Roland

Roland (aka Roland Corporation) is one of the largest musical instrument manufacturers in the world. Located in Japan, Roland produces synthesizers, drum machines, digital pianos and guitar amps. They also offer a great range of guitar effects pedals under the Boss name.

Founded in Osaka in 1972 by Ikutaro Kakehashi, Roland originally manufactured drum machines and guitar pedals but quickly broke into the electric piano and synthesizer market the following year. Over the years, the company have pioneered many technologies, including the SuperNATURAL sound engine, the V-Drums and the MIDI protocol which was developed in connection with Dave Smith from Sequential Circuits and is still in use today.

Roland is held in high regard as a company that exclusively makes products with electronic technology. Their sole focus is on getting their digital instruments to be as close to the acoustic version as possible and with over 40 years in developing electronic instruments, that is very close indeed.