Roland Corporation

History

Ikutaro Kakehashi had previously founded Ace Electronic Industries in 1960, which designed and manufactured electronic organs, drum machines, instrument amplifiers, and effects pedals. After a major investor in Ace, Sakata Shokai, was acquired by Sumitomo Chemical, Kakehashi resigned in March 1972. He founded Roland in Osaka on 18 April 1972, with seven employees from his former company, a rented shed, and $100,000. Kakehashi, who had no musical training, aimed to appeal to amateurs and hobbyists through miniaturization, affordability, and simplicity.

The name Roland was chosen for export purposes, selected from a telephone directory for its easy pronunciation and soft consonants; the letter R was chosen because few other music equipment companies used it. Roland's first product was the TR-77 (Rhythm 77) drum machine, followed by the TR-33 and TR-55 later that year. In 1973, Roland introduced the SH-1000, the first compact synthesizer produced in Japan and the company's first synthesizer, as well as the SH-3, their first non-preset synthesizer.

In 1976, Roland introduced the semi-modular System 100 and modular System 700 synthesizers. The MC-8 MicroComposer, one of the earliest microprocessor-driven music sequencers, and the GR-500, the first guitar synthesizer, were introduced in 1977. The following year, the CompuRhythm CR-78 became the first drum machine allowing users to program and store their own drum patterns.

Brands

Roland markets products under several brand names, each targeting a different niche. The Roland brand covers a wide range of products including synthesizers, digital pianos, electronically enhanced accordions, electronic drum systems, dance and DJ gear, guitar synthesizers, amplifiers, and recording products; many are also available through Roland Cloud, a VST subscription service. Boss is the brand for guitar-oriented products such as pedals, effects units, rhythm and accompaniment machines, guitar amplifiers, and portable recording equipment.

Edirol was a line of professional video-editing and video-presentation systems, portable digital audio recorders, and Desktop Media products including computer audio interfaces, mixers, and speakers; after Roland purchased a controlling interest in Cakewalk Software, most Edirol products were rebranded as Cakewalk or merged with professional audio products to form Roland Systems Group. Roland Systems Group is a line of professional commercial audio and video products.

Amdek was incorporated in 1981 as a manufacturer of computerized music peripherals and a distributor of assembled electronic music instrument parts; it is best remembered for user-assembled effects pedal kits marketed until 1983. Amdek introduced the DXY-100 pen plotter in 1982, intended for printing sheet music, but the plotter had a larger market, and in 1983 Amdek became Roland DG Corporation. Roland DG specializes in digital printing and engraving technology, producing vinyl cutters, thermal-transfer printer/cutters, wide-format inkjet printers, 3D scanners, dental milling devices, and engravers; it entered the 3D printing market in 2014 with the monoFab series.

In 1987, Roland acquired the then-defunct Rhodes name and released digital keyboards under that brand; Harold Rhodes regained the rights to the name in 2000, dissatisfied with Roland's treatment of the brand, but died before bringing a new model to market.

Did You Know?

• Roland's first product, the TR-77 drum machine, was introduced in 1972, the same year the company was founded.
• The TR-808 drum machine, launched in 1980, has been described as hip hop's equivalent to the Fender Stratocaster guitar.