Roland Lets You Play and Record Iconic Instruments for Free in New Online Studio

The new in-browser studio from Roland offers users an opportunity to cut tracks with the TR-808 drum machine and the TB-303 bass synthesizer.

Roland has launched an online studio that lets you play and record two of its iconic machines for free.

Showcasing the pivotal TR-808 drum machine and TB-303 bass synthesizer, the aptly titled 808303 studio allows users to create songs using emulators of the machines designed by Yuri Suzuki. Tailormade for an exhibit on the history of electronic music (and the pandemic era at large) at London's Design Museum, the split-screen platform offers a crash course in Roland's innovative step-sequencing interface for novice players and the full-range of the machines' functions for the more seasoned ones to plug and play with. The in-browser studio also lets you record yourself augmenting drum patterns and synth lines on the fly, after which you can download a video of the performance and share it with your friends.

The Design Museum's new installation, Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers, is running through February 14, 2021, setting attendees in a strobe-filled club mock-up to learn about the regional and respective cultures of electronic music from around the world. From Frankie Knuckles' pioneering Chicago house parties to Detroit's techno heroes, Kevin Saunderson and Juan Atkins, to Aphex Twin's more experimental takes in the 90s, and well beyond, the exhibit covers a lot of ground and even more circuitry. Tickets are currently available by appointment only and attendees are required to bring their own wired headphones sets to plug into various audio components of the exhibit.

Head over to the 808303.studio to tinker and toy with Roland's iconic suite of electronic instruments. Watch a tutorial on how to use and manipulate the instruments below and book your appointment to visit the exhibit via the Design Museum's site today.