The Roland VP-330: Why is it so sought after?

[@jakobole]

Lovely! (And I had english subs on - "Chariots of Fire" became "Chariot Safari" - that would be quite a thing!)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Haha!

[@ericbgordon1575]

Ha, where are the lyrics of "Jerusalem" when you need them?

[@RaymondCastile]

La Fête Sauvage would be Chariot Safari IRL

[@nickdryad]

My favourite robot translation was ‘Otis shredding’ on a Produce Like A Pro review on Peter Gabriel.

[@lundsweden]

Surfin' U-oo.Kay-hey

[@Doctormix]

Wow!! What a sound 🙌

[@AlexBallMusic]

Enjoyed your demo of one a few years back. 🙂

[@fjfrancois]

Mr Claudio in the house.

[@carlosserrano3985]

I think Claudio have the Behringer clone in his studio and also a Roland VP-550 wich is wonderful too. My brother have the 550 and I'm thinking of having a conversation with him about that one, LOL!

[@kerzwhile]

Hey Claudio, You should do a VP550 appreciation vid 😉 or an overlooked gear series🤔

[@carlosserrano3985]

@@kerzwhile I think he made a video about the VP-550 already.

[@TayTayMakesBeats]

Love the composition at the end, like a lost ELO track.

[@RegebroRepairs]

Jeff Lynne reincarnated! Oh wait, no, he isn't even dead yet!

[@thaJeztah]

Yes! That was great!

[@RayyMusik]

I find it rather influenced by “Lucy in the Sky ....” (Beatles, Sgt. Pepper).

[@toitoitoy]

New Musik vibes or something produced by Tony Mansfield

[@robgs]

Thought the same - If 80's ELO and Mike Oldfield did a record.

[@Danbatio]

The last 2 minutes were a 40-year journey back in time, straight to my childhood. Thank you very much.

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

What a true class act! (both Alex and the 330) 😋 I just adore the track at the end my friend!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you my good man. 👊

[@mileswb]

Indeed, that track at the end totally slaps

[@my4trackmachine]

Great review as usual! I have had the pleasure of using one of these. I always felt like the string and human voice section of the vp-330 had an almost mellotron like sound despite being synthesized. Despite the limitations, the quality of sound from all 3 voice types are hypnotizing. It really transports you into a very specific universe.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes! Very Mellotron like, but also distinctly different.

[@MrSpasticdancer]

damn alex your level of talent is unmatched. able to write songs in any style while looking casual as if its no big deal

[@stephenswift9868]

I love the human voice mode! It’s quite creepy and epic at the same time!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Great description, yes. Haunting and beautiful.

[@johnmeroney2007]

Kraftwerk worthy.

[@bencarding7806]

That gloss lacquered wood back panel with the massive Roland logo is beyond epic. Just looks the dogs nuts.

[@jefferyrussell9979]

I always refer to this instrument as the Blue Sky synth when people ask about it. I know it is limited in it's capabilities, but what it does it does extremely well and always puts a smile on my face.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Nice description of its sound. I'd love to know what they actually used as the song was recorded before the VP was released.

[@bobbyarchaic9649]

This is beautiful. Thanks for making this. It sounds so warm and pleasant. Well done.

[@toxictrumptube7763]

Funny, full of passion and knowledge and with a very special vibe. You deserve way more subscribers. I really appreciate your videos.🤜🏼🤛🏻 Thanks!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@sonjaadamson1714]

Those strings really give that Vangelis sound. They're so good!

[@jaggass]

The VP-330 is like an ARP Solina String Ensemble and Vocoder in one. It was ahead of it's time as it could pull off the sound of a male and female voice without using any samples. I had a mk1 VP-330 for a short time. It belonged to Dave Morgan of ELO.

[@AlexBallMusic]

You had ELOs VP-330? Wow!

[@budgetguitarist]

Wonderful overview! I just noticed a Vocoder on the song "Duchess" by Genesis the other day. This channel has me paying more attention to synths in recordings now, which is a good thing.

[@ericbgordon1575]

I've got to pay attention to that the next time I give that track a listen.

[@Aquatarkus96]

Duke features appearances by a whole orchestra of synthesizers :) lovely album!

[@budgetguitarist]

@@Aquatarkus96 Yeah, I absolutely love it.

[@5amJones69]

Demo 3 was such a bop! Great stuff as always, Mr Ball.

