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Synthesizer Manufacturers

Roland Synthesizers

Roland Corporation is a Japanese company that is renowned for producing some of the most innovative and influential synthesizers in the history of electronic music. The company was founded in 1972 by Ikutaro Kakehashi and is headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan.

Roland’s first synthesizer, the SH-1000, was released in 1973. This monophonic synthesizer was designed for home use and was relatively affordable, making it accessible to a wider range of musicians. The SH-1000 was followed by the SH-2000 in 1974, a more advanced and powerful version of the original.

In 1978, Roland released the SH-09, which was the company’s first modular synthesizer. This instrument was highly configurable and allowed musicians to create a wide range of sounds using a variety of different modules.

In 1980 Roland released the Roland Jupiter-8, this was a polyphonic synthesizer that was widely used by many musicians and bands of the era. It’s known for its versatility and powerful sound, and it was used on a number of hit records, including Michael Jackson‘s “Thriller” and David Bowie‘s “Let’s Dance.”

In 1984, Roland released the Roland D-50 Linear Synthesizer, it was one of the first synthesizers to utilize digital samples, which allowed it to create more realistic sounds, such as piano, guitar, and drums. This synthesizer was widely used in the 80s and 90s and was popular in genres like pop, rock, and new age music.

In 1999, Roland released the Roland V-Synth, it was a digital synthesizer that featured a combination of wavetable synthesis, sample-based synthesis, and virtual analog synthesis. This synthesizer was widely used in electronic and dance music, and it was a popular choice among DJs and electronic music producers.

Roland also has a range of other synthesizers in their catalog like the Roland SH-101, Roland SH-5, Roland SH-7, Roland SH-3A, Roland SH-2, Roland SH-09, Roland SH-1000 and many more.

In recent years, Roland has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of synthesis technology with the release of new instruments such as the Roland FA-08 and the Roland Integra-7.

In conclusion, Roland has a long and storied history in the world of electronic music. The company’s synthesizers have been used by musicians and producers in a wide range of genres and have played a significant role in shaping the sound of popular music. From the early monophonic synthesizers like the SH-1000 to the advanced digital synthesizers like the V-Synth, Roland has consistently been at the forefront of synthesis technology, and continues to be a major player in the world of electronic music.

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