Roland

Roland is best known for its legendary keyboards, but it also has a rich history in digital effects processors. Starting with early tape delays like the RE-201 in the 1970s, Roland’s innovation continued into the digital era with the SDE-2000 digital delay and the iconic SDD-320 Dimension D Chorus in 1981. Over the years, they introduced standout products such as the SRV-2000 reverb, famous for its characterful sound and use by Slash on “Sweet Child of Mine.” Roland’s attempt at high-end studio reverb with the R880 met limited success, leading them to focus on more affordable processors. The SRV-330 dimensional reverb and SDE-330 space delay are highly regarded, while the rare SDX-330 dimensional expander is famed for its superior chorus effects. Their final unit, the SRV-3030, was less successful and often confused with the well-regarded SRV-330, but they remain distinct products in Roland’s diverse effects legacy.

Released in 1988
The Roland E-660 is a versatile two-channel digital equaliser with eight filters for precise sound adjustments, offering flexible configurations and intuitive controls, along with delay capabilities and extensive connectivity options.
Released in 1989
In 1989 Roland decided it was time to take on the big names in studio reverbs, and they released their best reverb to date, the Roland R-880. As good as the Roland R-880 was, and is, it failed to take any market share away from the big names like Lexicon, but it did find a home in some studios and those people love the Roland R-880.
Released in 1991
The Roland DM-80 is an affordable mufti track recorder system for tapeless recording. It is a complete music production system that provides comprehensive control over recording, playback and editing operations.
Released in 1991
After failing to make an impact with the Roland R-880, Roland went back to what they do best, affordable multi effects processors and the Roland RSP-550 was born. The Roland RSP-550 was a departure from the norm for Roland, gone was the SRV nomenclature, but only for a short while when they returned with the SRV-330.
Released in 1993
Taking what they had learned with the R-880, Roland developed a new SRV reverb, the Roland SRV-330 and it is one of Roland’s finest digital reverbs. The Roland SRV-330 is a fantastic reverb that offers a broad range of reverbs, from real space emulations to retro gear emulations, and they all sound fantastic with smooth tails and low noise.
Released in 1993
The Roland SDE-330 digital delay was released at the same time as the SRV-330 and offers just as spectacular performance as it’s sibling. Roland had by now made a number of digital delays, and the SDE-330 showed they had nailed the concept.
Released in 1994
Roland made chorusing their thing and cemented their place in history with the Dimension D, but by all accounts, it is the SDX-330 that is the best chorus processor. The sad thing is, by the time it was released in 1994, chorusing had pretty much run its course in recording and the sales of this processor must have been very low as they rarely ever come up for sale.
Released in 1995
The Roland GP-100’s development took a deep dive into rock’s rich history and iconic sounds, aiming to faithfully recreate the legendary guitar amps that have shaped the genre. By comparing everything from modern, acclaimed models to vintage classics, it meticulously analysed the elements that define ‘that sound’ cherished by fans – from components and circuits to tonal qualities and overall listening experience.
Released in 1999
The Roland VSR-880 is an 8-track rackmount hard disk recorder with 24-bit sound quality, 128 Virtual Tracks, and all the powerful editing and optional effects V-Studios are known for.
Released in 1999
With all that Roland had learned from making superb effects processors like the SRV-330 and R-880, the SRV-3030 should have been so much better than it was.
Released in 2011
The Roland R-1000 is an intuitive stand alone, dedicated recorder/player designed to work with the V-Mixing System in any live event or production. You can also connect and use the R-1000 with any digital console that has MADI output capabilities by using the Roland S-MADI REAC MADI Bridge.
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