What Is The "Roland" Typeface

[JEM]

Bizarre question I know, but does anybody know what the Roland typeface is that's on the back of all the synths etc...
Cheers, Jem

[dbijoux]

Have you tried searching type foundries for something that looks similar? The Roland text would be trademarked, but someone might have a font.

What is the purpose, if I may? Maybe there is an alternative solution.

Good luck!

[JEM]

A bit of research last night and some comparing seems to suggest that it's a kind of custom Helvetica. A bit squashed and a bit fuller than traditional Helvetica.

Basically, I have a custom white G6 and I wanted to get a set of transfers made or stickers to reattach the Roland logo to the back of it. Alternatively I might just try a different typeface altogether. Or put "Yamaha" on the back of it!! lol.

[V-CeeOh]

Are you talking about the "Roland" or "Fantom-G" font?

[JEM]

The Roland font.

Cheers, J

[V-CeeOh]

Send me a email. Maybe I'll be able to help.

[Artemiy]

The typeface is called RBIO. I was given this font from Roland Ukraine but I guess I have no right to share it, so I won't.

[rezfactor]

You could make a similar typeface using any type foundry's "Helvetica-style" typeface in a "medium" weight (it's not "bold," and it's not "black"). Bitstream makes a fairly good "Helvetica" family, branded under another name, "Swiss," to avoid copyright infringement. You could also purchase the "real" Adobe typeface that's most similar. It appears to be a slightly extended version of a typeface similar to a Helvetica Medium. You could create a faux-extended effect in Adobe Illustrator quite easily by "outlining" anyone's brand of a Helvetica Medium type (a simple menu click), then extend it by a similar percentage. There are also typeface design applications that can do this, but they're kinda pricey.

Ah . . . a bit more checking. It's very, very close to an Adobe Helvetica Neue Medium Extended. But it's not (the serif on the 'a' is slightly different). May be a custom-designed typeface, an alteration of a Helvetica, or a similar typeface that I can't easily source/identify. But, quite possibly close enough for your taste. So, again, you could search for any brand foundry's medium-weight "Helvetica-style" typeface (ideally, already extended), and just use that.

[Artemiy]

rez, I think we are talking about the font used on Roland gear of 1980's-1990's, the one we have in the Roland Clan logo above.

[rezfactor]

Oh.

[dbijoux]

I have seen a few Fantoms now with custom paint.

The font is certainly a design made for and trademarked by Roland. There are subtle differences, the serif on the "R", the teardrop in the "a", etc. It would be easy enough to recreate, but rather time consuming.

There must be a precedent, someone at Roland.uk must be able to assist. If not, well then...