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Average Price: $2,604
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Step into the realm of vintage synthesis with the Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus, a beloved classic that continues to captivate musicians and producers alike. Renowned for its unique vocoder capabilities, the VP-330 combines the expressiveness of a human voice with the versatility of a synthesizer, offering a sonic palette that is both timeless and innovative. This instrument seamlessly merges strings, human voice, and vocoder sounds, providing a broad spectrum of textures for any musical setting.
Built during the golden era of synthesizers, the VP-330 shines with its unparalleled ability to transform vocal input into lush harmonic textures. Its ensemble and choir sounds are legendary, often sought after for their rich, organic quality. With a straightforward interface, musicians can easily manipulate sounds, making it a perfect choice for both live performances and studio work.
The VP-330's polyphonic capabilities allow for complex chordal arrangements, broadening the creative possibilities. Whether you're looking to recreate the iconic sounds of the past or explore new musical frontiers, this synthesizer offers a robust platform for sound exploration. Its durable design is a testament to Roland's commitment to quality, ensuring it remains a reliable tool for musicians everywhere.
Key Features:
- Unique vocoder capabilities for transforming vocal inputs
- Combines strings, human voice, and vocoder sounds
- Iconic ensemble and choir sounds
- Polyphonic capabilities for complex arrangements
- Straightforward interface for easy manipulation
- Durable design suitable for both live and studio environments
Videos
Doctor Mix
Rare Vintage Vocoder! The Roland VP-330
Reviews
PROS
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No menu diving; intuitive knobs, sliders, and keys
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Durable build with quality materials
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Unique and versatile sound palette, ideal for film scoring and prog rock
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Collectible with increasing value
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Iconic strings and vocoder sounds used by renowned artists like Vangelis
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Easy to use, even for beginners
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Offers a distinctive timbre not found in other synthesizers
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Can produce both delicate and aggressive sounds
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Analog synth voices provide an iconic sound
CONS
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Fast attack on MK2 might be too quick for some, possibly needing adjustment
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Limited to a specific type of timbre, despite versatility
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Expensive, especially compared to modern alternatives
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus.
Setup and maintenance
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Switched On in Austin is highly recommended for servicing and recapping the VP-330 to restore its original condition.
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Value and pricing
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Some owners report purchasing the VP-330 for around $2,000, which is significantly below the typical market price of $3,700 to $4,000.
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Comparisons
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The VP-330 is considered superior to the smaller VP-03 model, which has a polyphony of four voices.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
1963
Our go to Vocoder
The main vocoder we use in the studio. Sounds great on pretty much everything.
Artist usage
Add artist
The attached image is from the sleeve of Oldfields "Discovery" album. The VP-330 is clearly visible in the left foreground in front of the Fairlight monitor.
"It would seem to be a kind of love letter to each other, I suggest. Sidestepping my sentimental musing, however, they are more interested in talking about the Roland Analogue VP 330, the vocoder which they used to process their vocals. "
Taken from their most recent interview
We own the two main synthesisers that Vangelis used for the original score (a Yamaha CS80 and a Roland VP-330)
During the "Bark At The Moon" album era, Don Airey stated: "I have two keyboard sets, one is over here, and one is always in the States. There's a CS80 which is the basic keyboard, a MiniMoog, the Roland Vocoder Plus, Yamaha CF70, Oberheim OBXa, and a MemoryMoog. To them I'm adding a DX7, another MemoryMoog (because I use it so much), and the Wave 2.2 and the Waveterm." This confirms that Don Airey used the Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus, as documented in the article "Wizard Of Oz" (Electronics & Music Maker, Feb 1984).
This Sound On Sound article states that Cocker uses a Roland VP-330.
As if this isn't enough, Jones' collection of sound sources is breathtaking. Inhale deeply for an (incomplete) overview: Fairlight Series III; Yamaha TX816 rack; Akai S1000; Roland Super JX, MKS50, D50, Jupiter 8, Juno 60, D550, and MKS20 digital piano; Korg Wavestation; Prophet T8; MiniMoog; Vocoder VP330; Yamaha KX88 and TG77; and somewhere in a corner his old 808 drum machine. Still there?
Greg Hawkes can be seen playing his Roland VP-330 in “Gimme Some Slack” and “Touch and Go” during live performances on the show, Fridays.