[@StephenMcLeod]

Nice one. This is dead interesting. I picked up a VC340 lately after originally thinking: "why the hell would I need that?!" and it is amazing.

[@lundsweden]

Hi, how close is the VC340?

[@StephenMcLeod]

@@lundsweden I've never used a VP330 so I can't comment!

[@jbaragon]

El mejor sonido de cuerdas y voces de la historia. Gracias Vangelis por usarlo tantas y tantas veces.

[@fuhongfan7344]

According to some sources, this vocoder is used in Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” (one of my favorite recent songs). Fascinating!

[@nebula0697]

Love this thing. Awesome demo and full tune bonus at the end, waiting for the next album. One bit of trivia is that musicians have sometimes sought to hide their voices behind it. Air is one example, who appeared never sure whether to sing or not. You can then dare to mix in your actual voice to taste. One cool sound is an eery pad made up of mixing the strings, choir and vocoder about equally with the strings filter all the way dark.

[@morphoice]

4:00 must be the dopest track I've ever heard done with a modular

[@GroenalundMusic]

VP330 was also used by ABBA in Super Trouper, Under Attack, the day before you came (Drums) and Lay all your love on me (Chorus).

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@chriskelvin248]

Your videos are always even MORE entertaining than what I think I’m gonna get here! Truly.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Chris.

[@HammondDirk]

Wow, it's so cute, so cool and simply sounding so beautiful!😍 Now comes the next problem: I want one...

[@santibanks]

Tony Banks from Genesis used it as a replacement for the Mellotron. The choirs and strings substituted these sounds from the mellotron on classic Genesis tracks from the 70ies like Afterglow and Watcher of the Skies. But they ran anything through the vocoder section. Voices, other synths, drums. In the Air Tonight is another example of that vocoder sound.

[@stevenmann9769]

After re-watching this I can say I love this beast even more!!! Just gorgeous so damn gorgeous. I still really appreciate your point about good gear still needing good ideas. Vangelis used it brilliantly because his projects were just awesome. Thanks again Alex :)

[@ZwamTekMusic]

WOW! thats how vangelis did those sounds!!! lovely!!!

[@dougalwilson9612]

Great video and lovely song - thanks Alex. Yes very ELO. Love the high bassline.

[@keythinwatford7153]

Informative, entertaining, and a Jeff Lynnesque track at the end ftw.

[@AlexBallMusic]

That was what I was going for- thank you!

[@ClemensWennersMusic]

Bwoahh.. that sounds amazing!

[@gomercy4645]

Sounds amazing! Ooozes with so much class and nostalgia.

[@justincanton]

It has the magic and dark energy living inside that VP-330. It lives, breathe’s and scares souls, that’s why it still attracts. Also great compositions bro. 🎹👌🏼👉🏼🎤

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

Love each and every one of your vids, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Wilson.

[@wilsonjaksetic6009]

@@AlexBallMusic every new video you make, I learn something new and have a solid laugh. I guess the real Control Voltage were the friends we made along the way! (Ps: you should totally do another collaborative video with Bad Gear)

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@wilsonjaksetic6009 Cheers. If I ever find any more terrible bits of gear I'll give Florian a call.

[@audioartisan]

I Love this instrument! This is the best showcase of the VP-330 yet. Thank you, Alex. :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@TheGreatPizzaMasterpiece]

3:43 is some dope sh:t my friend

[@AlexBallMusic]

Part of a project in the works. I've been surreptitiously slipping bits of it into videos to see if anyone mentions it. 😉

[@williamtell1477]

Your screen at 1:38 in the background is a very classic old Windows look. I used to work on Windows starting in the late '90s when that color was the main look. Kind of nostalgic for me to see that. :)

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Beautiful machine & beautiful tune, as always ;)

[@lairdtomfrenchelectromusic2545]

Totaly magical this VP-330 ! And you too !!! Thank you for brightening up my sad evening ! : )

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah thanks. Glad to hear.

[@davidchavez1553]

My brother! The ending track was excellent and the video's are extremely informative. I've been learning the last year and have an absolute addiction spending hours everyday making complicated noise. Ha. take care. Also your vids drive me mad with jealousy of all the cool gear you have

[@vintagesynths]

What a lovely demonstration of this iconic keyboard. Thank you so much for it. Your song in the end was stunning. Great work. I also have the VP-330 for years and love the silky tone. The behringer clone is very close. I compared them both side by side also on KZbin

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you Rudiger. Yes, a very special instrument. I'll have to check out your comparison.

