-Beatles to Bob Dylan to Steely Dan, here’s a taste of the legendary player.
Synthesizers in music production brought about a massive cultural shift. Take a trip into this groundbreaking genre.
The trailblazer combined synthesizers, tight songwriting chops, and an evolving glam sci-fi image. Probe the outer limits of his discography.
Stones Throw Records challenges perceptions, demonstrating how a scrappy indie can create a deep cultural impact. Explore these essentials.
Broken beat was created by a community of producers with roots in London's various club scenes. Here are some of the genre's foundational records.
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From humble beginnings to working with James Blake, Bob Mackenzie explains how the Roland SP-404MKII fuels creativity
Join the 404 Day worldwide takeover with community-driven SP-powered events, showcases, workshops, and interactive demos.
The lead designers behind the SP-404MKII provide an exclusive look inside the making of the updated version of the beloved classic.
Add presence, bite and spatial width to synth basses, leads, pads and more with the JC-120 Jazz Chorus guitar amplifier software effect.
SOUND BEHIND THE SONG
“Acid Tracks” spread like wildfire from Chicago across the globe. Learn how the TB-303 gave birth to a smiling generation of clubbers.
"Closer" by Nine Inch Nails is built around a densely layered groove featuring the TR-606. The edgy track achieved great chart success for the band.
Explore the mysterious backstory of “Pump Up the Jam,” a worldwide electronic music smash and tale of mistaken identity.
Talk about '80s music, and a-ha's era-defining hit single “Take On Me” comes to mind. Get the story of this classic and the JUNO-60's role.
SP-404MKII
KDJ Records Limited Edition
Roland Future Design Lab
The Making of Tone Explorer: An Interview with Kazuyoshi Sasamori of Roland Future Design Lab
Learn about the Tone Explorer concept, challenges, and what might come next from Roland Future Design Lab.
Roland Future Design Lab at Audio Developer Conference 2024
Follow the RFDL team recently to the birthplace of trip-hop, Bristol, UK, for the annual ADC 2024 Audio Developer Conference.
Tone Explorer: Technology Preview for GALAXIAS
Tone Explorer is a technology preview from Roland Future Design Lab, made available for music creators to try as a GALAXIAS Labs Experiment.
DRUMS
Josh Dun’s groove on the Grammy-winning “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots is infectious. Explore the beat and get its unique tone on V-Drums.
Hybrid drumming blends acoustic and electronic elements. Will Hunt of Evanescence explains his approach to the style.
Explore ground-breaking Roland drums—starting from the early days and looking to the future with D-Flux, the 50th anniversary concept model.
Learn about the legendary percussionist's family legacy, powerhouse collaborations, and career highlights.
From the Glastonbury Festival grounds, hybrid drummers share their setups and offer advice to aspiring musicians.
Our Contributors
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Arielle Silver is an LA-based singer-songwriter, literary writer, and yoga teacher. She was nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best New Poets. Her latest album, A Thousand Tiny Torches, is out now.
Lisa is Global Retail Relations Manager at Roland. She's also a lifelong musician with an extensive touring history and discography.
Shay Leonia is a singer and songwriter from Englewood, NJ. She is a music industry consultant and social media manager at 44th Minute Media. Shay is obsessed with great music and decent coffee and hopes to one day perfect the art of Szechuan cooking.
Hannah Lockwood is an audio engineer/electronic music producer from Sydney. Her live sets are a collision of noise and harmony centered on modular synthesis. Hannah co-founded the Deep Seeded collective, showcasing the local live electronic artists and DJs actively breaking the boundaries of contemporary music.
A FEW MINUTES WITH
Youngr has amassed a worldwide audience with his viral one-take video performances. The multi-instrumentalist discusses family ties, his new album, and essential Roland gear.
Where some people see a sampler, Lionclad sees a world of possibilities. She shares about mixtapes, puppet shows, analog synths, and more.
One of his generation's most significant synthwave artists, Com Truise looks back at the beginning of his journey and shares what lies ahead.
Ali Stone's new single "Crudo," featuring ZENOLOGY, refers to a love that's pure, sincere, and gets better with time.
The artist/producer gives us the scoop on evoking the spirit of ’00s NYC, experiencing early success, and whether music is a riddle we can solve.