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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Roland V-Synth Keyboard, a powerhouse in the world of synthesizers. This innovative instrument combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design, making it a favorite among musicians seeking versatility and expressive potential. At its core is the unique VariPhrase technology, allowing you to manipulate time, pitch, and formant independently, opening up a world of sonic possibilities. Whether you're a seasoned pro or an ambitious beginner, the V-Synth offers a dynamic platform to explore new soundscapes.

The Roland V-Synth Keyboard features a sleek and intuitive interface with an easy-to-read touchscreen, giving you real-time control over your sound. With built-in effects and a robust sound engine, it's capable of creating everything from classic analog synth tones to entirely new and experimental sounds. The 61 velocity-sensitive keys provide a responsive playing experience, enhancing your performance with expressive depth.

Perfect for studio production or live performances, the V-Synth is designed to adapt to your musical needs. Its versatile connectivity options ensure seamless integration with your existing setup, making it an essential tool for any modern musician.

Key Features:

  • 61 velocity-sensitive keys for dynamic performance
  • VariPhrase technology for independent manipulation of time, pitch, and formant
  • Intuitive touchscreen interface for real-time control
  • Advanced sound engine capable of producing a wide range of tones
  • Built-in effects for enhanced sound customization
  • Versatile connectivity options including MIDI and USB for easy integration with other gear

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model V-Synth 61-Key Digital Synthesizer
Finish Black
Year 2003 - 2007
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through, USB MIDI
Number of Keys 61 Keys
Polyphony 24 Voices

FAQs

Is the Roland V-Synth Keyboard suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Roland V-Synth is highly suitable for live performances due to its intuitive interface, real-time control options, and versatile sound design capabilities, allowing performers to manipulate sounds on the fly.

What type of synthesis does the Roland V-Synth use?

The Roland V-Synth combines multiple synthesis methods, including analog modeling, PCM waveforms, and COSM (Composite Object Sound Modeling), providing a rich palette for sound creation and manipulation.

How many voices of polyphony does the Roland V-Synth support?

The Roland V-Synth supports up to 24 voices of polyphony, allowing for complex layering and sound design without note dropouts.

Can the Roland V-Synth be integrated with a DAW?

Yes, the Roland V-Synth can be integrated with a DAW via its USB MIDI and traditional MIDI connections, making it versatile for both studio and live settings.

Does the Roland V-Synth have built-in effects?

Yes, the Roland V-Synth features built-in effects, including reverb, chorus, and various modulation options, enhancing its sound design capabilities.

musictrackjp

musictrackjp

Roland V-Synth ver 2.0 Demo&Review [English Captions]

Video thumbnail for Roland V-Synth ver 2.0 Demo&Review [English Captions] by musictrackjp

Roland V-Synth ver 2.0 Demo&Review [English Captions]

musictrackjp

musictrackjp

Video thumbnail for Roland V Synth by Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Roland V Synth

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Video thumbnail for Bad Gear - Roland V-Synth by AudioPilz

Bad Gear - Roland V-Synth

AudioPilz

AudioPilz

Video thumbnail for Roland V-Synth 2.0 Part. 1 | No Talking | by DKS SYNTH LAB

Roland V-Synth 2.0 Part. 1 | No Talking |

DKS SYNTH LAB

DKS SYNTH LAB

Reviews

PROS

  • Variphrase Synthesizer allows dynamic techno and exotic sound creation

  • Features 512 presets with new analog-modeled oscillators for diverse sounds

  • SuperSaw oscillator generates unique electronic music tones

  • Intuitive controls: keys, touch pad, D Beam light sensors, touchscreen menu

  • Versatile synthesis: Granular, Virtual Analog, Physical Modeling

  • Effective manipulation of samples with COSM technology

  • Large LCD touchscreen and assignable controls enhance usability

  • Includes classic Roland and Boss effect emulations

  • Extensive sound manipulation with Arpeggiator and Step-Modulator

  • Expandable with VC-1 and VC-2 cards for additional tones

CONS

  • Large and heavy, potentially challenging for live performance transport

  • Original V-Synth's VC-1 and VC-2 cards are hard to find and sought after

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland V-Synth Keyboard.

