Waking up Roland using Social Media?

Started by Baldadi, January 08, 2013, 05:33:56 AM

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Elantric

#75
www.axial.roland.com/

With luck the next deluxe VG-xxx will have a dedicated  patch download area.

Toby Krebs

Having owned and gigged/recorded with-GR-1/GR-09/VG8-EX/GR-33 and a few units I don't have anymore I now pretty much use the GR55 and GR20(when I want to roll in a simpler way) and I have sold more of these things than any employee at my local GC just by either playing them live or playing them in the store. I just don't think that guitar players as a whole have the kind of technical thinking skills that keyboard players have to get their brains around these Roland devices. If it's too hard we don't want to use it. Even something as butt simple as the GR20 is not used much. I don't think Roland will ever change as they have no reason to do so. We will take what they give us and learn to use it. Period. That's okay with me.I hacked one of my GR55s' and now it is even more montrous tone wise! My use of these things has put me miles ahead of all the other players in my area. I am so busy I can barely handle it and a good part of the reason for this is my 20 years of use of Roland V guitar technology. It makes me a big fish in a little pond that brings more sounds to a gig than any other player does.Yes I charge for that LOL!

Elantric

Roland Investor Relations 

http://www.roland.com/ir/

- Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2013 (PDF:62KB)

http://www.roland.com/ir/pdf/2014/20140207_01.pdf

[Guitar-related equipment]
As for guitar effects, despite strong sales by compact effects with new technology and new products equipped with
loop features launched in the previous fiscal year, sales of existing products fell year on year amid intensified
market competition. With respect to guitar synthesizers, sales fell sharply in reaction to new products launched in
the previous fiscal year. (GR-S & GR-D)
As a result, net sales for this segment decreased by 1.9% year on year to ¥5,682 million.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/1256


aliensporebomb

Quote from: Elantric on February 19, 2014, 09:14:17 PM
Roland Investor Relations 

http://www.roland.com/ir/

- Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2013 (PDF:62KB)

http://www.roland.com/ir/pdf/2014/20140207_01.pdf

[Guitar-related equipment]
As for guitar effects, despite strong sales by compact effects with new technology and new products equipped with
loop features launched in the previous fiscal year, sales of existing products fell year on year amid intensified
market competition. With respect to guitar synthesizers, sales fell sharply in reaction to new products launched in
the previous fiscal year. (GR-S & GR-D)
As a result, net sales for this segment decreased by 1.9% year on year to ¥5,682 million.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/1256

Or more accurately "when the guitar playing public saw the GR-S and GR-D versus the Fishman Tripleplay they were much more excited by the Tripleplay."

Fishman simply had a more compelling, revolutionary product plain and simple.
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

shawnb

Given that the GR-S & GR-D are COSM effects, not synthesizers, I think they're lumping a lot together here...  I personally doubt GR-S & GR-D ate a substantial portion of the GR-55's revenue.   For that matter, I doubt the FTP ate a substantial portion of the GR-55's revenue.  I think it's very likely, however, that the GR-S & GR-D ate into the VG-99's revenue.  (Shutting down the VG-99 line likely hurt, too...)  I'd love to see the detailed year-over-year figures. 

It's very tough to compare the '55 and the FTP.  It's like comparing a Passat with the all-electric motor in the Leaf.  The FTP is only one component in your rig, where the '55 comes very close to the mythical 'all-in-one'.  You have to put a decent amount of additional money to make a *fully* comparable FTP rig (for instance, buying a laptop). 

I *still* have issues with my FTP rig; I never had issues with my '55 other than tracking/MIDI issues on E & A.  The '55 is more gig-worthy and better for cover bands all around. 

It's just a very strange thing for them to state that the GR-S & GR-D ate into "synthesizer" revenue...  The '55s success proved there is a large appetite out there for cover bands that need a very versatile processor.  I'd be surprised if the GR-S and GR-D sales came anywhere near that; wrong pricepoint and wrong target audience.  I don't get it... 
Address the process rather than the outcome.  Then, the outcome becomes more likely.   - Fripp

thebrushwithin

My guess is Roland isn't going to readily admit that companies other than Roland, took the market share. The market "pie", covers a lot of different instruments, not just guitar synthesizers. It is common for a musician to continue to use "older tech" for a specific purpose, and spend bucks on some other part of their sonic arsenal. For instance, who on Earth is going to purchase a GR-S or GR-D, when they already own a VG99? My own interests in musical devices range from DAW software, related hardware, controllers, guitars, keyboards, interfaces, etc. So, given the fact that the world economy is in tough shape, folks like us become very discerning with how money is spent, thus a new purchase really has to be NEW tech, not a sub set of older tech. This is where Roland has become very, very stagnant. They are repackaging older tech, and not making bold moves, which was their claim to fame. When times are tough, it is not time to withdraw R&D. But, you first have to have your finger on the pulse of the market. Roland would be wise to frequent this forum, for example.

Elantric

#81
QuoteRoland would be wise to frequent this forum, for example.
In the past, Ive been vocal with my complaint that Roland has no interest in being active here.

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=7912.msg50135#msg50135


But the reality is, Roland's avoidance of active participation here makes us a stronger independent community, where we are not gagged and forced to hype products. And it has forced all of us to help create the best / largest online  Knowledge Base for 13 pin guitarists anywhere.


