Roland JV80 & JY30 Synths

Is Roland's new JV80 their best keyboard since the D50? Julian Colbeck thinks it is, as he puts the company's two newest synths to the test.

Roland Alpha Juno 1

Roland’s latest analogue poly offers no earth-shattering innovations, but is still a welcome addition to the synth market’s ever-expanding lower end. Or so says Simon Trask, anyway.

In the days before Roland established their reputation for consistently delivering the goods, they turned out some weird and wonderful synths. Peter Forrest lifts the dust cover on the old SH7 monosynth.

Roland Alpha Juno-1

If you're not an FM fan, but are looking for a low-cost polysynth that can double as a MIDI expander, you won't need to look further than Roland's new Alpha Juno-1 according to Mark Jenkins.

Of all the instruments that became popular in the heyday of the "big synth" a few years back, Roland's Jupiter 8 has stood the test of time the best. Tim Goodyer, a self-confessed JP8 addict, explains why.

for Roland Jupiter 8 & Juno 6/60

Hands up once-proud owners of a Jupiter 8 or Juno 6/60 who've left their pride and joy to collect dust while they've concentrated on MIDI gear. Tony Wride finds out MIDI can be yours courtesy of Groove Electronics.

Solo electronic music composer Boddy gives a personal overview of Roland's mid-price polysynth.

With The Roland JD800

One year after reviewing the instrument that brought back knobs and sliders, Julian Colbeck presents an in-depth user report on Roland's flagship JD800 synthesizer.

Roland Alpha Juno-1 Six-Note Polyphonic Synth

Roland JD800 Programmable Synthesizer

Already a strong contender for hot keyboard of the year, Roland's new JD800 puts analogue-style knobs and sliders back on the front panel of a modern digital synth. Julian Colbeck goes "wow"!

Continuing on from last month's review of the Roland D-50 Linear Arithmetic synthesizer, Martin Russ takes a detailed look at the technical aspects of the D-50, liberally sprinkled with excerpts from a rare interview with Mr Ikutaro Kakehashi, President of the Roland Corporation.

Arp Pro Soloist, Korg Sigma & Roland SH2000

In the early days of analogue synths, reconciling electronics and expression was hard work. Gordon Reid looks at the beginnings of pressure sensitivity.

Roland JV1000 Music Workstation

Does Roland's flagship workstation live up to its promise?

Roland JX10 Polysynth

Put two JX8P synths in one box, add a few new facilities, and you have a giant of a synthesiser that harks back to the polyphonic instruments of old. Simon Trask (again) tests a glorious anachronism.

Could this be the ideal keyboard for computer musicians? John Renwick finds out

Mutually exclusive?

Big brother to the Alpha Juno 1 comes equipped with a velocity-sensitive, five-octave keyboard, as Simon Trask discovers.

Synthcheck

Is small beautiful? Jim Betteridge knows

SynthCheck

Big brother of the Alpha Juno-1, Roland's latest addition to the new-look analogue Juno range has its ivories tickled by the estimable Jim Betteridge.

Is the future Linear?

Does Roland's new LA synthesizer mean the end of FM is in sight? Martin Russ falls in love with the world's first ever Linear Arithmetic synthesizer whilst trying to find out...

LA Synthesiser

Roland's latest keyboard combines two currently important concepts: the workstation and the company's own Linear Arithmetic synthesis. Simon Trask test drives the "multi-timbral linear synthesiser muhitrack sequencer".

L/A Synthesiser

Simon Trask investigates the latest and cheapest in an increasingly long line of L/A synths from Roland. But if L/A is the way for you, are you better off with a D5 or a D10?

Roland's D5 is the latest addition to their range of LA synthesizers. Paul Ireson takes a look at a budget keyboard with some great features.

Rockschool's Alastair Gavin ganders at the vastly praised digital synth, and decides they're right.