VP-9000

We first told you about the Roland VP-9000 VariPhrase Processor in our Winter NAMM Report. As usual with such cutting edge products, it takes a while for any company to make enough of them to keep up with the demand, so we more or less decided to wait until we had plenty of units lined up in our warehouse before we did a feature story here in the pages of Sweet Notes.

For those of you who missed the report or weren’t quite sure what all the excitement was about, allow us to tell you about this hot new machine. First we’ll give you an overview of the module, then take you through a few specific applications, so stick with us on this one. You’ll be glad you did.

Billed by Roland as the World’s First “Elastic” Audio Processor, the VP-9000 uses an entirely new technology called “VariPhrase Sampling.” VariPhrase can capture audio and then “train” it to provide realtime MIDI manipulation of pitch, time and formant while preserving the original sample’s sound quality. The result is a technology which, for the first time, gives users the freedom to sample any instrument — or even a sound effect, vocals or speech — and transform it in any way they wish.

To put it simply, think of the VP-9000 as the world’s most sophisticated sampler. But while it can indeed sample audio, it can take that sampled sound and do things that absolutely no sampler in the world has ever been able to do. See, with the 2U rackmount VP-9000 VariPhrase Processor, users are free to pitch-shift sampled phrases and notes in real time without altering their tempo or formant (meaning the essential character of the sound is not changed, so there is no “Munchkinizing” as a sample is transposed upwards, as was always the case with traditional samplers), change the tempo of audio phrases without changing the pitch, modify the duration of notes held within a phrase, or change a rhythm’s groove — even from the middle of the audio phrase — all in a completely non-destructive environment.

Because both formant and pitch are processed using this incredibly sophisticated technology, audio phrases can be transposed over a wider range of notes, actually eliminating the need to multi-sample. And once audio is “trained” or encoded, it is treated as mere wave data whose parameters can then be altered in real time using MIDI messages, so the possibilities are virtually limitless.

Before audio can be manipulated in VariPhrase’s elastic audio environment, it must be captured and trained by the VP-9000. There are three different choices for encoding audio, each of which is optimized for different sound sources such as solo instruments, backing arrangements, or ensemble sounds. Once encoded, audio becomes as flexible and alterable as MIDI performance data. It can be played back with 6-voice polyphony at any speed or in any key. It can be re-pitched, made to swing, slowed down or sped up on the fly, or any combination of the above, all non-destructively and in real time using three assignable control knobs or via external MIDI controllers such as a pitch bender, modulation wheel, or aftertouch.

With VariPhrase, changing the tempo or key from the mid-point of the phrase is as easy as using a pitch bender. The VP-9000’s knobs also transmit MIDI control change messages, allowing users to record and edit VariPhrase performances in a sequencer. Onboard effects processing includes independent reverb, chorus and a new multi-effects section with 40 high-powered, Roland quality effects. VariPhrase technology can be used in a variety of applications: DJs, remixers and post-production professionals will appreciate its ability to sync different samples with different keys and tempos instantly: Using VariPhrase, vastly different source material can instantly be made to work with each other.

Because the audio itself is not being changed, but rather controlled in real time internally or via MIDI, it can be quantized to different grooves in realtime. Phrase samples can even be synced to other MIDI devices like sequencers or Grooveboxes without changing pitch or formant, allowing audio to follow a sequence. Performers can use VariPhrase to turn audio riffs or phrases into a musical instrument under complete realtime control. With Time Sync, the VP-9000 allows up to six voices to be played according to the first voice, instantly adding natural harmonies to anything from a vocal to a horn solo at will. In addition, pitch bending of single notes or chords without altering the speed of the sample makes the VP-9000 perfect for modifying brass falls, etc. VariPhrase is even more useful for “retouching” a performance, since individual notes within a phrase can be lengthened, shortened or have their pitch changed totally or partially while maintaining the original feel of the phrase. You could, for example, take a great vocal part where one note is slightly flat, and bring that note up to its correct pitch without affecting any of the other notes.

The VP-9000’s standard 8MB internal memory provides 25 seconds of stereo sampling or 50 seconds in mono, and can be expanded to 136MB with optional 32-pin SIMMs, giving users approximately seven minutes of stereo or 14 minutes of mono recording. In addition to its native format, the VP-9000 is compatible with a variety of other audio sources including Roland S-700 and Akai S1000, as well as standard AIFF and .WAV files. It supports sampling frequencies from 8kHz to 48kHz in either eight (if you want a little grunge) or 16 bits. An internal 250MB Zip drive provides a convenient means to backup audio data and also allows for easy transfer of AIFF and .WAV files from a Mac or PC.

Two SCSI ports (25-pin and 50-pin) are included for connecting an external CD-ROM drives hard drives or an additional Zip drive. A stereo headphone jack, plus six outputs (one stereo and two pairs of direct outs) give users more flexible mixing options, while coaxial and optical digital I/O allow the VP-9000 to integrate well into a digital studio environment. In addition to the stereo input jacks on the rear, a front-panel audio input jack makes connecting external sound sources more convenient. MIDI In/Out/Thru connections enable the VP-9000 to be played from a MIDI keyboard or sequencer, as well as transmit and receive control change messages, critical to manipulating sounds.

Okay, now you know what the VP-9000 does, but maybe you’re scratching your head and asking, “How can I use this to make music?” Well, let’s start with something simple. If you’re one of those people who can sing a little, but aren’t great at it, you can sample yourself singing “ooh” or “ahh” in a range that’s comfortable for you, process (or “encode”) the best sample, then use it to make a small background vocal group doing oohs or ahhs in three or four part harmony. Traditional samplers could perform this function to a limited degree, but as the original sample got stretched up or down by more than a major third (and usually less), it no longer sounded natural, so you had to multisample your vocal every few notes to keep it from sounding artificial. You can even sample entire vocal phrases, then play them back in three part harmony in sync with your sequencer.

Here’s another simple example: You have a cool guitar line you want to use as the basis for your next hit, but at the tempo you’d like for the song, you just can’t quite play the part accurately. All you have to do is sample the riff at a speed you can handle, then use the VariPhrase function to change the speed to whatever you’d like. Traditional samplers can’t do this. To play a sample at a different speed, you have to play it at a different pitch and it usually sounds awful. Which brings up another cool feature: Your guitar riff might sound better in F# rather than E. No problem! You can play the part and change pitch in real time right from the front panel, and all without changing the speed.

Once you get the hang of using the VP-9000, you’ll find there are all sorts of things you can do that were never before possible. With the VP-9000 VariPhrase Processor, Roland gives anyone the power to keep audio phrases alive, unlike traditional samplers which inherently limit the user’s creative possibilities.

For more information about this awesome technology and your special Sweetwater pricing on a Roland VP-9000, call your Sales Engineer immediately.

— Bill Hoover