Ikutaro Kakehashi founded Ace Electronics in 1960. Kakehashi wanted to make digital musical instruments for people who had no musical experience, such as himself.
The name Roland was designed for export purposes and Kakehashi believed it was easy to pronounce and remember.
Kakehashi took 7 employees from Ace Electronics and put them to work in a shed. They created a drum machine called the TR-77. This was Roland’s first product.
When Kakehashi realized in the 1980s that microprocessors could be used to make music, the company created several instruments that have had a lasting impression on music.
In 1991 the company released a digital synthesizer with multiple slides, which became one of the company’s biggest sellers.
Roland has a corporate office in North America, located in Los Angeles, California.
Ikutaro Kakehashi founded Ace Electronics in 1960. Kakehashi wanted to make digital musical instruments for people who had no musical experience, such as himself.
The name Roland was designed for export purposes and Kakehashi believed it was easy to pronounce and remember.
Kakehashi took 7 employees from Ace Electronics and put them to work in a shed. They created a drum machine called the TR-77. This was Roland’s first product.
History
When Kakehashi realized in the 1980s that microprocessors could be used to make music, the company created several instruments that have had a lasting impression on music.
In 1991 the company released a digital synthesizer with multiple slides, which became one of the company’s biggest sellers.
Roland has a corporate office in North America, located in Los Angeles, California.