[@myousickoflife]

I appreciate the string instruments in the background. Really adds to the video.

[@synthverkstad2093]

A brilliant overview with a fantastic finish with your demo track!

[@myshelby500gt]

another quality informative video from the very talented Mr Alex Ball. .

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Steve!

[@DjNikGnashers]

Gotta love a vocoder, from the Bode, and Moog, through this Roland and to modern software.

[@Dr.CoCoL1na]

Love and Appreciate your synth videos the most on the entire web!!!! All the lil morsels like the RS-505....VP-330...PRophet 10 redue....the new PS-3300 that you just did wowzerZ I could go on and on......love your musicianship and your depictions and looping and playing songs...Just the right amount of flavour and humor...some other channels(won't name any names) are a lil to ego-centric and outright annoying...maybe its your British accent..Really appreciate all your videos.....Appreciate mate, Best Wishes!🎶🎹🎵🎼

[@bf0189]

Those strings are so amazing and lush!

[@JamesCorbettMusic5000]

Just got the behringer vc340 and absolutely love it. Super affordable and sounds near exactly the same

[@deantiquisetnovis]

Same here! And it takes up less space in the studio 😅

[@dextrodemon]

i feel like ive heard this thing a ton in old 80s/90s japanese movies

[@AlexBallMusic]

Quite possibly!

[@kama-kiri6496]

A lot of 80s anime had this sound for sure.

[@xmlthegreat]

Yep this sound is basically baked into 80s and 90s anime.

[@EliasBendix]

This video totally convinced me of buying it! I know someone who has one for sale and.... i guess I'll just take it!

[@RalphBaumgartl]

Wonderful device! I consider myself lucky to own one. Great video!

[@SyncdAlien]

Lovely! The track at the end really captured a 70s vibe, nicely done! By the way, when you acquire these early 80s synths, must you have all the capacitors replaced before you can use them?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Most synths on my channel are just passing through.

[@MarcusD]

Demo is fire!! got the vibe down perfect.

[@fanbladeinstruments]

Magnificent song at the end, I really liked that one, you're a talented fellow.

[@goldmundbyrne7075]

I love your song at the end, mate - really impressed!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@TheGreatPizzaMasterpiece]

Not enough people on the internets talking about Meat Beat Manifesto these days. Love their 90s work!

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

He was a massive influence for me, so much modular in his stuff and really amazing production: Streets ahead of the game back then, awesome live too.

[@TheGreatPizzaMasterpiece]

@@Kung_Fu_Jesus I say “they” when I probably/mostly mean Jack Dangers but the first 4 albums especially Satyricon occupy a special place in (my) musical history. Satyricon to me is the most successful pop-rave crossover record... the song Circles is timeless. And I never even heard it until the year 2001, it hadn’t aged a day. The modular on Subliminal Sandwich is soooooo good too. Would love to be a fly on the wall in his studio back then.

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

@@TheGreatPizzaMasterpiece all I can say is that the MBM remix of Orbital’s Remind is possibly the greatest moment in techno I have ever experienced.

[@MD_Builds]

loved that little solo at the end there :D Another great track and another great vid :)

[@Hummelsbusch]

Loved every second of this! Great outro-song!

[@EspenKraft]

Very happy to hear you say you can't just press one button and it'll blow everyone away. :P Excellent walk through Alex! I've been dying to get my hands on the RS-505 which I believe is somewhat of the same, but adds a bass section and misses out on the vocoder of course. Have you got that stacked away behind some of the other wood cheeks perhaps? ;-)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hey Espen! Funny you should say that because an RS-505 is indeed lined up for a video when I can get to it. 😀

[@EspenKraft]

@@AlexBallMusic Excellent! The bass on that is from another world. I dont know anyone that has one so I'll settle for a killer-video from you then! :D

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@EspenKraft Oh yes indeed! Very cool.

[@immeika]

Videos like this are what got me into to making electronic music

[@user-fo3ug3cr4m]

Thanks for showing these synthesizers, I wouldn't have known about the variety without these videos. Also, great praise for the "Land of the Rising Sound - Soundtrack Excerpts" album, I love this synth jams. What do you do for a living?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed them. I've been doing music for media full time for about 14 years now. Maybe I'll tell that story at some point.

[@user-fo3ug3cr4m]

@@AlexBallMusic I'd be very interested.