"I'm using vocoder but speech synthesis at the same time. They meld well together and sometimes I sing phonemes along with it to give them more definition. You don't hear it but it's in there to support certain phonemes. I bought the VirSyn Matrix and it's perfect. I use all the other vocoders, like the Roland VP-330 and some others, but the Matrix is just so simple and easy to get a good sound that you can't beat it."
"I wanted to explore these new instruments to find out what they could do. Try to make a new language for them. I’d been working at home with the synth and drum machine. Began in 1978 with an Arp Odyssey, an Elka string machine, a Roland 301 Space Echo and a Roland CR78 drum machine and a four track. "
"CM: 'Can we have a list of your gear?'
JF: 'I couldn’t possibly list all of Benge’s gear but if I work alone then sometimes I record the CR78 and then work on top of this with both analogue and digital synths and effects. I mainly use the Aryp Odyssey and the Roland Vocoder. I believe in using a limited palette of sounds - with just one or two in real focus for the track. The star sounds. This allows for consistency and some innovation at the same time. Arp Odyssey Arp Sequencer Roland Vocoder Plus Elka Strings Moog Minimoog Roland Juno 60 Roland CR78 Roland 909 Outboard: Roland Space Echo 301 MXR Phaser - orange footwitch type Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger."
- Interview, John Foxx - Computer Music Magazine (unknown issue)
The credits of the Casiopea album Make Up City lists that he used this instrument.
Interview German Synth Mag Amazona.de: Neben dem Moog Modular System, das nahezu vollständig Snowflakes are Dancing dominierte und später durch das 55er ergänzt wurde, besaß er zu jener Zeit einiges von Roland, etwa die Systeme 700 und 100, Jupiter-4, VP-330 und Strings RS-202. Weitere Instrumente: Fender Rhodes, Hohner Clavinet, Korg MS50, Korg Vocoder VC-10, Mellotron M-400, Moog Polymoog, Yamaha CS-80, Yamaha String Ensemble SS-30. Ab den frühen 80ern landete bei ihm dann auch digitales Equipment, darunter das Synclavier, E-mu Systems Emulator, Fairlight CMI III und auf manchen Fotos ist auch der legendäre Yamaha VP1 zu sehen.
Seen here in this YouTube video of Laurie Anderson's home studio in the rack of keyboards at the top, it is widely known that the Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus was the vocoder used in Laurie Anderson's "O Superman."
Roland summarize this knowledge: " 'O Superman' transforms the mundane into the sinister. This somber oddity was a surprise hit from Anderson's 1982 debut album Big Science (Warner Brothers). Both playful and ominous, the song’s lyrics were sung through the Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus. While vocoders existed prior to the VP-330, Roland’s distinctive design resonated with new audiences in a climate now fascinated by electronics.
The anchor of 'O Superman' is a loop of Laurie’s gently gated laughter in a robotic eighth-note cadence. Powered by the VP-330 Vocoder Plus, her initially neutral snicker soon becomes malicious, finally emerging as a melancholy chuckle of empathy and defeat. The narrative arc is a tongue-in-cheek conversation with the unknown as told through an imaginary answering machine message—as one might talk to God or one’s reflection."
https://www.rolandcloud.com/news/selective-synthesis-o-superman
Album Usage
The Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus has been featured on the following albums:
Quarantine Casanova (Chopped & Skrewed)
Chromeo (2020)
Head Over Heels
Chromeo (2018)
The End (Live)
Black Sabbath (2017)
Discovery (Remastered 2015)
Mike Oldfield (2016)
展覧会の絵 ultimate edition
Isao Tomita (2014)
Scar Tissue (Original Soundtrack)
Mark Ayres (2014)
Hot Mess
Chromeo (2011)
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields (1999)
The Fat of the Land
The Prodigy & The Prodigy (1997)
Blade Runner (Music From The Original Soundtrack)
Vangelis (1994)
Bark At The Moon (Expanded Edition)
Ozzy Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne (1983)
Big Science
Laurie Anderson (1982)
Face Value (Deluxe Editon)
Phil Collins (1981)
MAKE UP CITY
Casiopea (1980)
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 VP-330 Vocoder Plus, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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