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The Synth Source — Interactive Timeline

Every synthesizer, every year.

Select a brand — scroll the timeline horizontally to explore their full history.

6brands
65instruments
1887–nowyears
RolandJapan · est. 1972Founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka, Roland shaped synthesizer history with the TR-808, TR-909, Jupiter-8 and Juno-106 — instruments that still define entire genres of music.16 instruments
1973analog
Roland SH-1000
First Roland synth ever made
1975analog
Roland RS-202
Abba, 10cc
1978modular
Roland SYSTEM 100m
Still collectible today
1980analog
Roland Jupiter-4
Bridge to the Jupiter-8 era
1980rhythm
Roland TR-808
Marvin Gaye, Afrika Bambaataa
1981analog
Roland Jupiter-8
Duran Duran, Prince, Rush
1982analog
Roland Juno-6
Depeche Mode early recordings
1983analog
Roland Juno-106
Almost everyone, 1983–present
1983rhythm
Roland TR-909
Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard
1984analog
Roland JX-3P
Budget alternative to Jupiter-8
1987digital
Roland D-50
Enya, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson
1991digital
Roland JD-800
Musician's response to menu-diving
1999digital
Roland JP-8000
Invented the supersaw waveform
2015hybrid
Roland JU-06
Compact Juno for modern studios
2021hybrid
Roland Juno-X
Best of classic and modern Juno
2024hybrid
Roland GAIA 2
Flagship modern Roland poly
Type
analog
digital
hybrid
rhythm
modular
workstation