Roland introduced the HP700 series, the latest edition to the company’s renowned selection of digital pianos for the home. The HP704 and HP702 models bring new levels of performance and sophistication to first-time piano buyers, combining gorgeous sound and elegant styling with modern Bluetooth connectivity.

With authentic playability and numerous built-in education and entertainment features, an HP700 instrument provides a strong foundation to inspire musical growth and support family enjoyment for years to come.

The HP700 series encourages ambitions at every step of the journey. Both instruments are filled with new technologies that stimulate musical expression, and feature Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling engine for stunningly realistic acoustic tone and responsiveness. The Hybrid Keyboard on the 704 combines the look and feel of a wooden keyboard with durable molded materials, while the Progressive Damper Action pedal on both models provides true acoustic pedal behavior for executing advanced techniques.

With an elegant-yet-contemporary design inspired by Roland’s award-winning LX700 series, an HP700 piano can make a bold statement or blend discreetly into any room. And with compact dimensions and vastly reduced weight compared to a traditional acoustic upright, it’s easy to move the instrument to find the perfect spot.

Volume-controllable internal speakers fill the room with rich, inspiring sound for playing and in-home performing, while connecting headphones provides an immersive, multi-dimensional sound experience that won’t disturb family members or neighbors.

For interactive study, users can wirelessly connect the piano with their smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth to play along with favorite tunes or sharpen skills with online tutorials. And where no one’s playing, an HP700 piano doubles as a home entertainment system for streaming music with dynamic high-fidelity sound.

For the HP700 series, Roland has carefully selected and meticulously manufactured finishes to present attractive instruments that owners will be able to showcase in their homes. The HP704 and HP202 models are available in white, charcoal, dark rosewood, and light oak finishes. The flagship HP704 is also available in a classic polished ebony finish.

Roland is currently offering an exclusive promotion, whereby customers who purchase an RP102 or RP501R digital piano between now and December 31, 2018, are eligible to receive a free refurbished iPad Mini with a one-year warrantee via mail-in rebate.

This offer is valid on products purchased through an authorized Roland dealer in the United States.

The RP102 and RP501R are two of the most popular models in Roland’s award-winning and affordable RP series of digital pianos. Featuring advanced technologies derived from Roland’s premium pianos, these models offer best-in-class sound and touch in compact, space-saving designs.

And with modern Bluetooth connectivity built in, users can wirelessly connect with a smartphone or tablet to enhance learning and enjoyment with Roland’s Partner 2 and other useful music apps – a perfect application for the free iPad Mini.

Users can practice each hand individually by muting the left- or right-hand part, and freely adjust the tempo as needed. The app also provides access to backing rhythms and flash card games that help build skills with intelligent accompaniment and engaging music exercises.

For complete rules and redemption form, please visit the Roland website.

Roland Virtual Sonics announced the addition of the iconic JX-3P to Roland Cloud’s Legendary series. Originally released in 1983, the JX-3P was one of the earliest programmable preset polyphonic synthesizers and Roland’s first MIDI-equipped machine.

Now available as part of the Roland Cloud, the virtual JX-3P offers crystalline ACB-component replication of the original’s sounds. From classic strings to crushing metallic pads, this six-voice polyphonic recreation is identical to its hardware counterpart. With push-button interface, and concurrent versatility, users will discover what made this synth a singular addition to Roland’s catalog.

In addition to its 64 iconic memory programs and revolutionary two DCOs, the updated JX-3P comes with an all-new effects module – including delay, distortion, reverb, etc. – and a powerful arpeggiator. Experience the JX-3P in its traditional format, or with a click, unleash the power of the coveted PG-200 interface.

Upon release, the PB-200 facilitated a hands-on manipulation of the JX-3P’s rich sonic palette. Mapped for the PLUG OUT interface of the SYSTEM 8, the PG-200 controls are intuitive.

The live connection between the SYSTEM 8 and a user’s computer allows for parameter adjustment within the software itself, or with the turn of a knob on the SYSTEM-8. The JX-3P allows for seamless sonic control.

Roland unveiled the AX-Edge Keytar, a performance synthesizer designed to be played in a standing position with a shoulder strap.

Building on decades of refinement and input around the world, the AX-Edge features 49 full-sized keys and a professional sound set crafted specifically for keytarists. It also offers a sleek, modern design with the unique ability to interchange Edge Blades and customize the instrument’s look. Compact and battery operated, the AX-Edge is a powerful mobile instrument that enables performing keyboardists to take center stage and put their music in the spotlight.

The AX-Edge delivers a striking presence that makes any live player stand out. Models are available in black or white finishes, and the black model features an all-black keyboard for a dark, sophisticated appearance. Each AX-Edge model comes with an extra Edge Blade in the box (a silver Edge Blade for the black model and a gold Edge Blade for the white), allowing the player to create a fresh look that complements their personal performance style.

The AX-Edge is a carefully curated sound set driven by Roland’s latest sound technologies. Optimized for stage performance, the sounds are designed to cut through even in loud bands. Dedicated buttons provide instant access to effects that provide polished, studio-quality tone in any venue. And thanks to the Tone Remain function, players can switch sounds seamlessly without notes or effect tails being cut of prematurely.

When powered with rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, the AX-Edge provides up to four full hours of mobile playing time. The instrument can also be powered via an AC adaptor.

Roland is currently running an exclusive promotion where any U.S. customer who purchases the flagship Roland DJ-808 will receive a limited edition, TR-808 Serato vinyl pressing, a highly collectible double-pack release featuring 808 beats from legends Just Blaze, Marley Marl, Machinedrum, Egyptian Lover, DJ Qbert, Salva, and more.

