Roland

Ikutaro Kakehashi started Roland in 1972, setting his sights on the foreign market. Kakehashi, however, was no novice. With a background in watch and radio repair and a strong interest in music, he designed a Hawaiian Guitar Amplifier in 1959, contributed to the development of the Technics SX601 organ, and created the R1 Rhythm Ace, considered the first completely transistorized electronic rhythm machine.

Roland based its early product lines on the concept of the R1 Rhythm Ace, unveiling rhythm boxes TR33, TR55, and TR77, which offered a choice of beat patterns and basic percussion sounds. The SH1000 marked Roland’s first synthesizer, featuring a handful of pre-set tones, vibrato, growl, and portamento effects, eight waveforms, modulation capabilities, a filter, and various shape sounds. More importantly, Roland offered the SH1000 at an affordable price point, making the synthesizer more accessible than the competition.

From here, Roland upgraded the SH1000 with the SH3, offering more capabilities and sound possibilities, and continued advancing analog synth technology through the 1970s with the SH-5, the System-100, the System-700, the PARAPHONIC RS-505, and its definitive JUPITER line, its first polyphonic synth. The JUPITER set the stage for the emulation-based synths in the ‘80s, while Roland further shaped electronic dance music with the TB-303, a bass synth, the keytar-style monosynth SH-101, and the Juno-106 soft-synth.

From this accessible yet innovative foundation, Roland surged forward, diversifying its product line with digital pianos and organs, guitar systems, synthesized drum pads, A/V gear, and production essentials. Whether a guitarist is looking to add variety to their sound, an aspiring producer is learning the ropes, or you need a quality practice piano, Roland’s electronic advances have shaped the musical instrument landscape as we know it.

Whether you’re on the search for a synth, drum pads, guitar pedals or a keyboard, Alamo Music Center’s vast selection of Roland instruments and equipment has your needs covered. For whatever you purchase, we offer multiple financing and layaway options, including 12- to 48-month no-interest financing at times.