Roland Corporation U.S.

What Roland Corporation U.S. does

Roland Corporation U.S. is a California-incorporated, privately-held subsidiary of Roland Corporation (Japan), the electronic musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1972 by Ikutaro Kakehashi. The U.S. entity, headquartered at 5100 S. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles, manufactures, distributes, and markets electronic musical instruments and music production tools across six product categories: Lab Systems, Digital Pianos, Keyboards & Synthesizers, Electronic Drums & Percussion (including the V-Drums family), Practice & Recording Tools, and Guitar & Bass products. Underlying technology includes the SuperNATURAL sound engine, V-Drums electronic percussion, MIDI integration, and Cakewalk SONAR DAW software. The company operates a multi-brand portfolio — Roland, BOSS, Cakewalk, EDIROL, and V-Drums — covering instruments, software, amplifiers, and recording equipment.

The business model is anchored on hardware sales (keyboards, synthesizers, digital pianos, V-Drums, guitar processors, audio interfaces) supplemented by software licensing (Cakewalk SONAR, learning modules such as DT-1 V-Drums Tutor). Distribution runs through three channels: direct e-commerce at RolandUS.com, an authorized dealer and music retailer network, and a dedicated Roland Music Education division providing direct enterprise sales to K-12 schools, universities, and private studios. Customer segments are split across music educators (primary), professional musicians, music students, and recording studios/producers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; commercial transactions occur through dealer relationships and direct institutional consultation.

Go-to-market combines an event-driven motion (NAMM Show, TMEA Clinic/Convention) with a community-led motion centered on educator spotlights, clinician networks, workshop materials, and the 'The Educator' e-newsletter. Strategic partnerships include the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, NAMM, Cakewalk (in-group), and Roger Love for vocal training. The U.S. subsidiary is wholly owned by Roland Corporation with no independent capital structure, and operates as the strategic American arm of a global group that includes the BOSS, Cakewalk, and EDIROL brands.

Name

Roland Corporation U.S.

Legal name

Roland Corporation U.S.

Website

https://rolandmusiced.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Roland Corporation U.S. is the California-based wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Roland Corporation, manufacturing and distributing electronic musical instruments, digital pianos, V-Drums, synthesizers, and music production software (including Cakewalk SONAR) to music educators, professional musicians, students, and recording studios across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Musical Instruments

NAICS

Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140)

SIC

Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Production Hardware (Synthesizers, Drum Machines, Samplers, MIDI Controllers) (MPAIAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric) (MPAIAJAA), Audio Plugins & Virtual Instruments (VST/AU/AAX) (MPAIAIAB), DJ & Performance Gear (Controllers, Turntables, CDJs, Mixers) (MPAIAJAC)

Keywords

• Electronic musical instruments
• Digital pianos
• Electronic drum kits
• Music production software
• Music education technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Electronic Musical Instruments Sales: Manufacturing and distribution of electronic musical instruments including keyboards, synthesizers, electronic drums, guitar products, and digital recording equipment under Roland and BOSS brands
2. Software Sales: Sale of music production software including Cakewalk SONAR DAW platform and related music creation applications

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Roland Corporation U.S. manufactures and distributes electronic musical instruments and music production tools under the Roland, BOSS, V-Drums, EDIROL, and Cakewalk brands, including digital pianos, keyboards and synthesizers, electronic percussion (V-Drums), multitrack recorders and audio interfaces, guitar and bass processors, and PA systems. Through the Roland Music Education division, it also supplies classroom lab systems, teaching apps, lesson plans, and educator support services tailored for K-12 and higher-education music programs across the United States.

Product overview

Roland Corporation U.S. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments organized into six main product categories: Lab Systems (including GLC-1 Lab Conferencing System and RCS-848 lab controller for classroom management), Digital Pianos (featuring the RM-700 flagship with Ivory Feel keyboard and educational features, HP-302/HP-201 home pianos, LX-15 and RP301 SuperNATURAL pianos, F-120 and F-110 compact pianos), Keyboards & Synthesizers (including the Fantom-G and Fantom-X workstations, JUNO series portable synths, V-Combo VR-09/VR-700 performance keyboards, BK-5 auto-accompaniment keyboard, GAIA SH-01, and SonicCell), Electronic Drums & Percussion (the acclaimed V-Drums family with SuperNATURAL technology, HD-3 V-Drums Lite for education, HandSonic hand percussion, MV-8000/MV-8800 samplers, RMP-5 Rhythm Coach), Practice & Recording Tools (BR-600 and BR-800 MICRO BR recorders, OCTA-CAPTURE audio interface, R-05/MP3 recorder, CD-2i CD recorder, MT-90U player, M-16DX digital mixer, RC-50 loop recorder, DT-1 V-Drums Tutor software), and Guitar & Bass products (including BOSS compact pedals, GT-10/VG-99 guitar processors, VB-99 bass processor, GI-20 MIDI interface, BA-55 PA system). Additional offerings include mobile apps (Piano Designer for iOS/Android, CUBE JAM app) and Cakewalk SONAR DAW software. The company serves education markets through dedicated resources, lesson plans, and technology labs, with products designed for players from beginner to professional levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BOSS: Compact guitar effects pedals, amplifiers, and related musical equipment
• V-Drums
• Cakewalk
• EDIROL
• BOSS V-Studio
• SuperNATURAL

