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Roland Synthesizer Guide
The Art of Synthesised Sound
If you take a closer look at modern music productions, you'll quickly notice that songs hardly do without synthetic sounds these days. Whereas in the 1960s guitar effects mainly provided variation and modulation, today's tracks are often enriched with keyboard and synthesizer sounds and ultimately brought to life by them. Synthesizers and sprawling keyboard rigs are en vogue and are now indispensable even for classic guitar bands, both in the studio and on stage.
Since the early days in the 1970s, Roland has shown pioneering spirit and remains one of the most renowned manufacturers in this field. What began in 1973 with the SH-1000 – the first Japanese synthesizer to be mass-produced – was cemented over the years with other legendary synths such as the VP-330, Jupiter-8, Juno-6 and D-50, as well as the cult drum machines TB-303, TR-808 and TR-909.
Roland has never lost sight of synthesizers and has continuously developed them through its inexhaustible spirit of innovation and top models such as the Fantom, Jupiter-X and Juno-X. They not only shaped the sound of countless productions in the 1980s and 1990s, but with every new key press they still set the tone today.
That's reason enough for us to take you on a little tour through Roland's keyboard range with our synthesizer guide and to recommend products for different application areas.
Which application are you looking for a synthesizer for?
To make it a little easier to navigate our guide, you can jump straight to your desired application area and categorise yourself.
Roland Fantom
The Fantom Workstation is the ultimate flagship in Roland's synthesizer fleet. Whether used with a computer or in standalone mode – the Roland Fantom Workstation impresses with its expandable sound engine, an intuitive and inspiring workflow, and perfect connectivity that leaves no wishes unfulfilled even for professionals.
The Fantom Workstation is available in three different keyboard variants and thus adapts perfectly to your needs. You can find even more information about the premium workstations on our separate landing page.
Roland Juno-D
The Roland Juno-D synthesizer workstations convince with a focused, user-friendly approach and an outstanding price-performance ratio. Compared to the more powerful Fantom series—which is aimed at professionals seeking maximum flexibility, deep sound design and seamless DAW integration—the Juno-D series is primarily aimed at beginners and musicians who want straightforward performance and production options. With a wide range of high-quality sounds, simple controls and a compact design, the Juno-D series offers an accessible alternative for creative music production without an overloaded feature set.
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Roland Jupiter-X/Jupiter-XM
If you love classic synthesizer sounds, the Jupiter-X comes highly recommended. It follows not only in name but also in sound in the footsteps of the legendary Jupiter-4 from 1978. Classic design meets top-quality workmanship and components as well as state-of-the-art technology. On board are the most iconic sounds from four decades of Roland synthesizers. If you like creating your own sounds and actively shaping the sound design, then both the Jupiter-X with its numerous knobs, pots and editing options and the more compact Jupiter-Xm with its 37 keys are definitely instruments you should take a closer look at.
You can find even more information about the Jupiter synthesizers on our separate landing page.
Roland GAIA-2
The Roland GAIA-2 is a versatile synthesizer that is ideal for sound designers, producers and beginners. With its powerful Zen-Core synthesis engine, intuitive controls and the ability to combine multiple layers and effects, the GAIA-2 offers boundless creativity. The compact design and easy operation make it perfect for studio and stage. Discover all possibilities on the product detail page.
Roland JD-Xi
The Roland JD-Xi is a compact synthesizer with a unique hybrid approach that combines analogue and digital sound generation. Compared to the GAIA-2, which stands out for its powerful Zen-Core synthesis and wide sound-design possibilities, the JD-Xi scores mainly with its built-in vocoder, the drum section and its versatile performance tools. For musicians who want to combine beats, synthesizers and vocals in live performances, the JD-Xi is the perfect choice. Despite its compact size, it offers surprising depth of sound and creative options.
Discover which synthesizer suits your style best – you'll find more information on the product detail page.
Roland JD-XA
The Roland JD-XA is a premium synthesizer that combines the best of analogue and digital technology. With its true analogue sound generation and the powerful SuperNATURAL digital engine, it offers endless possibilities for sound designers and professional musicians. Compared to the more compact JD-Xi, the JD-XA is designed for advanced users seeking maximum flexibility and control. Its extensive control options, the multi-voice sequencer and impressive effects make it ideal for complex sound creations—whether in the studio or on stage.
Discover the versatile possibilities of the JD-XA and find out more on the product detail page.
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Know-how
With us you don't just get what you need – we'll also show you how it works! To the guides.
Roland V-Stage
The new Roland V-Stage keyboards redefine performance and versatility. With high-resolution sounds, intuitive control options and a lightweight, roadworthy design, they are the perfect choice for demanding musicians. Their innovative sound engine combines realistic acoustic tones with state-of-the-art synthesizer sounds, offering maximum flexibility for any stage situation. Thanks to the extended connectivity options and thoughtful workflow, the V-Stage keyboards are ready for studio and live use.
You can find all details and features on the series and product pages.
Roland Fantom-0
For instruments that feel most at home in live use and are most likely to have a fixed place on stage, one factor besides sound is of elemental importance: mobility and weight. This is exactly where the stage synthesizer Roland Fantom-0 comes in with its concept. It combines the functionality and sounds of the larger Fantom range with a streamlined design and reduced weight. That makes loading and unloading at the venue much less of a hassle. Once the Fantom-0 is connected, every live performance becomes a pleasure thanks to the hands-on knobs and sliders, the colour touchscreen, the fast sampling functions and a clip-based sequencer.
You can find even more information about the stage synthesizers on our separate landing page.
Roland RD-2000EX
The Roland RD-2000EX raises the performance capabilities among stage synthesizers to a new level. With its two independent sound engines, its top-class hybrid keyboard and an even broader selection of premium sounds, it delivers everything modern stage performers need. Advanced editing options, a seamless workflow and additional features make it an indispensable tool for top-tier performances. You can find even more details and all features on the product detail page.
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Roland RD-88EX
If you want to ease into sound design and are looking for a good compromise between a classic stage piano and an optional synth, we recommend the Roland RD-88EX.
The Roland RD-88EX combines professional performance with a compact and portable design. Thanks to the great sounds — drawn from both electric pianos and Roland's flagship synthesizers — the lightweight, compact chassis and, not least, the uncluttered user interface, it is the ideal choice for beginners in the synthesizer realm. You can quickly find your favourite sounds and effects and easily shape the overall tone. The powerful sound engine delivers realistic acoustic and synth tones, while seamless integration with DAWs and modern workflows is impressive.
You can discover even more information about our recommendation for beginners on the product detail page.
Roland RD-08
The Roland RD-08 is the perfect choice for beginners looking for a reliable and easy-to-use stage piano. Compared with the RD-88EX, the RD-08 offers a slimmer feature set, but remains a strong companion with authentic Roland sounds and a lightweight design. The intuitive interface lets you quickly find and tweak favourite sounds — ideal for getting started in the world of stage pianos. You can find more information on the product detail page.
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Synthesizer accessories
To get the full performance out of a synthesizer, you need a few essential accessories. For the stage we recommend a sturdy keyboard stand and a well-padded gig bag. Not only for live use but also for studio work, it's advisable to use high-quality audio cables.
