I’ve been holding on to these tapes for a little while now. I was hoping that if I scouted the same shop I picked these up from I might come across a few more, but I haven’t had much luck. In late 2021 (one of the first tapes I digitized for this blog), I uploaded the American DJ Product Video Volume 9 (1998) tape, which has become one of the most watched and well-liked pieces of media I’ve ever archived here.
I wouldn’t imagine tapes like this are exceedingly rare, though it’s taken me all this time to come across something similar. Demo tapes are very fun and interesting to watch for me, and I’m always keeping an eye out for them, so maybe one day I’ll have more of these to show.
Above you can find a video of the Boss SP-303 being demonstrated, It’s a small selection from the Roland 2001 New Products tape. I’ve used the successor to this sampler, the Roland SP-404SX for the past 7 years to make nearly all of my music, so I found this section particularly interesting. I thought it might be nice to show it playing on my television!
It’s interesting to see the device being used merely as a DJ effects processor, though the DJ is kind of killing it. The SP-303 and the models that came after are all very capable machines for producing full tracks. I’ve made multiple instrumental albums with my SP-404SX and while it’s not easy to learn, I’ve found it very intuitive and tactile to use for music production. I briefly owned an SP-303 in 2019, but I immediately got an offer to sell it after using it at a show and the offer far exceeded what I paid for it and I couldn’t say no.
I don’t think Roland could have ever foreseen the impact the SP series would have on music, especially bedroom producers. It’s become the mascot of the lo-fi genre, and for good reason. I got one and learned how to use it because it has some of the best digital effects (Vinyl Sim Compressor, DJFX Looper, Tape Echo, etc.) I’ve ever heard.
It was cool to see the first real product demo of the SP-303. 2001 was really a great time to be a musician, lots of computer integration for recording hardware was coming out and standalone devices were really advanced, even by today’s standards. Tons of the products featured in this video represent a small snapshot of a long lineage of great gear aimed at creative artists making any genre of music.
Anyways, let’s get right into the tapes!
Roland 2001 New Products
2001 | Runtime: 88 Minutes
Hot. Hot. Hot. If you were lucky enough to stop by the Roland exhibit at this year's NAMM show, you already know why musicians are getting heated about Roland and BOSS' latest gear. If you weren't at the show, let this Roland Users Group 2001 New Product Video serve as your guide to everything that's hot in musical instruments and recording technology for the new millennium.
This video starts with a look at Roland's latest V-Studio-the VS-2480 24-track Digital Studio Workstation-which should single-handedly change the way musicians look at stand-alone digital recording workstations. If Mac- or PC- based recording is more your speed, then you'll be glad to see helpful demonstrations of Roland's new Studio Pack and incredible V-Producer Software for the VP-9000 VariPhraseTM Processor.
Drummers and guitarists have got a lot to check out too. From new V-drumsTM configurations-including the awesome V-Session Set with V-Cymbals as demonstrated by the legendary Omar Hakim (Sting, Madonna, Miles Davis)—to the new VGA-5 V-Guitar Amplifier and BOSS Twin Pedals as played by world-class guitarist Frank Gambale.
You'll also get a look at other exciting new products for 2001 including the affordable RS-Series 64-Voice Synthesizers, FP-3 and RD-150 Digital Pianos, SP-303 Dr. Sample, SPD-6 Percussion Pad, ME-33 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor, new sound libraries and much more.
So sit back, pop this tape in your VCR and relax... and just try to stay cool.
Products mentioned and timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:42 Guitar Products
00:02:25 BOSS GP-20 Amp Factory $299
00:04:35 BOSS EQ-20 Advanced EQ $299
00:04:59 BOSS RC-20 Loop Station $399
00:06:54 BOSS ME-33 Guitar Multiple Effects $299
00:13:10 VGA-5 V-Guitar Amp $999
00:15:02 GFC-50 Foot Controller $195
00:15:36 VGA-7 V-Guitar Amp $1699
00:02:25 BOSS GP-20 Amp Factory $299
00:04:35 BOSS EQ-20 Advanced EQ $299
00:04:59 BOSS RC-20 Loop Station $399
00:06:54 BOSS ME-33 Guitar Multiple Effects $299
00:13:10 VGA-5 V-Guitar Amp $999
00:15:02 GFC-50 Foot Controller $195
00:15:36 VGA-7 V-Guitar Amp $1699
Percussion Products
00:22:28 SPD-6 Percussion Pad $295
00:25:03 CY-12H, CY-14C, CY-15R V-Cymbals from $295
00:29:29 V-Drums Session Set $6295
00:22:28 SPD-6 Percussion Pad $295
00:25:03 CY-12H, CY-14C, CY-15R V-Cymbals from $295
00:29:29 V-Drums Session Set $6295
Recording Products
00:35:26 VS-2480 24-track Digital Studio Workstation $4495
00:46:57 BR-8 File Converter Software N/A
00:49:41 Studio Pack Digital Mixer/PCI card package $1395
00:35:26 VS-2480 24-track Digital Studio Workstation $4495
00:46:57 BR-8 File Converter Software N/A
00:49:41 Studio Pack Digital Mixer/PCI card package $1395
Keyboards and Synthesizers
00:59:31 RS-9 & RS-5 64-Voice Synthesizers $1295 & $795
01:03:53 MT-90S Music Player N/A
01:05:11 RD-150 Digital Stage Piano $1195
01:05:48 KC-1000 Stereo Mixing Keyboard Amp $2995
01:06:26 FP-3 Digital Piano $1495
00:59:31 RS-9 & RS-5 64-Voice Synthesizers $1295 & $795
01:03:53 MT-90S Music Player N/A
01:05:11 RD-150 Digital Stage Piano $1195
01:05:48 KC-1000 Stereo Mixing Keyboard Amp $2995
01:06:26 FP-3 Digital Piano $1495
Groove Products
01:12:34 BOSS SP-303 Dr. Sample $395
01:12:34 BOSS SP-303 Dr. Sample $395
VariPhrase
01:16:02 VP-Z-05/06 Vari Phrase Sound Library $125
01:16:35 VPD-1 V-Producer Software for PC or Mac $395
01:16:02 VP-Z-05/06 Vari Phrase Sound Library $125
01:16:35 VPD-1 V-Producer Software for PC or Mac $395
Roland VS-890 TurboStart
2000 | Runtime: 56 Minutes
This Video is designed to show you the easiest and most effective way to navigate your way through your new Roland and Boss gear. This guided tour will teach you all the ins-and-outs of product operation, while pro- viding you with some invaluable inside tips on getting the most out of your new Roland product.
Roland VS-890 Demonstration Video
2000 | Runtime: 13 Minutes
The VS-890 24-bit Digital Studio Workstation advances the 8-track V-Studio concept into the pristine 24-bit zone. This self-contained complete digital recording studio not only features superb 24-bit A/D-D/A converters, but amazing new onboard effects, a Mastering Tool Kit, faster CD burning capabilities, and much more.
Well, that’s it for this week! I hope you enjoyed the tapes! If you’re looking for more, please check out my page on Archive.org for the full list of digitized media. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message right here or drop a comment below. If you haven’t already, please check out the one of my previous posts below, or all of my other previous posts here. Thanks so much for checking out this week’s edition of Diptych!
See you soon!
—Forrest
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