[@simonfenn3791]

@@AlexBallMusic Please do. ;-}

[@benlane3701]

Really cool video man. Heaps of awesome ELO vibes on the demo track. Keep up the good work 👍👍

[@ko83na]

just wanted to say, thank you for your videos alex.

[@stevenburns989]

Always look forward to your videos

[@nativeVS]

Seems like this sadly just confirms my hypothesis, that the lovely soft string sounds (a la Mike Oldfield) are Mk1 territory. Loving that Macca/Britpop style song with the complete juxtaposition of adding the VP330, though I would have thought that 70s Geert van Schlaenger would have a big catalog of music done with the VP330.

[@parasiteunit]

There's a software company called loomer... They do a synth, called (groundbreakingly) string... Which has a very similar tone to the early synth string instruments... Whilst it isn't going to be an exact copy... Tonaly, there's definitely a retro character to it. Especially as the synth allows you to use the phaser and chorus mod effects on an external signal. Worth looking at as an option for that area of sound

[@Donnie_Thornberry]

This was used for the original Transformers TV show and movie. Many of the 80s electro-funk artists like Pretty Tony Butler, Juan Atkins, Man Parrish, Egyptian Lover used this exact vocoder.

[@gasolineandwine]

This was recently used in Dua Lipa's Levitating, during the intro! It used the creepy choir with the auto bend function, and it sounds super wicked.

[@ytsm]

Your composition at the end, is as sweet as! 😎

[@SiEffen]

Loved the track at the end!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@midnightsocean2689]

Using an external synth as the carrier sounded much better. Straight off the VP-330 it had some weird jittery thing making it cut in and out a little. Unless that was a clipping issue or youtube’s lovely compression. Very cool effect when you used drums. Ieeh! That string synth sound is so harsh and brittle. I’m guessing it probably sounds better in person but yikes. I didn’t expect that. Had me diving for my volume. The voice synth part is really cool in a great vintage way. I’d take just that as a synth. Didn’t hurt that you played some really great melodies heh. Thanks for another great video. Really cool to get to see a lot of these synths in depth. I’ve seen many in my days but it was usually client’s at the studio with no time for me to pay it any attention for myself. That's such a cute little tune you did at the end. : )

[@broklee]

Nice song at the end!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Many thanks!

[@wingflanagan]

Love the tune. Just remember the importance of keeping up appearances when doing things on your bucket list...

[@baconfister]

Yet another amazing video! Your, sir, ROCK!!! 🤘🏻😎🍺

[@Pac-Man..]

Those sounds are reminiscent of some of Steve Hackett's early classics. Really interesting channel - keep it up!

[@mattkillian632]

I'm just here for the Keeping Up Appearances joke

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'll get Sheridan on the phone.

[@mastercylinder1939]

I’m going to have to watch it again, I missed it, doh! Probably busy typing a forgettable response!

[@mastercylinder1939]

@@AlexBallMusic Lol. Maybe start another channel, The Keep up appearances appreciation channel. Rose in her basque comes to mind!

[@yuufeternal5837]

What is keeping up with appearances?

[@mastercylinder1939]

@@yuufeternal5837 it’s a comedy show in England about a woman who is always trying to be upperclass.

[@nicklymberis5371]

Loved this so much I tracked one down and acquired it 😂 thanks so much! **EDIT** Just found out the unit I bought was this EXACT unit from the video!!! Crazy!

[@eddydeegan]

Another great video Alex, you're knocking them out the park and it's great to see. Hopefully after lockdown ends and we're all getting back to normal our paths will cross one day, possibly at our mutual friends' place ;-)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah yes, I know who you mean. 😉

[@kirabarsmith9353]

Keeping Up Appearances reference FTW; ) Didn't know that's the vocoder used on O Superman, very cool. Glorious instrument and well shown as always.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Yes, I love her use of it along with the tape loop. Super cool.

[@glenesis]

Finally! A light-weight, low-maintenance replacement for those dreadful Mellotrons! Greetings Alex :) Instant Late-70's! Congratulations. You got you a very pretty specimen. Thanks for another lovely demo, and another lovely, fun track.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks again for tuning in!

[@muzikman2008]

Cool stuff Alex, loved the end song... "Oh Superman" sneaked in at the end too lol.. ah...ah...ah..ah... :-D

[@AlexBallMusic]

😉

[@Zeal808]

Yayy it’s nick! Demo #3 🔝!!

