Roland DG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters worldwide, is excited to announce its collaboration with Roland Corporation at the “808 DAY at Roland Store Tokyo” event – from Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 31 – as a celebration of Roland’s famous TR-808, the world’s first programmable percussion machine. At the event, an actual TR-808, which is rarely seen, will be on display, and customers who purchase an SP-404MKII—a powerful and popular electronic audio sampler—will receive a limited-edition custom printed faceplate featuring a TR-808-inspired design. Roland DG collaborated in the production of the faceplates using their VersaOBJECT MO-240 direct-to-object printer.
Roland is a global brand that offers a wide range of innovative digital equipment from electronic musical instruments, including digital pianos, electronic drums, and synthesizers, to professional audio/video equipment such as digital mixers. Its high-quality and creative solutions are widely used by customers around the world, from renowned musicians and creators to amateur users. The TR-808, capable of easily creating a rhythm track for a single song, is one of the company’s most popular products. The unique sound produced by the TR-808 has had a profound impact on the creation of hip-hop, dance, and contemporary pop music, and now, more than 40 years after its introduction, the TR-808 remains a cultural icon.
“Roland Store Tokyo opened in October 2023 as a flagship store where customers can experience the fun and excitement of creating music and the world of the Roland brand,” said Satofumi Hashimoto of Roland’s Retail Office Manager, which is hosting the event. The store is decorated with lighting and images like a live stage, and the latest music-related equipment, including electronic musical instruments, are all on display. Resident product specialists provide detailed explanations of their functions and how to use them.
Mr. Hashimoto continued, “Following the great success of last year’s event, we are collaborating once again with Roland DG to offer a unique retail experience. We decided to customize the highly popular SP-404MKII with a TR-808-inspired design. Roland DG’s UV printer was an essential part of this project. It allows for high-definition direct printing on metal, which is difficult for ordinary inkjet printers. Furthermore, its Orange and Red inks enabled us to faithfully reproduce the TR-808’s iconic colors.
Taichi Nakamura of the Marketing Unit, Global Sales & Marketing Division of Roland DG Corporation, who managed the collaboration, said, “Our company was founded in 1981 as a Roland Corporation group company, alongside the music division. Although we are now separate companies, we still both seek to “Inspire the Enjoyment of Creativity” as we provide people around the world with products that bring their idea to life, as well as the “wow” and excitement which results from it. We are thrilled to collaborate with Roland in bringing customized music devices to many more people through our graphic printing technology.”
“We hope many people will take this opportunity to visit the event and enjoy the magic of the legendary TR-808 rhythm machine to the fullest,” Nakamura added.
808 DAY Limited Design SP-404MKII