Features and functionality

  • The V-Synth allows sounds to be processed through five effects with modulation possible via mod wheel, D-Beam, and X-Y pad.

    Source
  • The V-Synth can be configured as an effects unit by setting up a multi-patch with different patches on each key and activating the arpeggiator.

    Source
  • The V-Synth GT offers more power but relies heavily on menu navigation, making the original V-Synth more tactile and engaging for hands-on users.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The V-Synth excels in producing ambient trance music, offering a rich sound signature and a quality supersaw akin to the JP80x0.

    Source
  • The V-Synth's capability to emulate the Vocals on Skinny Puppy's 'Greater Wrong of the Right' album highlights its effectiveness for unique vocal sounds.

    Source
  • Owners find the V-Synth's thereminesque D-Beam and time trip pad essential for creating unique sounds, which are absent in the XT rack unit.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend seeking the D50 and Vocal Designer cards for enhanced functionality, although these can be hard to find and expensive.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners find the 15MB onboard storage limiting but upgradeable with a $20 1GB+ memory card.

    Source
  • Owners describe the V-Synth as a "never ever selling" synth, with its unique sound quality making it a staple in their collections despite minor flaws like aliasing in the subtractive engine.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A user noted paying $550 seven years ago for the V-Synth, emphasizing its lasting value and sound quality.

    Source
  • Users have reported purchasing the V-Synth at prices significantly below market value, with one owner acquiring it for $500, less than half the average rate.

    Source

Comparisons

  • While the V-Synth has unique capabilities, some suggest more modern alternatives may offer better overall experiences at similar price points.

    Source
  • The V-Synth XT includes built-in VC-1 and VC-2 cards, offering D-50 and vocoder capabilities, but lacks the real-time control features of the keyboard models.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • The old V-Trainer software is compatible with Windows 10, offering valuable resources like patches and tutorials via the Wayback Machine.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Roland V-Synth

soundonsound.com

The Roland V-Synth is a synthesis powerhouse, blending past Roland technologies into a unique instrument that's a sound designer's dream. Its intuitive interface, with a touchscreen and diverse controllers, offers unparalleled sample manipulation, making it perfect for experimental and performance contexts. While it excels in creativity and expressiveness, its multitimbrality is limited and some users might find the polyphony slightly restrictive. Occasional operational quirks suggest room for improvement. Despite these, its innovative Variphrase technology and rich sound palette make it a must-have for those seeking fresh sonic possibilities. A visionary synth that stands out from the crowd.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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str8sounds

Most advanced synthesizer ever made is a beast of wild sounds

I got this legendary Roland V-Synth used at a local Guitar Center and it rocks hard.

The Variphrase Synthesizer is an automated digital powerhouse of techno and exotic musical dimensions, complete with lots of drum kits, hip hop programs, and freaky space alien sequences.

This is V-Synth Version 2, with 512 presets. Version 2 brings new analog-modeled oscillators, a completely new set of patches, and expressive features such as Sound Shaper, Multi-Step Modulator, Rhythm Kit Screen and more.

A notable addition is the presence of the classic SuperSaw, typical of the JP-8000 and JP-8080, and a staple of Trance music. SuperSaw generates multiple sawtooth waveforms in unison, to achieve a distinct sound often heard in electronic music.

Other improvements for the analog-modeled oscillators include the Polyphonic Feedback Oscillator for screaming sounds, and an X-mod (Cross Modulation) Oscillator for creating clangorous distorted timbres.

An amazing machine of synthesis that you can modulate with keys, touch pad, filter knobs, D Beam light sensors, and a touch screen menu.

It's basically a Granular Synthesis meets Virtual Analog meets weirdo Physical Modeling synth (AP Synthesis).

The time trip pad is fundamentally a fancy means of manipulating the index of what might as well be called a "graintable".

The variphrase encoding modes of "lite", "solo", "backing", and "ensemble" basically streamline how the grains are treated in some ways.

You can lock on single grains, jump around between the grains in weird ways, etc. There's a lot more to the V Synth than its granular abilities, but that's definitely a BIG part of what makes it unique.

It's large and heavy, but I plan to take it up on stage with me at my next live performance, along with the Roland JD-Xi, Moog Sub 37, Kaossilator Pro Plus, and Kaoss Pad 3 Plus.

