Roland Creates New Company to Unite Commercial & Professional Audio/Video

Los Angeles, Calif. – December 1, 2005 – Roland Corporation has announced the formation of a new company in the United States – Roland Systems Group U.S. (RSG). The new company unites the commercial audio product line of RSS with the video product line from EDIROL. With offices in California and Washington, RSG will provide a combination of support, sales and marketing services for the RSS audio and EDIROL video product lines.

This fusion of the commercially targeted audio and video product lines comes amid heavy buzz surrounding the convergence of audio, visual and information technology. Historically, Roland Corporation leads trends and innovations within the audio/music industry. Today, audio and video have become inseparable aspects of the commercial installation and performance market. RSG will bring special focus to system integrators, installers, contractors and architects who want to use leading audio and/or video systems.“The merging of the two brands into one company makes sense for our customers and our product synergy,” says Kim Nunney, President of Roland Systems Group U.S. “For more than four years the EDIROL video brand has participated in the commercial market. By joining EDIROL video with the audio component within the RSS brand, we can offer the complete A/V IT package to the market.”

RSG will use a national network of independent sales representatives to distribute both the RSS and EDIROL video product lines to systems integrators, contractors, houses of worship, clubs/casinos, theaters/performing arts centers and rental and staging professionals. The staff at RSG will provide a blend of support, sales and marketing services.

The hallmark of the EDIROL video brand has been affordability for products categories typically reserved at higher prices. This strategy has enabled more people to get involved at levels of production previously not possible. The newest product in the video line continues that precedent by offering the world’s most affordable multi-format HD mixer. The V-440 HD seamlessly mixes SD video, HD video and computer signals up to SXGA –up to 8 inputs. The HD mixer offers professional high resolution video solutions for live events, community broadcasts, and corporate and worship installations.

Continuing the focus on affordability, Roland Systems Group U.S. will distribute the RSS S-4000 Digital Snake system – a 40-channel digital audio transmission system using a fully redundant CAT5e cabling system. The Digital Snake is the first system to provide remotely controlled microphone preamps.