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Ahead of the 2026 NAMM Show, being held Jan 22–24 in Anaheim, California, Roland has introduced the CR-78 Software Rhythm Composer, a plugin emulation of their CR-78 drum machine.

Released in 1980, the CR-78 was what Roland calls “the world’s first computer-controlled programmable drum machine”. It was a transitional device, halfway between pre-programmed organ-top beatboxes and pioneering drum machines like the TR-808 and TR-909.

The machine itself may have had a relatively low profile, but its sound became well-known thanks to the CR-78’s use on hits such as I Can’t Go For That (Hall & Oates), Vienna (Ultravox) and, most notably, Phil Collins’ In The Air Tonight.

Now the CR-78 has become the latest instrument from the Roland archives to join the company’s plugin roster, which is available via the Roland Cloud. And not only is it designed to bring the sound of the original hardware to your DAW, but it’s also been enhanced with modern sequencing features, individual sound mixing and tuning, tempo sync, drag-and-drop audio/MIDI support and various other things.

As you’d expect, Roland has gone for an interface that closely resembles the original hardware – you can choose between the wood panel and black vinyl covering variations – and there are direct access controls for rhythm patterns, instrument sounds, shuffle, fills, volume balance, fade-in/fade-out, and more.

Roland CR-78 Software Rhythm Composer Audio Demos:

There’s also a detailed Pattern view where you can fine-tune your rhythms and sounds, and mixer controls can be found on the Kit screen.

If you have a Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, you’ll have access to the CR-78 already, and the Lifetime Key is currently on sale for $49 (regular price $199). It runs on PC and Mac in VST/AU/AAX formats.

Find out more on the Roland website.

Ahead of the 2026 NAMM Show, being held Jan 22–24 in Anaheim, California, Roland has introduced its most comprehensive model yet: the Go:Mixer Studio, a compact audio interface and mixer designed to provide high-quality sound in a portable setup.

Roland says that the GO:MIXER STUDIO is “ideal for musicians and Instagram or TikTok creators, and delivers studio-quality audio for iPhone, iPad, and desktop recording.”

Go:Mixer Studio offers 12 input channels and six outputs, and you can record at up to 24-bit/192kHz quality. There are also built-in effects – a 3-band EQ, a compressor and a reverb – which can be used for recording or just monitoring, along with features designed to make it easy to integrate with video production. Mixer setups can be stored in 16 scene memories.

The selection of inputs cover most eventualities: there are two XLR mic/line inputs with mic preamps; a dedicated guitar/bass input; and 1/4-inch inputs for stereo sources such as a keyboard, electronic drum kit or anything else you might be wanting to record. Further stereo sources can be plugged into the aux input, which has TRRS support for bidirectional audio with mobile devices. There’s also MIDI I/O.

Monitoring connectivity includes a 1/4-inch headphone jack and a further mini-jack output for your wired earbuds. This supports a headset or inline mic, giving you a further recording source to work with. If you’re back in the studio, you can use the 1/4-inch line outputs to plug into your speaker setup.

The Go:Mixer Studio’s control panel looks nice and clean, with just a few knobs and buttons below the display. You can take control using the Go:Mixer Cam iOS app, for iOS, Mac & Windows, which enables you to capture both multitrack audio and video. Every input can be mixed from here, and you can also export the multitrack audio files for use in your DAW or video editor.

PC and Mac users can also take advantage of the Go:Mixer Editor, which puts all of the device’s parameters on a larger display.

Power can be drawn from your device, an adapter or a USB battery pack (there are two USB-C ports so you can connect and plug in a power supply at the same time) and you can mount the Go:Mixer Studio on a tripod if required.

Features:

• Portable mixer and audio interface for performance video creators and music artists
• Capture high-quality audio anywhere with an iPhone/iPad or a macOS/Windows computer
• Studio-grade sound quality with support for recording rates up to 24-bit/192 kHz
• Intuitive panel knobs and color display for easy operation
• Onboard EQ plus compressor and reverb modeled after popular studio processors
• Up to 12 total input channels and six outputs (three stereo pairs)
• Two XLR inputs for mics or line-level devices
• High-gain mic preamps and support for 48 V phantom power (requires 15 W power from a mobile device, computer, or USB adaptor/battery)
• Stereo line-level input, high-impedance guitar/bass input, and aux input with TRRS (bi-directional) capability
• Versatile audio outputs include 1/4-inch stereo output jacks, a 1/4-inch stereo headphones jack, and a mini headphones jack with headset mic support
• Save complete mixer setups in 16 scene memories for fast recall
• Loop Back function for playing along with backing tracks from your mobile device via USB-C
• TRS MIDI I/O with MIDI Thru functionality
• USB-C ports for device connection and independent power
• Versatile power options: bus power, external adaptor, or USB mobile battery
• Integrated mount for a tripod
• GO:MIXER Cam app for iOS enables you to record and mix multitrack audio alongside video
• GO:MIXER Editor for macOS and Windows provides real-time access to GO:MIXER STUDIO functions on the computer’s display

The Roland GO:Mixer Studio is available now priced at $299, and you can find out more on the Roland website.

Ahead of the 2026 NAMM Show, iConnectivity has introduced PlayAUDIO2U, an all-in-one live performance interface that features 24 balanced XLR output configuration and four low noise microphone preamps.

The PlayAUDIO2U is the first of iConnectivity’s interfaces to feature built-in MIDI control via integrated control buttons on the front panel of the interface, allowing convenient, hands-on control.

They say that the PlayAUDIO2U interface also “improves upon iConnectivity’s famous redundancy failover protection for touring musicians, production companies, and any live event where failure is not an option.”

“With the PlayAUDIO1U, we refined the idea of a live performance interface. The PlayAUDIO2U builds on everything that made the PlayAUDIO name an industry standard, serving up a comprehensive solution that will scale with you,” says Al Joelson, VP of Sales and Marketing. “This interface is designed to give users a powerhouse set of tools for their live performance, with the ease of use and reliability that has made iConnectivity the go-to brand in professional performance interfaces.”

Features:

• 2x USB C type ports for connecting computing devices
• 24 Balanced panel reinforced XLR outputs
• 4 XLR / ¼” TRS combo analog inputs
• 4 pristine ultra-low noise microphone preamps with 48V phantom power
• Integrated +48v phantom power resistance on outputs
• 1x 1/4” TRS stereo headphone output with dedicated control for convenient headphone monitoring
• 4x USB MIDI host ports, offering USB MIDI connectivity for Class Compliant controllers and/or modules
• DIN-MIDI ports built-in (2 in 2 out)
• Dual Ethernet MIDI jacks with a total of 22 ports of connectivity for rugged long-distance MIDI connections
• Automatic and manual computer switching modes, for lightning-fast switching between connected computers
• “MIDI learn” from external MIDI devices to control key functions on the interface
• 4x user assignable buttons can be mapped to MIDI functions, control numerous functions on the interface and/or send control messages to compatible devices
• 2x 2 button “Control” footswitch jacks that can be mapped to MIDI functions, control over numerous functions on the interface, and/or sending control messages to compatible devices
• Audio Protection helps stop unwanted noise from corrupt audio sources/files from making it into the audience
• Auracle software enables you to tailor the PlayAUDIO2U’s settings to your exact needs
• High-resolution audio – Studio sound quality for the live arena – up to 24-bit/96kHz AD/DA conversion
• 2U ready-to-tour rack-mountable chassis
• 100-240v switching power built-in with Industry-Standard IEC Power Connection

The PlayAUDIO2U has an estimated street price $2499.99, and is available for order now.