David at Hobnox sends word that they’ve updated their browser-based virtual studio, AudioTools:
Just a quick note that we just rolled out an update of the Hobnox Audiotool. As promised the TR808 is now online, along with two new stompboxes (Compressor and Bitcrusher) and some enhanced functions. Saving is still not possible yet, we’re working hard […]

Wire to the Ear’s Oliver Chesler (The Horrorist) takes a look at D16’s Drumazon (software Roland TR-909) and Devastor (distortion unit):
I’ve owned a real Roland TR-909 for many years. In fact I bought mine from Chaka Kahn! I can honestly say Drumazon is a better replacement. It’s a joy to use and you get all […]

A long demo of a Roland TB-303, with the Borg modifications by Analogue Solutions. Also in the mix is a TR-808, acting as the master, with a little reverb; the 303 is 100% dry.
via Matrix

This demo, by retrosound, of the Roland VP330 Vocoder Plus, highlights the sound that Vangelis popularized in his soundtrack to Blade Runner and other works.
Richard Clews of SOS said this about the VP330:
If you ignore the hype and look at this instrument dispassionately, you’ll see it for what it really is — a 1970’s string […]

Here are some of the posts that have been generating some interesting discussion this week.
If you haven’t weighed in on them yet, check out what others are saying and then add your two cents worth!

Minneapolis Hates Kraftwerk - the Minneapolis Star Tribune says that Kraftwerk’s show there was a snoozer - “With all the flair […]

Probably no synth has been cloned more times, both in hardware and software, than the Roland TB303.
But while excellent hardware 303 clones (FR777) have been available for years, virtual versions have never been completely satisfying.
AudioRealism’s BassLine 2 changes that. It cranks out authentic 303 sounds, using a simple interface that will be familiar to 303 […]

 

 AudioRealism Bassline Demo [1:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 AudioRealism Bass Line 2 Loop 01 [0:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 AudioRealism Bass Line Acid Loop 02 [0:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sinevibes has announced that the Planet F and Planet X sound libraries are now available for Roland SonicCell synthesizer module.
Description:
The Planet F and Planet X libraries have been designed to take all the great features of the Roland synthesizers to the extreme. From vintage analog and digital classics to new and never-heard-before instruments, phrases and […]

Remember when I noted Roland’s V-Accordion as one of the the NAMM Show highlights?
You probably were wondering WHO would do WHAT with a MIDI accordion. Here you go:
Uwe Steger presents his extensions for the Roland V-Accordion.
via MusicThing

The 2008 NAMM Show wasn’t a great year for new synth and electronic music gear……but it was a good year.
We’ve already mentioned tons of great new gear that we saw at NAMM in the last couple of weeks, but, following in the footsteps of last year’s modular analog synthgasm, here are our picks for 2008’s […]

Winter NAMM Show Update: Roland intro’d the ARX-01 and ARX-02 expansion boards for the new Fantom-G series. Each ARX board is a synth in itself.
The ARX-01 Drums Expansion Board offers complete control of the elements of each drum, such as shell depth and muffling. Once each drum is crafted, you can further refine it with […]

Roland has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire a major share of Cakewalk, a leading developer of products for music creation and recording.
Roland and Cakewalk have been partners since 1995, and have cooperated closely on numerous business projects and complimentary product lines.
In 2003, Roland augmented its strategic partnership with Cakewalk by becoming […]

Roland has announced that it’s shipping the new EDIROL M-16DX Digital Mixer.
The M-16DX is a new-generation mixer comprising two modules: the Mix Controller for your desktop, and the I/O Module, which can be mounted in a rack. Together, these two components provide a wide assortment of connection and processing features, while leaving your desktop uncluttered. […]

Sinevibes has announced that their complete line of products for Roland V-Synth series is now fully compatible with the new V-Synth GT. This allows all GT owners to supercharge their synthesizers with new sound materials and greatly improve their knowledge of the internal sound building technologies.
V-Synth GT compatible products are:

V-Motions: 96 highly-inspiring patches including motion […]

Summer NAMM: Roland introduced a new desktop hardware synth today, the SonicCell. According to Roland, the SonicCell puts the power and legendary sound quality of a Roland hardware synthesizer on your desktop. According to us, it’s the most hideously ugly synth we’ve seen in a long time.
Here’s the details…..

Summer NAMM Show: The Roland RE-201 Space Echo has been reborn as the BOSS RE-20 Twin Pedal. According to BOSS, they’ve recreated every sonic detail and nuance of the original, providing users the warm, unpredictable and highly tweakable retro sounds of the RE-201.
Description:
The original Roland RE-201, commonly known as the Space Echo, was an analog […]