One of the top innovators in synthesizers today is the Japanese company Roland, which was established by Ikutaro Kakehashi. He began his career after World War II as a watch repairer. Bed ridden by tuberculosis for an extended period of time, he eventually recovered and established an electrical repair shop in the mid 1950s. Wanting to create an electronic instrument with the capacity to generate monophonic melodies, Kakehashi began by constructing a theremin.
When controlling the sound of this instrument proved too challenging, Kakehashi switched to the keyboard concept and created an organ that incorporated transistor oscillators, telephone components, and reed organ parts. The sound was not what he had expected and he continued to refine his concept, ultimately creating the Technics SX 601 organ in 1960. This prototype ultimately led to the Ace Electronics R1 Rhythm Ace in 1964, which was never manufactured but led to a major distributing partnership with Hammond.
Launching Roland Corporation in 1972, Kakehashi ad already gained renown as an innovative maker of guitar amplifiers.
About the Author:
Evan A. Weitz works in the greater Twin Cities area at Absolute Sound Laboratories, where he offers electronics restoration and repair services as the firm’s senior lab technician. Having played piano since an early age, Evan A. Weitz has achieved awards in music competitions and collects keyboards and synthesizers.
Evan A. Weitz 
You must be logged in to post a comment.