Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $2,604
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
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
-
No menu diving; intuitive knobs, sliders, and keys
-
Durable build with quality materials
-
Unique and versatile sound palette, ideal for film scoring and prog rock
-
Collectible with increasing value
-
Iconic strings and vocoder sounds used by renowned artists like Vangelis
-
Easy to use, even for beginners
-
Offers a distinctive timbre not found in other synthesizers
-
Can produce both delicate and aggressive sounds
-
Analog synth voices provide an iconic sound
CONS
-
Fast attack on MK2 might be too quick for some, possibly needing adjustment
-
Limited to a specific type of timbre, despite versatility
-
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
-
Switched On in Austin is highly recommended for servicing and recapping the VP-330 to restore its original condition.
Source
Value and pricing
-
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.
Source
Comparisons
-
The VP-330 is considered superior to the smaller VP-03 model, which has a polyphony of four voices.
Source
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 only vocoder in Kitaro's setup. Easy to hear for example in the song "Cosmic Love" (from the album Queen Millennia).
It was mentioned in https://martywillson-piper.com/gear/
In this article it says Emile Haynie uses the Roland VP-330 and is shown in one of the photos
According to the "equipment list" found on Church Studios, owned by Epworth, one of the things listed is the Roland VP-330 vocoder.
"The vocals on this are going through the Roland VP-330 Vocoder, which was a rackmounted version they had in the studio we used in Yorkshire called The Slaughterhouse. It really added something."
Luke Million uses a Roland VP-330 vocoder in his rendition of Never Ending Story, as seen in this video from his studio.
“The actual emulation of the VP-330 is really good but I’m hoping for better off the VP-770. I did a really stringent direct A-B test of one of our original VP-330 vocoders against the modeled one and it was good enough for me to go, ‘Look, I think we should go with this live.’”
the Roland VP-330 vocoder is on the Instrument List on this article
In this page from their official website listing their gear, The Duke says they use the vocoder for all of their recordings since 2001.
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.
Similar
Add recommendation2 alternative and related items for Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus, curated by the Equipboard community.
More Roland Synthesizers
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Gear Guides
Most Popular Synthesizers
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
equipboardGear IQ 4934
-