Products and services

• Lab Systems Classroom management and control systems for music education labs, including the GLC-1 Lab Conferencing System and RCS-848 lab controller, allowing teachers to monitor and instruct multiple student instruments.
• Digital Pianos Award-winning digital pianos ranging from compact home instruments to professional-stage pianos, featuring authentic touch, realistic piano sounds, and education features.
• Keyboards and Synthesizers Full range of keyboards and synthesizers from portable synths to professional workstations, popular among players from beginner to professional level (including Fantom-G, Fantom-X, JUNO-Di, JUNO-G, JUNO-STAGE, V-Combo VR-09, V-Combo VR-700, BK-5, SonicCell, GAIA SH-01, Lucina AX-09).
• Electronic Drums and Percussion (V-Drums) Revolutionary electronic percussion instruments including the acclaimed V-Drums family with SuperNATURAL technology, V-Drums Lite for education, HandSonic hand percussion, MV-series samplers, and RMP-5 Rhythm Coach, offering great-sounding, flexible alternatives to acoustic drums.
• Practice and Recording Tools Self-contained multitrack recorders, handheld recorders, and audio interfaces for capturing audio across various settings, including BR-600 and BR-80 recorders, OCTA-CAPTURE audio interface, R-05 WAV/MP3 Recorder, CD-2i CD recorder, MT-90U portable music player, M-16DX digital mixer, RC-50 loop recorder, and VS8F-3 effects processor.
• Guitar and Bass Products Comprehensive line of guitar and bass products under Roland and BOSS brands including compact pedals, V-Guitar processors (GT-10, VG-99), bass processors (VB-99), MIDI interfaces (GI-20), and portable PA systems (BA-55).
• Cakewalk SONAR DAW Software Industry-leading DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software for PC-based music creation, produced by Cakewalk as a wholly-owned Roland subsidiary, used for recording, mixing, and music production.
• VT-12 Vocal Trainer Pocket-sized vocal coach developed with celebrity vocal coach Roger Love, designed for music schools, home practice, recording studios, and backstage vocal training.
• VE-20 Vocal Performer Vocal processor with custom vocal effects for live vocal performance.

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• CakewalkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCakewalk is a member of the worldwide Roland group and produces industry-leading software for PC-based music creation, including the acclaimed SONAR DAW platform.
• MIDI Disk Publishers NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRoland provides quick access to music publishers including Alfred Publishing, Hal Leonard, Boosey & Hawkes, and others that provide Standard MIDI Files (SMF) for educational materials.
• Lang Lang International Music FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting music education in public schools through the '101 Pianists' program, with Lang Lang performing alongside students aged 7-17 selected from over 200 applicants.
• Roger LoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelebrity vocal coach collaboration for vocal training methodology and product development for the VT-12 Vocal Trainer.
• NAMMmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRoland participates in NAMM Show with booth and special events for music educators, showcasing newest products and custom solutions for music education.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Korg: Korg is a direct competitor in synthesizers, digital pianos, tuners, and electronic percussion. Its product lines overlap Roland's synthesizer and stage keyboard offerings and target the same professional and prosumer musician segments.
• Yamaha Corporation: Yamaha is Roland's largest direct competitor across digital pianos, synthesizers, electronic drums, and music education markets. It competes head-to-head for K-12 and higher-ed lab contracts, professional musicians, and home learners with comparable product breadth.
• Akai Professional: Akai Professional is a direct competitor in MIDI controllers, electronic drum pads (MPC, MPD series), and music production hardware. It targets overlapping prosumer and education customers with comparable workstation and beat-making products.
• Behringer (Music Tribe): Behringer/Music Tribe competes with Roland and BOSS across synthesizers, drum machines, mixers, and audio interfaces at significantly lower price points. Its aggressive value pricing pressures Roland's mid-tier product lines and education-channel deployments.
• BOSS (Roland subsidiary, evaluated as separate brand context): BOSS operates within the Roland group as the guitar effects and compact pedal brand. As a Roland sub-brand, it nonetheless competes in the same shelf space as external guitar pedal and processor competitors and is part of Roland's broader product ecosystem.
• Casio: Casio competes directly in the digital piano and keyboard market, with particularly strong penetration in entry-level and education segments. It is a frequent alternative to Roland's F-series and RP-series digital pianos in school purchasing decisions.

Broad incumbents

• Native Instruments: Native Instruments is a music production hardware/software leader (Maschine, Komplete, Kontrol) that competes with Roland in MIDI controllers, samplers, and music creation software. It increasingly overlaps with Roland/Cakewalk in studio and prosumer production workflows.
• Ableton: Ableton dominates the modern DAW market with Live and Push hardware, competing directly with Roland's Cakewalk SONAR and shaping expectations for hardware/software integration across the music production stack. It is a key ecosystem competitor for production-minded customers.

Emerging players

• Arturia: Arturia is a fast-growing synth and software instrument company whose hardware (MiniBrute, MicroFreak, KeyLab) and software (V Collection, Pigments) compete directly with Roland's synthesizer and virtual instrument categories. It represents a credible emerging threat across the music creation stack.
• Focusrite: Focusrite is a leading audio interface manufacturer (Scarlett, Clarett) that competes with Roland's OCTA-CAPTURE and M-16DX interface/mixer lines. It serves the same home-studio and project-studio customer base that drives Roland's recording tool sales.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Roland Corporation U.S.