AIRA Archives

The best budget beat-making gear to help you get creative

02 Aug 2023 in Studio, Synths

Looking for more affordable ways to create beats? We take a look at some of the best budget beat-making equipment to get you started!

The Best Budget Grooveboxes to take a break from your DAW

26 Jul 2023 in DJ, Studio, Synths

Are you stuck in the mud creatively? We check out some of the best budget grooveboxes for standalone beat creation and live performance.

Synth Deals from Roland, Polyend, ASM, and Modal Electronics

17 Jul 2023 in Deals, Synths

From the affordable to the applaudable, this week's edition of Synth Deals features a range of offers from respected manufacturers.

First Look: Roland AIRA S-1 Tweak Synth – Pocket SH-101 Emulation

11 May 2023 in Synths

There is a new pocket AIRA in town! We had a first look at the Roland AIRA S-1 Tweak Synth. How close to the legendary SH-101 does it get?

Roland System-8 gets new FM oscillators and filters in meaty 1.2 update

29 Jun 2018 in Synths

Roland has added two FM variations to the oscillators on the System-8 featuring 2 operator and 5 operator waveforms. It also gets filters from the Jupiter-8 and Juno-106 amongst other bits and bobs.

Forget the TR-808 trainers what about these new Roland System 500 modules?

13 Apr 2018 in Synths

New Roland System 500 modules spotted at the Puma launch party in Berlin that featured those TR-808 trainers. Confused? Who cares - look, new unannounced System 500 Eurorack modules!

Roland mixes ACB and samples in the TR-8S Rhythm Performer

05 Mar 2018 in Studio, Synths

Take the TR-8 Rhythm Performer, tone down the green and import your own samples and you have the TR-8S. It's not groundbreaking but it's probably exactly what we wanted for a live performance groovebox.

Roland teasing a new AIRA product to be revealed on Monday

03 Mar 2018 in Synths

A mysterious and rather foggy video hints at something with glowing faders that Roland are planning to announce on Monday the 5th March. What do we think? Sampler? Mixer? Groovebox? TR-8 Mk2?

Roland and Serato join forces: 909 Day’s first official product teaser

27 Aug 2016 in DJ, Other, Synths

This latest news from Roland involves a new cooperation with Serato and is announced as part of their 909 Day event.

Roland 909 Day celebrating 33 years TR-909

Roland 909 day: Yes, it’s a thing now

23 Aug 2016 in DJ, Guitar, Other, Studio, Synths

The Future Redefined. That's the tag line and it appears there will be a lot of new equipment launched to celebrate 33 years of the TR-909.

A new Roland AIRA System-8 in the offing?

17 Aug 2016 in Synths

Is Roland about to add a new ACB synth to the AIRA and Boutique ranges? Are they planning a new System-8 Plug Out synthesizer? The rumours are intensifying...