The Messy Samples by Lionclad features Seoul-based producer Lionclad, who brings her finger drumming expertise to this one-of-a-kind sample selection. Users can enjoy a library of pre-recorded lo-fi backbeats, chill hip-hop groovers, and off-kilter rhythms, or create wholly original compositions. This sample pack is available as a project, ready to load in the SP-404MKII with samples and patterns arranged in eight banks of ready-to-play loops and one-shot samples.

Additional features include 128 DAW-ready WAV files for sample-based music creation, which users can import into their favorite music production software and hardware samplers, and files clearly labeled with tempo and key information to help streamline workflow.

In addition to the Messy Samples by Lionclad, there will be five future beat maker sample packs through this partnership, each of which will include Melodics lessons that work exclusively with the SP-404MKII—a popular instrument among finger drummers due to its expressive velocity, sensitive pads, ultra-portable design, and powerful feature set.

Roland and Melodics began their partnership in 2018 with Melodics for V-Drums, a desktop app with an ever-expanding range of premium lesson content and integrated communication with Roland V-Drum sound modules. Melodics offers Roland drummers a unique visual approach to music education with finger drumming and electronic percussion courses based on modern music styles. The partnership expands through the launch of the Beat Maker Sample Pack + Melodics Series, with the goal of expanding users’ finger drumming capabilities on the SP-404MKII.

Availability

The Messy Samples by Lionclad is available now and free with a Roland account through Roland Cloud Manager. After downloading the pack, visit the SP-404MKII x Melodics page to access two free companion lessons specially created for this collection and the SP-404MKII hardware.  

To learn more, visit Roland.com.  

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About Roland Corporation  

For 50 years, Roland’s innovative electronic musical instruments and multimedia products have fueled inspiration in artists and creators around the world. Embraced by hobbyists and professionals alike, the company’s trendsetting gear spans multiple categories, from pianos, synthesizers, guitar products, and electronic percussion to DJ controllers, audio/video solutions, livestreaming products, and more. As technology evolves, Roland continues to lead the way for gigging musicians, producers, and beatmakers, providing modern software-based solutions and seamless creative workflows between hardware products, computers, and mobile devices. For more information, visit Roland.com or see your local Roland dealer. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@RolandGlobal), and Instagram (@RolandGlobal).  

About Melodics

Melodics offers a unique visual approach to music education with finger drumming and electronic percussion courses and a diverse keyboard education curriculum based on modern music styles. Roland’s partnership with Melodics began in 2018 with Melodics for V-Drums, a desktop app with an ever-expanding range of premium lesson content and integrated communication with Roland V-Drums sound modules. The collaboration grows with the Beat Maker Sample Pack + Melodics series, which features professionally crafted sample content and companion lessons to help develop finger drumming skills on the Roland SP-404MKII.

A new partnership between French electronics company Arturia and the platform for music learning Melodics grants musicians the dream package. The much anticipated launch of the Arturia MiniLab Mk3 includes 40 free Melodics lessons, spanning the entire beginner-to-pro journey. New users simply register their new MiniLab Mk3 on the Arturia website to receive this offer.

“Melodics has reimagined music education, and we’re thrilled that Arturia believes in our approach and the many benefits it brings to musicians using their gear,” says Melodics Founder and CEO Sam Gribben. “The pairing of the Arturia MiniLab Mk3 and Melodics is aimed at making the process from unboxing your gear to making your first beat as painless as possible. Melodics curriculum is specifically designed to teach for the modern musician and music producer.”

Melodics automatically recognises the MiniLab Mk3, allowing Arturia customers to get started as soon as they open the box. Musicians at any proficiency stage immediately benefit from practice with Melodics, as guided courses build on past lessons and strengthen fundamental skills. As a learner moves through lessons, they receive immediate feedback with indication to where they could improve, before moving to the next module.

Arturia creates synthesizers and keyboards that encourage musical discovery and nurture inspiration. The MiniLab Mk3 comes with major upgrades and customizations, including improved DAW integration, an arpeggiator, a MIDI port, and changes to controls. Arturia’s tech is designed for everyone, from the amateur to the professional musician, making Melodics a natural partner.

About Melodics
New Zealand based Melodics offers a desktop app that teaches musicians to play keyboard, electronic drums and pad controllers. Guided courses aid in the beginner-to-pro journey, with classification by difficulty level, built upon previous lessons. Subscribers can also access Songs, carefully curated and produced commercial music for learning, by artists including Queen, Olivia Rodrigo, Dr. Dre, Silksonic, and more. Melodics regularly releases new lessons and courses curated by their own team of musicians and music educators, using proven gamification principles to create a learning tool that makes practice addictive and fun. Melodics adapts to your abilities and musical tastes, and motivates you through reward and recognition, delivering results faster.

Turn practice into play, and play into performance, with guided lessons featuring popular Songs produced by Melodics’ team of music educators. 

Melodics, the platform for music learning, reimagined music education as part of a beginner-to-pro journey. Now, subscribers can access Songs, a catalog of lessons inspired by the popular music that users know and love: Queen, Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Dr. Dre, Olivia Rodrigo, Paramore, Tame Impala, Silksonic, and more. Aspiring musicians on the electronic drums, MIDI keyboards, and pad controllers can master hit music and be the artist, while creating habitual and consistent practice. 

Drawing from hit commercial music, lessons are arranged and produced internally by a team of music experts and educators using familiar music to make practice fun and more meaningful. Users apply accumulated instrument knowledge and skills with real-world context, using their own instruments. 

"Our team at Melodics curates a selection of well-known and beloved hits, but also the deep cuts most requested by musicians," says Rodi Kirk, Director of Product and Education at Melodics. "We believe in learning by doing. You’re playing real music from day one, with instant feedback on performances, on iconic tracks and world class sound design.”

Songs follow the same classification by skill level as other Melodics lessons, ranging from Grades 1-14, beginner to pro. The curriculum is designed to cover all the fundamentals one would need, and build on skills learned previously, with gamification tools to keep users motivated and create productive practice habits. All while coaching users to find dexterity, and improve muscle memory and familiarity with their instrument. With a flexible curriculum, users learn at their own pace. 

Correct notes are delivered visually through practice and performance modes that respond to play, reminiscent of the delivery in music rhythm video game Guitar Hero, but with real instruments where musicians actually learn. Users receive immediate feedback, as notes change color to reflect timing: green notes signify correct timing, while red notes signify missed notes. Purple and orange indicators also aid in timing accuracy. Those looking for more practice can adjust loop points in practice mode or slow down the BPM delivery of a song. When feeling prepared to play, users switch to performance mode to test their knowledge of the song.

“Many aspiring musicians give up on learning an instrument because what they’re learning is just not relevant, it’s not music they actually enjoy,” says Sam Gribben, Founder and CEO at Melodics. “Melodics takes users from being musical learners to players, changing the world of music education. As they learn real-world songs, the gamified curriculum encourages habitual and enjoyable practice. You won't find this degree of curation and attention to production anywhere else.”

About Melodics
New Zealand based Melodics offers a desktop app that teaches musicians to play keyboard, electronic drums and pad controllers. Guided courses aid in the beginner-to-pro journey, with classification by difficulty level, built upon previous lessons. Subscribers can also access Songs, carefully curated and produced commercial music for learning, by artists including Queen, Olivia Rodrigo, Dr. Dre, Silksonic, and more. Melodics regularly releases new lessons and courses curated by their own team of musicians and music educators, using proven gamification principles to create a learning tool that makes practice addictive and fun. Melodics adapts to your abilities and musical tastes, and motivates you through reward and recognition, delivering results faster.