Observe our expanding topic areas and non Roland discussions (Kemper, Ipad IOS Apps, FTP, Tyler Variax, Antares, etc)  makes us stay relevant as a daily destination for modern guitarists.  In this economy, its important to focus on tools that deliver true performance. This past year at NAMM, I visited many Hi tech guitar companies and discovered many movers and shakers in the guitar world know our site, and actually read most posts here just to stay current with technology, and understand their customers needs. 

montyrivers

Roland must not have any competitive spirit, then.  It's a shame.

Kevin M

Quote from: montyrivers on February 21, 2014, 06:02:37 AM
Roland must not have any competitive spirit, then.  It's a shame.

I think it's a matter of economics. The VGuitar technology is a very niche market, and these are not the most profitable of times for companies like Roland.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Elantric

Curious  - the new "revamped for Winter NAMM" 2015 Roland Corp web site finally has a dedicated link specifically named "Social Media"

http://www.roland.com/social_media/


CodeSmart

Quote from: Elantric on January 22, 2015, 04:51:14 PM
Curious  - the new "revamped for Winter NAMM" 2015 Roland Corp web site finally has a dedicated link specifically named "Social Media"

In the Swedish facebook site a guy tells how great his new GR-55 is and asks Roland if there's a forum to get more patches etc. Roland responds "V-Guitar Forums, not affiliated with Roland but seems well managed."
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

whippinpost91850

Quote from: CodeSmart on January 22, 2015, 11:24:49 PM
In the Swedish facebook site a guy tells how great his new GR-55 is and asks Roland if there's a forum to get more patches etc. Roland responds "V-Guitar Forums, not affiliated with Roland but seems well managed."

Wow! Thats very cool . I wonder if RolandUS would ever respond that way

Filialen

And yet another quote from Roland Sweden (Google Translate):

"You're not the only one who expressed their preference for an editor for GR-55 and hopefully we can offer something like this in the future. The question is already sent to Japan, so now it's just hope and faith!
Through word of mouth, we know that there is a third party software, see: http://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/
It is not in any way associated with Roland, but might be worth a look!"

Toby Krebs

The Roland employees at this years NAMM were the least inspired and less than enthusiastic group of product demonstrators of any I saw at the show.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz( insert crickets here)

mooncaine

I think Anti-Social Media would be a better fit for Roland.

Elantric

http://www.rolandus.com/company/press_releases/30070
ROLAND CORPORATION U.S. ANNOUNCES NEW PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS
Steve Spak, Daniel Lee and Ruby BC join the Roland U.S. team, reflecting company's ongoing strategic business plan.

For Immediate Release

Rebecca Eaddy
Marketing Communications Manager
Roland Corporation U.S.
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Eaddy@RolandUS.com
pr_2015-03-18_roland_new_appointments.pdf

Los Angeles, CA, March 18, 2015 — Roland Corporation U.S. announces three new personnel appointments that align with the company's current strategic business plan. The announcement was made by Jay Wanamaker, president and CEO of Roland Corporation U.S., and reflects Roland's ongoing commitment to the expansion of the company and its brands.

Steve Spak joins the Roland U.S. team as District Sales Manager (DSM) for the Mid-Atlantic District, spanning from New York City to Washington, D.C. Spak comes to Roland most recently from KMC Music Inc., where he was a respected sales team member and consistent top performer. In his new role, he will develop and maintain dealer relationships and sales programs, offer dealer resources in support of Roland products, strategy and objectives, and provide product training, merchandising and promotions at the retail level.

Daniel Lee comes on board as Local Marketing Specialist. Lee will augment Roland's marketing efforts to effectively partner with the dealer community as part of their Local Marketing initiative. An M.I. industry expert, he brings to Roland many years of experience in the local marketing field, having served as Local & Retail Marketing Administrator during his tenure at Guitar Center. Lee is a working DJ and a graduate of UC Berkeley.

Ruby BC (a.k.a. Ruby Biloskirka-Conley) also joins as Social Media and Content Specialist. She comes to Roland with a background in the music and entertainment business as a Keyboard Instructor at Musician's Institute (Hollywood), a touring keyboard player for the American Idol band and also a keyboard clinician for Roland U.S. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.

"Steve, Daniel and Ruby will be great additions to our company," stated Wanamaker. "Each has a unique skill set that will contribute to the overall growth and expansion of Roland U.S. and enable us to work toward our short- and long-term goals."

For more information, visit www.RolandUS.com.

---------
About Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, including keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, audio processors, and multimedia products. With more than 40 years of musical instrument development, Roland sets the standard in music technology for the world to follow. For more information, visit http://www.RolandUS.com.

admin

Quote
I recently learned my old friend Chris Bristol (former CEO of Roland US) has now retired

Also just heard Peter Swiadon (Roland US Guitar Product Manager) has also retired.

admin

#92
http://www.rolandus.com/company/contact_us

Roland Corporation U.S.
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Los Angeles, CA 90040-2938
323-890-3700
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If you need operational assistance, you can contact our Product Support department at (323) 890-3740. Product Support is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Pacific Time.
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admin

Quote from: musicman65 on January 13, 2013, 06:12:33 PM
"The biggest problem re the VG is your standard guitarist . . ."

So very true. As a whole, guitarists are stuck in the past. Who gives a rip if a guitar rig meets audience expectations on how it should look? Look at Jeff Healy. He was blind and played his Strat overhanded face up on his lap while sitting. It sounded great. RIP Jeff.

bd
Agreed!