The Acclaimed ZEN-Core Synthesis System Captured in a Powerful Standalone Instrument for iPad
Anaheim, CA, January 20, 2026 — Roland announces the upcoming release of ZENOLOGY GX for iPad, the first flagship Roland instrument designed for Apple’s tablet platform. Delivering the core feature set of the recently introduced ZENOLOGY GX for macOS and Windows, this new version brings Roland’s acclaimed ZEN-Core Synthesis System to a standalone instrument for iPadOS.
ZENOLOGY GX for iPad puts thousands of genre-defining Roland sounds at the fingertips of performers and creators, complemented with a modern high-definition UI, an advanced sound browser, integrated creative tools, and much more.
ZENOLOGY GX for iPad is scheduled for release in early 2026 as a free download with all features unlocked for a limited time. After the debut period ends, the instrument will be available through free and premium Roland Cloud memberships or a Lifetime Key purchase."
"The CR-78 Software Rhythm Composer brings an iconic Roland instrument into the future. Designed for modern production, it delivers expressive rhythm programming with unmistakable analog character. Introduced in 1978, the CR-78 was the world’s first computer-controlled programmable drum machine, shaping the sound of pop, post-punk, disco, and electronic music with its distinctive tonal signature and human feel.
Recreated using component-level modeling, this plug-in delivers the authentic sound of the original along with modern sound-shaping and advanced sequencing tools. The CR-78 is available now with a Roland Cloud Ultimate membership or Lifetime Key purchase.
"In this video, I explore an extremely rare electronic instrument called the Touché, created by Buchla and Associates in 1980. Filmed at the Buchla Archives in Vancouver, this is a rare opportunity to hear and see an instrument that very few people have ever encountered firsthand. Only around five Touchés are known to have been built, and very few remain functional today. Because of this, the instrument has remained largely absent from public performance and documentation. This video helps bridge that gap by sharing the Touché’s sound, design, and historical context.
While Don Buchla is best known for his modular synthesizers such as the 100 and 200 Series, he also created a number of non-modular, computer-based instruments that explored new relationships between performance, software, and sound. The Touché is one such instrument. Conceived by Don Buchla in collaboration with composer David Rosenboom, it is a bi-timbral, eight-voice polyphonic keyboard instrument that combines digital sound generation, analog processing, and computer-mediated control.
The video begins with a historical overview of how the Touché grew out of Buchla’s computer-controlled instruments of the 1970s, including the 300 Series systems. From there, the video moves into a detailed walkthrough of Touché’s sound architecture, including many musical demos.
This video was created in collaboration with the Buchla Archives, an organization dedicated to the thorough and thoughtful documentation and preservation of Donald Buchla’s work.
Special thank you to Ryan Gaston and David Rosenboom for research assistance."
"This video, shot informally in the Ensemble Room at Mills College in 1983, contains the only footage known of David Rosenboom playing his 1981 composition Nova Wind from Future Travel. In it, he plays the legendary Touché—digital/analog keyboard instrument produced in collaboration with Donald Buchla in 1979-1980—, violin, piano, and ancillary electronics. A complete studio recording of Future Travel was released first on a vinyl LP by Street Records in 1981 and later on a double-CD from New World Records in 2007."
-Stereophonic analog bucket brigade delay with
-precision analog clock generators,
-variable frequency anti-alias and reconstruction filters for wide frequency response and -advanced companders and careful clock signal handling for high signal-to-noise ratio
-Superb-sounding tube distortion stage for the delay path with four NOS SQ pentode tubes
-Six 4096-step BBD ICs for 20ms-600ms (1200ms in mono) delay time
-Seven different operational modes, including X-fed feedback signals
-Versatile LFO
-Tempo divisions
-Tap tempo and external sync
-Beautiful, solid walnut housing and engraved and color-filled panels
Overview
Knif BBD is a stereophonic analog bucket brigade device (BBD) delay. It is a no-compromise device rich in features. What sets it far apart from any other device in the market are the unique self-adapting anti-aliasing and reconstruction filters which provide the widest possible frequency response for any given delay time setting without any aliasing.
The unit features in total six 4096-step BBD ICs which results in maximum delay time of 600 ms for a stereo signal and 1200 ms for a mono source. The device has got seven operational modes for different effects and comes with a wide range of control signal inputs and internal control possibilities. The unit features a microcontroller for relay switching and timing tasks such as tap tempo and time division. However the signal chain and clock generation are fully analog and built using state-of-the-art components.
The other very unique feature to the device is a vacuum tube distortion stage located before BBD circuits. It consists of four NOS Special quality pentodes in total. The amount of distortion is continuously adjustable without affecting the overall signal level. In addition to this, the spectrum of the distortion can be selected.
"A unique touch-sensitive analog synthesizer. I invented it first, and now I'm learning to play it. #lmzvuk #analog #synthesizer #noise #noisemusic #noiseculture #ambient #sounddesign #paxy"
"This piece was created using the @SequentialLLC Prophet-10 and a self-developed ambient music generation software called Ambient Engine. Cut-up samples are transformed into micro-loops, forming an ambient soundscape layered with synth pads.
The Prophet-10 is played with reverb applied via @strymon blueSky.
Ambient Engine plays samples at both fixed intervals and random timings, processing them through a micro-loop effect, delay, and reverb before output. The samples include field recordings captured in urban areas and parks, as well as sounds from a Rhodes MKII."
"Theme song for Vangelis, P.I. No criminal is safe on the Parisian streets when Vangelis, P.I. is on the case. From the blinding lights of the Champs-Élysées to the rain-slick Montmartre back alleys, this bearded Hellene wants justice, peace, and harmony for the city he calls home—and the CS-80 that’s his only true love.
Tune in Friday night at 8, 7 Central and Mountain.
"We’re comparing the classic Noise Engineering BIA (Basimlius Iteritas Alia) to Incus Iteritas Alia. They have a similar interface but different sounds and algorithms, so here's a back-and-forth patch with a bit of Noise Engineering TLC to finish it out.
"Whenever Joranalogue drops new modules it is an exciting time for me!
Brings more fun and excitement, discovery and inspiration to my studio and my modular :)
These two are no exception, Walk 4 is a novel take on the accumulator, and Warp 1 a fresh approach to waveshaping. Join me as I dive in and explore some of the sounds and possibilities of these beauties :)
More info here: https://joranalogue.com/
"Yes! Cutting edge sand and vector synthesis, two different eras, equally silly concepts. I salute the designers behind the ELZ_1 for spearheading the way into new and undiscovered sonic avenues.
#ELZ_1 #ProVSMINI #jamuary2026"
The Acclaimed ZEN-Core Synthesis System Captured in a Powerful Standalone Instrument for iPad
