ROLAND 50TH ANNIVERSARY 1972 - 2022

From everyone at Roland, thank you to musicians everywhere for bringing our instruments to life since 1972. It’s our honor and privilege to make the tools chosen by artists to create music that is enjoyed all over the world. We look forward to hearing what you’ll create next...here’s to another 50 years!

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE STORY SO FAR.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.

1972
OSAKA, JAPAN
Roland Corporation was founded

1972

TR-33/55/77
ROLAND’S FIRST INSTRUMENTS

Designed to provide rhythm backing for organ players, Roland’s first three products were early versions of drum machines.

1973

EP-10 / COMBO PIANO

SH-1000 / PRESET SYNTH

BOSS CORPORATION FOUNDED IN OSAKA, JAPAN

1974

SPACE ECHO RE-201

The Space Echo RE-201 quickly became the tape echo of choice for musicians on the road and in the studio. Its rich and organic sound was a source of inspiration and creativity, and it’s been heard on literally thousands of popular records since its introduction. It wasn’t always used for straight echo effects, either—by manipulating the tape speed and intensity while signal was present, you could coax a Space Echo into oscillation and pitch shift for some unreal sound effects.

EP-30
COMBO PIANO

World’s first velocity sensitive electronic piano.

1975

JC-120 JAZZ CHORUS
GUITAR AMP

Roland’s first-ever amp, and also the first to include dual amplifiers and a chorus effect. This enduring flagship amp is universally recognized by pro guitarists as the benchmark in clean guitar sound, and its rich tone and famous built-in stereo chorus effect have been heard on countless popular songs over its long history.

ADRIAN BELEW

King Crimson

ANDY SUMMERS

The Police

STEVE LEVINE

Producer

JEFF ‘SKUNK’ BAXTER

Steely Dan
Doobie Brothers

1976

SYSTEM-700
MODULAR

Japan’s first large-scale modular synth system. A complete collection could easily take up an entire room.

BOSS CE-1
CHORUS ENSEMBLE

This big grey chorus pedal single-handedly catapulted the BOSS brand to the top of the guitar effects game, thanks to its unmistakable warm analog stereo chorus and vibrato sounds. Late ‘70s guitar legends like Andy Summers (The Police) and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (The Doobie Brothers) quickly helped to make the CE-1 a classic.

1977

GR-500 and GS-500
GUITAR SYNTH SYSTEM

A two-part system comprising the GR-500 synthesizer and a guitar called the GS-500, connected by a custom 24-pin cable. With powerful sound shaping potential and polyphonic performance capabilities the GR-500 was embraced by pioneering guitarists including Steve Hackett, Pat Metheny, and Andy Summers.

MC-8
MICROCOMPOSER

Roland’s first microprocessor-based music sequencer was a history-making component in the electronic music genre. Designed to offer precise control and storage for modular synthesizers, it could even be used to control lighting during live performances. Early users included Yellow Magic Orchestra.

BOSS launched the iconic compact series with the OD-1 Overdrive, PH-1 Phaser, and SP-1 Spectrum pedals. Since then, the colorful line-up has been adopted by generations of musicians, with over 130 models produced to date and over 17 million units sold. BOSS pedals are used by players of all levels, from famous touring pros to bedroom hobbyists.

1978

CR-78
COMPURHYTHM

The world’s first microprocessor-based rhythm machine and the first that enabled users to program and store their own drum patterns. With its analog sound source and programmable nature, the CR-78 laid the foundations for the TR-808 a few years later, and appeared on a variety of hit records at the time.

RADIOHEAD ACOUSTIC SESSION, ROLAND CR-78 RHYTHM MACHINE IN SUPPORT

JUPITER-4
ROLAND’S FIRST POLYSYNTH

Roland’s first polyphonic analog synthesizer (4 voices). The 4VCO sound in unison mode is superb, and it also has built-in user sound memory function.

BOSS DS-1

Distortion Effects Pedal

PROMARS

Compuphonic

SH-09

Single-Oscillator Monosynth

CUBE-40
GUITAR AMP

The original Cube amp that started it all, with 40-watt output, selectable input by gain level, onboard EQ, versatile and clean spring reverb, wrapped up in a compact enclosure.

1979

SYSTEM 100M / MODULAR SYNTH

A condensed version of the System-700 aimed at the general consumer. This compact modular synthesizer was made up of various modules and a rack with built-in power supply (a 32-key and 49-key keyboard was available).

VP-330 / VOCODER PLUS

Whether you want the classic, electro-infused “talking robot” sound or the expressive power of shaping synth sounds with the human voice, the VP-330 put it all at your fingertips.

SDD-320 / ANALOG STEREO CHORUS

Also known as the Dimension D, this stereo chorus processor became highly sought after thanks to its classic vintage tone with incredible spatialization and modulation capabilities.

SH-2 / MONOSYNTH

The SH-2 was a highly flexible instrument capable of a wide range of sounds from smooth and gentle to brutal and aggressive. An experienced synthesist can pull any number of “instrument” sounds out of this monosynth beast!