File under: Instant Entertainment Machine.

str8sounds

Roland user manual states:

The PCM oscillators utilize Roland’s proprietary VariPhrase technology. In a revolutionary breakthrough in comparison to conventional waveform playback, VariPhrase allows the pitch, time, and formant of the audio material to be varied with complete independence in real time, while maintaining high audio quality. This transforms a PCM waveform into “elastic audio,” which you can freely stretch like a rubber band in the desired direction and create organic-sounding changes

mach4
mach4

1256

Serious sound creating!

Arguably one of the best synths from Roland in a while, allowing relatively unique means of manipulating samples (and internal waveforms) using their Variphrase and COSM technology. Variphrase allows for - among other things - direct control over the formant of any sample (or internal waveform) which in turn has a significant effect on how the sounds are manipulated. The many COSM models (especially in the filter section) go some steps further in treatment of the oscillators.

Don't be fooled by the presence of "only" two oscillators, because when you get digging into what you can do with just one oscillator, you'll hear that it doesn't take much to make some huge pads, fat basses and leads, etc, etc (although sometimes at the expense of polyphony).

The large LCD touchscreen and a wealth of dedicated and assignable controls allow for an immediacy of editing. The dual D-beam is assignable to practically any parameter, as is the Time-Trip pad which, among other things, allows the performer to "freeze" a sample and wind it backwards or forwards in realtime.

Arpeggiator and 4-track Step-Modulator allow for even greater sound mangling possibilities. It also has three effects sends allowing for a ton of choruses, delays, reverbs, distortions, EQs, etc, etc. They even include emulations of the classic Roland tape effect units (Space Echo and Space Chorus) along with some old Boss pedal emulations. Many of the effect parameters are able to be modulated via the D-beam or T-T pad.

Probably the biggest drawback with the original V-Synth is the discontinuation of the VC-1 and VC-2 cards which remain extremely hard to find and much sought after. Although not essential, they do expand the V-Synth's already substantial tonal capabilities (the VC-2 Vocoder especially)

From Gear Setup
dukimusic

Synthesizer der zusätzlich auch zum kreativen Sampling einlädt

Der Roland V-Synth ist meiner Meinung nach einer der interessantesten und besonders in Sachen Kreativität überzeugensten Synthesizer die Roland bis heute kreiert hat. Hauptgrund dafür ist für mich auch der Umstand, dass nicht nur Synthese sondern gleichzeitig auch Sampling mit weiterführenden umfangreichen Bearbeitungs- und Soundschöfpungsmöglichkeiten zur Verfügung stehen. Ein anderer Vorteil dieses Tasteninstrumentes sind die umfangreichen Kontrollmöglichkeiten über eher bislang selten vorkommende Kontroller wie das TimeTripPad und 2 Dual Beam Controller. Variphrase (Direktkontrolle über die Formanten von Samples oder interner Waveformen) und COSM haben eine großen Einfluss auf die Soundmanipulationsmöglichkeiten. Dazu ein umfangreicher Arpeggiator und Step Modulator, massenhaft Effekte in ausgezeichneter Qualität und die Möglichkeit den Synth über VC-1 und VC-2 Karten zu erweitern, wobei erstere den V-Synth in einen Roland D50 verwandelt und die zweite ihm zusätzliche Vocodermöglichkeiten einverleibt. Mit Hilfe einer PC-CARD kann der Speicherinhalt schnell geklont und je nach Größe der Karte beliebig verändert gespeichert werden, sodass auf diesem Weg auch viele eigene Samples den Weg in den Synth finden können. Ich arbeite erst seit Mitte 2017 mit diesem Synthesizer und bin bis dato immer noch sehr angetan und auch überrascht, was mit diesem Synth alles möglich ist. Eine kreative Wundermaschine und besonders für den Liveeinsatz sehr empfehlenswert.

stefano_venom_sartori

.

An animal....for studio and live situations

Artist usage

Add artist
See how The Weeknd uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

The Weeknd

Singer, Keyboardist

Bulleez n Nerdz

...
Verified via reverb.com

Used in 2017 tour

See how Ryuichi Sakamoto uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Keyboardist, Composer

Yellow Magic Orchestra

...
Verified via Twitter

Sakamoto mentioned his intention to donate a V-Synth Keyboard in his official tweet.

