The Roland TR-808 debuted in the '80s and pop music was, effectively, changed forever. Dance music and hip-hop adopted its low-end bass technology immediately and its jagged effect now flood the Top ...

When the news emerged last April) that Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi had passed away aged 87, tributes poured in from all corners of the music world. The Japanese pioneer’s inventions didn’t just ...

The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer is credited with more musical innovations than you can wave a plug socket at – even after its rocky start. After flopping commercially upon release in 1980, because ...

Back in 1959, when the Rudolph Wurlitzer Corporation debuted the Side Man, originally intended as an accompanist for organ players who didn't have a live drummer to help them keep time, nobody could ...

It’s almost impossible to imagine the modern musical landscape without the distinctive sounds of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. When the Japanese electronics company Roland started releasing the 808 ...