This stunning three-color vinyl includes 15 rhythm tracks and four locked grooves on one side, and control tone on the flip for use with Serato’s Digital Vinyl System (DVS). Serato’s DJ Pro DVS Expansion Pack is also included at no charge with the vinyl, extending a $150 value to all Roland customers who purchase DJ-808s during the exclusive promotional period.

With its phono inputs, standalone mixer capability, and pro-grade crossfader, the DJ-808 is perfectly suited for use with the TR-808 pressing either playing the 808 rhythm tracks or using the control tone to manipulate music in a Serato library. Personally created beats can be added with the DJ-808’s TR-909/ 808 / 707 / 606 hardware drum machine to maximize the performance potential connection to Roland’s rhythm legacy.

Visit the Roland website to fill out the DJ-808/Serato redemption form. This offer is good on new products purchased through September 30, 2018, through an authorized Roland U.S. dealer.

Roland announced the SRX Keyboards Software Synthesizer for Roland Cloud, a virtual recreation of an early-2000s SRX expansion board that was originally only available for compatible Roland hardware synths. This SRX expansion compiled the very best Roland keyboard sounds into a single expansion.

SRX Keyboards puts all this into a powerful plug-in using Roland’s acclaimed DCB (Digital Circuit Behavior) technology to reproduce every nuance and detail of the original hardware. DCB uses the original sample ROM and accurately reproduces the original waveforms and any behavior of artifacts that resulted from the digital components and circuitry used in the hardware unit.

With over 1700 original waveforms, 86 effects, and 393 preset tones, SRX Keyboards gives artists and producers plenty of room to craft their sounds using its deep, high-resolution editing interface. The collection covers a vast range of classic keyboard sounds from all manner of acoustic and electric pianos to synth pads, string machines, and much more.

For musicians that owned the original SRX expansion board, it will become immediately apparent that SRX Keyboards is tonally indistinguishable from the hardware. For everyone else, the breadth of tweakable tones in the SRX Keyboard lends itself perfectly to all modern musical genres and sub-genres.

As with all Roland Cloud Software synthesizers, SRX Keyboards is part of the Roland Cloud core membership that can be tried out risk-free for 30 days by simply registering for a Roland Cloud account.

Roland announced Aerophone GO, a unique and affordable digital wind instrument that’s simple to operate and fun to play. Featuring traditional sax fingering, a variety of onboard instrument sounds, headphones monitoring for quiet practice, and more, Aerophone GO is ideal for saxophonists and other wind players of all experience levels.

It’s also a great first-time solution for anyone who’s ever dreamed about playing a wind instrument. Aerophone GO features onboard Bluetooth as well, providing access to extended functionality via the free Aerophone GO Plus and Aerophone GO Ensemble apps.

Combining traditional feel and response with innovative Roland digital technologies, Aerophone GO is an expressive modern instrument that’s versatile, practical, and inspiring. It is light and runs on batteries for easy mobility and features 11 high-quality onboard tones that include soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone sax variations, plus flute, clarinet, violin, synth lead, and more. And by connecting to the Aerophone GO Plus app, many more sounds are available to play.

Aerophone GO has a sensitive mouthpiece-mounted breath sensor that also functions as a bite sensor, supporting expressive techniques like vibrato and pitch. Thanks to its digital sound engine, Aerophone GO allows players to instantly transpose keys without having to change their fingering.

The instrument includes an onboard speaker for personal monitoring and intimate performances, and it’s also possible to connect to external amplification for broader sound coverage. Another great benefit is the ability to play quietly through headphones, enabling users to practice anytime and anywhere without disturbing others.

Aerophone GO is a standalone instrument. More features are available through the Aerophone GO Plus app, and the Aerophone GO Ensemble app.

Roland Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, including keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, audio processors, and multimedia products. The Roland SPD-SX Special Edition is now available.

Roland announced the availability of the SPD-SX Special Edition, an enhanced version of the popular SPD-SX Sampling Pad. The SPD-SX Special Edition offers all the functionality of the standard SPD-SX with greatly expanded onboard storage capacity. Users can store up to 16 GB of samples on board, eliminating the need to carry external memory.

The SPD-SX Special Edition also features a distinctive Sparkling Red finish, and includes an Ableton Live Lite software license to maximize music production and sample creation workflow with the instrument.

Roland’s SPD-SX Sampling Pad is the professional touring standard for triggering custom samples, loops, and even complete backing tracks. It also supports real-time sample capture via its exclusive Multi-Pad Sampling function.

With its expanded memory, the SPD-SX Special Edition supports up to 50 hours of mono sample storage. This allows busy players to load all the studio-quality WAV samples they need into the instrument, offering greater convenience and versatility when using the sampling pad in different live performance and recording situations.

Integrating the SPD-SX Special Edition with the included Ableton Live Lite music software forms a highly flexible production and sample creation setup. Sounds played in Ableton Live Lite can be sampled in the SPD-SX Special Edition, and sounds played on the pads can be recorded into the software.

The SPD-SX Special Edition can also be used as a MIDI pad controller for recording expressive MIDI tracks in Ableton Live Lite or any popular DAW. Connecting the sampling pad to a computer requires only a USB cable.

The SPD-SX Special Edition also comes with Roland’s SPD-SX Wave Manager software. Via a friendly interface, users can import audio files directly from the computer to the instrument, assign samples to pads, and easily organize a library with thousands of samples.