[@carlosserrano3985]

Oh wow, the VP-330! My first synth (MK II), I bought it from an old man who wants a piano and instead the salesperson somehow convince him to get the VP-330. He bought it in 1982 and I bought it from him in 1985 almost brand new with the box and manuals because guess what? He still wants a piano. But 2 years later I sold it and went to buy a Juno 106,. Now is a synth that everybody wants, the strings sounds are one of my favorite, way better than a Solina and even better than Roland string machine, the Vocoder is also sweet. Thanks Alex for another fantastic video with an special synth.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Wanted a piano and got a VP-330! That is a mismatch if ever I heard one.

[@carlosserrano3985]

Yeah but apparently that was the case, that was the story he told me and he sold the VP-330 to fund the piano purchase, it's crazy!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Worked out well for you then! Nice.

[@XavierRadix]

That ensemble effect really brings this unit to life... You turn it on and boom, you're in futuristic 70s commercial heaven!

[@AlexBallMusic]

I always get a little flutter from flicking on a syrupy old ensemble. Mmmm.

[@XavierRadix]

@@AlexBallMusic It's almost dangerously good at times. And before you know it, your wallet is empty.

[@andybabb2410]

This is a pretty gnarly video, now I have an urge to add a vocoder to my synth arsenal ! !😂 Keep up the awesome work dude!!!

[@fantasyproduct1042]

Me to 😁

[@johnvcougar]

Bocoder VC-340 does the trick for me!

[@andybabb2410]

Sweet, thanks@@johnvcougar 🤘😃

[@AlexBallMusic]

Everyone needs a vocoder (and a 303).

[@fantasyproduct1042]

@@AlexBallMusic I have the avalon bassline for 303 service 😁

[@kgbinfo]

this is the very definition of the word "sparkle"

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes!

[@deantiquisetnovis]

The demo song is amazing!

[@mp3magnet]

I think sister Violet had one of those. You remember Violet. She's the one with the Mercedes, swimming pool, and room for a pony.

[@butcharmstrong9645]

I would have one just for that GREAT string sound alone! Way better than most 70's string synths in my opinion.

[@simonfenn3791]

10:00 Forget Mr Sheeren and Mr Collier, there's only ONE Alex Ball .................. Truly great composition to fit the time period and highlight the VP-330.

[@vprice509]

I didn't realize that Alex was The Beatles.

[@mrmixalotcreative5847]

Your song at the end was fantastic. I'd listen to that record.

[@imnotfishing]

Great episode Alex. Thank you.

[@Synthnerd11]

Also used by Mike Oldfield. Lots of strings can be heard on the albums "Crises" and "Discovery". On "Amarok" he uses the vocoder. Great demo as usual Alex, really enjoying your channel.

[@synthnerd4539]

Nice video again! I've got, um, a certain cheaper and more recent version... 👀 What can I say, there's nothing like an original 70s chunk is there. Beautiful. And immaculate!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Don't blame people there. The original is almost impossible to find.

[@johnvcougar]

❤️

[@Jdcrouch1972]

Did Mr Lynn raie a copywright strike for the flavour of the close out song? Loved that

[@Musik_Arbeiter]

Nice track at the end, it has a pretty uplifting vibe 👍 I appreciate your honest feedback at the end of the video about your take on the VP-330 saying the pros and cons. I've seen alot of videos that seem to praise it without any realistic takes on it (limited parameters you can control for the sound, paraphony, etc.). I always liked the instrument for its sound and was interested in picking up the Behringer clone of it down the road, but I wanted to ask if you had an opinion on it compared to the original?

[@sirspork5651]

amazing, very noticable on ymo tracks, great stuff

[@LouisSerieusement]

these analog choir preset is mindblowing :o !!! Thank you so much for sharing, I love your video :D

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, probably the best thing about it!

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

*_Beautiful_* extro tune, man! With just a hint of Beatles, but not overdoing it. *Love* it!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. The old descending bass line trick from back in the day. 🙂

[@fjfrancois]

Man I have the Behringer’s copy, the VC-340 I love mine ❤️Thank you from your videos 😊

[@fantasyproduct1042]

So it's a good purchase?

[@carlosserrano3985]

For me is the closest to the original and is cheap, the only thing is that the Behringer Is smaller but it has MIDI.

[@fjfrancois]

@@fantasyproduct1042 Yes my friend is a good purchase.

[@adamgh0]

10:00 That's the most British song I've heard in a long time! Well done. Now do "Intergalactic."

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers me old China. I did the intergalactic thing on my Seekers Voice Spectra video. Sounds identical.