Roland Corporation

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Roland Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment, and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972. The company is headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. Roland has a wide range of products, including synthesizers, digital pianos, electronic drum kits, and guitar synthesizers.

History[edit | edit source]

Roland Corporation was established in 1972 by Ikutaro Kakehashi, who had previously founded the Ace Tone company. The name "Roland" was chosen for its simple pronunciation and lack of specific meaning in any language. The company quickly gained a reputation for innovation in the field of electronic musical instruments.

Products[edit | edit source]

Roland is known for its wide array of electronic musical instruments and equipment. Some of the most notable products include:

  • Roland TR-808: A drum machine that became iconic in the development of electronic music.
  • Roland TB-303: A bass synthesizer that played a significant role in the development of acid house music.
  • Roland Juno-106: A popular polyphonic synthesizer.
  • Roland V-Drums: A series of electronic drum kits.
  • Roland Fantom: A series of music workstations.

Subsidiaries and Brands[edit | edit source]

Roland Corporation operates several subsidiaries and brands, including:

Innovations[edit | edit source]

Roland has been at the forefront of many technological advancements in the music industry. The company was one of the pioneers in the development of the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard, which allows electronic musical instruments to communicate with each other.

Notable Artists[edit | edit source]

Many famous musicians and producers have used Roland products, including:

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD