Roland unveiled the flagship FANTOM lineup, an all-new series of professional keyboards for music production and live performance. Developed from the ground up for modern players, the next-generation FANTOM 6, FANTOM 7 and FANTOM 8 models fuse Roland’s latest synthesizer technologies with fluid operation, an intuitive color touch screen, and deep computer integration. FANTOM instruments also offer superb playability, and feature rugged, tour-ready construction to meet the demands of everyday life on the road.

A key feature of FANTOM is its modeless interface, which makes technical limitations and confusing operation a thing of the past. Players never have to worry about what features work in which mode – FANTOM is always in full-on creative mode, providing a consistent working experience in every musical scenario.

With FANTOM’s potent DSP engine, players can focus on music, not rationing processing power. It’s possible to run all 16 parts with all available effects at once, complete with full patch remain for seamless transitions. There’s never any guessing about how many effects are available, or if sounds can be changed smoothly without limiting complex patches.

FANTOM models offer exceptional playability and aftertouch support with Roland’s best keyboards ever, including the acclaimed PHA-50 on the 88-key FANTOM 8 and a brand new semi-weighted action on the 76-key FANTOM 7 and 61-key FANTOM 6. In addition to the color touchscreen interface, there are plenty of knobs and sliders for intuitive and immediate control, plus a dedicated synthesizer section with oscillator, filter, and envelope controls.

FANTOM is a complete music composition platform, filled with creative option to build arrangements fast. Available tools include RGB pads, a classic TR-REC style pattern sequencer, real-time recording with piano roll editing, and a grid for recording and launching clips.

FANTOM excels as a standalone instrument, but its powers grow exponentially when connected to computers, analog synthesizers, and other gear. DAWs and performance software like Apple’s Logic Pro and MainStage can be operated from the touchscreen and panel controls, and virtual instruments from Roland Cloud and others can be easily controlled and combined with FANTOM’s internal sounds. It’s also possible to drive modular analog synthesizes from its dual CV/Gate outputs.

Roland announced the DJ-707M DJ Controller – a four-channel, four-deck Serato DJ Pro controller engineered for the perfect balance of functionality and portability. DJs searching for more than song mixing now have tools to manage complex event audio requirements, all-in-one with the powerful benefits of a portable live sound audio console, loudspeaker management system, and fully-fledged performance DJ controller.

Designed in consultation with leading event DJs, the DJ-707M is built to efficiently manage the wide-ranging needs of mobile DJs. The compact controller packs more specifications than larger, bulky controllers and the reinforced internal and external metal parts ensure it can withstand life on the road. Plus, it’s compact size allows it to sit between turntables and DJ media players, and it is DVS Upgrade ready for component DJ set-ups.

The DJ-707M features seven inputs, including front mounted auxiliary inputs to easily connect instruments from guest musicians or two additional microphones. Built with the DNA of a professional audio console, the DJ-707M features two studio-quality XLR microphone inputs. Each channel also has its own gain, low-cut switch, and noise gate, plus effects from reverbs and delays to key-based audio-pitching and auto-ducking.

Dual USB inputs allow up to two instances of Serato to be run on separate computers, creating seamless transitions between DJs or backup rigs. Its USB input can also be used to connect an iOS device for mobile playback.

Dedicated Serato DJ Pro controls allow for creation and triggering of hot cues, loops, effects, drum patterns, and samples, plus switching between four Serato decks. Roland’s hardware effects can be assigned individually to the dedicated hardware Filter/FX knob to finnese blends or accentuate scratches. DJ-707M’s standalone mixer allows computer-free performance using CDJs, turntables, mics, and more.

Driven by the sound of Roland’s TR-909 and TR-808 drum machines, the DJ-707M also contains launchable preset rhythms for adding punch to classic tracks, crafting transitions, or creating accompaniment for instrumentalists. Other on-board OSC sound effects include sweepers and synth stabs.

Roland Corporation, a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, and BPM Supreme, a premier music delivery website for professional DJs, announced a partnership that will include Serato x Roland TR-SYNC ‘READY’ tracks withing BPM Supreme’s vast music library. Labeled ‘TR-READY’ tracks, each of these MP3 files is grid-verified by BPM Supreme’s in-house team of audio editors and quality assurance experts.

“Bringing TR-READY tracks to BPM Supreme is a great addition for DJs looking to use Roland’s most famous drum machines withing Serato DJ,” said Raj Thomas. “Whether you’re using Serato during a live performance, at home in your studio, or alongside another musician using a drum machine, you can be confident that the grid in TR-READY tracks will immediately and flawlessly sync within Serato.”

The new Serato x Roland TR-SYNC update brings the power of Roland’s drum machines to a Serato DJ Pro setup. Roland’s iconic TR-8, TR-8S, TR-09 drum machines now come Serato DJ OSA-ready allowing DJs to effortlessly match the BPM of the TR drum machines with tracks playing on Serato DJ Pro.

As of May 1, 2019, there are 100 TR-READY tracks available now in a range of genres and decades. Each TR-READY track is marked with an official TR-READY icon and BPM Supreme will upload new TR-READY tracks daily.

“BPM Supreme was the first record pool to offer Serato pre-Flipped tracks, and now we’re excited to take our partnership with Roland and Serato one step further,” said Angel “A-Rock” Castillo, CEO and founder of BPM Supreme. “As huge fans of both Roland and Serato, our team is excited to offer these TR-READY tracks and anticipate that our large community of DJs will find them exciting and useful.”

Available to U.S. customers only.

Find TR-READY tracks on BPM Supreme, and be sure to visit Roland.com to learn more about Serato x Roland TR-SYNC.

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.