See how Richard Devine uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Richard Devine

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video, Richard Devine says, "In this corner these are some of my favorite synths."

See how cEvin Key uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

cEvin Key

Drummer, Keyboardist

Skinny Puppy

...
Verified via Photo

Cevin's main live synth.

See how Venetian Snares uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Venetian Snares

Music Producer

Speed Dealer Moms

...
Verified via Photo

This is one of many pieces of gear listed in a 2007 Computer Music feature on Venetian Snares.

See how Christian Lorenz uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Christian Lorenz

Keyboardist

Rammstein

...
Verified via YouTube

Used in the filming of the Rammstein Paris DVD.

See how Richard Barbieri uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Richard Barbieri

Keyboardist

Porcupine Tree

...
Verified via YouTube

Richard Barbieri can be seen playing a Roland V-Synth at 2:55 in this video of Porcupine Tree performing "Way Out of Here".

See how Front 242 uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Front 242

Music Producer

...
Verified via Front242

On their official site, Front242 lists the V-Synth amongst their live performance equipment.

See how Shpongle (Simon Posford) uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Shpongle (Simon Posford)

DJ

Shpongle

...
Verified via YouTube

Roland V-Synth seen left to the mixer and in other image sources

See how Edgar Froese uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Edgar Froese

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via Photo

This image shows Edgar Froese playing the Roland V-Synth Keyboard.

See how Michael Cretu uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Michael Cretu

Singer, Composer

Enigma

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video at 0:20 patch "001 Da ‘V’ Code" from Roland V Synth was used in the intro song of Enigma album 6. Also, At 2:38 you can hear that patch "009 Oriental Vox" from Roland V Synth was used in Enigma's 6th album - Goodbye Milky Way.

See how Thorsten Quaeschning uses Roland V-Synth Keyboard

Thorsten Quaeschning

Singer, Keyboardist

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via Thorstenquaeschning

Equipment & Software used on 'SYNTHWAVES':THORSTEN QUAESCHNING: Software: Steinberg Cubase 8 &8.5Hardware: Manikin Schrittmacher Step-Sequencer x 2Manikin MemotronRoland Jupiter 8 synthesizerRoland JD800 synthesizerDave Smith Prophet 8 synthesizerARP Solina MK2 string synthesizerKorg Wavestation Ex synthesizerWaldorf Microwave synthesizerMoog Voyager monophonic synthesizerModular synthesizerRoland V Synth synthesizerKorg Z1 synthesiserKorg Prophecy synthesiserKorg M1 synthesizerClavia Nordwave synthesizerYamaha TG77 synthesizer moduleRoland System 1 synthesizerRoland JU06 synthesizer moduleKorg MS20 monophonic synthesizerRoland JP08 synthesizer moduleRoland TR-8 Rhythm Performer drum machineOberheim DMX drum machineRoland Promars synthesizerFender Starcaster guitarFender Telecaster guitarFender Stratocaster guitarScrewdriver on wood and contact microphones,Several boxes with contact microphonesA field recording of bees in Thorsten's garden, edited on Cubase and then treated with Melodyne & Halion - and finally used for the lead melody line on 'A Calm But Steady Flow'.(Software synthesizers): Spectrasonics Omnisphere synthesizer, Spectrasonics Keyscape

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland V-Synth Keyboard, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Roland Juno-60
Roland Juno-60 Synthesizers
3
Ensoniq ESQ-1
Ensoniq ESQ-1 Synthesizers
3
Korg Triton Le61
Korg Triton Le61 Synthesizers
3
Ensoniq ASR-10
Ensoniq ASR-10 Audio Samplers
3
Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73
Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73 Vintage & Electric Pianos
3
Roland MKB-1000
Roland MKB-1000 MIDI Keyboard Controllers
2

Community setups

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keyhead

keyhead

Gear IQ 126

tastatore

tastatore

Gear IQ 544

mach4

mach4

Gear IQ 1256

mach4

mach4

Gear IQ 1256

robert_pierson

robert_pierson

Gear IQ 435

mach4

mach4

Gear IQ 1256

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