What is Roland's Variphrase system?

[@lemelstudio]

I didn't even know this instrument existed! I have to say, though, the V-Synth is one of my favorite synths ever. It is probably the most musical implementation of Variphrase, with some stunning presets. I'd say that's followed by the SP-808, which also contains this engine (among others).

[@gearfacts]

The SP808 had variphrase? Cool

[@glenesis]

3 Cheers for the Might iomega Zip Drive! Hip-hop, hooray! Dude, I missed this technology. It's still kind of mind-blowing today.

[@johnsonjacob3525]

Roland Variphrase was incredible, sampling, and all the manipulation you can do, like change tempo without changing pitch, or vise versa. I had a VariOS module because it was on sale, and going out of production, but didn't have much time to play with it. I regret selling it, but don't think the software it came with would be compatible with the present computer operating system versions.

[@dubbylabby6068]

Check the tc helicon perform ve for something similar more easy to work out. ;)

[@MK-vi2cm]

The new SP-404 MK2 has variphrase on it now. Check it out

[@rene.grondzi]

Could you sample tones on it ?

[@blkonblkenabledred854]

This is an interesting machine based on the screen from the 90s

[@gearfacts]

It is indeed SOOOO 90's!

[@blkonblkenabledred854]

Cheers

[@Peter-qg2oh]

Hello, thanks for this video. I'm looking actual for a additional keyboard/synthesizer/workstation, which has the focus on soul, funk and soul-jazz styles/accompaniments. The old VA 76/VA 7 seems to be the only one, which has focus on such genres. Or do you know some other keyboards for this special genres?

[@gearfacts]

Oh man I totally hear you. All I can suggest is the Yamaha DJX-2B. If you see my video you'll laugh (search Gearfacts DJX2B) , but it's the only machine I've used that has a decent set of funk/soul/jazz/blues-based beats in a modern and versatile form. Not a perfect suggestion, I know, but yep there's a big hole in the market for exactly what you've described :(

[@Peter-qg2oh]

@@gearfacts Hi, this and some other videos inspired me so much that, that I today planned to buy the VA-76 as a used one. I had the chance to play 1 hour along through all the presets and styles. Yes, there were a little number of funky/soul styles, but not as seen in some of the videos. Up to 80-90% the styles are mostly entertainer orientaded (waltz, country, usually pop/rock...nothing really impressive). The seller and I agreed, that I - before buy the VA-76 - again research, if the funky/soul grooves/styles comes from 3rd party providers or are self made. Do you have some ideas to that? Thanks also for the DJX2B recommandation. I guess, this is not really the right one for me, cause I play chords/accompaniments usally with/on my keyboards. Has the DJX2B the capability to play/improvise via e.g. midi keyboard on chord-changing?

[@a.mandelli4602]

I owned the Roland VA7... Very nice advanced Keyboard for the Time... And Variphrase was amazing... I had so much fun with it... Would you sell this Keyboard? 😀

[@gearfacts]

haha already sold, my friend :)

[@dubbylabby6068]

Yeah! You did it on the va7! So then a comparision vs the VA3 please?

[@gearfacts]

I think I prefer the VA-3. I found the Va-7's sampler to be pretty un-usable so not really worth the extra complexity, weight and size. The VA-3 is just straight-up sound-selectin' fun :)

[@angelserrano3655]

Yo necesitaría 2 años, al menos, para poder hacer este vídeo. Gracias por tu esfuerzo y tus buenas intenciones.

[@gearfacts]

El proceso de Varifrase es muy complicado y bastante molesto. Dudo que vuelva a usarlo. Aunque fue una aventura interesante :)

[@doordedeur]

Back then Variphase was a big thing, but why didn't Roland continue it?

[@gearfacts]

Yeah I heard some songs at the time that utilized Variphrase. Then it vanished.

[@dubbylabby6068]

Roland get VC2 card (realtime Vocal Designer) and do some new units. Also Voice Transformer. Recently released the sp404mk2 which something related to but if you want these marvels properly implemented check Tc Helicon perform ve and Pioneer Toraiz sp16 and djs1000 samplers.

[@robles2707]

How can i configure the Pedal Sustain in the Va-7. My current pedal does not work on this keyboard

[@gearfacts]

Should be just plug-and-play. Some pedals are set to the wrong (opposite) polarity though. Is there a switch on your pedal to change the polarity? Some have it, some don't.

[@kurisuchiinathecrocodile333]

also, thanks for good explanation etc. appreciated!

[@gearfacts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christiantorma2440]

wusste ich es doch dass das va7 den vp 9000 on board hat !

[@gearfacts]

Das wusste ich nicht

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

Gearfacts can i please tell you what keyboards i like to hear

[@gearfacts]

Sure. I can't guarantee if I'll be able to review them all, but I'll try :)

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

Gearfacts do you still have the casio wk 210 keyboard

[@gearfacts]

No, I sold it

[@ilovekeyboards7830]

Gearfacts you haven't made a video about the casio lk 220 yet

[@gearfacts]

True, it's on my list

[@kurisuchiinathecrocodile333]

sound like voice announcements from half-life 1

[@bevolkisch4628]

If you used it all the time don't you think you would get used to the way it works?

[@gearfacts]

I only had about 2 days with this keyboard.

[@bevolkisch4628]

@@gearfacts If you do a sample but you don't encode it will it just play like an ordinary sampler?

[@gearfacts]

@@bevolkisch4628 Yes. Encoding it should make it ready for Variphrase. But in using it I found that it did not always do this.

[@bestrickie2]

A fantastic instrument though it doesn’t sound particularly user friendly and dated back to the early 2000s.

[@gearfacts]

Absolutely correct :)

[@aru6546]

Any giveaway to me

[@gearfacts]

Sure

[@aru6546]

@@gearfacts which one dude